A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! Yay! I'm home! Now you guys get another update :P Anyway thanks for all your well wishes. I had a really great time...it was coming home that upset me lol. But anyway, I'm home now and writing again so here is the next chapter. :D Thanks to my beta Elena Rain

They only had another hour before school was officially out, they didn't have much time to prepare before Peter arrived. Troy had hoped they'd have some time for fun before he showed up but they didn't. They helped Lucille prepare snacks and everything for Taylor and Peter. Before long the door bell rang. Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath. Troy took her hand and squeezed it.

"Peter isn't going to get a chance to hurt you. I promise."

She nodded as Lucille opened the door. Peter and Taylor walked in.

"This is so stupid; I have a perfectly good house we could have met at." Peter said.

"Would your parents be home?" Lucille asked.

"No, they're out of town for the next three weeks."

"That's where the problem lays."

"I'm not a baby, I can stay home alone."

"Yes, but it's wrong for a young man and young woman to stay together alone. So it's better that you come here." Lucille explained with a nice smile.

"Whatever. Let's get this over with."

Everyone went into the living room. They sat on the floor gathered around the coffee table.

"So Troy, I think it's important that we switch our work hours so that one of us is always with the baby." Taylor said.

"That's a good idea."

"Taylor is pregnant?" Gabriella asked.

"Yeah, it's a boy." Troy smiled.

"Are you two having a baby?" Taylor asked.

"Of course, it's baby boy too. He's going to be a lawyer just like his daddy." Peter said.

"What if he doesn't want to be a lawyer? What if he wants to be a doctor?" Gabriella asked.

"It doesn't matter what he wants. I'm the father and he'll do as I say."

"You sound just like her." Gabriella muttered.

"Like who?" Peter asked.

"Nobody, just forget it."

Gabriella looked to Troy and he smiled softly. "I love you." He mouth.

She smiled back "I love you too."

"I'm your husband; you should tell me these things."

"I'll tell you about my personal life when I trust you."

"Are you talking about your mother? I remember her always talking about being a lawyer. Where is she now?" Peter asked.

"Working late, just like my father." Gabriella lied smoothly.

"Oh….I didn't see her the other day either."

"She's always working late."

"OH….did she leave?"

"No, just leave it alone, Peter. It's none of your business!" Gabriella yelled.

"Excuse me? Did you just yell at me? You do no yell at your husband!" He raised his hand up over his head. Gabriella coward back covering her face with her hands and she waited for the blow but it never came. She removed her hands to see Troy had grabbed Peter's wrist before it could touch her.

"If you dare, ever raise your hand to her again, I swear you'll regret it." Troy growled dangerously.

"Oh, I'm so scared, what's the worst you could do?"

"He can't do much, I however can kick you out, you'll never get your report done and you'll fail the class. So you better listen to my son and if you ever raise a hand to Gabriella again I'll kick you out." Lucille warned.

Troy let him go and turned to Gabriella. She was shaking. "Are you all right?" he asked.

She nodded. "Thank you." She whispered.

"Of course, are you sure you're ok?" he said softly.

"Can I come sit with you, please?"

"Sure, come here."

He moved and allowed her to sit in between his legs and held her around the waist gently. He kissed the back of her head and he felt her shaking stop.

"So, you ok to take the night shift and I'll take the day shift. You take the baby in the mornings and I'll take him at night?" Troy asked.

"Sure sounds good," Taylor nodded.

"The only person you can take care of is me, Gabriella. You'll do everything for me, you'll cook, you'll clean, and you'll do the bills. I will go to work, come home from work, and watch TV while I drink a beer and eat the dinner that you gave me. I will do nothing else."

Troy shook his head. "You're so disgusting. You act as if Gabriella is your slave. She is your wife."

"Is there a difference?"

Troy growled.

"Look, you have your marriage I have mine, it's not supposed to be the same. Don't tell me how to be a good husband. I can treat my wife anyway I want."

