A/N: I really liked this chapter and I hope HSMandChelseaFCfan does, too :)

Don't own HSM

Chapter 16 –

For the rest of the week, Troy had taken homework over to Gabriella's house, studied with her, well, she helped him with his studying, and then he left at half past eight. They alternated between studying and kissing and would often find Troy without a shirt and their books long forgotten. Sharpay had dropped round a couple of nights and soon found that the theatre was their ground of common interest and they would have lengthy conversations about different musicals and Broadway stars. If the truth be known, it was the one subject Gabriella was clueless in.

On the following Saturday, leaving still two weeks for Troy and Gabriella to be together, it was boiling and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The heat was getting to everyone. Especially Gabriella who couldn't wear the bikini she wanted to outside of the back yard. So, she was stuck sunbathing with Sharpay in her back yard on two towels whilst Carl, Landon, Zeke and Greg practised their basketball. The heat was even getting to Daisy, too, who was simply lying next to Gabriella.

Gabriella adjusted her sunglasses and sighed softly. "Shar, I don't know why you need Lava Springs when you get days like this in Albuquerque."

Sharpay laughed. "Yes, but there's a time of year called Winter, honey."

"I suppose." Gabriella mumbled. "I see you're getting on pretty well with my Wildcat." She whispered.

Sharpay nodded. "He's pretty cool once I stop thinking about the obvious reason to hate him."

Gabriella pushed her sunglasses up onto her head and propped up onto one elbow to look down on her best friend. "So there are reasons that are not so obvious?"

Sharpay smirked up at Gabriella. "Well, you wouldn't see them, obviously." Whilst Gabriella had stuck with a simple white bikini, Sharpay had decided on a pink one with sparkly hearts on it. Gabriella had had to refrain from rolling her eyes when she saw Zeke practically drooling at the sight of Sharpay in her bikini. Luckily, Carl had 'accidentally' hit him in the head with a basketball.

"Obviously? Shar, I'm in love with him. What other reasons are there to hate him?" She exclaimed.

Sharpay sighed and took her sunglasses off. "He prefers Hairspray to Grease!"

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Whatev." Her phone began playing 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift and she rushed to pick it up. She slid it up and quickly scanned the text from Troy, a smile spreading over her face.

Sharpay put her sunglasses back on and rolled her eyes. "Interesting ring."

"Hey!" Gabriella exclaimed. "It's a good song."

"Anyway, what's Lover Boy said?" Sharpay asked in boredom.

Gabriella hit her friend's arm and glared. "Shut up."

"Well?"

Gabriella sighed dreamily as she composed a reply. "He says that he's coming round tonight." She said excitedly.

The blonde shrugged. "He's been around your house practically every day since you met. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten into your panties yet."

"Shar!" Gabriella exclaimed.

Sharpay pushed her sunglasses up. "I'm sorry but ever since you told me, you haven't shut up about him."

Gabriella sent a reply and set her phone aside. "Yes, for two reasons. One: if I don't talk about him to you, who will I talk about him to? Two: I thought you'd be excited. I mean, I've never been this serious with a guy and…you've wanted me to get a boyfriend for ages."

"Well, you've said it yourself," Sharpay started as she put her sunglasses back into their previous position, "it's hard to have a steady, serious relationship when you have five brothers who are all very protective of you. Guess what? Your brothers don't know about him."

Gabriella grabbed her sunglasses from her head and slipped them over her eyes and lay back down. "And I plan for it to stay that way until after I go to college. That way I'm a thousand miles away for everyone to hate me."

"True." Sharpay said softly. "So, when's he coming round?"

"I'm not telling you. You'll be here again." She exclaimed indignantly.

Sharpay hurriedly twisted her head. "You want to be alone?"

"What's the big deal? The only way we can be together is to be alone." Gabriella dismissed.

"Yeah, but, I mean…Gabs, talk to me." Sharpay said softly.

"I want him." Gabriella confessed. "I need him. And…do you remember when I first told you about him and I said that I wished that I'd made love to him so that he'd have something I can't give to anybody else?"

"Of course." Sharpay whispered.

Gabriella sighed and sat up, stretching her stiff back muscles. "I want him to have my virginity before I go to Stanford."

Sharpay sat up, too, and took her sunglasses off. "Two weeks? Gabs, really?"

"I don't know if Troy and I are meant to be together. But, I know I want this. And if I know Troy like I think I do, he'll be happy to give me this." Gabriella whispered.

