Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Jaime hung up the phone and looked down at it as she held it in her palm.

"Bobby, looks you're going back home sooner than expected."

She expected a response in return, but heard none.

"Bobby?" she said as she looked up and gasped.

She was the only one in the room.

---

She thought she was alone. She thought that no one would be able to hear her. However what she didn't expect was to be heard by a certain someone in the form of a sandy haired boy with ice blue eyes.

She didn't expect to be heard by someone who wished that she would say those exact three words to him one day.

Yes, she never expected to be heard by Troy Bolton, the boy who was so madly in love with her.

Chapter 23

Jaime clutched the sleek phone in her hand as she practically ran down the hallway towards her office.

"Bobby?" she said as she stuck her head in.

However, she saw no one in the room. The next ten minutes were spent walking up and down the corridor, sticking her head into every room, even the men's restrooms. However, although she looked in every place she could possibly think of, he was no longer there.

This just didn't make any sense at all. Why would Bobby leave so suddenly? These questions wrapped themselves around Jaime's brain as she returned to her office and sat behind her mahogany desk. She neatly folded her hands on top and sighed.

Nothing made sense anymore.

How could life be so perfect one minute and an utter mess the next? Two weeks ago, she thought herself a young, strong, and beautiful doctor, one of the best in the city. There was never a patient or a case which she couldn't diagnose. There was never anything that she couldn't do.

But now?

Now she just sat there, in silence wondering where in the hell she went wrong.

As she sat there thinking these thoughts, she scanned her desk and did a double take when something caught her eye. There, from the corner of her eye, she could see a manila folder with papers sticking out of the edges. She didn't have to read the name neatly labeled on the tab to figure out whose it was.

With a sigh, she took the folder from the side of her desk and placed it in front of her. She opened it and started to rummage through them.

Alexandra, age 14, Sacramento California…Natasha, age 15, Seattle Washington…

She sighed as she began to read over every paper in Gabriella's file. There has to be something there.

Karen, age 15, Boston Massachusetts…Becca, age 16, Phoenix Arizona…Bailey-Marie, age 16, San Diego California…Alexia, age 16, El Paso Texas…Violet, age 17, New York City New York…

Jaime suddenly did a double check.

Name: Violet Bennings

Age: 17

Location: New York City, New York.

New York.

"Let's just say that the city holds a bit of history for the girl."

She suddenly looked towards her computer screen which displayed her google homepage. She then looked back at the file of "Violet" in front of her before she reached towards her computer mouse and clicked on the keyword box. She typed in the name Violet Bennings and suicide. She then moved the arrow on the search button before she pressed it.

Less than a second later, her screen was bombarded with links leading to different websites with articles that highlighted 'Violet Bennings' and 'suicide'. She clicked on the first one on the screen and began to read.

'A seventeen year old girl tried to commit suicide last night…'

She then went back to look at some of the other articles.

'…seventeen year old troubled girl…'

'…suicide…'

They all said the same thing. She tried to kill herself but was unsuccessful in her attempt. She let out a shaky breath that she didn't even know she was holding in.

'…A seventeen year old girl was wheeled into the Weill Cornell Center in New York after attempting to commit suicide…'

New York Weill Cornell Center.

Jaime brushed her blonde bangs aside as she clicked on the link that read, New York Presbyterian Hospital - New York Weill Cornell Center. She scrolled down the page until she found the phone number for the trauma center.

She then grabbed her phone and quickly dialed the number on the screen.

"Hello this is the Weil Cornell Center, how may I help you?" asked a cheery voice coming from the other end of the line.

"H-Hello." Said Jamie, not expecting someone as cheery to answer the phone to the trauma center, "Umm…I'm sorry, I know it's late but—"

"Nonsense, the trauma center is always open and always happy to help no matter what time it is."

"Umm, okay then. My name is Dr. Jaime Sullivan and I'm a psychiatrist at Albuquerque County Hospital in Albuquerque New Mexico. I'm calling because I have a question concerning a past patient of yours."

"Ok, do you know what the patients name was?"

"Yes, her name was Violet Bennings and I believe she was a patient there about three, maybe four months ago."

She could hear clicking noises coming from the other end of the line as she assumed the desk clerk was looking up the information on their computer database.

"Violet Bennings, admitted for trying to commit suicide?" asked the desk clerk.

Jaime nodded her head, "That's the one." she said once she realized that she couldn't be seen, "Can you tell me if she was ever admitted to your psychiatric ward or who her doctor was or anything useful like that?"

