Thank you for all the reviews! I have to admit this turned out completely different than what I first had. I re-wrote this today. I was going to have a few chapters explaining what's gone, but this decided screw that. It doesn't start out as that dramatic, have to ease into the changes. So it's four years later, there's some humor in the beginning, but drama in the end as Troy and Gabriella come face to face.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own HSM or the Britney Spears Lyrics

"I cannot tell if you mean what you say
You say it so loud, but you sound far away
Maybe I had just a glimpse of your soul
Or was that your shadow I saw on the wall
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here

It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else"

Britney Spears, SHADOW

WHITE OLEANDER
L.A., CALIFORNIA
APRIL 25, 2008
3:32 P.M.

Chad Danforth was a hunted man.

Granted he would be the first to admit that he had made many mistakes on the short path his life had taken, but had never once before feared for the consequences of such actions. However, it was the moment that he had come to dread, when payment for all of his sins would finally be reckoned.

He discovered the truth to the theory that hell hath no fury like the wrath of a woman scorned only hours beforehand. Especially if that woman was an international force known as Camilla Lee, than such a saying was understatement.

She was beautiful there was no denying such logic. Poised, elegant with a face that had graced hundreds of magazine covers across the world, but a calm, rational, understanding individual she was not.

Particularly when she discovered that her floral arrangements and center pieces for what she claimed to be her "surprise" engagement party were not accounted for that afternoon.

And Chad had had only one task within the scheme of planning the year's biggest wedding event and that was to place the order for such desired flowers

But he had failed to do so.

Miserably.

And now here he stood attempting to right his wrong.

Chad stared at the large double doors at the entrance, oleanders and lilies etched into the rich mahogany wood as he grasped the ornate gold handle. A square sign hung above his head painted a dark purple, cursive golden lettering prominently displayed against the eggplant color reading: White Oleander – A Whisper of Beauty.

He had already attempted multiple florists before stumbling upon this shop, each laughing at the idea of putting together twenty-five centerpieces plus a multitude of arrangements in less than twenty-fours hours.

But Chad was desperate. He was willing to pay any cost to avoid the she-devil from castrating him as she had explained in vivid detail much to his discomfort if he did not fix this situation.

Chad took a deep breath, entering the shop, scents of roses, lilies, daisies overwhelming his scenes as he took a cautious step forward. He passed overflowing bins of fresh cut flowers, iron-welded stands containing colorful, tropical plants, the original brick work and utility tubing of the building exposed, large windows filtered in fresh sunlight.

This place had style, an edgy class, he knew meet the specifications of Camilla's demands.

As he approached the front counter he spotted a little girl, no older than four, poised on the dark purple marble top, a worn light brown teddy bear clenched in her hands. Large blue eyes curiously blinked at him, a tangle of dark curls tumbling down her back with a daisy chain of fresh flowers resting on her crown. She sniffed, rubbing her nose, smearing the remnants of silver glitter further across her cheek.

"How may I help you?" she politely asked, her eyes sparkling as she correctly repeated the words she had heard her mother and Sharpay Evans utter multiple times before.

"Are you the one in charge here, young lady?" Chad questioned, leaning on the countertop next to her, his tone amused as she adamantly shook her head in agreement to his statement.

"Uh-huh," she said, the daisy chain slipping slightly to the side. "Momma's at school and Auntie Pay is cleaning the wall in back."

"Well maybe you could help me out then. I'm looking for some really pretty flowers, lots of flowers."

"Are you in trouble?" she wrinkled her nose, nodding as her mother's words echoed through her memory. "Boys always come in to buy flowers when their stupid. At least that's what momma says."

"Trouble is an understatement of my situation. So you think you can help me for being a dumb guy and forgetting a really important event."

Anastasia Quinn Bolton ignored his question, her attention becoming solely focused on his large afro of dark hair, her eyes rounding in fascination as she reached a tiny hand towards it, wrapping stands around her fingers before he could stop her.

"Puffy," she giggled and Chad let an involuntarily smile slip out. "Like cotton candy. I love cotton candy."

"It's pretty noticeable, huh?" Chad pulled the band from his wrist, securing the material around the large expansion of hair before pulling his hat out of his back pocket and placing it on his head, immediately calming the sight of his untamable puff.

Quinn held out her arms, impatiently waiting as Chad looked at her confused. "Down." she demanded.

