A Forced Reunion

A/N: Hey thanks for all the great reviews so far. I just want to say to people Ryan WILL die eventually that's why the story is tragedy. I'm glad you all like it so far. I'm trying to make the chapters longer for you because I will update this when I can but 'Kyle Bolton' is my main priority. Please R&R! Thanks!

The two weeks had passed quickly and now Ryan and Gabriella were in the airport waiting for their flight. Ryan had continued to deteriorate which concerned Gabriella but she knew Ryan was trying to put on a brave face. He had stopped his chemo and Gabriella knew that was a hard choice for him. Everyone accepted the decision and now it was just a matter of when things would happen. The hospital was being very flexible and supportive for Gabriella as they knew how close she and Ryan were. They had told her if she wanted to be with Ryan for these last few months they would make sure she was made Ryan's main nurse who would keep an eye on him every day and help with any medication he was on. Of course Gabriella had told them she would do that if they were ok with it so now at least she didn't have to worry about going to work and leaving Ryan alone.

"Flight AB1018 leaving for Albuquerque, New Mexico now boarding at gate 10." As the announcement was made Gabriella helped Ryan up carefully as he stood slowly.

"You sure you are ok?" Gabriella asked. She felt like that was all she ever asked Ryan these days but she had too otherwise he would just keep things bottled up.

"Gabi I'm fine. Just nervous about going home and seeing everyone. Gabs you can't tell anyone about the cancer. I don't want them to know. I just want them to remember me as Ryan. I've seen what it's done to you and if I could I would go back and make sure you didn't have to know so it didn't ruin you. They can't know because right now the only person I need is you." Ryan smiled as he wrapped his arm around Gabriella as Gabriella supported him as they walked.

"I think you should tell them but if you don't want to then I respect your decision now come on lets go. I'm just as nervous about going home too so you're not on your own there." Ryan and Gabriella made their way slowly and carefully to gate 10 to board their flight.

After arriving back in Albuquerque, Ryan and Gabriella grabbed a taxi to take them to the hotel they were staying in. They were staying in a hotel since Ryan didn't want to see his family fuss over him and he knew Gabriella had to be with him and Gabriella hadn't got anywhere to go since her mom had died she was on her own.

"Why is it we have been out of this town for over 10 years and yet it still looks the same?" Ryan commented as Gabriella laughed.

"I'm sure there are some things different." Gabriella stated as Ryan shrugged.

"No idea. You know what for some reason just being here I feel a little better." Ryan told Gabriella who examined his face closely and could tell he really was telling the truth.

"Yeah well let's just hope you stay that way." The taxi pulled up at the hotel as Gabriella helped Ryan out before grabbing their bags and paying the driver. Gabriella flung her bag over her shoulder while she carried Ryan's and helped him walk inside.

"Gabs let me carry my bag." Ryan told her as she shook her head.

"No. You can barely walk yourself so you can forget carrying it. Anyway I'm fine." Gabriella reassured him as he frowned. After checking in, Gabriella told Ryan she would be back in a few minutes and she was just going to take a quick look around but Ryan had already fallen asleep on the bed in the room they were sharing when she looked at him. She shook her head as she grabbed her cell and room key before walking out.

After having walked around for 10 minutes Gabriella thought it best to head back because she didn't want to leave Ryan too long. Just as she was about to unlock her door she felt someone bump into her. Looking up Gabriella looked into a familiar pair of blue eyes.

"Gabriella?" Troy whispered in surprise as she smiled.

"Hey Troy." Troy smiled as he pulled her into a hug something she wasn't expecting.

"Wow you look awesome but something is up." Gabriella looked at him.

"Troy Bolton you take one look at me and come to the conclusion something is wrong with me. How do you know that?" Gabriella asked in a teasing voice.

"Well with the look in your eyes, I know you when you are stressed or worried and hurting. I think it doesn't take much to work out so come on spill what's wrong." Gabriella went to talk but Troy stopped her. "Actually why don't we go into your room rather than being out here." Troy saw Gabriella pale instantly.

