Troy blinked a few times as he forced his heavy eyelids to open and realized after a few moments that he was in the bedroom of his apartment, the blinds doing a fairly decent job of keeping the sunlight out of his room. He began to move to get up but instantly regretted it as pain shot through his entire body. 'What the hell happened to me?' he wondered before he recalled the events from the day before.

When Troy came to again, he had opened his eyes to see a bright fluorescent light above, suspended from a not so familiar ceiling. Troy carefully turned his head to the side and felt a grin form on his face as he realized that she was there, sitting in a chair pulled up next to his bed, her eyes anxiously watching him. It was then that he felt the tight squeeze on his right hand and knew that her soft, small hand was tucked into his, focusing his attention on squeezing it back, which made her smile.

"Hey Wildcat," she murmured, relief flooding her body as she gazed back into his eyes that were a bit of a dull blue at the moment but that was to be expected. "You gave me and everyone else quite a scare back out on the coast. If you hadn't come to in what Taylor said was really only a minute or less, I think I would have freaked out for sure."

Troy thought back to what could have possibly put him in this sterile hospital room with Gabriella by his side and remembered suddenly the horse riding race that ended with him being thrown off quite suddenly when his horse reared up on its hind legs. He closed his eyes against the memory of sailing through the air before he quickly landed hard on his back. With that memory came the realization that he would probably be hurting as much as he was just then for the next few days. Troy's eyelids quickly lifted though as panic registered in his brain. "Am I okay? Is anything broken? Can I still play for the Knights?"

Gabriella couldn't help but laugh at Troy and the rush of words that fell out his mouth just then. "Everything is fine Troy, honest. You blacked out for at most a minute before coming back but you were very disoriented. Do you remember that at all?"

He focused his mind in trying to go back to the coast earlier on in the day and vaguely remembered waking up with his head on Gabriella's lap until the medical team arrived. "A little. Oh my God, I'm paralyzed aren't I? I'm not ever going to play basketball again or walk with you on a beach at sunset or dance with you in my arms!"

Gabriella quickly got out of her chair and sat down carefully on the edge of his hospital bed as she used her fingers of her free hand to ghost over the left side of his face, soothing him. "You're going to be sore for a few days but the doctors say you'll be fine. They're looking at the final films and scans right now but everything else proves to be okay. Not even a broken bone or real bleeding. You'll still be able to play basketball, don't worry there."

"Then that means for sure then that I'll still be able to do all those things with you too, especially dancing with you in my arms," replied Troy with a smirk, grimacing in pain as he felt his back protest with severe aches as he tried to sit up to kiss her yet felt relief as he felt himself also move his legs and toes at the same time, despite the pain.

"Hey, easy there Troy, you're fine but it's going to take you some time to get back on your feet. You should probably call your coach and let him know later. The important thing is that you are alive, and well, and are going to be just fine, something I didn't think was possible a few hours ago out there on the coast. I think I'm going to ban you from horse riding from now on. You really scared me Wildcat," murmured Gabriella as she leaned down and kissed his forehead, brushing some of his brown bangs away right after.

A serious look crossed Troy's face just then. "You care about me that much?"

Gabriella stared at him for a few moments before she nodded her head. "Of course I do Troy. Why wouldn't I? You are my first true love and you have always been in my heart and mind, every single day of my life since then. I'd be crazy to forget about something as amazing as we have shared. I love you Troy, as silly as that may be, but I do."

Troy knew in an instant what a lovesick fool he must look like at that moment as he felt the smile on his face grow to a full out stupid grin at those words. "I think you and your words make me feel a million times better than the stupid drugs I am assuming are mixing in with my IV right now. I love you too Gabriella and you have always been my Brie, no matter time, distance, place, or anything else."

