Summary: AU: 'This isn't how I thought we'd meet', Lucas' is Zay's childhood friend, Zay knows the rest of the Clique Six through college. Zay is convinced that Lucas and Riley would be perfect together. They finally meet when Lucas moves to New York but not in the way either thought they would.

A/N: This was inspired by that quote and here we are. TW for sexual assault, and there is some swearing involved.
Pairing: Riley x Lucas
Words: 2,303

"I'm telling you man! You two are going to hit it off! You two are perfect for one another and after the shit heads she's dated…man, she needs a guy like you." Zay shook his head as he once again lectured Lucas.

"Zay. I know you've only told me a hundred times. And now I've constantly got Maya, Farkle and Smackle telling me." Lucas rolled his eyes at his friend as they hung out in their living room.

Lucas had recently moved to New York to start veterinary school, Zay had been living in the city since college and was more than excited to have his best friend back in the same city as him. The two had gone to school together in Texas since pre-k and parted ways when it was time for college. Zay had met Maya, Farkle, and Smackle in college and quickly hit it off. He had also met Riley through Maya and was convinced since the moment they met that her and Lucas would be perfect for each other. Lucas had met the rest of the gang on different occasions through college and formed a friendship with them, moving to the city had only cemented it. But he and the pretty brunette were always missing each other. He'd been living in the city for a month at this point and today was the day they were going to meet. She was coming over so that they could all go to Topanga's together and hangout.

"I'm sure she's great, but can you all calm down geez, you're making me nervous." Truth be told Lucas was already nervous he had seen pictures of Riley before and he was convinced she was a goddess set loose on the world, and everything else he had heard about the brunette only convinced him further.

"Whatever man. It's going to be great! Nothing's going to ruin this!" Zay shouted excitedly at that moment there was a knock on the door, Zay sprung to get it hoping it was the pretty brunette. But sadly that was not the case.

Riley stood by her door debating on whether or not to bring her camera bag with her. She had discovered her talent in high school and her camera was with her ever since. She majored in Photography during college and her friends rarely saw her without her trusty camera she had named Ro. She knew she didn't need her camera but she never knew when inspiration might strike. Plus she could fit whatever was going in her purse into the bag, after a good moment of debating she decided on her camera bag. Grabbing her keys and heading out the door. Texting Zay to let her know she was coming over. He had insisted that she come over before so they could all walk to the bakery together. She knew that he just wanted to make sure she finally met Lucas. He heart fluttered at the name, she had seen pictures of him before but never met him. She was convinced he was a Greek god with his dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Everything she had heard about him was good, he sounded great. She was coming down the stairs to the floor Zay lived on when her phone buzzed. She had Maya had a small apartment a few floor above the boys that she loved. She since was at their door she didn't bother looking at her phone, figuring it was Zay with an okay. Once she opened the door she wished she had.

Zay was shocked when he opened his door. There stood his freshman and sophomore year roommate, Ryan. They had been okay roommates, but at one point Ryan and Riley had been on a few dates and he had been a total asshole to her. Riley had quickly told Ryan that she didn't want to see him again in a romantic sense but Ryan couldn't seem to accept that. And he acted out in anger and always was super rude to Riley whenever she was around. It had basically ruined what little friendship Zay and him had had. Zay didn't loose much sleep over it, Riley was much more important to him.

"Ryan. What are you doing here?" Zay asked crossing his arms as Ryan burst in. Lucas quickly sensed the awkwardness of the situation and retreated to his room, not wanting to get involved in the drama. He knew that if Zay needed him all he had to do was shout.

"Nothing I just came by to see my old buddy Zay, see how life was treating you. Wondering if you've seen a pretty brunette recently and if she mentioned me?" Ryan asked Zay while he plopped his feet up on the coffee table.

"That's none of your business, Riley has no interest in you. Now can you please go." Zay wanted him out of here as fast as possible he knew it wouldn't be a good first meeting between Riley and Lucas if Ryan was involved in anyway.

It was at that moment that Riley walked in with a look of horror on her face. He could see her quickly debate walking out but Ryan saw her before she could bolt.

"Riley! How good to see you!" Ryan walked over and gave her a big hug, which she did not return and tried to stop him pulling her to the couch but his grip was too tight.

"I just came over to get Zay and Lucas so we could go." Riley told Ryan shortly.

"I was just going to grab Lucas and the three of us can go!" Zay said quickly, "And no Ryan. You're not invited." Just as Zay got up to get Lucas his phone started to ring, Riley gave him a look of terror hoping he wouldn't answer it and leave her here alone with Ryan.

"Shit. It's my mom I gotta answer she only calls me when its something important. I promise I'll only be a moment." Zay gave Riley an im sorry look and answred his phone. He went to Lucas' room and knocked on his door asking his mom to hold on for a sec and he'd help her with her issue. He just needed to tell Lucas something.

"Lucas, bro. Riley's here can you please go out there and save her from Ryan. Remember Ryan I told you about him? He doesn't get no, and he's always terrible to Riley. My mom needs me." Lucas shot up and headed to the living room, Zay and vented to him about Ryan and the guy really boiled his blood. From what he heard he treated Riley terribly and Lucas had no room in his life for people who were nasty for sport.

