6 months earlier...

Maya waved atFarkle, giving him a kiss on the cheek as hehurried out the door, "Bye,Farkley."

"Bye princess,"Farklecalled out, flicking the hood of his coat over his head, "Don't stay out too late."

She grinned, sliding her workbook into her back pack and leaning towards her art note book. She sat on a stool, leg tucked under her. Glancing around, Maya did a mental checklist in her mind. All the things she had to do at closing time if she wanted to avoid Topanga killing her. Rain fell heavy on the outside windows as Maya strolled around the café, checking the locks on the window panes. A loud thud startled her, sounding from the door she was locking. She leant around, peering out of the stores 'bay window', to see a bedraggled Lucas standing at the entrance. He knocked again, huddling further into his raincoat. She wrenched open the door, gasping as the cool air hit her face, "What are you doing here?"

"I didn't know where else to go," He shuddered, pulling his coat off.

She moved quickly, pouring him a cup of coffee from the stash she kept during her andFarkle's study session. She sat him down in the bay window, his teeth still chattering, and handed him the cup of coffee. She leant against his shoulder, "Tell me what happened."

"Me and Riley," He glanced down, "We broke up."

She gasped, "What happened?"

He shook his head, eyes darkening, "I just...I don't want to be alone."

Maya took out her phone, quickly texting Topanga,

Sure you've heard. I'mgonnastay with Lucas tonight. X M

"I'll come to yours," She decided, pulling him into a hug, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Are you sure?"

She smiled, pulling him up, "I would never leave you, Huckleberry."

A small smile played across his face as he took her hand, letting her drag him up. She threw his coat, "Let's get you home, changed and eating Pizza."

He laughed, "Sounds like a plan."

Maya groaned, pushing open the bathroom door. The cold air assaulted her exposed skin, making her shudder and wrap her towel tighter around her. She strolled into the lounge towards her room.

"Good morning," Maya jumped, squealing at Farkle.

He was sitting on the sofa, lazily reclining. Maya pointed accusingly, "How the hell are you still here?"

Lucas strode into the room, pulling on a pair of boxers, "I told him he could stay."

She grunted, slamming her bedroom door, "Of course you did."

She quickly pulled on a sweater and a pair of sweatpants, storming back into the lounge, "He better be buying food."

"He will," Lucas leaned over to hand her a cup of coffee, smirking, "What's got you all riled up?"

"I'm in a bad mood," She pouted, taking several gulps of the scalding liquid.

Lucas took a few steps back, "Time of the month bad or wrong side of bed bad?"

Farkle raised an eyebrow, looking over the top of the couch, "Surely that was offensive."

She rolled her eyes, "I need coffee bad."

"More on the way, darling," he drawled, refilling the coffee pot, "You gonna tell me why you're grumpy?"

She shrugged, "Didn't sleep well."

Farkle cleared his throat and gave Lucas a pointed look.

"What-" Lucas' frown morphed into worry, "Oh, right."

She glanced between them, "What are you to up too?"

"Well," Farkle began, "We figured that maybe you weren't sleeping well because it's so cold in the apartment."

She just raised an eyebrow so Lucas spoke up, "I wonder, Farkle. How could we solve that problem?"

Farkle stood up, joining Lucas in the kitchen, "I'm so glad you asked. You know what would be really warm?"

Lucas did his best commercial impression, "What, Farkle?"

Farkle looked at him, as if the idea had just occurred, "A loft!"

Maya stared, "What are you two clowns getting at?"

"Farkle is thinking of moving back to the city, now that he's done at MIT," Lucas was avoiding eye contact.

She narrowed her eyes, "So what?"

He ran a nervous hand through his hair, "I was thinking we could get a new apartment. Nicer one. Where we could all live."

"Let me get this straight," She pointed at them, "You two want us to move in together. In a loft."

"Catching on quick, Short stack," he mumbled still avoiding eye contact.

She took another sip, "Will I pay less rent?"

They nodded in unison, grinning. She sighed, "Fine. Have you got one in mind?"

"Woah there, short stack," Lucas reached out and grasped her waist, stopping her from hitting the floor. The world spun for a second, a wave of dizziness passing over her.

