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Little did Gabriella know that night on the balcony of her suite of rooms that the peace she found would be tested so soon on that immediate Saturday. 'Maybe Taylor is right. My instincts do seem to be spot on with what is going on with my life. I mean, why would I be so wrecked over this arranged marriage thing so much only to now be sitting among the members of the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council, staring at Patrick's father, Raul, as he seems to only be staring at me in return,' thought Gabriella, feeling her nerves gather again, straightening her posture to fight off the ill feelings gathering in her stomach.
Lauren gave her granddaughter an encouraging smile as she sat a few feet away in the throne-like chairs next to Edward, leaving Gabriella sitting by herself in front of a panel representing the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council, five men who spoke for the rest of the council composed of a total of twenty-eight men and women who were elected to represent their regions of Copanvy. Copanvy may be small in size in land mass but their country was largely populated by people who had family roots there from centuries ago.
Raul cleared his throat, seeing that the rest of the advisors had settled around the room, allowing for him to state the purpose of bringing Gabriella down to the hall where the advisory council met. "Good morning Princess Gabriella. Thank you for coming and agreeing to meet with us today. I'm sure you know most of us if not all of us by now so I will skip the formal introductions. Do you know why we have requested your presence here?"
Gabriella's eyes flew around the room, taking in the small smiles of some people who looked down at her from their elevated perches but mostly saw the serious expressions more advisory council members had. "I have an inkling Mr. Diaz," she answered simply, not wanting to say anything that would lead to trouble in a room bursting with the political power of Copanvy, half of it contained by her own grandparents while the other twenty-eight people shared the other half.
"As you know, your twenty-fifth birthday is coming up in little more than a month from now. We merely wanted to discuss with you who you are entertaining and to make sure you have every plan of upholding this royal tradition. I admit, over the years, it has changed its form in that princesses used to be arranged to marry men who they never met by her parents without consent at a much younger age but I believe, along with the rest of this council, that it was the right decision to do it this way. Please, Princess Gabriella, share with us your thoughts," said Raul, taking a seat from his standing, representing the head of the council for one of the last times as his term was ending in just two weeks.
She considered what she was about to say with great care, not wanting to say the wrong thing in front of the men and women she deemed as having the power to affect her future. As Gabriella thought though, she was also reminded of memories of not only the past year but from many years ago, when there was no such thing as an arranged marriage. "While I have great respect for Copanvy and her rich history, I too am grateful that such a modification on this one tradition was made. For that, I would like to extend my gratitude to my grandparents as well as this council for giving me that much leniency to finish off my schooling and to give me at least some type of hand in choosing. I confess I am entertaining two suitors at the moment but have not made any type of decision," declared Gabriella, swallowing hard to try to loosen the tightness in her throat.
Lauren watched her granddaughter carefully as she said the last words, grateful that Gabriella had used discretion in not naming her suitors as Lauren knew that Gabriella was considering a man the council would not consider, being far less open than Lauren and Edward, who already had their concerns about Troy Bolton. Much to her dismay though, Luis Lewount, a gentleman sitting on the right of Raul, voiced the question that would bring chaos to this chamber of the advisory council.
"Princess Gabriella, who may we ask are the lucky suitors?" questioned Luis, unaware of the Pandora's box he had just opened.
For a few moments, Gabriella felt panic well up from her gut and up but tried to push it back down, knowing that she couldn't afford to show her true emotions in front of this many people. In many ways, Gabriella was reminded of the feelings she had while sitting in the courtroom during Riley's trial, feeling not only the panic but the unease of having so many pairs of eyes staring at her, all ranging with different thoughts and feelings accompanying them.
Pushing away those old, haunting memories, Gabriella cleared her throat as delicately as she could and answered, "Do their identities really matter Mr. Lewount? I mean no disrespect but I thought that the advisory council had confidence in my ability to choose for myself and for this country. That is, after all, why you gave me the ability to date the suitors you suggested, is it not?"
