Maya watched on anxiously from the wings of the stage as Josh performed. He worked his solo to death back in the studio and Maya knew he was going to give it his all. He hit every single beat and pulled almost every single trick out of his hat. Before she knew it, his thirty second solo was over. Breathing hard, Josh took a bow on the stage and exited swiftly. The show continued on as per usual, allowing each dancer a chance to perform. In the last ten minutes of the show, Zay called all the contestants back onstage, including those who were told that they were safe.

Josh carefully and quickly studied Zay's body language and took note of everything going on, including the frantic running and very concerning looks he saw on the production teams' faces backstage. Quickly realizing that something awry was going on Josh turned his attention back to Zay and saw him look offstage multiple times. Zay never did that. He was always so calm, cool and collected that nothing ever seemed to faze him when he was working. The cameras were on, the lights were shining, and the audience looked onstage curiously sensing that something was wrong. Zay cleared his throat and held his hand up to his ear, listening to his ear piece while on the air.

Looking back at the dancers next to him Zay threw them all an apologetic look. "Excuse me everyone," he began into the microphone. "I'm afraid that there has been a terrible mixup this evening. I'm afraid that this evenings results were incorrect in regard to who was safe and who was in danger this evening."

An audible gasp could be heard collectively amongst everyone in the building. "It was previously stated that both Josh and Adam were in the bottom this evening. That is not the case." Maya's eyes darted to Josh grateful that he was safe but knew what was coming next. "I'm afraid that both Maya and Alexa are in fact in the bottom tonight." Maya looked down at the ground and nodded her head slowly, she was right. "The judges have decided that in light of this mixup that both Maya and Alexa will be given chances to dance tonight. We will take a brief one minute break once we finish here and then after that, everyone at home will have only five minutes to cast their votes on who to save tonight."

Zay turned to both Maya and Alexa and again apologized. "I'm so sorry ladies. You may exit the stage to prepare for your solos."

Josh looked on in horror and relief as he saw Maya walk offstage. As Zay concluded the show to its commercial break, Josh ran off the stage immediately searching for Maya. Spotting her in front of the mirror she was in prior to the beginning of the show, Josh ran over to her. "Maya," he began breathless.

Maya turned to him and smiled. "Its okay Josh," she soothed. "This was always a possibility I just have to-"

"But not like this!" Josh interjected. "There has to be something that I can do! This can't be right! I have to-" Josh was frantic before Maya cut him off with a kiss.

"It's okay," Maya repeated. "I'm fine. You're fine. No matter what this will all be fine." A production assistant backstage called out ten seconds to air. "Just breathe. That's what I did during your solo. Come on. Come watch me."

Throughout the entirety of Maya's solo Josh held his breath, doing the exact opposite of what Maya requested. From the moment she began to the moment she ended, he didn't make a single move. The five minutes after her solo were pure torture. He completely maxed out the number of votes he could do from his cellphone. He even tried to take Maya's so that he could vote but she stopped him. "Josh," she warned. "Don't. I was nervous earlier tonight but I'm not anymore. I have you. I've spent so much time running from this, from us that nothing else matters because I have you and don't get me wrong I would love to win," Maya took a deep breath. "But trust me I think I've gotten enough exposure to last a lifetime but you? You're gonna be America's Best Dancer this time next week and you are going to be amazing."

Maya took Josh's hands into hers and kissed them. "I know you're wondering why I'm so calm. It's all I ever used as an excuse to not take us seriously. But I don't want everything that comes along with this. I do want to dance. That hasn't changed but I just feel like my path in the industry is going to be different than what this show may take me on and I need you to trust me on that."

Josh didn't understand. He didn't know if there would be a time he ever would but he did know that he had to support her. Fighting every bone in his body that said she was wrong he relented. "Okay," he responded quietly. Maya reached up and gave him a slow, yet strong kiss. "I love you," he whispered as her head rested on his chest.

"I love you too."

The five minutes was up. Maya was called back onto the stage with the rest of the dancers who were at risk of elimination. The tension in the room was at an all time high as Zay began. "Good Evening America. We are here with our bottom six dancers. Only two will be moving on in next weeks finale. I will be calling out two names. Those two will compete in next weeks finale against Adam and Josh for the title of America's Best Dancer." Zay opened up the envelope in his hand and took a deep breath before reading out the names.

"The two dancers competing next week are," it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"Ryan and Alexa."

There was a shock that went through the audience. No one expected Maya to be eliminated. Not Josh, not the judges, not Katy, no only person who was ready for it was Maya. This was the end of the road for her in this competition and she couldn't be more proud of the journey she had.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Josh asked as he lay there with Maya that evening after the show.

Nodding quietly Maya nestled her head into his shoulder and melted into his arms. "I'm actually kind of relieved," she admitted. "I don't think I every truly wanted to win the whole thing. I just wanted a chance at the end of the day and that's what I got."

Frowning Josh said, "I don't get it. How could you not want to win this thing?"

Maya shrugged. "I just don't. Besides I really don't want anyone else feeling like they know so much about me." Josh threw her a confused look. "I'm talking about all the media attention we've gotten." Josh nodded in understanding as Maya continued. "You're honestly great with it. Me? Not so much. I just want to enjoy everything again and I think being eliminated is the first step towards that."

"I'm not gonna lie to you I can't even wrap my mind around what I would be doing if I had just been eliminated. Especially so close to the end. I'd honestly be devastated but I can understand your point." Deciding to change the subject Josh kissed Maya's forehead and pulled her in even closer. "I don't even want to talk about this anymore. Wanna just lay here and enjoy each other's company?"

Laughing into his chest Maya said, "I think that's the best thing you've said all night."

The couple lounged around enjoying each other's company not even realizing what storm was brewing just inside their cellphones that sat a few feet away from them.