"Which guy wouldn't?" Sharpay mumbled.

Gabriella giggled. "True."

"So, you really love him, don't you?" She asked.

Gabriella nodded. "More than anything." She suddenly raised her hand and easily caught the basketball hurtling towards her. "Out!"

Carl laughed and jogged over to his twin as she got to her feet. "Thanks, Bells. Have you put suntan lotion on?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Yes, I have. Now go!"

Carl looked down at Sharpay and glared. "Hey, blondie."

Sharpay got to her feet and glared back. "Gabs told you to go, so go!" She watched Carl walk away before she turned to Gabriella. "You know you'll always have me, right? No matter what everyone else does or how they react, you're my best friend."

Gabriella smiled brightly as they hugged. "You're mine, too. I'm glad to have someone's support in all of this."

Sharpay smile slightly. "Just be happy. Okay?"

* * *

Troy hurriedly and expertly climbed Gabriella's tree and silently cursed. He was late. So very late. He'd promised Gabriella he'd be there for six thirty and it was now seven. Jack, Chad and Jason had told him that they should practice before Troy 'headed over to Kelsi's' and it had lasted half an hour. Luckily, his performance was great because he was looking forward to seeing his Gabriella. Nonetheless, he was late. Beyond late. He hoped that Gabriella wasn't mad at him. That week when she didn't talk to him was the worst week of his life. He had felt his depression slowly creep back into him and he knew that everyone had been worried about him. But, it just proved that he needed Gabriella.

Maybe it was a little selfish. People say that to be truly in love, you have to want the person's happiness, not the actual person. But, he couldn't live without her anymore. On the other hand, he wouldn't force her to stay if she wanted to go. He'd risk the depression if it meant that she wasn't unhappy.

He hoisted himself over the railing in just his shorts and white shirt which was unbuttoned because of the heat. He checked the door handle and pushed the door open, locking it behind him. He really needed to talk to Gabriella. A creepy man could come in and… His thoughts broke off when he thought about the fantasies he'd had about her. He was the creepy man. He shrugged his shirt and shoes off, leaving them carelessly by her desk. He glanced over to her door and saw that it was locked.

He finally glanced to the bed and his heart skipped a beat. Gabriella was lying there, sleeping, in just a white bikini. He'd never noticed before but her abs were perfectly toned and where did she hide those breasts? Her hair was splayed out above her head and he spied a tank top and jeans neatly folded on her desk. It was obvious she had fallen asleep because of the heat and knew she'd need cooling down.

Something then occurred to him. He couldn't see Daisy or her food or water or any of her toys. Gabriella had left her somewhere else in the house which was unusual because Gabriella had confessed that Daisy brought her a sense of comfort; that no one was going to come into her room in the middle of the night. Well, except Troy.

He shrugged it off and made his way into her bathroom, grabbing two small towels. He slung one over his shoulder and dampened the other one with cold water. He rung it out and then hurried back into the bedroom, already craving the sight of Gabriella. He knelt next to her on the bed and placed the dry towel next to him and brushed some dark curls from her forehead. He began to lightly dab her neck and shoulders with the damp towel, cooling down her warm skin.

He was impressed. There wasn't a hint of sunburn anywhere on her body. He moved down to her stomach, using only the lightest of touches and marvelling in the new sight of skin exposed to him. She was simply beautiful. Exceptionally so. Her white bikini contrasted perfectly with her olive skin and make her legs seem longer than they were.

He heard groaning and diverted his eyes to her face just as her eyes fluttered open. "Shhh…" He soothed and leaned forward to kiss her chastely.

She closed her eyes again and shifted slightly. "You're late." She whispered but he heard no anger in her voice.

"I know, I know." He said softly as he continued to sooth her skin with the moist towel. He moved onto her arms, making sure to touch everywhere he could, especially her fingers.

Her eyes opened again and smiled at him. He was looking so concentrated, as if he was struggling to simply rub the towel across her skin. But, she knew he was simply worshipping her. He always took on that expression whenever he was trying to either calm her down, pleasure her or simply admire her. "What are you doing?"

He looked over to her face and chuckled in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. You just looked really hot…I mean, uncomfortable in the heat. I thought I was helping." He took the wet cloth away from her skin.

"No, no." She said hurriedly. "I liked it. I just wondered what you were doing…whilst shirtless."

"Well, you're not the only one who gets uncomfortable in heat. I just can't wear a bikini." He joked as he continued to cool her skin, moving onto her other arm.

