A/N: Hello. So, this is my first GMW fic. Some of the dialog may be a bit mature for the characters, but I haven't been 14/15 in awhile, so bear with me.

Well, not much else to say. Please review. Constructive criticism is always welcome but, please, no flames.

!

Things had been weird since Texas. Everyone tried to act normal, but there was an underlying awkwardness in the group's interactions.

It was almost a month after Farkle's ultimatum to Riley ("You tell them or I will.") and nothing had come of it. He'd finally had enough. He didn't like keeping secrets from his friends; he hated it, in fact. So, he'd caught up with Riley one day before lunch and gave her the same ultimatum. When she just stared at him, her mouth opening and closing in the best impression of a dying fish he'd ever seen, he marched into the cafeteria, right up to their usual table filled with their friends and blurted out the secret he'd been holding in for weeks.

"Riley lied. She still likes Lucas. She stepped back for Maya, just like Maya stepped back for her." Then he sighed, plopped down in a seat and smiled. "I feel so much better now."

The table was silent as Riley looked at Farkle, Maya looked at Riley, and Lucas kept glancing between the two girls.

Zay, not one to keep quiet, was the first to speak. "Well, Lucas. I guess you have a choice to make."

Farkle saw the looks on his best friends' faces...and he didn't feel so good anymore.

!

A week passed and the awkwardness got worse. It had gotten so bad that even Mr. Matthews had commented on it. After he'd gotten through three days of classes without any interruptions from his daughter or her friends, he'd started to worry. But he'd backed off when Riley had told him, her voice serious, "This isn't a lesson you can teach us, Dad. We have to figure it out for ourselves."

It was Saturday night when it all came to a head.

Riley and Maya were sitting at the bay window not talking. Ever since Farkle's outburst, the awkwardness that they'd been able to keep out of their relationship had seeped in.

They were so lost in their own silence that when Lucas knocked on the side of the window and poked his head in, they both screamed as if they'd been stabbed.

Cory and Topanga were there within seconds. Topanga armed with a spatula and Cory clutching her arm.

Having had a moment to calm their racing hearts after the initial shock, the girls quickly tried to calm Mama Matthews, who looked like she was ready for blood.

"Guys, we're fine," Maya started.

And Riley picked up with, "It's just Lucas."

Calming now that they knew the girls were all right, the adults backed out of the room to give them some privacy. No sooner had the door shut than Cory was back. "Lucas!" He didn't get more than one step into the room before Topanga grabbed him by the arm and hauled him away.

Lucas waited on the fire escape for a minute. "Is it safe?"

Riley and Maya both scooted over to make room for him.

"Come on in," Riley told him with a wave of her hand.

The girls waited for him to climb in and get comfortable.

"So, what are you doing here, Huckleberry?" Maya tried for nonchalance, but even she could hear the nervousness in her voice.

Lucas sighed. He looked at the pair and then to the floor. He repeated the action twice more before he jumped up from his spot and began to pace the room.

Maya wanted to yell at him to just spit it out. Riley wanted to hug him and ask what was wrong. Both stayed silent.

After five complete back and forth rotations, Lucas stopped in his tracks and turned towards the pair at the window. "Obviously, things have been a little awkward lately."

May bit her lip and Riley cocked her head to the side. They were both adorable, he thought.

"And I know it's because of me." He expected a reaction-at least from Riley-about it not being his fault. He was met with silence. He sighed. "I have to make a choice." He walked until he stood in front of Riley and took her hand. "I could choose the pretty brunette who I have so much in common with. One of my best friends; the best person I know." He dropped Riley's hand to pick up Maya's, side stepping to look her in the eye. "Or I could choose the blonde beauty who challenges me and everything I say; who calls me names and breaks all the rules." He dropped Maya's hand and returned to his spot a few feet in front of the pair. "Or I could choose neither, because their friendship with each other means more than any relationship with me ever could."

Simultaneously, Maya and Riley reached for each other's hands, holding tightly.

When neither said anything, Lucas got uncomfortable. "So...that's my choice. And I'm gonna go now." He waited another moment, and when silence remained, he climbed back out the window. He could feel their eyes on him, and he turned back. "I finally get why Farkle could never choose." And he left.

