I don't own anything.

A/N: Another week, another update first off I want to thank my reviewers from last week; chaylorXtraylorlover, NaeNae1495, Phelycia, traylorlove, sweetchocolate26 and Tina. Thank you guys. . . I hope everyone enjoys this chapter this week and please Review.

Baby S

Chapter Nine

"Because you're mine . . .mine to do with as I please, if you don't believe me ask your mother. . .I don't want you messing around with that boy not now, not ever and-." Charles slammed his hand on the desk in front of him and shot up out of his seat.

"That's a goddamn lie, she made that up and-." The judge sent a glare his way that instantly quieted Charles' protests, while Charles' lawyers stood up to try and calm their client down. Jordan Mitchell frowned and pointed at the tape recorder right in front of him while sending Charles a look of pure disgust.

"That's your voice on that tape recorder, Charles? You can help yourself out here by telling us about your deal with Taylor's mother. Even though to all present it is pretty obvious what it is that you and Whitney decided to do." Charles clenched his jaw and glared at the other man before looking at his lawyers. Taking in their expressions, he frowned and looked at the judge who was seated behind his desk with his hands braced in front of his mouth.

"What are my options?" The judge sent him a look before shaking his head.

"Do you really think that's a good question to ask, Charles? They have you on tape telling an underage girl that she's yours. Your voice doesn't even appear to be the least paternal and then there is the fact that you assaulted her and injured her. If you want a shorten sentence you tell us about this deal with the mother or I'll send you to jail now and get the mother and I use that turn loosely to bring down even more charges against you." Charles narrowed his gaze at the judge before looking at his lawyers who were all nodding their heads silently telling him to cooperate.

"Fine I'll talk but I want it written down that I get a shortened sentenced." The judge raised an eyebrow at that and only shook his head at the man.

"You don't get to negotiate with me, Mr. Harold. What you've done is truly despicable along with that girl's mother. If you talk you get the hope of possibly having a shortened sentence, if you don't I'll gladly throw the book at you. That's what you get of this deal, so be thankful for that." Charles stared at the man for a moment before slowly nodding his head.

"Fine, I'll talk." The judge nodded his head and looked over towards Jordan Mitchell who was still frowning, the man wasn't happy with Charles getting off with an easier sentence. He wanted the judge to throw the book at the man's head. To put him underneath the jail where he belongs.

"Judge Tyson maybe we should discuss-."

"No, I've heard all I needed to hear, Mr. Mitchell. Now all that's left is for us to hear this man's confession," the judge then direction his attention towards Charles. "Tell the truth and maybe you can help yourself out." Charles looked over at Jordan before glancing back at the judge.

"Does he have to be here?"

"This involves his client and what the girl will do if her mother is truly implicated in this horrible incident," the judge said angrily as he looked at Charles. "So please go ahead and tell us the truth." Charles shared another look with his lawyers before slowly nodding his head.

"Fine, I met Whitney when she left a few months back at some type of black tie party. She was drunk and complaining about how her husband left her nothing and left her daughter everything, even hinted that the girl might not be the man's child and-."

"That's not true, he had a test done years ago when he discovered that his wife was a woman that liked to cheat on him. Taylor is his child." Charles looked over at him and rolled his eyes before looking back up at the judge.

"Can I tell my story or is he coming to cut in every time." The judge sent Jordan a look and then looked back at Charles and nodded his head. "Okay so we had a talk and well basically she told me that I could have a go at her child if I came there and took care of her. That's basically what happened."

"Does this behavior happen often?" Jordan asked with a frown of disgust. "Do you normally make deals to molest under age girls." Charles looked over at him and sent him a smile that Jordan could only describe as devilish.

"That has nothing to do with this case." Jordan's mouth dropped open in shock and disgust before he direction his gaze towards the judge who was looking at Charles the same way. Both men couldn't believe what they had heard.

"Are you kidding me? Everyone in this room now knows that you've done something like this before," Jordan snapped out angrily as he thought about all the other girls like this goddaughter who probably suffered underneath this man's cruel hands. Charles' main lawyer Frank Fields looked over at him and sighed.

"My client is right, that assumption that you're hinting has absolutely nothing to do with this case. Focus on your client, don't try to make this bigger than it already is." he replied coolly as he looked at Jordan before shaking his head.

