A/N – Ah, 3+ chapters to go! It's been a long way to get here but I'm glad everybody seemed to like the story as much as I liked writing it. So, I'll update in a couple of days I guess, because I'm planning to finish the story before xmas since I'll be out of town for Christmas and will only be back two weeks later. I'm – obviously - going to give you amazing shippers a happy end! Don't worry about it! And don't forget to review! =]

Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or anything related to it. I own the story though and it's purely fictional, nothing happened in the real life and Gabriella and Troy were never and will never be siblings in the movie. ENJOY your reading!!! ;0)

Chapter 26;

I feel the same way

~ Why does tonight have to end?

Why don't we hit restart?

And pause it at our favorite parts ~

"Dude, where the hell have you been!" Chad gave him a man hug and patted his back, "I missed you, man"

Troy laughed, "I missed you too, Chad" he rubbed his friend's afro, "You look the same"

"Yeah" Chad laughed and hit him playfully on the chest, "You look tired"

"I know" Troy wrapped his arms around Gabriella's waist from behind and pecked her sweetly on the neck, "I had to catch a day flight to be here for Ell's birthday"

"That sounds boring" Taylor said with a smile, "and romantic at the same time"

Gabriella giggled and rested her back against Troy's chest. He smiled into her neck and pecked her delicately on the cheek, "Hmm I missed your smell"

"I smell like sweat" she joked and Troy laughed, "You're a little sticky, but still hot" he whispered in her ear before rubbing his nose against her cheek, "We need to talk"

She turned around still in his arms and looked him in the eyes, "It's my birthday, I can't leave the guys here Troy"

"It's okay, Gabi" Sharpay assured her, "We know you and Troy have too much to uhm… talk about"

The gang laughed and Gabriella rolled her eyes, "You're always so sensible, Shar"

"Let's go baby" Troy begged her, "I live down the road"

"You do?"

"Mm hmm" he pecked her on the lips and brought her body closer, "Wanna come?"

Gabriella looked back over her shoulder to her friends, they all nodded and smiled at her, "Sure, why not"

"Sweet" Troy smirked and grabbed her hand in his, pulling her out of the VIP lounge and into the dance floor again in a matter of seconds. They were almost stepping out of the club when someone called Troy's name making him stop and look back.

"T, where you going?" the blond man Gabriella saw with Troy when they arrived asked and then checked Gabriella out, "Mm nice chick Troy man"

Troy rolled his eyes and wrapped one possessively arm around Gabriella's waist "That's Gabriella, Marcus"

Marcus eyes widened and he grinned, "So you're the girl I kept hearing so much about"

Gabriella giggled, "I hope I am"

The blond guy gave her a quick hug and wished her happy birthday, "I'm Troy's friend. I was in the army with him"

"Oh, that's nice" she smiled at him and then at Troy, "Marc man, we're going out. You're gonna be alright?"

"Sure, dude" he smirked and lifted his eyebrows, "Have fun"

Troy shook his head before pulling her out of the club. They walked hand in hand down the road in a comfortable silence.

"So, how's mom?" Troy asked shyly, caressing the back of Gabriella's hand with his thumb, "I mean I haven't talked with you for 4 months…" he added quickly, "I was just wondering"

Gabriella nodded before smiling a half-smile. "She's fine"

Troy rubbed the back of his neck nervously with his free hand, "Cool"

"She misses you ya know. I heard when she talked about you with Luke"

Troy shrugged. He didn't like to talk about it. "How's Lucas?"

"He's adorable, I told you that" she smiled proudly, "He called me this morning to wish me happy birthday and said I was old"

Troy chuckled a bit. "I would like to meet him someday"

"I'll introduce him to you, I promise"

Troy stopped in front of a luxury building, "We're here"

Gabriella examined the building impressed, "Wow, Troy. I didn't know they paid that well in the army"

"They don't" he laughed and led her by the small of her back inside the elevator, "It was my mom's apartment, she gave it to me"

"Oh, I remember that" she rested her back against the elevator mirror, "So, how's Mr. Barnes?"

