Brief Encounter

Summary: Can anything good come from a mix-up?

Disclaimer: High School Musical and all of its characters belong to Disney. I just have them on secondment.

A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. They are much appreciated and spur me on even more. As stated before I know absolutely nothing about Basketball or the layout of the courts so this is just my imagination.

"They're not golden." Gabriella replied with a smirk.

Harder

The crowd roared and cheered as the final buzzer went. The cheerleaders went into overdrive as they chanted out the team song waving their yellow and purple pompoms in the air. The teams shook hands as they left the court, Miami Heat players hanging their heads in defeat, the LA Laker team all smiles, their steps bouncing as they made their way to the locker rooms.

"Great game Troy," shouted Jason above the cacophony of their supporters as they walked off court.

"Yeah man, you were on fire today," added Zeke as they walked into the locker room.

"Cheers." Troy replied with his beaming smile as he sat down in the locker room.

"Troy, have you been holding out on me?" Chad whined as he walked past Troy. Troy looked at Chad with a puzzled expression.

"You were smokin' out there," complimented Chad as he grabbed his towel and headed for the shower. Troy grinned at his retreating back before leaning down to remove his shoes reliving the game in his head.

"They're right, I did playing amazing today. Wonder why?" he thought trying but not succeeding in coming to any conclusions. He had done his same routine, eaten as normal, wore his same lucky orange pants with little wildcat heads on them, his pre-game warm-up had been the usual, nothing special there. He smiled remembering last night.

"I wonder? Now that was special." Coach walked into the dressing room.

"Good game lads," he congratulated his team.

"Troy, I don't know what your secret is but you blew them away today," he praised Troy patting him on his back. Troy smirked.

"Well whatever it was, do it again." Coach encouraged with a smile as he turned and left the room.

"With pleasure," thought Troy smiling to himself as he made his way to the shower cubicle and turning the faucet on. Chad poked his head around the wall.

"Dude, you owned that court today. I mean that last interception was off the hook." Chad gushed admiringly.

"Thanks."

"I need in on your secret," pleaded Chad.

"Not on your life." Troy thought as water rushed over his face and body.

"Chad, can a guy not shower in private?" Troy growled. Chad flushed and removed his head mumbling sorry as he went. Troy sighed and leant his head against the tiles. He thought back to her ministrations last night, the way she looked at him seductively as she placed her mouth on his cock. His member hardened involuntary.

"God, she's not even here and she's turning me on," he groaned to himself.

"Hey Troy, hurry up in there. You know there's a water shortage somewhere," shouted Chad randomly. Troy sighed and switched the setting to cold.

"I can't walk out there like this," he groaned as he froze his butt off under the cold jets trying to remove his embarrassment.

"How did it go last night with Taylor?" Troy asked Chad as they drove to The Lemon Tree for a celebratory dinner.

"Yeah, it was good. She's a sharp cookie but witty, you know?" Chad tried to explain. Troy nodded.

"I know what you mean. I like her but man, you have to watch your back," he said remembering her comments at the club. Chad chuckled.

"She had you there, Troy. I never did hear the explanation either?" Chad probed. Troy raised his eyebrows.

"And you're not going to." Troy said decisively. Chad pouted and glared at him. They parked and walked into the restaurant.

"Troy, Troy," shouted a familiar voice accompanied by a waving hand.

"Oh hell no!" Troy groaned. "Just what I needed." He turned to Chad.

"Did you know she was coming?" Troy demanded.

"Well, not know, know but she is engaged to Zeke, you know." Chad whined as they wove around occupied tables towards Sharpay and Zeke. Troy followed unwillingly.

"Hey guys, you played a great game today," gushed Sharpay as they approached. She stood up and kissed first Chad then Troy on the cheek before resuming her seat. Troy looked puzzled as he sat down.

"I didn't know you were at the game?" Troy asked Sharpay.

"I was in an entertainment box with daddy," she preened. Troy rolled his eyes.

"Of course you were." Troy muttered to himself.

Meanwhile Gabriella had had a leisurely day of peace and solitude. Taylor had been on a 9 till 7 shift and was expected back any minute. Gabriella looked up as she heard the key in the door.

"Hey Tay, good day?" Gabriella asked throwing her friend a smile as she appeared in the lounge.

