Gabriella let out a loud moan as she sank into the steamy hot water of the Jacuzzi located on the stone porch of the chateau, letting her head rest on the edge as she allowed the heat and strong jet on her back take away some of the aches in her body. She moved her head to the right to see Taylor, Tessa, and Sharpay also in the Jacuzzi with her, all of them looking just as exhausted as she felt.

"Honestly, what were we thinking letting the guys get us up on that Black Diamond trail?" questioned Tessa, keeping her eyes closed just thinking of the number of times she managed to fall on her ass trying to make it safely down from the top.

"Speak for yourself, I did just fine," smirked Sharpay, letting out a loud protest when Tessa splashed some water at her with her eyes still closed. "Oh, you so did not do that!"

Taylor sighed, shaking her head, wincing a little as she stretched out her currently bent legs. "Seriously, you two are making Chad seem mature and that's scary."

Both Taylor and Tessa scoffed before they both lightly splashed the darker girl, earning immediate splashes back. "Who's immature now?" Tessa smugly asked, seeing Taylor roll her eyes. "So Gab, how was the snowboarding lesson? We saw you stand at least a few times."

"Ugh, do you have to tease me about my inability to mix with snow well? You'd think after me almost managing to ski into a ski lift pole late yesterday afternoon would have been enough warning for Troy to know not to put me back on there with only one board instead of two. Noooo," Gabriella dragged out. "He has to push it to the limit and make me see that yes, I can stand up on the snowboard, but falling as much as I did today, no good."

"At least we got some great pictures of it that will last you a lot longer than those bruises," comforted Sharpay, smirking as Gabriella stuck her tiny tongue out at her. "Look at it this way. At least the guys are all still up on the slopes leaving us to enjoy this quiet moment alone. Speaking of, where's Amy?"

"I think she said something about wanting to get something to drink or something," answered Taylor, looking now at Gabriella who looked so relaxed. "So are you and Amy getting to know each other better now?"

Gabriella shrugged her shoulders. "I think so but it was never like we didn't like each other, at least from my end. I think Troy just wanted me to get to know her better as she is his favorite cousin and, well, I didn't have the most favorable opinion of Amy back when I first came back before senior year out of jealousy. Had I known then what I know now about her being his cousin and being really great I don't think I'd feel the same way."

"And I still can't believe you thought I was dating Troy, eww," added Amy, laughing a little as Gabriella gave her a guilty look. "No, don't give me that look. It isn't like you were the only one that thought that. I think your friends had plenty of hands in that too but I can see where you all would think that. Just glad you and Troy worked it out and I didn't cause permanent damage that summer."

Amy just smiled back at the round of guilty looks and shook her head, placing the tray of cosmos she had just made on a side table before she passed one to each of them.

"Thanks Amy," murmured Gabriella, giving the older female a smile. "I really have enjoyed getting to know you better on this trip and on Christmas Day. I can see why you and Troy get along so well."

Amy laughed. "Yeah, and it doesn't hurt that he and I are the closest in age out of the others either. I still can't believe Aunt Lucille actually told you as much as she did on Christmas, about the stories of Troy and the mischief he got into with Chad and Chucky. I thought he would have lost it when he walked into the kitchen to hear about that one story where Chad and he decided it was time to try to fly."

This caught Taylor's attention, realizing she had never heard this story before. "Wait, my husband and her fiancé really thought they could fly? Please don't tell me they…"

"Whatever it is you are thinking, probably wouldn't be too far off from the truth," answered Amy with a chuckle. "Let's just say that both six year olds ended up being covered head to toe in multicolored feathers with glue. They tried to take off soaring after jumping on the trampoline in the backyard, rather disgruntled after an hour or so of jumping with all their might only to not once take flight."

The four other women exchanged glances before bursting out into laughter, quickly joined by Amy as she climbed into the Jacuzzi. "So, what exactly are the guys planning tonight?" asked Tessa, suspecting that someone in the group would actually know. "Tay?"

Taylor shook her head. "I tried but Chad was surprisingly quiet. I suspect Troy threatened death if he breathed a word to me. We all know Chad would be the first to spill."

"True but threats of castration work just as well," thought Sharpay out loud, causing Taylor to splash her lightly. "What? It's true!"

