J O U R N E Y

Chapter 3: Too Many Walls

Written by: BeneathTheSurface

Summary: Sequel to E X T R A H E L P. Twenty nine year old Gabriella Montez and her girlfriend twenty two year old Sharpay Evans are making a new chapter in their lives. Gabpay; femslash; GabriellaxSharpay


Boarding from Boston, Massachusetts to Los Angeles, California

Gabriella sat at the far corner looking out the window, curled up on a seat. They had a late flight; Red Eye, so there really wasn't much to look at except for darkness. Sharpay came back, walking with some sodas and two bags of chips, knowing it'd be a long time before they got any real food.

She sat down in the chair next to her girlfriend, placing the food and drink on the woman's lap. Gabriella sighed, dropping her feet down to the floor as Sharpay opened her bag. "So this is it," she said as she munched on her Doritos.

Gabriella smiled slightly as she opened her bag "Yup. Life suddenly seems like it's falling into place, you know? Me getting the internship, you with your album; everything is perfect," Gabriella said knowing deep down there are other things that can be improved like them getting a place together, a family; things like that.

"Yeah I can't believe everything we've gone through to make this relationship work," Sharpay said after taking a sip of her soda.

"Yeah and there will be more obstacles," Gabriella told the blonde, who turned her head to look at her, but she had a small smile on her face.

"And I'll be ready to jump over them with you, I promise," she whispered, capturing the brunette's lips with her own…

GSxGSxGSxGSxGSxGS

As they flew through the night, Gabriella laid curled up on the row her and Sharpay had. She laid with her head in the blonde's lap as she laid awake, just watching the brunette sleep. Somehow she's been doing that more and more lately, thinking of all the good things, things she wants for their relationship, their future; everything.

Sharpay let her hand move over the brunette's flawless skin to her beautiful silky hair. She couldn't quite figure out what Gabriella really saw in her to begin with. Okay when they first got together, it wasn't under the best circumstances, but it sure was effective.

She knew why she was still with her. She was the first person she ever fell in love with. The one she wanted to wake up next to every morning, the one she wanted a family with, the one who'd be her rock through everything. Through everything Gabriella has been there supporting her, no matter how hard it got for her. If their love could handle the distance, pun and unpun intended, then they were meant for each other.

As she thought all of this she felt her eyelids become heavier and heavier, until she couldn't open them any longer; causing her to drift into a deep sleep.

Arrival from Boston, Massachusetts to Los Angeles, California

Sharpay and Gabriella made their way down the escalators with their luggage in hand after their long flight. It was still very early in the morning and all they really wanted to do was sleep, but Sharpay had to get straight into the studio to finish up one specific song and Gabriella never saw her at work before, so she decided to go as well.

As they reached the entrance of the terminal they saw a sign that said EVANS, so they walked towards the man. Sharpay handed the man the luggage as they walked to the limo, hand in hand, into the limo right away before they saw a flash.

"What the hell?" Sharpay whispered to herself as she fell on her girlfriend's lap.

"They like you Shar," Gabriella commented with a giggle.

"I can see that, but jeez my album didn't even come out yet and they're already hounding me. You think they're trying to find out who my suppose lover is?" she asked causing Gabriella to shrug.

"It wouldn't surprise me. You've been hiding me for months out of the press, not that I don't love that you have, but it'd make the stalking less frustrating,"

"Yes but how many times have we been stalked?" Sharpay pointed out.

"We'll use this as future reference for when they do hit stalking potential," Gabriella said as the blonde agreed. Sharpay sat on Gabriella's lap for most of the ride as Sharpay's manger, Martin talked on his cell phone.

"Yes…the album drops in two weeks…we're on our way now to finish the song, but we'll be done in no time…yes we'll be ready in two weeks…All right, well I'll give you any news on the future progress of the album, goodbye," he pulled the earpiece out of his ear and finally greeted them with a smile.

"Hey Martin," Sharpay waved as she swung her legs over on the seat as Gabriella held her on her lap.

"Hello Sharpay, um…why are you sitting on the poor woman? There are so many other places to sit," he asked holding his hands out at all the spacious back of the limo.

"Yes, but I am oh so comfy, right here," she replied, holding her arms around Gabriella's neck as he smiled at the two women.

"Hello Gabriella," he said ignoring Sharpay.

"Hey Martin," she replied with a smile and a strained wave.

He laughed at the way they interacted. He loved the two of them to death already. Sharpay truly was a joy to have around because of her love for music as well as her love to have fun. She did know when to get to work and when she did she made sure to make it worth everyone's time. Then there was, of course her goofiness. She liked playing around during her breaks, run around with the producers, tell jokes and laugh hysterically doing it.

There was one thing that Martin adored most about the girl was her love for Gabriella. All she talked about when they recorded the songs was how much she missed her, past stories, how her songs influenced their relationship. Sharpay wanted the songs to say something that has happened in her life and she got full power over her album; as far as lyrics go. She did get constructive criticism about the melody as well as some of the lyrics, most of which were taken. Sharpay prayed people would enjoy her album; she spent much of her time in this and the thought of it being a total failure, would devastate her; not so much because it's hers, but because of all the time she missed with Gabriella.

