Everything was a blur to Gabriella. The ambulance came and she watched as they picked up Troy's limp body and put him on a stretcher. He looked so pale, so cold and so lifeless. She just stood, rooted to the spot, tears flowing down her face. She saw Troy's dad running towards the ambo's, trying to see if he was ok. Gabriella couldn't help the wave the anger she felt towards Jack, but yet she knew it wasn't his fault anymore than it was her own. None of them saw it coming even though they claimed to love him, and he may die thinking none of them cared. Everything seemed so surreal as they put Troy in the ambulance and sped away with the siren blaring. She didn't want it to be real. Please no, it couldn't be real. But it was. She saw the gang around her, all of them in tears. All of them wondering: did he do it on purpose? Was it an accident or was he really trying to kill himself? How did they, his friends, let it get this bad?

The gang was sitting on the floor of the gym. None of them were talking; they were all deep in thought, and full of shame and grief. They weren't allowing themselves the comfort of one another: they didn't feel they deserved it after their behaviour. It had been 3 hours since Troy had been taken by the ambo's, and they were awaiting news of Troy from Mrs. Bolton, who had left work to be by her son's side. Every second felt like an age as they awaited any news of whether Troy was going to live or die. Every second cut into Gabi like a knife. Her guilt was terrible and she didn't know how to handle it. She just wanted him to be ok, to go back to how things used to be, when they were happy and in love. Suddenly Chad's phone rang, abruptly breaking the silence, and echoing in the gym. Chad hesitated, scared to answer it, fearing the worst, but then he jumped at it as though it held all the answers to life.

"Hello!" he said hurriedly, putting the phone on speaker.

"Chad, it's Anna." A very weary, worried and upset voice said.

"How's Troy?" Chad said, very worried. He knew it was polite to ask her how she was first, but he couldn't stall; he needed to know about Troy.

"Well, the doctors got him breathing again. He's in a critical condition but for the minute he is stable… But… Umm… The doctors have said that… Well… He is in a coma, and they aren't sure if he is going to wake up. Ever." She whispered that last bit, as though saying it out loud made it true. Chad sat in silence trying to comprehend this. Troy might die. He may never wake up. Chad would never get a chance to make things right with Troy; he would forever live with this guilt.

"Um… Chad there is something else to mention… The doctors have done a Tox-screen and said that Troy seems to have some damage from the overdose, and also from prolonged use of amphetamines, and Heroine… They don't know if he'll suffer brain damage if he does wake-up, and there is no way they can tell unless he does wake up… And um… the doctors want you and the gang to come down to the hospital to interview you on Troy's behaviour lately… They think that considering the cuts on his arms and his rapid weight loss that he may have been suffering from very severe depression, and that he may have been trying to commit suicide…"

Chad just left the phone there and sat, fully absorbed in his thoughts. His best friend in the whole world had spiralled into a state of severe depression and he had just stood by and ridiculed his coping methods. He might lose his life-long best friend because he was too self-absorbed to see the pain Troy was feeling. Tears began to sting his eyes as he curled into a foetal position on the floor. He cried hard than he ever had, for his best friend and for his own ignorance. He put everything he had into those tears, but as he rocked and cried silently, no comfort came, and he felt no better. He felt two arms pull him up from his position onto his feet. He had been strong for the gang up until this point, but now they had to be strong for him. He looked up and saw Zeke holding onto him arms as he tried to steady him, then he felt Taylor come up and wrap herself into him, it was the best gift he could have asked for at that moment, so he tried to be strong for her and together the gang walked out to Ryan's car.

20 minutes later the gang was sitting in a large office. Around them they saw the x-ray images from numerous brain scans up against light boxes, and wondered if they belong to Troy. After a few minutes, a man in his mid 50's with glasses and a white coat came in, followed closely by Jack and Anna, who both looked weary and quite inconsolable.

"Afternoon young ladies and gentleman, thankyou for coming." There were a few nods at the doctor, but most of the gang simply sat in silence, not brave enough to speak in case they let out tears.