She heard herself sigh in a dreamy contentment before she leaned down to spare him from moving and placed her lips softly over his, letting her lips glide over his until Gabriella felt Troy's right hand on the back of her head, bringing her face closer to his as Troy's tongue darted out, tasting a bit of Gabriella's strawberry chap stick. Gabriella parted her lips slightly to grant him access for a few moments of sweet exploration before she reluctantly pulled back, hearing the door open.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just coming in to check on Mr. Bolton," apologized Richard Samuels, one of the royal physicians who was kept on call by the royal family almost exclusively. "I can come back."

Troy chuckled as he saw a deep pink blush grace Gabriella's cheeks at being caught in such a heated kiss. "No, please come in Doc. I'd like to know why I'm in this discomfort and am tense as well as when it'll all go away."

Richard merely raised a black and gray eyebrow at this, which had Troy blushing this time, making Gabriella giggle. "I think Dr. Samuels what Troy means to ask is if the results from the scans and x-rays are okay or not. He's set to play for the Knights this season and I don't think he can bear the thought of missing a single game."

The older man laughed as it took Troy a few moments to meet his eyes again. "I'm sorry to say that although I see you walking and doing other slow movements as early as tomorrow, I don't think you'll even feel like being very physical or fast for a week or so. As for the Knights, isn't it just preseason right now?"

"It is but Troy is a bit die hard when it comes to basketball," answered Gabriella, giving Troy a knowing smile. "I'm sure though that if you say he can't play or practice for a week, he'll follow it."

"Or try my hardest to," added Troy, getting over his earlier embarrassment. "So nothing broken or ruptured?"

"Some cuts on your skin, a nice bump on the back of your head which explains that headache you must have right now, but nothing else of significance. You truly must have someone looking out for you young man," replied Richard. "Now the limited physical activity also does mean other activities off the court if you catch my drift."

This time both Gabriella and Troy blushed, glancing at each other before looking back at the doctor. Gabriella spoke first, shaking her head. "We aren't, well we aren't like that Dr. Samuels. My medical history in regards to that area is still the same as it was a few months ago."

Richard gave the young princess a smile. "I'm sure your family would be very relieved to know that but of course I will not say anything as always. Troy, I'm going to give a few prescriptions I want you to fill immediately and I'll make sure I check on you a few times in the next few days. I know hospitals aren't usually comfortable so I'm going to release you but I'm serious about you taking it easy all right? I've also made arrangements for a nurse practitioner to be with you in shifts for monitoring through the night and most of tomorrow as well. Do you have any questions?"

Troy shook his head, murmuring his thanks to the doctor before the older man left, leaving Troy rather relieved when he was finally out of the room. "Now was it just me or did you also feel like you were seventeen again? With your father looking at us with that critical eye of his."

Gabriella laughed, pure music to his ears. "Dr. Samuels may be a bit blunt but he's a great doctor Troy and if he says you'll be fine, I believe him."

"Well then, I guess I will too," replied Troy, smiling a little more and just enjoying the moment of gazing back into Gabriella's eyes before a nurse came to give Troy some assorted pills, the mix or one of them alone sending Troy off into dreamland a short time after.

"Well look who is finally conscious again," teased a familiar voice from the doorway.

Troy forced himself to turn his head and rolled his eyes as he saw Chucky standing there, a smirk on his face. "Dude, I think you'd want to be unconscious too if you had this big of a headache and were sore all over your body like I am right now."

Chucky nodded his agreement. "That is probably true but it's four in the afternoon and we were getting worried that you were going to sleep through this whole formal dinner at the palace to meet Gab's grandparents. You know, the King and Queen of Copanvy?"

"Shit, that's tonight isn't it," moaned Troy, closing his eyes against a wave of pain wash over him. "I don't know how I'm going to make it through without looking like a wuss in front of her family."

"Maybe you shouldn't go then Troy, Gabriella will understand," chimed in Taylor as she walked into the bedroom, past Chucky, with a glass of water and a small paper cup with pills in it. "Here, take these, they'll help take away the pain. The rest of the pain I can remove by kicking Chad and Chucky out of your apartment if you want."

Despite the torture Troy's body aches were putting him through, he chuckled at this, especially as he saw Chad now standing with Chucky in the doorway, neither looking very happy at being called pains. "Nah, I think they're okay there."

