Usually, darkness is characterized as something that hides things, but in the moment - as Maya walked alone to the Matthews' apartment at 2:00 AM - darkness was revealing the dangers known to describe New York City.

Maya's section of the neighborhood would be recognized as a stereotypical "rough" part of town. Weathered, boarded-up tenements stretched their shadows through the light from the street lamps. Here and there, a person sat on the steps of those buildings or on the sidewalks, their legs sprawled out as they rested their elbows on their knees and softly released smoke from their lips.

Cops were parked on the curbs, listening to the police scanner and watching for criminals or any suspicious silhouettes. Maya never had a reason to avoid them, but tonight, she was trying to hide herself from their line of vision, as a teenage girl walking around the city in the darkest morning hours would be pretty questionable.

She knew it was stupid to have convinced herself to even go to the Matthews' place in the middle of the night. She felt ridiculous for being so stubborn in resisting help from her mom, but she would rather feel that way instead of letting her mom rub her back as she threw up or comfort her in any way. It was uncomfortable for her to think about, thanks to the state of the relationship between the two of them.

Nevertheless, Maya felt a little bad that she didn't have anyone's shoulder to lay her head on. She sort of wanted someone to comfort her while she was feeling so sick.

"Maya?"

The familiar voice sounded nearby yet muffled, and as Maya jumped and glanced around with panic, she heard a car door open. Across from where she stood on the sidewalk, Shawn Hunter was coming around his car, looking completely shocked.

"Shawn?" Maya questioned, watching him approach her. "What are you doing here?"

"You're asking the wrong person, Maya," Shawn said. "What are you doing here? It's 2:00 AM."

Maya shrugged awkwardly.

"That's not an answer," Shawn retorted firmly. His tone was defensive and upset - like a father's voice. "Why are you out here right now?"

"I was going to Riley's place," Maya responded as casually as she could.

"Again, why?"

After watching another shrug come as a response, Shawn rolled his eyes and sighed. He was stupid enough to do the exact same thing back in Philly as a teenager, and a couple times, he had gotten into trouble. He didn't want Maya to get anywhere close to that same position.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his tone softened yet still impatient.

"I'm fine," Maya said coolly.

"Look, Maya," Shawn began, stepping closer and placing his hand on her shoulder. "When I was your age in Philly, I would go out at night sometimes, too, restless and anxious for something that I didn't even recognize. As a result, I got into trouble with the police. Two times. I would hate to see you go there."

Maya still only felt comfortable responding with silence, unsure of what she should say. She looked up and smiled shyly, as he grinned back. "Thanks."

"Come get in the car, its really cold out here."

Shawn led her to the curb, opening the door to let her inside. They both sat in the front seat, warm air erasing their goosebumps and soft jazz playing on the radio.

"So, can you tell me what's wrong?" Shawn asked gently.

"You didn't tell me why you were here," Maya smiled, looking over at him to see if he'd answer.

"Oh, I'm just in New York for a couple days, waiting on another assignment. Cory doesn't know I'm here yet, I just came into the city about half an hour ago."

Sitting in awkward silence for a few moments, Shawn and Maya remembered how little progress they'd made in their relationship so far. Tonight was an opportunity to bond.

"I guess we're playing some kind of questions and answers game, huh?" Shawn chuckled, glancing over at Maya. "That means it's your turn to-"

Maya suddenly turned to grab the door handle, speaking under her breath quickly, "Hold on-"

"Wait, Maya!"

Shawn watched Maya sprint off, turning around and jumping out of the car to follow her. He was startled as he heard retching and saw her bent over in an alley, throwing up all of a sudden.

With hesitation, he came next to her and tried to pat her back, but during the little amount time in which he had become acquainted with her, she seemed to him like someone who would kill you if you showed any sympathy towards her.

Ashamed to have thrown up in front of him, Maya stood with her back facing Shawn after she was finished, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and gathering deep breaths to distract herself from feeling embarrassed. She cringed, yet didn't retaliate, as he placed his hand on her back and surprisingly - to both her and himself - started softly rubbing it.

"You alright?" He asked.

Maya nodded, turning around yet avoiding eye contact.

"Are you sick, or was that just random?"

"I've been sick all day," Maya responded hoarsely, clearing her throat.

"Does that have anything to do with your going to the Matthews'? Do they know you're sick?"

Maya nodded.

"Does your mom?"

"Yeah, she does," Maya said, suddenly feeling a little more open to talking with Shawn, as she remembered with frustration her and her mom's relationship. "I don't want her to take care of me, though."

"So you want the Matthews' to?"

Maya shook her head. "Not really."

With a small, thoughtful smile, Shawn asked, "Do you want me to?"

Maya looked up with surprise, quickly showing him a shy smile as she glanced down towards the ground.

That was the only way she responded.