"It is your highness, but with all due respect to you, the suitor must also be someone of our choosing as we carefully handpicked only those bachelors we felt could handle running this country with you, representing generations of fine, noble, bloodlines that run deep through the history of Copanvy," explained the man of Raul's left, Peter Sanchez. "We only have the best for you and this country in mind with these questions. Our hope is just to assure everyone present that you are taking this seriously."
"Which I wholeheartedly am Mr. Sanchez," answered Gabriella, wanting nothing more than to be out of that room as quick as possible, knowing now that it would be doom to mention either Patrick's name or Troy's but for different reasons.
"Gentlemen, what I believe my granddaughter is trying to convey is that she is still deliberating but to give her some more time before she announces her intention. We did show our confidence in her while she decides by giving her this liberty. I believe it would be only fair to let her finish what she has set out to do and not decide for her, cheating her of this opportunity," voiced Lauren, staying seated but having enough power in her voice to stop either Peter or Luis from saying anything further.
It did not have such an effect on Raul though as he knew this was his opportunity to find out the truth of what was going on in the young princess' mind. "Your Majesty, we as a council have no desires to dictate to Princess Gabriella who she should decide upon. We simply are asking to make sure that the choices Gabriella are making are with the best interests of the country as well as herself. After all, we would hate to have Gabriella choose from outside our nominations for consideration only to have her heart broken."
'Yeah, like you really care about my heart,' thought Gabriella, immediately looking around the room to make sure she didn't say it aloud and was relieved when all eyes were turned now on the discussion happening between Lauren and Raul.
"I believe what my wife is saying is in accordance to what you are trying to press forward Raul but I have to agree with her that names are not a necessity at this point as our granddaughter has not made a choice but is well aware of the implications once she does," said Edward, stepping in finally as he too was not fond of the feeling of Gabriella being given the third degree by anyone else. 'Even when I put Gabriella through grilling, she at least knows that I love her. These men and women on this advisory council have no true allegiance to her except to her bloodline. Who knows what their intentions are, especially Raul's.'
Raul eyed Gabriella as she expertly avoided his gaze, instead turning her brown eyes to lock onto her grandparents, who were exchanging looks with her as well. "As head of the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council, I have to represent the people of Copanvy the best I see fit as do the rest of the members here in this room. What's best for the people right now is to ensure Princess Gabriella is not only following tradition but is choosing wisely. All we would like is a name, no feelings or any type of hint of a decision Princess Gabriella. I would think you see the fairness in that request."
Feeling trapped as all eyes turned on her again, Gabriella's mind began to work in overdrive as she tried to figure out a way to get herself out of this jam. Before she had to answer, the doors opened to the chamber, distracting all the looks trained on her to instead focus on her father, who walked in with his own brown eyes narrowed at the head table of the room.
"Pardon my intrusion but I believe my invitation to this meeting of sorts was lost," announced Stephen, stopping his long strides when he was standing slightly behind Gabriella's chair, resting a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder. Stephen of course felt the physical symptoms of Gabriella's nerves and glanced down momentarily to see her give him a shaky smile, enough to prove to Stephen he had come just in time. "Any matter that concerns my daughter of course naturally concerns me, does it not?"
"Certainly your highness, it was an error for certain," replied Peter immediately, sincere in his words that the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council runners had dispatched to gather everyone, including the King, Queen, and Prince Stephen.
Raul though did not look to be anywhere as honest as the man next to him, offering no apology and daring to narrow his eyes a little on Stephen, who challenged him with his own look. "Welcome Prince Stephen. Perhaps you would be more comfortable in a chair," offered Raul, indicating an empty chair to the left of King Edward.
"I think I will stand with my daughter, thank you," returned Stephen, squeezing Gabriella's shoulder a little to try to channel her some courage and strength. "So, why exactly are we gathered here today on a Saturday? It is quite unusual for the advisory council to meet today."
