A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! ! I'M SO SORRY! I feel like it's been forever since I last updated and I'm soooo sorry! The only reason I have is because I hurt my shoulder really bad and so being on the computer was actually painful for me, so I had to wait a few weeks for it to heal before I could write again, but I'm back now and my shoulder has healed a lot, so I'll be writing more. Also just a side note in case you haven't noticed, I made a few changes to the gym scene in the previous chapter. Please, if you haven't already, go back and read the previous chapter so you aren't confused. Enjoy this next chapter:

Anyway, enough of my sob story, here is the next chapter:

This day was turning out to be a disaster and it wasn't even halfway over.

Once they were out in the hall Chad looked to Troy. "Is she all right?"

Gabriella was still crying softly and holding her wrist close to her. Troy sighed and pulled her into his arms holding her close. "I don't know. Do you think they broke her wrist?"

Chad shrugged. "I don't know, I didn't hear anything crack, but I could be wrong. I'd take her to the nurse, just to be sure." Chad said.

Troy nodded. "Thanks."

"I'll grab us some lunch and meet you guys outside."

"Sure, sounds good."

Chad walked away. Troy looked to Gabriella and kissed her head softly. "Let's get you to the nurse."

Gabriella shook her head and continued to cry softly.

"Baby, you need to get looked at."

"NO! I want to go home! Please Troy! I want to go home, now!" she cried.

Troy sighed. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"Yes!"

"On a scale of one to ten?"

"20"

Troy sighed and nodded. "All right, let's get you home."

He knew she could have a broken wrist and he wasn't about to make her spend the rest of the day in pain and upset. He needed to get her help, more than a school nurse could do. He sent Chad a quick text to tell him and then helped Gabriella into the car and drove them both home. Peter was going to pay dearly for this one, He would make sure his mother got Peter thrown in jail for life and he was only helping their case.

He arrived back at the Montez house. Troy helped Gabriella out of the car and into the house. He set her up on the couch and wrapped her wrist in ice and kept it elevated on the arm rest. Then he called his mother and Carlos at work and told them to come home right away. Gabriella needed them. After he hung up he went back into the living room to check on Gabriella.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Tears were still falling down her cheeks as she sniffed softly. He sighed.

"Your father is on his way home. He'll be here soon."

She nodded, letting him know she had heard but didn't speak. He went and sat on the coffee table in front of her. "Baby, can you please talk to me? Tell me what happen. What did Peter do to you? Did Zeke and Jason hurt you too?"

Again she didn't answer him.

He sighed once more.

"Come on, Baby Girl, please. Will you tell me?"

"Th-th-they a-a-all te-te-teamed up on…on me. Just…just like…like la-la-last ti-ti-time." She stuttered out.

"Who is they? Zeke, Jason, and Peter, was there anyone else?"

"N-n-no, bu-but they di-didn't help me ei-either. Th-th-th-they ju-ju-ju-just sa-sa-sa-said….." Gabriella couldn't finish, her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water but no sound or words came out. Troy knew he had pushed enough.

"I'm so sorry; I never should have forgiven them. All they have ever done is hurt me and now they hurt you. I'm so sorry, Angel. Tell me what to do to make you feel better. Please, I'll do anything."

"I want you to hold me."

Troy moved to the couch and moved her to his lap. He rocked her gently and kissed her hair while softly singing in her ear. She finally started to calm down and stop crying.

The door opened and Lucille and Carlos rushed inside and over to Gabriella.

"?" Carlos started to question her a mile a minute.

Gabriella flinched back and buried her face in Troy's chest.

"Carlos, easy, you're scaring her." Lucille said. "Troy, what happen?"

Troy sighed. "I don't know much, but I really think we should get Gabriella to a doctor. Her wrist might be broken."

"All right, let's deal with that first." Lucille said.

They all stood up but Gabriella whimpered. Troy gently lifted her into his arms. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. He kissed her cheek and followed Carlos and Lucille out the door.