!

It was almost midnight when Maya knocked on Lucas' window. Though he didn't scream, he was holding a baseball bat when he opened the curtains.

"Maya, what are you doing here?" He had obviously been sleeping. He wore blue flannel pajama pants and a white t-shirt. His hair was ruffled and his eyes, now that they weren't wide in fear, looked groggy.

"I wanted to talk to you." She climbed through the window, though she didn't come any further into the room than she needed to.

Lucas set the bat down by his bed and ran a hand through his hair. "It couldn't wait until the sun was up?"

Maya ignored him. "Look, about this whole not choosing between Riley and me thing. I just wanted you to know that I'm ok with you choosing Riley." She looked down at her hands, which she had been wringing nervously. "Don't let me stand in the way. Her happiness means more than mine."

Lucas just stared at the blonde. What kind of life had she led that she truly believed that statement? His heart broke. "Maya." It came out as a whisper. Louder this time, stronger, he told her, "That is absolutely not true."

She looked up then. "It means more to me." She took a step forward. "And I don't want to be the reason Riley gets hurt."

Lucas' eyes widened in true shock. How could she not see? "I don't want to hurt Riley."

Maya threw her hands up. "You are hurting her. You're hurting her by not choosing her."

Lucas shook his head in disbelief. Was she really so blind? Or was she just trying to play the best friend; the protector? "No, Maya. I'm protecting her." He could see her about to explode and cut her off before she could, trying to explain himself. "By not choosing between you two, I'm protecting Riley."

Maya ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. "How are you pro-" And then it sank in. "Oh." The word was barely audible, but even without it, Lucas could see the realization in her eyes.

She shook her head. "No, but you and Riley fit so well together. You have so much in common."

He sighed. "Yes, we do. We agree on almost everything. It's easy to talk to Riley." He took a step closer to her. "But that kind of relationship," he sighed, trying to find the right words. "That kind of relationship starts out as a spark; we have so much in common. Then we get to know each other and that spark grows into a flame. And that flame, it burns for awhile. Until the relationship becomes stagnant and the flame dies."

Another step towards her, and he continued. "But you and me? That kind of relationship is different. It starts as a spark when we meet on the subway and have a ten second relationship. It grows into a flame as our game becomes more than a game." Another step closer and he tucked a flyaway hair behind her hear. "And one night in Texas, in front of a campfire when I take your face in my hands and want nothing more than to kiss you, the fire ignites." He took the two steps back. "And a fire like that, Maya, it consumes you."

Maya's voice shook and she wasn't sure which emotion made it do so. She was feeling so many. "It burns you."

Lucas nodded. "Sometimes. But one thing I know without a doubt," and he looked directly into her eyes, "a fire like that never dies."

Maya gulped and had to look away from the intensity in his eyes. She turned toward the window. "Thank you." She didn't turn around. "For protecting Riley." And she climbed out into the darkness.

!

Riley caught up with Lucas after school on Monday. "Hey. Can we talk?"

Lucas nodded. He knew his decision had left both girls with questions. The least he could do was answer them.

They headed to Topanga's. Riley waited until their smoothies arrived before beginning. "Lucas, about this whole no choosing thing..."

Lucas cut her off, believing he knew exactly where the conversation was headed. "Riley, yours and Maya's friendship is the most important thing in your lives. I refuse to come between that."

Riley cocked her head to the side. "You're right. Our friendship is the most important thing. And you do you know how it came to be so important?"

Lucas shook his head.

"Because it's been tested and has always come out stronger." Riley reached across the table to take his hand. "This is just another test, Lucas."

Lucas turned his hand so he held Riley's. "This is a test you've never been through before, Riley. We're growing up and friendships are going to be tested more and more. I don't want to be the test that you fail."

Riley jerked her hand back. "You really think you're going to be the end to our friendship?" Lucas had the courtesy to look embarrassed for his cockiness. "Lucas, Maya is my sister." She folded her hands on the table. "Our friendship is strong enough to withstand anything." She paused, as if something had just occurred to her. "I really believe that."

