A/N Hello again! Yes, I was heartbroken not to see Josh in New Years but Uriah tweeted today that he is healed now! Not counting on him being in the season finale, but stranger things have happened! The important thing is the actor is safe and healthy.

Thanks for continuing to read this little ditty. I am already well into its continuation, but more on that later.

This chapter is dedicated to my girl Lauren, who actually thinks I am talented at fanfics. You are the best, sweet girl!

Part XII

Midnight (again)

Maya sat in the same position by the living room window and sketched the night sky when Josh entered the room. She heard his soft footsteps, put down her sketch pad, and turned to smile at him as he walked over and sat down next to her.

"Hey there" she said.

"Hi" Josh replied.

"Okay, add this to the list: we are NOT doing the goofy Hi/Hey thing. That is all 'Riley and Lucas' and I want NO part of that" she said with a small laugh.

"Deal" Josh confirmed, grateful her humor had broken their awkward silence "Are you okay? I could tell something was up at dinner and then I saw Riley-"

Maya nodded "Yeah…so she knows. She figured it out on her own and then 'ring powered' the details out of me."

Josh let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding "Ah. Ring power, of course. And she…"

"She's Riley. She's worried and confused and upset I kept a secret, but we're fine. We'll always be fine" Maya said definitively. She looked at him hesitantly, worried he would be upset at her for revealing their deal to his niece.

Josh smiled to reassure her and put his hand on top of hers between them "Oh believe me I know, Maya, and I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Good" Maya replied. Lucas got the picture pretty easily but not too many other guys would be able to understand the bond she and Riley shared.

"And at dinner?" Josh asked.

Maya looked down "It was just…weird, I guess, after today."

"I guess an alternate reality and actual reality can't co-exist in the same place" Josh nodded.

"Very profound, Stephen Hawking" Maya said with a giggle. She scooted over to sit closer to Josh and rested her head on his chest as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Any regrets?" Josh asked.

Maya looked up and him with a smile "How could you ask me that right now? This is an absolute perfect moment. Ask me that tomorrow when we are back to reality."

"Okay, Gorgeous" Josh agreed and the two sat and quietly talked for a few hours before they both started to nod off and realized they should go to bed.

As they stood and faced each other, the previous evening crept into their memories. Here in 'the loophole' with the dark and silence to aid in their escape from reality anything was possible. Too tired to be rational Josh held her close and kissed her lips softly.

Maya was stunned at first but quickly lost herself in the moment as she returned his kiss, standing on her tip toes to reach him. Her hands rested on his shoulders as he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. She looked up at him and her eyes met his, locked in their typical and magical gaze. She smiled but her bottom lip trembled, trying to keep from doing an embarrassing squeal. But to be fair, she was 15 and this was her first REAL kiss.

Maya summoned all of her 'cool' and casually said "I always hoped you would be my first kiss, Joshua Matthews."

Josh's grin widened on his face with her confession and he replied "Really?" when she nodded against him he continued "That's a lot of pressure. Hopefully I didn't disappoint."

Maya jerked back and grabbed his face in her hands "Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, about today was more than I ever could have dreamed of, Josh" she dropped her hands and he embraced her in a warm hug similar to last nights as she continued "I just wish it never had to end."

Josh pulled away and said good night to Maya with a kiss on her forehead. They slowly separated and their own way, knowing that their brief escape from reality ended tomorrow.

To be continued…