A/N: Ummmmm...Enjoy :)

Don't own HSM x

It had been just over two weeks since the championship and since Gabriella left to start the programme at Stanford. He didn't know how things were on the West side of Albuquerque, but they weren't so great on the East. Although, to a stranger, Troy didn't seem all that bothered about it, Jack knew better. He knew that Troy was a good actor because it was all an act. A very convincing one, he had to admit. No wonder he wanted to go into the theatre. But, he was nowhere near convinced.

All Troy was doing was playing basketball. Which was downright crazy considering the championship was weeks ago. He'd managed to get through his finals and now all he was doing was going to school and playing basketball. He wasn't eating all that much and the only reason he wasn't losing weight is because of how much he was working out.

Blitzen had even noticed that something was wrong. That was saying something. When Troy wasn't at school, which was really the only time he left the house, he never left Troy's side. He was much more energetic, trying to get Troy to cheer up. To really cheer up, not the act he was putting on. When Troy was at school, all Blitzen did was pine around and both Jack and Lucille knew he wanted Troy to be happy again.

Jack flipped through the photo album that was on his desk and frowned deeply. Despite the fact that Gabriella was a Knight and he wasn't terribly impressed with Troy' decision of lying, he knew that he'd never been as happy as within the last few months. Jack had assumed, apparently wrongly, that Troy had always been happiest when playing basketball. But, he was wrong and he accepted that.

He didn't even want to think about what Gabriella was going through. Despite not speaking to her all that much and his opinion of her wasn't exactly backed up by evidence, he had to admire her courage. She wanted her family. She took everything everybody had ever said about her relationship with Troy in her stride and had given Troy up to keep her family. He didn't know if Troy would've even considered that. But, maybe he didn't want Troy to have considered that. Troy had been truly happy with Gabriella…that was good enough for him.

He looked up and saw Troy walk past his office. "You okay, son?"

Troy stopped and turned. He nodded and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I am. Should I not be?"

Jack stared at him for a moment. "I wish you didn't feel that you had to act around me. Or your mom. It's okay to be upset. No one will get mad."

"No, Dad," Troy said sternly. "I have to move on. She's not coming back. So, just leave it!" Troy sighed and stormed away, stomping up the stairs.

Jack groaned to himself and buried his face into his hands. "What have I done?"

Lucille walked into her husband's office and sat down opposite him. She reached for the photo album and smiled to herself. "Wow. I haven't looked at this in ages. What are you doing with it?"

Jack lifted his head and leaned back in his chair. "Thinking."

"You're worried about him, aren't you?" she asked quietly. "I wish he'd talk. Kelsi called me just now. He hasn't spoken to her, either."

"I don't know what to do, Luce. I mean, what do you think?"

Lucille flicked through the album, smiling gently at the pictures of her husband and son. "I think you know what you need to do."

"I don't want to make things worse," he admitted. "I'm afraid that it's too late and that Montez won't listen to me. The way I acted in high school… I don't know why Troy wanted to be like me when he was little. I never thought to end this stupid thing. I didn't think my own son would be so hurt because of it."

Lucille reached over to take his hand in hers. "You didn't know at the time. But, I don't think it's too late. I think you need to forget about your pride for a while and do it for Troy."

Jack sighed. "I know. But, I don't know if Montez is going to be so easy to convince."

Lucille squeezed his hand. "I don't know. He seemed real upset when he found out that Gabriella was leaving. I think, if he's a real father, he'll do anything for her."

"Has Sharpay contacted Troy?" Jack enquired after a moment.

Lucille frowned as she played with Jack's fingers. "I think during the first week. Why?"

"Well, what did she say?" Jack asked.

She shrugged. "That Gabriella was safe at Stanford. Knee-deep in geniuses. But, Sharpay could tell that something's wrong. Gabriella only said about three full sentences. The rest was one word answers whenever Sharpay asked a question."

Jack squeezed her hand. "Do you think it's possible to get hold of Sharpay's number?"

Lucille nodded and stood up. "I don't know about cell phone but I can find the home phone, no trouble."

