Thanks for the supporting reviews guys and for those who think the story is too long, I'm sorry! I'm only leaving it up in the 30's so it should finish soon.

Also, I'm writing he next chapter of 'Humuhumunukunukuapua'a' so sorry to those who are waiting for that!

Chapter 34 – While Troy's Away

LUCY had been home for two weeks now and life couldn't have been any better for the Bolton's. Troy loved playing with his little girl, always ready to make her smile and love her. He'd always wanted children and a wife and now everything was falling into place. Gabriella loved being a mother! Even though it tired her, she didn't mind waking up in the night to feed Lucy or change her. Troy had bought a rocking chair for the nursery so she could sit in front of the window to rock the baby to sleep. Gabriella loved it!

Troy however had to go away back to the Bahamas! He was leaving today and he was holding Gabriella in his arms lovingly. They were standing in the living room holding each other close, Gabriella's nose was buried into Troy's chest and she had tears in her eyes.

"I don't want you to go." She moaned.

"I know, look I'm sending for you and Lucy in two days. We'll be together then and I'll take my girls out for dinner and then we'll go to the beach. How's that sound?" Troy asked gently stroking her hair.

Gabriella nodded and kissed Troy's cheek warmly.

"I'll call you tonight too. Everything will be alright, Henry and Clarice are here." He said firmly.

She nodded and Troy picked up his bag beside him.

Gabriella smiled gently and took his hand to lead him upstairs. She led him into the baby's room and said quietly, "You'll probably want to say goodbye to her before you leave."

Troy leant down and touched his daughter's tiny hand; she was deep in sleep so he didn't want to disturb her.

"I'll see you soon Ladybird." He promised her.

He turned to Gabriella and brought her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'll see you too baby." He whispered to her.

"Okay, take care of yourself." Gabriella replied smiling at him and she brought her lips up to his and captured her husband's mouth with hers. Troy opened his mouth and allowed Gabriella to explore his mouth with her tongue as did he with hers. They held each other close and tight never wanting to let go of one another.

When they pulled apart Gabriella rested her forehead against Troy's, she was breathless.

"I love you." She whispered to him.

"I love you too Gabriella." He replied tenderly.

She followed him downstairs and watched from the door as he got into the car. He drove off waving gently and she sighed despondently, at least she would be with him in two days.

RICHARD chuckled smugly to himself as he saw that Bolton get into the car and drive away. Since the police had given up their search for him he had found it much easier to walk the streets again. He saw Gabriella close the door and smiled, he'd be back soon…he had something's to do and much to plan.

Two of the servants were in the house with Gabriella; they could be easy to get rid of. An old woman and an old man, he'd either wait for them to leave or if they didn't…well…as he said, they could be easy get rid of.

Now, equipment. He'd need that, how would he get what he wanted! A gun, hmm, a knife, both very simple weapons which could get him what he wanted. He'd have to decide!

What about the dog? The dog was friendly enough but she would protect her territory and her owners, he was sure. Hmm, difficult! He looked back grinning, he'd have a few hours to put his plan into motion…and then, he would once again be ruling her life!

"WE'RE making dinner Gabriella, would you like some? A nice salad?" Clarice asked knocking Gabriella's bedroom door as she was changing.

"I'd love some." Gabriella said nodding.

She had pulled on her t – shirt and was going to sit with the baby for an hour or two, just sit by the window watching her sleep. She missed Troy though he had only been gone for a few minutes. She felt her heart prick tenderly; it felt so wrong with out him.

She sat by the window and was sure for a moment she saw a figure walking away from the house. She looked at them closely and felt fear fill her. She was alone; Troy was not here to protect her.

Lupin jumped up on her lap and meowed gently to her, "I told you Mr, you're not supposed to come into the nursery." Gabriella said pointing a finger at him sternly.

Lupin licked her hand as if to say sorry and she laughed and let him settle on her lap. He was relaxed and his fluffy tabby fur brought comfort to Gabriella. She didn't feel so alone with Lupin.

She had no idea at all that she was in danger, that someone was coming to the house soon and it would grip her heart tightly with fright…

TROY sighed and as he sat playing cards with Jason. He had decided to take him along because he wanted company for the next two days. Kelsi was in the back sleeping. She had come along too.

"Oh you win again." Troy laughed and he looked out the window of his jet and felt himself pinning for Gabriella.

"I told you I was good at cards but you just didn't believe me." Jason said scraping the biscuits towards him that they had been betting on, no money!

"Did you hear what Sharpay was saying the other day about this creep talking to Damien?" Jason asked.

"No…what…what are you talking about?" Troy asked confused.

"You don't know?" Jason replied.

"Well she asked Damien what he wanted and he said that he was asking about Gabriella. He told him, he was a friend of Gabriella's." Jason said.

Troy motioned for one of the flight attendants to come to over, "Could you get me a phone? I want to phone Sharpay."

The attendant returned a few minutes later with a phone in her hands. Troy thanked them and then started to dial the number of the Baylor's.

