Hello everyone! I'm so sorry! I know that even though it didn't take me years this time I still took too long to update. But it turns out to be a bit more difficult than expected to finish this story, but I promise you I will finish it and I think I'll write 3 or 4 more chapters minimum.

I want to thank you all for your reviews! They helped me so much and you really motivated me, because now I really want to finish this story good for you guys

Well I hope you will all like this one!

Disclaimer: I don't own High School Musical or any of the characters of the movies.

Her steps were quick as she walked through the hospital. Her heart beat quickly and she felt anxious as she thought about the conversation she had had with him the day before. He had been angry and she had left, frightened of his anger. She felt her hand being held back and she suddenly noticed she was walking to fast for Melody. Her heart went out to the little girl, who had really grown attached to David and since the accident he had basically been ignoring her. She knew he had blamed her and she could understand why he had been angry to her, but he had no reason to ignore this little girl, who had so little time with a family. When she had tried to confront David with this yesterday it had turned into a full blown fight about how she couldn't tell him what to do seeing as it was her fault that he was in the hospital in the first place. She had left with tears falling out of her eyes. Today she decided she wasn't going to let him have a choice. Every day for the last week she had visited knowing he would be angry and that he would only blame her. She felt guilty for a moment as she thought about the fact that bringing Melody would also make sure that he wouldn't be too bad to her.

She smiled at Melody, 'Sorry darling, am I walking a bit too fast?' She slowed down as Melody nodded, 'So.. are you looking forward to see David again?'

Melody nodded excitedly, 'I missed him lots and lots! Do you think he'll be happy to see me as well?'

'Of course he will! What makes you think that he wouldn't be?' Madison asked. Melody didn't answer, but shrugged her shoulders. Madison knew that not being asked to come even though she had often said that she wanted to visit had had its impact on the girl. She felt a surge of anger towards David. Beign angry was normal. She had tolerated it every time even though it was almost always directed to her, but there was no reason to involve a little child who had already had a difficult childhood. She looked around and noticed they were almost there. She calmed herself down. It wouldn't do them any good if she walked in angry. She stopped in front of the door. She took a deep breath and looked down at Melody again. 'Well, here we go.' Madison knocked on the door and waited until David said 'come in.'

Opening the door she walked in slowly and asked, 'Hey David, how are your feeling today?' She cursed herself as she heard the anxiety show through her voice.

David looked up from the book he was reading and his expression immediately turned into a scowl. 'What are YOU doing here? Haven't you noticed that I don't exactly need your company?'

Madison felt tears coming up, but she quickly blinked them away and pushed Melody in front of her. 'Well, there is someone that has been wanting to see you all week, so I decided to come for a visit today.'

His expression softened as soon as he saw Melody and Madison immediately knew that she had made the right decision in bringing Melody. He obviously wasn't going to turn his attention to the girl so she felt reassured. 'Hey girl, how have you been?' David asked as he beckoned her to come closer. He smiled as she quickly came closer and he helped her up on the bed.

Melody hugged him and snuggled against him as she answered, 'I'm fine, but I really missed you!'

'I missed you too sweety' David answered, 'and I'm sorry I couldn't see you sooner.' He didn't say anything else about it and wondered what Madison had told the girl for the past few days. She had brought it up a couple of times with him, but every time she did he could only think about the fact that it was her fault that he couldn't see Melody every day. He felt the anger coming up again, but pushed it down again thinking about the little girl that was on the bed with him.

Madison smiled at the scene in front of her. She had suspected that David didn't really want to avoid Melody, but that he just didn't want her to see his anger. She felt an sudden urge to apart of the happy family picture that she saw in front of her, 'This little girl has been asking about you all week and she made a lot of drawings to bring with her when she could visit you.'

David completely ignored her and just kept looking at Melody. 'Did you make a drawing for me?' He laughed as Melody nodded fervently and jumped of the bed. She walked to Madison and asked if she could have her drawings. Madison smiled at her and felt proud of the little girl for a moment as she already had such good manners. She opened her bag, picked out a bundle of papers and handed them over to the obviously proud girl who took them and ran back to the bed to give them to David.