"If that's the only one, it'll have to do," Jack decided as he rose to his feet and followed Lucille out of his office and into the hall.

Lucille found the phone book and set it on the kitchen island. She flicked through it, her index finger going down the list of names until she found Evans. "There you go. That one."

"Are you sure? There are five Evans' here!" Jack exclaimed.

"They live on North Street. I promise," she said softly as she handed him the phone.

Jack took the phone and dialled the number, holding it to his ear. "If this is the wrong one, I hate you."

"Hello?" a polite voice answered.

"Uh, hi. I'm Jack Bolton. I'm wondering if Sharpay's there," Jack started.

"Oh, yes, of course, one second," the voice said.

A moment later, Sharpay came on the phone. "Jack? What's up?"

"Hey, Sharpay. I'm just wondering how Gabriella's doing?" Jack asked.

Sharpay sighed. "I don't know. She's my best friend and I know when she's saying one thing and meaning something completely different. She says she's having a good time. I know she's having a good time as far as being at Stanford is concerned. But, I know that she's miserable, too. I mean, I love Gabriella like a sister but she did a really stupid thing. She would've done better to just stay with Troy and sort this whole thing out when she came back. Now, she's away from her family and Troy."

Jack tapped the kitchen counter. "So, she's basically terrible without Troy?"

"Pretty much. I don't know what to do, though. I'm really worried," she admitted.

"Don't worry. It'll work out. What about Gabriella's brothers and Baylor?" Jack asked, his brow creasing.

Sharpay sighed. "I don't know. Carl's tried to convince Greg that Gabriella's miserable but he's not listening. To be honest, I think he's struggling to come to terms with her leaving Albuquerque than anything to do with Troy."

"Right. Listen, you need to convince Greg that Gabriella's hurting, okay? Get him to call me. Got it?" Jack asked.

"When?" Sharpay cried. "When do you want him to call you?"

"I don't know!" Jack exclaimed. "As soon as you convince him to. I don't care. Just do it. Please!"

"Okay, okay. I'll try. I'll call Gabriella's brothers. They're our best bet, I think. The Montez siblings, despite the amount of them, are ridiculously close. If Gabriella's brothers all tell Greg what's really happening at Stanford, he'll have no choice but to reconsider."

Jack licked his lips. "Okay. Well, I'm willing to do anything if it means my own son doesn't have to act happy around me and my wife. Now I realise how good of an actor he actually is."

"Then, how do you know he's acting?" Sharpay asked.

"Sharpay Evans…You are a know-it-all, aren't you? Wanting to know everything that's happening? Typical of a Knight," Jack muttered.

"Gee, thanks," Sharpay replied sarcastically.

"I saw how Troy was happy in those months he was with Gabriella. I saw the difference. I was the one who guessed he was in love. Of course, I didn't know it was with Gabriella but still… Now, though. He looks happy but that's all. It's an act compared to how happy he was when they were together!" Jack exclaimed.

"Right. Just wait for the call okay?" Sharpay asked.

"Yeah. When Montez agrees to call me, get everyone that Gabriella's close to at our house, okay? Friends, brothers, family…anybody. I'll get our side here. Okay?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. I'm on it," Sharpay said decisively.

* * *

Sharpay, Zeke, Carl, Landon, Danny, Eddie and Cody all crammed themselves onto the couch. Sharpay was sat on Zeke's lap with Carl on one side and Landon on the other. Cody, Danny and Eddie were all perched on the back of the sofa. Ryan and Martha were both sat on the floor and all nine of them were looking expectantly up at Greg and Maria. Maria was standing a step behind her husband, her eyes locked nervously onto him. She had figured out what all of her sons and her daughter's friends were all in her house but prayed to the gods that whatever they had planned would work.

"Okay, so, what are you doing here?" Greg asked.

Sharpay folded her hands in her lap. "What has Gabriella told you about her last two weeks at Stanford University?"

Greg swallowed and folded his arms. "That she's learning a lot. The classes are really good and she's looking forward to studying there."

Carl stood up, stepping carefully over Ryan and Martha. "Did she say once that she was actually enjoying it?"