They arrived at the doctor and they took them all back right away…but then the trouble started. Gabriella refused to listen to the doctor and kept her wrist hidden from the doctor no matter how hard he tried to see it.

"Baby, come on, Sweetie, let the doctor look at you." Troy cooed in her ear gently running his fingers up and down her back.

She shook her head.

"Gabriella, this doctor won't hurt you. Trust him." Carlos said.

"I do trust him." She whimpered.

"Then let him see your wrist."

"NO."

"Maybe it's not about trust, Carlos. I broke my arm once and I didn't want anybody to touch it, I wouldn't even let my dad touch it. It's not because I didn't trust him, it was because even my own touch sent such an unbearable amount of pain to my arm. I think that's how Gabriella is right now." Troy explained.

"But, I may have to do some light touches to see if it's broken. Maybe she'll let you touch it." The doctor suggested.

Troy mentally sighed. Didn't they hear a word he just said? He kissed Gabriella on the head. "Can you let me see your wrist, Angel?"

"No, every touch hurts and I don't want anyone to touch it. Please." She begged.

"Told you," Troy said. "Ok, Angel, its ok. What if…."

"She's only saying that because she heard you say it." The doctor said.

"Are you calling my girlfriend a liar?" Troy growled.

"No, I'm simply suggesting she's faking the amount of pain to cover for her shyness. She heard a good excuse from you and now she's using it."

Now Troy was angry. "Have you ever broken a bone before doctor? I'm sure you've fixed a million of them but have you yourself ever broken a bone?"

"No. I can't say I have."

"Then you shut up, and don't you dare accuse my girlfriend of lying, because when you break a bone it's a very painful thing and sometimes the pain is so much that even the smallest of touches, even a touch from a feather will send a shooting pain throughout your entire wrist. Gabriella is not lying about her pain, so either you help her or we're going to someone who can."

"You better listen to him. I'm a lawyer and if you don't treat my daughter with respect I will sue you so fast your head will spin." Lucille said. "I'll do anything to protect my children!"

"Now, I can get Gabriella to show us her wrist, but you need to promise not to touch it without first asking her." Troy ordered.

"Fine, whatever."

Troy rubbed her back and kissed her head. "Baby, it's ok now." He cooed gently in her ear. "You can show us your wrist. I promise nobody is going to the touch it. We just need to see it."

Sniffling softly Gabriella reached her arm out. Troy held her arm gently by the elbow to help keep it steady. Her wrist was swollen and black and blue all the way around. Troy forced back a growl, knowing Peter had done this to her. Carlos growled out loud causing Gabriella to flinch. Lucille put her hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

The doctor looked at her wrist and wrote some things down on her chart. "How bad is the pain?"

"Extremely horrible." She answered.

"On a scale of one to ten?"

"Twenty."

The doctor nodded. "Put your wrist straight."

"It is."

"No it's hanging at an odd angle, make it straight."

Gabriella looked to her wrist; it was tilted more to the right, than normal. She hadn't even noticed it until now.

"Move it back!" the doctor ordered.

Gabriella moved her wrist an inch and…"Ow!" she flinched at the pain and moved it back.

The doctor sighed. "All right, we need to take an x-ray."

They all followed the doctor to the back room and waited as Gabriella got her x-ray done, then went back to the room.

"It will take a few minute, please wait here." The doctor said and left the room. Troy sighed. "I hate that guy."

"Peter is going to pay, Troy. I promise." Lucille said.

"Yeah, I hate him too."

Gabriella chuckled knowing he was talking about the doctor.

"Hey, she laughs." Troy teased. "I was about to take out mister tickle monster."

She smiled softly. "I just want to get this over with, go home, and cuddle with you."

"Gabriella, you need to tell me what happen." Lucille said.

Instantly Gabriella closed back up. She curled closer to Troy and buried her face in his chest. Troy sighed. "Mom!"

"Honey, I'm sorry, but this could help us in the case and I need to know what happen. Plus, if Zeke and Jason had a part in this the Principal needs to know and they need to be expelled."