"Nah, not really. I had to admit a little boy with leukaemia. It kills me when they come in that young," she replied sadly. Gabriella got up and hugged Taylor in sympathy.

"It amazes me what you do and how dedicated you are Tay. Come on my treat, let's go out to eat. I'm famished and can't be bothered to cook." Taylor smiled at Gabriella.

"You're a good friend Gabi. Let me get a quick shower and a change of clothes and I'll be ready. 30 minutes?" Gabriella nodded and headed for her room to change out of her Juicy Couture leisure suit. True to her word Taylor was ready in the allotted time. It was Gabriella that was humming and hawing. She'd tried on 3 outfits but still couldn't decide.

"What's taking you so long?" said Taylor coming into her bedroom.

"Hmm! I can't decide what to wear," moaned Gabriella with a finger resting on her chin.

"The trouble with you is that you have too much stuff and therefore too much choice," stated Taylor with a frown. Gabriella grinned.

"I know but I can't help it," she said with a giggle.

"Put that blue dress on you bought yesterday," suggested Taylor, "but get a move on or the restaurant will be shut." Gabriella sighed and pulled it from the hanger. Ten minutes later and they were out the door.

Troy was into his second beer and waiting for his first course to appear when Chad smiled across the room.

"Well look who it is?" Chad commented looking over Troy's shoulder. Troy swivelled around to see Taylor and Gabriella entering the restaurant and speaking the maitre d'.

"Wow! She looks amazing," he thought as he stared across the room at Gabriella. His breath hitched in his throat as he gazed at her beautiful face. Sharpay spotted them.

"Gabriella, over here," she shouted and waved to the girls. Troy groaned as everyone in the restaurant looked at them.

"Great, just bloody great. She's gonna blame me, I know she is," he deduced as he watched Gabriella say something to Taylor before coming over.

"This is a pleasant surprise, what are you doing here?" she greeted as they approached the table. Taylor smiled at Chad who gazed back with a dorky smile.

"We're celebrating our win today," said Chad with an even bigger smile.

"Hey! Congratulations. Was it a good game?" asked Gabriella looking at Troy for the first time. Meanwhile Sharpay called the waiter over and asked for two additional settings. The waiter nodded and went away to carry out her request.

"Yeah it was great. Troy ran rings around them today. I don't know what his secret was but it worked like magic." Chad gushed excitedly. Troy blushed as he looked into her dark eyes. Her eyes widened as she silently read his mind.

"Come and join us. We've only just ordered." Sharpay invited with a smile.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you Sharpay," Gabriella politely replied seeing as Sharpay had already issued the order to the waiter. The waiter returned with a small square table and adjoined it to the other and covered it with a white linen tablecloth before adding the required silverware. He added two chairs and Gabriella sat down beside Troy gratefully. She turned and gave him a gently smile as she arranged her napkin on her knee touching his thigh as she spread it out. Fire shot up his leg at her touch. He reached out and captured her hand to keep it in place. She gave him a sideways glance before ordering a Spritzer from the hovering waiter. Gabriella didn't even look at the menu but ordered her usual pasta dish with a side salad. Taylor turned and asked Chad what he had ordered to eat then rolled her eyes when he reeled it off.

"You do know that is a heart attack on a plate," she advised. Chad glared at her.

"Hey, can I help it if I'm a man with a healthy appetite?" he whined.

"I'll allow man but healthy? No I don't think so," Taylor replied with a smirk. Chad blushed and stared into her eyes. Gabriella giggled at their easy bickering after only one date and glanced around the table to see everyone else's take on their budding romance. Zeke was looking amused; Sharpay was staring at them with narrowed eyes picking up the vibes.

"Wait! Are you two dating?" she gasped in shock. They both nodded in reply.

"Why was I not told?" She demanded glaring at them. Chad rolled his eyes at her and Taylor blushed.

"Shar, it's none of your business," admonished Troy with a smirk. Sharpay gave him the evil eye warning retribution later.

"But you know I like to know what's going on, especially with my friends," she whined insulted that she wasn't in the loop.

"Yea, and maybe they don't." Troy returned seriously playing with Gabriella's fingers under the table.