"Well, no, but she is!" Greg exclaimed.

"How do you know?" Cody asked. "If she never said it in so many words, how do you know? Did you ask?"

Greg nodded. "Of course I did."

"And what was her reply?" Sharpay demanded.

Greg shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "Hmmmm…" he muttered quietly.

"So, technically," Danny started, "she never agreed nor disagreed."

"If you want to be technical," Greg snapped.

"Greg," Maria started, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Maria, it's not fair," he whispered. "They're tricking me."

She wrapped her arms around him, looking into his brown eyes. "Greg, honey, they just want Gabriella back, just like you do. Maybe we don't want her back here in Albuquerque, exactly, we want… We want our Gabriella back. Maybe she's a thousand miles away but don't you want her to be happy all that way away."

Greg sighed. "But…"

"Listen to me," she said sternly. "Remember when we were eighteen. We'd overcome high school. You picked the little science nerd. You picked me. Remember when we went to college. You were at U of A and I went to Stanford, a thousand away. But, I had you and I was happy. Were you happy, despite me being the other end of the country?"

Greg nodded. "Of course."

"Don't let our baby girl go through college without feeling that way. Please listen to them. They want to help," she said softly.

Greg kissed her gently. "Okay. I'll listen." He released her and turned to the young adults in front of him. "Go on."

Sharpay got to her feet and stood beside Carl. "Greg, I'm talking to you as practically a second daughter. I'm worried about my best friend. She gave Troy up for you. She couldn't care less about what everyone at West High thinks about her. She knew that Zeke, Ry, Martha and I were behind her. Then Carl and Landon offered their support and she knew that Danny, Eddie and Cody would come around. They didn't want to lose her over a bloody feud."

"I agree, Dad," Carl said softly. "She saw the look you gave her when everyone found out. Sure, I wasn't terribly impressed but we're twins. She's one of my best friends and I wouldn't let anything come between us. Dad, she loves Troy and she always will. She won't love anyone else." He took a deep breath and raised his voice. "Do you want her to live her entire life feeling like she couldn't fall in love because you hate the Boltons'?" he yelled, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Sharpay touched his arm. "Carl," she whispered and shook her head gently when he turned to her.

He nodded and took a deep breath before turning back to Greg. "I know we don't like the Wildcats and the Boltons' but why would you let that get in the way of what Gabriella wants?"

Greg scratched his cheek and sighed. "I don't. But…"

Landon stood up. "Stop saying that. Think about it: since Gabriella nearly drowned, when she met Troy, has she been happier in her entire life?"

Greg finally shook his head. "No. But, what do you want me to do? I never asked her to break up with him."

Sharpay pulled out her cell phone and scrolled down until she reached Bolton – Home. She handed it over to Greg. "If you love Gabriella like we all know you do, you know what you have to do."

Greg took her cell phone and pressed 'call' before he held it to his ear. "I never thought I'd be ringing Bolton," he hissed.

The phone stopped ringing and he heard Lucille's voice. "Hello?"

"Is this…Lucille?" he asked.

"Yes…"

"It's Greg Montez," he muttered. "Is your husband there?"

"Yes, he is. Jack," she called.

There was a slight rustling before Jack spoke. "Montez?"

"Bolton," he spat. "How's your brat?"

"He's alright, I guess. Depressed again but, why do you care?" Jack sneered. "Ow! Fine," he grumbled. "Sorry, Montez."

"It's okay," he muttered. "I care because my princess is depressed, too. That makes no sense considering she's at the college of her dreams."

"She's depressed?" Jack asked suddenly.

"Well, yeah. She is. She's in love and I basically told her she had to choose between the boy she loves and the college of her dreams. It's my fault, okay? I admit it. Is that what you want to hear?" Greg demanded.

"No. But, that's only because it's my fault, too. Why were we so stupid?" Jack asked quietly.

Greg glanced at everyone in front of him and sighed. "I don't know. I guess, I was proud. I wanted to be the best Knight captain ever. But, I wasn't. I should've stopped this whole thing years ago. But, I didn't. I'm sorry."