"Your call," replied Taylor, a smile on her face as she helped Troy sit up in the bed, blushing a little as the sheet slipped down and uncovered his naked chest.

Troy didn't notice though as he anxiously took the glass of water and pills from Taylor's hands, downing both quickly before putting them both on his nightstand. He leaned his head up against the headboard as he took mental inventory of where he was hurting, realizing that he was more stiff than really injured. "So Dr. Danforth, do you think I can safely walk around and sit through an uncomfortable dinner with the rest of you at the palace tonight?"

"Well, I…" started Chad, immediately shutting up as Troy tossed a stuffed basketball pillow at him that he still had from his days at East High.

"Shut up man, I'm talking to your intelligent wife, the one studying to be a doctor? I wouldn't trust your medical advice for the world," taunted Troy, smirking at Chad as he tried to pout but failed.

Chucky just shook his head in amusement. "Smart man you are Troy, bump to the head and all!"

"Anyway, yes, I think you should be fine. Dr. Samuels came by a few times today and said that you looked fine to him. You were even awake the last time, just before he insisted on Gabriella going home after being here all night with you. Do you remember that?" asked Taylor.

Troy focused on recalling his day so far, what little of it he was actually conscious for, and did remember Gabriella and Dr. Samuels both talking about how she needed to get back to the palace. "I'm guessing she lost the battle to stay huh?"

"She fought her hardest man but that doctor, he's slick. He must have anticipated her resistance although she was dead on her feet around noon and he called Paul to come and get her. The others had used her car earlier in the morning to go to the palace on their own while the three of us stayed here," explained Chucky. "I've got to say, I had doubts about whether you and Gab could truly reconnect right away, enough to make all those emotions and your bond rise above her relationship with Patrick but I think it's actually happening before our eyes."

"Really?" asked Troy, a bit surprised by this observation. "I don't think it's over though, far from it. What we feel for each other is genuine and true but there's something that's stopping her from truly abandoning herself to it. Maybe she's hesitant about me, with my love life from the past."

"Could be," answered Chad, thinking about this himself. "Is it possible that she loves Patrick?"

Chucky smacked Chad on the back of the head. "Dude, why did you have to put that though in his head?"

"It's totally possible though Chucky," stated Troy, "I've know that was probable from the start but I can't help but keep trying. Speaking of Brie, how is she? Was she okay when she left? Why did she stay so long?"

"Do you really have to ask that question? Gabriella stayed because she loves you and cares for you and was worried something would happen despite everything being concluded to be okay after all the tests. We even found you two cuddled in bed when I came in with the nurse to give you your medicine, you being sound asleep and her singing some sweet ballad as she stroked your hair, looking at you like she thought you'd vanish if she stopped," returned Taylor. "Gab was dead on her feet though by the time Dr. Samuels sent her home. She'll be happy to see you tonight though. I think I can leave the two here to change you and help you shake loose those stiff joints and muscles you must have right now. If you can't really walk though, I highly suggest, as a med student that is, that you rest tonight though, okay?"

Knowing that Troy wasn't going to let anything stop him from attending the dinner tonight because he knew how important it really was to him, to Gabriella, and to possibly them in the future, Troy nodded his head in agreement, keeping his eyes on his bedspread so that Taylor wouldn't see the determination in his blue eyes. After giving himself a few minutes to gather his courage to force his body to work through the pain, making sure Taylor was safely out of his bedroom, Troy swung his legs around to the side of the bed and pushed off the mattress, staggering a little as he attempted to stand up. Chucky and Chad both rushed to his side, each steadying him a little. Soon, after Troy found his bearings, he pushed himself forward, gently brushing away his best friends' hold on him and felt the stiffness continue for a few steps but gradually ease as he continued to walk it out.

