"Dude, where are the girls?" asked Chad, anxiously eyeing the club's front doors for any sign of his fiancé and the rest of their friends. "They were right behind us when we left the restaurant."

"Chill Chad, I'm sure they are just prepping Taylor's outfit or something. Latashua did say they had something special for Taylor to wear tonight," comforted Troy, placing a steady hand on his best friend's shoulder. "You know Taylor's older sister wouldn't let Taylor miss out on this. They'll be here and then you can flirt with Taylor all you want while the rest of us watch in envy."

"Oh shut up, Celeste will be here soon enough in the morning," returned Chad. "Although, Gab is here tonight…"

Troy glared at Chad before forcing himself to walk away, not wanting to get into an argument with his best friend at that very moment. Chad had been secretly egging Troy on into thinking about his feelings when Troy really didn't want to as he knew he would uncover too much that he had spent time burying. Ever since Gabriella left a month or so ago, Troy had been thinking of Gabriella, at least a few times a day, that much he would admit but with Celeste in his life as his fiancé and with Gabriella living so far away, Troy wouldn't admit to much more. 'It just would cause too much trouble for everyone, too much heartache, but I can admit to myself that I still love her and probably always will.'

Chad watched as Troy walked away and eventually stopped to hang out with Chucky, Chad's older brother, knowing that his tactics may be a bit tough but were called for as Troy refused to see reason. Troy hadn't really seen Gabriella at all this week as the girls had been busy with things every day but even at dinner tonight, Troy and Gabriella were polite but didn't talk much to each other although were caught several times gazing at the other. Even Jason and Zeke, not knowing the full story of what happened the last time Gabriella was out, knew that Troy currently possessed a divided mind in regards to his love life, along with a much more divided heart. Chad heard whistles erupt from around him and knew in an instant that the girls must have arrived. He looked and grinned as he saw Latashua, now in a black cocktail dress, walk in with her baby sister on her arm, Taylor wearing a fake veil and a hot pink sash that read "Bachelorette for 2 more nights" across it over her white strapless dress that fell to her knees.

Taylor smiled as Chad quickly approached and returned his kiss as he drew her into one of his familiar hugs. "Hey," greeted Taylor. "You look like you didn't believe we were coming or something."

"He didn't, not until you showed up. I think he was worried some tall and handsome stranger came and scooped you up before he had a chance to marry you," teased Jason, a grin on his face as he patted Chad's back.

"Shut up man!" exclaimed Chad with a blush that Taylor always found adorable.

Meanwhile a few feet away, Chucky and Troy were enjoying a nice conversation about baseball when Troy's attention was drawn to the entrance of the club, making Chucky look as well, curious to see what had Troy's attention. There stood Martha, in a light blue halter dress, Tessa, wearing black skin tight pants and a green halter top, and a pregnant Kelsi, who had on a red maternity dress that fell to her knees, but among them a very mature looking Gabriella. Chucky let out a whistle as he grinned at Gabriella, who had used the short time to change into a strapless burgundy dress that fell about mid-thigh. He chuckled at Troy's intake of breath as Gabriella turned her back to the club to talk to Tessa about something, giving the two boys perfect view of her exposed lower back between the material being joined at the top by a single hook, Chucky assumed, and the skirt part of the dress that started several inches below.

"Seriously Troy, you gave her up? You're insane," teased Chucky, getting slapped on the arm followed by a glare from Troy immediately after. "What? I'm just saying. Gab does look hot tonight. Kind of makes you rethink that decision you made all those years ago huh Troy?"

"Dude, I swear between you and your brother, you're both aiming to drive me mad," complained Troy as he shook his head but allowed his gaze to remain on Gabriella as she moved through the club with Tessa and now Sharpay, who was wearing a dress of teal color with silver sparkling gems along her straps and around her waist.