"Well I think you're mean," she said childishly. The rest of the table burst into laughter at her comment just as the waiter delivered their first course. Sharpay glowered at them before she was diverted by her food.

"So Troy, I hope you've got the money because I'm going to the mall tomorrow to replace my ruined shoes?" Sharpay asked as they finished the first course. Troy rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah! I always carry that kind of cash on me," he taunted. Sharpay glared at him and thought for a few minutes.

"Well, you could just give me your credit card and I'll give it back to you later." Sharpay suggested finding the easy solution. Troy looked hard at her.

"Hell no! Leave my credit card with you? Miss Shopaholic of the year, not on your life," he gasped shocked beyond belief at that suggestion. Gabriella, Taylor and Chad burst out laughing at his expression. Sharpay huffed at him.

"I'm not that bad," she argued.

"Oh yes you are Shar," confirmed Chad, Zeke and Troy as they burst out laughing again.

"Remember that time when you dragged me round the mall while Zeke was laid up with flu? And those Balenciaga handbags you couldn't decide which one to get so you got all three. Who the hell wants three bags at the same time?" recalled Troy with a smirk. The guys nodded in agreement. Taylor looked at Gabriella and raised an eyebrow.

"Ooh I've got a couple by Balenciaga, they are just so cute so I know how you felt Sharpay." Gabriella said coming to her rescue. Troy groaned.

"Oh Hell No! Not you too," Troy pleaded silently. Sharpay beamed at Gabriella then looked knowingly at Troy.

"See Troy, I told you they were a must have," Sharpay said with satisfaction before looking at Gabriella and going into an in-depth discussion of the merits of the various styles on the market. Troy groaned again and looked helplessly at Zeke and Chad and was just happy to see their main meal arrive. The girls continued to talk clothes and shoes and bags with even Taylor joining in while the guys looked on as if they were talking a foreign language. They in turn talked basketball and their upcoming away game in San Antonio. As they finished their meal Sharpay remembered her mission for tomorrow.

"So Troy, the only solution is for you to come with me tomorrow," she stated triumphantly. Troy looked at her with a grimace.

"Do I have to?" Troy moaned.

"Well it's either that or hand your card over now," Sharpay said smugly.

"Okay, you win. What time shall I meet you?" Troy said dejectedly. Sharpay whooped with joy.

"Is 10.30 too early? Okay then I'll meet you at the entrance and don't be late," she warned him after getting a nod to say the time was okay for him.

"Do you want to come too Gabriella? I'd love to have a second opinion," Sharpay invited her newfound girlfriend. Gabriella looked at Troy for his reaction but he remained looking at Sharpay so she couldn't tell if he wanted her there or not.

"If that's okay with Troy, I'd love to come," she replied hesitantly. Troy turned and glanced at her sending her a silent message with his mesmerising blue eyes.

"Sure, no problem, I can pick you up on the way. Just don't drag me into Victoria's Secrets because I'm telling you now, there is no way I'm going in there," he warned them both as the whole table fell about in fits of laughter.

"Bye Sharpay," said Troy as she got into her Porsche Carrera and reversed out of her parking space. Sharpay rolled down her window as she drew abreast of them.

"That was fun, we must do it again Gabriella only without him," she gushed flicking her head towards Troy. Troy rolled his eyes at her as she stuck out her hand waved to them before tearing off down the ramp. Troy removed his cap and ran a hand through his hair.

"Whew! Thank god that's over with," he sighed putting his cap back on and reaching out to link hands with Gabriella. She looked at him through her sunglasses, her smile wide and bright.

"Come on Troy it wasn't that bad," she said with a giggle. Troy glared at her through the lens of his Ray Bans.

"Yes it was. I mean how can buying a replacement pair of shoes take an hour?" Troy moaned. Gabriella giggled again.

"Easily, is it Sharpay's fault the new summer range came in yesterday?" Gabriella pointed out, defending Sharpay.

"And of course you had to buy a pair too," Troy commented with a smile.

"Well yeah! Those cute colours talked to me, you know," she explained.

"Oh they did, did they?" Troy smirked making Gabriella blush.

"Let's get out of here. The way I see it the only bonus today is that you're here with me," Troy said as they walked hand in hand to his car.