Maria rested a hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you."

"Me too," Jack admitted. "I'm sorry. I don't know about you, but I want them together. As soon as possible."

"I never thought I'd actually want my princess to get together with a Bolton. But, it'll make her happy. So, what do you suggest we do?" Greg asked.

"Is everyone at your place? Your sons and Gabriella's friends?"

"Yeah, everyone's here," he confirmed.

"How fast can you get over here? I'm willing to say that our safest bet is convincing Troy to go to California. Okay?" Jack asked with determination.

Greg nodded, determination taking over his chocolate coloured eyes. "We're on our way right now. Give us ten."

* * *

After pleasantries, for once, they were actually close to pleasant, were officially made between the Bolton and Montez posses, Maria and Lucille were busy making refreshments while everyone made themselves at home. Jack and Greg were discussing Troy and Gabriella, Kelsi, Ryan and Sharpay were discussing theatrical stuff, Taylor and Martha were discussing the recent scholastic decathlon, and the rest of the males – Bolton or Montez, Wildcat or Knight – were discussing that fateful championship game.

Suffice to say that everyone present was pleasantly surprised that the people that they had all hated for years actually shared some common ground except the feud. Zeke and Jason were shocked when they found that Gabriella's brothers and Zeke were more worried about their sister than gloating that they had won the championships. It soon became evident that they had misjudged each other.

Jack glanced over and smiled proudly at the interactions happening in his very own living room. It was kind of crowded but nobody noticed. They were all too entranced with getting to know their former enemy. Jack had to admit that he was enjoying his company in the form of Greg Montez. Although their conversation wasn't straying too far from their children and their relationship, it was comforting that Jack wasn't the only party that felt guilty about the whole thing.

"Hey, you okay?" Greg asked after finally realising that he'd lost Jack's attention.

Jack jumped out of his reverie. "Huh?"

Greg chuckled and thanked his wife as she handed him a cup of coffee. Jack thanked her, too, as she gave him his own beverage. "You were really out of it. You alright?"

Jack nodded as he drank a couple of gulps of coffee. "I'm fine, I guess. I was just thinking."

"About Troy?" Greg guessed.

Jack frowned and shook his head. "Surprisingly no," he said slowly. "Now that you're, well, everyone's here, I feel that there's some hope. But, I'm thinking about…this." He gestured with his hands to the lively conversation happening before the two grown men. Maria and Lucille were walking back fore with a range of beverages and handing them to different people. "I don't think anyone in the entire Wildcat and Knight history ever dreamed that this would happen."

"What? You mean my daughter and your son confessing their love to each other and lying to everyone around them or everyone coming down from their high horses to get them back together?" Greg asked.

"Well, all of it. But, I was actually talking about everyone just…talking. Like everyone's known each other for years. You know, if you think about it, we could've been friends…hypothetically," Jack muttered.

Greg sighed as he sipped his coffee. "Of course. Hypothetically. I mean, we're both basketball crazy, we were both captains of our high school basketball teams, our children – except Gabriella – have been in the same position."

"And we were too damn proud to stop this whole thing from happening?" Jack guessed the last part.

Greg agreed. "Yes. You know, I sometimes wonder if things would've been different if we'd stopped it when we were at high school. But, what if this whole thing made them stronger than they would've been without this whole feud to force them into hiding?"

Jack thought about it. "It makes sense. I mean, they had to be strong, come to think of it. I mean, I know Gabriella ended it but that was for you, not because she didn't love Troy anymore."

Greg glared at him. "I know, I know, I practically drove my daughter to insanity. Let's just put it in the newspaper."

"Actually, everything made the paper. The whole thing: Gabriella almost drowning, Troy saving her, them seeing Romeo and Juliet at the Glitz, everything to Gabriella breaking up with him. Don't you read Albuquerque News?" Jack exclaimed.

Greg pulled a face and shook his head. "Hell, no. Not since a picture of me in nothing but a girl's miniskirt was printed in it after someone stole all of my clothes after basketball practice – except for one little denim miniskirt."