"It is," agreed Raul, "but the circumstance was deemed unique enough. We did not want to interfere with the life our princess leads and did not want to bore her either with all the other matters this council discusses. Today, we merely gathered to ensure that Princess Gabriella is making the optimal decision that will strengthen our country and provide happiness to your family and herself."
"And by now, I'm sure Gabriella has assured you that she has kept both the country and herself in mind as she has been seeing her chosen suitors. If that's the case, I do not believe there is any further need to keep any of us here Raul," stated Stephen, silently challenging Raul to oppose the Prince of Copanvy.
Anger seeped into Raul's blood as he understood the challenge and knew that Stephen had effectively put him in a corner with no easy way of getting out without ruffling feathers one way or another. Seeing that the chamber was full of people who had the best interest of Copanvy at heart for the most part, people who were also discreet enough not to discuss matters of the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council with outsiders, Raul decided to take a chance, something he knew he had to do to expose the truth of what he knew the young princess was doing. "I agree that Princess Gabriella has promised that she is keeping Copanvy's future in mind as she makes her decision but I have to respectfully disagree with the thought that a basketball player counts as a suitable and approved suitor. I believe his name is Troy Bolton."
The change in the room was immediate, gasps and low discussions filling the air as Gabriella's choice of one suitor was exposed and shown to be what it was, a choice for her heart and not the country.
"This is unacceptable! She must marry a male citizen of Copanvy!" exclaimed a male voice from the crowd.
"We did not approve any professional sports players to be considered. Princess Gabriella must marry her other suitor," declared another voice.
"The old tradition should never have been changed for her! It's clear she is not mature enough to make this decision and so we must make it for her!" exclaimed a voice from another corner of the room.
Stephen felt Gabriella's body tense even more just by the change he felt under his fingertips, causing him to look down immediately, seeing Gabriella's eyes gloss over as all the various loud discussions filling the room, knowing that Raul was purposely letting the chaos continue.
"Now why are you sitting all the way up here when you can partake in my courtside seats with me?" asked Chris, chuckling as he saw Gabriella jump a little at the sound of his voice.
"Maybe I like sitting in the Royal Box here to see the Knights play," replied Gabriella, smirking a little at Chris before turning her attention back to the court where the players were warming up. "Spotted me from down there huh?"
Chris coughed a little to hide his chuckle just then. "It's kind of hard not to notice when the actual royal family graces this box with all the security that hides in every crevice on these nights and these nights only. Then again, maybe I only notice them more because I know so many of them now, especially Paul over here," stated Chris, pointing at Paul, who was standing in his normal alert state, his eyes roaming the crowd down below as he stood at the edge of the box.
"I'd like to see you pull off keeping the royal family of Copanvy safe while blending in," challenged Paul, a smile on his lips, never breaking the constant motion of his eyes as he continually swept the crowd for anyone or anything suspicious. "Surprised you haven't teased her for her jacket. I did it almost immediately."
Chris's eyes flew down and chuckles immediately escaped his mouth before Gabriella promptly elbowed him in the stomach, the best she could due out in the open. "Don't even start with me Chris or Tessa is so getting a call. You'll regret it," warned Gabriella, hating the blush on her cheeks.
He threw up his hands in mock surrender. "All I want to say is that you look adorable in that Wildcats varsity jacket. Pretty bold of you to come in here with a jacket of a mascot that isn't either team while the jacket does have the name and number of a certain Knight player down there. I think he could use having his own cheerleader here."
"How nice of you to be a male cheerleader for him," said Gabriella, shaking her head at him. "Better head back down there Chris. The game is going to start in less than three minutes."
"I take that as a no?" returned Chris.
"Too much attention down there not to mention Paul, who probably won't let me either," stated Gabriella, annoyed when Paul simply shrugged his shoulders, showing that he would let her if she wanted to. "Go Chris!"
