A/N: So, here is the next chapter. Sorry I took a bit longer this time, but classes started up again and my time to write was sadly cut short. Some of the dialogue is from the episode "Girl Meets Hurricane". Thanks again for all of your feedback, I really enjoy reading your reviews. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Girl Meets World characters.

Piece by Piece

But piece by piece he collected me (II)

"But piece by piece, he collected me up

Off the ground, where you abandoned things"

Shawn Hunter was currently having the time of his life. After being gone on a long trip for work, Shawn finally had his first completely free day in weeks and he didn't think there was a anywhere he would rather be spending it than right here. Since Topanga had invited Katy to come along with her on a spa retreat – a gift from her husband – the boys had decided to grab the kids and take them out for a day of fun. And that was he found himself at Coney Island on a beautiful late Saturday morning.

The whole day was planned out and all of them were positively bubbling with excitement. Little Auggie was dying to ride the bumper cars while Riley was excited to go on the Thunderbolt. Maya had told Shawn that she really wanted to have a ride on the Wonder Wheel – the girl was looking forward to the view from the top, maybe it would inspire her next art piece – and Shawn was fine with all of it, as long as the kids were happy. Cory had put in the request that their last stop just had to be the Coney Island Cyclone. In the end, Shawn had made a list, ensuring that everyone would get their wish.

Their last-minute addition sadly couldn't have his preferences included on the list, but he didn't mind. Completely out of the blue, Josh Matthews had shown up at the Matthews' doorstep that morning, wanting to spend some time with his big brother – and if you asked Shawn, to see a particular blonde. So, without further ado, they had taken the boy along with them.

First stop were the bumper cars. Now, because Auggie wasn't old enough to drive one on his own, it was decided that they would split up into teams: Auggie would be riding with Josh; Maya would be riding with Riley; and Shawn would be riding with Cory. However, some people had their objections to this particular plan.

"You sure you wouldn't rather share a car with your big sister, Auggie?" Maya asked sweetly – just looking out for the boy, of course. "It would be no problem at all if you wanted to trade partners.

"Trying to get rid of me there, Peaches?" Riley asked with raised eyebrows.

"Not at all, honey," Maya assured. "I'm just worried about poor little Auggie."

"Why would you be worried about Auggie?" Riley asked, oblivious to her best friend's true intentions.

"Yeah, it's not like he would be driving with you," Josh teased while crossing his arms and smirking at the blonde.

"Very funny, Uncle Boing." Maya rolled her eyes.

"Still not your uncle, Maya." Josh mirrored her expression.

"Anyway, as I was saying," Maya tried again. "Your uncle here just seems like a reckless driver. And I would willingly put myself in peril to spare the life of sweet, innocent, little August here. I couldn't let anything happen to him, I just love the little guy." Maya hugged her best friend's little brother tightly from behind.

"Maya! You're crushing me with your love!" Auggie protested while trying to wiggle free. Riley, gradually catching on to what her best friend was doing, just grinned.

"Hey, I'm not a reckless driver!" Josh exclaimed, clearly offended. "And you know that! You've driven with me once before, remember."

"Of course, I do, honey," Maya said soothingly. "But you know …"

"Okay, kids. Stop it," Cory interjected. "No changing partners! And nobody even think about stealing Shawnie from me. He's mine."

"Oh boy," Riley groaned. "Good thing, Mom isn't here."

"Hold on there just a second, Cor," Shawn suddenly said and Cory gasped. "I seem to remember very clearly that you yourself said you had a new partner in crime." Shawn gestured towards a grinning Riley. "So, I think it would only be fair if you teamed up with her."

"Shawnie!" Cory gasped. "I am shocked! Is that a knife I feel sticking out of my back?"

"Only throwing your own words back at you." Shawn turned to Maya. "What do you say, kiddo? You on my team?"

A mischievous grin spread across Maya's face. "You bet ya." Shawn gave the girl a side hug. "You're going down, Matthews."

