A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter :)

After a few minutes there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Troy asked.

"Maria, breakfast is ready if you two are hungry."

"Ok, thank you."

Troy looked to Gabriella. "Come on let's go eat."

"I'm not hungry."

Of course her stomach took that moment to growl. Troy laughed. "Says the girl with a monster in her stomach." He teased tickling her stomach making her giggle.

"Can you go get it and bring it up here?"

"Why?"

"I don't want to go down there Troy. Please, can we eat up here?"

Troy sighed."Brie, you can't spend the rest of your life locked up in here. You'll have to leave the room sometime."

"I don't feel safe yet."

"I'll be there with you. I'm not going to let Hunter hurt you or touch you in anyway."

Gabriella sighed. She stood up and took Troy's hand. They made their way down the stairs.

Everyone sat down at the table. It was awkwardly quiet.

"So…Gabriella how do you like your room? We can paint it if you want?"

"It's fine." Gabriella answered.

"You can hang pictures up on the walls if you want."

"All my pictures were burned in the fire."

"I'm just trying to come up with a way for that room to be more…homey, make it seem more like your room instead of the guest bedroom."

"Well don't bother. Nothing you do to that room will make me feel at home. Nothing you say or do to me will make me feel at home. This is not my home and it never will be."

"Gabriella this is your new home now. You need time to get used to it I understand." Maria said.

"This is not home Mom, it never will be. Home is place where you feel safe and you're surround by people who love and care about you. This place is not my home."

"But Gabriella, you are surrounded by people who love you. I'm sure once you get used to being here you'll feel safe. Just give it some time. I understand this is a new change in your life but trust me it will get easier." Hunter said.

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because I'm your big brother. I want to make you feel safe and happy."

"So, you call me and tell me you're going to watching me in the shower, and watching me as I undress? No, brother would say those things to his little sister. I wouldn't trust you with life Hunter."

"And just so we're clear, if you do anything to Gabriella like you said on the phone I will come here and murder you." Troy said.

"Troy Bolton!" Maria snapped.

"How dare you speak to my son like that!" Peter yelled.

"Your son has done nothing but torment Gabriella since he found out she was moving in. I'm not going to allow it. So either you handle the situation or I will."

"I told you dad. I try to be nice and I try to be there friends but they just shut me down." Hunter said fake hurt in his voice.

"Troy, I understand you and Hunter are enemies on the basketball court but here at home you are friends. If you cannot get along I will not allow you back in my house."

"THAT'S NOT FAIR!" Gabriella screamed. "TROY IS THE ONLY REASON I HAVEN'T RUN AWAY YET! YOU'RE NOT TAKING HIM AWAY FROM ME!"

"Because you are Gabriella's friend I have allowed you in here. If you are rude to my son and continue to make threats I will not let you back."

"He is more than a friend." Gabriella growled.

"He's only with you to get in your pants." Hunter muttered.

Troy growled. Gabriella grabbed his hand to calm him down before he did something bad.

"Did you hear that?" Gabriella asked.

"Yes, I heard. Troy is more than a friend. I'm sorry. He is your boyfriend."

"No, what Hunter just said?"

"No, what did you say Hunter?"

"I didn't say anything dad. I think Gabriella is hearing things."

"Mommy please help me out here." Gabriella pleaded.

"Honey, I didn't hear anything but you are my daughter and if you say he said something to you then I believe you."

Gabriella gave a small smile.

"What did he say?"

"He said Troy was only with me so he could get in my pants."

"Which isn't true!" Troy growled.

"I never said that!" Hunter lied. "I know Troy is the perfect Angel, he loves you and he would never pressure you into doing anything. He always makes you happy and he is the only one who knows how to cheer you up when you're sad."

"Look, I get it, you two hate each other. But for the Gabriella's sake will you two please just try and get along." Maria asked. "You can kill each other on the basketball courts but Troy when you are in this home you are to respect Hunter and Hunter you are to respect Troy."