The three girls paused to talk with Latashua and Taylor before they pulled the two, plus Martha and Kelsi, away from Chad, Ryan, Jason, and Zeke. The four other guys moved over to where Troy and Chucky were standing, watching the scene unfold as the girls got into the rhythm of the current song and started swaying to the music, each in their own manner. Troy especially got caught up in watching Gabriella move, reminding him of a night about a month or so ago where he was caught doing the exact same thing, watching his ex dance to the music. That memory also brought back the feelings of her being in his arms though, the way she made him feel with the simplest of touches.

Chucky chuckled as he saw that familiar entranced look on Troy's face. "Man, you definitely have it bad man, utterly and totally. Who are you trying to fool?"

Troy winced at these words, knowing the truth in them but still somehow fighting to hold onto his vow to stick by his commitment to Celeste. "I've already broken one promise to Gabriella, I can't do it again to Celeste."

Chucky just shook his head. "I have to say, what you are doing is honorable, stupid but honorable. With that said, I think I'll go see how Miss Montez is doing since you don't have the guts to."

As Chucky left, he made sure to throw an exaggerated wink towards Troy before he fell into rhythm with Gabriella, who looked behind her to see who it was and smiled over her shoulder at Chucky. Troy allowed himself to watch the two dance together before he shook his head and tore his gaze away, frustrated at himself more than anything.

"Can't have it all man, can't have it all," comforted Ryan, patting Troy on the shoulder. "Come on, let me buy you a beer."

"Or three," mumbled Troy, causing Ryan to laugh as they headed to the bar.

A few hours later, Kelsi and Gabriella were talking at a table in the quietest corner of the club, which wasn't all that quiet, but allowed for the girls to catch up without having to yell too much. Kelsi felt her cell phone vibrate in her clutch and took it out, recognizing the number as her husband's. She answered and immediately got a bright smile on her face just from hearing his voice. Gabriella immediately found herself envying her good friend from high school at the simple happiness that Kelsi had in her life, both in love and soon to be family. When Kelsi hung up the phone, she immediately picked up on Gabriella's change in mood and gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Still wishing things were different right? I bet you'd give up your royal lineage in a heartbeat to turn back the time and make everything better," murmured Kelsi, seeing Gabriella immediately nod. "Then why aren't you doing anything about it?"

Gabriella let out a little sigh as she allowed her gaze to wander back over to where Troy was chatting with Chucky, Ryan, and Jason just then at some barstools across the club. Their eyes met again, for what seemed the hundredth time, as Gabriella felt her cheeks warm, again. She turned her attention back to her waiting friend and gave her a helpless shrug. "This is what it is. I can't be selfish and ask Troy to break up his engagement to a woman who I have no reason to dislike for no good reason but that I want him back. I could never do that to him. Besides, I have my own things in my life that would disrupt that path of thought anyway."

"It wouldn't be selfish if you both would live the rest of your lives happily ever after together," commented Kelsi, reaching over and squeezing Gabriella's left hand that was resting on the table. "I can see it in your eyes Gabriella that you still think of him as your Wildcat and I can see it in his that he always will be. The only thing preventing this is you, both of you."

"But what of his fiancé? And my own duties not to myself but to my family and my country? I can't just throw that all away," argued Gabriella, knowing full well that Kelsi was just voicing thoughts that Gabriella herself had thought before.

Kelsi let a few moments go before she spoke up again. "Have you even just talked to him, without anyone else around since? I mean on this trip, with all the cards out on the table?"

Gabriella shook her head. "No, it's just been polite conversation really."

"Then why don't you try it and then see how you feel. Maybe you are just imagining that there's something there which isn't but then again, maybe your heart knows the truth better than your mind," replied Kelsi before her cell phone vibrated again. "I have to go, that's my husband to pick me up. He wanted me to have an early night with the baby and all. Are you going to be okay?"

Gabriella nodded her head. "Yes, I will be. Come on, I'll walk you out."

The two women walked out of the club and shared a hug as they reached the rental Kelsi and her husband Tom had rented for the trip out to New Mexico. Gabriella thanked Kelsi for her advice before leaning down and waving at Tom, who waved back to her after kissing his wife hello. Once Gabriella closed the door, the compact car took off and Gabriella found herself not actually wanting to go back into the club just yet. Instead, she decided to walk around the perimeter of the building, feeling safe only in knowing that Paul was somewhere behind her, having promised to not be seen this week unless he and the team had to be.