"Ah, yes," Jack said nostalgically, "junior year. We were gloating about the championships. I just didn't expect it to be published in a local newspaper. By the way, was it Maria's miniskirt?"

"No," he muttered, looking intently into his coffee cup.

"What?" Jack laughed. "I thought you hooked up in sophomore year."

"Oh, yeah, we did. I just didn't give a past girlfriend all of her clothes back. If Maria finds out, I'll know who to kill," Greg growled.

Jack laughed. "Calm down. I'm not brave enough. I've seen your relationship. Let's just say it's clear who wears the pants."

"Hey! What about you and Lucille?" Greg exclaimed. "I could practically see her glaring at you to call Sharpay."

"I could actually hear Maria telling you to basically ask for my advice on how to get our kids back together," Jack yelled.

Greg suddenly looked away at the sudden silence in the room and saw a very confused, very tired-looking Troy standing in front of them in some boxers and an old white t-shirt. Blitzen stood faithfully at his feet. Troy ran a hand through his dishevelled hair and then pinched his forearm. "Ouch!" he yelped. "I'm not dreaming," he decided. "When I came downstairs, I didn't expect to find you two arguing about who is more whipped. What are you all doing here?" he asked, turning to everyone else. "I think I'm going to find some pants."

Lucille shook her head. "No," she said shortly. "Just listen to us. All of us."

Danny stood up from his position on the floor and outstretched his hand. "I'm Danny, Gabriella's oldest brother. I don't believe we've met."

"Troy," the young man said wearily.

Danny gestured to Cody and then Eddie. "Cody, and Eddie. You know Landon and Carl."

Troy nodded slowly. "Okay… Someone start talking. Right. Now," he said tightly.

Greg and Jack rose from the couch and Lucille basically forced him to sit down. "Sweetheart, don't lie to us anymore. None of us like you acting in front of us."

"I'm not acting," Troy said quietly.

Sharpay snorted. "Right," she mumbled. "Troy, the day someone classes that as acting, is the day that I will willingly go a whole day without pink. It's not going to happen. You're a good actor, sure, just not without Gabriella present."

Troy glared at her but what was the point? He slouched back into the couch and Blitzen jumped up beside him. Troy's hand automatically went to Blitzen's back as the German shepherd rested his head in his master's lap and whined quietly to himself. For once, Lucille let them be. She'd vacuum the sofa another day. Troy sighed and shook his head. "It's not my fault."

"I beg to differ," Chad exclaimed.

"You would," Taylor groaned.

"Tay, let me speak. Troy, you could've chased her. You could've chased her before she went all the bloody way to California!" Chad exclaimed through gritted teeth.

Troy rolled his eyes. "Chad, shut the fuck up. You've had Tay your whole life. She's never walked away from you and the way you need someone to control you, she can't walk away. Otherwise, we're all doomed." Troy ignored Chad's evident glare. "But, Gabriella walked, well, she kind of ran and stumbled at one point, away from me after we…well, you know. I know she still loves me, I know. But, she walked away from me, the only guy to truly love her because she's just Gabriella, because of him." He pointed a shaking finger at Greg. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. "How will I ever do something that will come close to that?"

Kelsi got up from the floor and squished herself in between his body and the armrest of the sofa – Blitzen was taking up the majority of the three-seater. She grunted slightly as she got more comfortable and sighed. "Troy, don't lie to me anymore. And don't say that you're not because you are. Ever since the championship, you've been lying. You can lie to East High, you can become an international basketball superstar and lie to the entire world for all I care. As long as you don't lie to me. So, Troy David Alexander Bolton, how do you feel?"

Troy let a long breath escape his chest. He concentrated on what he knew. He knew Blitzen was there. Always there. Kelsi was next to him. Always next to him or behind him to pick him up when he fell down and to brush him off and to tell him that everything would be okay. He knew that his living room was hot and stuffy. It was hot and stuffy – despite the late summer evening – because of the amount of people that was crammed inside. People who cared about him and people who cared about Gabriella. He knew Gabriella wasn't there. She hadn't been for what felt like an eternity.

