I don't own anything.

A/N: Alright it's another week and that means another update first off I want to thank my reviewers from last week; kuropie, Favor1234, Angel, chaylorlover101, lilmissmonique, blueprincess972, Sciencefreak2007, PhantomGroupie91, chaylorfan, jinidu93, AyaneC, CHAYLORISAWESOME312, LunaSolTierra, baby2ludaris, and Phelycia. I hope all my readers enjoy this chapter cause I certainly enjoyed writing it…I don't know how many times I started over but I hope you all like this vision, oh and by the way we are almost done with the story so please read and enjoy and remember to drop me a review I love those.

Baby S

Chapter Seventeen

"Don't look so shocked…I may be angry with you, but I'm not an ass…I'll take you home, besides I wouldn't want you to be late for the dance." He said bitterly with a sigh, as he handed her back her cell phone and lifted his gym bag onto his shoulder. Taylor watched him silently as he looked down at her. "Well come on." He muttered as he walked into the parking lot. Taylor sighed and quickly followed him wondering how she was going to handle being this close to him without spilling her guts about everything. Moving quickly she fell into step behind him, wondering if it was okay for her to talk. Finally after a few moments she gathered enough nerve to meekly whisper out.

"Thank you, Troy I really mean that." He glanced over his shoulder at her for a moment before shaking his head.

"Don't thank me for taking you home so you can get ready for a night out with Chad…it's too insulting." He stated bitterly as he opened the passenger door to the van and helped her inside. Taylor gave a small smile at the gesture. Oh how she missed the simple things that Troy used to do for her like helping her in and out of cars, because with Chad she knew he wasn't going to do something like that…it just wasn't in him to be a gentleman. Troy closed the passenger door and then opened the backdoor and tossed his gym bag inside and sighed brokenly as he leaned against the van. What was he doing? Why was he torturing himself like this, he knew what she was going to do once he dropped her open. With a bitter chuckle he sighed as the answer came to his mind. He was doing this because he still loved her, and when he saw how Chad treated her, he immediately rushed into the situation to save her not caring if he was ripping his heart out in the process. All he could think about was how she was going to put on that lovely blue dress he saw her trying on at the store on Saturday so she could go out to a school dance with Chad freaking Danforth. Life was too cruel. The thought of her in Chad's arms as they slowed danced nearly brought him to his knees. Shaking the image from his mind, he cleared his throat, and walked around to the driver's side and climbed in. Moments later he was driving out of the parking lot headed towards Taylor's neighborhood. The majority of the ride was extremely quiet almost to the point of becoming unbearable. Every once in while Troy would steal glances at Taylor. The closer he got to her house, the angrier he got at the whole situation. As he pulled up to a stop light he looked over at him and spoke his mind. "I know you're not happy." He stated firmly, his voice breaking the silence and shocking Taylor who turned and looked at him before speaking.

"Excuse me?"

"I said…I know you're not happy." He answered as he looked at her. "And I just don't understand why you're with him…after all he's done to you." Taylor tightened her hold on her purse as he spoke. Troy watched her for a moment before shaking his head in bitter amazement. "I just don't understand it."

"Troy there are some things that you don't know but-."

"Don't know what?" he asked suspiciously as Taylor gasped realizing her slip up, Troy looked at her as she lowered her head and looked away from him trying her best to avoid his glaze. Sucking his teeth at her actions, pulled yanked the van over to the curve crossing to lanes of traffic while ignoring the car horns that sounded at his actions. Taylor stared at him in surprise as he turned the car off.

"What are you doing…I need to get home." She exclaimed as she looked at Troy, who had his head bowed on the steering wheel. Looking at him, she slowly reached out towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Troy didn't move at her touch, instead he spoke up not bothering to lift his head up to look at her.

"I can't believe this…Miguel was right. Something is going on with you and Chad." Taylor still trying to cover her tracks spoke up.

"Of course we're dating and-." She stopped as Troy jerked his head up and looked at her with a frown marring his features.

"Taylor please tell me what's going on…please I can't take this anymore. I still love you." He whispered as he reached out and tenderly cupped her cheek in his hand. Taylor closed her eyes at the touch, his touch felt so good. Shaking her head she yanked herself away from him shaking her head.