"NO! Stop asking!" she cried.

"She tried to tell me earlier, but I couldn't really understand her, she was stuttering a lot. What I did understand was that Zeke, Jason, and Peter all ganged up on her, that's it."

"Wait, she was stuttering?" Carlos asked.

"Yeah," Troy nodded. "Why?"

Carlos sighed. "Now I understand why she won't talk. We're just going to have to wait."

"What, why?" Troy asked.

"When this happen the first time, back when she was at West High, Gabriella couldn't tell me what happen, she couldn't tell anyone what happen without stuttering. Yet, once I took her home, and we cuddled on the couch, a warm blanket wrapped around her, she told me everything. She didn't stutter a word."

"So what made it easier for her?" Lucille asked.

"She was in a place she felt 100% safe."

Everyone was quiet for a moment….then; Troy took Gabriella into his arm and sat down on the bed. He held her protectively in his arms. He gently rubbed her back and sung softly in her ear.

In a flash Gabriella was relaxed and comfortable, but most importantly she felt safe. After a few minutes of comfort Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath and started to tell Troy, Lucille, and Carlos everything that happen

After her story she cried into Troy's chest. He rubbed her back and soothed her. Carlos was ready to go kill Peter with his bare hands. His mother was….smiling?

"Mom? Why are you smiling?"

"Because, as horrible as Peter was just now, he only helped our case that much more. So far, we've got him on three counts of abuse, also breaking and entering, and now his physical abuse had actually broken one of her bones, that's rough stuff he's being charged with and I'm going to nail his sorry butt so hard he won't even know what hit him."

Troy laughed. "The last time I saw that much fire in your eyes, we were at the school and you were trying to get the principal to stop the rumors against me."

"Like I told the doctor Troy, I'm a good lawyer for a stranger, but when it comes to family the gloves come off and I'll do anything and everything I can to make sure they get the justice they deserve."

"Family?" Gabriella asked looking up.

Lucille smiled. "Honey, after all this time, you're no longer just a girlfriend to my son. You're the daughter I never had. I will never replace your real mother but I'll do the best I can at being your friend."

Gabriella climbed off the bed and over to Lucille. They shared a hug and Gabriella said "You're more of a mother to me than my real mother. You are replacing her but I actually, really want you to. I love you, Mom."

Lucille smiled with tears in her eyes. "I love you too, my daughter."

"Wait," Troy started. "How do you see, Carlos, because it would be so weird if you two start dating?"

Everyone started to laugh.

"No, Carlos and I have spoken about it before and we've agreed to be friends, that's it. I'm still in love with Jack and I don't want Carlos to be just a rebound."

Gabriella smiled but continued to stay in Lucille's arms. The door opened and the doctor walked in.

"Well, I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is, you've got a bad break and you'll be in a cast for a several months."

"What's the good news?" Carlos asked.

"OH there is none. I just didn't want to make this sound too depressing. I'll be back to be the cast on."

Gabriella flinched further into Lucille's arms. "I don't want you to touch me."

"I agree, I think you should have your nurse do it. Just remember, I am a lawyer and if you don't respect my daughter's wishes I'm going to sue you and make sure you lose your licenses." Lucille said.

The doctor left the room in a hurry. Carlos laughed. "Whoa! Just remind me to never get on your bad side."

"Oh that's nothing. Just wait till you see what she does to Peter on the stand. That's scary."

"I can't wait." Carlos laughed.

Gabriella just whimpered. Lucille rubbed her back. "Everything will be all right. I promise you."

"He's going to get hurt. I just know he is. Please, just close this case while he's still alive." Gabriella whimpered.

Lucille sighed. "He'll be fine, I promise. Nobody is going to hurt you or your father, so just don't worry. All right. I promise you, just trust me."

Gabriella sighed and nodded. She didn't believe Lucille but she didn't want to discuss it anymore so she let it go without another word.