"He just hinted at doing this again and-."

"Mr. Fields, is correct no matter how unfortunate that might be. You have no evidences to pursue that so just drop it and focus on Ms. McKessie case." Jordan slowly nodded his head and looked back at the judge. "Now that you know his story and it's obvious that her mother sold her to him what will your actions be towards Ms. Taylor McKessie."

"She wants to leave the house and basically she wants it to be shut down until she can officially take over the property which would be on her twenty-first birthday." Jordan said as he looked at the judge while avoiding Charles. He wasn't so sure he could control himself, especially with the way the way was smiling at him as if he had just won the lottery. The man was a sick individual and now he knew why towards the end Charles decided to cooperate. It was better to go to jail over this, then for him to do research into his background and find girls he had actually molested. If he had done that, Charles' sentence would be much higher.

"Where will Ms. McKessie stay?"

"Probably with that white boy." Charles grunted out angrily as he shook his head while looking down at the table. Jordan looked over at Charles and rolled his eyes heavenward. The man was basically insane, how in the hell was he still so focused on what Taylor was doing with someone, someone who happened to be her own age.

"Taylor will be staying with whoever she chooses to stay with, how that's any of your business I do not know." Jordan said angrily as he looked over at the man. "It would be best if you just focused on yourself and upcoming jail time." Charles just chuckled and rolled his eyes at the man before shaking his head. Jordan looked up at the judge as he pushed himself away from the table and stood up from the table.

"Now that we have discussed things, can I leave."

"Sure, my assistant will be in contact with the court date. Have a good day Mr. Mitchell?" Jordan nodded his head and quickly exited the judge's chambers. Walking outside the room, he was surprise to Whitney McKessie standing there. She rushed up to him, her lips pulled back in an angry snarl. Jordan raised an eyebrow at her approach but stayed his ground.

"You have no idea what you've done but I'm pretty sure Charles is going to bury you and those bullshit ass charges." Jordan straightened his suit jacket and looked at Whitney and slowly shook his head. He would never understand what it was that his late friend saw in her, but he could always see her for the snake she been.

"Charles gave you up." he said simply. "He gave you up so you'll be in court too and you will serve time," he paused to take in the look of horror that passed over Whitney's face at his words. He allowed himself to smirk before continuing. "That's he gave you up and told everyone in that room just what type of woman you really are," he paused and shook his head. "Finally it seems like your karma is coming back on you." With that said, Jordan easily side-stepped a shocked Whitney and left the courthouse. Getting into his car, he drove to the Bolton household where he knew Taylor currently was. Once he got there, he noticed the familiar limo which meant that Wilson was here as well. Getting out of the car, he quickly made his way up to the front which opened up before he could even ring the doorbell. He smiled when he saw Taylor in the doorway with a questioning look on her face.

"How did it go?" she asked softly as if she were to afraid of his answer, but knew for her own peace of mind that she simply had to ask the question. Charles reached out and pulled her into a tight hug and held her tightly.

"Everything is going to be fine. Charles and your mother are going to go to jail of that I'm sure." he said with a sigh as he pulled back but kept his hands on Taylor's shoulders and looked down at her. "All that's left is for you to pick where you want to live, now me and my wife have a room ready for you if you want and I'm sure several of your friends will be able to give you a room as well." Taylor slowly nodded her head and looked up at Jordan for a moment before sighing. She had been staying with the Boltons for the past three days, Lillian Bolton had been told what happened the night she had taped Charles telling her that he owned her and things like that. Once Lillian had found out, she insisted that Taylor stay there at least until Charles and Whitney had been placed under arrest.

"Let's talk about that later do you want to come in when were just about to eat." Jordan looked in the door and saw Troy standing in the living room watching them silently. Lowering his gaze back down at Taylor he sent her a small smile.

"No I'm afraid I can't stay today but no worries I will later alright. I just came by to tell you about what happened today. I thought you'd want to know immediately what went down. Besides you needed to know."

"Alright are you sure."

