Here is the final chapter of Run and Hide. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday Joshua Matthews!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes.

Enjoy!

Run and Hide

Josh stood stun, staring in to his mother's eyes. He felt his heart pounding in chest as he thought about how he was going to break his mother's heart or the love of his life's heart. He would have to pick between the two most important women in his life and one of them wasn't going to be happy with his decision. His father must have been able to read his hesitation to answer because he felt him walk over and lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Honey, I think we should hold off on that conversation and discuss it later. I think the only thing on this boy's brain is the girl in there laying in the hospital bed. We can talk about whether he is ready to come home or not after Maya is released from the hospital and we still need to talk to Shawn and Katy."

"You're right," Amy agreed with a sigh. "We agreed to talk to Katy and Shawn about everything."

Josh gave his father a weak thank you smile but felt his pounding heart drop at the mention of Maya's parents names. He still wasn't sure where he stood with them and knew he needed to have a conversation with Shawn on his own and it looked like the conversation was going to come a lot sooner than Josh's liking as Maya's parents caught his attention out the corner of his eye as they came over to greet his parents. He stepped back giving them some space as Katy and Shawn caught his parents up on Maya's condition. It wasn't until his eyes made contact with Shawn he stepped forward noticing that he wanted to speak to him. The two excused themselves before finding a quiet spot outside to talk alone. Josh watched as Shawn leaned against the hospital building.

"I know you are still pissed off at me and it doesn't help Maya isn't speaking to you-"

"When I confronted you, you didn't once stand up for yourself? Instead, you left like I asked but now all sudden you are ready to stay and fight because my daughter is laying in a hospital bed and picking you over her mother and I?"

Josh nodded, taking what felt like a punch from Shawn in the stomach. He would be the first to admit he was a coward and handled things badly with Maya. He should have stood up to Shawn and because he didn't he wasn't worthy of her forgiveness but somehow she gave it to him anyway and he was taking it. He wanted to prove to her and everyone else he deserved to be with her. He is the guy she sees him as.

"What was I supposed to do Shawn?" he asked, raising his eyebrows up, he knew he was most likely walking on thin ice. "You already made up your mind about me. You weren't going to believe anything that came out of my mouth even if it was the truth. I wasn't going to be good enough for Maya in your eyes."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do. Like the party situation. I didn't go to that party to party. I didn't drag Maya there to party. I went there after Riley texted me to get there because she was scared Lucas was going to do something to Maya," Josh told him, grabbing Shawn's attention. "I went there to protect Maya from Lucas who has been harassing her since the two of them broke up and deserves an ass kicking. I know I've made mistakes, big ones, but falling in love with Maya wasn't one of them. She makes me want to be the best person I can be," he confessed, wiping away the tears he noticed starting to fall at the thought of the girl who had captured his heart. "And I know," he swallowed. "Even at my best I don't deserve her but somehow she doesn't care and still wants to be with me and I'm going to take it because I still want to be with her. I love her, she makes me happy, she loves me and say I make her happy too. I want to give Maya a great life, she deserves it. I know, we've made mistakes and I'm sure we'll make more in the future but it's a part of life and I know I want her to be part of my life. I can't pinpoint the moment I fell in love with Maya but I did. I'm in love with her and I'm willing to do whatever I have to do to show I'm worthy of her love."

Josh stared at the older man for a moment before turning to walk away.

Shawn watched the younger before stopping him, "Josh, just remember, you have the power to hurt her and ruin her future."

Josh turned to face Shawn again, and nodded. "The last thing I want is to mess up Maya's future and I don't ever plan on doing that or hurting Maya again."

Shawn nodded, watching the young man go.

XOXOJOSHAYAXOXO

Maya remained quiet as she watched her best friend have an internal battle with herself. Maya felt her heart start to break and knew she needed to stop her best friend. "Riley, I already know what you are about to say," she eased, reaching over to take her best friend's hand.

"You do," Riley gasped, swallowing.

"Yeah," Maya nodded, giving her a small smile. She hoped it would ease some of Riley's worry. "The pregnancy test? My mom told me Shawn found a pregnancy test and I know I didn't take the test. You don't have to worry. My parents think it was my test and if you are worried about my opinion about you moving on, don't be. I'm happy you are in a place where you are ready to move on. It's a good thing."

