Thank you so much for the support you showed to have the ending for this story.

I saw a few names in the reviews section that I don't normally and it really warmed my heart that people were going out of their way to add their thoughts!

So here it is…I am not sure whether I will start posting one of my long stories before the Xmas one shot, my friend suggested I might want to post my toyboy story whilst Zac is on at the cinemas with Michelle…what say you?

The Real End

"How does it feel?"

Gabi squinted her naturally dark, long lashes as she looked out upon the stadium crowd, feeling for the first time in her life, the pure buzz of a race. It had taken some rehab with Dex and Jody, it had taken up most of her summer to be ready in time but as she sweated inside her fire-proof suit, she couldn't mistake the tell tale quiver of adrenaline filling her veins. And she couldn't help the feeling of sexy excitement that filled her in the same second.

"Like I'm home," she turned her face to answer her brother, smiling at him to prove she was ready for this moment; at last.

"Watch Marlade." He warned.

Gabi arched her brow. "You're my biggest rival."

Dex couldn't help but grin back. "You betcha!"

With that, he vanished to the calls of his track team, leaving Gabi alone for precious moments while she found her inner steel and clung to it with both hands.

"Don't lose your nerve now…" Marlade goaded predictably and Gabi smirked at him, her arms crossed across her body.

"Are you talking to me or yourself?" She enquired lightly.

"Bolton still owes me," Solo reminded her and she wondered if Emily's warning was coming true.

"You stole his fiancée; don't you think it's you who owes him?" She challenged, determined not to rise to his bait.

"Not when I could've had you…" Solo grinned salaciously and wandered off; causing Gabi to twist as she sensed another person approaching.

Her face automatically softened as she watched her boss approach.

"You ready to win this?" Troy asked, knowing Gabi needed straight-talk right now, not romance.

"Yes, sir," she answered with the twinkle in her eye he had fallen in love with.

"Be careful," he added, unable to hide his protective streak for long.

She rolled her eyes. "I'll see you on the other side."

"I love you, Montez." He reminded her.

She merely smiled back. "I know." And with that she was striding toward her car.

He smirked lop-sidedly at her characteristic avoidance of slush; but he secretly worried about their engagement. He'd been trying to set a date in the months after she had accepted his ring but so far, she hadn't wanted to set any date for their wedding.

Apparently the fact they had rings and lived together was enough for her. He twisted his lips as he wondered why that wasn't enough for him, too. He wanted more. He wanted it all.

/

She wanted it all.

The rush, the power, the unequivocal feeling that was brought only from winning. And for a few moments, she thought she might have it. but her rookie ass ruined her chance of winning her first race by missing the oil patch in the centre line of the track, forcing her behind not only her brother who was shadowing her; but also behind Marlade who sat in third place.

She gritted her teeth inside her helmet and smacked her steering wheel with her palm; quickly concentrating back on the track so as not to lose any more time.

She'd almost had it. She'd almost won.

As the last lap faded into the black and white checked flag; Gabi rolled her car back to base; feeling the flicker of disappointment in her gut. She could have done better. Third place wasn't where she wanted to be, but her in-ear radio told her the team was celebrating already- overjoyed at her performance for her first outing.

She just wished she could feel it, too.

/

*** flashback***

"So tell me why you're still sharing with Chad like college roomies?" Sharpay tackled Gabi as they sat in a bar in LA, while Troy mingled with his buddies back home; their first visit since their engagement.

Gabi shrugged a little defensively. "Because."

"Because what? I know for a fact Troy would move you both out into a bigger apartment in a second…" She led.

Gabi looked at the girl with her large brown eyes and hesitated. "Has he said something?"

"No. But when I ask him why you two aren't moving out, he gives a different excuse every time…"

"I don't see why it's such a big deal," Gabi deflected, uncomfortable with this investigation into her private life with Troy.

Sharpay softened. Perhaps she was going the wrong way about this. She rethought her approach.

"You love him don't you?" She checked softly and Gabi gave her a look that questioned her reason for even asking such a question. "He wants to be with you, you want to be with him…"

"And we are," Gabi pointed out.

"With Chad." Sharpay accused.

"So? We got together when he lived with Chad…"

"You weren't engaged then," Sharpay pointed out.

Gabi sighed and frowned.

"Look," Sharpay started again. "I know you probably don't want to talk to me about this stuff but just…talk to Troy ok? I think he thinks maybe you don't want to get married now…"

Gabi shot a look at her new friend. "Of course I do…"

Sharpay tilted her head, silently asking 'then why?'.

"I'm scared, Sharpay," she admitted. "I'm scared that once we move out together, everything will change. I'm scared that I'll lose all the other people I love. I'm scared that we'll get married too quick and regret the time we could have had to be young and enjoy our friends…" Gabi stopped as she realized she had probably said too much.

"Talk to him, okay?" Sharpay suggested. "He's my best friend and he's more vulnerable than you think…"

Gabi nodded, acknowledging she may have been avoiding certain conversations with Troy for fear of bringing up her real misgivings and possibly endangering their blissful coupledom.

"Thank you." Gabi smiled as she stood. "I best go find my fiancé…"

***endofflashback***

/

Troy was with Dex; discussing the race just gone, in a quiet corner of a room filled with race men.

Gabi didn't pay much attention as her petite curvy figure garnered interest; so used to living in a world of males was she. Instead she sauntered by them all to address her partner.

"I'm going home now," she told him simply, finished from her race.

Troy looked up and nodded. "I guess you want a ride?"

Gabi smiled at him, then her brother. "Are you two staying out?"

Dex relaxed back in his seat. "Not tonight."

Troy rose. "I'll see you tomorrow Dex," he told his new buddy.

"Yep," Dex saluted him, and then grinned at his sister. "Good job today, kid."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm so not a kid…."

Troy smirked at that statement and followed Gabi out, taking in the night sky as they made their way back to his car.

"You did great today," he told her in his soft husk, reaching to wrap his arm around her shoulders and pull her close as she sagged in tell-tale exhaustion.

"I could have won," Gabi responded lightly, accepting his compliment that she had heard several times today.

She waited while he opened the passenger door for her to slide in with a sigh.

"Winning isn't everything," he smiled across at her as he slid in too.

"I used to think that too," she smiled with a frown. "But Dex was right, it iseverything."

Troy flicked her a look and pressed his lips in. He remembered that feeling, that buzz he lived on for years- the buzz of winning. He remembered the highs, the excitement and newness of it all; he remembered the power that came with it. The sense of authority.

But he also remembered the lows. The addictive need for just one more ride; the ultimate claiming of his soul to something meaningless and he wondered for just one second; if Gabi had the same vulnerability he'd had- and the same possibility to go down the wrong route.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked as he pulled up outside the house they shared.

Gabi curved a smile and slipped her seat belt off. "No, I'd quite like to celebrate my relative victory with my sexy boyfriend," she admitted.

Troy swallowed, coming out of the car to open her door and lead her inside. "You're going to feel exhausted any time soon," he predicted.

"Then let's make the most of my adrenaline buzz," she suggested, giggling as she ran up the stairs then wrestled him gently onto the bed where they fell and kissed, their lips melding with familiar passion.

Troy combed her hair back from her face and smiled lop-sidedly. "You sure you're not about to flake?"

Gabi shook her head and kissed him again, more softly, letting him roll her over onto her back where he trapped her wrists and attacked her neck.

"Gabi?" He whispered when he didn't hear any of the usual wanton moans she gave when he did that. "Gabi?" He looked up into her face.

He couldn't help the wry smile that enveloped his lips. She was asleep, as predicted- right in the middle of their make-out session. Anyone else might be offended by her lack of response to his foreplay; but he knew only too well the aftermath of adrenaline and the resulting fatigue of racing. She needed to sleep and he'd let her. For now.

/

"Troy…" Gabi warned with her sleep-heavy voice, still too tired to move.

