CH.10: Parting paths

Maya stood on the boat leaving behind their adventures in the Amazon. Beth had impeccable timing as she managed to save them from being burnt alive…not to mention taking out a number of vampires. There were a few who got away but they checked and none had stowed away onboard, so all is well that ends well right? Lucas was keeping to himself and she had a pretty good idea what he was thinking. It all went back to the night she turned him and the frustration he had over not being able to do the things he loved…which included Texas.

Texas was his first home…and Texas would always be in his heart, well, body she should say. Most of his family lived in Texas and many fond memories also rested there. Beth told them she was planning on heading home once their adventure was over. She could see this did not sit well with Juliet as she too had taken up the moping. Beth made it clear she had only room for one person to travel back with her…and originally that one person was Lucas.

Beth had confessed learning that Lucas had become a vampire sort of unsettled her at first and she wasn't sure how their hunter family would take to the news. However now that he could walk in the sunlight, and seeing what type of person he was…it made her change her mind. Maya kept quiet during this entire exchange not sure what to say to that. This was his chance to go home…maybe find a girl who could treat him right and give him that future he wanted…in Texas. Now that she could be in the sunlight she could pursue her art in fuller context and after graduating put her art in full perspective.

So many futures lie in wait over one answer…it really sat with ya. She stood near the bow of the boat looking out at the sun in full swing and holding out her hand noting its color. A single tear rolled down her cheek and she found herself content. Back in that room what Juliet said made sense…both she and Lucas were trying to get the other to move on…and they both saw each other with someone else. This ride back could be their last in a relationship…wow that was heavy…she honestly thought it'd always be her and Lucas vs. the world…now it seemed like she would be doing all that fighting on her own, kinda depressing once it was broken down like that.

"Mind if I join you?" Maya lifted her head and noted the red head was holding herself. She looked like she could use the company and she wasn't about to object…even if she had betrayed them.

"Seeing how it is a party of one right now…I think I can squeeze you in," Maya gestured to her right and as she stood by her she noticed she had been crying as well.

"I just want to say how sorry I am for…well…everything. I realize I broke your trust back there and I can understand if you never want to train me again. I was hoping to be out of your hair and go to Texas with Beth…but seems she is set on taking Lucas…" Juliet grew quiet and she understood.

"It is fine really…I think we both knew this was coming the moment our lives were saved from the oven back there. Lucas deserves to be happy…and that happiness comes from going back home where everything he is familiar with is. Perhaps there is a silver lining to my having turned him…we just weren't meant to be."

Maya did not expect her to comment on that…how could she having known them for such a short period of time. The sound of the birds rising above the canopy of trees seemed to be a farewell from them and she wished she had brought something to draw with…or even paint. The beauty of the Amazon…she would never forget it. Moving her hair behind her ear she moves from the rail and goes to take a seat.

"Who gets to decide who is meant to be?" Juliet's question hung in the air and Maya tilted her head to the side pondering it. "I believe just cause two people want the other to be happy with someone else doesn't entirely mean they are open to the idea. To be placed in a situation where one's life is on the line…I read one usually says things they don't mean or things are put on display. To me, it is the part after the stuff is said that matters…what goes down from there. You two say you love each other…but…just how far does that love go?

"I loved my father…even for all his flaws and missed parties he was still a big part of my life. The day he died…I wanted to avenge his death, do damage to those who took him from me. After finding out he lived…that love was still there but I became weak and pulled into another side of him…a side I soon realized was not him. When I..I…killed him for one brief moment I thought I saw the man I loved…but he was too far gone for me to really have a real conversation with. I realize this has nothing to do with your situation…but I wanted to air my feelings while also helping you with yours."

Maya nodded her head after hearing the girl speak. She was right…there was still time it was all a matter of whether she and Lucas would talk…or let the other go away? Rising from her seat she pulls Juliet into a hug and the girl places her good arm around her. "If Lucas does leave…I will continue your training…just don't expect me to go easy on you cause you have one working arm."

Juliet laughs and as they pull back she cracks a grin. "Alright…sensei…but don't expect me to take too many hits before surprising you with some of my own…I know it sounds weak but best I could come up with."

Maya nods her head and watches as Juliet heads off leaving her by herself…again. Riley would be wanting to know what happened after this…she wasn't entirely sure what to tell her once she was in that bay window of theirs. "Hey."

Maya turned to the sound of his voice and blinked a few times. "Hi." This wasn't awkward at all.

"Hey…so…can we talk?" Lucas had his hands in his pockets and she imagined he had been talking to Beth. There was no point in delaying this conversation…best to get it over with like a Band-Aid.

"Sure…lay it on me Huckleberry what has your cowboy hat hanging so low?" Maya gestured at the seat next to her and as he sat down she joined him.

"Cute, look, I was hoping we could have a serious conversation…so Ranger Rick and Ranger Roy can take a backseat for this ok?" Lucas turned to her all serious like and she nodded her head.

The two of them sat there a bit listening to the other breathe while the wind played through their hair. The sound of the water being pushed down by the boat made her wonder about someone who had to use the restroom. The silence was not working for her…and she felt like if neither of them spoke she'd push him overboard. Of course she would hate to do so because than regret would take over and what would she tell his parents…she did not want to have that conversation.