David smiled and accepted the pictures, 'They're beautiful, thank you!' he said while looking at each picture and taking a moment to really study them. He continued to talk softly with Melody and completely ignored Madison. She wanted to talk to David and tell him about how good Melody had been. People could say a lot about David, but nobody could deny that he was great with the little girl or that he truly cared about her. It was one of the things she admired about him. Her plan to put him in a good mood by bringing Melody had worked, but it didn't help her to talk with David in a normal, civilized way at all. When they were alone he may have been angry with her, but at least he couldn't fixate his attention on anyone else but her. She gave him a way to calm down and ignore his anger, but he had also given him a way to give his attention to someone else and he was taking full advantage of that. 'David?' She tried again, but the only reaction she got was a glare. She fell silent again and just continued to see Melody getting the positive advantage she was craving. She felt disgusted by herself, for being jealous of a little girl who had grown up without a family and now finally seemed to feel at home with people, but she also couldn't help herself or get rid of this awful feeling. She had to face the truth. Melody had gotten her family with David and it was obvious those two felt completely at ease with each other. She knew that if a stranger walked by he would see what she saw and think those two were a real family. He would also see the one thing she hated about the situation: she wasn't a part of it.

- PG -

Gabriella stared out of the window of the car. She felt nervous. This morning they had dropped Rose at Taylor and Chad's and continued to the hospital. After the fantastic week she had had with Troy, where they were both getting more comfortable with their relationship each day, they had decided together to visit David. She had thought about it the entire week, but she didn't dare to suggest it to Troy, scared of his reaction. When she had finally confessed it to him yesterday after he continuously asked her what was wrong, he immediately suggested that she should go today. He offered to take her to the hospital given the fact that she couldn't drive. She appreciated his offer and she was glad that he trusted her enough to go alone to David. Less than a week ago he had been scared that she had feelings for David so she really appreciated it, but she didn't want to go alone.

He had insisted at first. He kept saying that he really did trust her and that it didn't even crossed his mind anymore whether she had feelings for David or not. He felt how they were growing every day in their relationship and he didn't need to be with her at the hospital. He wanted to insist about her going alone. He had wanted to proof to her that he trusted her and that he didn't think about David any more, but she had a different idea. She knew he trusted her and though it meant the world to her, she wanted to tell David that she was with Troy. She wanted to make it clear from the start. They had had a new start, a new beginning with each other and she wanted to do this the right way. The first time she wasn't sure about her feelings with Troy and she wasn't sure where they were going. Now she knew and she wanted this to last so telling David, who had liked her for so long, only felt right.

Troy had understood, so they had called Taylor and asked if they could drop Rose at their room for the day. Right now they were driving to the hospital and there was a comfortable silence between them. Troy looked at her and asked her, 'Are you okay?'

Gabriella looked away from the window to Troy, 'Yes I'm fine. Just a bit nervous I guess. I ignored him for the better part of the time so that I wouldn't have to deal with his crush and now I'm kind of going to rub it in his face that I'm with somebody else.'

Troy took her hand in his and squeezed it for a moment before returning it to the steering wheel. 'No, you're not. I think you're being very considerate. You may not have acknowledged his crush, but everybody was aware of it and now that you're no longer available, now that he really doesn't have a chance with you, it's very nice that you're making the effort of letting him know that.'

Gabriella nodded, 'I know, but I still feel a bit weird.' She sighed and looked outside again.

'Did you change your mind? I can still stay in the car if you want or go back to the hotel and come pick you up when you're ready.' Troy answered, 'I wouldn't mind you know. I'd understand.'

Gabriella smiled, 'I know, but I really want to tell him about us. I'm happy Troy. I truly have been happy this last week and I want him to know that I'm really not and won't be interested in him.'

Troy grabbed her hand again and couldn't help but grin at her words, 'I'm really happy with you as well, but you can tell him that without me there. If you're worried about rubbing it in his face, maybe it's better if I'm not there.'

'No. I know that it's possible without you, but I don't want to tell him without you. I need you there and I need him to truly understand that he has to give up. If I'm alone, he'll think that I'm just telling him about you to get rid of him. I never said anything about him liking me, but he knew that I was aware of it.'

