"How are you feeling?" Riley asked in concern.

Zay slowly got up, wincing as he tried to ignore the pain in his lower abdomen. He was Heavily bandaged around his waist and was pretty fatigued this morning. He'd thought he got enough sleep in his oddly comfy hospital bed but his body said otherwise. If not for Riley being a good friend and showing up early in the morning, he probably would've gotten more rest. Though the company was happily welcomed.

"A little better. Fortunately it was nothing too fatal. That was honestly close." He shook his head still in shock as he remembered the events from last night. An ambulance had been called and it took a while to reach the airport with traffic being busy but they made it just in time.

"I'm just glad you're still here. If you died, I think I might actually have to be sent to jail." Riley giggled. Suddenly the door bust open.

"RILEY! I CAME AS FAST AS I COULD. IS ZAY ALRIGHT?! IS HE DEAD?!" Farkle rushed in searching around the room frantically, Owen not so far behind.

"He's fine, Farkle" She smiled. He sighed in relief.

"I wasn't even with you guys for not even a few hours and you all nearly got arrested." He said incredulously.

"We had to stop Lucas." Zay replied.

"Yeah, he was going to kill his father" Riley added.

"I understand that, but you should've told us that you three were doing something so reckless" Farkle said softly. Zay scoffed.

"We're the reckless ones? Did you not hear, Cowboy was going to kill his father!" He shouted, wincing again clutching his abdomen.

"You feeling any better?" Owen then spoke looking worried.

"I'll manage, nothing I can't handle" Zay rasped as he leaned back.

"I'm here for you, buddy." Owen reminded him, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. Zay gave a small smile.

"So where is the Cowboy and Cowgirl?" Zay asked.

"Maya's home. She said she "Doesn't want to deal with anything today" Riley replied.

"As for Lucas... I think he's still dealing with the authorities."

"If only he wasn't so stupid" Owen spoke.

"What if he doesn't tell them the truth about why he actually brought the gun. It could make matters worse, could it not" Farkle questioned. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought.

"Lucas is a very respectful guy... unless it comes to his father. I'm sure he'll come up with something. I don't think he'll tell the truth about Maya's mom and his dad. Then things would get really serious." Zay answered.

The four sat in silence as they though about everything. Zay eyes would droop ever so often, trying to stay awake. His wound ached every once in a while and he tried his best to ignore it.

"Are you sure you're ok?, Do we need to get the doctor or nurse or something?" Owen said suddenly. Zay waved him off reassuringly.

"I'm fine, really. Just a little tired is all."

"We'll let you rest then." Riley said as she went to grab her things. Farkle walked towards the door.

"I'll stay, he needs someone to keep him company" Owen told them as they left.

Zay was grateful that he had such caring friends. Owen had brought a some cards and his PlayStation. After he let Zay sleep, they spent the rest of the morning talking and playing games

"Riley." Farkle spoke.

She didn't answer. Whatever was on her mind kept her going. She walked fast and far ahead of him. He repeatedly called for her but she wasn't listening. He picked up speed, grabbing her wrist and turned her around.

"Riley!" He said again.

"What, Farkle."

"Calm down. You're walking really fast. Do you need to talk about something?"

"No, Farkle. Let's just go to Maya's."

"Riley. Something's bothering you. Talk." He demanded.

"We can talk about it when we're with Maya." She said.

He looked at her questioningly. Riley ran a stressed hand through her hair.

"I'm just bothered about the fact that Maya hid this from me. From us." She said quietly.

"It is Maya we're talking about. She doesn't like opening up to anyone." Farkle reminded

"But she's our best friend, Farkle. She should've come to us. This would've been solved quicker and safer and Zay wouldn't have been shot and possibly killed."

"Maybe it was for your own safety." He guessed. Riley looked at him confused.

"Well, if Lucas' dad was the one that raped Maya. He probably would've gone after you too." He clarified.

Riley stared at Farkle incredulously, pondering on what he said. What if he was right. The two stood in silence. He watched her worriedly. If he was right... He probably would've been put in jail too.

Maya woke up to a notification of her phone, A text message from Riley telling her that Farkle and Her were on their way there. Letting out a yawn, she got out of her bed wearily and trudged downstairs to where she knew May would be. When she found that she wasn't though, she called out questioningly. Looking around, She found a note on the kitchen island.