She looked up at him, letting herself fall onto his chest, "You're always saving me, Cowboy. My personal hero."

He chuckled, "How much have you had to drink?"

She held her hand up, showing him the space between her finger and thumb, "A little bit."

He frowned, "Something happen?"

She nodded, reaching up to lace her arms around his neck, "I had a fight withZay."

"Zay?" He moved her off to the side of the hallway, away from the bustle of people, "What happened?"

"He wants to quit school, go back to Texas," she mumbled, looking behind his shoulder.

"Hey," He moved her eyes to his, hand under her chin, "It's his decision."

She huffed, nodding, "It's just, we only have a month left. Vanessa isn't due for another four. He could easily graduate."

"I know," He grimaced, pulling her down to sit beside him, backs against the wall, "It'sZay. He doesn't listen."

She leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder, 'When did everything get so complicated, Huckleberry.FarkleandSmackle, and now this. What are wegonnado?"

He laced his fingers together, leaning his head against the wall, "We'vegottarespect their decision."

"Wow," she laughed out, "All of the ways you could have broken your stereotype, and you choose 'respect their decision'"

"Can't break out the box you've put me in now, Short stack. That would be too much hard work," He moved over her, snatching the red solo cup from her left hand.

"you're getting weak, Ranger Rick," she sneered, shoving him slightly with her shoulder.

"We can't all be as tough as you, Hart," He bumped her back.

"What are you two doing down there," An unsteadySmacklecame barreling down the deserted hallway.

Lucas stood quickly, catching her before she hit the floor. He guided her down with him to rest on his right side, "You two are a mess."

"We're having fun, stud,"Smacklegiggled, raising the cup in her hand.

Maya reached over, snatching the cup and taking a sip, "Yeah, cowboy. Do remember what that feels like?"

"I don't know," he grabbed at the cup, now holding both in his hands, "Do you remember what sober feels like?"

"Hahaha," she deadpanned, leaning an elbow on his shoulder, "Do you know where Riley went?"

"No idea," He mumbled, leaning into her.

Smacklehuffed out a breath, "I just sawFarkleflirting with some cheerleader."

Lucas looked over at her, resting an arm around her shoulders, "He's just a bit lost,Smackle. Break up hit him hard."

She glared at his arm, "I'm also lost. Is this really the time to be hitting on me?"

He chuckled, "Sorry, darling, I'll be on my way."

"I didn't say stop," She protested.

Maya stood, giggling down at Lucas' shocked expression, "You two are ridiculous."

Maya could hear the TV blasting from the lounge. She grinned, assuming the shouts were coming from Lucas and Farkle, and made her way into the kitchen. She set the grocery bags on the counter, turning to pour herself a cup of coffee.

Lucas had turned down the game of basketball, and was currently in the midst of a fully-fledged rant, "Sure, they aren't the greatest. Texas isn't known for its basketball. But when the Longhorns come, they come to play."

Maya laughed shaking her head. She froze at the next voice, "I'm sorry, man. I'm NYC, born and raise. If you're gonna back the Knicks, you have to stay for the Knicks."

Maya spun around, "Josh?"

The two men looked up, seeing her for the first time. Josh grinned, "Hey, you. I didn't hear you come in."

She smiled, confused, "Lucas' rants can get quite consuming. I'm not offended."

"You boy toy came to watch basketball, only to tell me he doesn't root for the Longhorns," Lucas sat back, disgruntled.

She shook her head, turning to Josh, "Why exactly are you here?"

"Cowboy invited me," he grinned.

Lucas raised his arm, beer bottle in hand, "I'm mending bridges."

She laughed, coming up behind Lucas to give him a hug, whispering a quiet, "Thank you," in his ear.

She came around the couch, settling in between the two men, "Who's winning?"

Lucas groaned, "Don't get me started."

She suppressed a giggle, glancing over at Josh. He gave her a dimpled grin, shifting to wrap his arm loosely around her shoulders, "He's very passionate."

"Shut your trap, Romeo," Lucas snapped, eyeing the TV.

She barked out a laugh, "The good guy façade fades quickly when basketball is concerned."