'Well I guess.. if you're sure, but if you do change your mind you let me know! Even if we're there.' Gabriella opened her mouth to object, but Troy immediately continued, 'I mean it Gabby! You just ask me to get you something if you don't want him to know, but I want to make sure that you're comfortable with the situation. I'm coming for you and if you change your mind and do not want me there then I'm fine with that.'

She looked at him and then nodded her head. Troy parked the car, they walked in the hospital and approached the woman sitting behind the counter. 'Can I help you?' She asked bored, flipping through her magazine. 'Yes, we're looking for the room of David Hasselhof?' Troy asked politely. Gabriella was looking around nervously, so he decided it might be better if he took the lead on this one. The woman looked up immediately when she heard Troy's voice. Her attitude changed completely and she quickly put a seductive smile on her face. 'Of course sir. Let me just check in what room he is.' She looked at her computer and then said, 'He's in room 126.' She smiled at Troy again. 'Can I help you with anything else?' She put her hand on Troy's arm suggestively. At this moment Gabriella noticed the woman and saw the way she was acting towards Troy. This woman had no shame! Flirting with a man who was clearly here with somebody else. 'No thank you.' Gabriella answered before could say anything as she stepped a bit closer to Troy. The woman glared at her and Gabriella smiled as Troy immediately put his arm around her, sensing her closeness.

They walked away and it only took a minute before Gabriella started, 'The nerve of that woman. You were obviously with me and she still flirted with you like I wasn't even there!'

Troy chuckled, 'Don't tell me your jealous Gabby!' She immediately laughed, 'Jealous? Of that woman? Please, I'm not jealous. I just find it a bit annoying that somebody can be that obnoxious as to think that it's normal to flirt with someone that's already taken.'

He laughed again, 'Sure Gabriella, whatever you say.' But he couldn't quite keep the grin of his face. It was obvious that Gabriella had been jealous and while it normally always annoyed him if girls got jealous he couldn't help but feel flattered right now. Just a week ago she couldn't even admit to him that she liked him because she was scared of her feelings and today she openly showed her jealousy of another woman. Of somebody else who was giving him attention. He liked it, he genuinely liked being in this new serious relationship. He used to flirt with every woman that he liked, whether he was seeing someone or not. Now he would never do that. He hadn't even noticed that the girl was flirting with him. He decided to tease Gabriella a bit more, 'I honestly think she wasn't that bad. She was just being friendly.'

Gabby scoffed, 'Yes, well of course you would say that. Honestly Troy, the girl was practically falling all over you!'

Troy laughed and put his arm around her shoulders. 'You do realize you have nothing to worry about right? Even if she was flirting with me, I'm not interested in her.'

Gabriella blushed, still not quite used to him showing his feelings. She smiled, 'I know, but it's still going to bother me if you get so much attention from other woman.'

He laughed again, 'Alright, as long as you're not worried I suppose I should see it as a compliment.' He kissed her cheek and stopped in front of the elevator. They stepped in and as soon as the door closed and she saw that they were alone she pulled Troy close. She put her arms around his neck, 'Well then mister Bolton, you can show me that I don't need to worry.'

He immediately put his arms around her waist and smiled. 'Well I don't know miss Montez. How could I possibly do that?'

'I have an idea.' She answered, while putting her hands on either side of his face and kissing him. He grinned and kissed her back. He pushed her against the side of the elevator, but before they could go any further the doors opened. She pulled away and gave him a quick peck on the lips. 'It seems we'll have to continue this later.' And she stepped out of the elevator. Troy followed her and pulled her arm so that she fell back a little, 'Yes, but just so you know: we will continue this later.'

She giggled and then nodded, 'I certainly hope so'. Looking around the floor they were on she saw that the room David was in wasn't too far. 'Come on, his room is over there.' She grabbed his hand and started walking towards the room. As they approached they saw that the door was open, so they walked in and immediately noticed a few things. First of all, David wasn't alone. He had a little girl with him and they seemed like they really had fun. Second of all, there was a tension in the room that seemingly everybody but the little girl was aware of. Gabriella recognized Madison, the girl David was paired with, sitting alone in the corner of the room looking at David and the girl wishfully. What was going on?