"Don't worry, Dad," Riley assured a pouting Cory. "Those two don't stand a chance."

"Yeah." Cory nodded. "Let's get them!"

The battle between the four best friends was ruthless and, in the end, no one could say exactly who won. Josh had been wise enough to stay clear of his brothers for most of the time, indeed making sure that Auggie was safe. Instead, the two boys had quarreled with some strangers (two guys about Josh's age driving with their respective younger brothers) while keeping a close eye on the other four members of their own group. Both father-(figure)/daughter teams were well-matched and the two cars were spinning around the floor without stopping, barreling towards each other any chance they got. Josh and Auggie just shook their heads at them, laughing. When their time was up and they left their cars, Josh and Auggie looked exhilarated and refreshed while the other four looked like they needed to lie down.

"See," Cory said, a little drowsy. "That happens when you split up Cory and Shawn."

"And Riley and Maya apparently," Riley agreed, holding on to her father tightly to avoid falling down.

"One of you could have just surrendered," Josh suggested and Auggie nodded.

"Never!" all four of them chorused. Josh shook his head, amused by his family's antics.

"So, where to next?" Auggie asked curiously and Shawn got out the plan.

Meanwhile, Josh approached Maya. "So, did I manage to take good care of sweet, innocent, little August here?"

Maya, head still spinning, had a hard time focusing on the brunette boy in front of her. "Very good care. Next time, you should take such good care of me! Shawn's a maniac behind the wheel!"

"And Dad's no better," Riley agreed. "They're nuts!"

It was decided that the group would postpone the visit to the Thunderbolt – for obvious reasons – and hit the Wonder Wheel next. They grabbed something to drink and within a few minutes, the four daredevils were looking all bright eyed and bushy tailed once more.

"Can we take a moving car?" Auggie asked excitedly.

"Oh yes, please!" Riley begged, clapping her hands together.

"Sure thing, kids," Shawn said with a big smile and Cory nodded as well.

"Actually," Maya interjected slowly. "I'd rather take a stationary, if it's okay." The girl wanted to really enjoy the view of the scenery instead of moving around at such heights.

"Of course, it is," Shawn said. "But you don't want to ride alone, do you? One of us should go with you."

"You really don't have to. I'll be fine on my …" Maya started, not wanting to cause fuss.

"I'll go with her," Josh offered. "I'm not a big fan of moving cars myself."

"That okay with you, Maya?" Shawn asked, giving the girl a wink. Maya blushed and glared at the man.

"Sure," she said, desperately trying to act cool. "Thanks, Josh."

"No problem." Josh smiled.

The line wasn't too big for stationary cars, so Josh and Maya ended up having one all to themselves. As the ride started, Maya could barely keep herself from bouncing in her seat excitedly. The girl looked over at Josh, her eyes bright; at least, until she noticed the boy's pale face and the way he tightly grabbed onto the railing.

"You okay there, Josh?" Maya asked. "You don't look so good."

"Well, you really know how to make a guy feel special," Josh teased with a tight voice, trying to act casual.

"Come on, Boing," Maya said. "You know what I was referring to. I mean, you know you always look good."

"Oh yeah?" Josh asked, a little color coming back to his cheeks as his eyes found the Maya's.

Even though this was really embarrassing for the blonde, she was glad that she could distract him a bit from whatever was bothering him. "Grow up, Josh," she teased with burning cheeks. "So, I said you look good. Not a big deal."

Josh completely ignored her last comment. "Well, I have to say I'm really flattered. But … you know I'm still three years older than you?"

"What really?" Maya asked in fake-shock. "I had no idea. I must have missed it the last thousand times you mentioned it."

"Just saying," Josh trailed off.

"Aren't you always," Maya muttered. "Anyway, don't change the subject. Is everything alright?"

"Well," the boy started. "Let's just say I'm not the biggest fan of heights."

"Oh," Maya said. "Why didn't you say anything before?"