"Good" Troy smiled and stepped closer to her, "I was actually thinking of introducing him to Mae, they would make a great couple"

Gabriella giggled but immediately felt nervous when he placed both of his palms on each side of her face against the elevator's walls, "I had no idea you had short hair now" Troy looked at her confused and she stroked his hair, "It doesn't fall in your eyes anymore"

Troy chuckled. "I guess not. I had to shave for the army"

"I like it now, but I liked it longer too" she added quickly, "I don't know, you look pretty sexy now, but when you were 17 you looked very good too, actually the other day—"

He interrupted her. "Ella, you're rambling" he caressed her cheek with his lips, "Are you nervous?"

Gabriella closed her eyes and sighed. "You make me nervous" she admitted biting her lip, "Actually, extremely nervous"

"I'm glad you still feel that way when I'm around" he sucked her lower lip and pulled away to look her in the eyes, "And the butterflies?"

'And the dependent Gabriella shows up again' she thought before murmuring a curse to herself. "Always here" she admitted again.

Troy leaned down to kiss her on the lips again but before he could do what he wanted so much the elevators door opened up. He looked back and saw that they were already on the top floor of the building. Troy reluctantly pulled away from Gabriella and grabbed her hand in his again as he pulled her out of the elevator and down the corridor. There were only two doors in the hall and Gabriella couldn't help but think Troy's place was going to be bigger and fancier than she expected and imagined.

He opened the door to his home and pushed Gabriella gently inside the apartment, following her and closing the door behind him. Gabriella's eyes slightly widened as she looked the spacious living room. The furniture was traditional yet modern. Troy wrapped his arms around her waist from behind resting his chin on her shoulder and stroking her stomach delicately. Gabriella's eyes kept studying the place. The pure white walls and the dark wooden floor made the room look even bigger. Still, the paintings, classy furniture, the plants – it didn't match Troy's taste.

"It's pretty… sophisticated" she whispered to him after a few minutes, "But it's nice"

Troy chuckled. "It's too girly, I only picked the sofa" he pointed to the huge 'L' black couch in the middle of the room, "And the TV"

Gabriella rolled her eyes at the grand TV stand, "To play video games?"

"You know me too well" he smirked and kissed her on the cheek, "I have a surprise for you"

She turned around and narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "I promise it's a good one"

"Okay" she rested her back against the wall, "I'm waiting"

Troy grinned at her. "She's lazy and old now so you need to speak loud if you're trying to get her attention, alright? She's getting deaf"

Gabriella was still confused, "Hmm… okay"

Troy whistled loud and Gabriella could already feel her heart race fast as the heavy footsteps filled the room. She knew it too well. A large head popped in the living room, staring at Gabriella with funny eyes, her ears and nose moving frenetically.

"Oh my God" she felt her eyes get teary and a large smile form on her face, "Daisy!"

She was happy enough the dog seemed to recognize her voice after four long years as Daisy ran towards her, jumping up and down excitedly in her lazy speed. Gabriella bent down in front of her and wrapped her arms around the dog's neck, hugging Daisy tight. Troy smiled at her and crouched beside Gabriella, "I knew she'd remember you"

Daisy barked loud as she jumped away from Gabriella and ran around them anxiously, whimpering at Gabriella while her warm and wet nose nudged her. She tried to lick her chin and Gabriella giggled. "You're so fat" she tilted her head to the side and looked at Troy, "what have you been feeding her?"

He smiled, "It's not my fault. I just came back. She was with Mae"

"Mae?" Gabriella smiled widely, "Is she here?"

"No, she's in Texas, but Daisy travelled all the way here by plane" he laughed and stared at the dog, "It was so expensive to bring her here, you have no idea" he patted Daisy's head, "Apparently the fatter the dog, more money you spend"

Gabriella giggled and Daisy tried to get her attention back and licked her hand, "It's nice to see you too, Daise"

Troy stood up and helped Gabriella, "I wanna show you around" he stroked her cheek delicately and wiped her tear away, "I might have another surprise" he admitted, smiling sweetly at her.

"Another one?"

Troy grinned and nodded his head, grabbing the remote on top of the glass table and turning the stereo on. Immediately the room was filled with a romantic ballad and Gabriella smiled, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Maybe" he smiled playfully and disappeared through a door, leaving her standing in the middle of the living room. Gabriella looked around, still feeling pretty sweaty and sticky. He came back with two glasses of wine and gave one to Gabriella, "You look fantastic. I always knew you would grow up very well"

Gabriella smiled and took a sip of her wine, "Troy, your house is awesome, but I imagine you have an air conditioner, don't you?"