The nurse came in and put a cast on her wrist before sending them on their way. Carlos and Lucille dropped them off at home before heading to the school. Peter, Zeke, and Jason, were in major trouble.

Carlos alone was scary. But Lucille and Carlos together was a death wish.

At home Gabriella was on the couch with her arm up on the arm rest. Troy set up a movie on the TV and went over to her. "Hey, can I get you anything else?" he asked.

She shook her head. She hadn't said a word since leaving the doctors.

"Baby, please say something."

"It really hurts." She mumbled out.

Troy sighed and kissed her head. "I'll get you something." He got up and went into the kitchen. When he came back outside he handed her a small little green pill and a cup of water. "It's Advil."

She took it and drank the small pill down. "Thank you, Troy." She whispered.

"You're welcome. Now, come on, let's watch Hairspray."

Gabriella nodded and cuddled into his side as he wrapped his arms protectively around her. Five minutes into the movie Troy looked down to Gabriella and smiled. She was sound asleep. He kissed the top of her head and rested his head on hers. He closed his eyes and before he knew it, he was sleeping too.

A few hours later Lucille and Carlos walked inside. They stopped and smiled at the sight. Troy was laying on his back with Gabriella tucked closely and protectively into his side with his arms wrapped around her as she laid on his chest with her hurt wrist laying flat on his chest by her face.

"I think we will wait till they wake up to tell them the good news." Lucille whispered.

Carlos nodded. He quickly went to find a camera and came back, snapping a quick picture of them. The flash made Gabriella stir and whimper softly, but Troy's arms just tightened around her and she settled down quickly.

"Do you think they're really asleep?" Carlos asked.

"If not they would have reacted to the door opening, so I'm guessing they are, why?"

Carlos sighed. "Lucille, I have tons of faith in you and your ability to win this case. There is no doubt in my mind that you'll win this case…"

"I sense a but coming."

"But….is there any way we can keep Gabriella out of it? You know how much being up on that stand scares her. You saw how upset she got last time."

"Gabriella is still a minor, if you don't agree to letting her go up I can't force her, but Carlos, if the victim doesn't speak up, there is a very good chance Peter will get off free again, is that what you want?"

"No, of course not, but Gabriella is so scared of this trial and I just…I don't know, I was looking for a way to help her."

"All I can do is help her prepare, maybe we can start doing practice trials, right here at home. It's all I can do, I'm sorry, Carlos, if we want Peter to be punished, Gabriella has to talk about."

Carlos sighed and nodded. He knew Lucille was right, but he just wished there was another way.

"Look, Carlos, I know it's hard but at the end of the day, Peter needs to be punished and Gabriella is the only one who is able to do that."

"How do we know she will? She's so scared, of Peter hurting me, how do we know she isn't going to get up on that stand and lie?"

"Because she knows she'll be in a lot of trouble if she's caught lying on the stand. She's a smart girl, Carlos, and fear or no fear she'll tell the truth."

"Did you really mean, what you said at the doctor?"

"Which part?"

"About Peter hurting me?"

"Does that worry you?"

"No, I know he's just a punk kid with no real power but, for Gabriella's sake I need to know."

"At first, I was just trying to comfort her, but after what happen at the school earlier, I know for a fact you're safe. Peter can't hurt you from inside a jail cell."

"Peter is in jail?" a voice asked.

They both looked to the couch and Troy and Gabriella were awake with their eyes opened.

"Yes, we went to the school and spoke with the Principal about what happen. He suspended Jason and Zeke, and then called the police and they came and arrested Peter. He's got to stay in jail until the trial."

Gabriella smiled a huge smile. "Really? He's in jail?"

"Yes, and that's where he's going to stay."

Both Gabriella and Troy smiled. Things were finally starting to get better. Maybe, just maybe it was possible for Gabriella to be happy.

A/N YAY! HAPPY ENDING! Lol but the question is, will it last? Will Peter still find a way to hurt Gabriella from inside a jail cell? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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