"Not when your wife is really my girlfriend. Treat her right or I'll get you expelled."

"I'm not scared of you Bolton."

"No? You were suspended once; I can make it happen again."

Peter laughed. "Do you even know what I was suspended for?"

"It doesn't matter, just respect Gabriella and treat her right or you will be dealing with me."

"Whatever."

Troy sighed. This wasn't going well but Gabriella was safe. That's what really mattered.

After a little but more working Gabriella stood up. "I'll be right back."

"Where you going?" Troy asked.

"Bathroom."

She walked down the hall and out of sight.

"I guess that's my cue." Peter smirked.

"Touch her or go near her while she's in the bathroom and you're a dead man. No, scratch that, touch her at all and you're a dead man. You keep your hands off Gabriella."

"Well, I can't make any promises. She's so sexy I can only wonder what she looks like without her clothes on, and I can only think about what it would be like to touch her…well you know. I can only guess how big her chest is or what she'll look like without her bra…better yet completely butt naked"

Gabriella gasped as she walked back into the room. She didn't like being spoken about in that way. Especially by Peter.

She covered her chest with her arms, suddenly feeling like she was naked. Troy got up and went over to her. "You're ok. I'm right here you're safe."

"Am I naked?" she whimpered.

"No, you're fully clothed I promise." He kissed her head.

He looked to Peter and growled. "You get out of my house right now. You don't get to sit there and talk about Gabriella like that. She's a human being and she has feelings. So get out right now or I'm calling the police."

"Fine, whatever, I'll see you all in school."

Peter got up and left the house. Gabriella sighed in relief. She honestly didn't know how much more she could handle. She buried her face in Troy's chest and he rubbed her back. "It's ok. You're safe. I promise,"

Gabriella just clung to him tightly, not wanting to let go.

"I should get going too. I'll see you guys later." Taylor said.

She knew Gabriella and Troy wanted to be alone. Quietly she got up and left the house. Troy sighed. He walked over to couch and sat down. Gabriella sat next to him cuddled close into his side. She laid her head down on his lap as he gently stroked her hair. She still cuddled close to his side.

"Troy…" she said softly.

"Yes, Angel?"

"How much longer do I have to stay married to him?

"Do you want me to lie or tell you the truth?"

"Lie, I can't handle the truth."

"Well, tomorrow during class you get to divorce him in front of everyone."

Gabriella sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He kissed her head and gently stroked her hair.

"Now, you can tell me the truth."

Troy sighed. "Truthfully? You still have two weeks."

Gabriella sighed and buried her face in his lap. "I changed my mind. I like the lie better."

Troy chuckled and rubbed her back. "I promise he won't hurt you. I'm not going to let him hurt you."

Gabriella nodded against him lap. "I just wish this project was over with."

"Me 2, Brie, me too."

Honestly Troy didn't mind being married to Taylor she was a cool girl and they got along well, but he hated seeing Gabriella so miserable like this. It killed him inside and he couldn't wait until this was all over so she'd be happy again.

The next day, when Gabriella returned home from school Peter was already there.

"How did you get inside?" she asked.

"Your dad let me inside." He answered smoothly.

"He's not even home yet. Gabriella answered.

She stepped back toward the open front door in case she needed to run away.

"Oh uh….he had car troubles so a friend dropped him off that's why his car isn't in the driveway."

"I just spoke to him. He didn't say anything about car troubles. In fact he said he was on his way home. He'd be here a few minutes after me. So be honest, tell me how you got in. What are you even doing here? You weren't supposed to come over tonight."

"I'm not telling you anything. Now, I'm here because, I have a new rule you must follow. When I come over to your house, after school you are to have my dinner fresh and hot waiting for me on the table."

"I'm not your slave, Peter, if you want dinner, eat before you come over." Gabriella answered.

"You better do as I say, Gabriella. Otherwise, you'll be very, very sorry."

Gabriella shook her head. "You don't scare me."