GSxGSxGSxGSxGSxGS

The three of them walked into the recording studio in Downtown Los Angeles to record the last song to finish the album off. Gabriella stood there with Sharpay's arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close as she gave her the occasional kiss on the neck.

Martin threw his jacket down on the couch that was in there, sitting down on one of the rolling chairs with J.R.; her producer, in the one next to him.

"Okay Sharpay, this is the last song we're placing on the album then it's complete. If you can finish this song today you have the entire week off to relax and do what you like," Martin explained as J.R. got the melody ready.

Sharpay nodded, kissing Gabriella again, before walking through the door into the recording room as Gabriella pulled a chair up to sit at the window. She watched her girlfriend place the headphones on her ears and look over the lyrics on the stand.

"Okay Sharpay, you ready," J.R. asked through the microphone. She gave him a thumbs up as he started the music, immediately letting Gabriella bop her head slightly with the beat…

Wish on a rainbow
Is all I can do
Dream of the good times
That we never knew
No late nights
Alone in your arms
I'll dream on

Living in wonder
Thinking of you
Still looking for ways
To uncover the truth
You're so young
Is all they can say
They don't know

Martin slid next to Gabriella who was listening intently at her girlfriend singing. She listened to how her voice would get higher at the end and then how she sang the chorus. He watched Gabriella, as if she was concentrating on nothing but the girl in the booth.

"She truly is remarkable," he comments, causing her to snap out of her trance. She turned to him and smiled at him, then nodded slowly.

"She truly is," she whispered, looking down slightly then back up at her girlfriend who just went through the chorus a second time.

"So I hear you two are moving over here," he told her as she nodded.

"Well I received an internship with my firm, so I thought it'd be easier for the both of us. Of course I have no idea where we'll be living," she commented, making him smile, knowing already what Sharpay did.

"Well do not worry about that," he patted her shoulder as the song came to a close.

"Excellent Sharpay, c'mon in and listen to it," J.R. said, as she nodded taking the headphones off, running slightly out of the recording booth to Gabriella, placing herself on the woman's knee.

J.R. placed the song on as the four of them listened to the finished product.

Wish on a rainbow
Is all I can do
Dream of the good times
That we never knew
No late nights
Alone in your arms
I'll dream on

Living in wonder
Thinking of you
Still looking for ways
To uncover the truth
You're so young
Is all they can say
They don't know

If I could change

The way of the world
I'd be your girl

Sharpay glanced at Gabriella whose eyes were closed listening to the lyrics play through the speakers of the studio. She smiled warmly at the sight of her girlfriend, who actually likes the song. She turned back to see, J.R. and Martin listening just as intently, surprised by the three of them actually so into it.

Too many walls
Have been built
In between us
Too many dreams
Have been shattered
Around us
If I seem to give up
They'll still never win
'Cause deep in my heart
I know
The strength is within

Watching the others
Chances drift by
They'll never discover
These feelings I hide
Deep inside
I'm falling apart
All alone
With a broken heart

She felt Gabriella's grip tighten slightly around her waist. She felt the sudden warm breath of her lover against the back of her neck, suddenly making her shiver all over. Sharpay let out a relaxing sigh to contain what she's feeling right now.

Soon enough she felt Gabriella's forehead resting against her back, breathing in and out slowly taking in her scent as well as listening to the comforting sound of her girlfriend's voice playing throughout the room.

Thinking in silence
Is all they allow
These words
Still unspoken
May never be found
All these dreams
One day will be mine
They cross my mind

My time
Has yet to come

Until then

Too many walls
Have been built
In between us
Too many dreams
Have been shattered
Around us
If I seem to give up
They'll still never win
'Cause deep in my heart
I know
The strength is within

Sharpay was finally getting used to hearing herself sing. She thought it was weird at first, but now that she heard it for twelve songs; she got used to it. Each song she wrote through an experience. This song; Too Many Walls, was written just for her relationship with Gabriella.

She felt that there were so many walls placed up in front of them, making their love almost unreachable. It was hard to believe they climb over them and managed to beat the odds of others, saying they wouldn't make it. They had the strength to overcome anything and they truly believed that and that's why Sharpay wrote this song. Plus this was the first time Gabriella heard this song, so she was dying to know what she thought.

Too many walls
Have been built
In between us
Too many dreams
Have been shattered
Around us
If I seem to give up
They'll still never win
'Cause deep in my heart
I know
The strength is within

Ohhhhh, Yeahhhh

Too many walls
Have been built
In between us
Too many dreams
Have been shattered
Around us
If I seem to give up
They'll still never win
'Cause deep in my heart
I know
The strength is within

Too many walls
Have been built
In between us
Too many dreams
Have been shattered
Around us
If I seem to give up
They'll still never win
'Cause deep in my heart
I know
The strength is within

The song came to a close as J.R. turned the system off. He leaned back in his chair and held his arms behind his head as Sharpay nodded slowly. Gabriella smiled, tightening her grip again to show how much she enjoyed the song. Martin suddenly clasped his hands together with a big smile plastered across his face.