As they walked in David and Madison both looked up. Madison looked relieved to see somebody else enter the room and immediately smiled at them. David only looked down and when Gabriella turned her head she saw that he was looking at their entwined hands. She hadn't realized that she hadn't let go of Troy's hand. The devastation was clear on David's face and her first reaction was to let go of his hand but she resisted the urge and decided instead to focus the attention on David, 'Hi, we heard about the accident and that you were still in the hospital. How are you?'

The atmosphere in the room was very awkward en David didn't respond immediately. As the silence lasted Gabriella shifted nervously from where she stood in the door opening. She felt Troy give her hand a squeeze as if to show his support and she felt relief that she had him next to her. Her resolve to be as open as she could about her relationship with Troy strengthened. She had nothing to be ashamed of! She never gave any indication that she was interested in David and she shouldn't feel guilty just because he looked at her like that.

David seemed to snap out of this daze and instead of answering her question he merely pointed at their hands and as he glared at Troy he asked, 'What the fuck is going on? What is he doing here?'

'David! Mind your language!' Madison exclaimed as she immediately stood up and approached Melody who looked a little shocked at David and how angry he sounded. David looked down and calmed down a bit as he saw Melody, but he couldn't completely control the rage that he felt at that moment. He hesitated for a moment and realized that Madison was still standing close by. She was looking at him questionably and she seemed to be asking him the silent question if he wanted to have this conversation right now. For the first time that week he felt relieve at the fact that she was there and that she seemed to understand him and his anger. At his slight nod in the direction of the door she picked up Melody. 'Come on darling, why don't you and I go and get an ice cream.'

Melody seemed to cheer up immediately, 'Really? I can have an ice cream?' As Madison nodded she smiled back at David, 'We will come right back after the ice cream won't we?' She looked at Melody for a second for confirmation. David forced himself to smile at her, 'That's fine. Enjoy you ice cream.'

Melody walked out of the room but not before stopping at Troy and Gabriella, 'Would you like to join us Troy?'

Troy hesitated, looking at Gabriella, 'I don't know.' Gabriella seemed to hesitate as well before smiling and nodding at him, 'Sure Troy, I'll see you after.' He kept looking at her and when he saw that she truly meant it he felt confident that she didn't need him here anymore. This conversation was something that she needed to do alone. Especially since he couldn't exactly understand the guilt she was feeling about this. Sure, he supported whatever she wanted to do and while it secretly pleased him greatly that she made it so clear to be open about this relationship he didn't feel as if she owed David something. 'Okay, I'll be right back then.'

When they had left the room, Gabriella looked back at David who still looked very angry. She pointed at the chair that stood beside his bed, 'Can I?'

David nodded, but didn't say anything. Even when she sat down he just kept looking at her but remained silent. She felt uncomfortable again. After a few minutes of shifting in her chair and feeling his stare on her she couldn't take the silence any more. 'So…. How are you?'

It took him a few second to respond and when he did he asked softly 'Why are you here Gabriella?'

She looked up at that and saw that he truly looked hurt. 'Why? Ehm.. well Troy and I had heard about the fact that you were still in the hospital and we wanted to know how you were doing.'

He snorted, 'Oh please, I doubt Bolton could care less about how I am doing. I bet he just came here to rub it in my face that he has somehow made you see something in him.'

'That's not true!' She ignored the fact that if it hadn't been for her wanting to come here Troy probably wouldn't have given David a second thought. But he certainly hadn't wanted to rub it in his face. She had been the one to push him to come here. 'I'm the one who pushed Troy into coming with me. He thought that you would probably prefer me coming alone but I refused and I practically dragged him here.'

David looked doubtful, but when he saw that she wasn't lying he looked hurt again, 'Why would you do that? Did you come here just to hurt me? Did you thought that this was just another way to try and change how I feel about you?'

'Of course not!'

David didn't let her continue her argument. 'You know what, I bet you two are not even together. You just want an excuse to try to stop me from loving you. Why else would you hold his hand so obviously while coming in. You wanted me to notice it immediately. You wanted me to believe that you're with him. Well let me tell you Gabriella it's not going to work! I know that you would never get in a relationship with someone like Bolton.'