"Remember Columbia County?" Josh asked and Maya nodded. "The ice rink?"

"Oh," Maya repeated. "You're talking about me not knowing how to skate and not saying anything about it."

Josh nodded. "Why didn't you?"

"I didn't want to ruin the fun; everyone was so excited. And I was also a little embarrassed and …" Maya trailed off. "Oh."

"Yeah, oh." Josh closed his eyes for a moment, once again looking pale.

"But Josh, not knowing how to skate and being afraid of heights are two very different things," Maya pointed out, starting to get really worried about her friend. After all, they had no way of leaving their current predicament and with every foot they went up higher from the ground, Josh looked a bit paler.

"I'm not afraid!" Josh insisted. "I'm just not … particularly fond of them." Josh took a deep breath. "But when Shawn told me about the plan, he mentioned how much you were looking forward to the Wonder Wheel. I didn't want to let you down."

"That's really sweet of you, Josh." Maya smiled at the boy. "But you could have just waited for us down on the ground. Or we could have skipped it altogether. No matter how amazing the view from the top is going to be, it's not worth you being so afr… uncomfortable."

"It didn't look so bad from the ground," Josh said sheepishly. "But from up here, it's starting to look really high and we're not even at the top yet." Josh took a peek towards the ground and – Maya didn't think it was possible – paled even more.

Instinctively, Maya reached for the boy's hand. Josh, obviously relieved to finally have something – someone – to hold onto, grabbed on to the girl's hand tightly. "Hey, look at me," the girl insisted but Josh couldn't meet her eyes – partly from fear and partly from embarrassment about looking so weak. "Look at me," Maya insisted and finally Josh's dark blue eyes met her bright blue ones. The girl had to gulp because she could see so many different emotions flickering in the boy's eyes. "I'm right here. Everything is going to be fine."

"Thanks," Josh said hoarsely, not completely unaffected by the moment that had just passed between the two of them.

Maya decided it would be best to just try and distract Josh until they had completed their ride, so the girl did what she did best around the guy: she started babbling about God knows what, just trying to keep Josh's attention on her rather than on the ground beneath them. "So, that's why you we're so willing to share a non-moving car with me?" she asked after a while with a wink.

Josh nodded furiously. "No way was I getting into a moving car with Shawn Hunter and Cory Matthews. Do you think this is going to be any better than the bumper cars."

"Oh boy, poor Riley and Auggie." Maya laughed and Josh had to chuckle a bit as well. "Those two can't be left alone for five minutes."

"Agreed," Josh grinned. "But you and Riley aren't much better."

"I resent that," Maya pouted. "Riley and I are positive angels. Just look at me!" Maya smiled innocently and tried to look as cute and angelic as possible.

"Uh," Josh started, being completely caught off guard by the sudden change of mood in their little cabin. He would never admit it to anybody but, contrary to what he would always make Maya believe, the boy was starting to develop some feelings for his blonde friend as well. He didn't quite understand them just yet, but he did know that – at least for now – whatever they were, he couldn't act on them. While three years per se were nothing to worry about, at their age it was still a bit iffy. A seventeen-year-old guy dating a fourteen-year-old girl just seemed weird. But maybe … eventually … someday. His mind started to wander off to a possible future. Before he got completely immersed in his thoughts, he quickly stopped himself, realizing he hadn't answered Maya's question yet. "Yeah. Angles … you two … of course … whatever you say, Gorgeous."

Maya's smirk abruptly fell off of her face. "Did you just …" she started but was quickly distracted by their cabin coming to an abrupt halt – they had reached the top and the view was … breathtaking. "Wow," Maya said, her jaw dropping. "Just look at that view. It's amazing." She remembered their current situation. "Just …, don't look down."

Josh chuckled and looked up towards the sky. "You're right. This view is beautiful." Realizing that he was still holding on to Maya's hand, he gave it a squeeze. "Thank you, Maya."

"For what?" Maya asked, tearing her gaze away from the scenery in front of her.