Riley swallowed again as her tears started back up. "There is more to it," she began, taking in a deep breath. "When I tell you what I'm about to tell you I understand if you never want to be my friend again."

Maya looked at Riley confused and scared, "Riley," she tried to ease. "There is nothing you could do that will ever make me not want to be your friend."

"No. You don't understand. What I'm about to tell you-"

"Riley, just breathe," Maya soothed, squeezing her best friend's hand. "It's okay. Whatever it is it's okay. We will make it through this and I'm sure whatever it is, it's not that bad."

Riley swallowed, standing up to pace for a moment before siting back down and staring into Maya's eyes. She steadied her breathing, closing her eyes for a moment before speaking, "I slept with Lucas."

Maya felt her mouth drop open, not expecting those words to come out of her best friend's mouth. Everything started to make sense. Why Riley ran from her at school and avoided her phone calls and texts.

"I'm really sorry."

Maya shook her head, carefully reaching for her best friend's hand again and waiting for Riley to look at her. "Are you okay?" she asked, gently,

Riley stared at her best friend through her tears, shocked. She slowly nodded and took in a deep breath. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I was having a bad day and wanted to be alone and Lucas saw you and Josh kissing the day you two broke up."

Maya nodded, her mind flashing back to the night of her and Josh shared their first kiss by the fire and how quickly things became heated between the two. She knew by the confrontations with Lucas how much it hurt him to see her and Josh together that night.

"We were both hurting and somehow ended up at the same place at the same time. We started drinking and it just happened. You hate me, don't you? I would hate me if I were you."

Maya shook her head. "No, Riley, I don't hate you."

"You don't?" Riley asked, surprised.

Maya shook her head again, "No, I don't hate you," she repeated more strongly staring into her best friend's eyes. "I have no reason to hate you. You did nothing wrong. Lucas and I were broken up and I didn't love Lucas. I never did. My relationship with Lucas was a mistake that I allowed to go on for too long once I knew it was a mistake. Now if you slept with Josh we would have a whole set of problems," she joked causing Riley to chuckle.

Riley scrunched her face up in disgust. "A big set. A big weird set," she agreed.

Maya laughed, nodding, "Yeah."

"I was scared. I was scared you would be mad at me and I would lose you when you found out about what happened with Lucas."

"You can't lose me Riley. Your stuck with me forever," Maya promised. "And I owe you an apology too. I should have known what was going on with you and it's my fault I didn't. I wasn't there for you. I know what it feels like to be put on the back burner and I promised myself I would never do that to you because I hated the way that felt and I did that and I did it when you needed me more than anything and I'm really sorry."

"It wasn't all of your fault. I didn't want you there. I avoided your texts and calls like I would have avoided you if you came over. I would have told my parents to tell you now is not a good time because I was ashamed."

"Riles, you have nothing to be ashamed about. We're okay?"

Riley nodded, "We're okay," she confirmed.

Maya smiled, lifting up her blanket so Riley could get in.

"You know, Josh is going to be mad you are letting me have his spot?"

Maya chuckled, "It was your spot first."

"True," Riley agreed as she got comfortable, making sure not to hurt her best friend.

"And there will always be a spot next to me for you."

Riley smiled, "Me too. Even if, we are in separate countries."

Maya looked over at her best friend shocked, "Separate countries?"

Riley's smile only grew wider. "I applied for a program to study abroad and I got in."

Maya's mouth dropped open at her best friend's news.

"It's going to be a fresh new start for me and just what I need. I love traveling and I get to see a whole new place and meet all new people. I feel like I have closure here and now it's time for me be set free and move on to something new."

Maya smiled, nodding at the excitement in her best friend's voice. "Yeah," she agreed, even though she hated the idea of being so far from her best friend.

"It's going to be scary."

Maya nodded, agreeing. "But you are going to be fine."

"I will be," Riley confirmed.

"I'm happy for you if that's what you really want."

Riley nodded, giving her best friend a reassuring smile. "It is."

"Even though I'm going to miss you like crazy."

"And I'll miss you like crazy too but we will keep in touch."

Maya nodded, "Definitely."

"And visit each other?"