Lucas played with his smoothie cup. When he met her eyes, she could see the pain in them. "Riley, I don't want to hurt either one of you."

She placed her hands flat on the table. She spoke slowly. "Maya's happiness is very important to me, Lucas. Please don't let me stand in the way of that."

"Riley-"

"You said you knew why Farkle could never choose between us." She paused, contemplating him. "I don't think you do." She shook her head. "Farkle has never had to choose; Maya and I have never made him. We love Farkle, but not like that. It's a game. It's always been a game." Riley met Lucas' eyes directly, making sure he was paying close attention to what she was about to say. "But this thing with you, it's not a game. It's never been a game."

Lucas' mouth opened; his eyes widened. Had she known? Even before they had themselves?

They stared at each other for awhile, each contemplating the other.

"I want Maya," Lucas breathed.

Riley smiled. "I know."

He shook his head. "She won't betray you."

Her smile became conspiratorial. "Just be a my house at 7 tonight."

!

Riley sat at the bay window waiting for Maya. Usually, they came home together, but because of her need to to talk with Lucas alone, Riley had told Maya that she had an emergency cheer meeting and she would meet up with Maya at the bay window later.

When she heard the clink of heels on the fire escape, Riley smiled and turned to watch her best friend climb through her window like she had thousands of times before.

Before she even got herself seated, Maya was complaining about the change in ritual. "I knew this whole cheer thing would be a pain."

Riley couldn't keep the guilt off her face. She hated lying to Maya. Even a little white lie that she was going to admit was a lie.

"Farkle took me home." Maya frowned. "It was weird. He kept trying to comfort me."

Of course he had, Riley thought. Everyone had heard about Lucas' decision. Farkle had been the shoulder she had cried on that night. He hated when his friends were hurting.

Speaking of hurting..."Maya, I didn't actually have an emergency cheer meeting."

Maya stayed silent. She'd been skeptical. There wasn't an assembly or sports game for weeks. What kind of cheer emergency could there have been?

Riley took a deep breath. "I needed to talk to Lucas."

Maya's breath hitched. Would Riley really go behind her back to try to win Lucas over?

Riley continued, noticing the blonde's change in demeanor but needing to explain. "He didn't want to hurt me, Maya."

Maya nodded. "I know."

"He wants you, Maya. He chose you." She took Maya's hand, playing with the ring she'd given her for her 14th birthday. "And I'm ok with that."

Guilt setting in for ever thinking her best friend would go behind her back, Maya stilled Riley's fingers with her other hand. "I'm not."

Riley's face took on a confused expression that Maya had no doubt she'd learned from her father. "You don't want him?"

Maya thought about lying. But wasn't that how this mess had begun in the first place? "Yes, I have feelings for him. Yes, I want him. But so do you." She sighed. "Riley, I could never do that to you."

The brunette untangled her fingers from the blonde's. "Maya, you're not doing anything to me; you're doing something for you."

Maya sighed. "It doesn't matter what you say, Riley. As long as you like Lucas, I will never be with Lucas."

"Well, that sucks."

The voice startled Maya. She narrowed her eyes at her best friend. She didn't look at the Texan when she spoke. "Whatcha doin' here, Hopalong?"

Lucas climbed through the window and sat as far from Maya as he could. She didn't seem happy to see him. "I'm not exactly sure."

Riley got up from her spot next to Maya and grabbed Lucas by the shoulders, guiding him until he sat in the seat she had vacated. She smiled. "You guys like each other. You should be together."

"Riley-" Maya tried to stand, but the brunette pushed her back down gently.

"How can I prove to you that I'm ok with this?"

Maya looked at the pleading, almost desperate, eyes of the girl who had been her sister since Kindergarten. Then, she looked at the boy they had both fallen for to see the same emotion in his. "Kiss." It was almost a whisper, so she repeated herself at Riley's dumbfounded, "Huh?"

"Kiss him. If you can look me in the eye and tell me you're ok after you kiss him, I'll believe you."

"Maya-" Lucas began to protest.

"What's the matter, Ranger Rick? It wouldn't be the first time you two kissed." The thought made Maya's stomach churn. He would always be Riley's first crush, Riley's first love, Riley's first kiss. He would always be Riley's.