"For … just being here, I guess." Josh shrugged, blushed a little and rubbed his neck. "For getting me to calm down and face my … fears. It really is not so bad up here after all."

"Happy to be of service." Maya grinned. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." The two teenagers smiled at each other and the cabin slowly started moving again. Josh's face paled once more. "Well, at least for the standing still part."

Maya chuckled and squeezed his hand. "I've got you."

While Josh did get more comfortable eventually, he was still really glad to be back on solid ground after their ride. Without realizing that their hands were still intertwined, the two teenagers set off to find the rest of their group. It didn't take them very long before they could see Shawn, Riley and Auggie standing together – probably already waiting for them. Cory, however, was nowhere in sight. Josh headed right towards them, but Maya stopped dead in her tracks, bringing Josh to a screeching halt as well.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"As much as I enjoy being dragged around Coney Island by you – and believe me, I do." Maya grinned at the boy. "I think you should probably let go of my hand before they see us. Even though, of course, there's no deeper meaning behind it, it still might get us some unwanted attention."

Josh glanced at their hands with a sheepish expression. Holding Maya's hand had felt so natural, he didn't even think anything of it when he stepped out of their cabin and he hadn't let go. "Sorry," he said and slowly let go. "You're probably right. And I would like to live to see my eighteenth birthday."

"Hey, like I said, no complaints here." Maya laughed. "But you're probably right. As much as he likes to joke and call me Miss apparently-still-not-Josh's-girlfriend-at-least-not-yet, Shawn does kind of have a tendency to be overprotective."

"Oh yeah." Josh smiled painfully. "Any guy taking you out on a date will probably have to get by him and his baseball bat first."

Both teenagers burst out laughing and were still giggling when they rejoined their little group. "What's so funny?" Riley asked.

"Oh, we were just kidding around," Maya brushed it off. "How was your ride?"

"It was amazing!" Auggie exclaimed. "Daddy and Uncle Shawnie were fighting about who got to move the car but then Riley told them off – just like Mommy always does – and moved the car herself. It was so funny."

"Sounds like it, little man." Josh ruffled Auggie's hair in an adoring gesture.

"You got told off by your little niece?" Maya asked Shawn with a wide grin.

Shawn just shrugged sheepishly. "What did I get myself into, suddenly being surrounded by a whole lot of girls?"

"Would you rather have more guys around you?" Josh asked innocently.

"As long as they don't have any intentions towards my two favorite girls here, sure." Shawn smiled as he put an arm around both Riley and Maya.

"Interesting," Josh mused, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "So, that means that Dr. Turtleneck can come around anytime but we have to say goodbye to Howdy?"

"Huh?" Shawn asked but Riley quickly distracted him by pointing out that Cory was approaching their group with a tray of milkshakes.

"You trying to cause trouble there, Boing?" Maya asked him with a stern expression.

"Who me?" Josh asked innocently before turning back to Shawn. "So, Shawn. Do you, by any chance have a baseball bat at home?"

"Huh?" Shawn asked again.

Riley was nice enough to intervene again. "Oh look, guys! Milkshakes! I love milkshakes, don't you? Hm, what kind do I want. I think I'll take Vanilla, yeah, that sounds about right. What about you, Peaches? Chocolate for you? Here, I'll bring you one." Riley rushed over towards her best friend and, in her haste, tripped over a whole in the ground and almost fell. Shawn was quick enough to catch her, but he wasn't able to keep the milkshakes from heading straight towards Maya, drenching her in white and brown colors. "Oh my God, Maya! I'm so sorry!" Riley's hand flew to her face.

"It's fine, Honey." Maya actually started laughing. "It's such a warm day. It was time for a little refreshment."

"But your clothes are ruined!" Riley cried. "And we need to get you into some dry clothes, no matter how warm it is."

"Riley's right," Cory said. "I think we just passed a clothing store."