After a little while, Gabriella felt a hesitant hand placed on her right shoulder, which startled her enough to cause her to spin around and let out a huge sigh of relief as she realized she was staring back into familiar blue eyes. "Troy, you scared me!"

Troy gave Gabriella his half smile and smirk that she remembered from years ago before he said, "Sorry. I didn't want to call out your name either because I thought that might startle you more, you know with you being in a dark area and all. I was thinking, do you maybe want to get some coffee or something?"

Without hesitation Gabriella nodded her head, causing Troy to smile even more. "To our favorite diner maybe?"

"You read my mind. Come on," invited Troy, letting his hand naturally gravitate to Gabriella's and hold hers in his as they walked to his rental car. He opened the door for Gabriella and let her get in before closing the door, walking around the car and getting in on the driver's side, unaware of the chuckle Paul just let out as he watched the former couple take off into the night together.

Both Gabriella and Troy couldn't believe how easily their conversation flowed after only a few moments of nervousness on both of their parts. They had been at the diner for an hour and were currently sharing a stack of fluffy pancakes with crispy bacon with Troy's coffee and Gabriella's tea.

"Still don't drink coffee huh?" remarked Troy as he took a sip from his freshly refilled mug. "Taste is still too strong?"

Gabriella scrunched up her nose and nodded her head. "You know me, never one for the strong stuff, including alcohol."

"Glad some things don't change," replied Troy with a smile.

"Yeah," agreed Gabriella before looking around at the diner. "Although this diner of ours seems to have gotten a paint job sometime in the last several years."

Troy looked around for the first time since they entered and nodded his head in agreement. "Guess so. Sometimes, even an old classic needs a touch up I guess. So tell me about Copanvy. What's the actual city the palace is located in?"

"Couldn't find that out on the globe or do you still not know what that blue round ball like thing is with all those masses painted in different colors as it apparently isn't a basketball?" teased Gabriella, giggling a little as Troy chuckled after rolling his eyes at her. "Louvis is the city name and Copanvy is located on the North-Eastern tip of Spain, somewhat above Portugal with some of Spain in between. It is on the coast, which is where I love to spend some free time when I get it, but Louvis is about two hours inland. It's actually a mix of cultures, which I love. It's a Spanish royal lineage with English influence and it does show in some of the things and people that exist in my country. The people though are the most amazing part and I've really enjoyed it because of them."

"What makes them so enjoyable?" asked Troy, intrigued to learn more about Gabriella's new home, especially by that sweet smile on her face as she talked about it.

"They just are, as a whole, so open minded and welcoming. I mean, sure the stories of my trial made it back to Copanvy but most people I meet don't seem to look at me like I'm this victim or this huge slut that invited what happened to me in high school to happen. Sure I've met males in particular who seem to eye me more than they would anyone else because they know what has happened to me but I've never felt true danger as a result. It's safe enough there for me to wander around without Paul and Curtis always by my side although they are mandated to be there at all formal and royal events. Even the photographers there are polite and courteous and actually care about me as a person instead of a piece of meat like the paparazzi here do," explained Gabriella, taking a bite out of a piece of bacon.

"Sounds like paradise for anyone famous," commented Troy. "No wonder you like it there, especially after what happened here in Albuquerque. I can still see some people staring at you here but it wasn't the craze that it was then."

"For which I am very grateful," murmured Gabriella. "I guess that's why I was a bit surprised in June when Celeste spotted me and made a huge to do out of it. It's not like I'm that famous as a royal either outside of Copanvy."

"You must appear in some of the mainstream magazines every once in a while at least because that's where she gets her information from," answered Troy, somewhat being grounded by talking about his fiancé. "Well it seems like you've adjusted to this new life of yours quite well."

"I have but I think you've done far better than me. At least you have your freedom and free choices to make instead of them being made for you," replied Gabriella. "I think I have tried my hardest to accept the changes in my life but there's still a part of me that wishes that she had remained here with you, with everyone else."

