Troy watched her through the glass as she talked to the doctor. He crossed his arms as looked up and down the hallway. His eyes rested on her again, when they got there he notified Betty that Gabriella was in his custody. He really wasn't sure about what to do with Gabriella Catania, at the moment, but he was positive she was a big part of what was currently happening in Highland Meadows.

When she came out of the examination room she had a Band-Aid over her right cheek and the bruise behind it was getting darker. She'd been banged up pretty bad and she was handling it like a champ. Most people he knew would have gone into shock by now or fainted from the amount stress and anxiety.

She was standing there in her diner uniform and white sneakers looking up at him with quiet expression. "Where to now?"

"You can't stay at the Paxton anymore."

Gabriella's eyes widen, "And where else am I supposed to go?"

"Home."

"You said I couldn't leave."

"You have a home in Highland Meadows, it's just listed as you're Father's property."

Gabriella scowled as she brought a hand up to her temple again and Troy took a step closer as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Someone wants to hurt you, all I'm trying to do is make that a little bit harder for them to do."

"I can take care of myself."

"Yes, you can. And I believe it too," Troy voice lowered and he let out a sigh, "Ella, if you get hurt and there's something I could have done to prevent I won't be able to forgive myself."

Gabriella eyes looked up into his blue ones and for a moment looking down into those light brown eyes, he felt like she was silently relieved and filled with absolute terror at the same time. Like she was literally battling a war inside herself on whether or not she could trust him. If she was safe? And Troy felt his stomach wrench at the thought that she'd ever been made to feel anything but safe.

"Isn't our history like a conflict of interest or something?" she asked quietly looking away from him.

"It's grey area." Memories raced through his mind, causing sensory overload. He remembered the arguments, the conversations, and the incredible tension that had hummed through every moment that they'd spent together.

Mostly, though, he remembered the one night they'd had together. The frenzied need that had fueled their desperate coupling. The out of control desire that had swept away every clear thought. Landing him a seat in the back of his father's cruiser.

Gabriella brought a hand to her neck as she rubbed it lightly, "Well I'll be damned a Bolton who actually acknowledges more than just the black and white."

"That right," Troy said with a pause, "So with that said if there something you want to tell me-"

"I don't."

"Anything at all you feel like you need me to know. I'm here to listen. No questions asked. Only help."

"Well, the last time I took your word for anything I was let down, so forgive me if when you speak I hear bullshit."

"Gabriella."

"Seriously, I don't need a babysitter. What I need, is to get out of town."

"Well, that's too bad." Troy said tipping his hat at someone as they walked by. "Come on, let's go," he said taking her elbow in his hand gently to usher her out.

She winced as the pressure he applied grazed one of her cuts.

"I'm sorry," he said lowering his hand to small of her waist, "Are you alright."

No. She was far from alright, his hand was now searing heat into the small of her backside making other parts of her insides flutter when there shouldn't be fluttering at all. Her body's betrayal was out of control and she blamed it on the antibiotics and medication they had given her for her injuries. "I'm fine."

An hour later she was far from fine. Gabriella crossed her arms over her chest as she looked out at house with a frown. It looked older than she remembered it from that first night she drove past it. Looking at it now in the daylight, one of the front windows looked to be cracked, the walk way up to it riddled with weeds and gaping cracks in the cement.

"You know, if you fix it up and sell it," Troy said from behind her as he looked up at the same house. "You could make small fortune."

Gabriella turned and glared at him sharply, "How am I supposed to fix this?"

Troy ignored her question, walking past her making his way up to the front door pulling the envelope from his breast pocket and dropping the key into his hand. "Come on Ella, Let's at least look inside."

"Are you sure it's even safe to go in there?" she asked as she followed him down the path to the front door.

"How bad could it be?" Troy pushed the door open and walked inside, his eyes taking in the peeling wallpaper and wincing as the old stale musk smell that overwhelmed his senses. The sound of coughing behind him caught his attention.

"This place smells awful," Gabriella said covering her noise, "My son can't stay here."

Troy made his way to a nearby window and opened it, he continued the process throughout the living room creating a nice breeze inside. "It just needs some fresh air."

"It needs a demolition and then funeral. We can't stay here," Gabriella said looking down at one of the rotten floor boards, "This place should have been condemned ages ago."

