A/N I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! Ideas are welcome I'm running short so please offer ideas.

The next few days went by and soon it was time for everyone to get back to work/school. Troy had called his parents and agreed to come stay with Gabriella while he and Ashley were at work. He just hoped Ashley and Gabriella would be able to handle being apart. He awoke that morning, showered and got read for his day. He went into Ashley room and saw she wasn't in her bed that only meant one thing. He sighed and went back into his room. Ashley had become dependent on sleeping in their bed with them as much as he tried otherwise. He went over to her and shook her lightly.

"Wake up baby girl. It's time for school."

Ashley stirred and opened her eyes. "Daddy" she muttered.

"It's me sweetie. Time to wake up."

"Ok daddy."

Ashley sat up and went to climb out of bed. Gabriella stirred. "Ashley."

"It's ok Angel. Ashley is just getting ready for school."

Gabriella opened her eyes. She sat up and little bit. It had gotten easier for her do over the last few days.

"You guys are going back to work and school?"

"Yep. I've got to keep up with the bills."

"I guess so…."

Troy looked at Ashley. "Go and get dressed sweetie."

Ashley went into her room. Troy sat on the bed by Gabriella's side.

"Mom and Dad are on their way over. You won't be alone. If you need anything just ask them."

"Do you have to go?" Gabriella asked as her eyes filled with tears.

"Why are you so scared baby girl?"

"I'm just going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too Beautiful girl but I'll be home before you know it."

Gabriella nodded. Troy kissed her head. "Everything will be all right Angel I promise."

Ashley came back in dressed and ready

"Mommy you aren't dressed yet."

"Mommy isn't going to be your teacher for a while." Troy told her. "She still has too many boo-boos."

"Who is going to be my teacher?"

"Her name is Mrs. Johnson. She is very nice."

"Ok…"

"Don't worry baby girl. Everything will be fine."

Ashley lifted her arms to him. "Up daddy." Troy lifted her up.

"We'll be back later sweet heart. Just get some rest."

"Bye love you both." Gabriella said.

"We love you too Angel."

"Bye mommy."

"Bye baby."

Troy walked downstairs and headed downstairs. Just then his parents arrived. He left.

Troy got to the school and took Ashley to her classroom. Ashley hid behind her father as the teacher came over.

"Hello Ashley." She greeted nicely.

Ashley held on to her father's pants leg and whimpered. Troy turned and picked her up.

"It's ok baby girl."

"She is little shy. She isn't used to a different teacher since Gabriella become her mom." Troy explained.

"Of course."

Troy looked at Ashley.

"You go in and do the best you can. If you get uncomfortable and want to see me. Just ask Mrs. Johnson and she'll call me ok?"

"Ok daddy."

"That's my good brave girl."

Troy set her down and she went inside. Troy headed to the gym. Worked seemed to go by very slow today. Troy wouldn't admit it but he was scared of leaving Gabriella at home. Last time he left them home they got kidnapped. At least his parents were there, that would help…right?"

For Ashley things only got worse as her day went on. The kids had started rumors about Gabriella and why she wasn't there and they made Ashley very upset. During one of the assignments Ashley heard a boy laughing behind her. She ignored it and focused on her work. The boy continued to laugh but before Ashley could say anything Mrs. Johnson stood up and went over to his desk.

"Is there something you want to share with the class Sir?" she asked.

"No Mrs. Johnson." The boy said quickly.

"I see you have a note. You know the rules when you are caught passing notes."

The teacher took and it and walked to the front of the room. She looked at the paper and it read: "Mrs. Johnson's a fat ugly pig. Signed Ashley Bolton." The teacher went over to the desk and sat down.

"Ashley can you come over here please."

Ashley got out of her chair and went over to the teacher's desk.

"Ashley I want the honest answer from you. I don't want you to say what you think I want to hear I want to the truth all right?"

Ashley nodded as she started to suck her thumb. Was she in trouble? The teacher handed her the note.

"Did you write this?"

Ashley shook her head. "No…"

"All right sweetie I didn't think so. You can go sit back down."

Ashley didn't move.

"Is something wrong sweetie?"

"Can you call my daddy. I want to go home." She whimpered.

"You aren't in trouble sweetie. I know you didn't write this note."

