Title: Lost & Found

Author: Jade-Max

Summary: Troy gives Taylor the "T" Necklace to return to Gabriella.

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Lost & Found

"McKessi."

Taylor ignored the call, too incensed with the speaker to acknowledge him. Because of Sharpay's interest in him and what she thought she was doing for his future, his friends were paying the price - and he no longer seemed to care. That was probably the worst of it. When summer had started he'd been considered a "nice guy" - someone everyone wanted to be friends with because his Superstar status didn't dictate with whom he spent his time.

In the weeks since school had gotten out, something had changed and he was no longer one of the team - but an individual looking out for that individual's best interests no matter whom he stepped on in the process. Gabriella quitting before had been something of a shock - except that Taylor understood why she'd done it.

"McKessi!" The call came a second time, drawing nearer as the sound of pounding footsteps became audible.

Continuing towards where she'd left the golf cart assigned to her, she didn't even spare him a glance as he fell into a quick step beside her - and nor did she intend to. "Bolton."

"Taylor, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Give me one good reason I should listen to anything you have to say." She didn't stop, forcing him to keep walking with her or be left behind. It served him right to have to keep up with someone else after the way he'd been acting.

"There isn't one."

That caught her attention - it was the last thing she expected him to say. "Pardon?"

"I said, there isn't a good reason you should listen to me."

"At least you can admit it." Taylor stopped and turned to face him for the first time. "For that I'll give you two minutes - make them count."

Troy stared at her and shuffled his feet - his sneaker clad feet - as he rubbed one hand over the back of his neck. He was dressed down from what they'd seen him wearing over the week since obtaining his position as the assistant golf pro. Not only that, but since they'd seen him that morning - he was no longer dressed in the black slacks and shirt he'd come into work wearing. Instead, he wore a red Wildcats t-shirt and jeans. And he seemed at a loss for words - so she asked the obvious question.

"A little out of uniform there, aren't you Troy?"

"Maybe." He looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Maybe not. It depends on if the dress code for Kitchen duty has changed."

"Kitchen duty?"

"I'm on my way to see Fulton to get my old job back - or quit if they won't give it to me." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels self consciously. "Of course, if you guys don't want me back in the kitchen, I'll understand."

"What about the show?"

"I won't be singing in it."

"Sharpay won't like that."

"I don't care what Sharpay likes or doesn't like," Troy responded with a shake of his head. "She's cost me enough; maybe it's about time she understands there's a price for everything."

"Sounds like you know what you're talking about."

Pulling his hand from his pocket, the silver chain and "T" pendant he'd given Gabriella followed his fingers out to dangle and shimmer in the sunlight. He held it up, meeting Taylor's gaze for the first time - and Taylor suddenly understood what she was hearing in Troy's voice.

Pained acceptance.

He'd come to understand what his path was costing him and was trying to make amends before it cost him more.

"I know Gabriella doesn't want to talk with me." Troy held out the necklace, waiting for Taylor to take it. "But this belongs to her."

"If she gave it back to you, I don't think she wants it anymore, Troy."

"Maybe not." His acknowledgement was bleak despite the strength of it. "But this was a gift as much as it was a promise. I know what I have to do to set this right and a part of that is ensuring that Gabriella gets this back. Will you give it to her for me?"

"That depends."

"On?"

Taylor smiled faintly. "What does it mean this time?"

Troy took Taylor's hand in his and gently placed the necklace in her palm, curling her fingers over it. "It means I belong to her - I always have and always will as long as she has it. Will you give it to her?"

"Is that all?"

Shaking his head, he found a faint smile. "Isn't that enough?"

The piercing, pained look in Troy's azure eyes was what undid her and Taylor reluctantly nodded. "I don't make any guarantees about her accepting it."

"I'm not expecting you to," his grip eased and he stepped away from her. "If nothing else, you can tell her... tell her that the T isn't for Troy anymore. It's for trust. I have to set this right and to do that you - all of you - are going to have to trust me."

"After everything you've done, Troy?"

He flinched. "Somehow I'll fix this. I have to find Fulton before this goes any further - and then I'll talk to Sharpay."

"She won't like it."

"She'll just have to deal with it." He made to move away and then stopped, glancing back over his shoulder, one hand clenched into a fist at his side. "And Taylor?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell her... tell her I'm sorry for all of this and ruining her summer, would you?"

"You can tell her yourself, superstar."

His shoulders hunched, as if rounding against a blow, before he nodded and walked away. She watched Troy's stride became purposeful, his shoulders squaring as he headed towards the main office.

Opening her fingers, she regarded the necklace Troy had dropped into her palm. There had been a wealth of emotion in his gaze when he'd handed over the necklace and no small amount of pain. He knew his actions had cost him Gabriella - likely for good - yet he was attempting to set things straight with the rest of them, to salvage the rest of the friendships before it was too late.

Turning away from the golf cart's location, Taylor headed back towards the kitchen to find Chad. Things were about to get very, very interesting.

fin

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Author's Note: Look for "The Hired Help" to read about Troy's discussion with Fulton