"Be nice to the poor guy. Sometimes, I just think he doesn't think fast enough to catch up to his words is all. He really is smart," replied Taylor, feeling defensive of her husband. "I admit Chad has a big mouth, a bad sense of timing, but he really is a sweetheart."

"We know Taylor otherwise we all wouldn't have stood next to you as you committed yourself to him for all the rest of your days," said Gabriella, smiling at Taylor before sipping from the glass she had in her hand. "Speaking of guys though, Sharpay, how are things with you and Zeke? You haven't talked about him in ages."

Sharpay casually shrugged her shoulders, dismissing the idea with a wave of her hand. "Oh, that fling was over a while ago. I think if he didn't live in Miami with a thriving career already established it would have been a different story but I'm too needy for a long distance relationship. Besides, as much as Tessa kept claiming she was okay with it, I kept feeling weird dating her ex. I think unlike you old hens I like the idea of still being able to date who I want, seeing what's out there with no guilt. Don't know how you three can settle. Amy, what about you? Any guy in your life?"

"No," answered Amy truthfully. "No guy but there is someone."

Gabriella held in a giggle as Sharpay's and Tessa's mouths almost hit the surface of the water in the Jacuzzi. "Seriously?" asked Tessa.

"Seriously," answered Amy, amused by the reactions of the women around her. "She was supposed to come with me on this trip but bailed last minute because her family pulled the guilt card on her for spending Christmas with me. Wanted her back home with them for New Year's at least."

"I have to say that she is absolutely lovely, inside and out," added Gabriella, earning a grin from Amy.

"Thanks Gabriella. I think so too. Not sure our grandparents agreed on Christmas Day when they met her though," replied Amy, thinking back to the day she introduced her partner, Valerie, to her family for the first time, minus Amy's parents.

Gabriella too thought about it before she commented, "I think they did. They were probably just shocked that you were a lesbian. After all, it was the first time you per se came out of the closet right?"

Amy chuckled as she nodded her head. "I think you were the most accepting of my sexual preference out of all of them there that day Gabriella. I'm still surprised Troy didn't figure it out before. He has met some of my exes in the past."

Sharpay rolled her light brown eyes at this. "Troy is clearly a guy and didn't pick up on it. I have to say though that I didn't pick up on it either although I know you less than anyone here."

"Nor did we when we thought you were dating Troy back in high school that summer," confessed Tessa.

Amy groaned at this memory. "That really is gross, you know that? No offense Gabriella but eww! And maybe why you didn't pick up on it was that I didn't really figure it out until I was a sophomore in college."

"No offense taken Amy. It's good you don't see how sweet, romantic, sexy, handsome, intelligent…" started Gabriella only to be interrupted by Tessa.

"Enough!" exclaimed Tessa, letting out an exasperated sound. "You are going to give me a cavity! We all know you are heads over heels in love with him."

Taylor took her turn to splash someone and sent it Tessa's way. "Hey, take it easy on her lest she start badgering you about how you can sometimes gush on and on about Chris! You get to do that freely, wherever and whenever you want but Gabriella can't."

"Oh I know Tay, just giving her a hard time is all. Besides, you rattle on about Chad too at times, although I sometimes don't know why," teased Tessa, smirking at Taylor as she got an outraged expression on her face.

As the playful argument continued, spiraling into another argument that included Sharpay this time, Gabriella sat back against the Jacuzzi and smiled, delighted on how some things never changed. Even after all the years that had passed and the major turns her own life had taken, Gabriella was grateful for the consistency of her friends.

"Dude, this is what the top secret romantic plan is?" questioned Chad as he looked around the room they were in at the Sky Mountain Ski Resort. "It's cheesy looking to me."

Troy surveyed the very room he had met Gabriella in years ago and chuckled to himself, noting how not a lot had changed. Although he had reserved the room for their own use, they had to be out by 9:30 so the staff who was working the teen party later that night could clean up and then finish setting up. At Troy's request they had already set up the stage and karaoke televisions and console along with the microphones, smirking to himself as he could only begin to imagine Gabriella's reaction.

Chucky studied Troy's look and almost hit himself on the forehead as he realized why this place would be considered romantic by Troy. "This is where you and Gab met isn't it? When you were juniors in high school and you were up here with your folks?"