"That's nice but I don't have enough money with me," Maya admitted, her head bent to the floor.

"That's fine, Maya. It's my treat," Shawn offered. Maya tried to protest but the man wouldn't even let her start. "I want to. Now come on, let's get you a new outfit."

"Do we have to go shopping?" Auggie asked with pleading eyes. Cory and Shawn looked at each other uncertainly, not knowing what to do with the little boy.

"Hey, Augs," Josh jumped in. "How about the two of us go grab something to eat – you know, ice-cream, cotton candy. I also saw some games over there; we could hit that and meet the others after they're finished shopping."

"Oh yeah, can we, Daddy?" Auggie pleaded.

"Sure thing, buddy." Cory smiled gratefully at his little brother. "Thanks, my brother."

"No problem, my brother." And with that, the two boys headed off. Auggie happily skipping along the way and Josh struggling to catch up to the little boy.

"Can we go shopping for clothes as well?" Riley asked her father, trying to pull off the same pleading eyes, her little brother had just shown.

"Yeah, not gonna happen, Riles." Cory laughed.

"Well, can't blame a girl for trying," Riley shrugged before linking her arm with Maya's, careful not to get milkshake on her own clothes. "Let's get shopping!"

The four of them entered the nearest clothing store and were immediately approached by a woman wearing a name tag that read Stella. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, catching sight of Maya's clothes. "You poor thing! What happened to you, dear."

"It was my fault," Riley immediately admitted. "I tend to be a little clumsy and ended up spilling our milkshakes all over my best friend here."

"Riles, I told you, it's fine." Maya laughed and turned to the woman. "But I fear I might need a whole new outfit."

"Well, you've come to the right place." Stella excitedly clapped her hands together. "Dads, why don't you two take a seat while the girls and I go looking for some new clothes."

Maya and Shawn were about to correct her on the Dad-thing but Riley was already pushing her best friend towards the changing room. "You go get in there. Stella and I will hand you some things," the brunette commanded. Stella just giggled and followed them.

Cory took a seat in one of those very comfy-looking chairs standing near the changing rooms while Shawn paced a little in front of him. "Sit down, Shawnie! Relax yourself. Tryin' on clothes is all day."

"No, I'm just here to buy a kid an outfit," Shawn insisted, refusing to take a seat – even though the chair did look really comfortable.

"I know," Cory assured him before a smirk spread across the man's face. "Not gonna change you at all when she steps out from behind that curtain, with a look on her face that says, 'Do you think this makes me look beautiful, Dad?'"

"I'm not going to sit in one of these Daddy chairs and wait for a kid to spend my money," Shawn told him. "Maya needs a new outfit because your daughter ruined hers. I'm happy to do this for her but that's it."

"I know!" Cory repeated. "Sit in the chair, Shawn."

"I am never going to sit in that chair," Shawn said firmly.

Their argument was interrupted by Riley stepping out of one of the changing rooms. "Now, I know we just wanted to get Maya some new clothes to replace the ones I ruined. But Stella and I just couldn't resist." The girl grinned sheepishly. "Gentlemen, may I now present … Miss Maya Hart."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on out. Let's see what you put together," Shawn said. Maya emerged from dressing room wearing a nice black dress with a white collar and having a big smile on her face. Shawn couldn't help but smile back at her, overwhelmed both by how beautiful the girl looked and the fact that he had partly been responsibly for putting that smile on her face. Unable to say anything at the moment, he fell down in the Daddy chair next to Cory's. Cory starts to say something but was interrupted by Shawn repeating his earlier words. "I know."

"Do you like it?" Maya asked carefully.

Shawn started stammering before finally being able to form a whole sentence. "Wow. Look at you."

"Yeah. This might be my favorite day ever," Cory said with tears in his eyes.

"Shawn, you really don't have to do this," Maya assured him, worried he might think that she was trying to take advantage of his generosity. "Stella and Riley found this dress and begged me to try it on. I'll just go look for jeans and a T-Shirt, that's all I actually need. We were just having a bit of fun."