Gabriella looked down and then responded softly, 'I didn't come here to hurt you David and you're right. Maybe I didn't handle it as I should have. I should've paid more attention to how it would look to you if we entered like that, but you have to understand that I'm not lying. I really am together with Troy and yes in part I came here to tell you that, but not to hurt you. I wanted to tell you myself and as soon as possible, because I want you to move on.' He looked ready to argue with her, but she added softly 'I don't like you like David, not like that. I'm sorry.'

David shook his head, 'No.. no you're lying. It's just Bolton who has been corrupting you with his negative ideas about me. I know you can like me. You hate him, that has always been obvious, but you have never shown that to me. I just haven't been able to show you who I am yet.' He looked desperate as he continued, 'Don't let him do this Gabriella, you have to give me a chance to show you how good I could be for you!'

'This has nothing to do with Troy and you know that David,' she answered sadly, 'Even before I got together with Troy. I just don't like you like that. I think you're really nice and I know that you will make some girl very happy one day, but it won't be me. I can't be that girl for you and that's why I came here today. I needed you to understand that you really don't have a chance with me.'

'He's not good for you.' David said, desperately trying to let her see his way. 'I mean for God's sake Gabriella you still hated the guy a few weeks ago and now you're playing happy family? That doesn't make any sense and I won't believe it!'

'David..' Gabriella tried.

'No!' he practically yelled, 'You're not in love with him. I won't believe it!'

- PG -

Troy smiled at Madison as they walked through the corridors of the hospital. Madison Lee was not somebody who he often spoke to. Nor was he someone he had paid attention to. She was just one of the quiet girls of his year and looking at her right now she looked slightly uncomfortable in his presence. 'So Madison, how are you? I'm sure this week must have been difficult for you as well.'

She shrugged, 'I'm fine. It has been most difficult for David. Lying in this hospital for a week.'

He nodded, 'Yes, but you had to take care of this little girl here for starters,' he smiled at Melody for a moment before continuing, 'and it seemed back there as if David wasn't the easiest company to be with.'

Madison looked up shocked and a little angry, but before she could say something Melody answered, 'David was very sick this week. Even I couldn't see him. Today was the first time and he was very happy to see me.'

Troy smiled at her, 'I'm sure he was. Why wouldn't he be? When such a sweet girl comes to visit him.' Melody grinned at him, obviously pleased with the compliment, but as soon as they entered the cafeteria she asked, 'What for ice cream can I get?'

'Whatever you want. Go ahead and pick one out, I'll be right there.' She waited until Melody was at a safe distance away before turning to Troy, 'Look I don't know why you suddenly decided to take the time to bother with me, but I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mention stuff like that in front of Melody. I don't know what you think you saw in there, but she's just a little girl and I have been trying very hard to not let her notice and so far it has worked.'

Troy nodded, 'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it in front of her. It's just that I was truly wondering how you were doing.' That was a bit of an overreaction. He had felt very uncomfortable walking with her in silence and as he had noticed that she seemed uncomfortable as well he wanted to say something and this was the first thing that came to his mind. 'It seemed very tense when we entered.'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' Madison stubbornly answered, not looking at him. She looked around the cafeteria and saw that Melody was already at the cash register frantically waving at them with an ice cream in her hand, 'Look I have to pay for her ice cream. I can't talk about this right now.' She quickly walked away and Troy stared after her.

He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. It must be difficult for her and it was clear that she wasn't okay with this whole situation. He walked after her, knowing that he couldn't talk about it anymore as long as Melody was with them, but he wasn't going to let this go. He may have asked just to start a conversation, but now he really wanted to know what was wrong. He would find out what was going on. He sat with them at the table and tried his hardest to ignore all the questions that he had for the sake of the little girl who was enjoying her ice cream and who was happily talking about all the things she wanted to make for David. He was still trying to think about a way to get a moment alone with Madison when Melody gave him his way out, 'Madison, can I go to the playroom?'