"Do you have to get back for anything?" Troy asked as they buckled up.

"No, not really," said Gabriella shaking her head. Troy turned and smiled at her.

"Good answer. I can have you all to myself," Troy replied happily leaning over and planting a gentle kiss against her mouth. Gabriella opened her mouth and deepened the kiss until he moaned.

"God woman, you don't know what you do to me," he groaned against her lips.

"Oh I think I have a pretty good idea," she teased moving her hand and resting it on his thigh making him groan yet again. She gave a throaty giggle. Troy sighed and straightened up before putting the car in gear and driving out of the car park.

"So where are we going?" asked Gabriella as they hit the coast road. Troy turned his head and smiled at her.

"A drive to this little fishing village I know where they serve the best lobster in the whole world," he supplied as he reached over and moved her hand until it was resting on his lap. "I like it there," he commented when he felt her gaze on him. She smiled sweetly.

An hour later and Troy parked the car on the quayside of a quiet village that lay on the ocean. Gabriella looked amazed.

"How did you find this?" Troy smiled at the delight on her face.

"I told you, if you drive far enough away from the city you could find places like this. I'm glad you like it," he said as he leaned over and kissed her, tasting the fullness of her lips.

"Let's go, I'm starving." They got out of the car and linked hands as Troy led her to a small bistro on the corner of the quayside. They were seated at a table in front of the window that looked over the ocean. Troy was right, the lobster was the best she had every tasted as she placed the last morsel between her lips.

"Do you realise how seductive you are when you eat?" posed Troy as he watched her remove the fork from between her lips, "and how jealous I am of that fork." Gabriella looked over at him, her eyes darkening as she stared into his sparkling azure eyes as she shook her head. He reached over and covered her free hand that was resting on the tabletop. He ran his index finger up and down each finger before picking it up and raising it to his lips to kiss the palm, his tongue snaking out to lick her soft flesh. Gabriella felt Goosebumps run up her arm as she felt his moist tongue create a fire deep inside her.

"Who would have thought that something so simple could be so erotic? I want him with me, around me, in me, any which way I can." She groaned aloud without realising. Troy smiled at her with hooded eyes as he watched the emotions flick across her features.

"She's so beautiful and I want her. I want to breath her scent, to enclose her in my arms, to feel her envelop me and I want to wake up in her arms and do it all over again," he thought as he felt her thumb rub along his hand.

"Shall we go?" Troy suggested quietly as he gazed into her eyes, before lowering them to caress her lips with a look. Gabriella licked her lips as if she felt his touch before she registered his question and nodded in reply. Troy settled the bill and they walked out to the car. Troy set the car in motion and drove back towards LA.

"Why don't you come to San Antonio this weekend and then we could stay over and spend some alone time?" Troy suggested as they drove along the coast road. Gabriella sighed.

"I would love to but I have a lot of engagements this weekend. I have the interview on Ryan Seacrest's radio show on Friday to promote the single, followed by a business lunch with the music executives and Ryan. Then I have to go to a charity fundraiser for Taylor's hospital on Saturday night. I'd promised Tay months ago and I can't let her down." Gabriella replied regret lacing her voice. Troy sighed his disappointment.