"I'll help you fix it up."

Gabriella spun around to face him, "Why are you being so stubborn about this? I don't want anything to do with this house."

Troy chuckled and realized that he missed this, too. The verbal sparring, the tension that simmered between them, just beneath the surface. "You're being just as stubborn."

"Yeah. Well I have a son to look out for and he can't stay somewhere like this," Gabriella countered.

"Then you can both find a friend to stay with until it's livable," Troy said placing his hands on his waist.

"What friend?" Gabriella said extending her arms. "I have no one. Your father made sure of that remember?"

"Alright." Troy let out a deep breath as he crossed his arms, "You really want to do this here? Now?"

As if suddenly remembering exactly where they were she took a breath and nodded sharply. "You're right. I don't want to do this now. Actually, I don't want to do this ever."

"Liar."

She flushed and her lips flattened into a tight, grim line. "You don't have the right to expect anything from me."

"Didn't say I did," he told her quietly. "But we both know we have to talk about what happened eventually."

"No, we don't." She shook her head and her long hair lifted and then settled over her shoulders again. "It's over. Been over for years Troy."

"Ella-"

She shook her head and stared up at him. "Don't you find it a little ironic?"

"What?"

"Years ago, you didn't show up, just disappeared without a word to me. And now you want to talk?"

Irritated, he said, "Come on Ella."

"No," she said, taking a step back as if she needed physical distance to maintain the emotional distance already shining in her eyes. "We're in the same town. And that's all we share now. I'm married. I have a son. For some god forsaken reason you're the new Sheriff and a crime has been committed. Solve it and let's just get though the next few weeks with as much dignity as we can, okay?"

There was plenty he wanted to say and more he needed to say. "I'll help fix up the house. The Paxton is out of the question. No argument."

Gabriella stared at him mouth agape. "I have no car. The Diner is closer to the Paxton."

"We can get a rental."

"I don't have money for that."

"No need." Troy started for the door. "Come on we have to go get Eliot from school."

Kelsi and Ryan helped Gabriella with her bags as they toted them inside. "You know you're always welcome here," Kelsi said politely.

"I know," Gabriella said ushering Eliot inside. "It's just safer for everyone else if less people are involved as possible."

"Sounds serious," Ryan said taking another bag from Gabriella.

"I wish you would tell me what's going on," Kelsi said as she closed her front door behind them.

"Mom, I'm hungry," Eliot said looking up at Gabriella.

"There's spaghetti on the stove, I'll warm it up," Kelsi said walking past them.

"I'll take these upstairs to the guestroom," Ryan said as he lifted another bag and tucked it under his arm.

"Thank you," Gabriella kept her hands on Eliot's shoulders as they made their way into the kitchen. "And thank you again for taking us in. I didn't have anywhere else to go."

"Well, The Sheriff is right, you can't stay at the Paxton after what happen to Philips. And after this afternoon, you seem like you need some help," she said turning on the stove and then walking across the kitchen to towards the fridge, "Eliot would you like some apple juice?"

Eliot looked up at his mother and she nodded that it was alright.

"Yes please."

Kelsi nodded and let out a sigh as she pulled a glass from the drying rack in the sink. "Jake is upstairs, probably playing with his race cars, you can go upstairs and play too if you like." Kelsi looked over to Gabriella and smiled, "Give us some time to catch up."

Eliot nodded and smiled as he took the juice and murmured a thank you.

Gabriella watched him leave the room and head up the stairs. "Ugh, I feel like the world's worst mother."

Kelsi shrugged as she looked at Gabriella with a sad expression, "What happened to you today?"

"What didn't happen?" Gabriella murmured as she pulled out a chair and took a seat at the counter.

"Well, you and Troy seemed to be getting along fine."

"Just the opposite," Gabriella said with a frown as she placed her head in her hands.

"Well it's been years," Kelsi said quietly, "hasn't that been long enough to get over whatever it is you're mad at him about?"

Not even close. Gabriella thought as she felt a buzzing mixture of embarrassment, lust and pure fury sizzle inside her as memories raced through her mind in a blur of color. He was gorgeous and smart and pretty much used to having women fall at his feet in a gooey puddle of hormonal need. When Gabriella had managed to withstand the urge to hurl herself at his manly chest. Troy had taken that as a direct challenge.