"I am Dr. Beaven. Now you know I came here to talk to you about Troy's behaviour of late, but I must ask if having Mr. And Mrs. Bolton in room would be a problem, or would affect your willingness to speak up in any way. There were general shakes of heads and few quiet no's.

"Well then shall we get started," he said as he sat down at his desk. "My first question is the obvious, that yes indeed some of you have noticed changes in Troy's behaviour? Yes?" Most of the gang nodded, not wanting to say someone who had only known Troy for 5 minutes pointed it out to them. "Anyone care to elaborate?" After a few minutes, Gabriella spoke up.

"Well, last weekend, Troy got in a fight at this party. None of us had noticed any change in him before that. He got really mad and stormed out, and then was brought home the next morning by the police because of drug use. That Monday at school I saw him buying drugs of this shady looking guy during free period. Then that night he went out and the next day there were pictures all over school of him with two girls in is bed. I haven't seen him eat in ages, he goes out every night and comes home trashed, and he doesn't talk. Yesterday I saw some cuts on his arm and then I found these.." She handed him Troy's lyrics.

"And me and Zeke saw him in the locker room yesterday, he has gotten really thin; like all his ribs were showing. And he's really pale."

"Drugs, violence, sex, lack of appetite…these things aren't Troy." Anna said.

"Acting out of character including violent behaviour, substance abuse, self-harm and other self-destructive behaviour, anorexia (a/n as a medical term anorexia means loss of appetite, im not talking about anorexia nervosa). This is a very severe, but classic, case of depression. Depression symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviors the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things, but also by specific changes in bodily functions (e.g., eating, sleeping, and sexual activity). The functional changes are often called neurovegetative signs. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Now I have a list of depressive symptoms and I was wondering if you could tell me how many of these Troy has been displaying: Persistently sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex. Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping. Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain. Fatigue, decreased energy, being "slowed down." Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts. Restlessness, irritability. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain…" Dr. Beaven looked around the whole room; everyone was one by one ticking things off in their head. They all began to notice things they hadn't earlier.

"I'm going to show you an image that may shock you, but I need you all to think about it's meaning and get back to me if you can think of it." He digitally projected an image onto the wall next to him. All of the people in the room gasped and new tears began to fall from a few faces. It was of Troy's chest, which was covered in blood, but clearly visible carved into his skin was this simple sentence: 'Free me from your expectations, give me back to myself.' After a moment, Dr. Beaven spoke again.

"Well thankyou for all your help, I'm going to go check on Troy."

"Can we see him?" Gabi asked quickly before he left the room.

"Well you can't go into his room, no visitors are allowed in yet, but I can take you into the observation room. Just a warning though, he is hooked up to a number of machines, and the sight of him may be quite shocking." He led them into a small room that had a large window in the wall.

"It's a one way viewing area. It looks like a mirror from that other side. It seems like an invasion of privacy, but hospital policy requires he be under supervision 24 hours a day. With that in mind it is beneficial to our observation of his behaviour that he can be free to express emotions without always having someone around." They all looked in the window and saw Troy. They stood there just watching his chest slowly rise and fall, as if checking to make sure it didn't stop. After a few minutes the door of Troy's room opened and shut quite quickly, and the figure in the room pulled the chest of drawers from Troy's room in front of it. Then she turned and faced Troy.

Dr. Beaven reached for the phone next to the window and pressed a button.

"Excuse me Mrs. Porter, who let Emma Wiltshire into room 306? No visitors are allowed in." The room was silent so they all heard the reply.

"Nobody let her in. She picked the lock and has blocked the door. She doesn't seem to be doing any damage but we'll have the locksmith up their in about 10 minutes to take the hinges off the door." Dr. Beaven just turned back to the window and began to watch Emma closely, turning on the intercom so he could hear what was going on.

"What is she doing here?" Sharpay asked a little rudely.

"Um, well, actually Sharpay, I think she has more right to be here than us…" Gabi said quietly. As she watched Emma with Troy she was terribly jealous, but at the same time sad because she knew Emma had more right to be with Troy right now than she did. They all continued to watch her as she put her guitar down against the wall.