"And I adamantly didn't want to go to the teen club party my mom forced me to attend so she could take away my dad from playing basketball with me to go to the 'adult' party. Yup, the very place. Not much has changed. Brie is going to love it," he commented.

Chris just shook his head. "Honestly man, I get that this is sweet for you and Ella but what about the rest of us? I mean, karaoke? LAME!"

Chad high fived Chris, both laughing while Ryan shook his own head. "I think it's cool. It'll be fun, having a nice dinner and then singing, laughing, and just enjoying each other's company. Of course I'm saying this as a bachelor here with no commitments to swoon a girl. Chad and Chris, maybe if you think you can do better, you can go make your own arrangements. No one said you had to rely on Troy to do everything."

This time, Chucky laughed as he high fived Ryan, both grinning at Chad and Chris who instantly sobered. "Yeah, all right, you got us there," admitted Chad. "Speaking for myself, I can't think of a single romantic thing to do on my own without Chucky and Troy helping me."

"And there's no way we can find anything better now, last minute," admitted Chris. "Hey, if this place is good for a princess, I think Tessa will be happy."

Troy chuckled. "The woman of my dreams may be a princess but yours, man Chris, she's a piece of work. Not as high maintenance as Ryan's sister but still, I don't envy you."

Chris only rolled his eyes, knowing that Troy was right. "Yeah, well, what can I say? The woman has me wrapped around her little finger and knows it. Not to mention the bed sport…"

"TMI!" declared Chucky, stopping Chris's train of thought. "No need to share that bit."

"Seriously man, I never would have thought a ballerina would be so dirty minded," confessed Chad. "I think you put me and Tay to shame easy."

"What about Troy and Ella? Come on, they have to be up there too!" exclaimed Chris, looking to Troy for confirmation. "Come on Troy, how many times a day back in Louvis do you do it when you are holed up in your apartment, escaping the world?"

Troy swallowed the ball of nerves that settled in his throat, feeling four pairs of eyes stare at him. "Zero actually," he offered softly, seeing the shock on all of their faces.

"Whoa, hold up, what?" Chad questioned in a confused yet demanding tone. "I thought you and Gab did it like a while ago."

"Not even in high school?" asked Chris.

Troy just shook his head as he met their disbelieving eyes, feeing no regret or embarrassment that he and Gabriella hadn't actually made love yet. 'God knows we have come close in the past few months but there's just so much more to this single act.'

Ryan tilted his head to the side a little as he studied the serious yet soft look that made up Troy's face in that moment. "It must be hard."

"Huh?" asked Chris. "What was hard? Certainly not his member if they haven't done anything yet."

"Seriously too dirty of a mind for a ballerina," muttered Chad quietly before Ryan spoke again.

"It must be hard being with someone who has gone through as much as Gabriella has. I'm not talking about being a princess and the responsibilities. I'm talking about her only intimate experience, which really took the word intimate right out of that phrase. How it must plague Gabriella still, even subconsciously. That's gotta suck but more so hurt to see her go through all that on her own, especially if it flares in the most passionate moment," stated Ryan, causing Chucky to actually smack himself on the forehead this time as Chucky instantly understood. "How hard it is for Troy himself to sit by her side and be unable to do anything to help her but let her know that he cares, that he's there. That's really tough Troy."

Troy just stared at Ryan, honestly surprised the other man got a good deal of it right. "God Ryan, how the hell did you know all that?"

Ryan shrugged. "Research for one of my projects when I was working on a Lifetime channel movie. The lead male was actually raped and as I watched the actor act out scenes, it made me wonder what the reality was."

"Dude, you mean you haven't done it with Gab because of fucking Sutton?" asked Chad.

Chris's eyes grew as he was the last to fully comprehend the situation. "The bastard that raped Gabriella?"

Troy flinched at the word 'raped' but slightly inclined his head a little. "It's more than that but yes, that's one big reason. We got really close one night weeks back but she broke down, freaked out, as the memories just washed right over her. You have no idea how much that hurt, to see her break down like that at my touch, thinking I was that sick bastard. I know since then, I've been more conscious of what we are doing, trying to make sure I'm not pushing her too hard, too fast. For that reason plus the fact that I really want her real first time making love to be something she wants but also special, enough to erase that stolen 'first', it's better in my mind to wait, to give it time. When everything is right, we'll both know."