"I'll respect anyone who respects Gabriella and her feelings." Troy answered.

"I agree. What do you say Bolton truce?"

If Chad found out about this he'd kill him.

"Fine, truce."

They shook hands.

"That's better."

"Oh honey, we better get going." Peter said.

"Where are you going?" Gabriella asked.

"To buy a new, bigger bed." Maria answered. "Peter only has a twin and since we're going to be sharing a bed we need something bigger."

"You three be good now. NO Fighting." Peter said.

He and Maria left. Gabriella had a bad feeling everything was about to explode. Troy took her hand and kissed it. "Come on, let's go back to your room."

She nodded and stood up. "Hold on," Hunter said. "I want you gone."

"Well too bad. I'm not leaving."

"It's my house."

"It's Gabriella's house too and she wants me to stay."

"Well, if you're going to stay we might as well bond with each other right? You can play basketball right?" Hunter asked a small idea forming in his mind

"Troy's been teaching me but I'm not very good." Gabriella lied. "You could easily beat me."

Troy fought back smirk. "Yeah, she's good but she just can't be as good you or I. It wouldn't be fair."

"All right, how about you two on a team against me. I can take you."

"What do say Brie?" Troy asked.

"Sure, but if we lose promise not to hate me. After all I've never played basketball against anyone other than you." She lied.

"I won't blame you. It's easy."

Hunter turned and headed outside. Troy smirked and nodded. Gabriella nodded back. Time for Hunter to lose.

The games started out just fine. Gabriella and Troy were of course winning. Hunter still hadn't figured out he had been played. He believed it was Troy winning all those points.

Finally it was down to the last point. Troy and Gabriella only needed one more point to win. Hunter only had 5 points they goal was 20. Gabriella had the ball in her hands dribbling across the court. She jumped in the air ready to shoot when…

BAM! THUD!

"AHHHHHHH"

Hunter body slammed Gabriella hard, making her slam onto the ground. She screamed in pain. Troy was instantly by her side.

"Don't move, don't move." He told her as she tried roll around and find a way to lay that didn't hurt.

"It hurts Troy it hurts!" she cried.

"It's ok baby girl. It's ok just. Just lay still. I'm going to call 911. You may have a serious spinal cord damage so don't move."

Gabriella nodded and laid as still as she could…which was hard because she was in serious pain and hard time getting comfortable. Troy grabbed his cell phone.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"My girlfriend was body slammed to the ground, she hit her back real hard on the concrete."

"We will send someone right away. Do not move her unless you have to. What is your address."

"Um….354 west side st."

"Someone is on their way sir."

"Thank you, is there something I can do to make her comfortable. She's in a lot of pain and it's hard for her to lay still."

"No, I'm sorry. Make sure she has feelings in her legs."

"Brie, can you feel your legs?" he asked.

She nodded as tears continued to stream down her cheeks.

"Yes, she has feeling in her legs."

"Good, that's a good sign. Try to keep her as still as possible otherwise she may injure herself worse."

"Ok thank you for your help."

Troy hung up and laid on his stomach so he was eye level with his girlfriend. "Try and lay still baby girl, I know it hurts but you've got to lay still. You can risk worse injures if you keep squirming around like that."

"I can't stop Troy it hurt too much."

"I know baby I'm so sorry."

He moved so he was closer to Gabriella. He wrapped one arm around her pinning her arm to her side gently as he pressed the rest of her body to him. He laid his head on her and gently stroked her hair.

"Shhh try and relax I'm right here. Everything is going to be ok Shhh."

He was comforting her which made her squirm less but he was also holding her tight enough that she couldn't move.

Gabriella continued to cry and try to squirm about.

"Where is Hunter?" Gabriella whimpered.

"I think he went inside. It doesn't matter. Just focus on you. Just try and be as still as you can."

A few minutes later they heard sirens.

"BACK HERE!" Troy screamed.

A few EMTs came running over. Troy moved off Gabriella and she cried harder. "NO Troy!"

"Shhh I'm here shhh." He soothed.

