IMPORTANT NOTE: If you haven't read, Libby the Slayer's Protector (S2), you must! It's the first part of my BTVS story, and you'll need to read Season 2 before Season 3. If you have read all of LTSP S2, then continue on to the first chapter of her journey in Season 3!

Full Summary: Buffy returns from the big city to find her Protector has been battling the forces of evil without her. As she struggles to regain her mother's and friends' trust, the tension of her estranged relationship with her Protector is worsened by the arrival of a new Slayer, named Faith. And that's just the beginning of new forces Buffy and Libby must face. Soon enough, they encounter Angel, who has somehow returned, feral and violent from the hellish demon dimension where they had sent him. Spike makes a return of his own while emotions are running high within the Scooby Gang and evil doppelgangers from alternate realities cross over seeking carnage. But the real demon Buffy must ultimately face is already on this side of the portal, waging a war on her Protector, and preparing a special graduation day surprise for Sunnydale High.

"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it."
~ John Burroughs

A pair of deep golden-brown eyes scanned over the rows of graves in the cemetery. She breathed a lungful of the crisp air, focusing on the crickets chirping and hoots of the owls in the night, and relaxed her muscles. She stood ready at the tombstone of Andrew Hoelich, fresh dirt and colorful flowers marking his recent passing. Slowly, a hand clawed through the ground and clutched the soft dirt. She watched as he pulled himself up, growling into his first night as a vampire. He made it all the way out and crawled on his stomach, only to stop when he saw a pair of black combat boots planted in front of him.

The pair of yellow eyes followed the laces up to see dark jeans under a long, grey plaided tunic that loosely fit beneath an oversized, olive utility jacket. It all lead to a cascade of dark curls falling around the face of the Slayer's Protector.

"You kept me waiting."

The vampire leapt up with a growl and charged for her. Libby thrust out her hand and sent him flying into his headstone. He summersaulted over to get back on his feet, but Libby was ready for him. She used a brief telekinetic pulse to levitate into the air and kicked him as hard as she could in the face. He crashed backwards as Libby firmly landed on the grass and ran for him. The vampire flipped up and kicked her in the ribs. The Protector used the force of it to spin around on her knees to stop the fall and blocked his strike with her arm. With her other hand, she sent him flying back and regained her footing.

They stared each other down and in the next moment, the Protector and vampire ran for each other. He came at her fangs first and Libby slid down to punch him in the gut. As he bent over from the blow, she swung her leg to kick his out from under him. Once his back hit the ground, the Protector pulled out her stake and drove it through his heart. The vampire burst into dust and Libby panted out a smile.

"Damn, Libbs! You're getting crazy fast!" Xander exclaimed a few yards away. "I mean, not that you weren't good at the fighting before, but now it's like on a whole other level. Like…"

"Slayer level?" asked Libby. She walked over to him and they shared the look that's plagued the gang all summer. "It's not. I'm not… I'll never be able to fight like her."

"I didn't mean," Xander tried to explain with as much compassion as possible. "You're on your awesome Protector level."

Libby laughed and replied, "I think it's the agility. The more I train, the faster I get. The better my reflexes and flexibility." She took a moment to catch her breath and finished, "Hopefully endurance will kick in too."

"Yeah, you and Giles have been training real hard the whole summer."

"It's helped," said Libby, staring at the grass as they left the cemetery. "With everything."

Xander nodded in understanding. "I'm glad you've been getting better. I know I probably haven't been much help but –"

"You've been tremendous help, Xander." She emphatically told him. "I don't know what I would've done if I didn't have you."

"Really?" he almost whispered as they slowed to a stop.

"Xander, just having you with me, it's meant everything. Whether you sat with me at home watching TV or go patrolling with me like tonight… You're there for me." She smiled up at him and hooked their arms to start walking again. "You're the best friend I've ever had."

Xander's feelings got caught in his throat as he joked, "You know we go to the Bronze a lot too."

"And that is also great," Libby laughed in reply. "You and the gang, I wouldn't have survived this summer without you. All of you."

"Only one missing was Buffy."

Libby was silent as they turned the corner onto a neighborhood street. It had been four months without her Slayer. But they weren't empty months. They were months filled with trauma therapy and protective training, supportive friends and a new emotional companion, and a Watcher to guardian the next chapter of her life. All without Buffy. A Protector without her Slayer. So, while not an empty four months, there was a numbness… a phantom sensation of something missing. A feeling Libby could never escape no matter who surrounded her. A consuming loss.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to –"

"No, it's okay." Libby reassured. "She'll be back when she's ready."