Maya nodded again, pulling her best friend in for a tight hug even though her body was screaming at her to be careful.

Riley turned her head to a hesitant Josh standing in the doorway. Maya gave him a reassuring smile as Riley nodded at his unasked question. Maya reached out her hand for him to take as he pulled up a stool to sit down on Maya's side of the bed.

"Sorry, I'm taking my spot back," Riley teased, carefully hugging up to Maya.

"Are you now?" Josh inquired, with amused look on his face.

"Yes she is," Maya grinned.

Josh nodded, "You know?" he began, pointing his finger between the two as they had their eyes on him. "This would be hot if you weren't my niece."

"Josh!" Maya yelled, laughing as she tried to whack him but he caught her hand and kissed it.

XOXOJOSHAYAXOXO

Maya pressed her lips against Josh's letting them linger. The two were left alone after Riley said her goodbyes. "I want to leave this hospital so bad but I know as soon as I do I have to go home and I can't deal with the sight of my parents right now."

Josh sighed against her lips. "You know we have to talk about your parents," he murmured, before placing a soft kiss on her lips.

Maya groaned, pulling away from Josh.

"You know we were in the wrong?"

Maya shrugged, "I don't care if its us against everyone else."

Josh pressed his lips against her forehead to get her to calm down. "I think you should cut your parents some slack."

Maya shook her head as she glared at Josh, "No. They don't deserve me cutting them some slack. Shawn has been nothing but an ass to you since our relationship has come out and my mom is just saying what she has to say and do, so I won't be upset at her."

"Maya," Josh sighed. "Put yourself in their shoes. If we have a daughter I would not want her falling for a guy like me knowing about the past I have in New York. I would be scared he was going to break my daughter's heart and I would have to break his neck just like they're scared I'm going to break your heart. Whether we like it or not we can't erase my past. I did what I did in New York and you can't blame people for judging me on it. I have to prove I've changed and I haven't done it yet. Their reactions are what any good parent's would have been. Everything happened at once, it was a lot on your parents so I don't blame them and and neither should you."

Maya bit her lip, slowly shaking her head. "I don't like that they hurt you," she told him, fighting back her tears at the thought of how broken Josh was when he first entered her hospital room. "And I hated seeing you feel so low and broken about yourself. It hurts seeing you like that and no one should be using your past against you like Shawn did to make you feel the way you do. You are not your past mistakes and I'll protect you from it just like you protect me."

Josh nodded, "I love you for that but it was the knockdown I needed, especially when it comes to you," he said, gently, staring lovingly into her eyes. "What I did wasn't right. I said awful things to you then I left."

"You did what you thought was right."

"It doesn't make it right."

Maya stared at the boy she had given everything to and willing to give everything for. "You're right," she agreed. "What you thought was right was a mistake, so we learn from it and move on."

Josh nodded. "Like your parents love you and thought they were doing what was best."

Maya sighed, she knew in her heart Josh was right, but she wasn't quite ready to just forgive them just yet. "I know but I'm not ready yet. I'm not ready to forgive them. Everything is still too fresh for me."

Josh nodded again, knowing she has been through a lot when she wasn't sleeping or in pain she was dealing with the mess around them.

Maya sighed, shaking her head as tears started to form in her eyes. "I'm scared they are going to take you away from me."

Josh took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Maya, I love you and I don't know how your parents or even my parents are going to react to us being together once you leave this hospital. I know they are giving us space right now but it doesn't mean they will when you are released from the hospital but what I do know is you aren't going to lose me," he told her, causing her to smile. "We will figure this out."

Maya nodded, watching his hand as he laced his fingers through hers.

"I love you."

"I love you too," she said back, softly.

"We are going to make it through whatever is thrown at us. We face it together."

Maya's smile grew wider, "Together."

XOXOJOSHAYAXOXO

Katy stood in the door way watching through the window Josh help Maya stand up and walk to the bathroom as she felt her husband come and stand next to her.

"If Maya gets her way and life doesn't throw something at them they can't handle we are watching our future son-in-law take care of our daughter."

Shawn took his eyes off the young couple to look over at his wife before looking back at the young couple. "We are."