"Oww! Troy please it hurts!"

"The doctors are going to help you Brie, just hang in there."

The EMTs lifted Gabriella onto the stretcher and Gabriella screamed and squirmed harder as they tried to retrain her, "NO! NO! OW! OW! TROY HELP PLEASE HELP!"

"Do you have to restrain her?" Troy asked.

The EMTs looked at each other and sighed. They let her arms free."That's the best we can do."

Gabriella calmed down. She reached out to Troy. "I'm here." He said grabbing her hand.

"Are you her brother?"

"Boyfriend, Can I ride in the ambulance with you?"

"Sure."

Troy followed them as they led Gabriella into the ambulance. The car ride was blur and everything was happening so fast. She didn't know if it was from the pain or if the doctors sedated her but she blacked out.

Then next thing she knew she woke up and looked around she was back at Peter's house in her room. The pain had lessened a lot. She saw Troy staring at her while he stroked her hair.

"What happen to me?"

"The doctors gave you some pain meds and you fell asleep. The doctor said it was actually better that you did because their tests would have caused you worse pain."

"Am I paralyzed."

"I don't know you tell me. Can you feel this?"

He tickled the bottom on her foot and she squealed. Troy chuckled.

"The doctor said nothing is broken. Just badly bruised. You'll be fine when it heals. Until then keep ice on it and take advil as needed."

"That why my back feels like an iceberg."

Troy chuckled. "Are you in pain?"

"Not as much as before. Is my mom home yet?"

"Yeah, she met us at the hospital. She is furious at Hunter for what he did to you."

"Is he getting punished?"

"Peter and Maria are talking with him right now. With any luck he will be."

Gabriella just nodded. "What did the doctors say about me moving. I'll have to move to use the bathroom and shower and stuff."

"Well the doctors said it was important that any movement you did make had to be assisted by someone. So Maria has agreed to stay home and take care of you."

"What about you?"

"I'll help when I can, but she'll be here for the round the clock care."

"Well then Dr. Bolton please take care of me."

"How can I help you Ms. Montez."

She giggled. "The ice on my back is getting warm, I need some cold ice and two advil with a glass of water would be perfect."

"Right away Ms. Montez."

Troy took the ice off her back and went downstairs.

As he made his way into the kitchen he overheard Hunter talking so he stopped to listen.

"I didn't mean to hurt her. We were playing basketball I tackle everyone when we play basketball. It never mattered before."

"Look Peter you're older than her, you're also bigger than her. You can't body slam someone like Gabriella and not expect her be get hurt."

"I know and I'm sorry. I didn't mean for her to get hurt. I feel awful."

"We know that Hunter and that's why we're letting you off with a warning."

"WHAT!"

Troy couldn't hold back his anger as he walked into the kitchen.

"A warning! That's it! He almost paralyzed Gabriella today and all he gets is a warning! What kind of justice is that!"

"Troy, this does not concern you." Peter. Said.

"It concerns Gabriella, that means it concerns me. How could you of all people agree to this. You saw the bruise on her back. You heard what the doctor said, if he had hit her any harder she would have been paralyzed for life!" Troy yelled at Maria. "You claim to love your daughter but I honestly think you love Peter more. It makes me sick."

"Look, everyone makes mistakes. Hunter is used to playing rough. Next time he knows he has to be gentle."

"Oh no there will not be a next time!"

"That's not up to you to decide."

Troy shook his hand and went into the freezer.

"What do you think you're doing?" Peter asked

"Getting Gabriella some fresh ice for her back because she can't get up to get it herself." He grabbed the ice and slammed the door closed. He went into the cabinets and grabbed the bottle of advil. He also grabbed a small glass and filled it with some water. He turned to head back upstairs.

"You could have helped me instead of just watching me.. She is your daughter too." Troy growled.

He went back up to Gabriella.

"Hey Baby girl, I got you some ice. It might be a bit cold."

He laid a towel down on her back and put the ice over it. Gabriella moaned.

"Cold?"

