You guys are really supportive and really got into the story which is what I wanted! So by now you've all established that Gabriella isn't really treated the way she should be…but hopefully that'll all change soon.

Chapter 2 – The Hero And The Damsel In Distress

TROY Bolton pulled himself out of bed on the 3rd of December feeling that something was going to change his life! He pulled himself out of bed and stretched his body. He patted his Sheepdog Rex on the head as he moved to his cupboard to get changed. (A Picture of Rex in profile)

Troy Bolton owned Sampoe Ski Lodge's, he owned a much larger Lodge on top of the highest hill. He had the most expensive. He was quite wealthy and had money to spend but Troy always believed that he didn't have the right girl to spend it on.

His Butler Henry walked up to him handing him his shoes.

"Today's the day Troy." Henry said cheerfully.

"What?" Troy asked trying to act oblivious.

"Today…you're going to meet that special someone." Henry said positively.

"Henry, 'Troy said tying his laces, "You've been saying that every day for the last two years. When are you going to stop?"

"When I'm right." Henry said triumphantly and Troy chuckled.

Troy picked up his lead and called Rex who came barking joyfully, "Let's go girl." He said softly.

"I'll have a lovely vegetable broth waiting for you when you come back Troy." Henry exclaimed.

"Great, see you then." Troy called closing his door behind him.

As he walked Troy looked on at his Lodge, he had done pretty well for himself. He had started off as an international basketball player but after he had broken his leg he had never been right again. He had been in the holiday business for three years. He had four holiday homes and one normal home. He loved to go on little breaks and one day he hoped that he'd have a wife and children to take with him and spoil them rotten…

GABRIELLA was sure to leave early that morning for her ice skating hour. She had been terribly excited to go all night and it was finally time. She had done a lot of ice skating when she was younger so it wouldn't be anything new.

Lupin, no matter how much she protested had followed her outside. He was a faithful friend and truly did care for his Mistress very much.

She arrived at the large lake and slipped on her skates giggling with excitement. Lupin who had attempted to follow her out to the Ice had slipped ungracefully so had to sit watching her patiently at the side of the lake.

She laughed as she twirled around on the ice, free from Richard and his cruel actions and his snide remarks. When she was on the ice, she was just Gabriella.

Gabriella froze on the spot when she felt the ice move from beneath her, panic rose in her but as she struggled to move she went crashing through the water screaming.

She clawed at the icy water as it turned her body and blood shockingly cold. She kicked and gulped for air as she sunk down into the water and then floated back up again.

"Help! Help!" She spluttered as she kicked and pushed at the water trying to grab the edges of the ice, but they were too slippering for her and she went cascading back down into the chilling waves again…

AS Troy walked through the snowy woods he heard the soft meowing of a cat. He didn't worry about Rex with a cat; she was gentle with every animal she came in contact with.

He finally saw the feline, a fluffy tabby cat prancing towards him. The cat pawed at his trousers meowing and hissing at him.

"What's wrong with you little fellow?" He asked, he picked the cat up and looked at his collar, Lupin, his name was Lupin.

Lupin suddenly leapt out of Troy's hands and kept trying to get his attention. Troy decided that the clever feline was trying to tell him something so he followed him. Lupin led Troy to a large lake and the cat kept slipping onto the ice before jumping back, he seemed to be in a panic.

"What's wrong, what's the matter?" Troy asked and suddenly he heard it, a screaming and a lot splashing.

He looked out to the middle of the lake and his eyes widened, someone was drowning.

He dashed across the ice, not caring that he was slipping and smashing his knees on the ice. He was sure that the ice was not safe but he couldn't let that person die.

"Hold on." He screamed and he got to the hole where a mass of black hair began to sink. He did the first thing he could think of and jumped in beside the person, he grabbed them by their waist and held them tight to him. He was trapped within the lake; he'd never get up with an extra weight too. He looked around for something big, trying to ignore his teeth chattering together, it was so cold.

He saw a large stick and looked at Rex, "Fetch the stick girl." He said pointing to it on the floor and Rex barked and grabbed the stick and clumsily brought it over to him.

Troy used the stick to smash through the ice, the effort was exhausting him, it was so cold and he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold on. He beat his way through the ice feeling his body become colder and colder. He was almost there, the person beside him had dropped their head onto his shoulder, he could not feel their body breathing against him and he worried for them.

He got to the edge of the water and dragged the dead weight person out of the water, his entire body was trembling, and he was sure that if he had only stayed in the frosty water a little longer, he would surely have died.

He felt for his phone in his pocket, which was surprising still working, and quickly dialled his house number; he heard the familiar warming voice of Henry answering.

"Henry, quick…I need…I need you to…bring…the…ca…ca…car." He said his teeth shattering.

He looked down on the limp body before him, it was a woman, her lips were blue and her body was pale and lifeless.

He straddled her quickly unsure what to do.

"What's the matter?" Henry asked panic eminent in his voice.

"I…I've just rescued this girl…she…drowning." He exclaimed.

"Is she breathing?" Henry asked.

"No!" Troy muttered.

"Okay, you're going to have to do CPR!" The Butler said.

"Okay, just get… the car down here now and…ph…phone…a…doctor."