Of coursed she enjoyed every moment of it. Every time they were together, Troy found a way to touch her, be close to her. Even when they were arguing, which was most of the time, there was a sexual tension humming between them what wound tighter and tighter.

But then that night at the Millers happened and she been haunted for so long by that one explosive night with Troy Bolton that the slap of what happen next still stung vibrantly as it had all those years ago.

Gabriella walked up the driveway quietly as she seen him working on his truck. He was always working on his truck. "I accidently took off with your sweater last night," she said quietly as she handed it to him.

Troy looked over at her almost as if he were uncomfortable with her being there. "You didn't have to bring it back."

"Is you're father home?"

Troy looked behind him at the house and then back at her, "No."

"I've never been to your house before," she said quietly.

"Oh." If she expected a tour, she was doomed to disappointment. She was a tease. A gorgeous tease, with soft skin and a softer mouth. He was not about to sign up for a repeat of last night and risk another lecture about staying away from Gabriella Montez.

"So…" Why was she so chatty, and why did she care? "I leave the day after tomorrow."

"Well, then maybe I'll see you around sometime."

Gabriella dropped her arms to her sides, "I doubt it. They say I'm heading for Chicago."

Troy frowned. Lord she was beautiful. All her sun kissed skin, brown eyes and bouncy hair. Wearing a shirt that left a sliver of her mid-drift exposed to him. "Good Luck."

Gabriella felt her inside trembled with the cold hard slap of rejection. "Too bad." She pulled her rosy lips into a frown. "I thought we could at least be friends."

"I've never had a female friend."

She smiled and pointed at herself.

His gaze followed her hand pointing at her breast beneath that thin blouse and lacy black slip. Last night, she'd pushed her breast and crotch into him, and he'd about gone off in his pants like he was fourteen again. It's what made him follow her past that no trespassing sign. "I don't want a female friend."

Her smile fell. "Any female or just me?"

He give about anything to relive that moment before his father's deputy had shined his flashlight on them. Then again did he really want a friend who he was dying to get naked? "Just you."

"Oh."

"Ella, I don't want to be your friend because there ain't nothing friendly about the way I want you."

Gabriella's breath hitched as she looked up at him. He noted the brief reaction of shock and pleasure in her brown eyes before it faded away into a cool stare. "Oh."

"Come on," he said closing the hood of his car.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere more private," he said with a hushed tone.

Everything inside started to hum to life with the memories of last night. Without a second thought she followed him as he led her into back yard. They walked for about fifteen minutes in silence. Then they stopped in front of a large oak.

"Take off your shoes," he instructed.

"Why?"

He pointed up.

"I'm wearing a skirt," she pointed out.

"I'll help you. It's not hard. When I was younger I nailed some steps on the other side of the tree and built a fort up there."

"Is it safe?"

"You bet." Troy smiled and motioned towards the tree, "You first."

"Are you going to look up my skirt?"

He chuckled, "I'm going to try like hell."

He helped her to the first branch, and they climbed higher. Up more steps, higher to the next cluster of branches. Gabriella stood on the last step and peered over the top of the large platform secured in the thick limbs. "Will this hold me?"

"Of course," he put his hand on the seat of her behind and shoved one time pushing her onto the platform.

She looked down at him. "Thank you."

He grinned wickedly. "Anytime." He hoisted himself up and helped her to her feet.

"Are you sure this is going to hold both of us?" she questioned him.

"Of course. I know how to build things that last." Leaves overhead casted lacy patterns and shaded parts of his face as he reached out to her and pulled her closer to him.

"Why are we up here Troy?"

"Why do you think?"

Gabriella smiled as she looked up at the branches with a slight smile, "This is romantic."

"It is," he murmured as he slid his arm further across her waist and brought the front of her skirt to rest against his zipper. "You didn't come here to return my sweater did you?"

Against her pelvis, she could feel just how romantic he felt. She could feel the heat flooding her cheeks. She was pretty sure that's why she'd come. And maybe to catch one last glimpse of him if she could. "Then you tell me, why did I come here?"

He lowered his face and softly kissed her lips.

Her breath caught a little in her throat and she lifted her breast.

"You know what happens if you stay?"