"All right, all right. I can tell when you don't want to go do something. See you later Ella!" called out Chris before he disappeared from the Royal Box, leaving Gabriella to watch the game with Stephan, Annette, and the security team.
It was when halftime began that the Knights' fans began to feel a bit of despair, realizing that their undefeated team could actually lose tonight with the score being 98 to 60. Chris observed Troy's troubled looks that seemed more apparent than the rest of his team and decided that Troy needed to know that she was here, that his Brie had come to a game of his to support Troy and his team and sport as Troy had done numerous times for her.
After the halftime show was over, Troy and Tomas jogged behind the rest of their team back onto the court, feeling again the pressure radiating from the stands from fans of the team that wanted them to keep this undefeated streak going. Troy slowed and eventually stopped his pace though as he noticed Chris walking back to the courtside seats he usually occupied unless he had a performance, slowly dragging someone behind him. Beat by beat Troy's heart sped up as he first saw the brunette curls before his blue eyes instantly lit up as his gaze managed to catch hers, Gabriella giving him a shy smile and a small wave. 'She's here! Brie is actually fucking here at one of my games!'
"Troy, hello! Earth the Troy!" called out Tomas, waving his friend in front of his friend and teammate.
Troy finally looked away from Gabriella and returned his friend's look, oblivious to the wide grin that now graced his face, a complete turnaround from his expression before half time. "What was that Moreno?"
Tomas just shook his head, glancing over in the direction he had seen Troy staring at to see what had caused such a cheerful look on his face when Troy was usually so focused on his game that he'd be down in the dumps at losing, no matter what was going on around him. It was then that Tomas realized for the first time that Princess Gabriella was sitting courtside with her dance partner. His brown eyes though sharpened at the red and white jacket she was wearing, just before Gabriella took it off and folded it in her arms, most likely to prevent anyone else observing her from seeing the name "Troy" embroidered on the front on one side with a big white E patched on the other.
After pondering for a few moments on the true significance to the jacket and why Princess Gabriella put such a grin on his friend's face, Tomas smirked as his mind put together the puzzle. "Why you sly dog Bolton! You're in love with the princess and not just in love but are seeing her!" exclaimed Tomas, astonishment in his voice.
Troy, who had been watching Gabriella too as she started talking to Chris with her eyes trained on the Knights, more so on Troy, whipped his head around to stare back at Tomas, his blue eyes wide. "Umm, no, course not," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck furiously as he walked back to the team, hoping Tomas would drop the subject.
No such luck. "Troy, why didn't you tell me? I thought we were buds," said Tomas, keeping his voice low as the head coach was talking again. "There's no way that's a coincidence that she's wearing your varsity jacket from high school. Don't deny it. I remember your scouting report that I saw Coach with and it talked about your high school and college years. Not to mention the jacket has your name."
"Dude, just leave it alone, please. We have to get our heads in this game if we're going to win it and keep our own hopes alive at this record we seem to be keeping," replied Troy, involuntarily glancing over his shoulder and grinning again for a few moments as he saw Gabriella watching him again.
"We win this, you are so telling me everything Troy, that's the deal," warned Tomas, not letting the matter go.
Troy sighed. "Fine, deal."
Tomas grinned like the cat who ate the canary and accepted Troy's deal, focusing his mind on the strategies their coach was barking out to ensure he'd get the dirt on the situation later.
Seventy-six minutes and exactly fourteen seconds later, Troy flung his head in such a way to fling his sweaty bangs that were sticking to his forehead away from his gaze as he had just passed the ball to Tomas, watching as Tomas drove the ball down the court to a place miraculously not guarded only to shoot the ball and score, winning the Knights the game by just one point at the very last second. Excitement filled Troy's body as the rest of the team came pouring onto the court to celebrate yet another victory, knowing how very close they were to being defeated for the first time that season.
After exchanging handshakes with the other team and then with his own, Troy looked around the stands and spotted Gabriella standing up next to Chris, a grin of her own on her face.
