A/N: Something about this episode made me want to start right away. Now it's quarter to midnight, and I have school tomorrow. Great. At least here's a chapter!

Chapter 9

Fear Strikes Out

Ever since the kiss with Shawn, things have been awkward for me. Like, very awkward. Thomas talked to me pretty often, and whenever Shawn saw us together he got a weird look on his face. Cory hadn't caught on yet, thankfully, but Topanga had, and she knew something was up.

Currently, I was sitting with the two morons because Topanga was extra curricular or something at lunch, and Thomas was with his band.

"Wait? 7 minutes in heaven?" I raised an eyebrow, "That sounds dumb. If you want to make out with someone, just do it. Don't hide under some party," I rolled my eyes.

Cory and Shawn both turned to me and raised their eyebrows. "You wouldn't have happened to make out with anyone before, right Maya?" Shawn asked sternly, and I just shrugged.

"No, but if I wanted to, it wouldn't be any of your business, now would it Shawn?" I leaned back in my seat, and Shawn just shook his head.

"No making out with anyone," he nearly growled, which Cory nodded to, then started doing lip exercises.

"He's right," Eric came by and rested a hand on my head, "And as for you Cor, tick tock, tick tock," he laughed and walked away, teasing Cory even more.

Cory went off to inquire and I turned to Shawn. "Seriously. This is enough. Stop avoiding me and talk to me about what's going on between us," I crossed my arms, but he just got up and walked out. I sighed angrily and stabbed at my food.

That night, at the party, I was standing with Thomas when Cory and Shawn came in, and Cory looked pretty nervous. I tried to ignore them, though, as I turned to Thomas.

"Are you sure you're okay with being here? We could get pulled with different people, and like, I know you don't want that," I mumbled and looked up at him.

Thomas smiled and wrapped an arm around me, kissing my forehead. "No matter what, I trust you, and I know you trust me. It doesn't matter who we get pulled with, or what people say happens in there. Besides, we aren't official, so if you want to kiss another guy, to see what it's like, that's okay, as long as you still like me," Thomas smiled.

I blushed and leaned into his touch, before I heard "Hunter and Matthews," which made me widen my eyes.

"Aha, wow Maya, funny that your brother and Shawn have to go together," Thomas laughed uneasily, gesturing to the two best friends.

"No," the guy said, "Maya and Shawn," which made me widen my eyes.

Thomas got a weird look on his face, but let go of me since he knew he couldn't get out of this. I gave him a small smile before going into the closet, and bumping right into Shawn as the door closed.

"Sh-" I started but I was cut off by him kissing me, hard. This wasn't like the last kiss, this one was more passionate. Shawn rubbed his hands up my sides and I ran mine through his hair. We continued like this for about a minute, before we started to properly make out and I pulled back, looking up at him. "What happened to no making out?" I smirked.

"No making out, unless it's me," Shawn groaned and moved me closer into the wall. "I don't want that asshole near you. He doesn't deserve you."

"Oh? And you do? You're the one who makes out with plenty of girls and flirts with everyone. He's loyal to me and makes me feel special," I glared up at him, regretting what I said the moment I did.

Shawn looked frustrated and heartbroken, so he simply leaned down and kissed me again, softly this time and with more caring. "That doesn't make you feel special?" he whispered as he pulled back, running a hand through his hair. "Jesus Maya, you know how I feel about you! That's why I've backed off! Because you told me to!"

"Because I'm scared Shawn!" I looked up at him, taking a deep breath. "I care about you so much that I can't be with you yet! We can't live our happily ever after yet! We're 13, we aren't old enough for this yet. We need to wait so that we can be forever."

"I can't stand seeing you with him," Shawn whispered and ran a hand tenderly through my hair. I sighed a little and frowned.

"Okay, will this make you feel better? Every one of our firsts will be together. Okay? I won't do anything with him, and you won't do anything with any girls, at least not until we've done it together," I looked into Shawn's eyes, trying to make him okay.

"Fine," he mumbled and then smirked, "I guess we better get as far as we can in the rest of this time," Shawn smirked and kissed me again, rubbing his hand on my back. I went back to combing through his hair and that's how we were found when the door opened.

I walked out and looked at Thomas, frowning at the look on his face. "Look," I mumbled and smiled at him weakly, "I know it looks bad, but I promise it's not as bad as it seems."

Thomas looked at me for a long moment, before sighing and nodding. "Okay. I trust you. But next time, I'll be more tough," he smiled an adorable smile and my heart swelled.