"I talked to Beth-." Lucas began but Maya found herself unable to let him finish. Maybe it was the thought of losing him that drove her to do this.

"Lucas…I know you are leaving for Texas. I get it…Texas is your home and you want to be with your family and friends. I just want you to know that…I'm ok with this. I thought I'd be more upset but really…you deserve to be happy and if Texas is where your heart is fondest…I don't wish to be the one to hold you back. So…go on back home Cowboy…back to where you truly belong."

It would be the toughest thing she never did, she knew that, and yet she didn't want to be the cause of Lucas being unhappy. Placing a hand over his she expected him to look relieved and they would part ways with some sappy words of displayed affection, strained as it might be like how they'd keep in contact or they'd always be friends. The thing she did not expect was him holding her down.

"Is that how you really feel? You would just send me off to Texas…without a fight? Maya I talked to Beth…and do you know what I did?" He looked at her now and she couldn't look away…not even if she wanted to.

Watching as his face loomed before hers she felt her lower lip tremble and her eyes waver, her chest was pushing in and out mimicking human breathing. This was all too much for her…every fiber of her being was screaming internally as to what it was that talk entailed.

"I turned her down Maya…I told her that my heart was not in Texas…my heart was in the person who took it from me…you. I love you Maya…and yes part of me will always love Texas but you are my life now, sure we hit a few road bumps along the way…every couple does and the true strength comes from those who stick around. I think the real question is, well, is if you want me to stay or go cause-."

Maya pulled him to her kissing his lips fully, her hand raking his hair through her fingers as she held the kiss long as permitted. Pulling back she gazes into his eyes and presses her forehead against his. "I don't want you to go…Lucas…I want you to stay with me forever. I know I said all that stuff…but…truth is I'd be miserable without you. We still have High School to tackle and then…well…after that who knows what the world will hold for us. And back there-."

It was Lucas's turn to kiss her and she melted into his body feeling his muscles through his shirt and whimpering into the kiss before smiling and resting her body against his. "People say things under stress…maybe it was true and maybe it wasn't…but it is safe to say we can look past it for now and leave it for another day."

Maya nods her head as she closes her eyes feeling safe in his arms. It would be a few days till they got home but she was glad for the time to patch things up with Lucas. Home never sounded so sweeter.

Juliet had left Maya to go check up on Beth as she stood at the wheel. The ride back would be a long one and as she took a breath she realized just how much she loved breathing. If she had been turned into a vampire…would Beth kill her? She pondered that for a bit and learning there was only one ticket to go to Texas with Beth…she faced the facts that Lucas would be the one going. It saddened her but she had to come to accept this…and maybe she and Maya would bond as sisters.

"Hey you…mind coming up here for a bit?" Juliet lifted her head and noted that Beth was calling to her. Shrugging her shoulders she proceeds up to join the Captain of the boat and stood off to the side.

"Everything boat shape and all?" Juliet inquires wondering if she wasn't pulling her weight; if not maybe she could make an adjustment to making the trip easier.

"Hmm…well…I could use a rest at the wheel so if you don't mind taking it for a bit that would be great." Beth took a step to the side and Juliet quickly handled the wheel…to the best of her ability.

"So…it is really pretty out here…I bet you take a lot of girls sight-seeing huh?" Juliet didn't know if she was overstepping her boundaries but she saw Beth take it in stride and sighed.

"Honestly…since getting my license to take people places most of the time it is older people, some party going people and some drunks at times…but a girl would need to be extra drunk just to make a pass at me…though not sure I'd notice much as still learning to deal with this. The thing is…till I met you…I didn't really get excited about the same sex."

Juliet found herself doing a double take and had to keep her eyes on the watery road before them. She made her excited…wow…that was heavy. She didn't know what to say and figured Beth would continue talking lest she was required to say something to make this less awkward…which she would do if it were needed. Thankfully Beth spoke…but when she did her voice was closer to her ear and her heart raced.

"Lucas turned down the invitation to go back to Texas…so…you want to be my plus one?" Beth ran her fingers along her shoulders and Juliet nodded her head before she could form a coherent thought into an actual answer.

"Yes Beth…yes I will go with you to Texas." Juliet figured there were plenty of hunters to help her train in Texas and she imagined with Lucas having turned down Texas this would give Lucas and Maya time to mature in their relationship.

"Great…we'll tell the happy couple when we get to the dock…for now…how about we try some of that kissing?" Juliet turned and was met with Beth's mouth. Kissing her back as she snuck her arms around her she managed to keep one eye ahead and one eye closed. The kissing was sensational and the feel of her body against hers was something else entirely. It was the perfect ending to a long trip and she could tell things from here would only get better.

THE END

Authors note: So there it is…I hope you all enjoyed reading this and I hope I didn't disappoint any with the Lucaya, which is my favorite pairing of Girl Meets World. Originally I went into this noting how there wasn't a lot of Lucaya in the Supernatural and from there ran with an idea I had. With sequels it is hard to tell how many have read the first story or decide to read the sequel beforehand, whatever your preference I hope it was satisfactory in the end. I wanted to send everyone off happily though it could have gone many ways. See you around.