A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! It's really nice to see people liking my story!

Disclaimer: I only own 4 DVDs, 3 soundtracks, 1 Taylor doll, and countless magazine interviews where Monique states her and Corbin are 'just friends'.... Sigh.

... ... ... ... ... ...

"Honey, I'm home!"

Taylor laughed as she heard Denise's voice boom through the house. "I'm in the front room, Dee,"

Denise walked in, slinging her bag on the armchair. "Hey, Tay," She looked around, "Where's JJ?"

Taylor sighed. "I think the excitement of moving has finally died down. She's been asleep for the last 4 hours,"

Denise raised her eyebrows. "4 hours? She'll be up all night now," Taylor grimaced. "I'm making a coffee Tay, you want one?"

"Yeah please," She shouted back, as Denise walked into the kitchen, "How was work, anyway?"

"Good, i suppose," Denise replied, "Didn't spill anything for once,"

Taylor laughed. "Did you get any tips?" She could hear Denise scoff.

"Tips? Are you mad? You're lucky to get your wages when they come, Tay,"

Taylor smiled. "Aww, hard labour?"

Denise walked back in with two mugs. "Uh-huh. And the boss is like some perverted creep. Keeps telling me that the customers want to see femininity in a waitress,"

"Femininity?" Taylor asked in disbelief.

"Uh-huh. Skirts and dresses," Denise involuntary shuddered. "No chance,"

Both girls laughed and continued to drink their coffees.

"How was your proper first day in Albuquerque?" Denise asked.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Eventful," Denise looked at her expectantly, "Oh, by the way, JJ got a bit out of hand earlier. She broke a picture frame," Taylor leant forward and grabbed the photo of the table, "This picture,"

Denise waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, i don't care, i was needing a new frame for it anyway. That ugly gold one was making the room look bad,"

Taylor smiled humourlessly, and stared down at the picture again. No matter how she tried to focus on the others, her deep brown eyes always lingered on Chad, and wouldn't pull away. Denise noticed this, and looked at Taylor seriously.

"You miss him, don't you?"

Taylor snapped her head around. "Who?"

Denise rolled her eyes. "Don't play dumb, Taylor, you know who I'm talking about," She took a sip from her mug, "Chad,"

Taylor snorted unconvincingly. "Um, no. And he doesn't miss me anyway, so what's the point?"

"Err, you have a kid together?" She sighed, running a hand through her hair, "And he does miss you. A lot,"

Taylor looked at her sceptically.

"Don't give me that look. I'm his sister, Tay, i know these things,"

Taylor sighed. "It's just, Gabriella said that too, and i didn't believe her either,"

"Well, Gabi was right," Denise nodded, "He does. He'd love to see you,"

"How can he still miss me after what i did to him?"

Denise looked at Taylor sympathetically, before grabbing her empty mug. "Love, Taylor. It makes you do stupid things,"

... ... ... ... ... ...

Chad walked into his house after practice. His joints ached from the strenuous drills, stretches, and plays he'd done in the last hour. Coach's yells were still ringing in his head, giving him a headache on top of the hangover that he still hadn't overcome.

He walked into his kitchen, grabbing a can of coke from the fridge. He opened it, and took a long swig. The headache eased a bit. It must have been something to do with the heat. Taking his can into the living room, he sat down on his sofa and switched on the TV, changing it almost immediately to the sports channel.

There was a basketball game projected on his screen, but he couldn't concentrate. All he could think about was Taylor.

She was back. For good, he didn't know, but she was back nonetheless. Chad smiled as he thought of the airport. She looked amazing. Her face was still as gorgeous as ever, and her body was still the same; sexy, curvy. She had changed her hair since he last saw her, instead of the bob she'd had framing her face in senior year, it was now longer, almost Gabriella's length, and curly. Looked like she'd got rid of her obsession with hairbands as well.

Then Chad pictured the pram she bought with her. When she and Gabi had sat down at Starbucks, he had gotten a better look at the kid. He now knew it was a girl and she was a toddler, about 2 -3 years old.

2 – 3 years old? Isn't that the same time Taylor left? Chad had originally thought that this child was her sister, or niece, as Taylor had 2 siblings. But then, they lived in Albuquerque, so Chad would have known. The next thought that crossed his head, was that the toddler was his, but Taylor would have told him, wouldn't she? As a couple, they were sexually active, but always protected. And she wouldn't have left him over that, anyway.

The point Chad was now stuck on, broke his heart. The only solution left was that Taylor cheated on him. Would explain why she left. Chad couldn't bring up a child that wasn't his, simply because Taylor couldn't keep her pants up.

It all made more sense; pieces all fitted together. In the weeks leading up to her disappearance, Taylor would become more reserved in herself, and started to keep things from Chad. She started to wear baggier and duller clothing, which was unlike Taylor. The saddest part was that she refused point blank to have sex with Chad, and would back away every time he came near her stomach.

Chad remembered vividly the day she left. As a couple, they had agreed to go on a date together to the cinema, wanting to catch the new comedy film. Arranging to meet at 7, Chad got there at 6.50, but, unusually, Taylor wasn't there...

FLASHBACK

Chad stood outside the cinema, staring at his watch. 7.15. Taylor had never been this late before, and it was starting to worry him. He'd already rung her cell once, but it rang out into voicemail. He tried again, but the same thing happened. Taylors chipper voice came through the handset, advising him to call back later.