"Mm hmm" he said and took a sip of his wine too, "I arrived today and It isn't working, so I guess I'll have to call someone tomorrow"

"Excellent" she said sarcastically and rolled her eyes. What was the problem with the air conditioners and NY tonight? Or was she the problem because as much as she tried, she couldn't help but feel the sweat rolling down her body.

Troy licked his lower lip and smiled at her, "I have cold water at least"

Gabriella giggled. "Show me the way"

As soon as they arrived in Troy's suite, he grabbed the glass from her hand and placed it beside his on the bedside table. Troy unzipped her black dress and let it drop off her body. She bit her lip as he slowly took of her bra and panties. He studied her naked body again and it looked better than he remembered. Her breasts were a bit bigger now, but still firm and round. He stroked her flat stomach and it was still as soft as he imagined. Gabriella let out a low moan as his hand ran down to the V in the middle of her legs where he began to stroke smoothly her inner thighs and vagina.

Troy stopped his caress and pulled his shirt over his head, making Gabriella's mouth water with the perfection in front of her. He smiled at her and dressed out of his shoes while he unbuttoned his jeans. He stood in front of her only in his boxers and she stepped closer, kissing and licking the skin of his neck, tasting the salt from his sweat. Troy could feel his member growing bigger inside his boxers as her small hands stroked his abs seductively and her teeth captured his bottom lip.

Troy let out a moan and closed his eyes as her hand rested on the elastic waistband of his boxers, pulling it down to free his hard member. He brought her closer to him by the hips and his penis brushed against her stomach lightly, sending them goosebumps scatters across their skins.

Gabriella lay down on the bed, opening her legs to invite Troy to her warmth. He smirked and lay on top of her without putting his whole weight on her, but he didn't penetrate her, just kept stroking her entire body gently. Troy's mouth found her earlobe and he nibbled the sensitive skin before sucking it hard. He gulped her breasts with his eyes before leaning to capture her nipple with his mouth, sucking and licking her skin till they were swollen. Gabriella arched her back and pulled his back hair when she felt his tongue caressing her sensible skin.

She just let him play with her breasts for a few minutes before pulling his face to her, kissing him with all her passion. She was missing his taste too much after four years. Their tongues curled in an erotic movement and Gabriella could feel his already impatient member pressing the entry of her vagina. She closed her eyes when she felt his member going deep inside her in only one thrust.

"Ohh my God" she exclaimed when she felt the pressure was too much, "Troy…"

He changed positions still inside of her, sitting on the edge of his bed and placing his hands on both sides of her hips, showing her after too much time how he wanted her to move. Gabriella nodded slowly when she understood what he wanted, capturing his lips on hers again, their tongues dancing together inside their mouths as their hands ran up and down each others bodies.

"Shit" he muttered against her lips, "I just got inside of you and I feel like I need to come out" he sighed in pleasure, slowly moving inside her, "God, Ella. I forgot you were that tight"

Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck, "I want more wildcat, more…"

Troy felt his eyes rolling to the back of his head and his stomach flipped at the sound of his old nickname. He stood up and rested Gabriella's back against the wall, thrusting inside her harder and faster. He moaned louder as she began to push her hips against his to meet his every thrust. He buried his face on her neck and Gabriella held his face closer to her, her fingertips dragging his hair roughly, making him speed up.

"Oh baby" she whimpered as she kissed the side of his face and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, "Oh I looove you"

Troy smirked, "I love you" he replied, his hot breath against her collarbone made Gabriella feel dizzy. He held her stronger, "I missed you so much" he told her, the tone of his voice sickly sweet as he moved in and out her faster, deeper, harder… every time with more passion.

Gabriella moaned louder, tilting her head to rest against the wall. Her neck became visible and Troy attacked it with his lips and tongue. She screamed his name and trailed off as her back arched and shockwaves erupted through her. Troy smiled proudly at the sound of his name coming from her lips and exploded inside her. She moaned again in high pleasure as he thrust in her a couple times more.

Their sweaty bodies clung to the other making impossible to break free. He rested his forehead on her shoulder, his arms still shaking from the pleasure. Gabriella kissed his wet forehead and his cheek, still breathing heavily. Troy looked up at her and gave her a lazy smile and she giggled at how satisfied he seemed to be.