She had seen Troy really pick up his game after she had joined Chris in his courtside seats and couldn't help but feel proud that Gabriella herself could have been a reason for that. Gabriella felt the usual stares from people around but it didn't help her from blowing Troy a kiss, a rather bold move for her, showing him the only way she could without being a total spectacle how happy she was for him.
His grin spread even more than she thought it could after that, placing his right hand out to catch said kiss and put it on his lips before settling the same hand over his quickly beating heart and then pointing again towards her. 'I really do love you Brie and I hope you know this game tonight, how I played in the second half, was dedicated to you for you are my strength, my everything.'
Troy watched though as Paul and a few other bodyguards approached Gabriella and Chris and frowned a bit as they took them away, Paul giving Troy an apologetic look. He understood though that Gabriella had to leave with escorts as was their protocol in public events like this, smiling again as she glanced back at him one last time and mouthed those three words he always cherished hearing her say, returning them back before turning around, seeing Tomas standing there, grinning back at him.
"We won, now talk," demanded Tomas with a chuckle, Troy's eye roll not escaping his attention.
"Fair is fair," agreed Troy, sighing as he tried to search for the words and the story he wanted to tell his friend and teammate. "Come on man, we'll have your talk but not a word passes you got it?"
"Promise," replied Tomas, dropping the subject for the time being as they walked towards their locker room. Eventually, Tomas got Troy's summary of carefully chosen events and timelines over pizza and beer back at Troy's apartment, adding yet another person to the list of who knew about Troy and Gabriella's romance and genuinely wished them well.
Gabriella blinked back from the memory of watching Troy play his heart out on the basketball court only two days ago, happy to see that spirit in him once again. So far no pictures had leaked of her with his varsity jacket on, only of it folded in her arms, and for that Gabriella was grateful. Those feelings though vanished as she heard a declaration from the head table, cooling her as if ice water was poured on her from the ceiling.
"So it is settled, the princess will marry my son, Patrick, within the next year," announced Raul, smirking as he spoke, knowing that his plan had worked. "I'm sure Patrick will be delighted to know this after all this time of dating."
Her palms became sweaty, becoming even more aware of all the eyes trained on her, nervous because she felt all control was being pulled away from her life just then but also angry that Patrick's father took so little care for who she was and what Gabriella wanted as a person, not just as a princess with duties.
"Well Patrick will have to wait," returned Stephen, completely sickened and fed up with the way the advisory council was acting right now. "Gabriella has stepped into this role as a princess of Copanvy with grace and an open mind. She has never disgraced this country or her people. What gives you the right Raul to take away the happiness and the freedom she has left in deciding who she marries, all traditions aside? This council has stated time and time again this tradition was modified so she could decide for herself. Do you really all want to make the decision to revoke your word?"
More murmurings began to fill the room, this time debating on the words their prince had just spoken. After a short discussion at the head table in which Raul emphatically shook his head several times, Peter stood up again, silencing the room. "We agree that we must hold up our word as a council to allow Princess Gabriella to make her own decision. Princess, if you were to choose right now, honestly, who would it be?"
"Troy," she replied, his name, that one syllable, sliding out of her mouth, straight from her heart, without even realizing how easily it was declared in front of so many people after all this time of keeping him secretly close to her heart.
"I told you she would not use reason! She listens only with her young mind, not what is best for Copanvy! Luis, you agree with me right?" asked Raul, instantly on his feet again, his voice resonating around the room despite the side conversations now going on among the rest of the advisory council.
Lauren, seeing the horror on her granddaughter's face at having confessed something she never intended to while also the sadness as Raul's words began to sink in more into Gabriella's mind, finally stood up from her throne, silencing the room as if she had shouted above all the noise. "While I understand the concerns and opinions you have all voiced today, I must remind you that you collectively hold only half the power of Copanvy, the rest remaining with my family. It is clear that my granddaughter is conflicted but do not let your leader dictate what the rest of you think. I ask the rest of the council to use the remaining weeks to Gabriella's birthday to deliberate on this issue at hand for yourself to decide what you think is best. I certainly have my own thoughts but I ask each of you to form your own, uninfluenced."