"I'm sorry Troy, but-."

"Tell me you love him and you want to be with him and I'll let this go, I'll let you go." He whispered. "I don't want to hear the 'I'm sorries" all I want to hear from you is that you're happy and that you love him, and I promise you won't see or hear from me again." Taylor looked at him in shock. She knew she couldn't form her lips to even form those words let alone speak them into existence. Unable to take the tension, she glanced out her window and saw that Troy was nearly five blocks from her house. Shaking her head she gathered her things while Troy watched.

"I'll walk." She muttered as she climbed out of the car, Troy quickly followed as she tried to make her escape hopping out of the van he quickly rushed around till he was on the sidewalk behind her.

"You can't say it because it's not true." He shouted out. "You can't say it because deep down you aren't happy and you don't love him or want to be with him." He stated knowingly to Taylor's back as she walked down the sidewalk. Taylor froze as his words hit her ears, closing her eyes she felt the tears well up. If he kept on pushing her like this, she was going to break down and tell him everything and she didn't' need that not when she was so close to getting Chad back. Not daring to turn around she spoke up.

"You're wrong." Troy shoulders slumped at her words, however he didn't turn away. He looked at her for a bit more before calling out.

"Look me in the eye and tell me I'm wrong." When she didn't speak, Troy walked towards her until he was directly behind her. Placing his hands on her shoulders he spoke softly. "Look me in the eye and tell me, Taylor." His words seemed to break the dam that was currently keeping her secret. Bowing her head, Taylor broke down in the middle of the sidewalk her sobs crashing against the night air as Troy quickly turned her around and pulled her into his arms trying his best to sooth her, by rubbing his hands up and down her small back.

"I can't say it." She whispered, Troy barely heard her over the hiccups that escaped her mouth. "I can't say it." She muttered shaking her head against his chest as she clung to his shirt. Troy closed his eyes as tears of relief escaped his eyes, he didn't know what he would do if she had said otherwise. Slowly he pushed himself away from her and lifted her chin up so that he was looking her directly in the eyes.

"And why is that, Taylor? Tell me why can't you say?" he asked softly daring to hope. Taylor lowered her eyes but Troy instantly brought her chin back up. Taylor looked into his dark blue eyes and felt herself breaking down.

"I can't say it, because I don't love him…I don't want him. The only time I was ever happy was when I was with you. Troy, I love you and I've never stopped." She whispered, Troy stared down at her holding her in his arms tightly trying his best not to let her go.

"Then why would you-."

"I broke up with you to protect you…I…I did all this to protect you." She whispered weakly as she broke down crying in his arms. Troy instantly pulled her close to him as he tried to process what she had just said. Rubbing her back he bent his head slightly as he kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry for everything, I know I hurt you…but Troy you have to understand when Chad threatened you and he told me that he'd leave you alone if I came back to him. I did it, because I didn't want you to get hurt like Miguel. I could never live with myself if something like that happened." She muttered against his chest as she continued to cling to him. "I'm sorry." Troy tightened his grip on her as he thought about what that bastard Chad Danforth had put them through. All the pain of these last few weeks were his fault.

"You should have never done this by yourself…you put yourself in danger by-."

"I did it for you…I love you to much to see you hurt and-." Troy sighed at her words and shook his head.

"How do you think I felt seeing you with him and knowing that he wasn't treating you right. How do you think I felt tonight seeing that bastard putting his hands on you like that…I…I couldn't understand how you would willing go back to that not after what we had."

"I didn't willing go back to him."

"I know that now…but for these past few weeks I've been in so much pain. When you broke up with me I felt as if you took my heart out and tossed it in a meat grinder."

"I'm sorry but I had to find a way to make you give me up with out you knowing that Chad was forcing my hand." She whispered as she looked at him. Troy slowly nodded his head and brushed his hand across her cheek. "Do you forgive?" she asked hopefully, Troy looked at her for a moment before bending down to kiss her cheek.