Ok, so that was a lie, but she wasn't going to show her fear to him, he wasn't worth it.

Peter laughed. "Sure, you're not."

He walked over to her. She stepped back. "The door is open. I can scream." Gabriella warned.

"Yeah, but you won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because, if you do, something very bad will happen to your father. Then what will you do? Your mother doesn't want you, and if your dad dies….well you'll be all alone won't you?"

Gabriella didn't know if he was bluffing or not but she couldn't risk it. She stepped back inside and closed the door.

"That's better isn't it?"

She didn't answer him.

"The Silent Treatment? That's ok, I don't mind. We don't have to talk."

He went over to her and pressed her hard on the lips. She pulled back but he was stronger and held her head so she couldn't pull away. He forced his tongue into her mouth and she was powerless to stop him. She did all she could think of. She bit down hard on his tongue and kneed him between the legs.

He dropped to his knees and growled.

"You're in so much trouble when I stand up."

Gabriella took that time to run to the phone. By the time she grabbed it Peter grabbed her and pulled her away. He threw her roughly onto the couch. Then he slapped her hard across the face.

"Now, listen closely, if you tell anyone about this, your father is going to pay the price. Also, stop asking to switch partners, if you don't, little daddy will pay with his life, understand?"

She nodded.

Peter walked out the front door. Gabriella just laid there unmoving, shaking in fear. What was she going to do now?

A few moments later Carlos came inside. He instantly dropped his things and ran to Gabriella when he saw her.

"Brie, what happen?"

She didn't answer him she just jumped into his arms and clung to him tightly.

"Baby, what's the matter? Did something happen? Did someone hurt you? Please, talk to me, Angel. What's wrong?"

She remained silent. She wanted to tell him everything but if she told Peter was going to kill him.

"I love you, Daddy." She whimpered.

"I love you too, Angel. Can you tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just needed a hug. I'm all right. I was watching a sad movie where the girl's father dies and it made me sad. I'm fine." She lied.

"Um….ok."

Gabriella stood up and went into her room. Carlos sighed. He knew his daughter better than that but he also knew that she wouldn't tell him anything yet. When she was ready she'd tell him everything.

The next morning Troy arrived to take Gabriella to school. Carlos answered the door.

"Hey, Troy, Gabriella will be right down. Come in."

"Thank you, Carlos."

"Troy, did something happen at school yesterday?"

"Nothing, more than normal, I mean Peter taunted her and stuff but nothing new why?"

"When I got home she was laying on the couch shaking uncontrollably, and in a state of shock. When I asked her, she answered with she was watching a sad movie and the girl in the movie last her father so she was sad and needed a hug. I love her but something tells me that isn't the truth."

Troy nodded. "That doesn't sound right. I'll keep an eye on her today. If I find anything out I'll tell you."

"Thanks, Troy."

"No problem."

Gabriella came out of her room, she even looked different. She looked very tried, like she hadn't gotten any sleep the previous night. She had dark circles under her eyes, her head was kept down, casted toward the ground. She was dressed in a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Her hair was just put up in a messy bun.

"Hey, Baby, Girl, how are you?"

"I'm fine, how are you?"

"Fine, is there any anything wrong with your neck? Why won't you look at me?"

"Nothing is wrong with my neck."

"Are you sad?"

"No."

"Then why is your head hanging down like that?"

She looked up at him and smiled fakely, everyone in the room knew it was fake. "I'm fine, Troy. Let's get to school."

Troy and Carlos looked at each other and shrugged. Troy and Gabriella left for school. Troy just hoped she told him what was going on because everyone could tell something was off.

Things got even worse as they walked into the school. Whenever Peter passed them Gabriella moved herself to hide behind Troy, even if he just walked passed them to get to class, she'd move herself behind Troy like a human shield. She clung to Troy so tightly her knuckles turned white. But whenever Troy asked her what was wrong she'd just say it was nothing and that she was fine. Troy knew something was wrong, he just couldn't figure out what. The whole day and in every class Gabriella just clung to him and hid herself behind him.

