The dance studio air was sticky and moist as the sound of sneakers squeaking against its wood floors filled the room. Heavy breathing and panting entered the air space as the pounding rhythm shook the room with its volume. "One and two and three and four." The choreographer's voice hit every single count as all the dancers ran through the steps over and over again. Strands of Maya's blonde hair stuck to the sides of her face with little beads of sweat as Josh's hands found themselves on her hips. They moved together with the counts and melted into each other's touch.

The sound of the choreographer's voice drowned out quietly as everyone else in the room stopped dancing, enamored by the way the couple moved with each other. The counts still going, Josh and Maya finished dancing and were left standing chest to chest breathing in sync. Blue eyes stared into blue eyes as they smiled softly, taking in the moment. Thunderous applause erupted around them as their attention was drawn away from each other and back to everyone in the room around them. Blushing, Maya took a look around them and met the eyes of her fellow dancers and cast mates. "Sorry guys."

Mina, their choreographer laughed and walked up to the two and placed her hands on each of their shoulders. "Don't apologize. Now that was the kind of chemistry that got you two the lead roles in this film. Trust me the producers will be nothing short of pleased when they see that kind of chemistry on set next week." Turning her attention towards everyone else in the room she continued. "That was great everyone. Let's take five and we'll run through everything again."

Everyone around them dispersed into their own corners with mindless chatter filling up the room. Josh, who had moved his hands back down to Maya's hips smiled. "We kind of killed that."

Maya rolled her eyes and walked over to her bag in the corner of the room with Josh trailing behind her. "This is all still so crazy to me. I mean look at where we are Josh."

Bringing her water bottle up to her lips Maya took a sip as Josh responded. "In another dance studio?"

Josh smiled wickedly as Maya playfully punched his stomach, her fingers running into his white undershirt that he had covering his very chiseled physique. "Haha you're so funny. You know what I mean. We're in Georgia of all places getting ready to film a dance movie that stars us! That's fucking insane if you ask me."

Josh shrugged his shoulders and took up his own bottle. "Is it really though? Or is it destiny? I mean we did meet on a nationally televised dance show. So us filming this movie doesn't seem too far off. Don't you think?"

Maya sighed and placed her bottle back down on the ground before placing her hands on her slightly exposed hips as her grey sweatpants sat just below them. "You do have a point." Looking up at Josh she caught a knowing look in his eye. "Okay you always have a point, but regardless this is-"

"Unbelievable?"

"Unbelievable."

Josh took his free hand and placed it gently on his girlfriend's lower back. The pads of his fingers touched her bare skin, creating a comforting touch that Maya had quickly grown to love over time. Her blue sports bra that exposed her toned stomach blended with the cool tones of her skin making her glow beautifully. Completely enthralled by her beauty Josh was something that he honestly never was, quiet. Breaking his own silence, Josh bended his head down and kissed Maya's forehead. "I'm glad I get to go through this with you."

Maya's eyes closed as she felt Josh's lips press up against her forehead. "I appreciate your admiration but you just kissed my very sweaty forehead." Josh rolled his eyes as he playfully unwrapped his arm from around Maya. "Hey," she protested. "Put that back." Maya pulled his arm back and kissed his cheek. "There. That should hold you over until later."

Josh smiled big as he noticed everyone moving again since their five minutes were now up. "Come on gorgeous. We should get back to work."

.:.

As the day went on Josh and Maya rehearsed for hours. Tired was not even the word as everyone left rehearsals that night. Josh and Maya were leaving the studio hand in hand with some of the other dancers as the cool fall air around them settled against their skin. "We'll see you guys tomorrow!" Josh called out as they all parted ways. Josh led Maya to the car they were given to drive around in while they were down in Georgia filming over the next few months. Taking her bag off her shoulder, that she insisted upon carrying, he opened her car door for her. Once she was in, Josh made his way to the driver's seat and started the engine. "Today went pretty well."

The cool air from the air conditioning hit Maya's skin, creating little goosebumps along it as Josh began to drive. Maya nodded and let out a deep breath. "Yeah it did. I'm just exhausted." Frowning, she turned her head to stare out the window, allowing silence to fall between them.

Josh looked over at Maya as he drove and sighed, sensing her worry. As they reached a red light he brought up his hand and used it to brush a hair out of her face. "What are you thinking about right now?"