Then, his thoughts drifted to what he didn't know. He didn't know what had been happening in his life for the past two weeks. Everyday he'd wake up and go to school, he'd eat lunch on the rooftop garden, come home, play basketball, have dinner, then spend the rest of the evening in his bedroom. He didn't know what was happening at school…or in the rest of the world, to be honest. But, he had no clue what was happening a thousand miles away at Stanford.

"I feel…lonely," he said in realisation. "All this time, all of these years," he muttered, looking at his lap, "I was lonely despite you guys. You expected so much of me. With Gabriella…there were no expectations."

Kelsi hugged him tightly. "It's okay. We're not insulted. Just listen to us."

Troy lifted his head and sighed. "I really think I should get some pants, though."

Maria sighed. "Troy Bolton, at least you have boxers on. You're covered. It's fine. Trust us."

Greg looked the boy over. He looked paler. The bags under his eyes were screaming that he wasn't sleeping or eating enough. He looked, though, as if he'd gained a few pounds. Which only made sense if he had been working out. He sick pallor and dreary eyes, however, gave way that he wasn't eating properly. "I've spoken with your parents."

The room gasped. "You actually talked?" Sharpay cried dramatically, falling back onto Zeke's chest.

Greg laughed sarcastically. "Ha ha. Very funny. Yes, yes, we talked. More importantly, Jack and I talked." He paused as another simultaneous gasp rippled through the room. "Are you all done?"

Danny sniggered and sat back down with his brothers. "I think so."

Greg shook his head. "I swear you got your mother's genes."

"Anyway," Jack started pointedly, "we were talking. And we want you to go to California this week."

Troy rolled his eyes. "And, hypothetically, if I go, what makes you so sure she'll take an idiot like me back. She's in fucking California. She can have any guy she wants. Why would she go for me?"

"Oh please!" Taylor exclaimed. "Cut the crap, Troy. Stop being so 'oh woe is me' and just do it. Come on! Your parents finally called a…well, I think they've called a half-truce…maybe…" She shook he head. "Whatever. They're practically begging you to get Gabriella back!"

Troy continued to run his fingers through Blitzen's black and tan fur. "Thank you for making the effort to be civil with each other," he started quietly, "but, really, she's better off without me. And what about school?"

"Troy, you've finished school!" Jack exclaimed. "I'll settle it with the school. Please, Troy? I'm practically begging you to chase after a Montez. Don't let me do it for nothing."

Troy laughed. "Look at you. Who'd have thought? You really want me to go?"

Lucille nodded and then turned to Greg and Maria who immediately agreed. "Sweetheart, as much as you don't want to admit it, and I don't either, but you're getting depressed again. I know you've tried to hide but it's pretty obvious. No one wants that. If Gabriella knew she'd kill herself for breaking up with you and then come back to kill you for not running after her."

Troy raised his eyebrows. "You think so?" He looked around and saw every single person that was crammed in that little room was nodding. "But, what makes you think she'll take me back? She broke up with me for her family. Why would she suddenly take me back? She won't know that you guys want us together."

Maria shook her head. "We live in the twenty first century. We have things call cell phones. If she has any doubt, any at all, get her to call us. We'll convince her."

"How?" Troy asked.

"We'll use Carl. If that doesn't work, we'll use Greg. If that doesn't work, we'll use Sharpay," Maria explained.

Troy frowned. "I understand using Carl and Greg but why Sharpay?"

"She's Gabriella's best friend. Plus she can be persuasive. Especially when she uses the whole 'do it or die' tone," Carl exclaimed as he shuddered.

Troy laughed at Sharpay's horrified face before he got to his feet. He reached up and clutched the Knights necklace that Gabriella had given him. He'd worn it every day and every night since he'd been given it. He released it and a smile slowly spread over his face. "I think I need a shower." He dashed out of the room.

Everyone looked around perplexed. "Where did he go?" Sharpay exclaimed.

Troy stuck his head back into the living room. "I gotta smell nice for my lady, haven't I? God, you guys are really stupid sometimes!"