Lucas sighed and stood up. "Riley? Are you ok with this?"

She only nodded.

They each took two steps toward each other and before either could change their minds, their lips met in a gentle kiss. They pulled back at the same time, surprise on both their faces.

"Wow." Riley took a step back to look at the boy in front of her.

"Yeah." Lucas was staring at her with squinted eyes.

"See? I told you." Maya's voice was strained, holding back tears.

Riley went on as if Maya hadn't spoken. "I really thought I'd feel something."

"Me, too."

"But it was like..."

"Kissing your brother?"

Riley smiled then. It was wistful and almost sad. "No. It was like kissing a friend." She turned to Maya. "Just a friend."

"Wait." The blonde held up a hand and stood. "I'm confused."

Riley looked to Lucas. "I think I was holding on to feelings I just wasn't ready to let go of."

Lucas smiled furtively at Maya. "The flame died."

Riley walked the few feet to Maya, took the blonde's hands in her own, and looked her directly in the eye. "I am more than ok with this, Maya. Don't hold yourself back for me. I'm not an excuse anymore." She looked at Lucas. "I'll give you guys time to talk." And she left the room.

The silence grew until it was uncomfortable and Lucas had to break it. "So, where do we go from here?"

Maya looked like she wanted to bolt; to run fast and far. "This doesn't change anything, Huckleberry."

Lucas looked confused and a little hurt. "How does this not change everything? You didn't want to hurt Riley." He gestured to the door said girl had just walked out of. "She's not hurt."

"We don't work together, Lucas."

The hurt overtook the confusion now. Why wouldn't she give them a chance? "You can't know that; we haven't tried to work yet."

Maya looked at him as though he'd just told her he was Gork from the planet Zenif. "We did try. When we came back from Texas. Remember hours of silence and smoothies?"

Lucas' expression softened. He'd been so confused at that point, he'd never really considered those "dates." "Maya," he made sure to keep his voice calm, "come on. I'd just found out the girl I thought I liked thought of me as a brother and..." He took a seat at the window and turned to face her. When she stubbornly remained looking straight forward, he took her chin gently and turned her head to face him. "I never thought I would ever have a chance with you, Maya. I'd put the thought out of my head. But when you said you like me..." He moved his hand to brush some loose hair behind her ear. "Maya, I was so confused at that point, I didn't know up from down when it came to how I was feeling."

She took his hand from her face and held it. She studied his fingers, refusing to meet his eyes. "And now?"

He grabbed her chin again, forcing her to look at him. He wanted to be very clear. "I know what I want now, Maya." When she remained silent, he got nervous. He'd have to prove it to her. "One date."

"What?" She furrowed her brow.

"You let me take you on one date. We'll do it right." He was getting excited now. "We'll go to dinner and a movie. We'll reach into the popcorn and touch hands. I'll walk you home."

Maya smiled at the popcorn reference. She'd used it when she's asked him out last year. That seemed so long ago now.

"And at the end of the night, you can make your choice. We won't even have to talk about it. If you want to give us a try, a real try," he blushed just thinking about the end of his sentence, "you give me a goodnight kiss. If not," Lucas untangled his hands from Maya and put some physical distance between them, "we'll just go back to being friends." He held his breath, waiting for an answer.

Maya grinned. "When?"

He exhaled loudly. "Saturday?"

She frowned. "Actually, Riley and I have-" Maya stopped talking at the buzzing of her phone. She smiled at the caller ID. "Hey, Sweetie."

Lucas desperately tried to listen to the conversation but could only hear Maya's "Uh-huh. Yep. Ok," and garbled sounds on the other end of the phone. When she hung up, he recognized the affectionately annoyed smile she kept for Riley alone.

"Change in plans." She wiggled her cell phone in the air. "Saturday it is." She thought the smile on his face must have hurt.

!

Ok. There it is. The actual date will be posted (hopefully) within the week, but I promise nothing. I was going to post this as a one-shot, but I wanted to get it up before we see what actually happens in the New Years episode. The second (and final) chapter is about half done, so it's just a matter of finding time and disconnecting from real life.

Anyway, please review. I'd love to know what other fans think.