There was a few more seconds of silence where all that was heard was he clickings from the other end of the line.

"Yes, she was admitted to the psychiatric ward for a total of two weeks before she was discharged."

"Discharged?" Jaime questioned, "But why? Who in their right mind would release her? Wasn't she on suicide watch?"

"I believe she was."

"Then why would you discharge her?"

"I'm very sorry doctor, but I don't sign the discharge forms, I'm just a clerk."

Jaime sighed knowing very well that she was getting angry at the wrong person, "You're right, I'm sorry. Can you tell me the reasons as to why she was discharged?"

"No, I'm sorry but I'm not at liberty to discuss that."

Jaime let out a soft groan. She had forgotten about doctor/patient confidentiality agreements.

"Well, can you at least tell me who the doctor that discharged her was?" she asked.

There were a few more clickings before she heard the clerk say, "Dr. Bobby Drake."

It was then that, Jaime's world was suddenly turned upside down.

"Thanks a lot for helping us out Sharpay. It really means a lot to us." said Troy as he put a duffel bag full of clothes she had given him along with food supplies and money.

"I already told you that it was no big deal." she said as she kept the sun from hitting her eyes with her perfectly manicured hands, "I'm just sorry that I wasn't able to get you the private plane but mother wanted to completely redecorate it for spring break."

"Trust me Sharpay, the first class tickets to New York is more than enough." said Gabriella.

It was now the morning after Troy and Gabriella's fateful escape from the hospital. After a long shower and a good night's rest, it was time for Troy and Gabriella to continue their journey to New York.

He had awoken early that morning, slightly before dawn. The reason? After he made sure Gabriella was safe in bed and asleep, he tip-toed to his own room and instantly fell asleep only to be awakened about an hour later by the buzzing of the sleek phone.

He didn't want to answer it. He knew he was in deep shit. But somehow that didn't bother him as much as it should have. So he just laid there, watching as the phone vibrated on the night stand next to the bed. It rang once, then twice. By the third time, he felt his hands become hot and clammy. His breathing became heavier, as he was sure he would burst if he didn't answer it soon. Once it rang the fourth time, he quickly sat up and flipped open the phone.

He didn't say anything, he didn't do anything, except let the sound of his breath hit the speaker.

"You're very brave you know that Troy?" said the voice from the other end.

Troy did nothing but continue breathing into the mouth piece.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" he asked with a laugh that made the hairs on Troy's arms and neck stand on edge.

"Well, as long as you're quiet you might as well listen," the voice continued, "What you did, was very stupid. Within the span of 3 hours, you managed to break two of my rules and I'm going to warn you about breaking the first one."

"W-What do you mean?" asked Troy, finally finding his voice.

"Do you remember the second and third rule? I make the demands around here which also means that I make the decisions and I give the orders on what you should and shouldn't do and so far, you haven't followed through with either of them! Third, you must always answer the phone not sit there and stare at it which I'm sure you did!"

"Listen-" began Troy, however he was cut off before he could get another word out.

"No, you listen Troy! You better pray to God that he doesn't let you break the first rule and tell anyone about why you're on the run and you better not do anything stupid anymore!"

"Look, I don't understand what the fuck it is you want me to do." said Troy as he found his voice again.

"You do nothing but get me the fucking number! Or say good bye to Emily."

"Look, I will get you the number alright? I just need some time."

"You have three days left. That's the only time I'm going to give you."

Troy sighed into the mouth piece as he rubbed his hand over his face.

"Troy. Are. We. Clear?" he heard the voice say.

"Crystal."

He tried falling asleep after that but found that he couldn't. He couldn't get Emily's face out of his mind and he hated the fact that he was in this situation because of the girl he couldn't help but fall for. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't he just have Gabriella without the threat of losing his sister?

Troy pondered over this throughout the night. Once he saw that it had struck six, he decided to forget about sleeping and started getting ready for the long road ahead. He took another long, hot bath and dressed himself in some clothes that Sharpay had given him to wear, saying that it's all of Ryan's clothes from last season, whatever that meant. He was grateful, that none of the clothes she had given him were brightly colored, nor were they bedazzled with swarovski crystals.

He walked out of the room and quietly snuck his head into Gabriella's room. He found her laying on the soft cushion of the king sized bed, sleeping peacefully. Her face, that of an angels, rested on one of the pillows. She was curled into a little ball, and looked as if a small smile was playing on her lips. He wished he knew who it was that she was dreaming of, and wished that he had had the same luck in the sleeping department that night. He decided to let her continue her dream and slowly closed the door.