Emma turned to Troy as tears flooding her eyes. She walked over to his bed, and stood staring at him. Then she grabbed his hand and sat down on the seat next to him.

"Hey Troy. I dunno what I'm doing here; I didn't think any of your old friends would let me near you earlier today so I came here. I umm… I don't think they like me very much. But hey I don't blame them… I wouldn't like me either. They probably think that I talked you into this or something. I mean, with these scars most people don't really give me chance. But hey, it's been that way for years, there's no reason Albuquerque would be any different. But just so you know, I think they really care about you. I wish I had people like that who cared about me; you're a very lucky guy Troy, even though you can't quite see it now. Some people think that when someone is in a coma, that they can still hear what you are saying. I was in a room like this about 6 months ago, and there was this nurse there named Amy. Everyday she would come in and read 'Alice in Wonderland' to me. It's funny though, I had never heard that story before, and I can't remember her reading to me. But I remember every bit of that story as though it is etched into my brain. So I hope you can hear me. And while we're on that topic of hearing me, just so you know, that whopper of a mirror on the wall is a one-way piece of glass that has an observation room behind it. If you watch it really closely sometimes you can tell if there is someone in there. It's soundproofed this way though, so although they can hear us, we can't hear them. Just letting you know because I think you have the right too… I'm so sorry you're sick Troy. You were the first person to give me a chance at East High and the only person that didn't judge me because of my pain. For that I hold you in my highest regard. I'm so sorry that I left you yesterday, I should have known those guys were gonna beat you up, people always judge those of us that don't quite see the world the way everyone else does. But there is something I want you to know. What you feel, and the way you see the world, is so highly emotional at this time. People like you and me see the world differently, and although it hurts, it's beautiful too. Being able to feel such strong emotions, even bad ones, is a gift. Even though I sometimes feel like I feel more than I can bare, I can't imagine not feeling these emotions. I mean, to not that them, to not feel so deeply… I would miss how beautiful and all-encompassing the true strength of emotions are. I would be numb, like everyone else. But I promise you, having fallen in and out of depression for years now, that this pain passes, but the beauty you feel in being able to feel emotions so deeply will always remain with you… Don't ever be ashamed of yourself Troy, or your actions. You are the most beautiful and kind-hearted person I have ever met. You looked past my pain and into my very soul and saw the real me that only few ever bother to look for, and for that I owe you everything… So even though I haven't known you for long, no matter who you have been, are, or will become, I will always love you, and I'll always watch over you and out for you, just like how you watched out for me." By this point Emma had tears streaming down her face. She didn't even try to wipe them away, but enjoyed the beauty of the moment where she could bare her soul and say what she truly felt. She didn't care if there was someone else listening behind the wall; she knew Troy was listening, and that is all that mattered. All of the gang behind the wall, and Anna, and even Jack, were all in tears at Emma's words. She was such a beautiful person, and was so loving and giving to Troy, they all silently prayed a thankyou for her. The gang felt a bit guilty for how they had acted towards her, and for not giving her a chance, but they were so glad that Troy had found her.

Emma turned around and reached for her guitar. As she did, Troy's fingers moved a little. She had missed seeing it, but Dr. Beaven certainly didn't. He immediately picked up the phone.

"Mrs. Porter, hold of the lock smith. Do not open that door! Troy moved, we need to leave young Ms. Wiltshire in there a bit longer, something about her is making him come back."

With this news Mrs. Bolton let out a huge sob. Both in thankfulness for God's mercy, and for the little broken girl in there with Troy who was somehow breathing life back into Troy.

"I wrote this song for you Troy, just after they took you away. I hope you'll remember it, and so one day I can play it for you again, and I can see you smile because you will see that I care." With that she began playing, even though she was crying, she somehow managed to sing.

"Just lay it all down. Put your face into my neck and let it fall out.
I know
I know
I know.
I knew before you got home.
This world you're in now,
it doesn't have to be alone,
I'll get there somehow, 'cos
I know I know I know
when, even springtime feels cold.