Chad broke the serious moment as he started laughing, getting punched in the upper arm by Chucky who was nearby, getting a slicing glare from his brother. "What? I'm sorry but Troy saying 'making love' was just hysterical! It made me think of the pretty flowers and cheesy hearts floating around type of scenario."

"Not everyone wants their first time together to be in the back of their parents' car like yours with Taylor," shot back Chucky.

It was Chris's turn to laugh now as he could only imagine how upset Taylor probably was after that. "I bet you got a tongue lashing for that one, for not living up to that romantic concept of a girl's first time you seemed to have just laughed at Troy for. Taylor, along with every one of those women back at the cabin, seems like the type who may be sassy and independent but still likes the romance of things. I know she was an active participant and all, but I bet some part of her wondered if that was all it was cracked up to be. I know my first said that to me and we were at least in a bed! Troy man, I have to say, you have more respect from me though today than you did before, knowing you've taken such care with Ella."

"Thanks Chris," replied Troy, relieved that it seemed like the focus had shifted off of him and his sex life with Gabriella. In truth, Troy knew that he and Gabriella were getting closer and closer to that time when maybe it would actually work out for their first time, both timing wise and emotionally, but he wasn't going to admit that now nor was he going to push it with Gabriella. 'When she's ready, she'll tell me. It's not the most important thing in the world.'

"Chad, where are we going?" asked Taylor, looking at Chad, who was conveniently avoiding her gaze as they rode in the chauffeured Hummer limo the guys had rented for the night.

Ryan chuckled, seeing how hard Chad was working at not being the one to spoil the secret. After putting some personal touches to the room at the resort and pre-setting some music to be playing during dinner, the men had driven back to the chateau as they were all now calling it, throwing out the term of cabin as it didn't fit now that they had spent a night and two days there. He laughed again in his head as he recalled the jaws of Chris, Chad, and Troy all drop as they spotted the women in the Jacuzzi, relaxing and creating quite a "steamy" picture. Of course, that was nothing compared to the annoyed expressions the females of the group wore minutes later when they were told they had only an hour and a half to get ready for their New Year's outing. 'Well everyone except Taylor and Gabriella but what's new there,' thought Ryan, enjoying watching Chad squirm under Taylor's continued questions.

After about a forty minutes drive, the Hummer limo parked right outside the main entrance of the Sky Mountain Ski Resort, a just loud enough gasp escaping Gabriella's lips as the door opened and Troy got out, helping her out while Gabriella realized she knew exactly where they were. "The Sky Mountain Ski Resort Wildcat?"

He shyly smiled back at her. "Chad said this was cheesy but I couldn't resist. It's not often you get to return to the place you met the woman of your dreams, this time with a group of friends to cheer you on as you make a fool of yourself."

Gabriella gasped for the second time in literally minutes as she immediately understood what Troy had in store. "It's been almost eight years and you are going to take us back to where we started aren't you?"

Troy grinned, seeing the delight on her face, feeling comforted that she really was excited about this and that this chance he took would pay off. "Guess you'll just have to wait and see won't you?"

"If this sucks, it's all Troy's doing," murmured Chris, unsure of how Tessa would take being in the private room, having a hopefully good dinner, and singing karaoke.

"And if it's fantastic, it's all Troy's doing still," chimed in Chucky, chuckling as Chris glared at him.

Tessa just smiled at her boyfriend, placing her hand in his. "I'm sure whatever it is, no matter who came up with it, it'll be fun. It's all about the company you keep, right?"

"Exactly!" agreed Sharpay, catching up with her, Chris, and Chucky. "After all, I don't hang out with just anyone you know."

"Figures she'd find a way to make this all about her," commented Amy, rolling her eyes as she picked up her own pace to catch up with Troy and Gabriella, who were walking a little ahead of the group.

Troy intently watched Gabriella's face as they walked into the resort, walking down vaguely familiar hallways together, this time with each other's hands linked together. When they were back outdoors again walking towards another building, Amy fell back to hang out with Chucky, Ryan, and Sharpay to give them some privacy with Taylor, Chad, Tessa, and Chris bringing up the back of the group.