"I did the moment you told me you loved me." As he spoke an image of her looking quite happy trying on that damn blue dress came to mind quickly ending the happy moment and shoving bitterness into his soul. Shaking his head he looked at her and spoke, "But you have to tell me about the dress I saw you trying on Saturday…you were planning on going out with Chad."

"It's the school's fall dance and he is forcing me to go with him, and he forced me to go out with his mother to try dresses on." She muttered with disgust as she shook her head.

"But you looked a little to happy Saturday, it didn't seem like you were forced." Troy said as he took a step back. Taylor sighed took a step forward grabbing a hold of his hands.

"I was thinking about you," she replied as she looked at him. "I picked out that dress because it reminded me of you and your eyes. It reminded me of better times." At her words Troy gave a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank god…I was a little worried there." He whispered as he gave her a small grin as he pulled her to him and kissed her passionately while wrapping his arms around her waist. Taylor felt tears escape her eyes as she finally kissed the man she loved after being forced for weeks to kiss the lips of a man she hated. Troy held her tightly as they continued to kiss, stepping back he stumbled a bit and they fell onto the grass. Landing on his back he looked up at Taylor who just smiled down at him.

"I love you so much." He whispered lifting his head and placing a soft quick kiss on her lips. Taylor smiled and kissed him back while whispering against his lips.

"Love you too." Troy wrapped his arms around her pulling her against his chest about to give her another kiss when her cell phone went off. Taylor gasped and jumped off him and picked her purse up off the ground from where she had dropped it earlier during their kiss and dug through it in search of her phone. Troy moved so that he was standing and watched her closely. Finally after she found her phone and answered it. "Hello?"

"Taylor? Girl what's wrong? Why did you call me and then hang up, Zeke and I are at your house right now and where are you?" Sharpay shouted out in hysterics. Taylor looked over at Troy and then turned back around.

"Troy's bringing me home."

"TROY!" Raising an eyebrow, Troy crossed his arms over his chest almost certain now that the person on the other end of the phone was Sharpay Evans Taylor's best friend. There was no why that Taylor would tell Chad that he was taking her home. "Girl, what are you thinking? You know we haven't finished the plan and if Chad sees you with Troy he'll know for sure something is up and then both you and Troy will be in danger and then-."

"Sharpay…I know that alright. Look I'm on my way, Troy's going to drop me off and then we'll do this." She said, a few more words were spoken by Sharpay and the Taylor muttered a good-bye and hung up the phone. Looking down at the ground she slipped the phone away ignoring the fact that Troy was watching her closely after a few moments of staring at her. Troy realized that Taylor wasn't going to speak to him so he cleared his throat and decided to break the silence between them.

"What was all that about, Taylor?"

"Nothing…come on you gotta take me home, or I'm gonna be late." She said as she turned and headed back to the van. Troy looked after in shock and shook his head in disbelief reaching out he grabbed her hand and waited till she was facing him.

"Taylor I know good and damn well you aren't going to that dance with Danforth, not after all we just talked about." He exclaimed as he placed his hands on top of her shoulders. Looking up at him she sighed and nodded her head.

"Yes Troy I'm still going and," when Troy gave her a look of shock, she sighed and looked away from him. "Troy I have too." She exclaimed.

"After what that damn punk has done to you…to us. I don't want you anywhere near him, now the real question is, if Sharpay is suppose to be your best friend then why in the hell is she pushing you onto Chad. I thought she didn't like him. I thought she didn't like." Taylor just shook her head as she tried to move towards the van; however Troy wasn't going to let the conversation end without an answer. "Taylor you better answer me right now."

"She doesn't like him…it's just that me and her well we are working together to bring him down. We have a whole plan worked and we are going to set him up tonight and expose him on everything he's done." She stated, Troy looked at her as she finished. "I'm doing this to protect you."

"Taylor…do you know what he'll do if he figures out what you and Sharpay are doing. Now I love you too, and I'm going protect you too. I mean lets be serious here you really think he won't try anything tonight," when she didn't answer he crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. "I didn't think so…I'm coming with you, and I'm going to protect you. We're going to end this together."