He pulled off the road into a parking zone on the Pacific Coast Highway that looked out onto the ocean. The area was deserted apart from their vehicle. He parked up and cut the engine before removing his seatbelt. Gabriella unhitched her seatbelt and turned to face him. She placed her hand on his cheek as he leant over and softly kissed her parted lips. He framed her face with his hands as he looked deeply into her eyes letting her see his need. She leant into him and deepened the kiss slipping her tongue between his lips and running it along his teeth. He sighed and allowed her inside to explore more. He moved a hand into her hair loving the feel of it against his skin while his other hand moved to her waist to pull her closer. Gabriella aided him by hitching onto his lap. She ran her hands up and tangled them into his hair forcing him even closer. Troy groaned as she removed her lips and spread feather-light kisses along his cheek and jawbone. Troy ran his hand along the edge of her top slipping under to stroke her bare skin. Gabriella's breath hitched at the back of her throat as his lips began their exploration of her jaw before slipping to her neck causing her to throw her head back to allow him easier access. He nibbled down her neck stopping when her breathing increased and she groaned as he found her sweet spot. His questing hand ran across her midriff casually touching the edge of her lacy bra. He moved further up until her breast filled his palm slowly kneading its softness until her hardened nipple stabbed the middle of his palm. His fingers rubbed the nub before squeezing it between his fingers. Gabriella groaned as she felt sensations run down her body at his touch. She franticly slammed her lips back onto his forcing his lips apart and duelling with his tongue. She pushed her hands under his shirt feeling his muscles contract as she ran her fingers along his midriff. She pushed her hands lower sliding under the waistband of his jeans. Troy groaned in reply as he pulled his mouth away gasping for air. Gabriella removed her hand and deftly undid the buttons of his Levi's before plunging her hand back inside seeking and finding his cock. She stroked him through his boxers feeling it harden all the more as she delved further and held his balls in her hand gently kneading them. She eased his penis out of the opening until it stood tall and proud in the evening light. Her thumb slid over the edge causing Troy to jump. She flicked it with her nail before bending down and replacing it with her lips. Her tongue worked its magic sucking and licking his core until Toy cried out in delight. Her mouth closed on it fully as she felt him tremble and knew he was near. She sucked hard and deep, swallowing all his juices as he came in her mouth. Troy shuddered as he released every drop. Gabriella kissed the tip before pushing his now flaccid cock back into the folds of his boxers. Troy grabbed her up and slammed his mouth on hers pushing her back into her seat with force as he followed his body pushing her against the door.

"Gabi you are one amazing woman and I want you so badly," he said huskily when he removed his lips and rested his forehead against hers. Gabriella smiled into his eyes.

"The feeling is mutual and I have never felt the way you make me feel Troy, although it scares me that we are moving too fast." Gabriella whispered against his lips. Troy looked at her closely.

"I know but it feels so right. I have never felt anything that feels this right." Troy said seriously. Gabriella placed her hand against his cheek and kissed him softly before agreeing with him.

"I know. It's strange but I feel like I've known you forever," she whispered. Troy kissed her lips slowly before slipping his tongue back inside to caress and taste her again. His hand slipped onto her thigh rubbing softly against the material of her skirt, hitching the material further up until he made skin contact. His hand caressed her thigh in circular motions moving nearer and nearer to her lacy briefs. He touched her wet core through the lace and she groaned. He deftly pulled her briefs down and touched her clit with his finger rubbing it slowly along her folds. Gabriella squirmed in his arms. He looked at her languid eyes as his fingers worked their magic slipping into her very being. Her walls folded around him drawing him in further. He added another finger and watched her eyes grow wider as he moved them in and out feeling her spasm against them her walls clenching them to hold them inside. She gasped as she felt the sensations grow, the waves of ecstasy crashed around her as she cried out at the pinnacle of her orgasm.

"Oh Troy," she gasped as she came. Troy leant up and covered his mouth with hers ravishing her inner sweetness. He removed his fingers slowly feeling her contract as he did so. Her breathing was ragged as she came down from the plateau of ecstasy.

"I can't wait for you to scream my name when I am deep inside you," he said seductively. She smiled at him.

"I can't wait for you to be deep inside of me," she whispered into his ear. A thrill of excitement ran through his body at the thought and he groaned at the image it invoked. The shrill ringing of Troy's mobile cut their sex talk short and he groaned in frustration. He moved away and reached for his cell phone.

"Yeah, what is it?" Troy said irritably into the phone running a hand through his sexed up hair. He glanced at Gabriella as he listened to the speaker. Gabriella sat up straight and rearranged her clothes and patted her mussed up hair reaching into her purse and pulling down the visor to reapply her lip-gloss.

"How am I supposed to know? Right okay, well I'm on my way home so if she hasn't turned up when I get back. I'll try and help." Troy listened again.

"Yeah whatever! Later" he replied finishing the call. He looked at Gabriella.

"That was Chad flapping. Taylor was worried that you'd disappeared and phoned Chad so now they are both at yours ready to call the police." Troy informed Gabriella. She looked worriedly at him.

"This is getting harder all the time," Gabriella groaned. Troy grinned wickedly.

"It sure is." He agreed raising his eyebrows seductively. Gabriella blushed at his meaning.