She felt his fingers twitch across her belly again and wriggled to free herself.

"Troy," she groaned again, not in the mood for making out- or whatever game he was playing.

His hand flattened against her belly and ran up toward her ribs; as his lips brushed her ear from behind. "Good morning racer-girl," he husked.

"I'm grumpy," she announced right off the bat, just in case he hadn't noticed this fact already.

"I don't know why…" his voice was warm as his hand ran up and down her midriff tenderly.

"I feel like I went into battle last night or something," she grumbled.

"That's the after-effects I'm afraid," he explained. "Want me to make it better?"

"Troy," she grasped his hand as it dived lower, toward her shorts. "Don't," she commanded moodily and he quickly rolled back as she sat up and flipped the duvet back.

"O-kay…" He lifted his brows and o'd his mouth at her reaction.

She turned and squinted at him. "I told you I was grumpy."

He surrendered his hands up. "I take full responsibility for ignoring that statement."

"Good. I'm going to shower."

And with that she stomped toward the bathroom, leaving him chagrined.

/

"Hey, buddy," Troy forced a smile as he ran a hand through his cropped hair and greeted his best friend at breakfast.

"You still here?" Chad teased of their living arrangement.

Troy grimaced. "I know, I've tried to tell her…" He started.

"Hey," Chad broke him off. "It's ok, I was kidding, you know you and Gabi are welcome here…"

"Yeah, I know," Troy accepted gracefully.

"So what's really bugging you?" Chad wondered.

Troy took a deep breath in; loathe to tell his friend the truth when Gabi was likely to burst in at any moment. He banked on her crawling back into bed and sleeping off her adrenaline hang-over.

"I feel like she doesn't want this, you know? Like she doesn't want us to be together anymore…It's always you and us, or Dex and us, or the race team and us…Maybe she's changing her mind you know? Maybe she doesn't want this anymore…"

"Dude," Chad got up and gripped his shoulder. "She wants this. I see it in her face every day. I hear it in her words. She talks about you constantly. It just happened quick, let her catch up you know?"

Troy nodded his agreement. "I guess your remission made me realize what I want and I want it all now…"

"I know, dude. Me too. But some things need time…."

"Tell me there's food…" Gabi's dull voice broke the air; followed by her shuffling feet.

Chad grinned at her sulky, ruffled state. "Hey sister, how you feeling?"

Gabi rolled her big eyes up to him and snarled. "Stop smiling."

He chuckled and drank the last of his juice. "I have race stuff to get on with; see you later," he kissed her hair and emptied the room; leaving Troy to stand awkwardly from the counter as he tried to find answers to his concerns aired to Chad.

"Shall I make you some oatmeal?" He offered his petite girlfriend and she pursed her lips.

"No, I think I'm going to haul my ass down to the patisserie…"

"I'm going down to the garage, will you be home tonight?" He checked.

Gabi shrugged. "Maybe."

Troy frowned, then blanked his face as she flicked her eyes up. "I might be meeting Jody and Dex," she explained.

"Well have fun," he stepped up and kissed her hair, too. "Love you," he added before he left, leaving her no chance to reply.

/

"Let me…" the voice came from behind her, the arm came over her shoulder and Gabi turned to frown at the mystery benefactor paying for her croissants.

"Marlade," she gave an unimpressed look. "What do you want?"

"Nothing!" He laughed innocently. "I'm just shouting your breakfast to say congratulations, is there anything wrong with that?"

"For you, yes," she replied candidly, clutching her box of goodies to her chest, not able to move while the broad man somewhat trapped her.

He curled a devilish smile. "Well done last night."

"Thank you. Can you move now please?"

"Changed your mind about Bolton yet?" He checked.

"No, and did you forget your engaged too, Solo?" She wondered.

He pursed his lips. "Not forgot, no…"

"Ugh," she sighed, grumpy enough already without Marlade to annoy her even more.

She used her anger to shoulder him out of the way, closing her eyes as his amused laugh followed her out of the patisserie.

"Whoa…" Another voice crowed as a hard body cushioned hers.

"Jody…" she popped her eyes open and sighed out in relief.

"Hey, you okay?" He checked with the familiarity they both cherished.

"Yeah." She replied, then added, "Marlade," to explain her annoyance.

"Oh. Him." Jody's brows rose knowingly.

"Yeah, him," she agreed, and then ventured a little one-sided smile. "How you doing?"

"Yeah… good," he tucked his hands into his pockets shyly. "I'm dating someone…"

"Hey, that's great!" Gabi awed, pleased for her friend. Things had been shaky before she had gone to LA and she had wondered if they would ever get better but the time apart had helped- and seemingly so had the cute blonde she'd seen him talking to at the track.

"How about you? Still with Bolton?" He checked and Gabi nodded.

"Yeah. He's being all 'You did great' and stuff about the race," she shared with an eye roll.

"You did do great," Jody said with a quiet voice, and it was the first time Gabi really believed it. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," she smiled with a blush. "I miss you."

"Me too," he admitted. "Maybe we'll play poole one time?"

She nodded. "I'd like that."

"I'll see you later right?" He checked of their planned evening out with Dex.

"Right," she nodded.

/

"Shh…" Gabi pressed her finger to her lips and giggled as she tried to quiet herself down as she tripped into the bedroom, somehow finding the door frame beneath her feet obstructive in her path.

"Are you drunk?" Troy's voice whispered loudly across the room; pausing her.

"Oh, crap, you're awake…" she sulked and zigzagged for the bed; falling on it more than laying on it. "Umph."

"Of course I'm awake; I was waiting for you…"

"Sorry," she said into the covers.

Troy leaned up and turned on the soft side light. "Are you ok?" He checked of his girlfriend, face planted into the duvet.

"Uh huh," she nodded for effect.

"Well, night then…" He lifted his brows and reached for the light again.

"Well…" Gabi suddenly flipped onto her back and sighed. "Goodnight." She said instead of whatever was on her mind.

Troy peeked at her and waited. He waited until she looked at him and then he blinked, softening his face.

"What is it?"

"Are you annoyed I went out tonight?"

"No," he pursed his lips and furrowed his brow at her question.

"Are you annoyed about us living with Chad?" She shot next.

"No…not annoyed…" He confirmed.

"If not annoyed then what?" She wondered, winding her fingers into her curly hair; her small form covered in a khaki button down and some leggings.

"Let's not talk about this now…" He suggested.

"You think I'm too drunk?" She smiled slowly. "I probably am…"

"It's late, we're both tired…"

"I'm not tired…" Her smile turned feline.

"Last time you said that you fell asleep on me," he accused gently.

She giggled and curled in amusement. "Oh, I'm sorry!"

"It's okay, Gabi." He assured. "Just let's get some rest ok?"

"Yes, dad," she teased and proceeded to make a great show of flinging off her clothes before she slipped under the duvet.

"Jesus, Montez," he sighed as she pressed against his back, naked.

"Sweet dreams," she goaded as her arms linked around his middle and she used his side as a pillow.

"Goodnight Gabi," he mustered with a tight swallow.

/

Troy stretched his neck to look over his shoulder as he felt Gabi stir.

"Grumpy today?"

"Hmph," she rolled on the bed and then opened her eyes.

"I take that as a yes…" He mused, willing his body to forget all about the naked imprint of his girlfriend that still rang true as the duvet slipped down to reveal the upper swell of her breasts.

"Why do I feel so weird?" She wondered.

"Erm, you got drunk last night?" He suggested without sympathy.

"Not drunk. Tipsy," she amended. "And the day before I ached…"

"It's called adrenaline junkie, Gabi. You wanted to be a driver; well this is all part of the game…"

"Can't I be addicted to something else?" She beseeched. "Like you?" She added as she smiled at the sleepy picture he gave; all ruffled and topless and tempting.

He smiled slowly at her sweet statement and leaned across to kiss her once. "I won't be complaining if you are…"

"Hey where are you going?" She whined as he rolled up out of the bed.

