Hey there everybody! Right, so another chapter's here and be prepared for a dark mood in this one! Also, its about three months after Troy proposed to Gabriella, to be honest, I wasn't intending on having Troy propose to her or ask her to marry him in any way but it kind of niggled at me, annoying huh?

Also, I actually never mentioned that Richard knew Gabriella was having twins, Richard doesn't know, my words were 'he would have to get rid of that little runt inside her, he'd have no Bolton growing inside of his Gabriella! Not ever!'

See, so I actually never mentioned Gabriella having twins or Richard knowing. Just to let you know.

Okay, another chapter

Chapter 25 – A Dark Experience

IT was impossible to think that Troy had actually proposed to Gabriella three months ago. Gabriella was a little nervous about being engaged to Troy, for when she had agreed to get married to Richard; it was then that he had started to abuse her. Troy, however, loved her and showered her with affection and gifts.

Now being four month pregnant, Gabriella was getting bigger. Troy made it his personal business to be with her everywhere. Boy did he loved to shower her with affection, he'd take her away for long romantic weekends, he'd take her dinner and show her the best time of her life and Gabriella couldn't believe how loving he was being. Richard had never attempted to show her any kind of love.

It was a dull sort of day and Troy knew that Richard moved back into Albuquerque. Gabriella and Troy were still staying at Sampoe Ski Lodge's but in truth Troy wanted to be back home. There was a lovely house, not far away from all their friends and Gabriella's mother and his parents! He wanted to be back in Albuquerque too but the fear that Richard was there stopped him. He'd do anything now to keep his family safe.

The couple were sitting by the windowsill; Gabriella perched between Troy's legs and Troy stroking her swollen stomach. She wasn't very big but with the twins, she was perhaps just a little bigger that most women.

"I want my things Troy." Gabriella suddenly said.

Troy felt her lean against him and he took the opportunity to smell her scented hair. She was just so damned beautiful.

"Look, I could get you new things. Anything you want." Troy said, he didn't want Gabriella to even come within a metre of Richard, not after his threat.

"No Troy, I want my things." Gabriella said gently.

Troy sighed, "But you can't have anything really important. I could take you shopping and you can have anything you want, whatever the cost. How's that?"

"Troy please, I've got a few little things in that house that are special to me. My mother's musical box for instance. Their silly little things but I really want them. Please Troy, I want my things." Gabriella said pleading.

Troy heard the desperation in her voice and he was sure that if he had caught a glimpse of her face then it would be tearful and dejected. He stroked her hair gently and nodded, "Fine, alright, we'll go but you're going to wait in the car and I'm going to get the things. You'll have to write down what the things are and a description of them. We've got more of a chance of Richard being in the house than being out."

"Thank you Troy." Gabriella said smiling; finally she would be getting her things back.

TROY and Gabriella had just pulled up outside of Richard's house and there was stillness in the air and coldness in their hearts.

Gabriella handed Troy the list and he looked down on it and smiled, "Right so I only have to get these things. No clothes remember, I'll supply all that. Are you sure these things are important?"

Gabriella nodded.

"Right, now I mean it, lock the car doors and if anything happens ring me from inside the car. Don't get out of the car for anything." Troy said.

"Thanks Troy." Gabriella said and she kissed him swiftly on the lips before he got out of the car and watched Gabriella lock them.

Troy tried the back door of the house, it was open surprisingly and when he went inside he was shocked at the sight of the house. Everything was a mess, dishes and cups sprawled on the sink, the fridge was left wide open. Dirty plates were forgotten on the table and the contents of take outs and pizzas were sprawled on the kitchen surfaces. Troy looked around nervously; Gabriella had told him where everything was. He was looking for an old chain with a phoenix pendant on the front, it had been her fathers. It was in one the kitchen drawers.

He rooted around for a little while and quickly found the necklace stowed away in the last drawer between some dirty knives and folks.

"Result!" Troy said delighted, he stowed it away in his pocket and ticked it off the list.

The next thing he needed was in the living room, it was a picture of Gabriella, her mother and her father. Gabriella was holding up her sheet with her grades on it. Troy smiled; it was set on the fireplace. It was a beautiful picture, Troy examined it for a little while, Gabriella was so young in it, but he could see how she had developed from such a young teenager to a beautiful woman. He also noticed how wonderfully happy she looked in the picture. Kind of like she was with him now.

It was too big to fit in his pocket, so he put it in a bag he had brought with him.

Troy sighed, five more objects to find, he looked down on the list, he needed to find a Music note trophy, in her bedroom. He climbed the stairs and looked around, everything was just a mess, no wonder Richard needed Gabriella so much, she probably kept the house clean…

GABRIELLA took a deep breath and looked around nervously.