This time it was Luis's turn to speak. "And I think that is a valid point, to give this some more time, to let Princess Gabriella make the right decision. We in no way deem it within our right to force her to do anything, especially as she has already agreed to follow a custom most young people would argue with," stated Luis, ignoring the dark look he was receiving from the current head of the advisory council. "In fact, as a way of compromise, I suggest we give Princess Gabriella more time to deliberate on this herself, to even widen her search for the right future Prince of Copanvy if Patrick is not who she thinks is right."
Luis's words were doing wonders in comforting Gabriella until she realized with his last sentence that he intended for her to make her decision so long as Troy was not one of them. "Dad, he just gave me the false feeling of hope didn't he? They will never allow me to marry Troy if they have a say in it," whispered Gabriella, a deep sadness pulling at her heart now.
Stephen shook his head in frustration as he heard his daughter's question. "I'm afraid not Gabriella."
His confirmation was all Gabriella needed to feel the cruel royal hand of Fate squeeze one last time tightly around her life, suffocating her in the knowledge that just as she was about to finally come to full terms with her life, Fate had thrown yet another curveball to wreck havoc.
Troy absently ran his fingers through Gabriella's dark long wavy hair as they watched the television in Troy's apartment, Gabriella's head resting on a pillow on his lap, neither saying anything. When Troy had made it to the theater after another game, just in time to pick Gabriella up for a prearranged date, he looked on with confusion as Gabriella had an extra duffle bag with her heaved onto one shoulder. Just by opening the passenger door to Troy's car and slipping in after throwing the bags in his backseat, Gabriella communicated to Troy how very upset and preoccupied she was, kissing him lightly in greeting before pulling away and spending the rest of the drive looking out the window.
He worried about her even more as she quietly ate their special sundae after Troy produced two cups of it from the freezer shortly after arriving at his apartment, curious as to what had happened to leave her in this state. When Gabriella went into the bathroom, Troy texted Chris to see if he knew anything but only got one back saying Chris couldn't figure it out either but revealed that Gabriella had been silently crying a little during their performance, right at the last part when their characters were separated. The little conversation they did have was much more subdued than normal, the tension it caused being felt by both, only easing as they settled into watching a movie they found on a cable channel.
Within a blink of an eye though, that tension came back but was morphed into something else Troy couldn't put his finger on, all thoughts escaping his mind as Gabriella quickly pulled herself up into a sitting position before straddling his lap, tossing the pillow aside. "Brie?" he asked, somehow nervous yet excited at their current position.
Before he could say anything else though, Gabriella slammed her lips on top of his, kissing Troy soundly, deeply, passionately, taking firm control even as Troy's arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pinning her there. As Gabriella's lips moved down his neck, so did her hands, coming to rest on the hem of Troy's shirt, pausing for a moment before she ripped the shirt up and over Troy's arms and head, leaving Troy breathless at the sudden intensity fueling Gabriella's movements. Troy fought to keep up with her pace, letting his own passion drive him as he returned the favor and took off her shirt, flinging it into a corner of his living room, instantly feasting on the sight of Gabriella's bra covered breasts for the first real time. Before his gaze could soak up everything they wanted to, Gabriella was back to kissing Troy feverishly, her hands raking up and down his chest until they went further still, stopping at the edge of his jeans for a moment before she boldly undid the button and zipper there, communicating with Troy the idea that Gabriella wanted to go much further than they had to that point.