"Maya, don't worry about it," Shawn quickly said. "I want to do this. You looked so happy coming out of the changing room right now and I want to be responsible for this, if you'll let me. Plus, you do look beautiful in that dress."

Maya gave the guy a dazzling smile. "Thank you. No one's ever done anything like this for me before."

"You're welcome," Shawn said earnestly. "Now, pick out a jeans and T-Shirt as well and go back into the dressing room and be happy and come out with that face on."

"You'll be okay?" Maya inquired, hesitantly.

"Oh, I'm fine," Shawn assured her. "I … I have this chair." Maya giggled and Shawn smiled at her. They were, however interrupted by Stella clearing her throat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Riley Matthews!" she announced as Riley emerged from dressing room wearing a black dress covered in rhinestones.

"No!" Cory immediately said.

"But my face!" Riley said with a big smile, just like Maya.

"No!" Cory repeated.

"But I love you," Riley tried again.

"No!" Cory said firmly before turning to Shawn. "I'll teach you that next."

Just as the four of them left the store, Cory's phone started ringing. He picked up the call and fell a little behind while the other three started their search of Josh and Auggie.

"Thanks again, Shawn," Maya said. "I really appreciate what you just did."

"You're welcome, kiddo." Shawn gave the girl a side hug. "It was my pleasure."

"What?" they suddenly heard Cory exclaim from behind them. Confused all three of them came to a screeching halt and turned back to the man, who was now wearing a worried expression. "How did …? But you are …? Thank God! But what about …?" There was a long pause. "So, you don't know anything more … Okay, I'll tell the others and we'll be there as soon as we can. I love you." Cory hung up and kept his head down for another minute.

"Daddy?" Riley asked carefully. "What's going on? Who was that?"

"Yeah, Cor," Shawn started. "Is everything alright? You look like you've just seen a ghost."

Cory took a deep breath. "Riley, that was your mother just now. She and Katy were on their way back from the spa when they got into an accident." Riley gasped while Maya grabbed Shawn's hand tightly. "I don't know exactly what happened, but they are both in the hospital now."

The girls were too shocked to say anything and Shawn just managed to ask one simple question: "How bad?"

"Topanga seems to be fine. A little banged up and a few cuts and bruises but nothing major," Cory explained.

"And … my Mom?" Maya asked, barely getting the words out.

"I don't know, Maya," Cory admitted and Maya's heart sunk. "The last time Topanga saw her, she was unconscious. Right now, she's in surgery but Topanga doesn't know anything more. I'm sorry."

This couldn't be happening, Maya thought. Just five minutes ago she had been trying on new clothes, laughing and having the time of her life. And now, her mother was in the hospital and nobody knew how bad things were. "Can we go see them?" Maya asked. "Now?"

"Of course, sweetie," Cory said. "Let's go find the other two guys and we'll head straight to the hospital."

Maya didn't remember much about the drive to the hospital. Luckily, they had found Josh and Auggie really quickly and, after explaining to them what had happened, they had taken off. Now, she was sitting sandwiched between Josh and Riley, receiving worried glances from both of them. At some point, Josh had taken her hand – just like she had his on the Wonder Wheel – and Maya was really glad to have something to hold onto. Cory was driving and Shawn was sitting next to his best friend. Nobody was really in the mood to say anything, the only sound that could be heard was the radio playing in the background.

After they had finally reached the hospital and found a parking space, their little group rushed into the building in search of Topanga. They quickly found her and made sure she was okay.

"Topanga! You said you were fine!" Cory accused as he hugged his wife tightly.

"I am fine, Cory. Those are just cuts and bruises on my face. Nothing to worry about," she assured and gave her husband a quick kiss. After a few minutes, everyone started bombarding her with questions.

"I'm sorry, you guys," Topanga said. "But I haven't learned anything new. As far as I know, she's still in surgery."