"Work? You know, to run the team that puts you on the track every weekend?"

"Where's my sexy hug time?" She pouted.

He tilted his head. "Are you really gonna pull that on me? When you woke up grumpy two days in a row?"

"No," she agreed, rolling onto her side. "Go, see if I care…"

He chuckled to himself at her drama-queen ways- something he was sure had only got worse since they lived together.

"I hate you!" She yelled as she went out the door.

/

"Surprise," a husked voice murmured in his ear at the same time a pair of hands blinded his sight.

He gritted his teeth. "Get off me, Emily;" he ground out.

"Now that's not a very nice way to greet a lady is it?" She pouted, smiling with her usual flirtyness, coming beside him to perch against his worktop, her hands bracing her there.

"Let me know when there's a lady present…" He quipped with a quick, wan smile.

She sobered. "Marlade is still planning something," she told him like she had that day in Marlade's garage, the day she told him Solo wanted to sabotage his team.

"You're taking a risk coming here to tell me that," he accused.

"Not really. I'm part of the plan," she offered honestly.

"Whose side are you on?" He squinted.

Emily paused, looking down him with her usual hunger. "If I say yours, do I get you back?"

"No." He hard-lined.

"Not even for one night?"

Her arched brow and seductive talk didn't fool him. He folded his arms as he faced her and pressed his lips together.

"I don't know the whole thing yet. Just that I'm meant to make Gabi jealous." She shared.

"That's a hard task." He shared equally back.

"Not even if I do this?" She wondered, pushing off the counter to press her palms to his chest.

"Emily!" He gripped her wrists and pushed her away.

"Surpri-" Gabi's intended greeting froze in her throat as she walked in to find Emily and Troy wrestling somewhat. "…Uh…" She paused, waiting for an explanation.

"Is that why you did this?" Troy whispered to Emily, having flicked a look to Gabi.

"Is that the time?" She trilled out loud, smiling widely. "Do excuse me…"

"Emily…" He called again angrily, watching her hips sway as she walked away.

"Don't call me, I'll call you," she blew him a kiss over her shoulder and ruffled Gabi's hair to annoy her as she left.

"Call you about what?" Gabi asked, still waiting for Troy to acknowledge her.

"Nothing," he sighed, turning his attention to her finally. "I'm sorry about that, she just won't take no for an answer…"

Gabi approached whilst looking him directly in the eyes; her slow walk deliberate.

"Who can blame her?" She joked lightly.

He squinted, not sure she meant that. He didn't question her, instead he tilted his head.

"What's my surprise?" He wondered.

"I'm not sure you deserve it now," she came closer and linked her arms around his neck. "I caught you sexy hugging with another woman…"

"Oh no, that wasn't sexy hugging. Nowhere near…" He promised with a sexy smile at having her close again.

"No?"

"Uh-uh," he shook his head and wrapped his arms around her tightly; leaning down to nuzzle their noses.

She opened her mouth to take a breath but expelled her tell-tale sigh of need. "I…" she tried to think of another line to extend their pretend fight and then just gave up, wrapping her hand into his hair at the back of his head to bring their lips together in a needy kiss they both longed for.

"I am definitelyaddicted to you," Troy teased of their conversation that morning.

"Huh;" she smiled knowingly, not trying to push away his strong hold. "And I'm not tired or drunk…" She led.

"Now?" He asked; picking up her suggestive tone.

She shrugged a little. "Can you take a break?"

His answering grin told her the answer.

/

"Now thisis sexy hugging;" Troy confirmed as his hand played up and down her belly again; spooning her with his naked body, both of them sated by their impromptu lovemaking.

Gabi giggled and looked over her shoulder at him. "You're so predictable."

"What? I can't help that I like sexy hugging…"

"It's the 'sex' part that mostly interests you…" She accused affectionately, rising in the bed. "I need to get back to work…"

"What? Wait…" He semi-rose to attempt to stop her.

Gabi smiled at him as she quickly covered her nakedness with her underwear. "I have to meet Cody at the track and try out those new tyres," she told him even though he knew.

"So I'll call him and tell him to come in an hour…" Troy promised, grinning at her with his seductive glint.

She pursed her lips and looked at him.

"I amthe boss;" he reasoned.

"And what does the boss want me to do?" She allowed him this little role-play.

"The boss…" He stood and walked toward her, naked and unashamed. "…wants you to come back to bed…"

He bent and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her as his still-warm skin touched hers at every inch that could meet.

"Troy;" she groaned at his insistence; feeling every bone in her body melt at his throaty request.

"Call me boss?" He whispered, panting a little as his lungs failed him.

Her eyes widened at his request and she felt his lips work down her neck toward her breasts; giving her no time at all to adjust to this new slant on their foreplay.

"Boss?" She asked, running her fingers into his hair.

"Yes?" he stopped kissing long enough to meet her gaze.

"Go slow this time?" She half asked, half begged.

Troy blinked at her request and kissed her again, more tenderly on the mouth before slowing his whole approach; taking the same path down her torso but with longer; excruciatingly sensuous kisses.

"Slow enough for you?" He husked, secretly hurt by her request and the fact he had possibly hurt her during their last session.

She sighed out and panted her affirmation and he decided then not to punish her body with his or take what he wanted; he vowed to give this time. Give and take nothing.

/

It was no use. Gabi couldn't concentrate with the images of the mind-blowing oral sex Troy had afforded her with before he allowed her to leave the house for the very task she was having great difficulty mastering.

Cody frowned as he made notes with a pencil onto the paper supported by his clipboard and Gabi swallowed fearfully as she approached; shaking her hair out of the helmet she had been wearing.

"I know what you're going to say…" She broached quickly to pre-empt his admonishment.

"Hella…" A shrill wolf-whistle pierced the air and brought both Gabi's gaze up and Cody's from their about-to-be conversation.

"Marlade," Gabi pressed her lips together and frowned. "I've got a track review so just slide back under your rock," she quipped testily, running a hand over her hair now she had tied it into a high ponytail.

Solo merely grinned. "Well I hope your track manager tells you that you're gonna lose with laps like that…"

"Who is this guy?" Cody asked, bypassing Solo deliberately; knowing full well who he was.

"The town jerk," Gabi allowed, smirking at Cody and her track manager chuckled in return, slowly rising from his seat on the bench to face Solo.

"You need to leave now," Cody told the arrogant racer with a squint of his grey eyes.

Solo merely smiled and looked at Gabi before saying, "Fine," and turned to leave with no argument.

Gabi frowned harder at his easy retreat and then brought her attention back to the issue at hand.

"I can do better. I had a bad afternoon and my minds not in it…" She began her apology from before.

Cody smiled at her and met her gaze. "We both know they weren't your best; but I don't need your best every time," he assured. "But I don't like how you're going into those corners. There's too much swing on the back and I'm worried one of these nights you'll push too hard and regret it…"

Gabi rolled her eyes. "Have I ever spun before?"

He lifted his brow and she was reminded of the bird incident that almost grounded her.

"That doesn't count- there was an animal in danger," she defended and he sighed.

"Lay off just a quarter of a nickel;" he instructed, using his favourite expression to indicate the small change she needed to make. "I promise I won't ask anything else from you."

She held his gaze for a few seconds and then dropped it. "Okay, fine."

Her arms folded defensively with her agreement and he hesitated, wondering if she meant what she said, but he'd done all he could do for now and so he left the garage behind while Gabi changed and tidied up.

"Still here, foxy?" Solo's voice was so familiar, she almost laughed at the sound of it.

"Don't call me that." She stared at him.

"Why not? You are…"

"Well you have a fiancée remember?" She needled him and for the first time since she had known him; she caught a flicker in his green eyes.

"Well, we're on rocky ground right now," he admitted ruefully.