Before Troy could speak, Gabriella's cell went off and she went to answer it, rolling her eyes as she did. "I'm fine Mom, really… No, I did not get kidnapped from the club… Tessa, stop that, honestly, I'm going to be twenty-five this year just like you… We'll come back right now, all right?... Yes, he's here too… No you cannot talk to him, stop it… Bye!"

Troy quirked his scarred eyebrow at this. "I take it they've noticed we are missing?"

"Apparently it's lights up and they took headcount and got worried when I wasn't there and then noticed you weren't there when I was talking to Tess. We better go," said Gabriella, giving Troy a sad smile.

Troy placed some money on the bill that was already sitting on the table and shook off Gabriella's attempts to pay. "It's a midnight snack, don't worry about it. And don't take this the wrong way, but could we maybe talk some more if you are up to it after collecting our drunk friends?"

Gabriella smiled back at him. "I'd like that. I have a hotel room that will serve as somewhere quiet and private if that works for you? That way we don't have to come back to a diner or anything."

"Sounds cozy," joked Troy, wiggling his eyebrows to make sure she knew he really was teasing. "Sure, I can meet you there after I make sure the guys are all settled. Do you have your own car though?"

"Are you kidding me? Paul is following me everywhere although he is out of sight. I'll just hitch a ride with him," replied Gabriella. "One of the benefits of being followed all the time."

Troy laughed before he helped Gabriella up and out of the booth, both walking back to his rental. "So where's your hotel?"

"The Hyatt, Presidential Suite on the top floor. Text me though before you are on your way to make sure I'm there. I don't want you to have to linger in the hallway. It might make some of the security team a bit suspicious," remarked Gabriella, watching familiar sights pass her by. "You know, I'm glad we can talk like this. I've really missed you Troy."

"I've missed you too," replied Troy, meaning every word as he looked back over at her, itching to just hold her hand. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel instead and focused on what was coming up ahead.

After ensuring everyone was home safely, Ryan driving himself and Sharpay back to their family's mansion where Sharpay still lived as he was pretty sober by that time, Gabriella driving Tessa, Martha, Taylor, and Latashua back to Taylor and Tessa's apartment, and Troy driving Chad, Jason, Chucky, and Zeke back to Chad's place to crash, Troy and Gabriella met back up again as planned at the hotel. When Gabriella opened the door for Troy, he was relieved that she too had changed into something more casual, his mouth going more dry than earlier that evening when he realized that Gabriella had on a black pair of sweatpants with his old East High sweatshirt. She saw Troy staring back at her in his own gray sweat pants and a U of A t-shirt and became conscious of her comfy clothes. "What can I say, these are still my favorite to relax in."

Troy just nodded as he entered the suite, having spotted Paul down the hall and nodding quickly to him before he let the suite door close. "Wow, the Presidential suite. Pretty nice."

Gabriella shrugged. "What can I say? With a security team that needs to be close by, we needed the space. Besides, we're having the bridesmaids' breakfast here on Saturday before the wedding."

"Sounds like fun. Speaking of the gang and what will be a huge layout of food I'm sure, do you remember all those huge meals your parents would always have prepared for us whenever we hung out at your mansion?" asked Troy as he took a seat on the leather couch in front of the large flat screen that Gabriella had just put on mute before she took a seat there herself. "I swear that was like heaven for the guys."

Gabriella let out a laugh at this. "I think it was like paradise for you all actually. God, I do miss those sundaes of ours though."

Troy's eyes lit up at this. "Those do sound delicious. I wonder if room service would have all the ingredients."

"I highly doubt it. It's okay, we can have them another time. I'm just happy that somehow or another, you and I started talking tonight. Being just polite with you wasn't enough for me I've come to realize," confessed Gabriella, a sweet smile on her face.

"Me either," agreed Troy. "I've missed hearing your voice and your laugh. As much time has passed, I think it's changed only a fraction and is still as charming as before."