"Yes, but it feels so good."

"Can you sit up and take some pain meds?"

He went over and gently helped her lift her neck up and take her pills and let her lay back down.

"Thank you Troy." She said softly.

"You're welcome Angel. Anything else I can get for you?"

"An answer."

"To what?

"What is Hunter's punishment. I know you know."

Troy sighed. He sat down on the bed by her side. He gently rubbed her back away from the bruise. "There is no punishment Gabriella. They're letting him off with a warning."

Gabriella eyes fill with tears. "So you lied to me. I'm not safe here. Hunter can do whatever he wants and he'll never get in trouble for it."

Troy's heart broke. His own eyes filled with tears. "I never thought it was possible for your mother to sugar coat Hunter's attacks but she did. I'm so sorry Princess. I swear I never would have convinced you come here if I knew Maria and Peter would act like this."

"Are you at least staying here with me tonight?"

"I'll have to leave early for school but I'll stay the night with you."

"Can I come with you?"

"You can't move off this bed. Look, tomorrow will just be you and your mom. Maybe if you talk to her about what you're feeling she'll change her mind."

Gabriella sighed and nodded.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, the advil is kicking in and the ice is numbing my back."

"Good. Can I do anything else for you?"

"Hold me."

Troy slowly and gently climbed into bed with Gabriella. She laid flat on her stomach in between Troy's legs with her head on Troy's stomach as he laid down flat on his back with his legs on either side of her. He pulled the blanket over her. "Try and get some sleep. I'll wake you in the morning before I leave. If you have any pain in the middle of the night wake me ok."

"I love you Troy, thank you for taking care of me."

"You're welcome baby girl. I love you too. Good night."

"Good night."

Troy closed the lamp on the nightstand and fell into a deep sleep with Gabriella.

The next morning Troy woke up to his alarm and smiled at Gabriella sleeping peacefully. He slowly and gently eased himself out of bed.

She whimpered at the loss of contact. He smiled softly and stroked her hair. "You're safe Angel. I'm right here."

She settled back down and Troy went to shower.

One he got out he went over to Gabriella and stroked her hair again. She stirred and opened her eyes.

"I've got to get to school. Call me if you need anything ok? I love you so much and I'll come by when school let's out."

"Ok, I love you too."

He kissed her head and stroked her hair until she fell back to sleep. Then he got up and left.

Later on in the afternoon Maria was in the kitchen cooking some lunch for her and Gabriella when the phone rang. Maria answered it.

"Hello...I told you I was taking the day off to spend with Gabriella…Isn't there someone else you can call? Peter is in today can't you ask him? He'll cover for me...But sir please Gabriella needs me…Please I need this job…Ok fine I'll be right there."

Maria sighed and turned off the stove. Gabriella was sleeping with any luck she'd sleep the rest of the day. She hated to leave her daughter alone. As she was walking out the door Hunter walked in.

"What are you doing here?"

"I always come home at this time. Home cooked food is way better than the school food."

"Great! Since you're here keep an eye on Gabriella for me? All she mostly need is some ice and advil that is it."

"Of course I'll help her. You just go. Gabriella is safe with me." Hunter smirked.

Maria smiled and left the room. Hunter smirked. "Finally, Gabriella and I are all alone."

A little bit later Gabriella stirred and opened her eyes. She had a funny feeling down below but knew she wouldn't be able to make it to the bathroom on her own.

"Mom? Mom!" she called.

Nothing happen.

"Mom! Mom!" she called louder.

Still nothing happen.

Gabriella sighed. No one was home. She was alone. Just then the door opened.

"You can stop calling for her. She left." Hunter said.

"Why are you still here?"

"I always come home for lunch. Maria left me in charge of you." He walked over to Gabriella. He lifted her shirt and Gabriella whimpered.

"Stop!"

"Just looking at the wound. Wow that looks real painful." He poked her bruise making sure to add a lot of pressure making Gabriella cry out in pain.

"Stop!"

