DISCLAIMER: Not mine.

A/N: Final chapter of Protection! The prequel, Take On The World, covering all of the first season and up through "Girl Meets Fish" is currently on my profile, and I will have a sequel once season three starts, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and/or followed this story! I am so grateful for every single one!

"I'm coming over tomorrow and you're both going to be there," Lucas announces at Topanga's, glancing back and forth between Maya and Riley.

"Why?" Riley asks, too casually.

"Because we're going to talk about this."

Monday 11:58 PM

What happened? I couldn't get anything out of Riley.

Then she told you everything.

She didn't tell me anything. I want to help, but I can't if you don't explain it.

You've helped enough, Farkle.

By the way, I've been kidnapped by Einstein Academy.

WHY DIDN'T YOU LEAD WITH THAT?!

We're coming by during lunch.

"Great speech, Farkle," Lucas laughs, clapping his friend on the back.

"Inspiring," Zay affirms.

"I learned from the best."

"Pictures, pictures, then we're heading to the Matthews'!" Katy calls, pushing Maya and Riley forward.

"Mom," Maya groans, but Katy shushes her. Farkle and Zay, exchanging a glance, stand on either side of Lucas. Riley comes and stands next to Farkle while Maya takes Zay, who presses a kiss to her cheek that she quickly wipes off.

"ISAIAH!" Patricia Babineaux shouts, "Behave!"

Maya snorts as he frowns and then fixes her gaze on her mother, smiling widely.

"We can't stay long," Mary Grace says as she wraps her arms tightly around Lucas's chest, making him look the very definition of uncomfortable. "Andrew and Eric's boss is celebrating his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and everyone's invited."

"Mama, you're crushing me," Lucas manages to get out and Mary Grace jumps away, grinning sheepishly. Maya has to hide her laughter behind her hand. She's only met Mary Grace Friar a handful of times, but every time she does she loves seeing the way Lucas is so easily embarrassed by her.

"I'm sorry. Just, after-" she stops herself before she can finish, shaking her head. "I'm just so proud of you, baby."

"What about me?" Zay asks, and Patricia playfully slaps his arm.

"Mary Grace, it's perfectly fine if you want to leave Lucas and Zay here."

"Yeah, they can spend the night at our house," Farkle agrees with Topanga, "Right, Dad?"

"If they want to risk getting Lillie and Millie's stomach bug," Stuart laughs. Mary Grace looks hesitant at that, but after a glance with Andrew, she agrees, Patricia and Eric quickly following suit. A few minutes later, they lead Zay's two protesting brothers and his bored older sister away, both promising to call the Minkuses in the morning and thanking Stuart, Cory, and Topanga. The two boys make their way over to the ledge, looking out at the city view. Farkle steps over to Maya.

"Everything okay?" he whispers, and she nods.

"Why wouldn't it be?"