Thomas was adorable, and sweet, and everything I wanted. Except, I didn't care about him as deeply as I did Shawn, but that's okay. Thomas and I knew we wouldn't grow up to marry each other, and it would end eventually, so it was alright for now.

After I got home, I showered and got ready for bed, before I heard Eric yell very loudly and storm into my room. "What the hell did you do with Hunter?" he clenched his jaw, and I shrugged.

"It's not anything you didn't do at my age," I looked up at him, knowing that he was really a big pushover and that in the end he wouldn't really hurt Shawn.

"I'm going to kill him," he hissed and I saw his hands curl into fists. I sighed and looked up at him, then pulled him into a big hug.

"Please don't hurt him Eric. Don't worry. You're still my favourite boy in my life," I smiled up at him, putting on the little sister charm.

Eric sighed and kissed my head, ruffling my hair affectionately. "I just love you, okay? I don't like the idea of any boy getting within ten feet of you."

"I can take care of myself, and I won't let any boy take advantage of me," I nodded and gave him another hug.

Eric finally relented and went back to his room to tease Cory over the mishap with Topanga. I felt bad for my twin, but I knew it wouldn't matter eventually. We were high schoolers, and yeah, we were assholes, but we had the attention span of goldfish.

The next morning at school, everyone was being jerks to Cory, and I saw Shawn trying to give him advice that wasn't working. Topanga was telling everyone he was a nice boy, and I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was making everything worse. It didn't matter what everyone thought of him, anyways. As long as he had Topanga, Shawn and I to support him, it didn't really matter. "Lay of my brother, will you?" I said to some girls. "If you want to gossip, gossip about how Thomas and I went into the closet with different people but we're still together," I rolled my eyes. I didn't want to have to sacrifice my own reputation but I knew that I could survive a blow better than Cory.

Topanga smiled at me, "So how are you and Thomas? You and Shawn looked pretty heated," she gave me a knowing smirk, which I brushed off.

"We're good. We agreed that we trust each other and whatever happened in the closet, stays in the closet. As long as we still like each other more, it doesn't matter, right?" I shrugged and Topanga nodded thoughtfully.

"Well, I suppose that makes sense, but aren't you breaking your own rule in that sense? I mean, even Thomas knows that he's not number one in your heart, but he puts up with it anyways," Topanga shrugged.

"What's that supposed to mean? Thomas and I have gone out on dates, and are committed to each other. That would mean that I like him more than any other boy, no?" I turned to her, biting my lip.

"Ah, or that means that you're saving the boy you like most until you're old enough for a serious relationship," Topanga shrugged. "I know you two are doing the same as Cory and I. Even if Cory and I haven't talked it through like you two have."

I sighed and frowned a little bit. "Cory and you are different. You're just too shy, and wouldn't actually date someone else. Shawn and I have blatantly kissed other people and been on dates with other people," my heart clenched at the thought of Shawn and all the girls he's kissed. I couldn't say anything, though. That wouldn't be fair.

"Some would say that makes you two stronger. You two will know more about yourselves and your wants and needs when you are ready, and will be more experienced in relationships," Topanga pointed out as we started towards history.

I sighed and shook my head. "You're too damn smart, Topanga. You're impossible to argue with," I got a glint in my eye, and a smirk, "Have you ever thought about being a lawyer?"

"I guess that's something to think about," she shrugged. "I am good at arguing, and laying my points out on the table clearly and logically."

"Exactly!" I laughed and smiled at her. "So, just think about it. Even if you have a few years before you need to make a decision."

Topanga nodded and we both made our way to our history seats. The rest of the day was boring and I just spent time with Thomas. Cory got teased by Harley, but that was normal and I wasn't going anywhere near that giant.

That night, Morgan was whining about her paste cup and called her teacher a witch. That made me laugh and shake my head at her. Cory then had a breakdown about his makeout party and I laughed.

"Yeah, it was bad. He was the only person not to kiss someone, other than Topanga," I piped up, which made mom turn to me.

"Oh, so you kissed someone? Who was it? Was it that nice young boy, Thomas?" she gushed and I sighed, shaking my head.

"No, it was Shawn!" Cory cried out, before I glared at him and he got the memo to shut up. Now everyone's eyes were on me, including Morgan.

"You kissed Shawn? Finally," Mom laughed and shook her head. "Are you two an item now? That's so cute!"

Dad looked less amused, but didn't say anything, so I talked instead. "No, I'm still with Tommy, it was just a kiss," I shrugged. "He's Cory's best friend. And what do you mean, finally?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh thank god," dad sighed in relief, "I thought I was going to lose the bet," he stuck his tongue out at Mom.