"So, all we can do now is wait for the doctors to come out," Cory concluded and his wife nodded. "All right then. I'm going to go get some coffee. Shall I bring you guys something back?"

After everyone had placed their orders, Cory left and the others took their seats in the waiting room. Auggie quickly fell asleep with his head in Topanga's lap and his feet resting on Josh's. Riley took a seat next to her mother while Maya and Shawn sat down next to each other. And then, they waited.

Finally, a doctor came out and headed towards them. "I'm looking for the family of Katy Hart."

"Right here," Cory said and their group stood up. "This is her daughter, Maya. We're all friends of hers."

The doctor nodded. "My name is Dr. Brown," and then he started telling them a whole bunch of medical things that Maya didn't understand. The gist of it was basically that Katy had some bruised ribs, a broken leg and a mild concussion. "We fixed her leg and the bruised ribs will heal in time. As for the concussion, we'll keep an eye on her overnight to see how she is doing. But other than that, the operation went smoothly and your mother should make a full recovery."

"Thank you, Dr. Brown," Maya said, relived by what he was saying. "Can I go see her?"

"The narcotics are still wearing off, but she should wake up soon. So yes, you can go see her. But maybe not all of you at once." He chuckled, seeing that the whole group was anxious to see his patient. "Maybe two at a time until she's had a bit of rest."

The group nodded and Cory had an idea. "Shawn, why don't you go in with Maya. We'll wait right out here."

"That okay with you, kiddo?" Shawn eyed Maya carefully.

"Very okay," she said, grabbing his hand. "Thanks, Shawn. Now, let's go." The two of them followed Dr. Brown to Katy's room. He excused himself to go check up on his other patients and Maya and Shawn entered the room. Inside, the first thing they saw was the bed with a sleeping Katy in it. Most of her body was covered, so the only thing they could see was her face. There were some cuts on Katy's cheeks and forehead, but nothing too bad. So, seeing her lying there like this, she really did look like she had just taken a nap.

"Are you her family?" a voice startled both Maya and Shawn. They turned to look in that direction and saw a nurse standing there. "Sorry, if I startled you. I'm Nurse Tori."

"No problem," Shawn said politely.

"And yes, we're her family," Maya answered the woman's question. Shawn shot the girl a confused look, but she just smiled at him.

"Well sweetie, your Mom should wake up soon. You and your Dad can just take a chair and sit with her. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you first thing when she wakes up," Nurse Tori said and left the room before they could correct her about Shawn's relationship to the Hart girls.

Maya and Shawn each pulled up a chair and sat down on either side of Katy. Maya quickly grabbed her Mom's hand, careful not to disturb any of the tubes attached to the woman. "Hey Mom," she said quietly. "It's me, Maya. I'm right here and I'm not leaving until you wake up. Shawn's here as well. And the Matthews are waiting outside. You gave us all quite a scare, you know that?"

"I'll say," Shawn cleared his throat. "You better hurry up with the whole waking up there, Katy. Because this little girl right here is really worried about you. And I have to admit, I'm not my usual calm and collected self either."

Maya couldn't help but laugh a little. However, that sound quickly died on her lips when she felt her Mom's hand moving. "Mom?" she asked.

Katy's eyelids started to flutter open and her eyes focused on her daughter. "The sound of my daughter's laughter has always been my favorite song," the blonde woman said hoarsely. Maya grinned as tears welled up in her eyes. Shawn jumped up to get her a cup of water from her bedside table. She drank carefully and smiled at the man. "Thanks, Mr. Shawn."

"You're very welcome, Miss Katy." He grinned. "It's good to see you with your eyes open again."

"Sorry if I worried you guys," Katy said.

"It's fine Mom, the important thing is that you're gonna be fine," Maya assured her. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, baby girl." Carefully, Maya went over to give her Mom a hug, doing her best not to hurt her.