Madison looked hesitant, but the little girl put on her best puppy eyes, 'Please?' Madison smiled, 'Alright, go ahead, but stay in sight!' The girl thanked her and immediately ran of the playroom that was adjacent to the cafeteria. She quickly found some friends there and started playing with the kids that were already there.

Troy looked at the person that stayed behind with him at the table. She sat in her chair very stiffly as she watched the girl in her care and obviously tried very hard not to look at him. 'So, Melody isn't here right now. Want to talk about it?'

She sighed, 'Talk about what? What do you want me to say Troy?'

'The tension back there in David's room. I don't believe that you're as okay as you say. I understand why you don't want to talk about it when Melody's here, but she's not right now so you can tell me.' He smiled at her, to show her she could trust him.

'Frankly I don't see how that's any of your business!' She answered exasperated, 'Look Troy I appreciate that you're trying to be nice, but this is pretty much the first time that we really speak to each other and I don't think that my private life is your concern!'

Troy looked at her shocked, 'I'm just trying to help. It seemed as if you have had some problems, and I just thought that you probably couldn't talk about it with David at the moment.'

'I really don't understand what you are talking about.'

He sighed, 'Oh come on Madison, everybody could feel the tension in that room and you know it. I'm just trying to help you. It's must be very difficult if you have problems with your partner with whom you have to spend 6 months! Not to mention the fact that you have to take care of a child!'

'You certainly don't seem to have any problem with that.' She snidely remarked. 'As far as I can tell you and Gabriella seem to have gotten rid of any problem that you had.'

Troy smiled for a moment, thinking about how far he and Gabriella had gotten since the beginning of the project, 'Yes and I'm very grateful for it. I'm sure if you and David could just talk things out you would be able to work it out as well.'

She snorted, 'Really Troy? What do you think will happen? That we'll fall in love and become a happy couple in the next few months? It's wonderful that you and Gabby have found each other, truly it is!' She smiled softly at him to emphasize the fact that she meant it and then continued, 'but not everybody is as lucky as you or your friends. I hear that Sharpay and Zeke finally got together and that even Danforth and Taylor found something in each other.'

He smiled, 'Yes that's right. It might seem weird, but I really think that this project is helping everybody to work through the minor problems.'

'And that's great, but surely you're not so naïve to think that this is the way it works for everybody? You got lucky that the problems you had with your partner turned out to be attraction, that it was the beginning for a relationship, but for most of us it's just a project that we have to get through. Remember that this is just a project, after the six months are up you lose that little girl you've been looking after and everybody goes back to school.'

He thought for a moment and realized he had almost forgot that this was just a project. With his friends it was all going so good and he had gotten used to having Rose around. He honestly couldn't imagine not having her anymore or going back to school. 'You're right. I'm sorry. Because things are working out for me and my friends it's just hard to imagine that it doesn't work that way for everyone.'

She smiled softly at him, 'It's fine. I get it… you're in love.' She looked away and stared at Melody, who was still playing happily with the other kids in the playroom. After a moment of silence Troy asked her softly, 'He hasn't hurt you physically has he?'

She flinched and he felt a surge of anger at the idea of any man hitting a woman, but then she answered, 'Does it really look that bad?' He shrugged his shoulders and she quickly shook her head, 'No he hasn't and I don't think he ever will. David might be angry with me right now because of the situation, but he's not an aggressive person. You really shouldn't worry about me so much, I'm fine!' Troy looked ready to object, but she just shook her head again, 'Let's just go back. I'm sure David and Gabriella are wondering where we are.'

He nodded and stood up. He waited at the table as she picked up Melody and they slowly walked back to the room in silence. As they approached however they heard David shouting.

'NO! I won't accept it! I won't! It's ridiculous, I mean, who do you think you're fooling. You're just trying to make me forget about my feelings for you, but I won't! No matter what new plans you come up with, no matter how many guys you claim to love and be happy with… I won't give up on you! Never!

They ran up to the room at the same time that the nurses arrived to see what the noise was all about. What they saw shocked Troy. Gabriella was sitting in the chair by the bed crying while David was yelling at her and making wild gestures. One of the nurses ran in, 'What is going on here? I can hear you all the way down the hall!'