"You'll ruin everything, Troy." She cried with a shake of her head, Troy fixed her with a stare and sighed.

"I don't care…he can do what he wants to me, but I'll be damn if I let you go anywhere near him again. I wouldn't be able to take it if he hurts you…cause now I know you put yourself in that situation for me…I'd die if that ever happened." He admitted truthfully as he looked at her. Seeing that it was rather pointless to continue fighting with him on the issue she slowly nodded her head and sighed.

"Alright let's go and we'll figure everything out before I go to the dance." She said, Troy released her and she headed towards the van with him following. After he helped her into the van he jogged around to the driver side and climbed in and moments they pulled off headed towards her house. It had barely been five minutes when Troy pulled up outside of Taylor's home. Turning off the van, he looked over at her and reached across the seat and grabbed her hand before speaking.

"You know you don't have to go through this, Tay. Chad is dangerous and all I'm saying is that you don't have to do this to protect me at all." She shook her head at his words and looked at him.

"I want him out of lives for good and-."

"Then just walk away…I promise you nothing is going to happen…you can transfer to West High…everyone will understand once we tell them what happened."

"No…he's got to pay for all he's done. Miguel deserves true justice and so do you and I." she whispered the last part as she looked at him. Troy sighed and bowed his head and slowly nodded.

"Fine…and no matter what you say I'm still coming."

"I wouldn't expect less." She said with a small smile as she opened her door and got out, Troy sighed and leaned back in his seat for a moment trying his best to shake the worries that had suddenly swamped his body. After taking a few deep breaths he climbed out of the car and followed her. As they were making their way towards her front door it swung open and Sharpay came out latching onto Taylor's arm. She looked over at Troy who was standing behind Taylor.

"Why is he here?"

"He knows." Taylor replied quickly, Sharpay looked back at her. "I had to tell him." She stated as her excuse.

"Did Chad see you two, cause you know if he did he would suspect something Taylor." She scolded as she looked between her friend and Troy.

"He didn't see me, Sharpay…I promise now can please go inside." He said softly as he looked at Troy who met her glaze, Sharpay just nodded her head and began pulling Taylor inside while saying.

"Well come on in…and Tay we have got to get you dressed we're already as late as it is." Troy glanced back at his van, before following them inside and closing the door and locking it. Sharpay looked at him and pointed towards the living room. "You wait in there…Zeke is here and so are Taylor's mother and brother, you might as well relax cause this is going to take a while." Troy nodded smiled at the look on Taylor's voice as she taken upstairs. After they disappeared around the corner, he headed towards the living room. As he entered he saw Zeke sitting on the sofa, Trevor was laying on the floor staring intently at the television and Mrs. McKessie was sitting a chair reading a book. His entranced was announced as Trevor spotted him in the doorway, hopping off the floor the little boy raced towards him with a happy smile on his face as he exclaimed.

"Troy!" Troy stumbled back as the boy wrapped himself tightly around Troy's legs in the form of a hug. Bending down slightly he smiled and rubbed the little boy's head as he looked across the room making eye contact with Mrs. McKessie and Zeke.

"Hello."

"Hi." They both said, after their greetings were out of the way, Troy moved to knell down so he could give Trevor a real hug. The little boy clung to him tightly and sighed.

"I missed you, Troy." He whispered, Troy just smiled and ruffled his hair as he remembered Trevor telling how much he didn't like Chad, and that he liked him better as his sister's boyfriend.

"I missed you too, buddy." He said as he released Trevor who quickly went to take his place back in front of the television. Deciding that it would be rather disrespectfully to just ignore Sharpay's words and head on upstairs anyway while knowing that Taylor was changing especially with her mother here. With that thought in his head he moved towards Zeke and took a seat next to him on the sofa. After a few moments, Zeke glanced at him curiously before speaking.

"I don't mean to sound rude but what are doing here?"

"I'm here for Taylor." Zeke gave him a confused look for a brief moment before slowly nodding his head in understanding.

"I guess they told you huh." Troy sighed and shifted slightly on the sofa before nodding his head.

"Yeah they did." Zeke just nodded his head and leaned back sinking deeper into the cushions. Troy watched him for a moment as he tapped his foot on the floor. "How long have you known?"