A grin formed on his lips as a pleased smile grew on hers once they entered the room, Gabriella taking in the room that was decorated exactly as it was eight years ago, complete with the blue banner with white words "Happy New Year!" and images of balloons printed on it hung over the fireplace, blue and white balloons held down at various places, icicle lights strung all along the posts and walls, four overstuffed brown leather and patterned cloth chairs with ottomans in front of the fireplace with tables and chairs set up on either side of the room. Most prominent in the room was the stage set up with two microphones on stands, the televisions currently displaying music videos that Gabriella was sure would be replaced by live footage later on in the night, the smaller screens holding words for the teens later in the night.

"They really still have this teen party for New Years?" asked Gabriella.

Troy nodded. "They do but I asked them to set up extra early. Do you like it?"

Her head turned to meet his searching gaze. "This is where we're eating?"

"Uh… Yeah?" offered Troy nervously, unsure of what she was thinking now. The smile on her lips reached her brown eyes, causing them to twinkle with her delight. "I love it," she murmured, truly touched by how much thought Troy put into this. "Guessing we're going to be singing later on then huh?"

"That's the plan," Troy returned, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Thought we would try this all out again, this time without me almost walking off the stage after the first verse and with our friends around instead of complete strangers we never saw again."

"And yet we were brought together, two strangers that night," added Gabriella.

"And the rest is history," replied Troy, excited by the fact that he was not only here again with Gabriella but that she genuinely seemed pleased with this plan of his.

Both turned as they felt a hand land on each of their shoulders, seeing as they turned the expectant look on Chris's face. "Well, Bolton, since this is your idea and since I've never heard Ella sing before, I think you two should do the honors and kick this night off right! How about it? A song for all of us to break us into this karaoke thing?"

Gabriella and Troy exchanged a look. The cerulean eyes saw the hesitancy clear in the chocolate orbs and quickly agreed for the both of them. "Come on Brie, it'll be fun. We have to set the right example for these guys right? Besides, it'll be just like eight years ago, being put on the spot, having fun? Don't you remember how you felt back then?"

Her mind whirled as so many memories passed through her mind, settling on the very first time she laid eyes on him, not even thinking about how cute he was. All she had been able to focus on was just the fact that she now had to get up on a stage and make a fool out of herself in front of complete strangers because the stupid spotlight had landed on her. It wasn't until several glances at Troy when they were singing up there on the same stage she was now gazing at that she realized how amazing his smile was, how intense his friendly blue eyes were.

"It felt like kindergarten, just having fun being me with someone who just accepted me for me," she murmured, looking from the stage back at Troy.

"Then let's take it back to kindergarten," replied Troy softly, kissing Gabriella on the lips before taking her hand and leading her over to the side to pick out a song. After some flipping, hearing playful complaints come from their friends who were settling at the main table in front of the stage and also playing foosball on the table to the right, Gabriella found the perfect song and pointed it out to Troy, "At the Beginning" from the movie Anastasia.

Troy punched in the numbers into the karaoke machine, taking the time the computer took to find the song to grab Gabriella's hand and drag her onto the stage with him, putting her in front of the same microphone stand she had used all that time ago while he took his own spot. His eyes never left her face as she gazed around the room, seeing the expectant expressions on all the faces of their friends as the music started. Troy had missed Gabriella's first verse, seeing her face, the first time around, and had no plans of doing that again.

With a deep breath and closing her eyes, channeling her courage, Gabriella started the song:

We were strangers, starting out on a journey
Never dreaming, what we'd have to go through
Now here we are, and I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you

Troy picked the microphone out of its holder on the stand and gently grabbed Gabriella's right hand that wore their engagement ring with his left, turning her so that they were facing each other.

No one told me, I was going to find you
Unexpected, what you did to my heart

Without missing a beat, their voices joined together, as naturally as it had eight years ago almost.

When I lost hope
You were there to remind me
This is the start

And life is a road and I wanna keep goin'
Love is a river I wanna keep flowin'
Life is a road now and forever wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I want to be standing
At the beginning with you

Gabriella risked a glance at the small audience they had and gained confidence as they all seemed to be genuinely smiling and cheering for them instead of the teasing she had suspected would be there.

We were strangers, on a crazy adventure

Troy too took a look around, knowing that their friends had heard him sing before but never in this manner, never in this way of putting his heart into a song, knowing how very much it represented their own crazy journey together to this new, hopeful beginning.