She nodded as she looked up at him with slow smile, "I do."

He groaned, just above a whisper. His mouth opened over hers, and his tongue swept inside. He tasted different, like something she'd never experienced before last night. Hot, intoxicating, desire focused directly at her. She should be afraid and she was a little. But mostly she liked the rich, luscious desire pouring from him and all through her. It warmed her. It warmed the pit of her stomach and her breast ache.

He fed her wet kisses and reached for the top button on her shirt. His fingers brushed her bare throat and chest and she pulled away from his mouth so she could breathe.

He opened her blouse and pushed it from her shoulders. "Don't be afraid."

Gabriella's eyes looked up into his blue eyes looking down at her and taking it all in. "I'm not," she said quietly. "I just want to be good enough for you."

Troy smiled as she stood in front of him almost naked until the waist where her skirt hung on her hip. "Do you know how many times I dreamed of getting a girl up here." His thumbs brushed her breast and her pink nipples went tighten so much she ached. "And here you are. Better than anything I could have dreamed of."

He kissed her and touched her and everything around her went all hot and steamy. The air. His hands. His mouth sliding to her breasts. He sucked one nipple, then the other, until her legs felt weak and she and Troy sank to their knees.

His breath hit her face as he raised his head and pulled off his shirt. His eyes looked sleepy and shone with lust. She came up and met him for a kiss and they kissed and rubbed against each other. She hands tugging at the metal button on his pants. She was mindless, consumed with mindless greed and fiery lust. Her hands shook and fumbled with the zipped before her hand was inside his pants and wrapped around him. He was hard as steal and hotter than any flesh she'd ever felt before.

"Lie down, I want to make this so good for you."

She did as she was told, and he did as he promised. He touched between her legs, then after a few stokes just like the night before he positioned himself at her entrance. However unlike the night before there was no pinching pain as he entered her. This time it was slick, comfortable, welcoming. Her muscles were still sore but it felt good to have him inside her.

A day without his touch had been too long.

He moved carefully, sliding in and then back out. A fiery friction began to burn between them. Then he did it again. Again and again. Slow at first. In and out. Telling how good she felt. How beautiful. The hot push and slick pull and the fiery friction grew.

"Troy," she called out.

"Yes, come for me." he breathe into her ear.

She couldn't recall anything feeling this good. She couldn't breathe. She didn't need to breathe. She just wanted more. She moved with him, meeting his thrusts until the fiery friction spread from her thighs and flashed across her skin and her whole world blew apart.

"You okay?"

She nodded. She was the same person, only different. She'd made an adult decision. She hadn't considered anyone else's wishes but her own. Anyone else's wants and needs and the world hadn't ended. That was what being with Troy Bolton did to her. That's what he made her feel. Like she didn't have to worry about everything her parents had done. All the things happening to her because of what her parents had done. When they were together he made her happy. He cared about her. He brought out the happiness in her.

"How many more times can we do that?"

Troy laughed softly as he pushed himself up to look down at her, "As many times as you like."

The answer was three. They had sex three more times in the large oak tree. Three more times until the sun slipped low enough to cast the first shadows of the night. Three more times until Troy stood up and help her dress.

"We should carve our initials into this tree," she said quietly.

"I don't have a knife," Troy said concentrating on the buttons of her blouse.

"Oh," Gabriella was quiet as she thought about tomorrow and all that was happening to her. "I don't want to leave without saying goodbye."

"Then don't," Troy smiled, "I'll meet you here tomorrow at noon." He smiled and pushed her hair from her face. "You bring your gorgeous self and maybe a blanket and I'll bring a knife."

At exactly noon the following day, Gabriella managed to sneak away from her house and she crawled up into the oak tree. She dragged a blanket with her and sat in the shade of the oak leaves. She waited in the muggy air, and as the sun got hotter and slid west. She waited in the heat and humidity. She waited until she knew he wasn't coming.

Needless to say the desire to see Troy Bolton again was there but not simmering like it used to. It was all very complicated.

"He's just not my favorite person, okay?"

"I'm getting that. But word around town is that he saved your life today."

"I saved my own life. I've got the wrecked car to prove it."

Kelsi let out a sigh as she poured a glass of water for Gabriella and placed it in front of her. "Whatever you say Ella."