As he placed her on the floor she trotted towards a display case, pulling a large bouquet of flowers out, placing the colorful Gerber daisies in his hands.

"These are pretty. They'll make you not so stupid." Quinn stated so matter of factly that Chad could not help but chuckle. At least he would have a few moments of enjoyment before Camilla murdered and hid his body.

The front door to the shop swung open as a young man stalked through the entrance causally dressed in faded jeans and a fitted gray thermal shirt, his expression grim, his mouth drawn in a tight line.

"Chad Danforth, I'm going to fucking kill you." Troy Bolton stated advancing his best friend, ready to attack him for the difficulty and migraine he had caused that afternoon.

"You're in trouble." Quinn stated wisely, wrapping her arms around her bear.

"And why would you say that?" Chad asked, stepping behind her as if she would be his protection from the demented monster glaring at him as if he were the vain of his existence.

"He used two names. Momma only does that when she's really mad."

Chad laughed helplessly at the child's correct observation, wincing as Troy's hand connected, smacking him across the back of his head causing teeth to snap closed.

Quinn stared up wordlessly at the man who had entered White Oleander, examining his navy knit cap pulled down low on his forehead and black Ran-Ban aviator sunglasses firmly in place when she realized that her new friend had also put on a hat taming his wild puff of hair.

She wanted to play.

She liked dress up.

Quietly she shrugged her tiny shoulders, ignoring the feuding friends above her as she crawled behind the counter to rummage through Sharpay's large oversized white tote before pulling a pair of dark pink crystallized sunglasses and multi-colored scarf which she wrapped around her dark curls before she walked back, a large smile covering her face.

"Seriously, man? One fucking job is all you had to do."

"Dude, now is not the time. You need to watch the language."

"What the hell man? Now is the fucking time. Camilla is losing her damn mind over this."

"That's a bad word." A small voice chimed causing Troy's head to whip down. "Momma washes my mouth with soap when I say it."

"And your mother's right," Troy commented, examining the petite pixie clad in a light green jumper and oversized sunglasses slipping down her nose. "It's a vile word, I agree. But I won't tell if you don't."

"Tell Auntie Pay that I didn't color on the wall." Quinn stated remembering the lesson Sharpay had taught her about pouting and blackmail. Even at age four she had perfected the art.

"And did you color on the wall?" Troy asked, laughing as she nodded. "Well who should I say did it then?"

"You." Quinn said, her tone innocent. "Auntie Pay will believe it."

"Well I guess I could do that." Troy faked a sigh, forgetting his argument with Chad for the moment. "What's my punishment if I do?"

"Stand with your nose in the corner. It's really really boring."

"Sounds like it," he agreed. "Maybe you could sit there with me?"

A smile spread across her face as she beamed up at him, a tiny dimple forming on her left cheek.

"Maybe."

She liked him. The grumpy stranger who was willing to take blame for her art piece.

Wordlessly Quinn held her arms up to Troy in a silent demand that he pick her up. Troy stared down at the girl in front of him, a smile curving his lips, as he raised her in arms so she could comfortably rest on his hip.

She was enchanting.

"I swear to God, Q, when I when I find you, you won't be able to sit for a week. I promise you that, you little terror." An annoyed voice rang out as a furious blonde stepped through the wooden beaded curtain, a wash cloth in her hand, her expression pinched.

Chad quickly straightened as he took in the pale pink miniskirt that displayed long, tanned legs, and white fitted button down shirt. Now this was the business he enjoyed.

"Customers, shit." Sharpay Evans stated as she drew to a halt. "I mean welcome to White Oleander. May I by chance trouble you for the small girl covered in glitter whose short life is about to end?"

Sharpay paused for a moment the sight in front of her. Two grown men with hats pulled low, one wearing sunglasses and her best friend's daughter comfortably resting of the hip of one copying their look.

"Pay, Pay, I swear it wasn't me." Quinn said, holding two fingers up in a promise.

"I don't believe that innocence for one moment. I taught you that." she attempted to pull Quinn from the handsome stranger's arms but she dove deeper into his embrace, fingers clenching into his shirt.

Well that was different. Quinn normally never let any man pick her up and Sharpay had never seen her cling to one before.