Chucky and Chad both watched, concern in their eyes, until it looked like after a while that Troy was going to be okay. He didn't look as fluid as he usually did when he moved but he was definitely steadier than he was before with a focused look on his face. 'First he moves far away from what he knows for Gab and now he is fighting through some major body aches for her. What else is there left to do to show her how in love Troy really is with her?' wondered Chad as he just shook his head, knowing that somehow, someway, things just had to work out for his two friends.

'Thank God we are on our main entrée now. Any more of this weird tension and I may go crazy,' thought Tessa to herself as she took a bite of her fish. 'I thought everything would be all right when we all got here and were introduced to Gabby's grandparents but it seems like something changed for good when they met Troy as the last one in the gang.'

Sharpay watched as Troy skillfully avoided both gazes of Gabriella's grandparents as he turned his head to talk to Stephen, who he was sitting to his left while Gabriella seemed to be throwing worried looks between her grandmother, who was still observing Troy, and Troy himself, almost as if she was reassuring herself that no one had tried to kill each other yet. 'And here I thought I had it bad with my parents and boyfriends. How is it possible though that her grandparents seem to have such a suspicion of Troy already when they haven't really met him before tonight?'

'Maybe there really is something more to just loving someone enough to be dating the guy for Gabriella, but what could it be?' wondered Ryan from his position further down the table before his attention was redirected towards the king who asked about his family who were with Sharpay and Ryan the last time they were in Louvis for a visit.

'Mmm, this t-bone is delicious,' thought Chad as he closed his eyes and savored the flavoring in his mouth as he chewed.

Taylor had just finished talking to Annette about how her medical school was going when she realized that despite the various conversations going around the table among the friends and Gabriella's family that there was definitely something in the air that was distinctly different. She focused at the opposite end of the table where Troy and Gabriella was sharing a secret smile from across the table but also saw the queen watching them both with a critical eye. 'Queen Lauren could be the reason why Gabriella is holding back so much. What could she possibly have said to Gabriella before Troy even came though that would keep them apart now? I know Gabriella loves Troy, maybe more than she did in high school, and him her, but there's Patrick to consider and Gabriella's hesitancy.'

Chucky on the other hand was just grateful that his little brother so far had been behaving himself, avoiding catastrophe at the dinner table, grimacing though as Chad let out a loud burp. 'God Chad, grow up already and get some manners!'

"So Troy, tell me a little about your parents," said Lauren, trying her best to be as friendly as possible to the young man while putting aside her apprehension about Troy, especially seeing him and Gabriella together now for the first real time, up close.

"Umm, well my father is a PE teacher and basketball coach at East High where most of us went to high school and my mom is in international business," replied Troy, careful in choosing his words. "They both live in Albuquerque still."

Lauren nodded her head. "And what is it that you do?"

Stephen saw the nervousness on Troy's face as he thought of how to answer Stephen's mother. He cleared his throat from down the table and called out, "Mother, did we prepare that special dessert for the young people to taste tonight? The one we discussed?"

Lauren's careful eyes moved from Troy's face to look at her son's down the table. "Why yes Stephen. It isn't exactly Louvis cuisine but since you seemed so adamant that they would like it and that Gabriella enjoys it, I thought it couldn't hurt tonight."

Gabriella's brown eyes light up in excitement. "Grandmother, is it really? Baked Alaska?"

"Why yes, it is. I can tell your father ruined the surprise, yet again," replied Lauren, laughing a little at the situation and from the joy she saw in her granddaughter's face. "I'm glad we could do something that would be a treat for you before your big night tomorrow. Speaking of, maybe you shouldn't be having this dessert. I don't know much about it but it sounds like if it is so delicious that it could be rather rich and fattening."

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Honestly Grandmother, one delicious dessert of ice-cream and meringue on fire won't kill me, honest. Chris will still be able to lift me tomorrow on opening night, promise."

Unable to resist the sweet, pleading look on Gabriella's face, Lauren relented. "All right, you do know best and you have done so well since you started rehearsals of behaving as far as food is concerned. I just want what's best for you sweetheart."

"I know, and I thank you," said Gabriella, meaning every word.

