Firstly, I want to apologise SOO much for how long the wait has been, I've been away on holiday for weeks on end and I just started a new school so basically my life has been a bit crazy. But anyway here it is, the new chapter, it's not filled with Troyella because let's face it, there's more than two Wildcats! Some more hints at Gabriella's dark past when it comes to dating...but what could it be? Enjoy (hopefully) and review!

Hospital visits

"Closing time!" Gabriella's father called. Gabriella sighed in relief, she was so proud of her Dad, he'd always wanted to open a Mexican restaurant ever since they had gone on holiday there and he'd fallen in love with the food, but she was beginning to regret ever having offered to waitress. She wiped her forehead and pushed a few strands of flyaway hair off her face and looked over at Zeke who was cleaning the table that had just a couple of hours earlier been occupied by Troy and Chad. Gabriella's father walked over to her, "Who were those two guys that were sat at the table that Zeke's cleaning?"

Gabriella smiled as she remembered Troy's confession, "Oh, just some guys from school. Why?"

"Oh, no reason." Her father replied as he wiped down a table, "One just couldn't keep his eyes off you…" He said with a straight face, the worried parent look crossing his face and he walked into the kitchen. Gabriella shook off the feeling of worry radiating from her Father, he has reason, she told herself.

Gabriella untied her apron and walked over to Zeke, "Can I ask a favour?"

Zeke smiled at Gabriella, the two had become close since working together. Zeke had never mentioned it because of the huge rift between his group and Gabriella's group, but he had always liked and respected her. "Anything."

"Well, this is going to sound strange, but I was wondering if you could give me a lift to the hospital." Gabriella said hopefully.

Zeke's usually bright face fell into a state of concern, "Why? Are you alright?" He asked quickly looking her up and down.

"Yeah, I'm completely fine. I just feel…I think I need to visit Sharpay." Gabriella explained.

"She's still in there??" Zeke asked, feeling concerned, wondering for Sharpay's health. He had never told anyone but he couldn't but feel drawn to her, he had a feeling there was more to her than the front she put on. Zeke was like that, always looking for the best in others.

"Yeah, she's been doing physiotherapy almost all day every day, she wants to get better as soon as possible." Gabriella was confused by Zeke's concern, as far as she knew the pair had been barely said two words to each other in all their time of knowing each other.

"Oh, okay." Zeke nodded at Gabriella's explanation, "so yes, I'll definitely take you. You wanna go right now?"

"Dad, I'm heading off to visit Sharpay at the hospital!" Gabriella called to her Father, this serving as Zeke's answer. He grabbed his coat and car keys and off they went.

"I really hate this."

"What, Zeke?"

"Hospitals." He shuddered, as he and Gabriella walked down the corridor to Sharpay's room.

"Wow, you must really like Sharpay to come to hospital just for her." Gabriella smirked.

Zeke stopped in his tracks and Gabriella turned around and carried on walking so she was going backwards, "You know it's true!" She argued playfully loving the shocked look on his face. "Why else would you be here?" She added.

"I wanted to give you a lift." Zeke shrugged, with a mock innocent look on his face.

Gabriella stopped walking so he caught up with her and she looked at him seriously, "Zeke, go for it. If you really like her, I'm sure you could…tame her in some way. You're so mellow and she's so high maintenance that it could work. You're like yin and yang." Gabriella smiled, she was such a hopeless romantic.

"I guess, you're right…" Zeke said slowly, he wasn't used to talking about his feelings for Sharpay. "I think...oh here's her room." Zeke stopped Gabriella and they walked into Sharpay's room.

"Thank GOD, Ryan. I've been wait- oh hi Gabriella," She blushed slightly, "Zeke." Gabriella saw a blush creep over Sharpay's cheeks. Zeke and Sharpay had both been stunned into silence by the other's presence, Gabriella took the lead.

"Hey, Sharpay. Zeke wanted to come by and see how you were doing, so I thought I'd tag along." Gabriella said slyly, Sharpay beamed at Zeke and Gabriella mouthed, 'you're welcome' to Zeke. "Anyway, I'll let you two have a chat. I'll just go and a get a drink, you two want anything?" Apart from each other, Gabriella thought silently.

"No, nothing thanks Gabi." Zeke said softly as he walked over to Sharpay's bed.

"Me neither." Sharpay said as she took Zeke's hand in their own, their skin colours contrasting beautifully, just like yin and yang, Gabriella thought once again as she left the couple alone.

Gabriella walked down the hospital corridor and thought about the comment her Dad had made earlier about Troy not being to keep his eyes off her, he knew he was getting worried, and he had good reason, Gabriella reminded herself sadly. But she knew Troy was different, so it's time to move on. She said to herself decidedly. She walked to the drinks vending machine, put in some spare change and waited for her latte to be made. She sipped it cautiously after seeing it steaming and smiled as the warmth trickled down her throat. She started thinking about her Father and Troy, she realised the only way her Dad could accept him was if he met him and realised Troy wasn't like…the others. Her Dad also needed to realise that she was no longer the same naïve girl who had been hurt before. Gabriella returned to Sharpay's room and was taken aback when she discovered the couple mid kiss.

"Ahem.." She cleared her throat in mock disapproval, but really a huge smile was crossing her face.

Zeke and Sharpay blushed, "Um…he was just…" Sharpay lowered her head in a rare moment of humility.

"Making you feel better." Gabriella nodded, giggling. "We all have our different methods." Gabriella sat on a chair near the bed, the one Zeke had left now he was sat on the end of Sharpay's bed.

"So, how's the musical going?" Sharpay grinned, the mischievous glint in her eye returning.

Gabriella's face fell slightly, "Well, as I'm sure you know Troy dropped out..."

"Like I'm surprised! I knew he couldn't last." Sharpay giggled, as if it was some big joke. Zeke looked at her disapprovingly, and Shrapay's gaze went to Gabriella's glum face. "Oh…" She whispered, "you've fallen for him." Sharpay realised, she wasn't surprised but she was surprised Gabriella seemed so upset. She'd never struck Sharpay as someone who needed a boyfriend, she was so independent.

"It doesn't matter." Gabriella shook her pretty head, and continued in a not very convincing tone, "it's for the best. Besides I have Ryan now so…"

"Ryan's doing the musical??" Sharpay bolted up in bed.

"I figured you knew." Gabriella said weakly.

"I did not."

"Oh…" Gabriella trailed off, but couldn't but feel so proud of Ryan for doing such a bold thing.

"Listen," Sharpay leaned forwards, "I don't want Ryan to perform without me and you want Troy back in the musical, yes?"

"I guess…" Gabriella said, looking at Zeke wondering what Sharpay was thinking.

"Well, I can make this work." She finished, her tone conspirational. "Anyway, I must sleep now all this talk has gotten me tired." She added dramatically as she placed a hand to her head. Gabriella nodded and left the room. Sharpay turned to Zeke, "Thank you for visiting me," She said, her tone suddenly calmer, "I have been quite lonely so, thanks I guess." Zeke smiled, this was the Sharpay he was falling for, not the one that everyone saw constantly wanting to be the centre of attention, but the one that craved the limelight for a reason. To get someone to notice her, her parents may be rich and have all the right connections, but they were missing the most important connection of all, one with their daughter.

I realise that was a lot of Zeke/Sharpay action and I know this is a Troy/Gabriella fic but I have a thing for Zeke and I love writing all the Wildcats...don't worry there will be some great Troy/Gabi action soon! I promise.

Thanks for reading!

Sophia x