"Still the charmer I see," teased Gabriella as she wore an even bigger smile on her face now. "So tell me about this basketball career you have!"

Troy let out a dry laugh at this. "That right there is proof that I have gone nowhere near where I wanted to be in high school. Remember, I wanted to be some all known basketball pro in the NBA who has titles to his name by this age? Yeah, not so much. I'm still working my way up but I'll never have 'Rookie of the Year' or anything to my name anytime soon."

"But the point is that you are still trying, that you are still fighting the fight for your dream. That's good to see, honest," replied Gabriella, reaching over and patting his right hand with her left that was laying on the couch between them.

Troy and Gabriella both felt that familiar spark between them and Troy could not help but turn his hand over so that he could lace his fingers with hers, looking at them as if this vision was a treasure he had sought all his life for. He glanced up and saw that Gabriella too was looking at their joined hands and wondered what she was thinking. "Brie?"

Gabriella slowly raised her eyes, allowing Troy to see the unshed tears gathered there, feeling his heart tear into pieces seeing that expression on her face. "I'm so sorry Wildcat, so so sorry Troy," whispered Gabriella.

As Troy watched a few tears cascade down her cheeks from behind her now closed eyes, he drew himself closer to her so that he was there to wipe them away before they could roll off her face. He stared back at her just then as his actions startled Gabriella to open her eyes and look back at him, unaware that he had moved that much closer to her. "Don't be Brie, there's nothing to be sorry for."

"But if I had fought harder," started Gabriella, stopping as Troy shook his head at this.

"I think in honesty we both fought as hard as we thought we could at the time," replied Troy gently wrapping Gabriella into his embrace, bringing her face to rest against his neck. "We really had the best of intentions but it wasn't anyone's fault Brie, that much I've come to realize."

"And now we're destined for two different lives with two different people," whispered Gabriella, her mind busy between absorbing how wonderful it felt to be in Troy's arms again and what she was going to have to decide in the matter of months in regards to her own pseudo love life.

Troy remained quiet as he also allowed himself the freedom to absorb this familiar feeling he felt whenever Gabriella was near him, savoring it as he did at the club but this time knowing that it actually and truly meant something. "Do you remember when we first said those three magical words to each other?"

Gabriella sniffled before she pulled back and looked at him. "How could I forget? You won over my mother and father that night by offering to do the dishes all before dropping those yucky, greasy soap bubbles on my nose."

"At least it wasn't on top of your head!" complained Troy, chuckling a little at the memory. "God, I just remember looking down at you as you calmed down from the tickling laughter and just thinking how gorgeous you looked and before I knew it, the words were out of my mouth."

"And I for one think that was the best thing you ever said to me, among others but definitely one of the best," replied Gabriella with her own smile. "We had some really great times Troy."

"That we definitely did. Do you remember when we played mystery caller in that stupid dress store when you first came to Albuquerque? I don't know why but that memory really sticks out for me," murmured Troy, looking away at the silent TV before looking back at Gabriella.

"I think one that sticks out for me was our trip to Hawaii," added Gabriella. "Our time on the beach that early morning and just that sense of peace we had there."

"Mmm, those were some good moments too," agreed Troy.

The two continued to talk about the good memories, both relishing in the feeling of being back together and living those former moments out with each other, something neither thought they'd be able to do again. As sunrise approached, both started drifting to sleep without realizing it, remaining curled up together on the couch to dream some of the better dreams either have had in quite a long time.

Chris checked in with the front desk per Gabriella's instructions and picked up their room key and the room number in the envelope she left for him there. He went up the elevators to the top floor and greeted the few security members he recognized in the hallway. 'God, I have serious jetlag. Maybe Gabriella will be gone already so I can just sleep for a few hours. It is 11 AM local time, at least according to that clock that was downstairs,' thought Chris as he slid his keycard into the slot on the door and opened it when the green light flashed.