"For awhile…you see Chad told Taylor to end her friendship with Sharpay, and when Taylor did it, it broke Sharpay's heart. You have no idea how long those girls have been friends, and Sharpay after she calmed down refused to believe that Taylor did that of her free well so she followed her and overheard her and Chad fussing and that's when she figured it all out, so after Taylor finally confessed they came up with this plan."

"Aren't you a little bit worried about Sharpay?"

"Yeah, Chad's loose cannon but I can't hold my girl back, she's out for blood man…no one tries to hurt her or her friends." He said with a shake of his head. "All I've been doing is supporting her and constantly making sure that I'm looking out for her cause I know Chad has it in him to hurt her."

"See that's why I don't want Taylor to go through with this." Zeke looked at him for a moment and sighed.

"There's nothing you can do man…except support her and make sure that when the shit hits the fan tonight that Chad doesn't hurt her." He said as he placed a hand on Troy's shoulder. "I know it's not ideal but that's all we can do for now." Troy nodded, and settled back to watch television as he anxiously waited for Sharpay to get done with Taylor. It was nearly an hour later when Sharpay came downstairs with a bright satisfied smile on her face. She looked at Troy and motioned for him to come over to her. Standing up he followed her out of the room and towards the staircase.

"Well we're finished I bet you're happy." She said, glancing over his shoulder he saw Zeke staring at Sharpay and it was at that moment that he noticed that she to was in her dress. Chuckling he nodded his head.

"I think we both are." He said nodding towards Zeke, Sharpay looked over his shoulder at her boyfriend and blushed.

"Just a minute sweetie," she called out, Zeke blew her a kiss and disappeared around the corner once he was gone, Sharpay returned her attention to Troy and saw that he was staring up the stairs as if he was expecting to see her descend down those stairs like the girl from that movie 'She's All That' shaking her head, she tapped him on the shoulder.

"This isn't a romantic move or book, Troy…this is life and she wants to talk to you privately before we go." Giving her a smirk at the comments he shook his head and climbed the stairs and headed straight towards Taylor's room. Knocking on the door, he chuckled as he heard her call out that the door was open. Pushing it open, he stepped into the room and was immediately taken back by how beautiful Taylor looked sitting on her bed. She stood up as he entered and smoothed her hands nervously over dress.

"So how do I look?" she asked her voice shaking in nervousness.

"Absolutely breathtaking." He murmured as he raked his eyes over her form, quickly burning her image into his memory for years to come. "Just beautiful…you look absolutely beautiful like a dream." He murmured softly in awe as he walked over to her taking her hands in his. Taylor looked away blushing at her praises, before looking back at him and smiling.

"I'm glad you like it…I wanted you to be the first guy to see me in this dress, Troy. I wanted you to be the first guy to hold me in this dress." Troy smiled down at her words and brought one of his hands up to her cheek and gently stroked her cheek, bending down he whispered in her ear.

"And I want to be the first guy to kiss you in this dress…been thinking about this every since I saw you with it on Saturday." She smiled at his words before he bent and captured her lips with his kissing her passionately while wrapping his arms around her slender body. Taylor wrapped her arms around him after a few moments when air was needed Troy reluctantly pulled away from her and sighed.

"Tay, baby have a seat?" Taylor looked at him for a moment before doing what he asked and perching herself down on the edge of her bed. Troy walked away from her and over to her desk and started messing with her CDs, watching him curiously Taylor spoke up.

"Baby what are you doing?" Troy gave her a quick glance and smile before turning about around to continue his task.

"I'm not going to let Chad Danforth give you, your first dance tonight." He replied with a shake of his head. "And I know you don't want that either." Taylor just smiled and nodded her head.

"You're right but why am I sitting."

"Cause well…I want to do this right, we might not get the chance to later on tonight." He explained turning around while brushing his hands together, "Besides you know me I have to everything like a gentleman when it comes to you." Taylor smiled and nodded her head as the first notes of music followed from her stereo, walking over to her Troy extended his hand towards her and grinned.

