Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad everyone likes the new story, so here's the next chapter. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!

Disclaimer: I would not be on Fan Fiction if I owned HSM….

Sharpay frantically dialed 911 as Troy, Chad and Lilly stepped out of the car. The grown men were in such great dismay of the sight in front of them, they didn't even notice when Lilly frantically ran into the burning building.

"Man, what should we do?" Chad asked, with such emotion, Troy looked over at his friend.

"Pray and look after Lilly while everything is happening. It could be devastating if her mom lost her and her home in one day." Troy stated and looked around for Lilly.

"Where is she?" Chad asked, glancing around.

"In there. She probably ran in there looking for her mom." Troy stated and just in that moment heard a small, helpless cry of a child. Troy knew it was her and ran into the flames of the burning building.

Unsure of what to do, Chad made his way over to Sharpay, who was now standing with a short African American woman, with shiny black hair.

"Are the firemen on their way?" Chad asked to the two women.

"Yes, where is Lilly? Gabriella is on her way home now." Sharpay questioned, glancing around.

He nervously bounced from foot-to-foot, "Well…"

"She didn't Chad. NO!!" Sharpay collapsed into Taylor's arms, crying uncontrollably.

"Where is Troy? Did he go in after her?" Taylor asked looking at Chad.

He nodded his head, "I know this is not the right time, but who are you?"

"Taylor McKessie, I'm a friend of Gabriella's and was just on my way when Sharpay called me. I sometimes baby-sit Lilly after Sharpay drops her off, if Gabi has to work late, and you are?"

"Chad Danforth, I'm a friend of Ryan and Sharpay's. She was taking me to my parents and then Troy to his mom's. I play in the NBA for the New York Knicks."

She nodded and turned her attention to Sharpay, who was still clinging to Taylor.

At that moment, a silver Nissan Murano pulled up in the street and a small, olive skinned woman with black, curly hair hopped out and ran over to her friends.

Tears began to form, "How did this happen? Where's Lilly?" Gabriella cried as she looked from face to face. As if called, Troy ran out of the building with a tiny figure over his shoulder, and ran to where his friends were just as the firemen and ambulances began to show up. He slowly handed Lilly over to Gabriella who took her daughter over to the awaiting medics.

Several Hours Later……

After the flames were put out and every account recorded, the group of Gabriella, Lilly, Sharpay, Taylor, Chad and Troy all went to Sharpay's to shower and freshen up. Everyone was feeling slightly better as they sat down to be formally introduced.

"So, Girls, this is Troy Bolton and Chad Danforth. They both went to college with Ryan and me, so we go way back." Sharpay smiled at her friends. "Boys, this is Gabriella Montez and Taylor McKessie, my best friends since Kindergarten. They both went to college at USC, which would explain why you never met either of them."

Everyone exchanged polite hellos and Lilly yawned loudly.

"It's bedtime." Gabriella smiled softly at her daughter, who sat looking glumly at her mom.

"Do I have to? I mean, its TROY BOLTON Mommy!" She looked over at Troy for help.

"Sorry sweetheart, you need to get your beauty rest. I promise we'll hang out some more, OK?" He gave her a large smile and she nodded softly.
"OK. Goodnight Auntie Sharpie, Auntie Tay. Goodnight Mr. Chad and Mr. Troy." She hugged everyone as Gabriella followed her up the stairs.

"Will they stay here with you Shar?" Tay asked softly. "I'd keep them, but you know I have no room."

"Of course they will! I'm not putting her out on the streets. I'm going to call Dad tomorrow and see how quick he can get the house built. They still have some of that donation money, so they can get new things. I'll help with that too, I mean, Dad will give me money for that!" She exclaimed and looked around at everyone.

"We can leave whenever you want, you know that right? I feel like we are imposing greatly, you all are so close and we are just outsiders." Troy stated and looked between the two women.

"No stay for a little while longer. Your not imposing, we just have to figure this out, because Gabi has never taken charity well. After Anthony died, she just seemed to think she didn't need anyone to help her, so it's tough." Taylor stated.

"Who's Anthony? Anthony Montez? THE Anthony Montez??" Chad pried.

"Yes, Anthony Montez was Gabriella's first and only husband." Tay stated.

"Oh…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound obnoxious, but he's a legend in basketball." Chad said apologetic.

At that moment, Gabriella walked in and looked to Troy, "Troy, do you think you could come in the kitchen?" Her sad eyes were all the urging Troy needed to hop straight up and head to the kitchen.

"I just wanted to thank you soo very much for saving my little Lilly. She's all I have to live for these days and without her I don't know what I would do, so thank you." Gabriella pulled Troy into a loving hug, full of her gratitude. Once they pulled away, Troy made a decision.

"Gabriella, would you like to come to my game next week? I would pay for everything, and you and Lilly would get VIP treatment. I know it would mean the world to me and her." He stared straight into her eyes, searching for some ray of hope or happiness.

She nodded her head, "Well, that would be nice…" She trailed off thinking hard.

"Please?" He slightly begged.

"OK." She smiled slightly. "Taylor and Sharpay have to come to though."

He smiled slightly, "It's a deal." They laughed as they shook hands.