Never dreaming, how our dreams would come true

Again their voices molded together, creating a perfect harmony. Now here we stand, unafraid of the future

At the beginning with you

Knew there was somebody somewhere
I need love in the dark
Now I know my dream will live on
I've been waiting so long
Nothing is going to tear us apart

Life is a road and I wanna keep goin'
Love is a river I wanna keep flowin'
Starting out on a journey

In the end I want to be standing
At the beginning
With you

As the music ended, the trance both Troy and Gabriella felt ended as they stared at each other, face to face, getting lost in a dimension between the present moment and their past.

Giving her a crooked smile, Troy offered his right hand out to her. "Wildcat."

Seeing what he was up to, Gabriella smiled shyly at him as she shook his hand. "Brie."

Instead of reluctantly letting go of her right hand this time, Troy used their handshake to pull Gabriella's body closer to his, leaning down in the same moment to capture her enticing lips with his, something Troy had the urge to do years ago but was too scared to. They both grinned against each others lips as they finally returned to the current moment and heard their friends cheering them on, knowing for sure that this room, this ski resort, was fated to be one of the most sacred of their "places."

"SHIT! Chad that was freezing!" complained Tessa, leaning down a bit unsteadily as she tried to quickly gather snow together from the ground outside of the chateau, compacted it, and threw it at Chad, somehow nailing Chad on the side of his head in payback for the snowball Chad had chucked at Chris only to end up hitting Tessa in the arm.

Troy just shook his head as he helped Gabriella out of the chauffeured vehicle, tipping the driver and signing the paperwork before the Hummer limo left the premises, leaving behind ten "adults" who were clearly drunk, buzzed, or close to sober. After Troy and Gabriella had sung, they had been practically glued together, but that was easy to handle as everyone ate dinner immediately after congratulating them both and then started the drinks before everyone in all sorts of combinations got up and sang with the karaoke machine. Definitely as the hours passed, the singing got worse for the most part as most of the group increased the alcohol level running through them. Per usual, Gabriella had some wine but nothing too much. Troy too had held back on his drinking so he could savor the night better.

Screams filled the air as everyone began playing in the snow despite the dresses and semi-formal clothing everyone had on. Troy was about to try to escort Gabriella safely through the snowball warzone when a snowball hit Gabriella right on the shoulder, Troy instantly turning around to see Chris grinning at them.

"That's it, he's going down!" exclaimed Troy, quickly gathering snow and launching the snowball at Chris, grinning with satisfaction when it pegged Chris right on the forehead.

"Oh, that's war Bolton! Game on!" called Chris, rising to the challenge.

Gabriella and Troy worked together defending each other as well as launching attacks on Tessa and Chris, Taylor and Chad, Chucky and Ryan, along with Sharpay and Amy, the least likely pair of them all. After about ten minutes of fun though, Troy noticed Gabriella shivering more than before, knowing that her exposed legs despite having a heavy jacket on was inviting not such good things in this cold weather.

Seeing that they were currently not under fire and that the four other pairs were focusing on each other, Troy wrapped a sturdy arm around Gabriella's waist and rushed her inside, grateful that the heaters managed to keep the chateau rather toasty. As Gabriella's body shook a little more, Troy decided it would be better to get dressed in warmer clothes to help chase the cold away or at least in a smaller, warmer room, glancing down at her face for a moment before he swung her up into his arms, causing her to gasp.

"Troy, what are you doing?" Gabriella asked, automatically wrapping her arms around his neck as he began walking up the stairs. "What about the others?"

She felt his chest vibrate as Troy chuckled. "The others are fine. Taylor and Ryan both can watch out for them as they are almost as sober as we are. Those guys are probably going to be out there longer as they must be roasting with the alcohol in their systems but they'll come in eventually. I'm more worried about you and your shivers."

"I'm… err… fine," got out Gabriella, trying to suppress the chattering of her teeth that had just started to become noticeable to Troy.

"Sure you are," he lowly murmured, setting Gabriella down on a chair in the master suite. Along with a fireplace in the bathroom, there was also one in the bedroom itself so Troy immediately flipped the switch to turn both gas fireplaces on before returning his attention on Gabriella after closing the bedroom doors to keep the heat contained in the suite. He kneeled down in front of Gabriella and gently but rapidly rubbed his calloused hands up and down her cold arms that were now exposed after Gabriella had taken her jacket off, smiling back at her as she gave him a grateful smile.