He heard the usual gentle yet high voice of Sharpay.

"Good Afternoon, Baylor's Bakery here, home to the finest cakes of Alb –"

"Sharpay, it's me." Troy exclaimed.

"Oh, hi Troy, what are you up to?" Sharpay asked.

"No time for that now Sharpay, is Damien with you?" Troy asked desperately.

"Sure, do you want to talk to him?" She queried.

"Yeah, thanks." Troy answered.

A moment later the phone was passed to little Damien.

"Hey Uncle Troy! Guess what, I drew a picture of Mummy and Daddy and me and my teacher said it was very good! I got a gold star." He told his Uncle enthusiastically.

"Oh that's great buddy but I really need your help with something, can you remember the day when me and Auntie Gabi got married and you were talking to that man in the garden." Troy commented.

"Yeah, Mummy said I'm not allowed to talk to him anymore because he's a stranger. So I won't talk to him now." Damien told his Uncle proudly.

"Damien, did he tell you his name?" Troy asked, panic was coursing through him.

"Yeah…but I can't remember it!" Damien said.

"Look, Damien buddy, I need you to really try and remember. I need you to try and remember the man's name. Think really hard."

Damien sat for a few seconds in silence, Troy was sure he could almost hear him straining to remember.

"I think his name was…Ricky…or something?" Damien said.

"Richard?" Troy asked.

"Oh yeah, that's it, Richard Sullivan! He's Auntie Gabi's friend. Is he your friend too, Uncle Troy?" Damien said brightening up immediately.

"No Damien, he's not. I've got to go now Buddy, tell Mummy and Daddy I'll see them soon, okay, bye." Troy said and Damien bid him goodbye and put the phone down.

Troy put the phone down and screamed very loudly, "TURN THE JET AROUND NOW!"

One of the flight attendants made their way to their employer with a look of confusion on their faces.

"Pardon sir, we're almost –"

"TURN THIS JET AROUND NOW! MY WIFE AND CHILD ARE IN DANGER! TURN IT AROUND!" Troy bellowed and he saw the attendant walk off to give the orders.

Jason came up and touched his friends shoulder, he was looking out the window worriedly. At that moment Kelsi staggered out of the bedroom looking tired, rubbing her eyes awake.

"What's wrong? What's all the screaming for?" She asked.

"Richard! He's going to get Gabi! I can't let him!" Troy said…

GABRIELLA was sleeping peacefully in her rocking chair that afternoon. She had not yet heard a murmur out of Lucy much to her joy, she was exhausted. Dealing with a little one was not always easy.

She was half asleep half awake, she could hear every noise around her and sleeping so easy helped her with her caring for her baby. A moment later she heard Lucy's cries and she threw herself up and sighed, she turned around and there standing in front of her was Richard and in his arms was Lucy. The tiny babe was screaming all she could, she obviously wanted her mother and Gabriella wanted nothing more than to have her baby.

"Put here down Richard. HENRY HELP!" Gabriella said firmly for Clarice had gone shopping.

Richard laughed and pulled out a knife from his pocket, it was bloody.

"Oh the old coot isn't coming to your rescue, neither is the dog for that matter." He laughed.

Gabriella was frozen to the spot, Richard looked down on Lucy who was still sobbing in his arms and smiled, "She's a lovely looking child. She obviously will take after her mother."

"If you hurt her Richard I will personally –"

"Oh no Gabriella, 'Richard crooned, "I have no intentions of hurting the little one…yet. We'll see how well you co – operate with me first."

The young woman nodded a little as Richard brought the knife closer to Lucy.

"I'll do whatever you want." Gabriella said quickly.

"Good, come closer!" Richard ordered.

Gabriella was trembling as she obediently walked over to him and Richard reached up a hand to her and touched her cheek, she flinched at his touch but this only aroused him.

"So beautiful…so very beautiful."

"Look, just give me my baby." Gabriella pleaded.

"Oh no, I have other plans." He laughed and with that his fist went flying into her face and the last thing she heard was Lucy's cries…

TROY, Jason and Kelsi dashed into the house of the Bolton's and Troy started to scream Gabriella's name. The door had been opened and he felt panic fill every single bit of his soul.

"Gabriella!" He called.

He rushed into the living room and found Clarice cradling Henry on the floor. He was dripping in blood.

"I just…I just fo…found him here sir." She sobbed; she was covered in blood too.

Troy turned to Kelsi and Jason and breathed shakily before Clarice whimpered, "Rex…she's gone sir. She was stabbed. She's in the kitchen."

"Kelsi! Phone the police." Troy demanded before he darted up the stairs and stormed into the baby's room.

"Gabriella!" He whimpered collapsing on the floor, Gabriella and Lucy were gone!

Was that dramatic enough for any of you lol? There's more to come, where do you think Gabriella is? What about the baby? Will Henry survive? And poor Rex! Review guys xoxMusicalxox