She giggled as she watched him. "No, you can't. Why are you late?"

He knew why she was asking. He couldn't blame her. She was simply making sure he hadn't been interfering with Knights. "My dad and friends said we should practice. I'm sorry. I swear I wasn't around any Knights." He looked into her eyes and sighed guiltily.

She nodded and sat up, kissing his cheek. She held his other one in her hand and smiled softly. "It's okay." She whispered. "I believe you. I just like to make sure."

He nodded and kissed her quickly. "I know. Come on, lie back down."

She giggled but complied, lying down gracefully in front of him. She sighed blissfully as soon as he started cooling her legs down, still kneeling next to her. "I love you, Wildcat."

"I love you, too." He whispered. His hands moved smoothly down her leg and began massaging her foot. "You're so beautiful."

"Sorry about the apparent lack of clothing. I haven't left the yard all day. It was so hot and I wanted to be in my bikini but Carl wouldn't let me go anywhere in it in case a," her eyes locked on his, "guys started to get the wrong idea."

He chuckled. "Ironic, huh?"

"Don't stop." She whispered tiredly. "So, I've been sunbathing all day with Shar. I wore my shorts and tank top for dinner but then I couldn't take it."

"Shhh… It's okay." Troy whispered. "But, you're amazingly beautiful."

She blushed deeply. "Thank you. Oh, and I liked the wake up present." She point to his torso which was free for her to stare at.

He looked into her eyes and smirked. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you just want me for my looks."

"Do you really believe that?" She asked quietly.

His hands moved to her other leg as he shook her head. "No. I wouldn't ever. Brie, can I ask something?" He set the damp towel aside and reached for the dry one to dry her skin.

"Sure." She whispered.

"Do I make you happy?" He asked softly, rubbing the towel over her arm.

Gabriella took his hand in hers and pushed both towels off of the bed. She placed her hand over her breast, looking into his eyes. "I'm so happy with you; I can't tell you how happy I am."

His eyes widened as soon as his hands touched her chest. "Gabriella…"

"Please?" She whispered, reaching up to cup his cheek.

"But… Are you sure?" He asked sceptically.

She nodded and let her hand fall from his face, tracing the contours of his chest before she reached the fly of his shirts. She used her free hand to quicken the process but looked up at him suddenly. "You don't want to, do you?" She took her hands away from his shorts and tears began to well in her eyes. "I'm sorry." She whispered as she rolled over and curled into herself, hugging her knees. Troy's hand fell away from her breast, not touching her at all. Her body heaved with sobs as she cried into her pillow, afraid to face Troy again.

Troy didn't know what to do. He hated it when she cried. A couple of days ago, they watched Romeo and Juliet together and she cried. Despite the fact that it was over fictional characters, he hated it and he had been helpless, not knowing what to do. He wanted to make her happy and thought he had before he'd questioned her and then she'd broken down.

He sighed and lay down next to her, her back facing him. He leant up on one elbow and used his free hand to stroke her hair. "Brie…" He sang.

"I said I'm sorry." She whimpered.

"But, you don't have to. Come on. Face me. Let me see your beautiful face." He whispered.

"But, you don't want to. I'm an idiot." She cried.

He wrapped his arms around her, burying his nose into her hair. "Baby," he cooed, "I'd love to." He whispered.

She sniffed as she twisted her head to face him. "Really?"

He nodded, brushing some curls from her forehead. "Yeah. I just want to make sure you want to."

She rolled over to face him and nodded. "More than anything." She traced his cheek and gave him a watery smile. "I love you and I want to show you."

Troy shook his head. "Please tell me if you're not ready. I can wait."

She reached down and tugged his shorts from his hips and then Troy continued to help her by kicking them off. "I really want this."

Troy pulled her close and kissed her passionately, his fingers dancing up and down her bare back. "I love you." He muttered against her lips.

She pulled back and smiled at him. "I do want this. I promise."

"What about your mom and dad? And C…C…I'll get it. C…Your brothers?" He asked.

She giggled at his failure of saying her brothers' names. "It's Carl and Landon. And they're downstairs. Every Saturday they watch The Sixth Sense."

"Every Saturday?" He asked in disbelief.

She nodded. "I stopped watching it years ago. I hate it."

"Don't worry," Troy started as he leaned down to her neck, trailing kisses to her collarbone and shoulder, "I'll protect you."