XOXOJOSHAYAXOXO

It had been two weeks since everything went down. One week and five days since she was released from the hospital. One week and three days since Josh went back to New York with his parents but today he would be finally coming back to Philadelphia and Maya couldn't be more excited about seeing her boyfriend. After going back and forth if Josh should go back to New York or stay in Philadelphia both set of their parents, plus Cory and Topanga thought it would be a bad idea to pull him out of school again to switch back. So all six of them came to agreement Josh could take a short trip to New York to spend time with his parents before coming back to Philadelphia to live with Topanga and Cory to finish up school year and graduate before heading back to New York. Maya and Josh were already planning their trips to see each other during the summer. First trip in June, her visiting him in New York, so he could show her some of the ropes before he would visit her for Fourth of July, and they wanted to plan at least one but most likely two more before she made the big move to New York to start NYU in the fall.

Maya found Shawn sitting at the kitchen table looking over some papers for work. She knew she had put the conversation she needed to have with him long enough. Now, that was Josh was returning if she wanted her parents and Josh to get along she needed to break the ice. She had been stubborn and hard-head long enough, and she needed to forgive and seek forgiveness to move on, but she also knew she had to stand her ground, but she needed to do it the right way.

"Shawn?" she said, softly, grabbing his attention. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Shawn nodded, setting down his papers, relieved Maya was finally ready to talk to him. "Sure."

"Before you say anything please just let me get out everything."

Shawn nodded again, letting her know she had his full on attention.

She kept her distance, not taking a step closer to Shawn than necessary but not too far away where it felt like she was making sure there was a wall between the two. "I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said to you," she told him, a little nervously. She took in a deep breath as Shawn swallowed hard. "I don't hate you," she began, softly, making Shawn's heart melt. "And I shouldn't have said that to you. It was wrong of me and I'm sorry," she apologized, biting her lip. "Shawn, I know I don't call you dad but you are my dad and you have been a great one."

Shawn could feel tears start to form in his eyes as he stared at the girl who he claimed as his own. His daughter. He wanted to walked over and give her a hug but remained in his seat and stayed quiet because he knew she wasn't finished.

"You taught me how a father treats and loves his daughter and how a husband should treat and love his wife. You've been an amazing example for me and have changed my life forever because of it. I know you just want what is best for me and to protect me and I want to thank you for that. For all of it."

Shawn gave Maya a slight nod and smile.

"But I'm not a little kid anymore and I know you are disappointed in me and some of the decisions I've made and I'm sorry for that but when it comes to Josh, I'm in love with him and I'm not giving him up," she continued, causing Shawn to deep swallow. "But I think you should trust my judgment because I learned from you. I learned what to look for in a guy and Josh is a good one. He is more than good, he is the best," she told Shawn, smiling. "I've never been able to have conversations with someone the way I can with him like you have with my mom. I've never believed in anyone or anything the way I believe in him and in us like you believe in your relationship with my mom. I've never felt the way I feel like I do when I'm with him and I know we both made mistakes when it came to our relationship and went about things that were wrong, and we wish we could have done things differently. We should have been honest from the beginning but you can't just put the blame on Josh. I'm at fault just as much as he is if not more."

Shawn nodded.

"I don't ever want to have to pick between you and Josh. I don't want my relationship with Josh to hurt my relationship with you or for my relationship with Josh to hurt your relationship with Josh because I love both of you guys and I want both of you in my life because you two are the most important men in my life."

Shawn nodded again, digesting all of his daughter's words. "Just tell me one thing, NYU? Because of him?"

Maya stared at Shawn. "He is part of it. Josh being there is a bonus," she admitted. "But he is not the main reason. I'm not that dumb. I applied to NYU before Josh came into the picture. I've always wanted to study art and what better place than New York City? I want to go there and live and get to experience things that I wouldn't get to experience living in the suburbans of Philadelphia but then I want to come back here and settle down. Be close to you and mom and become an elementary art school teacher. Get married and raise a family here."

"So, you have it all figured out."

"As much as I can. I know things don't always go as planned and I don't know what the future holds but I hope Josh is a part of mine."

Shawn nodded, remembering some of Josh's words matching hers. "So your in love with Josh?"

A small smile came to Maya's face as she blushed. "I am," she nodded. "I love him."