At home Economics Gabriella was shaking; nothing Troy did calmed her down. All through the out the lecture she just shook. Troy was really, starting to worry. Why wouldn't she talk to him?

"Ok, class, now before you leave I have something for you all. It's a very important part of marriage."

"What, free money?" Peter asked.

"Nope, a child."

Everyone froze. Mrs. Thompson laughed. "You guys are so funny; it's not a real baby. It's one of those dolls that act like it's alive, it cries you have to feed it, change it….all that good stuff. Each couple will get one. At the end of the two weeks you'll turn the baby in and I'll see how well you've cared for it."

Gabriella mentally groaned. Now, not only was she in danger but a child was in danger too. "I can't do this!" she whispered to herself.

Peter raised his hand. "What if you and your partner decided not to have kids?"

"It doesn't matter; you'll be getting a child regardless."

Gabriella sighed and buried her face into her hands. She felt Troy rub her back. She felt bad, she knew he was worried but if she wanted to keep her father safe she'd have to stay quiet.

Troy took Gabriella home after school and she went right to her bedroom.

"Did she tell you anything?" Carlos asked.

Troy shook her head. "Not a word, she barely said anything. If she did speak she said she was fine about a million times, but I can tell she didn't mean it once. Better yet, now we have a baby we need to take care of for our project."

Carlos sighed. "Who would give that man a child?"

"Our horrible teacher." Troy muttered.

Carlos sighed.

"I call, Taylor and have her come here again." Troy offered.

"No, that's ok. I can handle whatever Peter is going to throw at Gabriella."

Troy nodded. "Will you tell me if she tells you what's wrong?"

Carlos sighed. "I don't know. If she confides in me and asks me not to tell you, I will not betray that trust."

Troy nodded. "I understand."

With that Troy turned around and left the house. Carlos sighed again. He hoped Gabriella would trust him enough to open up.

Later on Peter arrived at the house. Carlos sat in the chair in the living room as Gabriella and Carlos worked on the floor.

"So, um….I can take care of the baby during the day and then at night you can help me when you get home from work." Gabriella started slowly, scared of him response.

Peter laughed. "Nope, not going to happen. I work late so the baby better be sleeping when I get home."

"Well if it's not sleeping you'll help me take care of the baby to put it to bed."

"No, if that baby is screaming and crying when I get home I'll….." Peter paused and looked to Carlos who was reading a book.

Carlos peeked over at him. "Yes? What will you do?"

Peter smiled fakely. "I'll take the baby off your hands and let you get some rest."

"Good Man." Carlos smiled.

He went back to his book and Peter shook his head. "I'll hit the baby in the head so it passes out and goes to sleep. Then I'll punish you for not handling the baby right." He whispered to her so Carlos didn't hear.

"Um…ok so um….when the baby gets older, she's going to have one of our talents so she may want to go into a profession with that talent."

"OK first off, it's a boy not a girl. I will not be happy with a girl baby. Second, our son is going to be a lawyer nothing else."

"What if he wants to be a math teacher or something like that?"

"My son will not be a match geek like his mother. He is my son and he will do as I tell him to do. I don't care what he wants. I'm his father so he'll do as I say."

"This is our son, not a slave."

Peter shrugged. "Is there a difference?"

Carlos put his book down. "I sure hope you're kidding. If not I'm kicking you out right now. No one who believes their child is slave will be allowed in this house."

"Of course I am." Peter smiled.

Carlos glared at him and went back to his book…at least pretending to read, really listening to everything that was happening.

"I'm not kidding." Peter whispered.

Gabriella sighed. This was a never ending nightmare! The worst part was that she still had a week and a half before this whole nightmare was over with.

A/N ok so not the happiest of chapters but I promise the next chapter will have some fluff in it. But also the truth is going to come out and at the same time Peter takes things too far, will Carlos or Troy be able to stop him? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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