"I call this track gold," he said, making Sharpay smile wide.

"Definitely, where was the inspiration on this one?" J.R. asked her, who just glanced behind her and smiled warmly down at the woman she was sitting on.

"Right here," she pointed, making them nod as Sharpay kissed Gabriella lightly on the lips.

"Well like I promised, you have the rest of the week to do what you wish, you however Mr. J.R. need to get this album together and ready by two weeks from Tuesday," Martin instructed as he got ready to call the record company to tell them of their progress.

Sharpay sighed, looking down at the brunette "Ready to go?" Gabriella nodded, getting up with Sharpay as they walked out of the recording studio to the limo in the back.

GSxGSxGSxGSxGSxGS

"Take us to this address," Sharpay instructed the driver, handing him a piece of paper with the address scribbled on it. Once he started the car, Gabriella scooted over to Sharpay, closing the window with the button, making Sharpay a tad nervous. Gabriella inched closer and closer, pulling Sharpay on top of her, rubbing her up and down her sides.

"You sitting on me was kind of a turn on," she mumbled kissing her lightly.

"Mm, well then I should sit on you more often," she whispered, placing her lips over the brunette's lips, running her fingers through her lovers hair, knowing how much she liked it. "Although, I don't want to do this in here," she added, pulling away slightly.

"You're right, it'll give the drivers at the limo company something to talk about," Gabriella said, letting out a deep sigh as the limo came to a halt.

"Ms. Evans," Sharpay got up and off of Gabriella, hitting the button to drop the window to see what the driver wanted "We're at your destination," he told her, making her smile and say thank you.

Sharpay pulled the limo door open, holding Gabriella's hand. They walked up to the door where they were greeted by a doorman, who opened the door with a polite smile, letting them in the lobby.

"Okay Shar, where are you taking me?" Gabriella asked as Sharpay held her finger up, walking to the front desk. She stood there for a few minutes conversing with the person, who handed her a key as Gabriella stood by the entrance.

Pretty soon, she walked back, grabbed her girlfriend's hand and walked into the elevator. She pressed the number of the floor they were going to. "So let me guess, you're not gonna tell me where you're taking me are you?" Gabriella asked with her arms crossed; Sharpay just shook her head with a smirk plastered across her face.

The elevator dinged as the double doors opened, Sharpay walked out with Gabriella holding her hand again, practically dragging her to where they were going then stopped in front of a room that had the numbers J-45 on the door. Sharpay unlocked the door, but didn't open it.

She placed her hands over the brunette's eyes "Okay, you ready?" she whispered, sending chills down her lover's spine. Gabriella nodded, as Sharpay turned the knob of the door, opening it.

They walked in slowly as the blonde placed a big smile on her face "Okay open your eyes," she said, pulling her hands off and placing them at her sides.

Gabriella opened her eyes and was stunned to see the empty, large penthouse in front of her. She couldn't believe how beautiful it looked, but what got her eye was the window because the view was visible right by the door. She ran to the window and looked outside where she could see the Beverly Hills area.

"This is beautiful Shar," she commented turning around with a still stunned face.

Sharpay shrugged, placing her hands inside her pockets "Yup, you should see the tub it fits two and has jets coming from all directions," she told her.

Gabriella glided back to the front where Sharpay still stood "Sounds relaxing," she commented "Man what I'd kill for a place like this,"

"Well there is no need for killing," Gabriella looked at her confused "I bought it," she added.

"This is your apartment?" Sharpay laughed, shaking her head slightly.

"Nope it's yours,"

"You bought me an apartment?"

"No," she whispered, pulling on Gabriella's jacket by her waist to bring her closer to her. "I bought us an apartment. I want you to move in with me," she told her, making Gabriella smile at her, placing her arms around the blonde's neck.

"Sharpay Evans, I thought you'd never ask," she told her, pulling herself into the blonde's lips, kissing her deeply, then pulled away instantly "I want to try out that bathtub,"

"Now?" Sharpay asked, as Gabriella nodded frantically, pulling the blonde with her.

"Now,"


Okay just something to add to save this Gabpay drought. I hope you enjoy the update and I seem to have realized that I have not gotten as great of a response as I did on the first story, but it's gonna get pretty good now once the beginning is out of the way. Anyway, please review and let me know what you think.

By the way, people help save us from this drought; it's sad to see how much we're lacking and it's really taking a toll on me. I need my Gabpay and I'm sure a lot of you do too as well. Oh and the song as you know is not mine, it was just used for the story so disclaimer there that it DOES NOT BELONG TO ME. Thanks for the reviews, previously and I hope you all continue to read and review this story; Thanks