"Positive, go ahead. I'll call you later on just in case I think you need to testify but hopefully with your tape recorder that won't be necessary. I know you told me you don't want to face him and I respect that so I'll be handle the case with that in mind." he said soothingly. "Now go ahead and enjoy your dinner I'll talk to you later." he said, before turning around and heading back towards his car. Taylor watched him go and sighed for a moment before turning back around and heading inside. As she closed the door she saw Troy standing in the living with his arms crossed over his chest.

"So how did it go, is that guy going to jail." Taylor just nodded her head and looked over at Troy for a brief moment.

"Yeah, he's going to go to jail and so is my mother. I guess what he said on the tape is true. She sold me to him." she whispered, Troy quickly crossed the small space that separated them and pulled her into a tight hug. Troy tucked her head beneath his chin while he continued to hold her tight. He really wished that Jordan had allowed him and Wilson to bring some type of physical punishment down on Charles head before he went to the police. He would have loved to teach that grown man a lesson on how to treat women.

"Hey it's going to be okay I promise." he murmured softly as he held her tightly and rocked her back and forth while rubbing his hands up and down her back. Taylor just nodded against his chest while he held her. After a while, Troy allowed her to step back and he lifted a hand up and wiped her face of the stray tears that had rushed down her face during their embrace. "I hope those are tears of relief." he murmured softly as he stared down at her. Taylor just nodded her head while taking yet another swipe at her eyes.

"They are, I guess. I'm just happy it's over but I'm really sad about my mom. I really wasn't expecting something like that to happen. I guess what I'm saying is, I didn't really expect what Charles had said to be true." Troy just nodded his head and pulled Taylor to his side.

"I'm sorry about that but at least you're out of that house and as far away from them as you can get." he said smoothly, "You didn't need to be there especially if some deal like that had been made behind scenes."

"You're right but it hurts."

"I know." he whispered as they returned to the kitchen, where Lillian and Wilson sat, Lillian looked over at Taylor and sent her a small smile while looking between her and Troy. She watched as her son pulled out Taylor's chair and helped her sit down before sitting down next to her. Wilson quietly watched the exchange as well before sending a knowing look Lillian's way. They both could see the attachment that both Troy and Taylor had for one another.

"Was that Jordan?" Wilson asked as he looked over at Taylor who just nodded her head and looked down at her plate. Troy looked over at him and quickly spoke up.

"Yeah that was him, he came by to tell her that Charles is basically going to jail with Whitney. She really was in on it all." Troy said as he looked over at Taylor and then back at Wilson. "But let's not talk about that right now. Let's just enjoy the dinner." Wilson nodded his head and focused back on his plate. The dinner went along smoothly until Lillian spoke up her voice soft and struggling with an emotion that she was trying to keep back.

"Taylor I know you agree a few weeks ago but are you still going to accompany us to the memorial tomorrow for Troy's father." Taylor felt Troy grow stiff at his mother's question. She sent him a look before glancing at the older woman.

"Of course I'm still coming I gave you and Troy my word that I would and that won't change." Taylor said as she sent Lillian a smile while looking over at Troy curiously, and watched as he now focused on shoveling his food into his mouth. She didn't know what was going with him after all he was the one that had asked her to go. They continued their dinner and then Wilson sighed and stood up and pushed himself away from the table.

"I guess I better head on home before my wife comes out looking for me." he said with a yawn, "It was a nice dinner Ms. Bolton," he said as he sent Lillian a smile before glancing over at Taylor who sat in her chair watching him. "Taylor do you want to walk me out?" he asked as he headed for the front door but paused and looked back at her. Standing up from the table, Taylor only nodded her head and stood.

"Yes I do." Wilson nodded and waited as Taylor pushed herself away from the table and quickly headed over to him. Together they headed out towards the limo that Wilson always drove as they stepped out onto the front porch, Wilson turned and looked down at Taylor and placed a hand on her arm.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he looked down at the girl he consider to be one of his granddaughters, especially since he had been around since her birth. Taylor looked up at him for a moment before crossing her arms over her chest and sighing.

"I'm doing okay, I'm just glad that it's all over and that Mr. Mitchell is going to take care of things." Wilson looked down at her for a moment before slowly shaking his head. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm truly sorry for the relationship between you and your mother-" he paused and looked down for a moment. "No child should have to go through something like this-ever." Stepping back, he looked over his shoulder at the Bolton house. "Is it safe to assume that this is where you will be staying from now on."