By the time Troy managed to get free of his jeans and socks, leaving him only in his boxers, he had also managed to get Gabriella undressed, leaving her too in her underwear. With ardor fueling his actions, Troy stood up again with Gabriella in his arms, carrying her with her legs wrapped around her waist into his bedroom, gently dropping her onto his bed before climbing on top of her, immediately nipping at all her sensitive spots, grinning from time to time as he heard her groans of delight. Gabriella returned the loving physical attention by running her hands up and down Troy's back, causing his muscles to respond each time her fingernails raked over them, shooting lines of pleasure through Troy's body.
It was through that passion filled mind though that Troy saw what was about to happen through Gabriella's eyes only moments before she let out a terrified scream as Troy slipped his hand under her string bikini to touch her with his hand in the most intimate way. He instantly withdrew, panicked as Gabriella managed to crawl away from his body that had previously pinned her down, now tucked into herself with her arms around her legs that were drawn up on the opposite corner of the bed. "Brie? Gabriella, what's wrong?"
"Don't touch me, you'll only hurt me!" she exclaimed, Gabriella's voice raw with her pleading. "You'll only rip me into pieces like last time. Leave me alone Riley!"
'Shit,' he cursed in his mind, along with a few other choice swear words at the man who was still locked up in prison somewhere in New Mexico. Not knowing what else to do, Troy slowly moved towards Gabriella, feeling his heart wrench even more as the closer he got, the clearer he saw Gabriella's fear in her eyes as tears raced down her cheeks. When Troy was sitting in front of Gabriella, one leg on each side of her body, he carefully placed the palms of his hands on the sides of her face, forcing Gabriella to look into his eyes. "You're safe baby, it's me, Troy, your Wildcat."
Gabriella began to struggle against his hold but slowly calmed down as she heard his voice, recognizing instantly who Troy was, escaping from the replay of the night she was raped, a memory she hadn't felt this vivid in a long time. "Oh my God Troy, I'm so sorry," she whispered, realizing how very wrong this entire day was going. "I'm so sorry for everything. For now, for what I've done to you, what our future is going to be. They can't make me but they can and I don't know what else to do. To have Riley's hands all over me again, that only makes everything worse. I don't want to go back Troy, I can't."
As Troy listened to Gabriella's babble, he wiped as many of her tears away as he could, not minding the fact that they continued to flow despite his efforts. Eventually though, Troy just guided Gabriella into his arms, holding her body close to his as she cried into his neck, running his hands through her hair and placing soft kisses on the top of her head in attempts to soothe her. Memories of comforting Gabriella countless times after episodes right after Riley's attack on her flooded his mind, reminding him of what he felt then versus his feelings now, recognizing as Gabriella dealt with coming to terms with the memory and whatever else happened to her since he last saw her that his love really had grown more than tenfold since high school. He recognized now that if Riley had dared to even breathe the wrong way around Gabriella, Troy would have never thought twice about beating the crap out of the other man before he even touched Gabriella.
Gabriella's sobs slowly subsided some time later, her hiccups disappearing, as her breathing also became more regular, turning more slow and rhythmic, telling Troy Gabriella had managed to fall asleep, cuddled in his embrace on his lap, finally finding peace after her emotional ordeal. Troy sighed as he pulled away a little, enough to see the more neutral expression on her face, one that showed no hints of the torment and torture that just happened. Carefully, Troy eased Gabriella's body in his hold in such a manner that he could gently lay her down on his bed, bringing the covers over her body and his both, slipping his arms around Gabriella again, not able to bear the minute of separation of contact it took to get them there.
Troy laid there, with Gabriella spooned into his body, for another hour, his mind racing with what else was tormenting this beautiful sweet woman in his arms, realizing sometime after she fell asleep that her words he heard meant more than just reliving Riley's rape. 'No, something else has definitely gone on, more recently. I understand that maybe being that intimate may be too soon and could have triggered the memory, I remember Emma warning me of that possibility years ago in high school, but there's something else there, something else that is going on. The question is what?' he wondered, continuing to mentally piece the puzzle together until he too joined Gabriella in slumber, albeit a bit less peaceful thanks to all the stray thoughts running through his mind.