Disclaimer: It's probably obvious, but I don't own any of the HSM characters or their related elements.

Author's Note: So, these are unrelated oneshots unless otherwise noted.

Also, I've started a sequel to Once & Again called All the Right Moves. You can find that story under my profile. This of course means I won't be back to the oneshots until that story is done (unless for some reason I feel like writing a light confection in the midst of it, which I might!).

Anyway, enjoy the oneshot!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HSM Romance Challenge

Theme: Knight

Standing in line at the Dairy Queen, Gabriella gave Troy a stern look. They had come for a treat on one of Albuquerque's hottest days, the sun scorching down on the city through the clear blue sky. But in the lineup, things had suddenly become frosty between the two of them.

"Seriously," she said. "You've got to quit trying to save me all the time."

He stared back at her, frowning slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Like that thing with your dad earlier. You know, how he came in when we were in the kitchen, and you kept trying to make him talk to me somehow."

Troy turned slightly red. "I was trying to help you guys get along."

She crossed her arms. "Well, it's OK if he doesn't want to talk to me all the time. And I'm a big girl. I can figure it out with him on my own."

"Well, thanks for that, but it's awkward as hell for me," he said, half-spitefully. "So I'm just trying to make it easier on everyone involved."

She looked away. "Well, fine," she said. "But that's not the only time. Like yesterday, when we were at the movies and they didn't give me the right change. You totally stepped in when you know I could have handled that."

"But…"

"But what?" she said, letting out a breath. "Look, Troy. I know you're trying to help. But I don't like feeling like some spineless princess, who needs to be protected by a knight in shining armor all the time." She rolled her eyes. "I can fight my own battles. And a lot of the time, I want to."

He was silent. The line moved and they shuffled forward slightly, not looking at each other. And after a minute, he turned back to her, studying her face seriously.

"Okay," he said grudgingly.

"Okay?" she asked. "What does that mean?"

He crossed his arms. "It means okay, you should fight your own battles sometimes."

"Okay," she said, slightly surprised.

He stared at her for a minute, and suddenly let out a breath. "I know you're right. I just can't help it, you know? I always feel like I should step in whenever you're in trouble. However small it might be. I just… don't like you having a hard time."

She felt herself soften instantly. "Well… that's sweet." Looking away, she bumped him with her hip good-naturedly. "Thanks."

He bumped her back and grinned. "But I'll leave you alone the next time something does come up," he said. "I promise."

Suddenly they were at the front of the line. He ordered a Blizzard, and Gabriella put her hand out when he reached for his pocket.

"This'll be my treat," she said, smiling at him. "I'll get one too."

The cashier rang it up. "That'll be $8.11, please."

Smiling at Troy, she felt in her purse for her wallet… and suddenly realized it wasn't there.

Heart beating fast, she put the purse on the counter and began to scrabble madly through it. Behind her, she could hear the lineup become fidgety. And as her fingers scraped the bottom of the purse, a frantic panic began to take over. She dropped her hands suddenly. She had changed bags at home earlier… her wallet must be in the other purse.

Then suddenly, a throat cleared. And discreetly, she felt something being pressed into her hand. Looking down, she saw a ten-dollar bill. And looking up, she saw Troy looking away innocently, trying to mask a smile on his face.

She felt herself turn a deep red as she paid. And turning, she smiled sheepishly and handed him his change. "Thanks for the save."

He grinned back, scooping up his ice cream and bumping her on the hip again as they walked out to the car. "Hey, I'm always here if you need me, princess."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read and review!