He slowly opened the door and noticed that there were two lamps still lit in the living room along with a silent flat screen TV. Chris entered the room and stopped as he saw two people on the couch, which was to be his bed. Curious, Chris walked around to the front of the couch and laughed to himself as he saw his favorite dance partner snuggled up and fast asleep in the arms of who he could only assume was the famous Troy Bolton. He gently shook his head and walked to the second bathroom to wash up, trying to be as quiet as he could while he thought of what this all meant for Gabriella.

When Chris was done, he left the bathroom only to be surprised with another presence in the room, one that was currently taking a picture of the two on the couch. Not knowing if the brunette woman in front of him was a friend or a paparazzi member that stealthily got in, Chris called out, "Hey, who are you and what are you doing?"

The brunette almost dropped her camera, startled at the deep voice that came across the room before she looked up and saw a tall, somewhat muscular blonde man with amazing green eyes staring back at her. "Umm, I'm Tessa Grainger, one of Gabriella's best friends. Who are you?"

"Christopher Sonders, Gabriella's close friend from Copanvy, otherwise known as date this weekend," supplied Chris, who let a smirk appear on his face now that he knew the woman was no danger as he recognized the name from pervious conversations with Gabriella. "Do you always take pictures of your friends sleeping?"

"Only when it's as precious as this, and trust me, Gabriella and Troy like this is very precious indeed," returned Tessa with a smile before she looked back down at the two on the couch who started stirring.

Gabriella was the first to open her eyes and let out a groan as she immediately recognized Tessa's mischievous face. "Oh God Tessa, what now?" mumbled Gabriella as she felt Troy tighten his hold around her waist.

"Nothing," replied Tessa, an all too innocent look on her face. "Your date is here though."

Gabriella's eyes shot open wider at this as she turned her head and sure enough saw Chris staring back at her. "Chris!"

"Brie, shh, it's too early to be so loud," murmured Troy as he started slowly waking up himself. His eyes widened though as he heard a masculine laugh he had never heard before and looked behind him to see a man standing behind the couch now, looming over the two. "Who are you?"

"Chris Sonders and you must be Troy," greeted the blonde. "Nice to finally meet you after hearing about you for so long."

"Chris, shut up!" exclaimed Gabriella as she reluctantly untangled herself from Troy to smack Chris on the arm.

"It's just the truth Ella, geez," got out Chris as he rubbed his arm. "Was she always this violent?"

"Only when you upset her," replied Troy with his own smile, reaching out and brushing some of Gabriella's dark brown hair behind her right ear. "What time is it?"

"11:30," answered Tessa. "I actually came over to pick up the princess to meet the girls for lunch but if you two would rather sleep still like that…"

Blushes appeared on both Troy's and Gabriella's faces at this as they both got up, finding this new situation they were in currently a bit awkward. "I guess I better get going. Chad is probably wondering where I am. Wait a second, did you say 11:30?"

Tessa nodded her head, a look of confusion on her face. "Why?"

"SHIT! Celeste's plane came in twenty-five minutes ago. I can't believe I forgot. Chris, nice to meet you, Tessa see you later, you too Brie. Oh and Brie? Thanks for the great night," said Troy, leaning in and kissing Gabriella lightly on the cheek quickly before running out of the suite.

Gabriella blushed more as she gingerly felt where his lips had just been on her cheek as she watched Troy leave. Immediately after the door closed though, Gabriella had a very curious pair of friends on her hands who were currently staring at her. "What?"

Chris just grinned at her. "Now aren't you glad I had the foresight to offer to get myself to this swanky hotel via shuttle instead of having you pick me up after a fun and evidently eventful bachelorette party of yours? That could have been you rushing out of here. Must have been some night too if you got him to forget about his fiancé."

"I agree with this guy here! You've got some explaining to do but first get your cute butt into that bedroom and change!" urged Tessa. "You don't want to be late and have to explain the real reason to everyone else now do you?"

"All right, all right, I hear you," mumbled Gabriella as she went into the bedroom to get changed, pausing for a moment to lean back against the closed door and relish in the happy mood she woke up in. She quickly realized that it had everything to do with the dark brown haired man whose arms she woke up in and who would always have a part of her as she had a part of him, no matter what their futures held.

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