"Why are you telling me this?" She demanded. "Don't expect me to fall for any bull…"

"It's not bull…" He held his hands up in surrender. "It's why I came by actually. I needed a female opinion."

"And you chose me? The girl you angered into hitting you? The girl who's boyfriend you made life hell for? Was there really no-one else, Solo?" She wondered.

His black lashes lifted while he met her gaze full on. "No. You're the only one I knew who has a heart big enough to forgive," he admitted. "Or at least to listen."

Gabi squinted and assessed him silently, wondering why out of all people; he trusted her with his problems. Relationship problems at that.

"I don't know how I'm meant to help…" She offered begrudgingly.

Solo swallowed, his tall form intimidating for her to look up to but she knew she had downed him once and she knew she could again if she needed to.

"Troy was right to let Emily go," he began. "She's cheating again."

"How do you know?" Gabi enquired.

"She doesn't smile at me like she used to."

Gabi tilted her head, surprised that Solo had the ability to open up the way he was now.

"Have you tried talking to her?" Gabi asked shortly. "I know it's a foreign concept to you but you might be surprised…"

Solo smiled a little and nodded. "I guess you're right."

Gabi frowned again at his quickness to accept her advice.

"That's it?" She wondered.

"Did you want more?" He offered suggestively and she rolled her eyes, heading for the doorway. Solo partially blocked her exit.

"Thank you," he leaned toward her and she looked at him with suspicion rife in her veins.

"Whatever. See you later, Solo…"

"Hey there you are…" Another voice sounded from the doorway, breaking Gabi from her eye-lock with Marlade.

She looked over at Troy coolly and forced a smile. "Hey, just coming," she said and went to join him.

"You ok?" He checked, fighting down his jealous instinct at finding Solo leaning over Gabi like he wanted to kiss her.

"Fine. Are you?" She checked back, still tense with unease at her meeting with Solo.

"Uh…what did Marlade want?" He asked another question to save answering hers.

She swallowed. "Just some advice."

"Ah, right," he nodded.

She smiled up at him quizzically. "You're not thinking I'm going for him are you?"

"Ah, no…no of course not…" Troy swallowed down his real fear of the past repeating itself. Seeing Gabi and Marlade together like that had almost taken him back to the day he'd been jilted by Emily.

"Hey," she stopped him by curling her hands around his collar and leaning up close. "I love you," she promised.

He blinked. "I know."

"I'm not going to do what Emily did. I hit the guy remember?"

He nodded. "I remember."

Gabi knew her words hadn't appeased him and she took a breath to stall for time to think.

"I don't trust him; he was just asking for my opinion and I don't doubt it's part of a bigger plan but I promise you whatever happens, I'm with you, okay?"

Troy pursed his lips. "I don't know why I'm even thinking about the alternative;" he admitted ruefully.

"Because it happened." Gabi allowed. "I understand your concern."

"Well, I'm sorry if you feel like I'm doubting you," he sighed.

"I don't," she assured, then tiptoed to kiss him. "I just want you to know I'm always yours. From the start," she reminded him of her innocence before they got together and his eyes sparkled with familiarity.

"And yet you won't set a date…" He teased.

Gabi sobered and avoided his gaze. "Well, I-"

"It's okay," he cut in quickly, although deep down he wasn't okay with it at all. "There's no rush."

Gabi looked up at him with her big brown, heart-breaking eyes and twisted her lips. "I know that Chad nearly dying made us all realize a few things…" She began, "…but for me- I just got my freedom you know? I just got racing, I just got friends who weren't my brother and Jody and I…" She paused.

"What Gabi? Tell me," Troy urged softly and her eyes met his as she bit into the flesh of her lower lip.

"I'm afraid."

"Of me?" Troy asked, holding his breath until she answered.

"No, of course not," she denied and swallowed. "I'm afraid that things might change…I like what we have, what we are…" She expressed and he nodded along, knowing her hesitancy was to do with her development as a person rather than her feelings for him.

"I get it," he licked his lips. "I won't mention it again…"

"Well, you should. I mean, I know you want to…"

He smiled and rolled his neck. "I do…"

"So, what do we do?"

Troy squinted at her, really not sure of the answer at all. He would get married tomorrow if he could and she felt like she needed to live out the youthful existence she had somewhat been denied; so where did they meet? Where was the middle?

"Nothing at all," he answered her question. I love you Gabi and I want to marry you. That won't change. No matter what." He assured.

"Are you sure?" She doubted. "You can really live with that?"

He sighed and scooped her into a hug. "I can live with that."

When they pulled away she smiled up at him shyly. "Let's go home."

/

"Hey, Gabi! Guess what?" Chad jumped on her the second she swung the front door open and he ran to meet her in the hallway. "Oh hey Troy," he added secondly.

"Hi…" Troy frowned at being second best.

"There's this Route 66 road trip that a guy I know is organizing and he wants me to go along!" Chad shared his news.

"Wow…" Gabi opened her mouth in surprise. "How long for?"

"Three months!" Chad beamed largely; his afro hair growing back each day and becoming curlier as it did so. "This is so cool!"

"Yeah," Gabi feigned happiness at his excitement. "That's amazing Chad, it's just what you need…"

"After everything that's happened, I need this more than anything; just to get out there and see the world…" He agreed with a happy smile, tears glistening his eyes.

"I would have liked to drive you," she offered and he puzzled at her sad smile.

"Hey, what's up, girl?"

"Nothing," she shook her head, her own tears falling as she forced a smile. "I'm happy for you…" She assured; but ran past him and bolted up the stairs, leaving Chad to frown at Troy.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Troy lifted his brows and sighed. "Ah…no…there's just a lot going on right now…"

"Like what?" Chad worried. "I won't go if she needs me…"

Troy smiled wanly. "It's me, Chad. Well; us," he indicated of himself and Gabi. "We just talked about the future and stuff today."

"You're not…?" Chad's face fell.

"No, god no!" Troy denied of Chad's assumption they were splitting. "We just decided not to set a date."

"Oh," Chad nodded, then frowned again. "Then why…?"

Troy shrugged. "I'm not sure. She already told me she was afraid of things changing between us if we get married; maybe she thinks you moving out is another change she can't deal with right now…"

"But you two'll be okay…" Chad replied, puzzled.

Troy nodded. "Sure."

"I'm gonna go up and talk to her," Chad said of Gabi and Troy nodded.

"Okay, dude. I'm setting the kettle…"

/

"Knock, knock…" Chad called out as he slowly opened the door to Troy's room, finding Gabi laying on the bed.

"Hey Chad," she greeted, wiping her eyes as she sat up. "Sorry about ruining your good news…"

"Hey, don't be silly…nothing is ruined," he assured and cupped her arm with the brotherly affection he felt for her. "But I won't go if you need me here…"

She smiled at him as though he were a cute teddy bear. "You will go," she argued. "I just…I…"

"You can tell me…" He offered gently.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "The first thing I felt when you told me what you were doing; was that I wanted to be part of it, that I wanted to go too…" She admitted.

He shrugged. "Then come with us…"

"And then I remembered that my life is here, with Troy…I can't just jump up and drive across half the country no matter how awesome that sounds…"

"Gabi, Troy could come, too…" Chad offered.

"And then I felt guilty for even wanting to do something without him- for even wanting to leave in the first place…"

"Gabi…"

"He's hurt enough that I won't set a date and now this?" She berated herself.

"Hey, I'm going to miss you, you know," he shared suspecting that was part of her reason for wanting to go with him. "You are like the little sister I never had only I can flirt with you and it's not weird…" He teased, making her smile.

He carried on when she stayed silent. "And when I heard about this trip, I could see you driving that Buick, your hair all flying and your smile like it used to be…"

She nodded at that, tilting her head at his vision.

