A/N I DON'T OWN ANYTHING! I want to thank xZANESSA4LIFEx for the idea of having Ashley call Troy.

Monday after school Gabriella and Ashley sat on a picnic blanket outside at the park snacking on some grapes as they waited for Troy.

"Mrs. Gabi?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Why was my daddy so mean to me? I tried to behave and do the right things but he still got mad and hit me. I don't know what I did wrong he just hit me and punched me and kicked me and whipped me and other things. What did I do wrong? What did I do to deserve this?"

Before Gabriella could answer she was hit with a flashback. It was the first time she ever met Lucille and she asked the very same question.

Flashback

Thank you Mrs. Bolton. Do you think we can talk about why my father hit me? I mean what did I do to make him hate me so much? I didn't mean to make my mom leave.

"Did your mother leave you and your father?"

Yes and my dad blames it on me. I try to behave and do the right thing but he still gets mad and hits me. I don't know what I did wrong he just hit me and punched me and kicked me and whipped me and other things. What did I do wrong? What did I do to deserve this?

"First off you didn't do anything wrong. You are not the blame for what has happen. Your mother leaving wasn't your fault. It was just something that happen. Second you do not deserve this. No one deserves this. Your father just couldn't handle the stress of your mother leaving and took it out on you. It's not fair but that's just the way it is."

Does my father even love me?

"I'm sure deep down he does and I'm sure deep down he knows it wasn't your fault and he feels bad about hurting you but I don't think there is anything you or I can do about it."

Thank you Mrs. Bolton. I feel a lot better after talking to you. Do you think we can do this again?

"Of course whenever you need to talk I'll listen. Is there anything else you would like to talk about?"

Not now but I know I will. Thank you so much Mrs. Bolton you really made me feel better.

End Flashback

"Ashley you didn't do anything wrong. You are not to blame for what your father did. Also you don't deserve this. No one deserves something like this."

"Does daddy even love me?"

"I'm sure deep down he does. I'm sure deep down he is very sad for what he did to you."

"Why did your daddy hit you?"

"My daddy hit me because he didn't know any better. He became my daddy before he was ready and tried to take care of it on his own without help from his mommy and daddy because they wouldn't help him so he didn't know how to be a father so he hit me."

"But what about his mommy and daddy? Didn't they teach him no hitting like mommy taught me?"

Gabriella didn't answer. She never thought of that. Sure her father was young when she was born but he was old enough to know right from wrong and the wrong way to treat a child? Was everything Greg told her before he died a lie? She was thrown from her thoughts when Ashley spoke up again.

"What about your mommy? Did your daddy hit her too?"

"Yeah he did."

"He killed your mommy too right?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Gabriella sighed. She really didn't know how to explain this. "My mommy was trying to get me away from my daddy and my daddy got mad at her for it and so he killed her."

"Did he push her down the stairs?"

"No he…he did a very, very, very bad thing."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Gabi."

"It's ok sweetie. They are in a better place with your mommy watching over us."

"Awww well isn't that sweet." A voice said from behind them.

Gabriella turned and saw Carlos.

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. You haven't answered my texts or calls."

"I've been thinking Carlos can't you just think I'll jump back into your life. I've got a lot to think about before I make up my mind. You need to give me time and space."

"When will you be done thinking?"

"I don't know. I'll call you. Don't contact me until I contact you first."

"You know Gabriella your father…."

"HEY LEAVE HER ALONE!" a voice yelled cutting him off. Gabriella looked and saw Troy running over. "Gabriella gave you your answer. She will think about it and get back to you and you are not to contact her until then so just leave."

Carlos left. Troy sat down on the blanket pulling Gabriella into him. He knew she was being brave for Ashley but on the inside she was shaking. He kissed her head.

"It's all right baby. He's gone."

"Thank you Troy."

"Anytime Angel."

They shared a kiss on the lips before starting on their lunch that Gabriella had made. After they had finished eating Troy looked at his watch then at Ashley. "Do you know what time it is?" he asked her.

"No. I can't tell time." She answered.

Troy laughed. "It's…CHASE TIME!" He said.

Ashley squealed and took off running. Troy smiled at Gabriella and took off after her. Gabriella giggled. Troy was an amazing father. She suddenly felt like she was being watched. She turned her head and saw Carlos in the distance by the trees watching her. Now she felt uncomfortable. Carlos stood there watching her for a good few seconds before walking away. That still made Gabriella nervous because she had no idea where he was going. A part of her wanted to trust him and forgive him but he was making it very hard to trust him. What was his deal?

The next day Troy was working late so Gabriella was home with Ashley on her own. Ashley was upstairs in her room doing homework as Gabriella was downstairs grading papers. A knock at the door caused her to stop. She went over and looked through the peek hole to see who it was. Ashley came to stairs.

"Who is it Mrs. Gabi?"

As Gabriella saw who it was she said "Ashley go on up to your room I'll take care of this."

Ashley went back to her room and Gabriella opened the door.

"I thought I said don't contact me."

"This is not contacting you. This is stopping by. You never said I couldn't do that." Carlos smirked.

"Ok fine Carlos come inside."

They went into the kitchen and sat down.

"Why should I let you into my life?"

"Because it's what your father would have wanted."

Gabriella tensed at the mention of her father.

