I'm just throwing together various One Shots of what happens to the gang after this faithful incident. New chapters might say how much time has passed, but each chapter can be "read alone" though they all fall within the same world and timeline.

Ever since Riley was given her own subway pass from her parents, Maya had gotten use always taking the train with her best friend. It seemed odd now waiting alone in the subway station, but still, it wasn't as if she hadn't done this time and time again. Leaning against a post, Maya continued to wait impatiently. The Matthews were on their way to Riley's grandparent's house. As per usual Maya was invited along but this time around she said no, and she was starting to greatly regret that decision. It was just for the day at least, she'd spend some time downtown and before she knew it, the day would be over and Riley would be back.

"Hey Shortstalk."

A smirk grew on Maya's face at the voice. The first time she ever heard that nickname it hurt her more than she could possibly imagine, though it was more the fight that happened with Riley that really hurt. Since then though, the nickname didn't hurt, in fact Maya find it oddly delightful. Turning slowly she replaced her smirk with a snarl. Her head turned up slightly so she could meet Lucas' eyes.

"Huckleberry I do believe discussed that name before."

Lucas took a few short steps toward Maya and leaned down so their faces were barely inches apart.

"You stop calling be Huckleberry, I'll stop calling you Shortstack."

"If that's what you'd prefer Ranger Rick."

"Still not gonna break me."

Pulling back slowly, Lucas grinned brightly. It wasn't often that Lucas and Maya spent too much time alone together. It happened on the rare occasion, typically in the halls of school or the occasions they ran into on the way to Riley's house. Maye returned to her leaning position and Lucas joined her.

"So what are you doing here anyways? I though Riley was going to her grandparent's."

"That is correct. Contrary to typical belief though I don't always join her on family outings, I am capable of spending time on my own."

There was a slight bite in her tone as she spoke. It wasn't supposed to come out that way. It wasn't how she meant it. It was just that this specific Matthew Family outing was not one Maya wanted to be a part of, and her reason for it made her slightly ashamed. Despite wanting to apologize for the way it sounded, knowing full well the bite was directed toward herself, she stuck to her guns. Her face remained stoic as Lucas's eyebrow rose slightly and his head tilted.

"Hey, I didn't mean it like that at all."

"Whatever Huckleberry."

Shaking his head Lucas turned away from Maya for a moment. She was a tough person to crack. Despite how honest she could be with what's going in her world, she still kept so much in. Lucas tried time and time again with Maya, to make sure she knew she had more than just Riley to rely on. It wasn't easy but at times he really did think she was getting as comfortable around him as she was around her best friend. It was a work in progress, slow work, but still it was progress.

Maya and Lucas fell into a comfortable silence as they both waited for their train. There was no discussion of where each of them was going. Lucas had his own plans for the day, but those changed the moment he ran into Maya, the moment she snapped ever so lightly at him. Today Lucas would be tagging along with his good friend. That mini outburst made it clear she needed him and that was all that mattered. Even if she wouldn't admit it, it was obvious being alone while Riley was away was not going to be good for her. Pushing off against the post, his mouth opened slightly to speak when suddenly Maya darted in front of him.

"Crap, what is he doing here? He's supposed to be with the rest of the family."

The quickness in her voice worried him. Lucas' head began darting around, attempting to find the reason for her sudden anxiety.

"Wait who? Maya what's wrong?"

"It's Josh!"

Glancing up at Lucas, Maya's eyes were wide, worried. Her hands quickly rose to her head and she tried to cover her face with her hair. Lucas held back a laugh as she continued to mess with her hair to hide. Of all the things that could make Maya noticeable, her long blonde hair was definitely the most obvious. That hair was unmistakable from miles away; at times Lucas could find Maya in a crowd even before finding Riley. It was starting to make a bit more sense to him now, why she didn't go with the rest of the Matthews.

"I didn't realize seeing Josh was such a big deal. I thought you see him all the time at Riley's."

"You don't get it. I haven't seen him since I made a fool of myself in front of his future college people. I kept it together for the rest of the night, but I so massively embarrassed myself. I don't know why I said what I said to him. I should have just kept my mouth shut. I don't know what to say to him now. It was easier when he thought it was just some stupid crush."

The words just spilled out of Maya's mouth as a ramble. Dropping her head she continued to try and hide herself while Lucas took the opportunity to finally locate Josh. He was standing a couple feet away, just waiting for his train, as of yet, Josh hadn't noticed either of them. Lucas' hand reached under Maya's chin and gently lifted her head.

"You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You were honest and open and there is nothing wrong with that. But if you're that worried, just make it seem like you've already moved on. If he thinks you're interested in someone else, he won't think much of what you said. You can just start fresh so to speak."