A little while later, the doctor had come to see Katy and told her what he had already told her family. The Matthews had taken turns, coming in to see their friend as well. Topanga was so relieved to see that Katy was indeed fine that she almost burst into tears and Cory had to take her out of the room to get his wife to calm down. Eventually, Katy had told her daughter to go get something to eat. Maya had reluctantly agreed but only after Shawn had volunteered to keep the woman company until her daughter came back.

"So, Maya told me about the milkshake incident," Katy started carefully.

"She did?" Shawn asked.

"Well, I noticed that she wasn't wearing the clothes she left the house in this morning," Katy said. "And she told me you didn't just get her a new shirt and jeans. That was really nice of you, Shawn."

"I was nothing, Katy." Shawn smiled at the woman.

"It's too much, Shawn," she insisted. "I want to pay you back. At least partly."

"Katy, why do you work so hard?" he asked.

"To keep the lights on, Shawn," Katy said, not knowing where he was going with this.

"Katy, why do you work so hard?" Shawn repeated.

"Because I have a daughter to take care of," Katy relented.

"There you go," Shawn said. "And I just have me. I travel light. I just need a cup of coffee and a sandwich, 'cause of that I've been able to put a little money away. I like taking care of somebody besides me."

"I don't know how I feel about this," Katy admitted. "But I guess I'll just have to get used to have someone else taking caring for my daughter."

"I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable," Shawn assured her. "I'm still getting used to this, too. I went shopping for girl's clothes today and actually had fun." Shawn laughed and Katy joined in. "I guess we both need some time to figure all of this out."

"I guess we do." Katy and Shawn looked at each other. Over the last few weeks, Shawn had not only grown fond of Maya but he had started to develop feelings for the girl's mother. These feelings were growing very fast and that was scaring the bejeezus out of Shawn. Hearing that Katy had been involved in an accident, had shaken him more than he was willing to admit. The fear of Katy disappearing before he had gotten the chance to sort out his feelings had opened Shawn's eyes. You never know what is going to happen next, so he better hurry up and figure out what he wanted soon.

Shawn took a deep breath and it seemed like he was finally getting up the courage to say something when the door burst open. "Ta-da!" Maya, wearing her new black dress called. "You said you wanted to see it, Mom. What do you think?"

"You look beautiful, baby girl," Katy said, her eyes completely focused on her daughter. "I have to say, I almost feel jealous," she joked.

"Hey," Shawn suddenly said. "I can buy you an outfit, too."

"He's really good at it." Maya grinned at her mother mischievously.

"No, no, you can't buy me anything." Katy shook her head. "We hardly know each other."

Shawn chuckled. "Huh, are you asking me out on a date?" he joked.

Katy thought for a moment. "Yeah," she eventually said.

"Wait. What? Seriously?" Shawn asked, his eyes wide. "Right here in a hospital room, in front of your daughter?"

"Sure," Katy shrugged. "It would be real bad for me if you said no."

Shawn thought for a moment. How was he going to handle this? He looked at Maya. The girl had let down her guard around him so much, allowing herself to care about him, even though she had been badly burned by her father and would have every reason to mistrust him. Then he looked at Katy. Kermit had left her just as much as he had left Maya and here she was; standing – sorry, lying – there and mustering up enough courage to ask him out. Trusting that he wouldn't hurt her as well.

"You gonna leave me hangin' or what?" Katy asked and Maya looked at him expextantly.

Shawn looked at both Hart girls and finally noticed the expression on their faces. It was hope. And damn, he could use some hope himself. So, if Maya could let her guard down, shouldn't he try that, too?

"Maya?" He looked at the girl. "Would it be okay with you if I …" Maya was starting to bounce around and looked like she was about to burst.

"Okay. Let it out, baby girl." Katy grinned.

And in true Riley Matthews fashion, Maya exclaimed: "Yay!"

But Shawn wasn't done yet. "Katy, I … I would love to go on a date with you. Thanks for asking," he told the girl's mother with a big smile. And the grin he received in return erased all doubts that had ever been in his mind.