Shawn smiled, seeing that light in her eyes that she gets when talking about Josh. "He loves you?"

Maya nodded again. "He does."

"Is he back in town?"

"He should be getting to Cory's any moment."

"I'm guessing you are wanting a ride to go and see your boyfriend?" Shawn guessed, teasing her.

"That would be nice," Maya nodded. She was still a little sore and wasn't completely healed. "But you don't have to give me-"

"Let's go kiddo."

Maya smiled, following behind her dad as he grabbed his keys. She knew they still had a long way to go but were at least on the right road.

XOXOJOSHAYAXOXO

Josh greeted his brother and was shocked to see Shawn standing in his brother's living room. His eyes glanced around for his favorite blonde who was nowhere in sight.

"I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment alone?"

Josh took in a deep breath at the sound of Shawn's voice before looking over at Cory who gave him a reassuring look before finally looking at Shawn and nodding. The two watched as Cory excused himself and stopped Topanga from coming in to the room. Josh turned his gaze on from where his brother just exited to the man standing before him. "I know me being back here is the last thing you wanted to see."

Shawn slowly nodded, "But it the exact thing my daughter wants to see. She has been counting down the hours for your return."

A small smile came to Josh's face because he had been doing the exact same.

"There is something I didn't tell you at the hospital," Shawn began, snapping Josh out of his thoughts. "I see it," he said, making Josh look at him confused. "I told you the night when I confronted you I see the way Maya looks at you and I want to believe it is just some puppy love look she is giving you because of everything the two of you have been through but mainly because I'm not ready to let go of her just yet," he confessed. "But I know she can't stay a little girl forever and its not the puppy love look that I was hoping for," he explained further. "But, I also see the way you look at her. It's the same look Cory gives Topanga, your father gives your mother and I give to Katy. The dumbstruck in love, willing to move heaven and earth for her only to have to move it back because she likes it the other way better. I believe you when you say you are in love with my daughter."

Josh felt the excitement run through his body as his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

"I'm trusting you with her."

Josh nodded. "I'm going to prove to you and even myself I'm worthy of Maya's love because one day in the future I'm going to be asking you for your permission to marry your daughter."

"I'm going to hold you to it," Shawn told him, holding his hand out to shake.

Josh glanced down at his hand before shaking the older man's hand.

"Good luck, boy, you are going need it with a girlfriend and eventually wife like her," Shawn patted Josh on the back before going to join Cory and Topanga in the other room, leaving an excited Josh.

XOXOJOSHAYAXOXO

Josh took in a sharp breath at the sight of his beautiful girlfriend sitting crossed legged on his bed. "Gorgeous!" he grinned as he stepped into his room, closing the door behind him. "Did you come over to seduce me?" he teased, tossing his bags down.

Maya smiled, playfully rolling her eyes. She stood up as he made his way over to her.

"I know you have a hard time keeping your hands to yourself when it comes to me," he continued as she wrapped her around neck and he placed his hands on her hips.

"Well lucky for you I have to keep my hands to myself because I promised my mom we wouldn't have sex until I'm all healed and on birth control."

Josh chuckled before resting his forehead against hers and getting serious. "I missed you."

Maya stared up into his blue eyes, "I miss you too."

"How are you feeling?" he asked her, gently, pulling away some to get a good look at her before carefully pulling her back close to him as he cupped her cheeks in his hands.

"Much better now that you are home."

Josh nodded, "I'm home for good," he promised her while staring into her eyes.

Maya smiled, knowing what he meant. "Me too," she told him, before connecting their lips. His fingers scrunched into her hair as her arms wrapped tighter around his waist.

"I love you so much," he murmured against her lips, his hands still holding her close to his face.

"I love you the same," she said back causing him to smile. "Do you want some good news?"

"What is that?" he asked, kissing Maya's forehead before resting his head back against hers as he held her gaze.

"We don't have to run and hide."

The end

I want to thank each and every single one of you for reading, for reviewing, for voting, for adding it to library. It means the world to me. I hope you enjoy the story! For the final time in "Run and Hide", please leave me a review with you thoughts on the last chapter, your thoughts on the entire story, and your favorite and least favorite part. THANK YOU for taking the time and reading and being a part of this story!!