"I would have loved to do it…"

"But I knew that I had to get out there on my own two feet you know?" He carried on his talk. "I can't sit at home forever hoping you'll fall out of love with Bolton and realize how handsome I am…" He joked again. "I thought it'd be good for all three of us to have time apart…"

Gabi nodded more tears coming as she realized just how much she would miss him and she gave up trying to express her feelings and just hugged him instead.

"If you and Troy wanted to come you'd be more than welcome," he added as she pulled away, just to be sure she knew that.

She gave a tiny smile. "Thank you."

/

"So you never got to see me race did you?"

It was the next morning bright and early- the night before giving way to quiet understanding and togetherness for Troy and Gabi and now they walked together side by side, hands linked as Troy posed his question.

"No…" She looked up expectantly for him to continue.

"Would you like to?" He wondered, smiling at her with his boyish grin.

"Sure," she agreed; thinking she should be more excited at that prospect than she sounded.

"Hey, are you okay? Chad told me you were thinking about going on the Route 66 tour and I don't want 'us' to stop you…" He offered.

Gabi tilted her head and pressed her lips in at one corner. "I don't think I can go and do something like that and leave you behind…plus I have racing now…"

"So we'll go in the off season. Together." He suggested.

She peeked up at him. "You'd really do that?"

He shrugged. "Don't see why not…Unless you wanted to go with your friends without me…"

She smiled at him cutely. "No, it's not that…"

"Then let's do it," he decided.

She nodded. "So what's all this about showing me your racing skills?" She changed subject.

It was his turn to smile; just like a little boy or maybe a little devil, she couldn't tell.

"I rented the track so I can show you how it's done," he explained with a brow arch to humour his words.

"You're right, I wouldn't have liked you when you were a racer," she teased right back at his ego.

"I did warn you…"

/

"You must miss it," Gabi turned to Troy as he revved the engine of the Lamborghini he'd managed to get hold of and smiled softly at his masculine pose, his hands tight on the wheel bulging his arm muscles.

She felt a little giddy kick of attraction start in her belly and she knew that they would last the whole nine miles. Her hunger for him never waived.

He flicked her a look. "A little," he allowed, expertly taking a corner with speed and smoothness Gabi envied. She could learn from him she realized.

"I would, if I didn't have it…" She added.

"I miss this feeling," he admitted. "Where I feel like I'm king of the world…"

"But?" She looked to him, picking up his unsaid words.

He slowed the car and pulled over in a crash layby, sighing out. "But I was with Emily then. I don't miss that."

"You must a little bit;" Gabi ventured. "I mean before Solo got involved…"

Troy lifted one corner of his mouth. "Maybe. Or maybe he saved me you know?"

"Well…" She smiled slowly, a feline smile as she twisted to face him. "I for one really like this version of you…I'm glad I got to see it…"

He smiled back and let her kiss him, his brows shooting up. "You like the egotistical me?"

"You're just so sexy all…in control and cruising…" She described, climbing across his lap to straddle him, pushing down his seat recliner to accommodate them both in the small cabin space.

"Sexy huh?" He was breathless already, his fingers skimming through her hair as he pushed his pelvis up to evidence just how sexy he felt in that moment with her in his lap.

She smiled and ground her hips against him in return. "Very."

He groaned out and connected their mouths while their bodies took that familiar journey they both treasured.

/

"What are you laughing at?" Gabi asked Troy testily, but her irrepressible smile gave away her true feelings.

"We look like scarecrows," he let his smile break into a grin as his eyes lit up with the love he felt for his partner.

"Well, that was your fault," she grumbled, letting go of his hand to quickly drag her fingers through her messed hair.

"Me!" He stopped mid-walk back to the house, mock-outraged. "You're the one who said I looked sexy…"

Gabi giggled as he wrapped her into his arms and nuzzled her ear and she pushed him away lightly.

"Not in the street, Bolton," she told him as firmly as she could manage, his own sex-messed look turning her on.

She loved it when his hair was ruffled, his t-shirt crumpled and his jeans bore the evidence of his arousal like they did now.

She flicked a look down his front and swallowed. "Can you make it home?"

He closed his eyes and made a pained noise, causing her to giggle again as a woman walking her dog passed by and asked Gabi if he was okay.

She managed to stifle her amusement to answer that yes he was; he just strained a muscle.

"I think I might kill you…" Troy offered when he eventually opened his eyes and grabbed her hand to drag her home.

"Why?" She was still giggling as she stumbled after him.

He looked behind him and gave her a patient stare and when he tried to unlock the door, his fingers fumbled; making her smile even more.

"Let me," she took the key and released the catch, letting them both inside where he quickly picked her up against his body and kissed her long and hard; for all the moments he had wanted to while they walked home.

"Troy is that y-" Chad's voice started from the stairs, and then broke off. "Never mind…" He said and vanished into the kitchen while Troy and Gabi froze in their spot.

"Oops…" Gabi offered, her eyes lighting up as she bit into her lower lip. "Think we can make it upstairs un-noticed?"

Troy chuckled at her. "I think it's a little late for that."

"Then let's at least run before he comes back out…" Her giggle preceded her dash up the stairs.

/

"I really am too old for a younger girlfriend…" Troy bemoaned as he and Gabi lay collapsed together, recovering from their day of activity.

Gabi rubbed her hand lightly over his chest to appease him.

"It's not your age," she assured, feeling the same exhausted ache in her bones.

"You're just too demanding…" He teased, letting his fingers infiltrate her hair as he stroked her back.

"I'm too tired to argue," she derided. "I'll go with that…"

"Mm…" He kissed the top of her head. "But I love you for it."

"It reminds you what a stud you are?" She twinkled, letting her fingers glide down his belly-ridged with muscle.

"Yeah that," he agreed with a grin until she lightly swiped him. "And It reminds me someone out there loves me;" he added sweetly.

"Who's that then?" She wondered and he crunched her close.

"Are you telling me you've been using me for sex all this time?" He accused. "You could've picked someone with good knees for that…"

"Your knees do just fine," she smirked in memory.

"Do you want to go on the Route 66 tour with Chad?" Troy asked out of the blue, while he had her trapped.

She pursed her lips. "And miss this?"

He cuddled her a little. "You could find a younger boyfriend while you're out there…"

"Oh please. Who said youth was better anyway?" She rolled her eyes.

"Do you ever think about it?" He wondered.

"No…do you?"

He sighed. A lot it would seem. "Yeah…"

"Why?" She brushed her lips against his skin and then hitched up to look at him.

He shrugged. "I guess I got burned…"

"By Emily leaving?"

"She left me at the altar for a guy who was in his prime and she says she did it to protect me but part of me will always feel like I got rejected."

"I want to be here with you, Troy. I already made that choice," Gabi reminded him.

"Did Marlade kiss you the other day?" He checked.

"No…"

"He looked like he wanted to…"

"He can want what he likes, I only kiss my fiancé," Gabi announced, dropping a kiss to his chest to show. "Troy what is this really about?"

"I don't want to hold you back, Gabi. I don't want you to look back in five years; or two years or whatever and think of all the things you would have done if it weren't for me…"

"I don't think that at all," she assured, laying on his body now to comfort him. "I look back and think of all the things I have done because of you…that we have done together and will always have memories of…"

"Emily decided she didn't want to marry me…" He hedged, trying to express his emotions and failing.

"I'm not Emily," she reminded him again and he could sense she was going to get annoyed if he didn't come to his point soon.

"I know we talked about the dates; I know we're setting it back…but I don't want to get to that time we're ready to set a date and you feel like marrying me is still not the right thing…I want to know now if you have any doubts about us."

"The only doubt I have is why you're acting like this now…" She reproached. "You said you were okay with this, were you lying?"

"No…no I just feel like with Marlade and Emily hanging around that they are going to try and break us up. And I need to know now that we're strong enough to make it…"

"It upsets me that you think we're not…that you doubt my feelings for you…" She frowned, running her finger over each of his eyebrows.

"I never saw it coming before you know?" He arched a brow, swallowing. "I just want to get a heads up…."