But I will learn to breathe this ugliness you see,
so we can both be there and we can both share the dark.
And in our honesty, together we will rise,
out of our nightminds, and into the light
at the end of the fight...

You were blessed by a different kind of inner view: it's all magnified.
The highs would make you fly, and the lows make you want to die.
And I was once there, hanging from that very ledge where you are standing.
So I know
I know
I know,
it's easier to let go.

But I will learn to breathe this ugliness you see,
so we can both be there and we can both share the dark.
And in our honesty, together we will rise out of our nightminds
and into the light at the end of the fight.

...and in our honesty, together we will rise out of our nightminds
and into the light... at the end of the fight..."

Just as Emma finished she broke down into tears. She put her guitar up against the bed and grabbed hold of Troy's hand. And to her surprise, he squeezed it.

"Troy," Emma said her face full of disbelief. Troy just stirred then turned his face to her and smiled.

"Thankyou Emma, that was beautiful." His voice was breathy and weak, barely audible, but she heard it. Emma burst into even bigger tears at Troy being awake. Troy moved his head slightly signalling her to come onto the bed. Emma grabbed the bed remote and moved the top end of the bed up to Troy was sitting slightly upright and climbed onto the bed kneeling next to him. He just looked at her taking in her beauty and the love she was giving him. Her hands cupped his face as she just looked at him in disbelief and raw happiness.

"Troy… I don't believe it… I mean your really ok…" She continued to sob again and Troy weakly pulled her into a hug, which she willingly lent into.

"Oh Troy, I was so worried I would never see you again, I don't know what I'd do without you; you're my only friend." At these words, Troy began to cry. As he silently began to cry his body began to shake with the sobs. Emma noticed and sat up.

"I'm so sorry Emma…" He said between sobs, then he said it over again and again; "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry."

Emma cupped Troy's face with her hands and lifted it so that their sets of blue eyes were staring straight into each other just inches apart.

"No, you listen to me Troy. I'm not going to say that what you did is ok Troy, because it's not. But Troy you have nothing to be sorry about, this is in no way your fault, it's just something horrible that happened. I know why you did it, and I promise you that you will never that way again, I won't let you fall that far down again, because I won't lose you Troy. Ever. And that's a promise." They just looked at each other for a few moments as Troy let her words sink in. No one had ever loved him like this. Gabi had loved him, but not in this way, not this deeply that she would break into the hospital room and barricade the door to be with him. After those few moments, Emma leaned in to give Troy a kiss on the cheek, but at the last second he moved his head and caught her lips with his own. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but it was a sweet, loving kiss that lasted no more than a few seconds. But that was all he needed to know he loved her more than he could ever say, and all he needed to know she would never leave him or let him fall. Afterwards Troy moved his hand up and cupped her face with it, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. Then he rested his forehead against hers, and for the first time in so long, he a strange feeling in his stomach. Like a tickle on the inside. Troy didn't recognise it at first, but as the feeling spread to his face it made him want to smile, and he knew what it was. For the first time in what seemed like a lifetime, he felt a little bit of happiness, and he let out small smile as he looked in her eyes. It wasn't the usual Bolton smile that reached across his whole face. It was a little sad, and a little weak, but it was there in his eyes as he looked at her. She snuggled down into his shoulder and they both lay there, just taking in the beauty of that moment.

In the observation room Mrs. Bolton had lost it. She was on the floor crying so hard, from both happiness and as an affect of the stress of the last few hours. Dr. Beaven called the front desk again and asked them to let the locksmith open the door, until one by one, the doctor, Troy's parents, and the gang all filed into that small room. Troy and Emma looked up as the crowd entered. Dr Beaven began checking all the monitors and writing things down.

"So Troy, how are you feeling." Dr. Beaven asked

"Yeah Troy, how are you?" Jack asked worriedly, still holding onto Anna. Troy just looked at them strangely, then looked around at all the faces in the room with confusion.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "who are you all?"