"Are the paparazzi after you boys, because honestly walking around with sunglasses in the middle of the day in a store is not exactly a way to not draw attention to yourselves." Sharpay said watching as the stiffened at her correct assumption. She paused before settling a stern glare on Quinn. "And what have I told you about talking to strangers, young lady?"

"His name is Mr. Puffy." Quinn stated, pointing to Chad whose cheeks flushed a dull red at the blonde's appraisal. "Just like his hair."

"See we're not strangers. You heard her, he's Mr. Puffy." Troy said, his expression serious, attempting to contain his laughter at the child's nickname name, ignoring Chad hand gestured response, wincing as Quinn pinched the flesh on his shoulder. "Oh and just so you know she was telling the truth. I colored on your wall."

"Really? Did you now? You designed the large green blob covered with silver sparkle glitter glue. That was your best attempt at defacing property? It's pathetic."

"I failed art repeatedly."

"Well, if that's your excuse than I accept." Sharpay said, arching an eyebrow at the look of adoration on Quinn's face.

"What corner should I stand in? I understand that's the standard punishment."

"You were honest and so you deserve a reward. Maybe an ice cream sundae?"

"No!" Horror rounded Quinn's eyes. Ice cream sundaes were her favorite. "I did it! It was me!"

"You are so much like your mother. It's too easy, darling, never play with the master." Sharpay sighed, shaking her head as Quinn stuck out her tongue at being caught. "And she'll give you your punishment later."

"I need your help." Chad blurted out, remembering his reason for entering the store. "Desperately so."

"I'm guessing you need a floral arrangement."

"I need at least twenty-five. By tomorrow." he winced as she let out a snort of laughter.

"Are you serious?"

"He forgot to place the order. You know four months ago when he was told. He just had to help and then didn't." Troy said nodding and Quinn mimicked his movement.

"I am begging you," Chad stated dramatically dropping to his knees, his hands clasped in front of him, desperation forming in his eyes. "Please please help me!"

"Jesus, man," Troy breathed, shifting Quinn on his hip. "Have some dignity. Please, it's embarrassing."

Sharpay giggled at the sight. She had always imagined a handsome man begging at her feet.

Just not for flowers.

"Did you have something in mind?"

"Pretty, smells good, whatever it is I don't care." Chad said, shrugging his shoulders. "But pink, lots and lots pink."

"Well it's good to see she has excellent taste in color. I don't know though."

"What if I pay in cash," Chad said whipping out his wallet. "I have plenty. Three thousand now and two more once the arrangements are delivered and in place."

"Five thousand?" Sharpay's mouth slightly dropped open at the amount.

"Do you need more? I can get more."

"Trust me, he'll probably pay ten." Troy added in.

"Umm…wow…" she stammered. "One minute, don't go anywhere or if you did, leave the child at least. Her mother likes her."

Sharpay whipped out her pink sidekick, quickly dialing Gabriella Montez's phone number, grinning when her best friend answered.

"Hey Bell, it's me…no, your precious angel is fine…that is indeed sarcasm...she painted the wall green with glitter…she got some really hot customer to admit he did it…no! I will not make him stand in the corner…anyway, you had no plans to sleep tonight did you…you never sleep…5,000 for twenty-five arrangements by tomorrow at five…stop laughing, I'm not kidding…cash…CASH…three now…yeah, that's what I thought. Get your ass here…no, I am not washing my mouth out…bye bitch."

Sharpay snapped her cell phone shut, walking around the counter, grinning at the thought of a large payday. "We'll do it."

Chad let out an excited yelp. He was touched. He truly was.

"Name?" Sharpay asked, her fingers poised the computer keyboard.

"Mr. Blue," Chad snapped out immediately regretting his name choice but refrained from slapping himself across the forehead.

He needed to learn better alias names.

"Your name is Mr. Blue?" Sharpay said, her tone disbelieving.

"No, no," Troy interrupted. "I'm Mr. Blue, he's Mr. Puffy."

"I love blue, it's my favorite color." Quinn said as Troy let of a soft chuckle.

"It's one of my favorite too." He sighed, his stomach shifting as the little girl beamed back at him, resting her head on his shoulder right above his heart, the gentle pounding lulling her, a tiny hand twirling a dark curl around her finger, a sure indication that she had grown weary.

Troy felt something inside of him break again. An old wound repeatedly stitched but one that refused to heal. No one had nestled so trustingly in his arms since his daughter.