"You're talking like it's a given I'm going to leave, Troy…"

He winced. "I'm sorry, I trust you it's just that…"

"No, you don't," she rolled up in the bed and he quickly sat to stop her.

"Hey, don't go…" He begged.

"I should have done this ages ago," she sighed pulling on his tee top to slip out of the room and down the stairs and he sat on the bed in silent wonder until she came back; her long black hair still messed and sexy- looking.

"What's going on?" He asked and she held her hand forth, palm down as her fingers encased something.

"Open your hand," she instructed and he frowned, looking into her soft brown eyes.

"What's this?"

He held aloft his palm and she slowly released her hidden gift, a smooth silver band that matched her engagement ring.

"Troy Bolton," she crawled onto the bed and knelt across his thighs. "Will you marry me?"

Troy stared at the silver band, then at her and his face softened in realization of her feelings for him.

"If you'll have me," he broke into a smile and hugged her.

"I love you, okay? No doubts." She assured and she felt him sigh out into her hair as his arms tightened just a little bit more. "You can push all you like, I'm not going anywhere," she added as she clung to him.

"I love you too, beautiful," he smiled gratefully. "I love you too."

/

"You must miss it,"

The voice in the dark startled Troy as he flicked on the lights, his old garage lit up patch by patch revealing the owner. He remembered when he and Gabi had made love on that very bench after the race that time, too desperate to hold out until they got home and now another female was arranged there, provocatively.

"Emily." Was all he said.

She was in her underwear- not just any underwear but stockings, suspenders, a basque that suited her lean form and she had the smile of the devil that was backed by the milky light of the moon slitting through the blinds. His hairs went on end at whatever game she was playing.

"Well?" She was waiting for an answer but he didn't remember the question.

"Well, what?" He asked tightly, not moving into the room to encourage her.

"You must miss it?" She repeated, with a question mark this time. "And me…"

She ran a hand up her leg and he blinked, an image flicking into his mind of when she had done this before, after he'd won a vital race- it was her way of congratulating him.

"I'm with Gabi now," he told her, deliberately avoiding her question because deep down maybe he didmiss it, just a little.

He didn't care that Gabi wasn't experienced or that she didn't sit around in sexy stockings waiting for him the way Emily did, but when he was racing and he was in that mode; he couldn't deny the masculine kick of satisfaction it had given him to find his woman laying in wait…only he'd changed and he'd worked hard not to be that person anymore. And he also knew the sweet, intimate love he made with Gabi was worth a whole lot more than the quick fix Emily was offering.

"Sure I can't change your mind?" She came right up to him, showing off her toned form; her finger tucking under his chin.

"I'm engaged," he held up his new ring to evidence his words and he saw the flicker of regret in Emily's eyes.

"One night…for old time's sake…" She offered, turning to bare her panty-clad backside to him before she looked over her shoulder and bit into her lip, finally leaning over his Lamborghini.

"I came here to work Em," he told her firmly, his eyes still tracing her body without his permission.

"This late? Who comes to work at this time at night unless they're having problems at home?" She enquired, flipping so that her back was to the car now, her arms propped on it.

"Actually it's because I spent the day with Gabi that I'm here so late. So there's no cracks for you to find in our relationship…"

Emily's mask seemed to slip and she stood straight, folding her arms.

"Marlade wants her you know." She said of Gabi.

"How does that make you feel?" Troy wondered at the set up between his ex and his enemy.

Emily shrugged. "If Marlade and Gabi get together that leaves me with you…"

Troy flicked his eyes between hers then pursed his lips in amusement.

"That's assuming I wanted to get back together with you…"

"If you didn't have Gabi…" She led.

He sighed. "Yeah, I might have been stupid enough to fall for it, too, once."

"Then let them do what young people do and let us have this again…" She tempted and he raised his brow at her.

"Em, this is a 'what if' situation. What if Gabi didn't exist? But she does.And I love her very much. I want to marry her."

"You wanted to marry me once," she accused, lifting her chin.

"Yeah and you walked away and it hurt, for a long time. But I finally found someone whose not gonna walk away from me…" He tilted his head.

Emily nodded and sucked her lower lip. "I've lost you."

"Does Marlade honestly think I'm going to give in to this seduction you have planned?" Troy marveled.

Emily shrugged. "I gave it my best he can't say I didn't…"

"What are you going to tell him?"

"That your indestructible." She smiled a little. "Because you are, Troy- you and Gabi," she added.

He gritted his teeth and looked at her under heavy brows. "Will he stop here?"

She twisted her lips and came up close to him. "Be careful, Troy."

He frowned and twisted to watch her leave, his brows going up in shock as Gabi came inside the room and he wondered how long she had been there; and how long Emily had known they had company.

"I got a call telling me to come down here…" Gabi wrapped her arms around herself.

Troy smiled grimly. "Great timing considering Emily just tried to seduce me for the third time…"

Gabi squinted, pausing inside the dusty room. "Is she coming back?"

"I hope not. I told her how I feel about you…"

"Yeah I kinda heard some of that…" She smiled a little, venturing him a look and then she came closer, for a cuddle which he gave easily.

"I'm sorry," he offered, touching his chin to her head and smiling painfully as she rubbed her cheek against his chest.

"What for?"

"For you having to see that," he offered of Emily.

"She's a beautiful woman, I can see why you fell for her," Gabi allowed, lifting her chin.

"But I don't find her beautiful anymore," he promised on a swallow and Gabi nodded.

"Good. I might have to kick your butt otherwise…"

And her playful grin forgave him all.

/

"Hey, wanna race?" Solo crept upside the curb while Troy walked to work the next day, his paperwork still untouched.

"What?" Troy looked at the man like he was mad.

"Downtown, they're setting up a route by the harbor, for tonight." Solo explained.

Troy nodded down turning his lips. "Thanks for the offer but I'll decline."

"Come on!" Solo goaded. "You used to love street racing before we went official."

Troy hesitated and Solo noticed.

"Yeah. But I have more important things to worry about now." Troy replied.

"Bro, this is one race you don't wanna miss. Bring Gabi, she loves that shit…"

Troy swallowed tightly. "And you know that because…"

Solo laughed. "Dude, I've known that girl her whole life. She loves racing full stop; but the Albuquerque street racing is what she lives for…"

"She never mentioned it," Troy squinted suspiciously.

"Ask her." Solo merely said. "And I'll see you tonight, south side."

With that he pressed on the gas and shot off, leaving Troy more confused than ever.

/

"Dude, don't do this, Marlade is up to something- you said it yourself," Chad advised his friend after Troy told him about Solo's approach.

"The only reason I'm even thinking about it, is because Gabi might like it…"

"She also likes you alive;" he quipped.

"It's a street race. I've done it before," Troy gave his friend a look.

"Not with Marlade running it," his friend batted back. "You're asking for trouble."

"Gabi wants excitement- she wants to go and race the open road and experience life…what if this helps us do that?" Troy posed.

"I don't see how anything with Marlade in the picture can help you two but it's up to you, bro…"

Troy sighed. "I'd just like to show Marlade who's boss you know?"

Chad nodded. "I know, and that old part of you is creeping back. But remember what he did to you, dude. Remember all that rehab and pain from rebuilding your muscles after your crash? A crash he cleverly orchestrated by sleeping with Emily. If you go out there with Gabi how do you know he won't pull the same stunt again?"

"I don't." Troy admitted.

"Don't go." Chad said again, knowing he would anyway.

"So when does Route 66 kick off?" Troy asked to change the subject; noticing Chad's face break into a happy smile.

"Two weeks."

"I wish you all the best, man," Troy offered.

"You can still come with me…" Chad smiled.

"Nah, I'm good, I think me and Gabi are gonna go in the off season," he explained.

"Well that's if you don't crash your ass street racing…" Chad lifted his brows as he left Troy alone with his thoughts.

Alone and undecided.