"I love you" he repeated to her when he felt strong enough to talk again, "You're incredible"

She was still out of words, so Gabriella just nodded quietly, her eyes closed. When he put her on the floor again, she felt her legs weak, but Troy wrapped an arm securely around her waist.

"Are you staying?" she rested her forehead against his chest and Troy nodded, "Yeah, I'm here to stay Ella"

Gabriella looked down to the middle of her legs, Troy's hot liquid still running down her thighs, "Okay" she nodded quickly and bit her bottom lip, "So we need condoms"

Troy chuckled lightly, "I'll make sure I'll buy a box tomorrow"

She pulled away from him, walking to where her clothes were, "I could watch you walking around the house naked all day long"

"I bet you could" she giggled as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, kissing her neck, "You are truly beautiful Gabriella Montez"

Gabriella turned around and slipped her arms around his neck before pecking him on the lips, "And you Troy Bolton…" she sucked his lower lip and he smiled, "look gorgeous than ever"

He lifted his eyebrows and smiled proudly. Gabriella rolled her eyes and pulled away from him, "would you like a round of applause?"

"Hey" he fake hurt and grabbed her in his arms, "You're gonna be punished for this"

She giggled loud as he attached her collarbone with his tongue. He stepped inside the bathroom and placed her gently on top of the counter, "you need to take a shower, miss" he wrinkled his nose and grimaced, "you smell like sex"

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "I could say the same of you"

He narrowed his eyes playfully at her, "I know right"

"Troy" Gabriella said seriously as she watched him fill the bathtub with cold water, "I need to tell you something important"

He turned around and faced her, worry and curiosity in his eyes. Gabriella took a deep breath, "This is really hard to say"

"Ella…" he stepped closer to her and stopped in the middle of her legs, "What's going on baby?"

"Troy" she looked down and he lifted her chin, "baby, what?"

"You look really hot naked" she said in a baby voice and smiled at him, "I mean, I would give your butt an A" she lifted her thumb up and smirked, "actually, make it an A+"

"That's it?"

She bit her lip to avoid laughing. "Hmm…"

Troy placed his hands on her waist and lifted her out of the counter, walking with her in his arms to the bathtub, "I should throw you in hot water"

"Nooo" she whined, "Cold water, I'm hot please, please" she pouted "Please"

"Ugh" he let out a groan and got inside the bathtub, slowly sitting down with her still in his arms. Gabriella made herself comfortable on his lap and lay her head on his chest.

"Tell me about your trip to Spain" he asked softly rubbing lazy circles on the small of her back. Gabriella told him about the beaches, the people and the food in Spain. He couldn't help but feel amazed by her as her eyes blinked every time she talked about a new place she visited. Troy smiled at how dork she sounded telling him how hard it was to learn Spanish.

When they finished the Spain subject, they kept talking for hours, about Troy's life in Iraq, his dad and her mom. She told him everything about school and he said he wanted to start college too – that he missed playing basketball and that he would go to NYU to be with her. It felt like the world stopped spinning fast and there was only the two of them.

Gabriella moaned in the middle of their conversation when Troy's member pressed her vagina again and she spread her legs a bit to let him slip inside of her. She arched her body back and held securely on his legs while he moved in and out her for the second time in the evening, this time slowly, savoring the moment with her. He devoured her lips when he felt the pleasure was too much and invaded her mouth with his agile tongue.

Troy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, her breasts touching his chest as they breathed and kissed. His hand ran down her body, touching her in every weak spot he knew she had. Gabriella started straddling him slowly and Troy held her by the butt, helping her to move inside him. He could feel his heart beat increase and his blood pressure rising as she moved faster on top of him.

He pushed her till her back rested against the opposite side of bathtub and she caressed his back with her fingertips, trailing up and down his spine. Troy felt his stomach flip as her hand pushed him deeper inside her by his butt.

He penetrated her hard, his index finger drawing circles around Gabriella's nipples, licking and sucking her collarbone and neck, leaving marks everywhere he could. Troy sucked her lips till they were sensitive and swollen. As soon as Gabriella arched her back slightly, Troy knew she was close, so he got in and out of her body faster and harder, taking her to a huge orgasm. Gabriella rested her head against the bathtub, a satisfied smile appearing on her face, making Troy speed up. He could feel his body shaking violently inside her and a few seconds later he joined her in an intense orgasm.