"Everything is alright, Troy's going to come out soon and we can go home. I just need a long relaxing bath and Lupin. Yeah that's it, everything okay." She told herself.

She kept looking anxiously at the house; it brought so much terrorizing memories to her, years of abuse and rough sex and harsh comments.

"And Troy can come and massage my shoulders like he always does and I'll have some chocolate. Ooh, chocolate with ice cream." Gabriella whimpered, she could no longer hide the fear in her voice.

Something darted from behind her and she looked around, no – one was there. She had seen no – one. She was just imagining it; her overactive imagination was working against her. It used to happen when she was five, she'd sit in bed and she'd imagine monster and bogeymen. Yeah, she was just imagining things again.

Suddenly a fist came thrashing the window and grabbed Gabriella by the mouth before she could even scream. She looked startled and the door suddenly swung open and she was being pulled out. She met the eyes of a man she had hated for years, Richard!

"Well look who's here. Come back to me have you Gabriella?" Richard laughed.

She bit has hand and tried to pull away but he swung her around and held her tight on the floor, he straddled her laughing.

"Ooh, the tameness has gone has it? I can change that!" Richard said, he looked around, no – one was there, he could get his way with her and no – one would notice.

He held down her hands as he expertly managed to unbutton his trouser. He kissed her gently and Gabriella whimpered.

"I think we'll enjoy this don't you darling. I know you've missed bedding a strong man. It must be terrible for you to sleep with such a loser." Richard laughed.

Gabriella bit his finger nastily again and he withdrew his hand.

"His name's Troy, 'She said both terrified and angry, as she tried to get away from him, "And he's ten times better in bed than you ever have been! He's a real man!"

Richard slapped her hard across the face, "Why you little bi –"

His face paled over and Gabriella realised what he was looking at. The ring on her finger. The ring that wasn't his, he knew that she had thrown the ring away and when immediately seeing the new one replacing his, his heart was filled with even more coldness and loathe.

"So that's how it is now is it Gabriella, another man's bed, another man's home, another man's soon to be wife." Richard said coldly.

"That's right. No matter what you do to me Richard I'll never come back! Never, my body, heart and soul belongs to Troy now. You never had me!" Gabriella said bravely.

All thoughts of raping her was gone from Richard's mind now. He got off Gabriella who was left frozen on the floor.

"TROY! HELP!" She suddenly screamed as loud as she could and a minute later a large foot went colliding with her stomach.

She double over in pain as Richard kicked and kicked at her. A second later a door slammed shut and Troy came dashing out looking furious. He dropped the bag and went storming over to Richard.

He tackled Richard to the floor as he tried to get away; the cruel man in front of him hit the floor and was knocked out, blood seeping from his head.

Troy walked over to Gabriella and kissed her head, she had tears in her eyes.

"Troy…I'm…I'm…bleeding." She sobbed.

"Where? What's he done to you?" Troy demanded.

"Not on my body, 'Gabriella sobbed clutching her throbbing stomach, "Down below."

Troy glanced down below and he was met with a terrible thing, blood seeping through Gabriella's trousers. He gasped and touched her hand.

"MY BABIES, HE'S KILLED MY BABIES!" She screamed.

"I'm going to kill him!" Troy said with every intent, he picked up a large slice of glass from the car window and was about to walk towards Richard.

Gabriella grabbed his hand before she slumped back, slipping into unconsciousness, "Don't! Stay with me." She said faintly.

Troy embraced her; he didn't care about the blood, just the need to be close to her, "Always baby, always." He whispered.

Troy glanced over at Richard with great hate as Gabriella fell into unconsciousness. He perhaps couldn't do anything but the police sure could!

GABRIELLA was taken to hospital immediately and Richard was taken into the police station. Troy waited patiently for Doctor Reader to come back with the results of the scan. Gabriella was still unconscious in the bed next him. He was so worried, she was sure she had lost her babies. Sharpay, Zeke, Taylor, Chad, Kelsi and Jason were waiting outside. Damien was with his grandparents.

Doctor Reader returned soon with a grim look on his face. He shook Troy's hand and gave him a gentle smile. Troy asked if the friends could come in and Doctor Reader agreed. Everyone gathered around the bed and looked up at the doctor keenly.

"Well, Miss Montez sustained a lot of injuries as you all know and lost a lot of blood. I am most sorry to tell you but the impact of the kicks caused Gabriella to lose one of the babies. We are unsure which of the babies she lost, her stomach took a vicious beating and it could be hard to wonder whether the remaining baby will pull through. Furthermore, due to the beating, Gabriella might go into a premature labour anytime during the next few weeks or months, if the baby does survive." Doctor Reader said in a very serious tone.