He then walked down the stairs and was surprised to see their blonde savior slaving over the stove in the kitchen. She wore pink fuzzy slippers with grey sweats and a pink hoodie. Her hair was up in a messy bun with stray blonde hairs sticking out. It was the first time, Troy noticed, that he had ever seen her without any make-up on. She looked pretty, Troy admitted, and like a normal person on a lazy morning instead of the fake stuck up bitch she usually looked like.

She hummed an unrecognizable song and didn't even notice Troy had entered the kitchen until he hesitantly cleared his throat, alerting her of his presence.

"What are you doing up this early Bolton?" she asked him as she turned her back to him and continued with what Troy suspected was scrambled eggs.

"I should ask you the same thing, Evans."

She turned off the stove and walked towards a cupboard to retrieve plates.

"I always wake up this early." she said as she placed some eggs on a plate with bacon, "I'm a pretty light sleeper. What about you?"

"I uh…couldn't sleep." he said as he ran his hand through his hair.

"I bet. You guys must have had a hell of night." she said, as she placed the plate full of eggs and bacon in front of him.

He looked down at it and arched his eyebrow before he looked back at her with confusion written in his features.

"What?" she asked, "I didn't poison it if that's what you think."

He shook his head, "No I'm just…surprised."

"That I made you guys breakfast?"

"Well…yeah. You hardly ever do anything nice to others. You're known as the first class bitch at school…no offense."

She blew a strand of hair away from her face and gave a small smile, "None taken."

"Can I ask why?" he asked as she continued to serve another plate.

She shrug her shoulders, "I don't know, I always make breakfast for myself since Henry doesn't usually start work until seven. I figured that you would wake up early since you guys seemed hurried last night, so I said to myself, 'Sharpay, why don't you do something nice for that bastard even though he savagely dumped you last year?' so I did."

Troy rolled his eyes, as he heard her chuckle at the last statement.

"No, but seriously, I felt kinda bad last night about…you know, making Gabriella feel kinda awkward about her whole suicide situation and about making comments about the two of you together. I figured it was the least I can do for you and for her."

"Sharpay, trust me, you've done more than enough."

She shrugged her shoulders again as she watched him eat in silence.

"Don't get too full now," she said as she stood up and got a mixing bowl from the counter, "I still need to finish making the pancakes."

He gave her a small smile as she began to stir the pancake mix.

"You'll be the first and probably the last to ever try my cooking." She said.

"Should I be scared?" he joked.

"For your information, Zeke has taught me how to make pancakes along with almost everything else from scratch." she said with a sly smile.

He gave her a small smile and continued eating. After a small moment of silence, he sighed.

"Sharpay, I know you probably want to know why we were at your doorstep last night."

She stopped stirring and looked at him.

"But the truth is-"

"I don't want to know." she quickly said as she looked down at the bowl and began stirring again.

Her remark made him look up at her, "What?"

"You heard me." She said as she gave her back to him and turned on the stove, "I don't want to know."

"W-Why?" he asked.

She sighed and turned to look at him, "I'll admit that I really did want to know why you showed up together looking like Gabriella had a bun in the oven last night…why she tried to kill herself and what you were doing with her. But then I saw how serious you guys were and most importantly how sacred Gabriella really looked, and I just knew right then and there that this was some serious shit. So I figured that in this case, ignorance was bliss."

She gave him a small smile at the end of her speech and then turned to begin pouring some batter on the pan. After another moment of silence, Troy found his voice again.

"Sharpay?" he said.

"Yeah?" she asked him once she turned to face him.

"Thanks."

She offered him another small smile before she turned and continued on with her pancakes.

"How much longer?" asked Gabriella as both she and Troy walked around hand in hand in Albuquerque international airport.

Troy shrugged as he stopped and took the ticket out of his pocket, "It says here we leave at six."

"At night?" whined Gabriella.

"Well…yeah. I guess Sharpay didn't get the earliest time available."

Gabriella shook her head, "Let me see them."

He gave her the plane tickets and looked around the airport while she read over them.

There were a lot of people there…tall, short, fat, skinny. He saw families, couples, and lone travelers. He guessed that a lot of them were still trying to escape for the holidays.

However, amidst all the different types of people that he saw, two men stood out to him. They both wore dark blue jeans with black jackets and dark sunglasses. They walked in sync with each other, maneuvering their way around the crowd of people.