* * *

Troy twisted his head to look out of Gabriella's balcony doors and looked up at moon and stars shining down. He turned back to Gabriella who was curled around him, her head nestled neatly into the crook of his armpit. She was sleeping, his arm around her, holding her close. Her thin comforter was covering them both; despite knowing that Troy had obviously seen everything, she had wanted to be covered and he had, of course, obliged to her wish. His fingers kept making small invisible patterns on her arm as if he was convincing him that she was real. He'd be sleeping, too, if he could possibly forget their lovemaking but he couldn't and he guessed that he wasn't sleeping ever again.

He wouldn't forget it and he couldn't forget it. No way. It'd been…he couldn't think of an appropriate adjective. Nothing seemed to sum it up. All he knew was that she was the best girl he'd ever had sex with. She was officially the most beautiful woman he'd ever met and he was convinced that he wouldn't meet anyone more beautiful for as long he lived.

Despite her first confidence, convincing Troy that it was what she wanted and it was. But, as soon as it came to it, she was beyond nervous. She'd known that Troy had experience in the bedroom whilst she had none. He had soothed her, kissing her and whispering sweetly in her ear. It had calmed her down immensely, giving her the strength to pull Troy's boxers off without any assistance from him.

Gabriella had had no idea what to expect. She had known that a girl's first time hurt somewhat but other than the pain, she was clueless. Troy had proved to ease Gabriella into the process by showing her how it would feel after the pain subsided. She'd been astounded that she had waited for so long for something so amazing. But, she confessed that she was glad she'd waited for Troy.

She'd been too overwhelmed by everything to reciprocate the early please for Troy but he had dismissed her apology. He told her that it was all about Gabriella. He'd been as gentle as he could be, holding her tightly in his arms as soon as she'd begun crying. He'd constantly whispered to her, telling her that she was beautiful and that she was doing great. The last thing he'd wanted was for her to be hurt but knew that it was inevitable.

Gabriella shifted beside him and he was still watching her as she groaned and draped an arm over his stomach which was exposed to her. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled sleepily up at him. "Hey." She whispered.

He returned the smile. "Hey."

She bit her lip and moved her arm from his stomach to reach up and touch his neck as she leaned up to kiss him. She settled back into her previous position and sighed softly. "How are you?"

"Amazing." He breathed. "What about you?"

"The same." She smiled up at him.

He kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. You did enjoy it, didn't you?"

She giggled and nodded. "Of course. I loved it."

He pulled her even closer. "I'm sorry it had to hurt."

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I still enjoyed it. Did you?"

Troy blinked at her. "I'm sorry. Did you just ask me if I enjoyed it?" He slowly rolled over so he was straddling her. "Brie, are you seriously asking me that?"

She nodded hesitantly. "Yeah…"

"Brie, I love it, I swear. You were amazing." He whispered.

She breathed out and nodded. "'Kay."

He rolled off of her but kept his arms around her. "So…"

She giggled. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby." He whispered, kissing her temple. He regrettably let go of her and shrugged the comforter off, sitting up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and looked out of the balcony doors again.

"Wildcat?" She whispered, tracing his defined eagle wings. "You okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah." He twisted to face her. "As long as you're lying there, looking beautiful, I'm the best I can be."

She flushed a light pink and nodded. "So, why'd you leave me here without your arms around me?"

He smiled softly and reached over to stroke her cheek. "I'm just thinking."

"What about?" She whispered.

"How this is so hard. I want the world to know that you're mine. Which is why I bought you that necklace. Except it doesn't work the way I want it to. I want people to see that necklace and people to think 'she's in love'. I want the whole universe to know that you're mine." He said softly, his eyes turning glossy.

She nodded with understanding. "I know. I know how you feel. All I've ever wanted is for my family to approve of the guy I see in my future." She shrugged. "I don't think that's going to happen."

Troy smiled sadly. "I love you."

She breathed out deeply. "Can you hold me?"

Troy didn't need to be asked twice. The girl he loved was lying there in front of him, only barely covered by the thin comforter and the necklace he gave her hanging around her neck. Her hair was still slightly tousled from making love and her eyes, her innocent chocolate eyes, begging him over to her. That girl was going to be the end of him. How could he deny her of anything? He practically lunged at her, lying on top of her, feeling her body beneath his. The only thing acting as a barrier between them was the comforter and it was so thin he could feel her naked body beneath it. His arms snaked beneath the comforter enough to wrap his arms around her, his cheek pressed firmly against hers.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, feeling his face against her neck. "Troy, I can't live without you anymore." She whispered.

"I know." He muttered as he kissed her skin.