When he walked out he wished he had gotten there sooner.

As soon as Zay left Ryan had started in on Riley. He kept putting his hand closer up her leg and his grip was too tight for her to move it. The grip hurt and Riley just wanted him to get his hands off her.

"Ryan move your hand, you're hurting me and I'm not doing this with you. Like I told you years ago I'm not interested." Ryan seemed to only get more frustrated with this and gripped her tighter and putting an arm around her should and putting his hand on her face with another tight grip.

"Riley come on you know you like me. Just give in." Ryan just gripped her face tighter with his fingers.

"No." Riley stated with no room for argument, she was close to tears. He had always been pushing and rude to her but he had never been this aggressive with her. She was sure she'd be bruised. Ryan apparently didn't hear her or care because he leaned in to kiss her. But as she closed her eyes with tears springing the corners and tried to push him off she felt him being pulled off. As he was pulled off he scraped her cheek harshly causing her to cry out. She looked up to see who she assumed was Lucas shoving him out the apartment with a great force.

"Get the hell out Ryan and don't even think about coming back." Lucas slammed the door as he threw Ryan out, beyond enraged that someone would try to force themselves on anyone, let alone Riley. When he turned to Riley he was sure his heart stopped she was even prettier in person. She had a soft glow about her and all Lucas wanted was to sit with her and find out everything about her. But she was trying not to sob with her hand pressed against her cheek. He quickly sat down next to her ready to offer comfort when she threw herself into his chest still crying. He was quick to respond wrapping his arms around her and stroking her back.

Riley was overwhelmed her face hurt like hell, and she just wanted a hug. As soon as Lucas sat down she couldn't help but throw her head into his chest and felt his arms wrap around her. He smelled amazing Riley noticed as her crying started to settle, he smelled like cedar and sage and ocean? Once she stopped crying she pulled her head out of his chest, embarrassed as the situation she decided now was probably when she should formally introduce herself. He hand was still against her cheek as she turned to face Lucas. "This isn't how I thought we'd meet, but I'm Riley" she offered him a shy smile, which Lucas returned with his own.

"I'm Lucas, it's very nice to meet you Riley." The two just started at each other for a few minuets before Lucas noticed she as still holding her check.

"Hey let me take a look at that." Lucas said as he gently removed her hand from her face. He immediately felt tingles down his arm and he was sure he felt the brunette shiver as he took her face in his hands to examine it. Ryan had definitely drawn blood and left a good few scratches on there.

"Let me get some stuff to clean it off, who knows where he's been. You just stay right there Riley." Riley smiled softly at him and nodded.

As Lucas went to the bathroom to get the first aid kit Zay walked back in.

Seeing Riley with bloody scrapes on her cheeks and puffy red eyes he quickly walked over. "What happened? Oh my god! Are you okay? Did Ryan do this! I'll kill him." Zay was stopped getting up when Riley pulled him back down.

"Yeah it was Ryan, but don't worry Lucas took care of him. He literally threw him out of your apartment. He went to get the first aid kit for me." Riley explained with a shy expression. Zay wiggled his eyebrows at her and she shoved him lightly "Shut up Zay."

Lucas walked in on them laughing together and he was sure he had never heard a more beautiful sound. "I got the kit." Lucas held it up as he brought it over the couch. He put gloves on before cleaning her wound gently, and delicately putting a cotton pad over it with some tape as it was still bleeding. As he did this he and Riley chatted about what they were going to be doing. He told her about becoming a vet, and she told him about how she was a photographer.

Riley looked at Lucas once he was done batting her lashes, "Do you think I'll live Dr. Friar?"

Lucas chuckled softly tucking some hair behind her ear, "I think so Riley, just make sure you change the bandage before you go to bed tonight. And if you need help, well you can come up and I'll help you." The two once again got lost in each other's eyes before Zay cleared his throat.

"Okay lovebirds. I'm going to head to Topanga to see the gang. Riley I'm sure they'll understand if you want to skip considering… uh Ryan."

"Yeah I think I'm just going to go home and lie down for a while instead." Riley answered with a shrug.

"Or if you want, you can stay here and I'll keep you company?" Lucas asked Riley with a hopeful look. He really wanted to spend more time with her but he didn't want to push her.

"That'd actually be really nice, Lucas. Thank you." Riley gave him her own sheepish smile and it wasn't long before they were lost in conversation. The more they talked the closer they sat and it wasn't long before Riley's head was on Lucas' shoulder and he casually played with her fingers. At some point later in the afternoon they had turned the tv on and Riley had fallen asleep and Lucas wasn't far along after her.

That was the sight Zay walked in on when he came back from Topanga's with the gang. Riley's head on Lucas shoulder, his head on top of hers and their hands clasped in between the two of the, He had filled their friends in on the events with Ryan. And as pissed as they all were with Ryan, they were sure Riley and Lucas would be together very shortly. He threw a blanket over them and went to his own room to get ready for bed. When he got up in the morning they were still there, peacefully sleeping in the same position. They shyly awoke sometime later, Riley left with plans to meet up with Lucas later that day and get coffee and continue talking. After she left Zay gave Lucas a look, "I told you man! I told you perfect for one another!"