"And how Huckleyberry am I supposed to do that? Everyone knows I like Josh and Riley knows there isn't anyone else I'm interest in. How would that work? Have any bright ideas in that cowboy brain of yours, cause if not I'm gonna bolt in about 5 seconds."

Before he could think of a reason, Lucas realized Josh had noticed them. The panic in Maya's eyes was growing despite the strength in her voice as she spoke. As Josh began to make his way toward them, Lucas began to panic for Maya. His mind was blank on helping her all he knew was that he had to do something, anything. There was just one thought that ran though his mind like you've already moved on.

Lucas' body was reacting before his mind knew what was happening. The hand that was on Maya's chin moved slowly down around her neck. In one swift motion, Lucas stepped toward her, his other hand wrapped around her waist and his hand on her neck helped tilt her head back. Leaning down Lucas' lips crashed against Maya's, the hand around her waist pulling them closer. Maya's eyes widened before fluttering closed as the kiss continued. Without breaking the kiss, Lucas' eyes found Josh watching the uncle of Riley as he stopped in his tracks. Josh's eyes widened lightly and he looked around awkwardly before finally tuning on the spot and walked away. Once Josh was no longer looking, Lucas' eyes closed. Milliseconds seemed like ages as their lips started to part slowly. Lucas' hand on Maya's back slowly slid up, pulling her in closer toward him, their bodies pressed tightly against each other. Just as quickly as it happened Lucas dropped his hands from Maya and took a step away from her, backing into the post. His hand rose and scratched the back of his head.

"Um…well Josh left."

Maya stared up at a Lucas for a moment, her eyes wide as she tried to think of something to say. That was not the first kiss she expected, it wasn't supposed to be Lucas. Sure everyone was already under the impression she had been kissed before and she helped perpetuate the belief. But now she had Lucas as her first kiss. Worst yet, it was a good kiss, not there was anything to compare it to, it was just one of those things a person knew instinctually. It was a good kiss, a great kiss, a curl your toes stop your breath kind of kiss. Her mouth gapped opening slightly as she continued to search for something to say, anything to say, but nothing came, her mind was blank. Finally Maya had the conscious thought to close her mouth and began glancing around the subway station, as if to make sure Josh was really gone. Truthfully she just needed a moment, anything to calm herself down before facing Lucas again.

"It was the first thing that came to mind, I'm sorry Maya. Figure if he saw you kissing someone, it would be the easiest way for him to think you'd've moved on."

Taking a deep breath, Maya pulled a composed face before turning back to face Lucas, flipping her hair in the process.

"No need to be sorry, didn't see his face, but the fact he's long gone I guess it worked like a charm. You helped me out Huckleberry so thanks."

For a moment that felt like hours they just looked at each other, both attempting to sort out what had really just happened. He wasn't supposed to close his eyes, he was supposed to step away from her the moment Josh walked away. She wasn't supposed to enjoy it, she should have pushed him away the moment it happened, regardless of the fact he didn't mean it that way. Their lips weren't supposed to part. They should not have kissed at all. He should not have done that and the reason was barreling through both of their minds.

"Riley."

They spoke at the same time. The shock was fading, or at least taking a backseat for the time being. Oh god what have I done. Lucas continued to nervously scratch the back of his head and Maya began to pace.

"I'm gonna have to" "Josh will tell if I don't" "I probably should have thought that whole thing" "She'll understand" "She'll know it didn't mean"

"Oh my gosh Huckleberry SHUT UP."

Lucas fell silent.

"You were just helping me in a sticky situation and it didn't mean anything. You know it, I know it, and Riley will too when I tell her tonight. Besides, no offense Ranger Rick, but it wasn't that impressive of a kiss to begin with. All fish lips. Next time you kiss Riley you might want to work on that."

As Maya spoke she finally stopped paced and stood still in front of Lucas, ending her mini speech with a sharp poke in his chest. With a smile on her lips, she took a glance around the station, hoping beyond hope any train would be arriving any moment now.

"I'll keep that in mind Shortstack."

Not a single train was coming; all of them must have been delayed. Or maybe every single train had ceased to exist. There was never going to be a train again. They were stuck in this moment for the rest of their lives. Maya was getting anxious again and this time it had nothing to do with Josh. Run, just run. It was the only thought in her mind now.

"Well Huckleberry thanks again for the help. I'll see you later."

With a salute she turned on her heel and walked back toward the stairs leading up to the street. Lucas opened his mouth to call out, he wasn't sure what he was going to say. Maybe something about missing her train, or maybe it would have been about Riley. Maybe something about it being a great kiss – no not that, definitely not that. Never that. Instead as Maya started up the stairs his mouth closed. Falling backwards into the post, tilting his head back he stared up at the ceiling.

"What did I just do."