"I have to ask Ms. Bolton." Taylor said with a sigh. "But I think that's safe to assume that." Wilson just nodded his head and bent down and placed a kiss on Taylor's forehead.

"Alright then, just make sure that Troy stays out of your bedroom." Taylor just rolled her eyes as Wilson headed off towards his car. Once she saw him driving away, she turned and headed back into the house. She saw Troy sitting in the living room, walking over she sat down next to him and glanced at the television.

"So what's on."

"Um, nothing really. I'm not really paying attention." he said softly as he looked over at her before glancing back at the television. Taylor sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder, Troy sighed around on the sofa a bit so that he could drape his arm around her shoulders.

"Where's your mom?"

"I helped her put up the food and stuff and she headed upstairs. Said she was tired and she wanted to be ready for-she wants to be ready for tomorrow." Taylor could hear the strain in his voice and pulled back a bit to look at him.

"What's going on with you, Troy. Why are you acting like you don't want to go to the memorial tomorrow. Every time someone brings it up, you close yourself off and well do you want to talk about it." Troy looked down at her and then pushed himself back up from the sofa while shaking his head. Taylor remained seated and watched as Troy paced back and forth in front of her. Finally he came to a stop and looked at her.

"I don't want to go tomorrow." he finally said as he looked over at her. "I've been distracting myself by focusing on you and getting you away from those people that I didn't allow myself to even dwell on the fact that my father's memorial is going to be tomorrow." he said with a shake of his head as he finally stopped pacing and placed his hands on his hips. "I don't want to feel this way, but the ceremony is going to take place in the gym. The last place I saw him, the last place I had a conversation with him."

"Troy I told you before, that your father knew those words you said to him weren't what you really meant. He already knew that-stop letting that last moment between the two of you haunt you like this." she whispered as she stood up and walked over to him. Troy immediately wrapped his arms around her and held her in his arms. Taylor held him tight as he silently cried, "You have to go tomorrow Troy. I think it will help you."

"I don't know about that."

"There's no reason to be scared to go there tomorrow," she whispered as she pulled back and looked at him. "You'll be fine and believe this will help you out okay." Troy just nodded his head as he looked up at her before leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on her lips. Taylor gasped in shock at his actions but quickly gave him a quick peck on the lips back before stepping back, however Troy kept his arms locked around her waist as he looked down at her. "Troy?"

"I'm sorry but I just had to do that, Taylor." he said softly as he continued to stare into her eyes. "I like you a lot, you've been there for me and didn't back down when I was a little stand-offish and I think that just made me like you more." Taylor just nodded her head as Troy pulled her back towards him. He bent his knees and rested his head on her shoulder while whispering. "Thank you."

The next morning, Troy stood in front of his bedroom mirror trying adjust his suit so he wouldn't look like he had just thrown something on that morning. He kept his eyes on his appearance as he heard the sound of someone knocking on his bedroom door. "Come in." he called out without taking his eyes off the mirror. A second later, he heard the door opening and saw Taylor behind him in the mirror. She was dressed in a nice black dress and had her hair pinned up.

"Is everything okay?" she asked curiously as she looked over his shoulder at the mirror and took in his appearance. Troy released a huff and slowly sighed for a moment before frowning.

"Do I look okay?" he asked as he turned around and faced her. Taylor slowly stepped back and took in his attire. He had on a dark black suit with a white shirt underneath. He looked extremely nice. There was nothing unkempt about his appearance.

"You look fine, Troy."

"Do you think I should wear a tie?" he asked as he looked at her for a moment before slowly releasing a sigh. "I mean would it make the suit look better." Taylor studied him for a moment. She could tell he was extremely nervous. He hadn't been at the school for over four months. He was probably going to be surrounded by friends that wanted to tell him that they were praying and thinking about him and to top it all off he was still reeling from the last confrontation that he had with his father.

"What will make you comfortable, go like that. There's no reason to be uncomfortable Troy." she said, he nodded his head in understand and dropped his hands to his side.