Rolling her head so that she could now see Josh she reached up and took his one hand into hers as the light changed. The steady rhythm of the car vibrated underneath her as she spoke. "The dancing I'm not worried about at all. It's the whole acting part. Which I know is stupid considering the fact I signed on for the female lead in a movie but I just-" Maya closed her eyes shut in frustration as she sorted through the thoughts in her head. "I know I can do this. I wouldn't have said yes if I felt like I couldn't. I just don't want to disappoint anyone you know? There are producers and investors and then we have our directors and I-"

Not noticing that the familiar hum of the engine stopped, Maya opened her eyes and noticed that they were already home. "Maya," Josh began as he turned to look at her. "You are going to think yourself to death if you keep doing this. I'm here for you always. You know that. Besides aren't you lucky that the guy starring opposite of you is so stoked to be doing this that he'll rehearse lines with you whenever you want?"

Maya took her hand and ran it across Josh's cheek. "That I am." Leaning forward over the center console Maya smiled in Josh's face before taking her hand to lead his lips to hers. "Your support means the world to me," she whispered.

"You're gonna be amazing. I hope you know that."

"Thanks to you I'll never forget it."

Entering their apartment given to them by the studio for the duration of filming, Josh threw their keys on the console table and took Maya into his arms as soon as the door locked shut behind them. Humming to himself quietly he waltzed them around the room, feeling satisfied as he heard Maya's laugh enter his ears. Slowing their waltz to a smooth stop, Josh lifted Maya's chin so that his lips hovered over hers. "I love you."

"I love you more."

Before their lips could meet, he threw her over his shoulder and laughed as he felt her yell at him to put her down. "I'm helping you relax! What good is the star of the movie if she's so stressed huh?"

Laughing, Maya's smile reached the apples of her cheeks as she relented. "Fine! See I'm not stressed anymore! So you can put me down now baby."

Feeling accomplished, he set her down and ran his fingers through her long, blonde hair. "Can I cash in on my kiss now?"

Rolling her eyes, Maya grabbed Josh's undershirt into her hands and pulled him down into a very passionate kiss. Her soft pink lips met his as they wrestled with their mouthes for dominance. Josh's tongue licked her bottom lip subtly as their kiss grew more and more intense. Opening her mouth slightly Maya let Josh's tongue slip in. Hoisting Maya up onto his waist, Josh led her over to the couch and sat down so that she now straddled him. Before things got too heated, Maya pulled away and rested her head against his. "Thoughts?"

Trying to handle his 'excitement' Josh took a deep breath before responding. "You should kiss me like that every night."

Maya laughed softly before kissing him gently once more. "Come on. We should get to bed. We have a long day tomorrow."

Josh groaned as Maya got off his lap and disappeared into their bedroom. The months that followed their reunion in New York were blissful. They had spent countless hours together, even going as far as to meet each other's families. It was like a dream that he didn't want to wake up from but with the impending publicity and news that was starting to surround their movie Josh grew nervous. He liked the life that they were living and he didn't mind if it changed but he didn't want it to change Maya's opinion on them.

They're only in the the pre production stages of the movie process. New versions of the script were constantly coming out and there were rounds of intense choreography daily. Before they'd know it they'd have to start promoting the film and dealing with all the attention that comes along with it and Josh didn't want to lose Maya in the scope of all of it. Sure, she'd been doing better since their time on the show. She meant it when she said that she'd try despite the circumstances and she had been, but if it got to be too much Josh couldn't help but wonder if she'd run.

There was no doubt that he loved her but he needed to have faith in her. He needed to remind himself that the Maya with him tonight was not the same Maya from a year ago. She'd changed and times had changed and he needed to believe that. Sitting on the couch he did his best to ease his worries but there was only so much he could do on his own. Only time could truly change his mind.

And indeed, time would but not how anyone expected.

A/N: Welcome to Second Dance! I'm proud to announce that this is the companion piece and direct sequel to First Dance and I'm SO excited for you guys to read this and see Josh and Maya's latest adventure in filming this movie. I already have the story planned out so now I'm ready to write! Please leave your thoughts and comments for this first chapter, I always love reading and responding to your reviews they help motivate me! In other news, I'm also really happy to announce that this is the second story in a trilogy for these characters so I hope that makes some of you happy! I know it makes me happy. Also, check out my other story title The Outsiders, the sequel to that, The Guardians, should be coming either today or in the next few days! Happy reading!