He had not felt such a calming peace since that moment, since the last moment he had held a willing Gabriella against him.

No face, no body had taken that place. They were all her. Each nameless face.

She would haunt him for his life as she had done so for four years.

And he had learned to exist.

"Hell," he muttered as he stared at the name flashing on, vibrating from his phone.

"Hell," Quinn repeated adoringly.

"You want me to get in trouble?" he asked as he shoved the phone back into his jeans pocket. "Chad speed this along. We're being beckoned."

His future called.

GRAND SUMMIT BALLROOM
APRIL 26, 2008
5:02 P.M.

"Next time you agree to such a thing, I am going to smack you silly, no matter how wonderful the price." Gabriella Montez promised darkly, barely smothering a yawn as she lifted a box in her arms somehow managing to keep a firm grasp of Quinn's hand as they walked through the back entrance of the ballroom having passed security.

"Well, I couldn't help it. He got on his knees as begged and Quinn loved his friend. I've never seen her relax in such a manner. It was like she knew them."

"Mr. Blue and Mr. Puffy, huh? That's all she talked about last night. But really we need to discuss your order taking ability. We need real names next time."

"It was a five thousand dollar sale, fuck off and praise me like you should."

Gabriella let a weary sigh, rotating her sore shoulders as she set Quinn on a chair with the order to pull the pale pink pedals off the roses and place them in the basket knowing it would keep her entertained long enough to set up the engagement floral arrangements.

She wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball on the floor and sleep for days on end, but knew that the possibility of such a luxury was next to non-existent.

When was the last time she slept more than four hours, she thought. Sleep had become a distant memory of the past, insomnia fate's cruel joke on her.

She had rarely slept when Quinn had been an infant between raising her daughter, working full-time and taking online college courses, sleep was her sacrifice for existence.

With her mother's death two years prior in a car accident, any peace of mind had fled from her mind. Her mother had dead, but her daughter had lived. What trade was that?

But she had opened her own business when her mother's life insurance money, she and her best friend of three years, had fought and clawed to make their dream a reality. And this five thousand dollar payday would allow for at least four months of rent and an assortment of new floral arrangements.

It would give her space to breathe. Finally.

So feeling like the living dead was well worth the effort.

The white linen oval tables were scattered with clean, straightforward beauty. Various illuminated votives, tall hand-blown glass vases showcasing a selection of gentle pink flowers. A contrast between the modern and the traditional with an array of fragrant old-fashioned roses, blushing with a dark pink outline and complimented by a collar of pink hydrangea and amaranthus cascading over its edge. Large arrangement of pink and white tulips gathered together overflowing in bubble vases, rose petals randomly scattered across the tables. Fresh cut, exotic Cymbidium orchids dominated the bold selection created with blush, white and burgundy blooms.

The overall effect would create a subtle light and shadows at nightfall.

It was romantic.

It was perfect.

"It's breathtaking. She'll love it."

Sharpay grinned at hearing Mr. Blue's amazed voice over her shoulder as she turned around to greet the two men she had meet yesterday.

Sharpay's mouth dropped open as she examined the features of "Mr. Blue" and "Mr. Puffy" without the guise of sunglasses and hats.

She knew their faces. She had seen photos, heard stories, looked into the eyes each day.

Blue eyes. Shockingly blue eyes.

Quinn's eyes.

Oh fuck, she thought, her stomach clenching. Gabriella is going to kill me. Simple as that I am dead.

L.A. Lakers.

Chad Danforth. Troy Bolton.

Troy Bolton.

Quinn's father.

She had sold flowers to Quinn's father. He had held her, laughed with her.

He hadn't known. He didn't recognize her. And silently Sharpay thanked Quinn's love of dress up for that matter.

Sharpay turned on her heel, rushing across the room, ignoring their startled glances, coming even as Gabriella and Quinn placed the last of the rose petals of the final table.

"Gabriella, you have to remain calm. I can explain this." Sharpay stammered.

"Breathe Sharpay, what's wrong with you?"

"But we need to leave. Right now. You have to get Quinn and go –"

"Mr. Blue!" Quinn called out, ignoring Sharpay's frantic attempts to catch her arm, running across the room, her tiny legs pumping.

"Quinn, no! What have I told you!" Gabriella called out, pushing Sharpay's fingers from her arm.