"Well then I guess I'm ready." he said softly as he looked over at her. Taylor nodded not really sure what she should do. The kiss they had shared last night had been a thing of comfort at least that's what she was thinking. Troy quickly walked over to her and latched onto her hand, leaning down he kissed her forehead. "Come on let's go." When they walked downstairs, they saw Wilson and Lillian waiting on them. Last night, during dinner Wilson had offered to drive them to the ceremony and bring them back. Wilson raised an eyebrow when he saw Troy holding Taylor's hand but didn't say anything about it.

"Is everyone ready to go?" he asked instead as he looked at them. Lillian rubbed a hand over her wedding band and slowly nodded her head.

"Yes we're all ready to go." Wilson nodded and opened the front door. He waited till Lillian locked her front door before leading them to the limo. He opened the door for them and waited till they were inside and seated before pulling off and heading for the school.

Lillian sat in the backseat silently watching as her son comforted Taylor as they drove. It was obvious that she something had happened to her. She watched as her son, gently coaxed Taylor into releasing the door handle she had latched onto earlier. Troy whispered some things in her ear and then after a moment, she was resting against his side with her eyes closed as she took several steady breaths. As she watched them, she remembered what Wilson had told her earlier this morning as Taylor went upstairs to check on Troy. He had told her that he had never seen to young people so concerned with the other. He told Lillian how much Taylor worried about Troy and how he was dealing with Jack's death, and how Troy was so focused on helping Taylor escape the situation she had been in with her mother and Charles. They were good for one another, he had said as he looked up towards the stairs and as she sat in the car watching them, she had to agree.

When they got to the school, they were quickly ushered into the gym where Coach Woodson was. Once the older man saw Lillian and Troy, he rushed out to greet them. "Hello, Mrs. Bolton, I am extremely sorry that we have to meet under circumstances such as these." he said softly as he looked at her before turning his attention towards Troy.

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm doing okay." Troy replied softly as he squeezed Taylor's hand tightly. Coach Woodson just nodded his head and looked at Troy for a moment before clasping his hands together.

"The ceremony will start in about five minutes, all the students just needed to go to homeroom but they will be filing in her pretty soon." he said with a slow nod of his head. "If you want you can go and have a seat over there in the chairs." Lillian nodded and headed off onto the court and took one of the assigned seats near the podium. Troy followed his mother with his eyes before turning to look at Taylor.

"I can't do this?" he whispered hoarsely as he looked down at her and then back at the floor. He hadn't step foot on that floor since his father's death. "Taylor I can't do this." he whispered again as he looked down at her. Taylor lifted her hands up and cupped his face between her hands and stared him directly in the eyes.

"Yes you can and I'm going to be with you every step of the way okay." Troy nodded and Taylor sent him a little smile. Troy leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her lips before pulling back. Taylor allowed him to latch on to her hand. Together they stepped out on the gym floor and made their way to the assigned seats. As they settled down, the rest of the student body came pouring in and started taking seats on the bleachers. Troy watched and gave a couple nods towards his teammates and even waved at Chad and Zeke who had walked in with Gabriella and Sharpay. Once everyone was seated, Coach Woodson got up and headed to the podium. He waited till the crowd quieted down before speaking. He looked out over the crowd and spoke up his voice exploding all over the gym.

"Today is a day that the school of East High pays its respect to one of our most loved members, Jack Bolton." The crowed roared with applause, as Coach Woodson said those words. Troy sat back in his seat holding Taylor's hands as he listened to the man currently at the podium. "I'm not sure if any of you know this but I used to play against Jack Bolton back in college. He was an intense man on the court, he loved the game of basketball but I know that he was a loving husband and father off the court," Coach Woodson turned and looked at Troy and Lillian. "The entire East High family feels for your lost and we pray each day that his absence becomes easier," turning back around he looked at the crowd again. "While here Coach Bolton led the Wildcats to several state championships either as a player or the head coach, however I think the best banner that will be flying from those rafters next year will be his number." Troy looked up then as a drape he hadn't seen earlier floated to the ground and he saw a large jersey hanging from the rafters with the number 41 on it. He felt his eyes tear up as he saw the name Bolton up there. Standing up along with the rest of the crowd he cheered even as he felt tears threatening to come out of his eyes. He couldn't think of a better honor that the school could have given his father and at that moment he was glad Taylor had made him come.