David immediately shut his mouth, 'Nothing,' he answered smoothly, 'We're just having a bit of a disagreement, right Gabby?' He looked at her and she looked down for a moment before responding softly, 'Yes, we're sorry for the noise.'

Troy cringed at the sound of the voice and almost objected, especially as he saw the doubtful look on the nurses face. He stopped however when Gabriella looked up and shook her head at him begging him to stay quiet with her eyes. He closed his mouth and stepped back, suppressing a smile as he thought about how well they communicated these days. However he knew now was not the time or place to discuss how well his relationship with Gabby was going. He may have made that mistake with Madison, but he could recognize that this was not the moment.

The nurse seemed to have decided to give them the benefit of the doubt, because she said 'Yes.. well, please remember that this is a hospital. So keep it down.'

They nodded and the nurse left. Troy walked over to Gabriella and put his arm around her, 'What's wrong? Are you okay?'

'Nothing is wrong Bolton,' David spat, 'Like we both just said. We we're just talking and having a bit of disagreement. Nothing else.'

'I think I'll see what Gabriella has to tell me. As far as I know somebody crying while the other is yelling is never a good sign.' Troy spat back, 'And I certainly won't take your word for it seeing as you were the one to do the yelling.' He ignored the glaring from David as he crouched down on eye level with her. He wiped away her tears and continued softly, 'What happened? What did he say to you?'

David cut in again, 'What Gabby and I have discussed is private. I really don't see how that's any of your business.'

Troy stiffened immediately. Gabriella tried to calm him down, sensing this was turning in a direction she did not want, but he shook off her arm and stood up, 'Excuse me?' He asked. He didn't yell, in fact he was talking quite soft, but his tone made Gabriella shiver with fear and she stood up as well, hoping to calm him. She had no such luck however as Troy took a step forward, towards David, 'I come here and find out that my girlfriend is here crying, obviously over something you said and you tell me it's none of my business?'

David looked unsure of himself for a moment, but then recovered and continued glaring at Troy. 'Yes, what she and I have to discuss has nothing to do with you-'

'DO NOT continue that sentence!' Troy whispered venomously, 'When you make MY girl cry I make it my business to know why and you better not get in my way. You're already walking on a thin thread with me Hasselhof and I really wouldn't make it worse if I were you. And please don't act so dumb. You and I know both know that this little disagreement you were having as you say was about my relationship with Gabby, so don't pretend like it doesn't concerns me.'

David seemed ready to react again and make the situation even worse, but Gabriella decided to cut in at that moment. She put her hand on Troy's arm, 'Troy, please don't.' He immediately turned around and asked her if she was okay again. 'I'm fine, but I just want to go home.'

He hesitated for a moment, wanting to clear the air with David and making sure that David understood that he was together with Gabriella now and that he would not stand for this, but as soon as Gabriella continued in a small voice, 'Please take me home?' he made up his mind and hugged her. 'Of course, let's go.' He kept his arm around as he steered her outside the room not paying any more attention to David. He stopped for a moment when he reached Madison en Melody, 'Will you be okay?'

David snorted, 'What's this now? Troy saves everybody? I didn't know that every woman needed your saving… honestly they'll be fine.'

Troy ignored him and kept looking at Madison. She nodded, 'Yes, of course. Just go and take care of her.' She looked at Gabriella and put her hand on her arm, 'I'm really sorry about this.'

Gabriella smiled, 'It's not your fault. I'll be fine, just a bit shocked I guess. Good luck.' She finished as she nodded her head back at David. Madison smiled back, 'It'll be fine.'

Troy and Gabriella nodded and walked out. As soon as they left she turned to David, but before she could say anything he said bitterly, 'What the hell is wrong with you! What did you say to him? Are you telling him some nonsense about me treating you wrong?'

She just stared at him for a moment, 'What's wrong with me? Are you kidding me?' She laughed for a moment, 'First of all, who says it would be nonsense? But no, I haven't told him anything, but you're behavior does makes him worry I guess. You should be asking yourself what's wrong with you. Honestly this obsession of yours with Gabriella and your reaction to them being together is ridiculous! For God's sake David you made her cry!' She kept looking at him, checking his reaction. When she saw that he wasn't going to respond well to this she quickly continued. 'Listen, I don't want to talk about this right now. Your behavior was way out of line and I won't discuss this in front of Melody!' she said coldly, hugging the little girl, who was obviously upset, a little closer. 'But thanks a lot for ruining this visit for her.'