"May I have this dance?" Taylor looked at him for a moment and smiled as she placed her small hand in his larger one, allowing him to pull her up into his arms. She immediately laid her head on his shoulder as they started swaying to the music. Troy smiled as the singer began, bending down he whispered. "You know I couldn't help but notice you from across the room…you looked so beautiful I just had to come and get one dance with you." Taylor giggled at him and he nudged her playfully while saying. "Baby play along!"

Just like a star across my sky,
Just like an angel off the page,
You have appeared to my life,
Feel like I'll never be the same,

"Alright," she pulled back and looked at him and sighed. "I was hoping you come and dance with me." She whispered back.

"Really?" he asked with a smirk. "I would have never thought someone like you would ever pay me any attention."

"Well, I actually wasn't sure if I should, seeing as how you're from West High and all." She stated playfully as he spun her around and drew her back into his arms.

"Oh so you noticed I was a knight."

"Well you are in your basketball jogging suit and those colors certainly aren't wildcat colors." Troy smiled as he continued their gentle sway. "But I'm willing to overlook it if you're willing to overlook the fact that I'm a East Higher."

"Do you even have to ask." He said as they both burst out laughing at their silly role play. Troy pulled her close and kissed her temple while whispering. "I don't care what anyone says, I love you so much baby."

"Oh Troy I love you too."

Just like a song in my heart,
Just like oil on my hands,
Honour to love you

Still I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
With anyone but you,
We do it all the time,
Blowing out my mind,

"You look so beautiful, Tay…I wish…I wish you didn't have to go there and put on this act for that fool." She reached up and placed a finger on his lips to calm him down. Troy looked at her and she gave him one of the most comforting smiles she could give.

"We're together now and that's all that matters, and after tonight we won't have him constantly trying to do something to us."

"I know I just worry about you."

"And I worry about you." Troy seemed deep in thought for a moment before nodding his head as if he had come to some sort of revelation. She watched him and then spoke up. "What is it?"

"You're right…I guess it comes with the territory."

"What territory." Taylor asked in confusion.

"The territory of loving you."

You've got this look I can't describe,
You make me feel like I'm alive,
When everything else is au fait,
Without a doubt you're on my side,
Heaven has been away too long,
Can't find the words to write this song,
Oh...
Your love,

"Oh Troy." She gasped as she looked at him and wondered how she became so lucky to have a man like him love her like he did.

"You know we should make this our song…after all this is our real first dance."

"Well what about Miguel's party." Troy just shook his head, "Why what's wrong with that it was our first dance."

"Our first kiss." He corrected "besides halfway through the song you dipped." He said with a chuckle. She sighed, allowing him to pull her closer.

"I don't regret it…and I'm willing to say that was my first kiss." Troy looked down at her and moved to speak but Taylor cut him off. "He never kissed me like you did…he never made me feel his love like you did…that kiss you gave me started the beat of my heart." She whispered, Troy smiled down at her and brushed his lips against hers.

"When I first saw you…the image of your beauty started the beat of my heart, and it's never stopped my heart beats for you and you alone."

Still I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
With anyone but you,
We do it all the time,
Blowing out my mind,

Now I have come to understand,
The way it is,
It's not a secret anymore,
'cause we've been through that before,
From tonight I know that you're the only one,
I've been confused and in the dark,
Now I understand,

I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
With anyone but you,
I wonder why it is,
I wont let my guard down,
For anyone but you
We do it all the time,
Blowing out my mind,

As the song slowly came to an end, Troy lifted Taylor's chin and gave her one of the most passionate kisses he had ever given her. The passion of it shook Taylor to her core. She wrapped her arms around his neck as her knees turned to jelly. Both of the savored the moment not knowing for sure what the outcome of that night would be.

Just like a star across my sky,
Just like an angel off the page,
You have appeared to my life,
Feel like I'll never be the same,
Just like a song in my heart,
Just like oil on my hands

A/N: Song: Like A Star by Corrine Rae Bailey…I absolutely love this song, if you haven't heard it I suggest you go and take a listen. It's truly a beautiful song and I just had to add it to this story…so I hoped you like this update please remember to Review.