"I know. I just want to go home."

"Tell me what's wrong sweetie."

"I want mommy." Ashley sniffed.

Mrs. Johnson could tell she was fighting back tears.

"All right sweetie. How about this. You go sit back down. We have about five minutes till lunch. During lunch we have another teacher keep an eye on this class and you and I can go see your daddy ok?"

"Ok."

Ashley went to sit back down in her seat.

"Thumb sucking baby" a kid called.

Ashley finally broke out into tears. She wanted Gabriella so bad.

"EVERYONE QUIET! I WANT EVERYONE QUIET AND WORKING ON THEIR ASSIGNMENT NOW!"

That made Ashley cry harder.

"I WANT MOMMY!" Ashley cried.

Mrs. Johnson got out of her seat and went over to Ashley. "Come on Ashley. Let's go see your daddy."

Ashley wiggled away.

"NO! GO AWAY! I WANT MOMMY!"

She fell off the chair and went over against the wall. She curled into a ball pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her one arm around her legs while the other one rested on her knee letting her thumb rest in her mouth.

"I WANT MOMMY!"

Mrs. Johnson went over and touched her knee. "I can take you to daddy."

Ashley screamed at her touch and burst into more tears.

"MOMMY!

"Ashley I can take you to your daddy. He will take you to your mommy but you have to come with me."

"NO! MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!"

Mrs. Johnson sighed and went over to her desk. She grabbed the phone and called the gym. She told Troy to come over and hung up. Troy arrived in record time. He walked in and over to Ashley. He got down on his knees.

"Hey, hey Princess hey. It's me daddy. Can you look at me?" he asked softly.

He had seen Gabriella like that too many times and knew how to approach her.

Ashley looked up and saw her dad. She sniffed and reached for him. He took her into his arms and stood up. She buried her face in his shoulder and clung to him. He rubbed her back.

"Shhhh Angel. Shhhh daddy's here now it's ok. Everything's ok you're safe now shhh."

"Daddy." Ashley whimpered.

"I'm here baby girl. I'm right here."

Without another word he took Ashley out of the classroom. He went back to his office and set Ashley down on his lap. He soothed her until she calmed down.

"You're missing mommy too huh?" he asked.

Ashley nodded.

"Let's give her a call."

Troy took the phone and called the house.

"Hello?" Lucille answered.

"Hey mom."

"Hey Troy. Everything is fine here."

"Mom I haven't asked yet. Which means everything is not fine. What's going on?"

"Ever since you left this morning Gabriella has been restless and uncomfortable. She just keeps squirming around in bed asking for you. We gave her, her pain meds not too long ago but it doesn't seem to have helped any."

"Looks like it's too soon for all of us."

"What does that mean?"

"Ashley had a break down at school and I just can't seem to focus on anything other than Gabriella."

"What are you going to do Troy?"

Troy looked at Ashley who was still sucking her thumb and he heard Gabriella screaming through the phone for him and sighed.

"I'm coming home. Tell Gabriella to hang on."

"Ok Troy."

Troy hung up and looked at Ashley.

"Come on baby girl. Let's go home."

Troy left telling the principal Ashley had gotten sick and went home. He went inside and sighed as he heard Gabriella upstairs. Jack came out from the kitchen.

"Your wife is not very happy. I'd suggest leaving little Ashley down here. Until you calm her down of course."

"What's wrong with her dad?"

"Troy her fear isn't of being alone. It's of being without you. She was upset the whole time you were gone."

Troy set Ashley down on the couch.

"Stay with Papa Jack ok?"

Ashley nodded. Troy went upstairs. He walked into his bedroom and Gabriella was squirming on the bed whining.

"Where is Troy?"

Troy didn't say anything. He went over to the bed and just pulled her into his arms. She instantly settled down. She found it so easy to get comfortable and relaxed into his touch.

"I missed you." She whispered.

"I missed you too."

Troy sighed. He knew he couldn't blame this on the girls. He didn't want to be away from them anymore than they wanted to be away from him. He needed a new plan. A way to make money and stay with his family at the same time but how could he do that?

A/N next chapter Troy gets an offer from his parents that he can't turn down. What is it? Will the Bolton's ever get used to be apart?