He had the decency to look ashamed at that, but didn't respond. He just stared after them as they turned and left the room as well.

- PG -

Troy and Gabriella had driven back to the hotel in silence. Troy had needed the time to calm down and he hadn't wanted to upset Gabriella with his anger. She was obviously upset enough as it is. They walked back to the hotel room and both smiled as they heard Rose laughing with Taylor and Chad. They opened the door and laughed as Rose immediately ran into the hallway yelling, 'TROY! GABRIELLA!'

Troy picked her up, spinning her around, 'Hello there. Did you have fun with Taylor and Chad?' Rose quickly started telling him about the day and everything that they had done. Gabriella kept walking and continued quietly into the living room where Chad and Taylor were waiting. Taylor immediately stood up as she saw that Gabriella had been crying, 'Oh my god, are you okay? What happened?'

Gabriella shrugged, 'I told him about Troy and me.' They both nodded in understanding, 'So I'm taking he didn't take it too well?' Chad answered, looking at Troy as he entered the living room as well with Rose still in his arms. He snorted, 'Yeah, you can say that. In fact you still haven't told me what he said to you that made you so upset.'

She shrugged again, 'I don't know, it was just really weird. It was the first time that I openly recognized that I knew he has feelings for me and I guess he just didn't like the fact that it was because I was telling him to let them go. He freaked out and kept saying that I was only saying it to get rid of him and when I tried to explain to him that that wasn't the case he just flipped and kept saying how he wouldn't let me go. It was a bit creepy to be honest.'

'A bit?' Taylor answered, laughing a bit, 'Gabriella that sounds downright like something a stalker would say.'

Gabriella shook her head, 'Oh honestly he's not that bad. I can understand that it was quite the shock for him, especially given the fact that a few weeks ago I still hated Troy. I'm sure once he gets used to the idea, he'll calm down.'

The others looked unsure, 'Are you trying to convince us or yourself?' Taylor asked. Gabriella didn't respond immediately, but then she responded, 'I don't know.'

Taylor and Chad stood up, 'Well I think it's time we leave. We'll see you tomorrow!' They walked out of the living room and Troy followed them for a moment. 'Chad?' he asked. Chad looked back and motioned for Taylor to continue, 'What's up?' he asked when they stood alone in the hallway. Troy got a little closer and answered softly, 'Look, I know I'm probably overreacting, but he'll come out of that hospital soon. Please help me watch Gabby a bit. I heard the last bit of their conversation and I'm not convinced he'll just give up.'

Chad nodded immediately, 'Of course mate. You don't even have to ask, you know that!'

Troy smiled gratefully, 'Thanks, I knew I could count on you.'

Little did he know that he was right to be concerned, because right about that time on the other side of town David was sitting in his bed thinking about Gabriella and what she had said to him that day. He felt a surge of anger course through him as he thought about the way Troy had ignored him as soon as he wanted. How dare he! How dare he underestimate him like that, like he was nothing! Well, it was his mistake. Troy would soon find out the extent of his strength, because he would never let his Gabby, his sweet Gabby go. She was his! And everybody would know it soon. He smiled at that thought and slowly lay down to get some rest. He would need to recover soon to win her back and he vowed then and there that he would let nothing get in the way of him and Gabriella being together. She would see reason soon, he was sure of it and then she would dump Bolton and come crawling back to him. He smiled again and went to sleep.

So….. what did you think? Trouble in paradise? Hope it wasn't too long, but I really wanted to give you something that was worth the wait. I'm almost done for the year with my exams, so I'll have a vacation soon. It'll be easier to write more often and to update quicker.

Let me know what you guys thought of it! So please review! It helps me so much to continue writing.

Oh and I'm sorry for possible grammar mistakes or other mistakes. I write without a beta, so I try to get as much out as I can, but sometimes I miss something. If you see something, please let me know!

xoxo

Miss True Love

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