A/N: Happy 2016 everyone! Back to the land of JoshxMaya, here is the next part of their story. Your feedback has been amazing and it encourages me to keep going with this crazy little Loophole universe. Please keep it up; I have learned that even a little one word review can mean so much and I regret all those years I spent on this site as a "lurker" reading such great stories but staying silent.

Enjoy!

Part IV

"Honey, I'm home!" Maya said with as much enthusiasm and cheer as she could muster when she entered Riley's room through their bay window that evening.

"Peaches! How's my birthday girl doing?" Riley asked, her question laced with hesitation as she avoided asking about Maya's time with Josh.

"It's been a good day, Riles" Maya said to reassure her friend she was okay, even though she was distracted at best.

Earlier…

She woke up from a blissful sleep wrapped Josh's arms, convinced she was dreaming. But sitting up and losing the warmth of his embrace was a reality check for both of them. Maya convinced Josh to let her walk to Riley's alone, knowing she would need the brisk walk in the cold air to snap her out of her dreamland. They parted with good-bye and a meaningful kiss, knowing it would most likely be their last of this second 'loophole.' The walk had helped, but her mind continued to drift.

"Well let's get you looking as special as you are!" Riley said, helping Maya do her hair and makeup before she put on the "birthday girl" dress Shawn had insisted on buying her. Maya looked and felt much older than her 16 years when they were done.

Riley avoided asking any details about her day and covered for Maya with her parents. It's not as if she lied to them, she reasoned to herself, because it's not her fault if they assumed Maya was the one she was going to the movies with. She had a great time with Lucas, as always, but she continued to worry about Maya. But, at this point, what was done was done so Riley just prepared to be the best and most supportive friend she could be if things fell apart.

After a while they heard a knock at the door and it slowly open. Maya froze when she heard his voice say "Hey, favorite niece, Topanga sent me to get you and the birthday girl here for photographs before dinner."

Riley hugged him and said exaggeratedly "Thanks, Uncle Josh! Oh my goodness I TOTALLY forgot I left the shoes I am wearing in Mom and Dad's room. I was showing them to Mom earlier and I CAN'T believe I forgot about them. Um, I'll meet you guys downstairs in a few minutes, OKAY?"

"Subtle, Riley" Josh said sarcastically, as he gave her a grateful smile.

Riley skipped out of the room and Maya turned to Josh, facing him for the first time since she hastily left his room. Their eyes met and they felt that familiar pull to be close to each other.

"Wow. You look…wow" Josh said as he slowly walked towards her.

"Very eloquent, Matthews" Maya said with a smirk, secretly thrilled to render him speechless.

He let out a breath and smiled "Well, I do try."

"So…" Maya said once he reached her, eager to end the awkward silence.

Josh's eyes were filled with worry when he said "We're going to be okay, right? I can't- I just don't want you to be hurt like last year. Please, just tell me we didn't make a mistake. I-"

Her eyes pooled with tears as she grabbed his hands with hers and said "Maybe we did. Maybe we did make a mistake, but, Josh, that's what people do. We make mistakes. And I wouldn't take it back. Not ever. And I know that this is kind of good-bye, so it will hurt, yes, but so what? And you are going to go back to your college life and do college things and meet college girls and-"

Josh's lips on hers cut off her rambling, and she was too stunned to move for only a second before she kissed him back with fervor. This was easily their most passionate kiss to date. Josh's hands tangled in her long blonde locks as he held her head to his, desperate to prolong the contact. The pair clung to each other, and then both released shaky breaths from their now swollen lips as they stepped back. Their eyes locked in an adoring and ardent gaze.

"Maya, I think you better get downstairs" a voice said sternly from the doorway.

Both snapped back to reality at the sound of the command. Yes, the spell was broken and they now dreaded seeing the face of the very person they were the most worried would find out about them. Maya nodded and mumbled an incoherent apology as she rushed out of the room. Josh was left to turn and face the one person he most hated disappointing in the world, Cory Matthews.

To be continued…

A/N: Dun dun dunnnnn… yup they were caught! Making out in Riley's bedroom how AWKWARD is that? Props to those of you who guessed it would be Cory, he will have PLENTY to say next chapter

I try to avoid doing too many descriptors of their clothing because I want you to imagine what you think the perfect outfit would be, if that makes any sense. Also, fashion is SO not my thing, LOL

For more about Riley's role in the scheme, check out "Complicity" a Rucas one-shot I did as a companion story to this series.