"Thanks," she whispered.

Silence took over as they just stared at each other for a few beats, Troy and Gabriella both getting lost again in each other. Once again, something had shifted for Gabriella, but this time in a good way. Being back at the resort, in the same place she and Troy met, brought back a lot of memories, amazing memories, and feelings she felt way back then about a boy she barely knew. It had brought Gabriella to the realization that there would be no her without him. Period. End of story. 'My grandparents are just going to have to accept that and hopefully the council will too.'

"Brie, do you maybe want to change into some comfy sweats or something?" offered Troy, concerned after seeing Gabriella shiver again after her body being still for so long.

Instead of answering, Gabriella leaned forward and fused her lips to his, being bold and slipping her tongue into his warmth. A moan of pleasure escaped Gabriella's throat as Troy got over his initial shock and began to respond to her movement, cupping both of her cheeks with his hands as the kiss managed to become deeper, warming both of their bodies up.

Knowing he was almost out of self control several minutes later, Troy had no real concept of how long they had been kissing like that, a hazard to finding so much pleasure in Gabriella, Troy forced himself to pull away, giving Gabriella a regretful look. Before he could stand up though, Gabriella placed her right hand on Troy's shoulder, the engagement ring sparkling from the firelight nearby.

"Wait, don't pull away, please Wildcat," she quietly begged.

"Brie, I wouldn't do this but I… if we keep… if you keep kissing me like this, I'm going to lose my control and I don't want to rush you… I don't want to hurt you," explained Troy, dropping his chin after turning his head slightly to brush his lips against the fingers of her right hand.

There was silence in the room besides the sounds from the fireplaces and their beating hearts until four words Troy had never expected to be uttered slipped out into the open, making his already elevated heart rate to increase tenfold. "Troy, make love to me…"

His eyes widened, unsure if he actually heard her right. "Gabriella, we don't have to. Let's just get you changed, maybe a warm bath…"

"Troy, it's time. I'm ready. I want to. I love you." The words were spoken softly but Troy heard them as clear as if Gabriella had yelled them.

As Gabriella watched Troy's face closely, she saw the myriad of emotions cross his face, softening and hardening his blue eyes, making them a light sky blue one moment and then a deep ocean blue the next. Quickly, Gabriella retracted her words, misunderstanding Troy's hesitancy. "It's okay, if you don't want to Troy. I don't want to force you. I just, well I thought you wanted me too but…"

Troy's gaze sharpened again on Gabriella's face, seeing the pain now there. "No, oh God Brie, I didn't mean… I want you, God you don't know how much I want you, how much I love you. I just, are you sure? Are you sure the guys didn't talk you into this?"

"Guys?" questioned Gabriella, a true puzzled expression in her eyes.

Troy swore softly, kicking himself for that misstep. "It's nothing. I just want to make sure you are sure. This is big."

Gabriella laughed softly, shaking her head. "I know that Troy and I am completely sure. You are the one I want to experience this with for truly the first time, to take away all the nightmares of what this is supposed to be like. Love me, please."

Each word that reached Troy's ears went straight to his heart, heating his blood, setting off the fireworks of passion and true unadulterated love that were ready, more than ready, to explode. "I love you Gabriella…"

Those were the last words that were spoken before Troy swooped Gabriella up into his arms and carried her over to the black four post bed, laying her gently down on the comforter, taking in her now inviting smile, her sweet expression, and the all too sexy body that was inviting him to throw caution to the wind.

They took it slowly, neither needing to speak, each just knowing what the other wanted, what the other craved. When they were both fully unclothed, savoring the view of each other for the real first time nude, unobstructed by anything in between them, Troy lifted Gabriella up into his arms once again before pulling back the comforter and top sheet to lay her back down, placing soft kisses along her body as he climbed back into the bed with her.

As much as Troy's body was now begging for his own release, Troy's heart kept his pace steady, wanting this to be what Gabriella wanted, needed. His mind understood that she had placed quite a bit of pressure on him unknowingly but his heart wanted this to be perfect for his own selfish reasons, knowing Gabriella would hold onto this moment as a treasure and milestone for them, just as he would. Yes, this wasn't Troy's first time, that much both of them knew, but something was different with Gabriella. Troy had taken care with his former lovers but he took even more time with Gabriella, wanting her to quiver with her desire, for her to be fully ready, to understand by his actions exactly how much he not only worshipped her body but her soul, how much he loved her.