"Bet?! What bet are you talking about?" I asked suspiciously, somehow knowing that I wouldn't like the answer one bit.

"Well," mom glanced at dad and smiled. "We made a bet as to how long it would take for you to get with Shawn. But we can't tell you our bets, that would be cheating," she smiled.

Cory made a noise, "That won't happen!" He exclaimed, widening his eyes. "My best friend will never date my twin! No way, no how!"

"Yeah, that," I pointed to Cory. "Now let's get back to the actual problem at hand," I changed the topic, feeling awkward about the whole thing.

Cory cried agoobwah and stormed out, then Eric came in. I laughed at how scared Eric got when mom and dad said he was in trouble, then I laughed even more when they took away his girls. Apparently I was the only one who was any good at dating thus far.

The next night, Cory came home glowing. He looked so happy, it made me laugh. "So, what happened?" I nudged him, lying down on my stomach on his bed.

"We made out," Cory grinned proudly, and I made a face to say ew. "It was magical. I think I love poetry now."

I snorted and shook my head, "You're such a boy, and a loser. I don't think poetry is what got you two to make out."

"You don't?" Cory furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Then what changed this time, if it wasn't the poetry or anything like that?"

"Well, you probably talked, you weren't in a closet, and you were more comfortable there, and it's you and Topanga. If you really wanted a challenge, then it would've been any girl except Topanga. You guys have kissed before, and you'll probably kiss again," I said honestly, which made his jaw open.

"Wait, so I could've kissed her from the start? And nothing would've changed? And I could've avoided this entire thing?" Cory seemed so taken aback that I laughed, rolling my eyes.

"Yes Cory, it's that simple. I know how shocking that is to you, but there really isn't some magic spell. Don't think of it as this huge thing, think of it as just a kiss. That'll take the pressure off and you won't be so nervous the entire time."

"Well, thank you for that Maya. Next time I'll think about that, and I won't mess it all up, and we won't be in this mess," Cory nodded and I laughed.

Everyone in my family except Morgan decided to have date night that Friday, to some poetry thing, so I decided to stay home and babysit. I was playing tea party with her when I heard my doorbell ring.

I got up and answered it, smiling when I saw Thomas holding flowers. "They're for you," he held them out to me, and I took them, smiling. "I know you're babysitting, so I was thinking I could help?"

I nodded and put them in a vase, then gave him a quick hug. I took his hand and led him inside, closing the door, and brought him to Morgan. "Morgan, this is Thomas," I smiled at her.

Morgan crossed her arms, "You're the one mommy talked about, aren't you? The 'nice young boy'," Morgan looked him up and down, "Prove it. Play tea with me!" she demanded, and I widened my eyes.

"Morgan, say please, and I'm sorry Thomas. You don't have to," I shook my head, looking at him apologetically.

Thomas was holding back a laugh as he looked down at Morgan. "Your sister is so cute," he shook his head. "Of course I'll play with you Morgan, but I might not be the best. I only have an older sister, and I was too little to play tea."

My heart almost melted as I watched Morgan boss him around, and how good he was with her. I could see her warming up to him, and by the end of the night she loved him.

"Well, Morgan, it's time for bed," I smiled and picked her up. "You're going to have to say goodnight to Thomas, monkey."

Morgan pouted and waved to Thomas, then I got her ready and into bed. "Sorry about that," I walked back down and say beside him on the couch. "I love her, but she's definitely a handful."

Thomas shook his head and smiled, wrapping his arm around me, "You were very cute with her, and I happen to like that a lot."

Thomas smiled and leaned over, kissing me on the lips softly. I smiled into the kiss and returned the action, closing my eyes.

We didn't kiss for long, since it was getting late and Thomas had to leave soon. He used our phone to call his parents and we waited quietly.

After I kissed him goodnight and he left, my family came home (with Shawn) and asked how my night was. I shrugged and told them it was fine, deciding to keep Thomas' visit a secret.

Besides, I'm sure they would know by the morning anyways.

A/N: hEY.

SO LIKE.

THOMAS IS GROWING ON ME.

But as you can tell, I still love Shawn to bits.

Sometimes I forget they're like 13, but let's be honest, after like halfway through season 2, we stop having any clue how old they are. This show (while I love it) is not known for it's continuity.

So after this I'm going to bed.

OH! And review pretty please. I got a review in my email that isn't showing up on the site, but I'll reply to it anyways.

Maya being here will obviously effect the future, but whether the effects are permanent or not is a secret.

Love you all.

-Paigey