He stood outside until 7.40. They had long since missed the start of the film, and the weather was starting to change. Chad called her cell for the ninth time that evening, and it still rung out. On a last resort, he knew Taylor lived a few blocks away from the cinema, so he hopped in his car and drove to her house.

Getting out of the car, he knew something wasn't right. Taylor's car wasn't in the driveway. He walked up to the front door, and rung the doorbell once. Twice. Three times. Still no answer.

He got back in his car. Maybe they'd gone on holiday? Or Taylor just forgot, and went out with her family? But no, it was so unlike Taylor to forget a date. Especially with Chad.

He drove back to his house. "That was a quick date, Chad!" His dad called out jokingly. Chad didn't answer, instead choosing to walk up the stairs to his room. He heard his mom scolding his dad for being inconsiderate, and said something about a possible break-up. Chad sighed. Was this Taylor's way of showing him she lost interest in him?

He called her cell again. Twice. The same thing happened. Frustrated now, he threw his phone onto the nightstand and turned on the TV set in his room, watching a LA Lakers game. About an hour later, as Kobe Bryant shot an amazing three-pointer, his cell buzzed from its place on his nightstand. He picked it up, the screen flashing 'Taylor' as he did so. The huge grin on his face was wiped off as he read the message.

Chad,

If you got this message, it means i've gone. I'm sorry. No-one knew about this, except my family, so tell the gang i'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Don't try and find me. I'm not coming back.

Love you forever and always,

Taylor x

Was this some kind of sick joke? She was fooling him, taking the piss. It was all planned. She knew he'd be worried, and took advantage.

He tried to call her cell again, knowing she'd pick up once he got the message. But this time it didn't even ring. She'd switched her phone off.

Chad felt the tears cascade down his face on impulse. She really had gone, left him without saying a proper goodbye. What had he done? Was it his fault? He had tried to be a good boyfriend, he really had, and knew he had something special with Taylor. Now, she had snatched it away.

He called her cell again, a few hours later, and it was still switched off. He waited for the beep on her voicemail, and started to speak. "Taylor," He croaked out through his tears, "Tay-Tay, tell me this is a one big joke. Tell me the gang are all waiting at your house to laugh at me...Please. I don't want you to be gone, come back, Tay. Whatever i've done, or you've done, we can work this out. Please,"

He continued to sob as he hung up the phone. And, that night, and many nights to come, he cried himself to sleep.

END OF FLASHBACK

After that, and leaving many more similar voicemails, he gave up hope. He never heard from Taylor again, and wouldn't contribute when anyone talked about her.

What really pissed him off was the gang, talking about her like she was dead. She had just moved, not died forever. Chad felt as though he had died though. Might as well be. In spite, he went away to college, with Troy. With parties every single night, and even more girls, Chad found away to mask his pain. Sex, alcohol, and more sex.

He became a player. Different girl every night, depending on the parties he went to. Troy saw this though, and knew things needed to be done. Knowing he'd almost lost his best friend completely, Troy reminded Chad of his dreams from High School.

Pro-Ball.

Thanks to Troy, Chad then got drafted for the Lakers. Playing basketball was one thing, playing it for his country, and millions of fans was another. He often wondered if Taylor would see him on the TV, and realise what she was missing out on, and come back to him. Sadly, that never happened.

Until now.

... ... ... ... ... ...

Taylor sat in front of the vanity in Denise's guest room, placing gold hoops in her ears. She had been getting ready for the last 45 minutes, slipping on a pair of black skinny jeans and a green tunic top, with green sandals. She'd washed her hair and put it in a high ponytail, then proceeded to put on eyeliner, mascara and lipgloss. Finally, she put in her hoops, and walked down the stairs, back into the front room with Denise.

She smiled as Denise played with JJ, tickling her as JJ's infectious laugh filled the living room.

"Dee?"

Denise turned around, placing the over-excited toddler on the floor, who immediately ran to Taylor and latched herself on to her legs.

"Ma!" She squealed. Taylor ran a hand across JJ's forehead. "Ma!"

"Hello, baby," She picked her up, resting her on her hip, before turning to Denise again. "I'm gonna go to...Um...Gabriellas! Yes, Gabi's house, can you look after JJ?"

Denise looked at her sceptically. "Of course," She said slowly, "You're not gonna be late, are you?"

Taylor shook her head. "No, I'll be back in time to put her to bed,"

Denise nodded in understanding, and Taylor turned back to the toddler resting on her hip. "Mommy's going out, okay? Be good for Aunty Denise, or mommy will get cross. Okay?"

JJ nodded, and Taylor kissed her on her forehead, before handing her back to Denise's waiting arms. "I'll see you later Dee. Bye Jordynn!"

Denise replied, "Bye!" at the same time JJ replied, "Bye-bye Ma!"

Taylor smiled and walked out the door. The crisp September air hit against her skin, making her glad she'd put on a coat. She climbed into her car, and drove out, into the street. After driving for about 20 minutes, she pulled into a street. She hoped it was the right one, as she had only been here once before, and she wasn't the one driving when she got there.

She pulled into the drive, and climbed out the car. Nerves shook her whole body as she walked up the porch and to the front door. She rung the doorbell once, and waited for someone to answer. After a minute, she heard thundering footsteps down the hall, and the door flew open. She smiled at the person that opened the door.

"Hey, Chad,"

... ... ... ... ... ...

A/N: Ooooh. Don't hate me for it being short, it really wanted to leave it on a cliffy for once.

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EmilyGrace Ox