He felt his heart beat faster with every step closer that the men took. They were here for them.

"Troy!" he heard Gabriella groan over the crowd, "Six is the arrival time."

"What?" he asked as he kept his eyes on the men, who were getting a scolding from an old woman because they had apparently not watched where they were going.

"You got the times mixed up. The plane leaves at eleven. It's a five hour flight so we get there around four. But that's New Mexico time so we still have to add two hours since New York is ahead of us by two so…Troy are you even listening to me?"

He turned to look at her, "W-What did you say?"

The truth was that he hadn't been listening. The two men had since stopped apologizing to the woman and were walking towards them again.

"Troy!" she groaned, "I'm saying that our plane leaves in like fifteen minutes!"

She tugged his hand and began to lead the way towards their gate. However, Troy turned back and noticed that once they began to move, the two men began to walk faster towards them.

"Gabriella, we have to run." he said as he griped her hand tighter.

"Trust me Troy, we'll still make it if we don't." she said.

"No." he stopped her, held her arms, and looked right into her chocolate eyes, "We seriously have to run."

It was then that she looked over Troy's shoulder and noticed the two men almost jogging towards them. They were here for them.

She looked at Troy and with wide eyes as she nodded her head.

He held her hand as he began to lead them away, "When I say go, you run ok?"

"W-What about you?" she asked as she turned her head back slightly to see the men still following them.

"Don't worry about me, you just run towards the gate and get on the plane. Give me my ticket."

She hesitantly gave him his ticket.

"Troy—" she began before she was cut off.

"Just trust me ok? I'll be on the plane with you."

She looked at him from the corner of her eyes and nodded her head slightly.

They slowed down a bit. He looked to his left and saw the men's reflection on the glass of a store window, following them. He let out a shaky breath as he saw them get closer, too close. It was go time.

"Go!" he suddenly yelled.

Gabriella suddenly let go of Troy's hand and ran forward towards the large crowd of people.

"Excuse me! I'm sorry!" she would say as she maneuvered herself around people. She looked back and saw that one of the men was furiously chasing after her, pushing innocent people out of the way.

She kept running forward as fast as she could and was relieved when she saw her gate coming into view. She wanted to laugh in delight when she saw that her plane was boarding. She gripped the plane ticket in her hand and made her way to the front of line where she hurriedly showed her boarding pass and made her way into the plane. She looked back and gave a sigh of relief when she saw that the man was being held back by the lady and some other crew member.

Meanwhile, Troy ran in the opposite direction, deciding that it was best to split the men. He looked back and saw that one of them was on his tail. He noticed it was the smaller of the two and prayed to God that Gabriella would be able to out run her pursuer.

He pushed his way around the people, muttering apologies here and there. He looked up and saw a huge digital clock displayed for everyone to see and noted that his plane would be leaving in five minutes. He had to get to the plane, and to Gabriella.

As he was running, he saw a men's bathroom sign and got an idea. He ran in and quickly hid inside one of the stalls.

He heard the man come in a minute later.

"I know you're in here boy." He heard him say.

"The boss isn't very happy with you. If you come out now we promise we won't hurt your girlfriend."

Troy held his breath as he stood on top of the toilet seat and listened to the sound of his footsteps.

"Even though she's one hot piece of ass."

Once he heard the man stop in front of his stall, he kicked the door wide open, causing the door to make contact with the man's face. The man muttered curses as Troy jumped off the seat and swung his duffel bag at the man. The man fell back and hit his head against the tiled wall, causing him to lose consciousness.

"Don't you dare fucking talking about Gabriella like that." he said, before he walked out of the bathroom and made his way towards his plane, and Gabriella.

So, I dont even know where to begin. I really am sorry for not updating. I sincerely give my apologies to those of you have waited this long for this chapter and I feel as if it's not even good enough. Really...I dont know what happened. I'v had half of this chapter written for a long time and I was finally able to finish it today. I honestly dont know why I took this long. A lot has happened these past three months. I graduated high school, I turned 18 and I was literally heartbroken. But thats no excuse.I guess I just havent had enough inspiration to finish it but I do now and hopefully with your help, I'll be able to get my muse back and be able to finish writing this story. My goal is to finish it by the end of the year. It's ridiculous that I've spent more than a year on this story and I dont want to spend two years because I have so MANY ideas for new stories. Anyway, I hope that you guys can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Thanks for reading. :)