"I had to open up the bakery. There's food in the kitchen, make yourself something nice. If not, get your ass over here and work the register" Maya rolled her eyes, deciding she didn't want to eat anyway, shot Riley a quick message telling her to meet up at May's Bakery. She headed upstairs to quickly take a shower and get dressed for the day.

"Can I go on break now, I've been working for an hour." Maya whined. May rose an eyebrow.

"Maya, you've worked the register for 10 Minutes."

"It's been only 10 minutes?!" She fake cried. May rolled her eyes.

"I'm not paying you to slack, hun"

"Am I even supposed to work today?" She groaned.

"No." May replied simply. Maya looked up happily as she was about to get ready to leave.

"But..." May continued. Maya frowned.

"This is what you're going to be doing since you got into a little trouble with the police" May said.

"I don't even deserve any punishment. We were just trying to stop Lucas from going to Texas with a gun." She complained then quickly snapped her mouth shut. May stared at her wide eyed.

"He had a gun with him?" She asked incredulously.

"Uh... No I said" Maya Stammered. "I-I said we were trying to stop Lucas from going to Texas without any fun?" She smiled innocently. May shook her head disapprovingly.

"We will discuss this Later, Maya." She walked off back to the kitchen.

Maya slouched against the countertop as she waited for Farkle and Riley. Boredly taking customer's orders and answering phones, constantly reminding Idiots that this isn't Topanga's. She looked up as door bells jingled, Her two friends entering the bakery.

"Yeah so lemme get a Big Mac with some large fries..." Farkle joked, Maya snorted.

"Sorry Farks, not on the menu" She responded

"Darn" He replied with a frown.

"Peaches, I didn't know you were working today" Riley said as her and Farkle took a seat by the counter.

"I'm not supposed to." Maya sighed boredly taking another order. "May's just making me work." The two friends nodded understandingly.

"So what brings you guys here?" Maya asked.

"We just came from the hospital. Zay's feeling better" Farkle replied. Maya smiled hearing that her friend is fairing well.

"Was the would fatal?"

"It wasn't too bad, his medications got him extra sleepy though. Owen's over there right now keeping him company." He explained.

"As long as he's getting better." Maya smiled, Farkle nodded in agreement. Riley fidgeted with her hands as she couldn't decide whether or not to speak on what Farkle said on their way there.

"What's the real reason you didn't tell me you were being raped, Maya?" Riley asked suddenly. Maya's eyes widened at the unexpected question.

"Excuse me?-"

"Why did you hide something so big from me? What's the real reason you didn't tell me?"

Riley's eyebrows furrowed I'm confusion.

"Riley we talked about this already you know why." Maya sighed.

"Because you wanted to protect me." Riley stated. Maya watched her warily

"Farkle said that you could possibly be protecting me so that Lucas' dad doesn't go after me too."

Maya averted her gaze to Farkle, He only shrugged sheepily. Riley gently took Maya's hand in hers to get back her attention.

"Was he right?" She questioned. Maya could only stay silent.

"Peaches, were you trying to protect me?"

"I don't know... yes?... Maybe?"

"Maya, For whatever reason why you couldn't tell us, you know that you can trust us" Farkle cut in.

"You know we're here for you and you know that we'd do anything to help. So why would you hide behind those walls you put up and not say anything?"

"Hello?"

"Is anyone there?"

Maya slightly looked up, recognizing the familiar voice of the brown male.

"Zay?" She spoke. her voice just barely above a whisper. Zay looked up at her horrified.

"Maya?!"

She was nude, bruised head to toe. A little trace of blood down her chin. Her sides brightened with blue and purple hand marks. Her eye black and blue. She could barely stand. Her blue eyes now pale as if all the life was sucked out of her. From things that happened in the past Zay quickly picked up on what happened. Lucas' dad did this. He's raped Vanessa before, He's raped Bella. He knows it's Mr. Friar that did this.

"Maya he didn't go all the way did he?" Zay asked holding on to hope that she still had some little innocence left from all this. She was barely able to shake her head no but he understood. He let go of a breath of relief not knowing that he was holding it in. He was glad she didn't lose it that way. He unchained her cuffs from her wrist and her ankles. Her wrist glowed bright red as did her ankles. She fell loosely, Zay quickly reached for her and let her down carefully before getting up to grab a blanket to cover her in. She cried silently as the tears flowed down her bruised cheeks. He came back with the blanket and helped her cover as she was too sore to even move.