Troy quirked an eyebrow at watching Gabriella's conversation with the queen, intrigued on how different her grandmother was with her and Stephen while she seemed to treat Troy more warily. 'That is to be expected though right? I'm not family, I don't know her and vice versa. Maybe in time she'll warm up to me.'

After everyone was done with dinner, the plates were cleared and soon the flaming Baked Alaska was paraded in by the staff, Chucky's, Chad's, Troy's, and Tessa's eyes bugging out the most when they saw the delicious looking dessert get brought in and then served.

As Tessa took the first bite, she savored the sweet taste in her mouth as the ice-cream melted with the meringue. "This really is delicious. Great idea Mr. M!"

Stephen chuckled at this. "I'm glad you like it. It's been ages since I had this too. And I know I banned you from calling me Prince, don't make me do it too with Mr. M."

"Okay, Stephen," replied Tessa, feeling rather comfortable with Gabriella's father as she already was with Annette.

Everyone dug into their desserts and soon, there was none left, mostly thanks to the young men who took seconds and thirds, even fourths in Chad's case, of the delicious dessert none of them had had before. When all the plates were cleared, Lauren was the first to get up, causing everyone else to stand up at the table.

"Well, it was certainly lovely to meet you all. I can speak for the king as well that it has been a pleasure to talk with and get to know you all better. Usually after dinners we retreat for drinks with our guests but as you are more good friends of our granddaughter, we thought it best to leave you alone to have them without us old people," announced Lauren, smiling at each of Gabriella's friends, taking extra time to look at both Chad, who she recognized as the one who had a bit of a disaster with the chocolate fountain the night of the ball, and Troy, who Lauren still did not know what to think of. 'No matter, he will be gone with the rest of them tomorrow.'

"I think I can say on behalf of myself and Lauren as well, thank you for being such great friends still with our granddaughter and we wish you all a safe journey home," added Edward with a smile on his own face as he walked towards Lauren and offered her his arm before they walked out, giving the group of friends one more smile each before leaving the dining room.

Stephen and Annette both looked at Gabriella's friends, chuckling a little as they all seemed at a loss of what to do now after having a rather strong presence leave the room, well all of them except for Gabriella. "Well, I do believe that is our cue as well to leave. It really was wonderful to see almost the entire group back together again. Thank you so much for coming out to spend time with Gabriella here. I know she had a wonderful time at the ball and this past week especially because you were here," said Annette. "I really was just so happy you all were able to make it out after my initial invitation to most of you. And of course I am glad that those of you who I didn't know of as coming came as well."

"Hopefully we will see you all soon. You are always welcome here anytime you can break away from your careers and studies, I hope you know that," stated Stephen. "And, well, Troy I think you will enjoy your time here as a citizen of Copanvy despite your friends' departures."

Troy looked from Stephen to Gabriella who gazed back at him, knowing once again this was the right move for him. "I think I will, maybe even more so once these knuckleheads leave."

Sharpay, Tessa, Taylor, Ryan, and Gabriella all laughed at this, knowing how very true it probably would be. "Without Chucky around to tease him and Chad to trip up his smooth moves? I don't doubt that Troy won't miss them," states Taylor with another laugh.

"Well that's not true either cause I'll miss them, like all of you, but it's just like when I was in New York on my own as well," returned Troy. "We'll all see each other soon again though, I make that vow now."

"Good enough for me," replied Chucky.

"Well, I guess this is our cue to leave. Annette, shall we?" stated Stephen, sensing that there would be only sad good-byes and reminiscing from now on.

Annette smiled in agreement at her husband before she hugged each of the younger people in the room, including both Gabriella and Troy as well, while she wished the others good and safe trips home. Stephen shook hands with the guys as he hugged the young women as well before he and Annette left the dining room together.

"So, do you want to get some drinks together and hang out in my personal lounge maybe?" offered Gabriella, not sure what else to do but wanting to delay the good nights for the night.