"Ouch that looks bad. Does it hurt?" he asked poking it again.

"Yes! Stop it!"

"Does it hurt when I don't touch it?"

"Yes!"

"So either way you're in pain, got it. So do you need anything?"

"Not from you. Get out!"

"Fine, I'm needed back at school."

With that Hunter left. Gabriella sighed she still had to go to the bathroom. It was either do it herself or pee her pants. Sighing she slowly moved her legs off the edge of the bed and moved herself closer to the edge. She groaned in pain but continued. She gripped tightly to the night stand and used that lift herself up, then the wall to fully stand. Standing hurt like nothing she had ever felt before but she had to make it to the bathroom.

Once she was finally standing she let go of the wall but the pain became too much and her knee collapsed under her. She dropped to the floor panting feeling like she had just ran 10 miles. Her legs hurt, her back hurt, she couldn't breathe right, it was very uncomfortable but she had to make it to the bathroom so she literally dragged herself as far as she could.

She made it to the door when a surging pain paralyzed her making her scream and tears start to stream down her cheeks. She couldn't do this alone. She needed help and there was only one person she could call. She reached into her pocket and took out her cell which she always had on her and dialed Troy.

"Hey Baby, everything ok?"

"Troy…" she choked out.

"Baby? Hey talk to me Gabriella what's wrong?"

"Troy…help…please…pain….Ow!"

"Hang on Brie, just hang on I'm on my way."

The line went dead and Gabriella let her head fall to the floor. Suddenly as if things couldn't get any worse she felt warm wetness tricking down her legs. She groaned and buried her face in the cold hard floor. Talk about embarrassing moments, your boyfriend comes in and sees you wet yourself. She started to cry. The pain in her back was unbearable, so bad she couldn't move, and now Troy was on his way over to see she had peed all over herself. Could things get any worse?

A few minutes later she heard the front door open and heard two pairs of running feet. Wait, two pairs? Who did Troy bring with him?

She heard the footsteps running up the stairs and stop at the door way. Two gasps were heard and Gabriella whimpered. She knew they saw the giant puddle under and knew what it was. She was lucky you couldn't die from embarrassment otherwise she'd be dead.

"Mom is that…." Troy asked.

"Yes," she heard Lucille answer. "Look, go down stairs and get some ice and advil ready for her. I'll come down and get you when you can come back up."

Troy just stared at Gabriella. She could feel his eyes burning a hole in her back. She was too ashamed to look up at him so she kept her face buried in the floor.

"Troy go! She'll be just fine." Lucille said.

She heard Troy sigh and walk away. Lucille went over to Gabriella and knelt down.

"Ok, sweetie, we need to get you cleaned up. In order to do that we need to roll you onto your back."

"No! That's going to hurt!"

"I know but it's the only way."

Gabriella sighed and nodded. Lucille gently took Gabriella by the shoulders and rolled her over.

"OW!" she cried out.

"I know baby shhh." Lucille soothed.

She quickly got to work at helping Gabriella get cleaned up.

Once she was done she moved Gabriella away from the puddle and let her gently roll back onto her stomach.

"I'm going to get some cleaning stuff, I'll bring Troy with me."

"NO!" Gabriella screamed.

"What why?"

"He can't see me. Not anymore. Not after what he just saw."

"OH Baby, Troy isn't going to care about that. He loves you. Plus if it's anyone's fault here it's Maria's. Troy would never laugh at you or judge you. He loves you too much."

Gabriella just sighed. Lucille sighed too. She went back downstairs.

"How is she?" Troy asked.

"Her pride is hurt worse than anything."

"Her pride?" Suddenly Troy understood. "Oh mom, no, she isn't?"

"She's very embarrassed Troy. You, her boyfriend, saw her laying in a puddle of her own pee that's enough to embarrass anyone."

Troy sighed. "I'd never laugh at her or judge her. I love her."

"I know baby, I tried to explain it to her but I think she needs to hear it from you."

Troy nodded and quickly ran back upstairs. Gabriella was still on the floor. He went over and gently lifted her up. She whimpered.