"Maya how did this happen?. how did you end up here?" Zay asked incredulously.

"I-I don't know. One minute I was home trying to defend my mom from this man and n-now I'm here. I don't know." She cried hard. Zay rubbed her back soothingly.

"Ok ok. We're going to get you to a hospital. We're going to get you checked out." She nodded tiredly.

Zay's lucky he was able to convince his dad to let him inside the house instead of his dad for an errand. His dad lost trust in Mr. Friar after what happened to Vanessa.

Zay has always been a nosy person and when he found a door open that he's never seen before of all the times he's been here he couldn't help but peek. He's sure as hell glad he found it. He needed to get her out quickly, Lucas' dad is probably still out talking to his dad.

"Ok we need to get you out of here quickly, while Lucas' dad is still distracted" Zay said as he put her arm around her shouler picked her up bridal style. It's a good thing I took those ballet classes and spent those hours lifting up beautiful women cause man I probably would've been so out of shape, he thought to himself.

He rushed up the stairs as fast and as quiet as he could with Maya as added on weight. Thankfully Mr. Friar was out in the driveway still talking to his dad. Zay looked around for Mrs. Friar. She sat on the recliner reading a novel.

"Mrs Friar, we have an emergency and we need to go now!" Zay said urgently. Mrs Friar looked up in confusion until she saw the heavily injured blonde barely able to keep her eyes open. Mrs. Friar wasted no time in getting up and grabbing her car keys. She didn't ask questions till they were in the car in the garage. They'd wait in the car and Zay would watch through the garage window to see if his father left. He sent him a text saying he was staying to help a friend. He wouldn't ever lie to his father and told him the truth. He knows his dad wouldn't keep him from good deeds and he knows Mr. Friar wouldn't mind him staying. Him and Lucas would have their own guy sleepovers occasionally too.

Why nobody would ever call the cops on Mr. Friar to get him arrested was beyond him. But he knows he'll get caught one day.

His dad pulled out the driveway and Mr. Friar walked back inside. Zay quickly rushed into the passenger seat, buckling up his seat belt. His leg shook as he was impatiently waiting for the garage door to open. It seems like it's been hours.

The door finally opened and Mrs. Friar quickly pulls out the driveway. Zay stares out the window as the garage door closes back and the house becomes farther and farther away.

"Zay..." Maya speaks. He turns around instantly gaining her attention.

"Riley, Farkle, Lucas. They can't know."

"But-" He was about to protest.

"They can't know Zay." She repeats again as she starts to cry.

"Sweetie we have to at least tell the hospital" Mrs. Friar jumps in.

"No... Tell them I was beat up by these groups of girls" Maya said. Zay stared at her incredulously.

"I'm serious Zay. They can never know"

Mrs. Friar glances at Zay worriedly. He shares the same look. Why no one ever just turns in Mr. Friar is beyond him.

He pauses for a moment.

Wait a second.

"Maya, Where's your mom?"

"Maya?" Riley waves her hand side to side in her face. She must have zoned out again. Riley and Farkle Watched her in concern.

"Sorry" She apologized as she snapped back to reality.

"I am seriously disappointed in you Lucas" his mom says furiously.

"I mean for god sakes Luke, A gun?! What the hell where you thinking. Where the hell did you get that gun from" She asked. Lucas only glared out the window.

"I thought I taught you better than that. You're lucky your uncle works as a security guard and let you off with a warning." Mrs. Friar shook her head still in disbelief at her sons antics.

"Boy I outta put you in the shed right now!" She spat.

"Look I'm sorry Mama, but we need to do something about that asshole!" He finally spoke.

"You watch your mouth young man. You don't speak about your father like that." She warned.

"I dont care. I'm tired of him messing with the people that I care about. Somethin' needs to be done" He argued.

"Somethin' does need to be done but that does not mean that you have to go and kill your father!" She argued back. Lucas sat silently watching the road with a glare.

"You are grounded for 3 months mister. I don't want you out of the house or anywhere besides school and when you finish with school you come right back home. You don't go to anyone's house and I don't want anyone of your friends at my house. You hear?"

"But I have baseball-"

"Am. I. Clear." She cut him off.

"Yes, Ma'am" He says quietly accepting defeat.

"Good."

And the rest of the ride went silent from there