Troy softly chuckled as a flash of the discussion he had had with the guys earlier on the day played in his head, realizing that this was what it felt like to make love to a woman, one of the ultimate expressions of the truth of his deep feelings for Gabriella. This was definitely different and made Troy realize exactly what he had been missing when he had been with others, even Celeste. 'This is what's right, what was meant to be.'

He was snatched away from his thoughts though as Gabriella reached down to where he was pressing his lips against her skin in scorching kisses and licking at her stomach, threading her fingers through his brown locks and gently pulling up, telling him where she wanted him until their lips met again, their tongues dancing, and both sets of hands discovering new curves of the other they didn't know until then existed.

Gabriella began to moan more frequently as their foreplay continued, echoed by Troy's own, both experiencing the pleasure the lips and hands of the other were evoking, wonderment and passion mingled together in both of their eyes. Sensing she was ready, Troy thought better of just roughly entering her, a part of his brain reminding him that there was still a possible danger that would end this as quickly as it began. Instead, Troy slowly slipped a finger inside, scrutinizing Gabriella's face and pausing his actions as Gabriella's eyes snapped open at this new sensation. Seeing nothing there but slowly waking excitement, Troy continued simulating the motions, adding a second and then third finger as he went, letting her adjust each time before he stroked her again.

The soft plea for the real thing let Troy know that it was finally time, to join their bodies as one, the last piece in the puzzle to truly join not only their hearts and souls but also their fates together. When Troy slowly pushed inside her, groaning at the immediate pleasure he found from her warmth, he stopped barely inside his destination, not from any resistance there but the sudden tenseness he felt in Gabriella's body beneath him.

The passion filled haze he was in quickly evaporated as Troy saw Gabriella's face scrunch up as she battled with what he knew was a nightmarish memory that was sadly real. "Gabriella, open your eyes. Gabriella, please! It's me, only me."

As Gabriella's body began to tremble with quiet sobs, Gabriella did as he asked, tears escaping her brown eyes, caught by Troy's fingertips. Troy pulled out and instead laid on his side next to her, holding her body close enough to his so he could still see her face. "Baby, are you okay? It's just me, your loving Wildcat."

Gabriella let out an unsteady laugh, sniffling as the tears stopped and she was able to escape the momentary grip of Riley's mistreatment of her body, the rape. "I'm so sorry Troy. God I've messed this all up! I was fine and I was enjoying every moment of it until then."

"Shh, Gabriella, it isn't your fault," soothed Troy, brushing his lips against her forehead.

Gabriella closed her eyes again, focusing on the tingles that ran through her body once more, instantly reminding her of what they were doing only minutes before. "Troy, will you… Will you try again?"

Troy blinked as he heard her request, surprised as he thought for sure the traumatic memory would have put a complete brake on everything. "You don't have to Gabriella. Babe, I know this is hard…"

"I want you to. I want us to make love Troy. I want to share this with you, please," Gabriella said softly, letting her eyes show Troy the truth in how very much she wanted this.

Feeling Gabriella's hands now roaming over his naked chest, down his stomach and to his hip, Troy swallowed, the fire reigniting once again instantly. He saw the seriousness in Gabriella's request and felt that he couldn't help but comply, knowing Troy didn't stand a chance to really deny either of them this. With more intent and focus this time, Troy went about kissing Gabriella's body again, nipping her at the most sensitive spots as she began doing the same to him, both being active participants in the foreplay this time that left them both desiring the culmination.

This time, when Troy began to slide in, he requested Gabriella keep her eyes open, trained on him, and she complied, keeping their eyes locked on each other. For a moment, Troy stopped as her brown orbs betrayed the entrance of a nightmare again but continued on as it disappeared and Gabriella gave him an encouraging smile, concentrating on the friction between them, adjusting to the pressure she wasn't used to and the faint pain that vanished moments later. After several strokes at a slower pace to let Gabriella adjust, their speed quickened, mutual groans and growls of pleasure filling the room as they continued to learn every inch of each other's body until they both found their release, finding ecstasy, love, and home in each other.

Next Chapter