/

"So your boyfriend decided to man up and race then…"

Solo Marlade was nothing if he wasn't an ass, Gabi mused.

"Fiancé," Gabi corrected, only then looking up at the taller man, albeit with her arms crossed as she watched the guys already surrounding their cars on the road.

"Oh, sorry," Solo apologized though he didn't sound sorry. "So why aren't you two married yet?" he enquired next.

"Because." Gabi answered, tightening her lips together.

"Oh, he won't set a date…" Solo chuckled and Gabi smirked. Ifonly.

"Butt out, Marlade," she warned. "We don't need to be married to know how we feel."

"But why aren't you?" He asked again and she twisted with the intent to hit him again.

"Is this guy bothering you?" A voice cut through the crowd and Gabi swung at the sound of her brother's voice, a voice she hadn't heard in a while. "Do I need to punch him out?" Dex asked as he came right up to Solo and met his gaze; both men being the same height.

"Please do," Gabi derided, then grabbed Dex's arm when he took her seriously. "Ah, I was kidding…"

"See, Montez. Your sister likes me after all…" Solo grinned.

"I wouldn't go that far," Gabi made a face.

Solo looked her up and down. "Mm-mm." He licked his lips. "You will," he winked and then vanished as quickly, leaving Gabi stunned at his audacity.

"Where does he get off…" She began, then sighed and smiled at her brother, hugging him hugely. "I miss you, bro."

"Me, too, sis. What's new?"

"Troy decided to take up Solo's offer to street race- stupidly-" she inserted, "And I stupidly decided to come and support him in doing that."

"What is Solo up to?" Dex wondered.

"Damned if I know," she remarked, not having lost her boyish ways one iota which made Dex smile.

"I'm proud of you, Gabs." He hugged her around the shoulders as they stood on the pavement and waited for the drivers to warm up.

"Give me one sec…" She told him and dashed over to the driver window of Troy's Lamborghini, bestowing him with a kiss just like all the other track girls did with their partners only Gabi's curves and long dark hair stood out even if she was dressed in dungarees and converse where every other girl bared their flesh.

"I love you," she told her partner before she headed back to share the race with her brother.

"I hope he wins…" Dex murmured.

"What are you doing here anyway, bro?" Gabi wondered.

Dex twisted his lips and tried not to smile.

"What?" She pushed his arm affectionately.

"Chad told me," Dex grinned his submission.

"What?" Gabi o'd her mouth and stared at him.

Dex shrugged lightly. "He said you guys needed back up. Though I can't do much for Troy back here…" He frowned.

Gabi's sparkle slipped from her eyes and her smile faded. "Why would you need to do anything?"

Dex swallowed, reluctant to involve his little sister in the conspiracy theory Chad had embellished him with.

"Well, you know he hasn't raced since his accident so…we were just thinking he might lose his cool out there…it seems like he's racing for you, somehow."

"He doesn't need to, I'm already with him," Gabi frowned.

"Look, you've seen Emily around right?" Dex checked, trying to goad his sister into coming to her own conclusions.

"Yeah and she has this weird idea she can split us up…"

"And Solo is here tonight," Dex added, lifting his brows.

"Is she here tonight?" Gabi wondered.

"No, but Solo organized this race. He knows you used to love street racing…"

The penny suddenly dropped for his petite Filipino sister and her mouth went wide. "He did this deliberately so Troy would race for me?" She guessed and Dex nodded.

"But what if-" she gasped, unable to finish her sentence, her whole face creasing with concern.

"We couldn't have stopped him, Gabs," Dex told her softly, swallowing.

"Why did he…?"

"Feel like he had to do this?" Dex supplied for her. "That's us men for ya," he teased lightly.

"But…"

She couldn't seem to get a whole sentence out and Dex felt her concern stiffen his own body as sirens split the night air.

"Shit," he murmured, breaking into a run as the rest of the crowd dispersed; removing any signs of an illegal street race and Gabi stood, frozen to the spot, knowing in the depths of her heart that that siren was an ambulance and that one of the cars had come to a painful stop, the driver inside possibly injured- possibly critically hurt. The speed they did out there, the awkward street corners, she didn't wonder how.

She just wondered if it was Troy, and if he was still alive.

/

"Let me in there!" She cried hysterically, throwing her small but strong body at Dex and scrabbling at him where he barred her from the Emergency Room.

"Gabi," he tried to calm her with his own level voice, his stronger body holding hers back easily. He could still remember the day he'd done the identical thing with Jody when Gabi was taken in.

"He's my fiancé! I'm going to marry him! I have to make sure he's okay!" Her tears streamed heavy and painful down her face and as her brother, he felt his heart breaking at the sight of her, broken like this.

"He's going to be okay," Dex assured, even though he frowned at his words.

He'd got to the crash scene about five minutes after the medics; watching them stretcher away both his friend and his enemy; seemingly they'd had some kind of collision on the harbor front and Troy's car was shunted into the cold water.

He'd managed to struggle free, he'd been hauled out but his injuries were unknown- the damage unidentified.

"Baby girl;" Dex sighed and grasped Gabi close, sighing out into her hair. "He's going to be okay just let them fix him, okay?"

Gabi went still in his arms; suspended like a puppet until she finally gave into the heart-felt sobs that racked her body and she finally accepted his comfort.

"I can't live without him, Dex," she whispered on a painful throat and he hugged her tighter.

"You won't have to," he murmured. "You won't have to."

/

Gabi's face was pale. The kind of grey-pale it was after she had her spin. And if Troy's arms didn't hurt so much he'd reach out and offer the hug she so badly needed, but his arms did hurt like hell and he could only watch as she slipped into the room and stepped hesitantly closer, chewing her thumb vulnerably.

He knew he must look a bit beat-up. He'd flipped twice and dropped into the cold water of the harbor; leaving him with a bruised face, broken rib and a broken leg; along with the excruciating pain across his chest where he'd ripped his inter-corsal muscles when his rib had snapped.

"How do I look?" His voice was rough but his humour couldn't be mistaken.

Somehow those words broke her and tears poured down her face as her body rocked and he winced at upsetting her.

"Hey, come here," he commanded in a weak whisper and she trailed over, perching on the edge of the bed to stroke his eyebrows as she had done just a few short days ago.

"I can't hug you;" she hitched and he gave her a pained smile.

"Curl up next to me?" He suggested, knowing he couldn't move a muscle and her weight would barely register on his bruised body and when she snuggled into him, he let his eyes close again.

"I love you, Troy. I don't ever want to feel like that again," she described of the moments she had feared for his life.

"Shh," he soothed her even though he couldn't move. "You won't have to. I learned my lesson- my racing days are over…"

"Marlade is in a bad way…" She shared. "You're both idiots…"

"Yeah, I kind of get that now…" Troy mused, too tired to stay awake. "I love you, Gabi…" He whispered before he let himself drop back into sleep.

"I love you, you idiot," she sniffled into his chest.

/

"What in the hell happened to you?" Chad over-exaggerated as Troy struggled in the doorway on crutches, his face sketched with pain and Gabi hauling a wheelchair behind him.

Chad knew very well what had happened to his friend, he had visited him in hospital every day until he healed enough to be let home; but he could see that the accident had affected Gabi quite badly and as sorry as Troy looked about the whole thing, Chad couldn't help but worry about the younger girl.

"Here, let me take that," he said as he skimmed by Troy to help her with the large metal contraption she was struggling with.

"Thanks," she looked up and thanked him; her vulnerable emotions clear on her face.

"You okay, sister?" He asked, giving her a hug without waiting for an answer.

"Yeah…of course…" She swallowed and pulled away.

"At least he's home where we can watch him now…" He conspired and she managed a smile.

"I know."

"You sure everything's okay?" Chad checked again and Gabi nodded, following Troy into the living room, helping him get comfortable on the couch.