"I can see that," He glances down at her, "You have a good day?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Fantastic."

Maya lead Josh out of the door, shutting it behind her, "Thank you for that. Making an effort, I appreciate it."

Josh moved close, breath mingling with hers, "I'd do anything for you. You should know that by now."

She looked into his eyes, the sapphire of then nearly blinding her with its beauty, "I never did deserve you."

Josh moved forward quickly, pressing his mouth against hers. The kiss was sweet and soft, their mouths melding to together. He pulled her in, arm around her waist, his tongue swiping across the seam of her lips, begging for entrance. She sighed into him, arms coming up to thread her fingers through his hair. He groaned, pulling back, "I think it's the opposite, love."

She stared as her walked away. Why the hell did he keep doing that?

When she entered the living room, Lucas was sitting at the dining table, beer in hand, looking into space. She sidled up, "What's wrong?"

"Did Riley tell you everything? About what happened?"

"As much as she could," Maya replied, shocked at the sudden mood change.

Lucas scrubbed a hand through his hair, facing her, "She's right, you know."

"About what?" Maya was confused to say the least.

"You always came first. Always have. You still do."

Maya stilled, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying-" He faltered, taking a deep breath, "I'm saying that I love you."

"I love you too, Lucas. You know that."

He looked at her, eyes burning with something she couldn't quite place. He leant back in his chair, "I like him."

He continued to surprise her, "Who? Josh?"

"He makes you happy, I see that now," He reached for her hand, "You deserve to be happy, Short stack."

She gripped his hand in hers, "You're a strange little man. But, thank you."

She got up, ready to walk away. His voice stopped her in her tracks, "I choose you."

She spun around slowly, "Come again?"

He looked up, a genuine smile on his face, "All those years ago. When you lost yourself. When I had to pick between you two."

She nodded, "Yeah?"

"I picked you. Not the you that had become Riley. Not Riley. I chose you, you just weren't an option to begin with."

"Means a lot, Hop-along."

He grinned, "I just want you too know that if I could do it again, I'd choose you anyway, bring you back. That... That I pick you now, Maya."

She laughed, "You know, Friar. Me and you? We might be the two best friends their ever was."

"You could be right, Hart," He beamed back.

"Thunder?"

"Don't push you luck, Short stack," he moved quickly, throwing material placemat at her, "And go to bed."

Maya lifted the box at her side up further, struggling to maintain her grip. Lucas sidled up beside her, holding a box in each hand, "Can't keep up, Short stack?"

"Oh shut up," She snapped, readjusting the box, "We aren't all super human."

He chuckled, setting his down to help her, "Did you have a look at the rooms?"

"Yeah," Maya handed the box over to him, 'I want the one off the lounge."

He stared, "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Huckleberry."

He relented, "Fine."

She grinned, "You're such a softie."

He held up an arm, stopping her, "One condition. I get first shower every morning."

She reached to shake hisoutstretchedhand, "Deal."

Maya walked up the steps, knocking loudly on Josh's front door. A scuffle came from inside, the door opening on her, "Hey."

Maya narrowed her eyes as Josh peered around the door, not opening it fully, "What's up?"

"Didn't expect you."

Maya shrugged, "I thought I would surprise you."

"I... Uhm..." He scratched his head, shifting awkwardly.

Maya felt nausea in the pit of her stomach, "What's wrong? If you don't want to see me, it's fine."

He shot a look back inside of his apartment, "I'm just a little busy."

"Busy with what?"

"An unexpected visitor."

Maya tensed, grabbing the door handle and trying to pry it open. Josh stopped her, iron grip holding the door closed, "Maybe you should just go Maya."

"Who is it?"

His tone lowered in warning, "Maya."

The next time she tried to tug the door he didn't stop her. She flung it open, striding past him. She stopped in her tracks at the sight before her.

The woman in Josh's kitchen stood, eyes wide.

She felt Josh come up behind her as a wave of panic settled over her, "Katy."

She shuddered, turning to leave, stopped by her next words, "hey baby girl."

A/N: This chapter took awhileto write and I'm not sure if I even like it. Review?