"I'll do whatever it takes!" Troy said sharply.

"I beg your pardon sir?" The Doctor said frowning.

"I'll pay whatever money you want to see that my child survives. How much do you want?" Troy said standing, Taylor put a hand on his shoulder and he soothed immediately.

"That will not be necessary sir, Gabriella will remain in hospital for the next two days so we can monitor the baby and then if all is well will be allowed home with bed rest and numerous visits from the hospital." The Doctor said (I know, its kind of impossible but sorry guys, me being an idiot again)

"Thank you." Sharpay said for Troy had turned away and was sitting beside the sleeping Gabriella, brushing her hair from her face lovingly.

"It's all my fault!" Troy said furiously as the doctor left the friends alone.

"Of course its not, why would you say that!" Kelsi said frowning.

"I shouldn't have taken her with me. She should've stayed at home where she was safe!" Troy exclaimed angrily.

"You can't lock her up Troy! That's what Richard did." Zeke said firmly.

"ARE YOU ACCUSING ME OF ABUSING HER?" Troy turned on Zeke quickly.

"No! He's not, 'Sharpay said stepping in between her husband and one of her best friends, "Zeke's just saying that she needs to face things in this world. You can't hide her away from everyone and protect her. The World doesn't work like that."

"Look Gabriella doesn't need to wake to you guys arguing, I suggest if you want to fight to step outside." Taylor said very firmly, she was holding baby Corbin in her arms and he was looking around wide eyed at the adults.

Troy took a deep breath and turned his back to his friends. At that moment a nurse came in.

"Mr Bolton, a phone call." She said.

Troy kissed Gabriella's forehead and turned to Chad, "Keep your eye on her please." He said and Chad nodded and Troy walked off feeling guilt swell through him.

Troy put the phone to his ear, it was the police station.

"WHAT!" Troy demanded after hearing what the officer said.

"We're sorry Mr Bolton, he escaped. He kicked his way out of the car. It took us by complete surprise. He's gone." The officer explained.

"Well what are you going to do about it?" Troy asked.

He heard the officer sigh on the other end, "Well there is not much we can do, we can –"

"NOW LISTEN HERE, 'Troy bellowed, "MY PARTNER HAS JUST LOST A CHILD ALL THANKS TO THAT BASTARD! YOU EITHER FIND HIM OR I'LL SUE YOU FOR EVERY BIT OF MONEY YOU OWN! DO YOU HEAR ME?"

"Of course Mr Bolton! I do suggest you put camera's up around your house too. He might try and attack again." The officer said nervously.

Troy sighed, he would have to wait outside while she went to her 'Abused Women' group meeting too. She had made some friends down there, all women with different cases of abuse. Gabriella had grown to enjoy going down and the entire group were excited for her pregnancy.

"Thank you." Troy said.

"And we will keep a look out for this man sir." The officer said firmly.

"Thank you, goodbye." Troy said and he put the phone down.

Troy sighed, what was he supposed to do now?

WHILST rubbing his eyes tiredly Troy heard a gentle groaning in the bed sat beside him. He opened his eyes and found Gabriella looking around perplexed. The friends had gone home and had promised to be back in the morning. It was late and Troy was exhausted.

He threw his arms around her and she gasped a little in pain. He kissed her gently and she looked up at him alarmed, "The babies?" She asked with wide eyes.

"I'm so sorry precious, 'Troy whispered to her, "We lost one of the babies."

Gabriella looked up at her partner as if confused at what he had just said and then she slowly began to sob. Troy could do nothing but hold her and comfort her.

FEELING sore and moody Richard retired to a place he knew he could not be found. He did not dare return to his home, no – one would find him, he'd be sure.

"Damn woman!" He snarled, he had stolen a bottle of vodka and was rather content to guzzle it in an old abandon room in the ancient house.

He hoped to hell he had finally gotten rid of that blasted Bolton growing inside of her! Just before he had passed out he had seen blood dripping down her trousers. He didn't even get to sleep with her! Oh well, that would change soon, he wasn't giving up yet! If Gabriella thought she was rid of him, she had no idea what she was in for!

I am so, so, sorry guys! I don't want any of you to know which one of the babies, boy or girl, survived! Also, premature labour is when someone goes into labour early! See told you I knew some things about pregnancy lol. Also, I'm thinking about a sequel, a one shot or at least a five chapter story! I'd love for you all to read it when I write it, it won't be a depressing story guys I promise! Have a little faith! I'm really sorry about making her lose the baby, so many of you were begging for nothing to happen but I told you it was a dark chapter! At least one of the babies survived right? xoxMusicalxox/ Si xxx