"Would you get in trouble if we snuck a blender, buckets of ice, and some alcohol up in your room to do our own drinks?" asked Chad, knowing he and Chucky had bought some alcohol and mixes before they arrived at the palace and had them in their backpacks, knowing ahead of time that it would be a sad and tough night for the friends, especially the females in the group.

Gabriella thought about it and shook her head. "As long as we are responsible and not too loud, I don't see why not."

"Excellent!" exclaimed Chucky. "Want to help me smuggle that blender?"

"Glasses too?" threw in Ryan.

"Smart man!" shouted Chad before getting hit on the shoulder because he was too loud by his wife.

"Honestly, don't you have any control of that mouth of yours? Wait, I know the answer to that. No!" stated Taylor, earning laughter from the group again.

After half an hour or so, everyone was all settled on the couches in Gabriella's room, each with a mixed drink of some sort in their hand, talking about the past week and other moments from the past.

"Do you remember the time we had homecoming at your mansion? That was so much fun!" exclaimed Sharpay. "I heard that homecoming actually sucked that year, like every year anyway."

"Oh fess up Sharpay. You wouldn't have gone to that dance anyway," pushed Ryan, knowing his twin well enough to say that. "I did notice for the first time that night how well Martha could really dance."

"So that's why you asked her to prom, besides being good friends," concluded Chad.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Being friends is good enough but Martha was beautiful that night especially. I remember that."

"And there wasn't a better grooving couple on the floor either," said Ryan proudly.

"That night was fun, agreed, but something way better happened that night," remarked Tessa, recalling the video footage Taylor shared with her.

Chad cocked his head to the side. "What happened? I don't remember anything else happening that night besides us having a blast."

Sharpay too was looking at Tessa curiously. "What exactly are you talking about Tess?"

Tessa looked over at Taylor, who shrugged her shoulders. "Well, that was the night that Troy gave Gabriella the promise ring and sang to her outside. I think the song was Nsync's "This I Promise You"."

"Brie, you told them!" exclaimed Troy, reaching back and rubbing the back of his neck, despite the ache in his muscles from the movement. "I thought that you said you didn't."

"I didn't!" Gabriella replied, defending herself. "I mean they know that you gave me the ring and that you sang but I don't think I told them what."

Both turned their attention to Tessa and Taylor, who both were conveniently looking elsewhere at the moment before Taylor thought of another memory. "I think we had a blast the evening of preparing Gabriella for the first date you two had actually. Remember Tessa?"

"Oh, when we broke out in song! Well sort of. That was fun helping Gaby release some nerves through singing and goofing off like that," recalled Tessa.

Troy and Gabriella both shyly smiled at each other in that moment, remembering what happened at the end of that first technical date, the heated kiss that was interrupted by Annette opening the front door.

"Well I still remember how floored I was when I saw all of you hanging out together that first day Ryan, Kelsi, and I came over. I never would have thought that so many different groups at East High could mesh, even a straggler from West High," remarked Sharpay, smirking at Tessa before Tessa threw a pillow at Sharpay. Sharpay surprised everyone by catching it before it hit her face and threw it right back at Tessa, making both girls giggle.

Chucky laughed himself as the pillow got tossed from there towards Chad, who didn't suspect it and got nailed in the head. "You know, I have to admit I thought it bizarre when I saw you all together for the first time too. Especially my brother dating a smartie. I never would have thought Chad would have gotten Taylor to marry him but somehow he did it."

"Shut up dude!" exclaimed Chad, having recovered and now used the pillow to chuck it at his brother, who easily caught it. "I'm not that stupid. Am I Tay?"

Taylor just shook her head. "Of course not Chad. Otherwise I would have gotten fed up and dumped you way back when."

Chad grinned like a fool at these words. "Thank you! See Chucky?"

Chucky just rolled his eyes. "She loves you man, I don't know why but she does, therefore I declare her blind to all your flaws, including the stupidity. Although, I think she still does get embarrassed when you do stupid stuff like tipping over the chocolate fountain at the ball. Might want to think about that."

"Hey, that was an accident!" defended Chad.

