This is the end! This will probably be the last HSM fic I do for a while, unless I get any specific requests. I've got lots and lots of Doctor Who stuff in the works right now so if you're into that, check it out! But for now, peace out, Troyella fans.

-Nicole

/

After about a week of observation, Gabriella was antsy to get home to her own bed. When the doctor finally cleared her, she wanted to cry with joy. Quickly, Maria helped her pack up her things and they left.

Gabriella sighed contentedly as she walked in her own front door. Gone was the terrible, too-clean hospital smell. She took a deep breath of home and smiled, making her way past the foyer, though she struggled a bit on her crutches. She was met with a lovely surprise when she walked into the kitchen and turned on the lights.

"SURPRISE!"

She started, dropping the bag she was holding. All of her friends stood in the kitchen. Balloons floated high, brushing against the ceiling. Sharpay was already snapping pictures at the bewildered look on her face. Ryan and Kelsi laughed. Taylor rushed forward to hug her.

A slow smile crossed Gabriella's face and she was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion as she took in the crowd – her friends, their parents – the Scholastic Decathlon team, the drama club, the basketball team.

"I love you guys," she said, her voice thick. She met Troy's eyes over Taylor's shoulder and he smiled, winking at her.

When Taylor finally released her, she was tackled by Sharpay.

"I'm assuming this was your doing?" Gabriella laughed. Sharpay just grinned.

"It's true that I planned this," she admitted almost sheepishly. "But it was Troy's idea."

Just as Gabriella spun around to find Troy and thank him, he caught her in a hug.

"Welcome home, Ella," he said, hugging her tightly to his chest. She giggled.

"Thank you."

"Now, we've got burgers and hot dogs on the grill!" called Jack Bolton across the house.

Gabriella gasped and pulled back from Troy's embrace.

"I love your Dad's burgers!"

"It's almost like I knew that when I helped Sharpay plan this," he teased. She hit him in the shoulder playfully.

"Is that Chad?" Gabriella asked suddenly, confused. She pointed across the living room at the head of hair that stood out in the crowd.

"Sure is," Troy nodded. "The whole basketball team came."

"Why?"

"Because you're my best friend, and I wanted them to meet you," he told her, and she blushed. He could tell she was nervous. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," he said firmly, pushing her along toward his friends, helping her along with the crutches.

"Hey man!" Chad exclaimed as he saw them nearing. He bumped fists with Troy. Then he turned to smile at Gabriella. "Hey, Gabriella. Glad to see you're doing better. This guy was a mess without you around." He poked at Troy for emphasis.

Gabriella looked doubtful, and she was surprised when Troy nodded in agreement.

"It's nice to meet you, Chad," Gabriella said, smiling at him as she absentmindedly tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Sorry about the broken leg. I've been there before," Chad said sympathetically, gesturing at the cast. "But hey, you can blame Bolton for that."

"I didn't make you climb that tree, Chad," Troy said, rolling his eyes.

"You're such a showoff though! 'Master Tree Climber' my ass," Chad laughed. He turned back to Gabriella. "Anyways – I know we have third period together, so if you ever need help carrying your books or anything, I got your back."

"Really?" Gabriella said, rather shocked at his open kindness.

"Of course. Anyone who's Troy's friend is my friend too," he said.

"Gabi! Come here!" called Kelsi from across the room.

"Sorry," Gabriella said. "I should go talk to her. But really, Chad, thank you so much. I can't wait to meet the rest of the team."

"Are you gonna be okay?" Troy said, gesturing to her crutches.

"I got it," Gabriella said confidently, already holding herself a bit higher. He smiled at her proudly as she hobbled away. Then he turned to Chad.

"Thank you, man. That means a lot to her, you know."

"I got your back Troy. And hers," Chad smiled.

Suddenly feedback from a microphone interrupted their conversation. Both boys turned to see Sharpay standing on top of the couch with a bedazzled microphone.

"Hey everyone! Thank you so much for coming to Gabi's surprise party! A few of us had some small things we wanted to give her, but Kelsi has actually been doing a lot of writing, and she wrote a song for Gabi. So I totally just bullied her into singing it in front of all of us, isn't that great?"

"Thanks so much Sharpay," Gabriella groaned. She sat next to Kelsi at a grand piano in the corner of the room.

A number of the partygoers whooped and cheered, eager and attentive as Sharpay handed over the microphone to Kelsi.

"Actually, I'm gonna need some help from one more person," Kelsi said, a bit shyly. "This song, which I originally intended to be a solo, eventually became a duet. And I had some help writing it. Troy?"

Everyone went quiet and turned to look at him. He smiled sheepishly as he approached the piano. Gabriella stared at him, completely confused.

"You can sing?" she asked.

"Apparently. Kelsi thinks so," he said, nodding at the composer. "I've been practicing with her during lunch period."

A brilliant smile crossed Gabriella's face as she looked up at him. Kelsi played the starting notes on the piano and Troy smiled as he sang the first lines.

"You know the world can see us, in a way that's different than who we are…"

He knew his friends would tease him for it later.

But he knew it was worth it when Gabriella reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek at the end of the song.