"Shhh, I've got you. It's ok."

He carried her back over to the bed and laid her down. She buried her face in the pillow and refused to look at him.

"Baby, please don't hide from me."

"If you're going to break up with me make it fast." She whimpered.

"Gabriella, I'd never break up with you."

She looked up at him shocked. "You just saw me in a puddle of my own pee…."

"I don't care, I care more about the reason why you wet yourself rather than the fact that it actually happen. Brie, where is your mother?"

"I don't know." Her eyes filled with tears. "She wasn't here when I woke up and I really had to go to the bathroom but nobody was here to help me so I tried to do it by myself."

"Baby, I'm so sorry. I never should have left you."

Gabriella shook her head. "My mother never should have left me."

"I can't believe she left you alone when you're too hurt to move."

Gabriella sighed. "I wasn't alone." She muttered.

"What are you…oh no, please tell me Maria didn't leave you with your so called brother?"

Gabriella nodded. "He came in and poked my back really hard. He lifted my shirt up and poked me."

"Baby, I'm so sorry." Troy kissed her head. "How is your back now?"

"It really hurts."

"I'll go get you some ice."

"No! Don't leave me!" Gabriella screamed.

"Baby, I'm just going to get you some ice. I'll be right back."

She grabbed her wrist. "NO! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

"Whoa, Hey, ok, it's ok. I'm not going anywhere."

He sat down on the bed by her side and stroked her hair. "I'm right here. It's ok."

Lucille came in with ice and some pills.

"Thanks mom." Troy smiled.

He slowly and gently lifted her shirt up. The bruise looked a lot better and it had only been a day.

Lucille set down the towel and then the ice. Gabriella moaned. Troy chuckled.

"Feel good?"

She nodded. "Much better."

"Good. Can you take some advil?"

Troy, again, helped her with her head as she carefully took her medicine. Then she laid back down.

"Do you need anything else?" Lucille asked.

Before she could answer her stomach growled.

"I'll get you some food." Lucille laughed.

She went back downstairs. Gabriella giggled.

"What's so funny?" Troy asked.

"I was just thinking that normally when my tummy growls you tickle me but you can't because my tummy is covered."

Troy smiled. "I don't only have to tickle your tummy Brie. I know a spot to tickle you where you won't squirm and hurt yourself too."

"Oh yeah, where is that?"

He moved his hand up and lightly tickled the back of her neck. She giggled turning her head trying to escape. Troy chuckled but stopped.

"Ok, I take that back."

"I will always find ways to tickle you Brie." He smirked.

She smiled softly knowing he was serious.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Sore, my back really hurts. The ice is helping but not much."

"The advil should kick in real soon."

"Troy, do you have to go back to school?"

"No, my dad is going to cover for me."

"Can you come hold me?"

"Of course."

Troy carefully climbed into bed holding Gabriella the same way he had last night. She snuggled her face into his stomach making him chuckle. Then he felt wetness and became worried

"Brie, hey, sweetie, what's the matter?" he asked stroking her hair.

"I don't want to be here anymore. I want to go back home."

"You're safe here sweetie. I promise."

"No, I'm not. Not without you."

Troy sighed. She did have a point there.

"I'm not leaving here until I know you're safe. Neither is my mom."

"What about when everyone comes home?"

"Listen to me, either you are coming back to my house or my mom is moving in. Either way you are never going to be alone here again, until your back heals. I promise you Gabriella. No, matter what it takes I will protect you."

Troy wasn't going to leave Gabriella alone ever again until he knew for sure she was going to be taken care of and be safe.

A/N a lot happen in this chapter a lot of drama lol what do you guys think of Hunter's punishment? In case you haven't noticed he plays the perfect Angel in front of his dad and Maria but onces they're gone he shows his true nature and so that's why he's getting off the hook so much. His father doesn't know what his son is really like. Anyway, how much longer do you think Troy can last without killing Hunter? Leave me your thoughts in a review.