"But it made quite a scene and a mess," replied Ryan, chuckling at the memory. "I don't think I've seen so many finely dressed people drenched in chocolate before."

The entire group laughed at this, including Chad, and continued talking about life as it was before the clock struck midnight and Tessa realized that they should all get some sleep before they had to wake up in five hours to catch their flight. "I know I'm not normally the responsible person here but I really don't want to be going home feeling grumpy as all hell and dealing with even grumpier people on such a long flight home. Maybe we should all head to bed?"

Taylor nodded her agreement. "Tessa has a point. I know Chad will be like a four year old if he doesn't get at least some sleep."

"And that's different from normal how?" asked Sharpay, earning some more laughter. "Guess that's a night then. Troy and Gabriella, are we going to see you when we leave?"

"Of course, we both planned on taking you guys. Well Troy in his car and an escorted car with me. Security team didn't want to let me go to the airport tomorrow without them or something like that," answered Gabriella, getting up from her spot from one of the couches.

"Great, so we'll save the good-byes for a few hours. Troy, if you want, you're welcome to crash here and share my bed. Completely platonic of course. Unless you'd rather share Gab's and risk torture chamber," teased Chucky. "Although I think you're too sore for anything funny."

"Haha," got out Troy. "I think I'll actually take you up on that offer. Would be a waste of time otherwise."

With that, everyone got up and started moving into the hallways, making sure they were quiet as to not wake up anyone. When they reached the East wing, everyone shared quick hugs before disappearing into their rooms, leaving Troy lingering out in the hallway with Gabriella. The two remained quiet as they gazed at each other, both silent for a few moments before Troy remembered what he had in his pocket.

Troy nervously cleared his throat as he shifted from one foot to another, ignoring the protesting muscles, barely suppressing the need to rub the back of his neck, instead keeping his hand firmly in his pants pocket that held the item that got him to feel this way.

Meanwhile, Gabriella was watching the sudden change in Troy and was curious as to what happened to cause him to feel this way. 'Now that it is just the two of us here in Copanvy, well soon it will be, is he having second thoughts about moving here?'

Seeing that Gabriella was getting a concerned and worried look on her face, Troy decided to man up and just do it. He slowly pulled his hand out of his pocket and presented her with the key, watching her face carefully in the dimly lit hallway. "Umm, I brought this for you if you ever need a place to get away or if you ever wanted to come over, not that I'm expecting you to, but just in case," he mumbled, letting a sigh of relief as Gabriella took the key from his open palm and inspected it, a smile tugging at her lips as she inspected the design of it.

"Sunflowers and hearts with a 'T & G' etched in. That's so sweet Troy, but more so because you thought of giving me this," stated Gabriella, pocking the key before she wrapped her arms around his neck and quickly kissed Troy on the lips. "I can't believe you trust me with your key to your apartment. At least I'm assuming this is what it is."

Troy confirmed with a nod. "It is to my apartment and of course I trust you with it. Like I said, even if I'm not around, I wanted to give you a place to runaway to if you need. I honestly didn't know what to expect from your grandparents tonight but they weren't that bad."

'Little do you know they were on best behavior tonight,' thought Gabriella just before Troy wrapped his own arms around her waist, dipping his head to meet her lips again in a more sensual set of kisses.

Before they got too far gone, they sprang apart as they heard a quiet clearing of the throat, turning around to see it was Taylor. "Sorry to break it up guys but I was just thinking since it is the hallway of the palace that maybe you might want to take it elsewhere?"

Gabriella blushed at the realization that what they just did was rather stupid yet very sweet and reluctantly unwrapped herself from Troy's body. "Thanks Tay. I should head to bed anyway."

Troy stared into Gabriella's eyes for a few moments before agreeing. "Well, good night fair princess. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Good night Wildcat," she returned, raising herself on her tiptoes to kiss him quickly before turning on her heels and walking down the hallway.

Troy watched from where he still stood, somewhat bewildered when Taylor ran to catch up with Gabriella and continued to walk back to Gabriella's room together. 'I wonder what they are going to talk about.'