"You need to listen to me," Sharpay demanded as Gabriella took off after her daughter. "No! Gabriella!"

Troy smiled as he heard a young voice call his nickname and watched as his pixie skipped towards him.

"I wore blue, just for you. I told momma it was your favorite." Quinn stated, spinning, causing the sundresses skirt to billow around her.

He leaned down, smiling at her before he noticed the necklace placed around her neck. With shaking fingers he pulled the chain, a tiny charm resting in his palm. It was the T necklace he had placed around Gabriella's neck five years prior.

It couldn't be the same.

It wasn't possible.

There was more than one of this necklace in the world.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice rusted.

"It was my mommy's." Quinn smiled. "Daddy gave it to her."

His eyes snapped to hers, examining the color, shape, depth.

She had his eyes.

And he hadn't noticed yesterday because of the sunglasses and his distraction.

His daughter was here.

He had held her, made her smile, laughed at her observations.

The simple thought choked him and as he drew Quinn into his arms, burying his face into her curls, his eyes burning with emotion, coating with tears.

He heard a soft gasp and his head snapped up.

Gabriella stood only a few feet away from him and blinked, trying to adjust herself to the reality of his presence, that he was simply not a figment of her imagination.

But watching her with those unnerving blue eyes, the realization came that he was very real, entirely too potent and solid to disappear if she blinked her eyes. Her pulse began to beat faster, her breath rapid and shallow and she caught her lower lip between her teeth, gently wetting it, his gaze growing lazy with intent as he watched the movement.

He looked taut, his skin pulled over his cheekbones, his mouth compressed into a thin line. "Brie," he whispered savagely, his blue eyes leaping furiously.

He saw her full, soft lips part as she started to say something and a hunger rose up in him like a tidal wave, crashing down and sweeping everything else away.

It had been four years to long.

And he refused to waste another moment.

She gasped at the contract of his warm, muscled body. Fighting for control, she turned her head to him to demand that he let her loose but he took advantage of the opportunity, fitting her more tightly into the curve of his body with the pressure of his arms, and bending his head down.

His mouth was hot and wild, hard and deep. Gabriella gripped the front of his shirt, the force of his mouth opened hers, and he took her with his tongue. He held her to him with painful pressure, crushing her breasts against him, cradling her against the aching ridge of his manhood.

Vaguely she heard other people around them. It didn't matter. He increased the slant of his head, tucking hers more firmly into his shoulder, arousing her, satisfying her, consuming her. His tongue damp, tracing hers in a wicked pattern she had long forgotten, his fingers caressing the bare skin of her shoulders.

Her heart lurched as pleasure overrode shock, swiftly escalating to an almost unbearable tension. She met the intrusion of his tongue with her own, he shuddered and for a moment his arms tightened so fiercely that she moaned into his mouth.

Breathing swiftly, he lifted his head, only inches apart, they stared at each other. His expression was hard and sensual, his lips still gleaming from the moisture of their kiss.

The timbre of his voice, the dilated glitter of his eyes caused her hands to suddenly find the strength to push against him as panic flared with the realization of what she had done, that his daughter was only steps away, that the day she feared had finally arrived.

"Troy, baby, we need to discuss the matter of the wedding invitations. Daddy…"

Gabriella turned her head to stare in amazement at Camilla Lee, who looked beautiful in a green dress meant to flatter her redheaded perfection,

She was striking, tall, think with a mane of vivid red hair, her eyes were piercingly green and darkly accented, her mouth an uncompromising scarlet.

The model was a picture of self-confidence as she smiled at Troy, fully expecting him to welcome her interruption with welcome arms.

"Not now, Camilla."

"But baby, this is important…"

"I said not now!" Troy roared, his jaw clenching, his eyes glittering dangerously as she instinctively took a step back.

He was getting married. This was his engagement party.

Gabriella felt her stomach clench as she realized that she was face to face with the woman Troy intended to marry, to pledge his life and devotion to. His words whispered into her voicemail four years prior swirled through her mind, taunting her with what could have been, with what he had promised that was once again broken.

"I'll wait for you. However long it takes you. I'll wait for you forever.

Her dark eyes turned cold, she stepped back from his reach, her words narrow and dead with the statement.

"I guess forever turned out to be too long."

"It's only your shadow

Filling the room

Arriving too late"