"I'll be right there." Henry said reassuringly…

TROY had never been so relieved to get home. As soon as Henry had drove them home they had phoned for a private doctor to come and attend for Troy and his new guest.

The doctor came out of the room the young woman was staying in and smiled gently.

"She's awake, she's suffering shock and she's still very cold. Refill her hot water bottles every hour, make sure the thermal blanket is up on high and make her something warm every two hours to drink. Do you understand?" The Doctor asked.

"Yes sir, thank you very much." Troy said shaking the Doctors hand.

"You can go and see her now if you wish." The Doctor said softly.

"Thank you, Henry, can you see our friend to the door." Troy asked and the Butler nodded and he and the doctor walked off.

The Medical man smiled as he turned to Troy, "You saved her life, you know." He said before he closed the door behind him.

Henry turned back to Troy smiling gently, "Well hero, how about a nice mug of hot chocolate and that broth I promised you?" He asked.

"Sure, bring two and bring them to the guest room." Troy said.

He felt something nuzzled against his leg and found Lupin looking up at him with imploring eyes.

"You want to see her too huh?" He laughed picking up the cat and carrying him to the guest bedroom.

Troy crept inside and walked over to the bed where a lifeless body lay. He sat in the chair next to the bed and looked gazed down into the face of the sleeping girl in his favourite King sized bed. She was absolutely gorgeous. The most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her soft ebony hair cascaded over her shoulders in a swirl of curls; she had a dainty small nose that seemed to make her all the more perfect and wonderful. He had remembered the feel of her body in his arms as he had carried her through the water; it was sleek, majestical and curvy. He longed to look down into her eyes, to know their colour, their depth, the emotion within them. He smiled; he couldn't wait to know her name.

Lupin leapt out of his arms and crawled across the bed nuzzling at his Mistress's face and purring affectionately. Troy smiled, Lupin was an exceedingly intelligent cat and he secretly thanked the cat, for bringing this radiant goddess into his life.

Troy jumped when he heard the young woman groan in her sleep, she shifted and her eyelids flickered open to reveal bold, luscious, erotic hazel eyes. She looked up at him questionably and shook her head confused; the only thing that she registered within the room was Lupin.

"Where…where am I? It's so cold." She muttered trying to get up but Troy pushed her down with a gentle hand.

"Don't get up. You nearly drowned." He said to her.

"Oh…I remember…I remember someone getting in the water…with me. Was that you?" The woman asked.

Troy nodded.

"You…you're a hero! You…you saved me." She said faintly smiling.

"No problem, especially when my damsel in distress is such a beautiful one." Troy said and he saw a blush creep across her face.

"You should thank your cat really, he's the hero. He came and found me." Troy said reaching across to stroke Lupins soft tabby fur.

They sat in silence for a moment until Troy said, "I'm Troy by the way, Troy Bolton. I own Sampoe Ski Lodges."

"I'm…um…Gabriella Montez." The woman mumbled tiredly.

Troy smiled a perfect name for a perfect girl.

"I'm really sorry…I think I should go, 'Gabriella said sitting up suddenly thinking of Richard, he would be surely angry with her for not phoning him, Troy pushed her back down again, "I have to go." She protested.

"You can't. A snow storm has been predicted. No – one should leave their Lodges until tomorrow and besides, you have to be cared for, you're still not well." Troy said.

"But…it's…just…I…I've…got…to clean my Lodge…he'll…he'll…maybe a little…sleep won't hurt." She muttered and she turned Troy watched as she dropped off to sleep breathing gently.

Troy laughed and looked at her smiling, "Gabriella." He whispered to himself.

At that moment Henry came in carrying a tray of steaming hot mugs and bowls. He set the tray down by Troy's side and picked up Lupin off Gabriella's bed. The cat didn't protest but a moment later he had jumped from the Butlers arms and was lying beside his Mistress again.

"He's really attached to her. Won't leave her side." Troy said smiling.

"Didn't I tell you that you'd meet the right girl today Troy! Didn't I?" Henry chuckled.

"Oh come on, this is just coincidence." Troy protested.

Henry shook his head, "No, this wasn't coincidence buddy, this was destiny. You were meant to find her. You were meant to help her!"

Troy smiled and Henry looked at Gabriella tenderly, "She's a beautiful creature. Delicate looking indeed and certainly the type for you."

"Why would she even try and go out with me? I've just met her, sure she's pretty but it's not something you ask someone as soon as you've rescued them. What would she see in me anyway, I'm nothing." Troy said dejectedly.

"Of course you're not, you're handsome, witty, comfortable to be around and successful. You're a man of business and you're lonely. It's about time you settled down." Henry told Troy firmly.

Troy shook his head as Henry walked out of the room leaving him alone with his thoughts, he saw Gabriella shift in her sleep and he looked at Lupin who was watching him with his bold green eyes.

"God has sent me an angel." He said and Lupin meowed in response.

Troy laughed stroking the feline, "I'm glad you think so to."

Right, so there you are. I hoped you liked this chapter, I for one preferred it to the first. Review and tell me what you think and also don't forget to keep reading my other story too 'Bullied Into Love'

Thanks guys, I love you all xoxMusicalxox

Stay tuned for Chapter 3