She knelt beside him and stroked his hair until his eyes fluttered shut, signaling his pain killer's kicking in and wiping him out and then she looked up to her friend and flickered a small, brave smile.

"I should have married him when he asked me," she admitted and Chad was surprised at her words.

"That's what you've been worrying about?" He marveled.

She pinkened sheepishly. "I don't want to lose him without having a chance to be his wife…"

"Gabi you two do great together and you were right not to rush into it…" Chad assured her.

"But I might have lost him today…and he wouldn't have known…he wouldn't know how much I love him…"

"Hey, he knows," Chad came over and touched her shoulder and the doorbell ringing brought her to her feet.

"I'll get it."

Gabi was shocked to see the tall red-head on the other side of the door.

"Hey Emily," she greeted patiently.

"How is he?" She asked, evidently worried.

"Fine. No thanks to you and Solo," Gabi barbed; knowing this woman was somehow involved in Troy's downfall.

Emily shot her eyes up and held her gaze. "I care about him."

"Enough to make sure he almost died?" Gabi enquired.

"I never wanted him to get hurt," she denied. "Can I see him?"

Gabi laughed shortly. "You want to see him? You almost get him killed and now you want to see him..?" She folded her arms, blocking the door.

"I know I was stupid to ever let him go; but we could have had something, Gabi. It's up to him if I see him or not- not you."

"That's where you're wrong, Emily. This is my house, too. You're not coming in." Gabi held her stance.

"Fine," the tall woman's eyes glazed over. "I'll wait until he's out again but let him know I came by…" She instructed; trying not to sound like she was begging.

"Don't come by again," Gabi warned with a squint. "Troy doesn't need friends like you."

Emily sucked her teeth and turned with an angry stride away from the house.

"Whoa, girl," Chad teased Gabi as he slipped into the hallway.

"Was I too strong?" She worried momentarily.

"Not at all," Chad shook his head. "You were right to send her away."

She nodded. "I'm going up to have a nap," she explained and hugged her friend quickly on the way, leaving him frowning up after her.

/

"Hey, bro, how's it going?" Dex's bright voice filled the living room as Troy reclined on the sofa, wondering where Gabi had got to already. He wanted to be cuddling with her right now and she was nowhere to be seen.

"Hurts," Troy grumbled and Dex arched a brow.

"Huh, how is that?" He joked and Troy managed a smile.

"Some dude rammed my ass off a 50foot drop," Troy smarted back.

"Never mind your stupid ass for racing in the first place," Dex reminded him and Troy accepted the telling-off.

"I know. That was stupid."

"But…it's too late now. Are you feeling any better?" Dex checked.

"Well my ribs went from purple to blue and I feel like I'm dying every time I move but other than that, I'm good," he pursed his lips, his face showing his evident discomfort.

"Where's my sister? She's supposed to be your nursemaid," Dex commented.

"Ah I'm not sure…"

"Dude, you know our dad died on the track don't you?" Dex ventured and Troy licked his lips.

"I kind of knew…"

"Look, if she's being weird then it's to do with that. All the people she cares about race and risk their lives daily and when she lost him, it was like the light went out of her…"

"Did she think I was going to die?" Troy wondered, not even considering that because he knew he'd survived worse.

Dex looked at him for a long moment and he blushed.

"I'm an idiot," he said again, not only for racing but for not realizing Gabi's fear.

"Well I didn't want to be the one to say it, dude," Dex agreed lightly and Troy closed his eyes and knocked his head back.

"So what do I do?"

Dex shrugged. "She won't talk to me, she just keeps crying."

"Jody?" Troy checked and Dex's face softened.

"I think she might be with him now."

Troy nodded. "I never wanted to hurt her…"

"She's the toughest cookie I know," Dex said, looking to Troy. "But she's so vulnerable, too. She'll never admit when she feels scared…"

"I know," Troy agreed, remembering her reasons for being reluctant to set a date for their wedding. "I wish I could be here for her when she needs me."

"She'll come home," Dex assured, his short visit coming to a close. "Just go easy on her."

"I will, man, thanks," Troy appreciated his input.

"I'll come by on Friday," Dex told him before he left. "Get better, man!"

/

"Mm…huh?" Troy woke with a start and quickly realized his dream about drowning was instigated because his mouth was full of hair.

Black, curly hair. Black, curly hair that preceded a small body tucked into his, backside first and he was inadvertently spooning the girl he loved on the small sofa in close proximity.

"Sorry," she whispered, hearing his spluttering and taking her hair to twist it over her shoulder away from his mouth.

He let his lips brush her neck before he lay back, his arm looping over her middle casually.

"It's ok," he whispered back. "I'm glad you're here."

"Sorry I disappeared earlier," she added, apologetic this evening it would seem.

"Don't be," he assured, loving the feel of her rounded backside against his lap; no matter how much he ached and how painful everything felt.

"I want to get married, Troy," she told him in the silent dark.

"I know," he nuzzled her hair.

"I mean, now. I want to get married as soon as we can."

"What brought this on?" He puzzled.

She paused, quiet for long moments until she turned in his arms and clutched her fingers to his t-shirt.

"Nearly losing you," she admitted honestly.

"Hey, I wasn't planning on going anywhere," he kissed her forehead.

"Well, for a moment there I was afraid I might lose you," she opened up her fears to him and he wished he could wrap his arms around her and hold her tight and then he cursed his bruises and did so anyway.

"I'm not going anywhere." He promised.

Her quiet sobs assured him she was finally showing him her real feelings and he stroked her hair while she cried, unable to say words that would make her feel better.

"I miss my father every day," she shared. "I don't want to miss you, too."

"You don't have to," he assured. "I'm not going to race again."

"Promise?" She begged.

"Promise." He kissed her forehead again.

He felt her arms wind around his waist and her cheek go to his chest in her familiar comfort-seeking pose.

"I love you so much," she murmured.

"Me, too," he replied and smiled into the dark. "And I'll marry you when you're ready…"

/

"Whose idea was this?" Troy grinned as he and Gabi ducked under a tunnel of checkered flags, all crossed at the tips and held by their friends and family as they exited the 'altar' of their wedding at the track – the altar being an arch of tyres set up in the middle of the tarmac.

"Mine," she twinkled at him, even her wedding dress not atypical- she'd chosen some white-coloured overalls, rolled at the ankles to reveal pretty silver jeweled sandals, split at the front to reveal her small cleavage and her hair was long and flowing decorated only with a white lily behind her ear. But she looked perfect and he loved her for not being the standard bride.

"Are you sure you're going to want me wearing my racing jacket in our wedding photos?" He asked of the thick, brightly coloured clothing; his own attire relaxed underneath in the form of black jeans and a black t-shirt.

"Uh huh," she nodded stopping at the end of the flag tunnel to kiss him full on the lips and although it took him by surprise, he quickly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.

"Mrs. Bolton," his curly smile crept onto the corner of his lips.

"Don't call me that," she warned, wanting to wrestle off his leather jacket already and throw him on the nearest bed to make love.

"Smile for the cameras," he goaded, turning to wave at their well-wishers and Gabi smirked at her bouquet of white roses decorated with bolts in their centers instead of the traditional diamantes.

"Whose gonna want this?" She asked drily and threw the bunch anyway, surprised to see Sharpay holding the flowers when she turned.

"Good Luck!" Gabi called to her new friend and they linked hands as they went through the tunnel that linked the track to the outside world, finding their car waiting for them- a beautiful Hudson Hornet that Troy had found for their special day.

"Ready for the honeymoon?" He checked, knowing they were leaving their friends to celebrate the reception without them so they could get away on holiday that bit quicker.

"Monte Carlo here we come," Gabi smiled back knowingly.

"I love you, Mrs. Bolton," he leaned across and kissed her hair.

"I love you too," she settled in his arms, content that today was the start of something exciting, something new. And something she treasured more than she ever knew she could. A life with Troy was worth all the races in the world she decided.