A/N: Ok, so thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter -hugs-. For some reason, I find it much easier to write in the late hours of the night or early morning. I liked the outcome of this chapter and hopefully you do to. This is AU so they aren't the typical vampires you read about. It's going pretty slow, I know. I'll try my best to pick things up a bit. Hopefully, there isn't any mistakes. Enjoy and R&R. Oh, Happy Halloween :)

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THREE: FIRST ENCOUNTER

Gabriella stirred in her sleep, feeling long and cold fingers weave themselves through her dark brown hair. Sensing it was her father, she fluttered her eyes open. Her father smiled down at her, with sad eyes. Gabriella got up and pulled her father in for a hug. Time really never does heal a broken heart, her father was proof. It didn't take a genius to figure out that her father was still grieving the loss of her mother. "Good morning, darling. You're quite the sleeper."

"How was your trip?," Gabriella asked. Her father made a face, only she knew as dissatisfaction. She threw back her covers as her father paced around the room, hands behind his back. A habit all too familiar. She watched him intently, something was bothering him. "Father, are you alright and how long have I been asleep for?"

He stopped and she was sure she saw a distressed expression on his face. She glided over to her father and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He stiffened. "You've been out for nearly three days." He paused, letting out a chuckle, the look slowly dropping. "I'm sorry for your brother's action, Ella. Had I known, I would have unlocked the door for you."

Gabriella sighed, walking back to the edge of her bed; where she sat. Her father joined her, moments after. Gabriella buried her head into her father's chest, wrapping her arms around his figure. She had forgotten about the incident and didn't give it another thought, until now. Silence slipped beneath the door and tainted the room. She looked up to her father, wondering what he would say if she called him what she'd had wanted to call him for a long time. "Daddy," she paused hesitantly before continuing. "Why does Jason hate me and.."

He cut her off with a kiss to her head. Pulling her up from the bed and in front of him, at arms length; he studied her features. He tucked a loose strand of her dark hair, something she had gotten from her mother, behind her ear. "It's been so long since you've called me that." He stopped to smile, relieving a memory of their distant past. "Your brother does not hate you, always remember that. Never think otherwise. He only does the things he does because he loves you and.."

It was her turn to cut him off. "He shows his love by locking me in my room? Father we've been in this town for nearly four months now and I have only ever been outside five times. And if you're going to lecture me about my safety, please don't. The sun won't hurt me and those people don't even have a clue of our existence."

She stuck out her bottom lip, something she had gotten from watching to many movies, into a pout. Her father shifted in his seat. For a slit second, it was not his daughter in front of him, but his wife. He shook the delusion away, focusing his attention back to Gabriella who was looking more and more like her mother at every new moon. He wondered when it would be the right time to tell his daughter the secret he had been harboring for quite some time.

Gabriella was silently pleading for his approval of her unasked question. When her father didn't budge, she took it a step further and sported the puppy-dog eyes. "Alright. Alright, you win. However, I have some rules for you to abide by."

She sighed, at least she would be able to got outside. She motioned for him to continue on with the details. He smirked, letting his hands fall to his side. "Never let your guards down, sweetheart. You don't have the same abilities as your brother and I. You are to be back here an hour before dawn, I know the sun doesn't hurt us, but I would like still like to spend time with my daughter. That's it for now, when I think of anymore I'll let you know."

Gabriella broke into wide grin before throwing her hands around her father. She kissed his cheek, lovingly, before running out of the her bedroom in pure happiness. Jason, who stood outside of her room, crossed his arms. He didn't like his father's decision. He groaned when his father asked for the key. He thrust it into his father's had before retiring back to his room. "You don't know what you're doing father. This is a mistake."

Max, their father, shook his head at his son's parting words. Maybe there had been truth behind them, but he was willing to see past it if it meant that his daughter would be happy. Max was pulled away from his thoughts when he heard Gabriella squeal joyfully downstairs. He walked over to the banister and looked down, catching a glimpse of Gabriella dancing gracefully across the wooden floor. "Kids."

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Later that evening, Gabriella stood outside of their home hugging her father and brother goodbye. She squealed as their car drove out of sight. Activities swam in her head as she walked across the sidewalk and into the busy town. She came across a diner and hurried in. She had always known she was different from her kind, for one she was able to stay out in the sun without having to wear sunglasses and two, she was able to cry real tears. She looked over the menu before deciding that the food wasn't her 'taste'.

After having sat in the dinner observing, she ventured off more. She was amazed at the lights and cars driving past her. She had seen it all before, but they never cease to amaze her. She loved it and loved the cool breeze. She stopped across of a club Spat and looked on in interest. Gabriella wondered what it was and decided to stay in line just like the everyone else. When she got to the front, the large man carded her. She was confused at first and then blushed when she didn't have any. "Sorry, you can't come in. Twenty one and over only, now hurry off."

She sighed dejectedly and hurried off to more exploring. She felt like a true tourist and loved every minute of it. She had gone to the park and was at one point looked on weirdly by the few kids who were there. They pointed at her dark clothing and her rather unusual excitement. After all, it was just a park. When it neared 1am, she found herself walking back to the direction of her home. She almost made it to her house, but was distracted. She stood rooted in her place as the lighthouse light rounded, putting the spotlight on her. When it darkened, she heard laughter and cheers coming from the base.

Curiosity getting to her, she cautiously approached the noise; coming to a halt behind a parked car. In front of her, a couple yards away, was a group of friends having fun. One of them looked slightly familiar, she wondered where she had seen him. Not wanting to intrude on their moment Gabriella, taking another route, found herself at the cliffs; looking down at the crashing waves. The sea breeze was beckoning her, like a sweet lullaby. She felt herself moving towards it. "What's a beautiful girl like you doing out here alone on a night like this?"

Gabriella, startled, spun around with wide dark eyes. Before her was a average sized man with sparkling blue eyes. He approached her, causing her to step back. This would be the first time she's ever had to deal with one of them face to face. Shyness and slight fear taking control, she dropped her head; suddenly finding the ground a lot more interesting. She opened her mouth to respond, but she heard her brother's voice calling out to her. "I'm sorry, I need to go"

With that Gabriella fled, leaving a stunned Troy. He had called her beautiful before he could even get a proper look at her and has yet to get a proper look. He watched her retreating back, his lips curling up into a smile.