Troy sat straight and she quickly made her way to his lap again, both of them breathlessly. She rested her forehead against his shoulder and stroked his stomach delicately, "I feel exhausted"

"Yea" he agreed feeling more tired now than in his daily two hours of work out. Troy kissed her hair, "I'm glad I'm here"

Gabriella looked up at him and smiled putting her arms around his neck and pulling him to a slow and passionate kiss. Troy nibbled gently on her lower lip and she left soft groans escape her mouth. He pulled away and gave her a kiss on the tip of her nose, "I'm gonna borrow you a shirt"

They got out of the bathtub and dried themselves with a towel. Troy wrapped his around his waist and moved to his big closet to grab Gabriella a shirt, Daisy following right behind.

"What's the problem princess?" he asked the dog while he dressed in black boxers and a white t-shirt. Troy shook his head staring at his reflex in the mirror and tried to fix his untidy hair somehow. He grabbed a baby blue shirt and walked into this room again. Gabriella was already naked, waiting for his shirt.

She quickly dressed the shirt he gave her. Troy smiled at her and hugged her petite body, "You look so good in my shirt" Gabriella giggled and he knew what he had to do. He couldn't stay without her not even a day. "Shit, you need to move in, Ella"

Gabriella felt her heart beating so much she found it difficult to speak. "I-I do?"

"Yep" Troy replied sincerely. He looked down at her, "can't you see that you belong with me? In my arms?"

Gabriella bit her lip and nodded slowly. Troy stared into her beautiful eyes for a second feeling his blood rushing through his body. She looked down avoiding the intensity of his eyes but he lifted her chin, brushed her hair out of her eyes and kissed her gently on the lips. He could feel her heart beat faster as she ran her hands through his hair. Gabriella deepened the kiss and Troy placed his hands around her waist, squeezing her tight, "I don't know if we're moving too fast…" he admitted against her lips, "But I love you Gabriella and I want you to be with me everyday"

She felt her body flinching for a second, but she managed to look at him, avoiding the thunderstorm she swore ran through her body. It was a feeling words couldn't describe.

"Are you serious?" she asked in a whisper and Troy nodded, "I've never been more serious in my whole life"

"But mom and dad—"

Troy interrupted her. "Mom and dad can't split us up anymore, Ella. We're adults. It's just me and you again" he stroked her cheek and she leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. "We'll never be apart again, baby"

Gabriella looked up at him, her eyes teary and her smile widen, "Just you and me"

"In our perfect little world" Troy smirked and pecked her on the lips, "So what do you say?"

"Yes, yes, yes" she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him, "I love you so much"

Troy smiled widely, "I love you"

They lay on the huge bed together, Gabriella snuggling into Troy feeling as happy as ever. He covered her body and she sighed contently, quickly falling into deep sleep. He stayed awake a bit longer, watching her sleep, contemplating the woman of his dreams. He felt someone piercing him with the eyes, making him feel really uncomfortable, "What Daisy?"

The dog jumped on his bed, lying on Troy's side and licking his chin, "Okay, okay, thanks for the kisses Daise, but that's enough" he patted her on the head and the dog whimpered sadly at him, "Don't cry Daisy, come on. You're not jealous Gabriella's on your side of the bed, are you?"

Daisy stared at him, curiosity in her tiny eyes; she sniffled loud and rested her head on his stomach, "Can't you stop moving? You're gonna wake Ella up"

She cried out again and changed positions, moving to the edge of the bed and curling up on his legs, her eyes never leaving Troy. "Get used to it, princess. Gabriella was always the number one for me and you know that" he smiled at the dog and added calmly, "I'm sorry"

Gabriella moved slightly on his side and pulled Troy's face to her, "Stop talking with the dog, baby" she whispered against his skin, "Rest a bit"

Troy pecked her on the lips and hugged her tighter, "I will" he looked down at Daisy again and the dog looked away, "now you pretend it wasn't your fault she woke up eh" he whispered at her but Daisy never looked back at him, "jealousy is a human emotion, don't forget it"

He shook his head and closed his eyes, finally feeling in peace with his two girls again. Life couldn't be better now. Or could it?

~ We'll skip the goodbyes

If I had it my way,

I'd turn the car around and runaway,

Just you and I. ~