"I'm not so sure he would. If you guys threw him out on the streets when my mom was pregnant why would he want me around you?"

"Is that what he told you? Gabriella I'm sorry but my brother lied to you. We didn't kick him out. He left on his own because he was too stubborn to let us help."

"You're…You're lying." Gabriella said quickly.

"Gabriella think about he told you all this right before he died. He wanted to guilt you into forgiving him so he made up some pity story to make you believe he really did love you."

"Stop." Gabriella whispered shaking her head.

"Greg never loved you. He abused you since the day you were born and the only time he ever said he loved you was right before he died. Face it Gabriella your father's last words to you were a lie."

"Stop it." Gabriella said again a little louder.

"That why I want you back in my life because I want to show you what a real Montez is like. Greg was an embarrassment to the Montez name. I'll show you what real father love is but you have to trust me to do it."

"No I don't believe you."

"Really? Look at the facts. Right before your father died he said he loved you and told you his sob story right?" Gabriella nodded and he went on. "Then the cops suddenly show up and shoot him. Where do you think they came from Gabi? He called the cops ahead of time. He planned the whole thing. He reached into his pocket because he knew he'd get shot. This was all planned. Greg Montez doesn't nor did he ever love you. That's why he'd want you to give me a chance to give you the life he couldn't"

Gabriella couldn't breathe so much was running through her head. Was what Carlos was saying true? Did he father really plan his own death? Did her father really not love her? Could Carlos be a father figure to her?

"You have to let me back into your life Gabriella. Your father will be so ashamed of you if you don't. After all you did to him you owe him that much."

"After all I did?"

"You got arrested. He had to spend the rest of his life on the run trying to provide a good home for you. Then he finally can't take it anymore and starts to think you hate him so he goes and gets shot."

"No my father knew I loved him. He wouldn't plan to get shot." Gabriella said more to herself.

"The poor man got shot for you Gabriella. Your mother saved your life with hers. She got shot instead of you don't you think you owe it to your parents to at least give me a chance. I'm the only blood relative you have."

Gabriella shook her head. All this guilt and pressure was becoming too much for her.

"Come on Gabriella I know you have questions. I have answers. I can tell you all about your past and your parent's history."

"Stop please stop!" Gabriella whimpered.

"They'd want this Gabriella you know they would."

"STOP IT!" Gabriella screamed. "JUST STOP IT ALL READY! I GET IT!"

"So will you let me back into your life?"

Upstairs Ashley heard Gabriella scream. Ashley ran into the master bedroom and grabbed the phone of the hook. Troy and Gabriella had been teaching her how to use a phone in case she ever needed to reach them. She dialed Troy's number.

At the gym Troy heard his phone go off. He ran to the bench and grabbed it. He saw the caller ID and called "Take a break guys!" Then he answered.

"Hey Baby."

"Troy come home." Ashley whimpered on the other end.

"Ashley? Baby what's wrong?"

Troy felt every bone in his body tense and was instantly filled with worry.

"That bad man is back. The one from Lucille and Jack's house. He is back and is making Mrs. Gabi sad. I heard her screaming 'stop it'."

"I'm on my way stay upstairs Ashley. Do not go downstairs."

"Ok Mr. Troy."

They hung up and Troy looked at the others. "Sorry guys my wife needs me. Practice is over." He ran from the gym and into his car.

Back in the kitchen Carlos had continued to pressure Gabriella about giving him a chance. Troy walked in just as she gave her answer.

"YES! YES! FINE! YES JUST STOP IT PLEASE!" Tears were streaming down her face as she shook and gasped for air. Troy grabbed Carlos by the shirt. "Get out of my house and don't ever show your face around here again." He threw him out the door and locked it. He went back into the kitchen and knelt down in front of Gabriella who had stopped crying, shaking, and gasping for air. In fact she wasn't moving at all. He took her hands in his.

"It's all right baby he is gone. I don't want you to worry about him. You don't have to let him back into your life."

"Yes I do. I have to." She whimpered.

"No baby you don't. Not if you're not comfortable.

Gabriella quickly wiped her tears. "I want to and I am comfortable."

Troy sighed. Carlos had broken here and now he got just wanted he wanted.

"Ok but how about some rules. Neither you nor Ashley can be around him without me? Ashley doesn't have to go near him if she doesn't want."

"I like those rules."

"Good. Come here."

Gabriella and Troy hugged. He rubbed her back making sure she was 100% relaxed before they pulled away. They went upstairs to talk to Ashley but Troy couldn't help but wonder what Carlos's plan was.

Outside the Montez house, Carlos stood talking on his cell phone.

"Yeah it worked I'm in. I made up some phony story about her father planning his death and not really loving her and then pressured her into giving me a chance. It was easy."

"What about the girl?" a man asked.

"She hates me. SO does Troy."

"Get them both to trust you otherwise we have no plan."

"Don't worry by the time this over. You'll have your daughter and Gabriella will lose Troy forever."

"Good. It better or you're going to pay with your life."

The line went dead and Carlos smirked. "Soon Gabriella, Soon you'll be back where you really belong."

A/N any ideas on who was the phone? I need some ideas on what Carlos can do to earn Gabriella, Troy's, and Ashley's trust so any ideas you have are welcome. Thanks again to xZANESSA4LIFEx for giving me the idea of Ashley calling Troy.