"Umm no." Gabriella stuttered as Troy looked at her suspiciously.

"Gabi what's going on? Just tell me." Troy looked her in the eye and saw tears come to her eyes. Instantly he wrapped his arms back around her as he felt the tears leak onto his shirt but he didn't care. He just held her as she cried unsure as to what was going on. "Gabs please talk to me." Troy pleaded as Gabriella looked into his eyes and nodded. She needed to tell someone about Ryan and there was no one else she could turn to.

"You have to be quiet." Troy nodded confused as she opened the door. As Troy walked in he looked shocked when he saw Ryan Evans asleep looking very pale, weak and thin.

"Gabi why is Ryan in here and what's wrong with him?" Troy asked as Gabriella sat on the edge of her bed, Troy sitting next to her.

"Ryan has leukaemia. He's had it for a while now but now everything has gotten worse. We weren't going to come back for the reunion, which I'm guessing is why your here?" Troy nodded as she continued. "Well Ryan, that day we got the invite, had found out he had about 12 months to live. We were ok with that but then he started getting worse and two weeks ago we were told he now only has 3-6 months max. Ryan decided he wanted to come see everyone one last time before dies but he doesn't want people to know about the cancer or him dying." Troy ran his hand through his hair trying to process everything Gabriella had told him. He could see why she was looking so sad and hurt.

"So you've been looking after Ryan on your own?" Gabriella nodded.

"We have lived together for about 8 years now. He was diagnosed 2 years ago. I work as a nurse at the hospital where Ryan goes so he had to tell me because he knew I would find out. Well since he got worse I have been put in charge of him because he can't be left really. To be honest it's not really like a job because I want to do this for him and be there for him but it's just so hard not having anyone there to turn to for support or to talk about this with. Troy, promise me you won't tell anyone you know because otherwise Ryan will never talk to me again." Gabriella explained.

"I promise I won't. Gabi this must be so hard for you doing it on your own." Gabriella nodded. "Well I want you to know if you ever need anyone to talk to day or night I'm gonna be here for you. Even if you start needing help to look after Ryan I will be there as soon as I can." Troy told her as she smiled and hugged him.

"So Troy now you know about my life what's going on with you?" Gabriella asked Troy who shrugged.

"Not a lot compared to you. Chad and I have opened up a small club for kids to come and play basketball. Neither one of us wanted to go play big time basketball because we wanted to be near our friends and family all the time and just carry on leading normal lives. Jason and Zeke own a restaurant where we all hang out. Zeke and Sharpay got married so too did Chad and Taylor and Jason and Kelsi. We all live within about 10 minutes of each other. They all have two kids each. Jason and Kelsi have Alicia and Jake, Chad and Taylor have Micah and Mia and Zeke and Sharpay have twins, Sofia and Kayla. Sharpay and Kelsi also work at the club Chad and I set up teaching kids about drama and music. Taylor stays at home with everyone's kids." Troy told her as she smiled.

"What about you? You have a girlfriend back home or somewhere around here that you haven't married yet?" Gabriella asked not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"Actually I've been single a while now. Never found the right person to settle down with. What about you? You have a secret boyfriend or husband back home that Ryan doesn't know about?" Gabriella smiled.

"Nope. Just Ryan and I living together and having fun hanging out in New York. Well we did before all this." Troy saw the scared look on her face and wrapped his arm around her. What neither one could see was Ryan was already awake and now knew exactly who he had to get for Gabriella to be happy once he was gone and that person was Troy Bolton.

A/N:Some of you weren't expecting it to be Troy but I planned it to be Troy because I didn't want to complicate this story much more and if I didn't make it Troy I can't do what I have planned in later chapters. I was also going to split this chapter after they met but since I'm not sure if I will be able to update this again before next week so I left it all in one. Please review (anonymous reviews welcome)! Thanks!