Libby turned her key in the lock and entered the apartment. She barely stepped inside before the little 7-month-old puppy ran for her and started jumping in elated joy. Libby giggled at the excitement of her boy as she closed the door. "Okay," she firmly said. "Off!" She defensively kneed him in the chest to block his jump and snapped at the ground. "Off!" When the pup obeyed, she raised her hand into a fist and ordered, "Sit."

Wriggling with pure puppy energy, he put his butt to the carpet, tail ever swooshing back and forth. Libby smiled at his big brown eyes only a shade lighter than his smooth black coat. She leaned down and rubbed the white patch on his chest, letting him kiss her face in greeting.

"How's my boy? How's my sweet baby boy?" She cooed, lowering herself to sit on the floor so he could lay in her lap. Libby hugged him to her and laughed when he affectionately pressed his face against hers. She gave him kisses and he made his happy groans. "I love you too. I love my puppers so much."

"Your puppers ripped apart yet another rope in your absence," informed Giles from the kitchen.

"What?" she feigned surprise and scratched his belly. "You ripped apart another rope? Bosco, I was only gone an hour."

"To be fair, it was on its last legs." Giles said as he went over to the desk and gave them a smirk. "I dare say he's going for some kind of record."

"Or maybe he needs one made of more durable rope-iness."

Giles rolled his eyes. "I'll leave that to you. How was patrolling?"

Libby got to her feet and Bosco followed her to the couch. She sat down and replied, "Good. I dusted a vamp 'crazy fast,' as Xander put it."

"Good, good."

She watched Bosco eagerly place his head on the cushion, asking to come up, so she patted the couch. He jumped up and instantly plopped in her lap, floppy ears overturning and tongue hanging out. Libby scratched his neck and chest, glancing over to Giles. He was reading a passage the way he does when he was really thinking about something else.

"Giles?"

"Hmm?"

"What is it?"

At her imploring eyes, Giles deeply exhaled and said, "I just can't help but worry."

Libby felt the tug of appreciation form her mouth into a tightlipped smile. "I know and I love you for it, but I really have been doing well patrolling without you and the whole group." She shifted up in her seat, keeping Bosco cuddling close, and said, "This last month of patrolling with just Xander or Gage while you and Willow get ready for school have been helping me a lot. I feel a lot more confident in my abilities. Like I can protect myself and everyone else without…"

"Your Slayer?"

"But I'll always need my Watcher."

Giles grinned and pointed at the black lab/Rhodesian ridgeback puppy, saying, "And Bosco."

"Obviously Bosco!" she trilled and gave him more kisses. "I love him more than all of you combined."

"Yes, yes. I'm well aware of that."

Getting ready for the first day of the new school year, senior year, made Libby feel like she was in a haze. Not only did Hellmouth High have to delay classes for a week and a half due to unforeseen complications with fixing the magically destructive crime scene the Protector caused on the library, but Libby had to start the year off by testing out of Calculus and Chemistry and turning in a letter from her psychiatrist declaring study hall was to be a free period. It was all planned by Giles to help Libby have more manageable time to balance her education and supernatural calling after everything she went through the previous school year. Libby just hoped all of the work she did with Giles over the summer would do the trick, so she would only have to focus on the fun classes during what was sure to be a memorable year.

Libby rolled her eyes as she began her first test. Memorable. She figured after all but calling out the mayor by name when she threatened Snyder would be one of those pesky dominoes that fell, but there wasn't an inkling of his ascending plot the entire summer. Aside from freshly made vampires rising from their graves, there wasn't anything hellish going on. Not that the Protector minded. She had enough to deal with for her own sake. Of course, now that senior year had officially begun, Libby wondered how it would all turn out… If Buffy would actually come back.

After two hours of testing and emotional turmoil, Libby heaved a meditative sigh and walked into the library. She was met by the expectant faces of Willow and Xander, both making her smile. "How'd it go?" asked Willow with an excited grin. "Did you ace them? I bet you aced them! You studied so hard."

"Because you made it learnable," replied Libby as she plopped her bag down on the table. "I think I'm done with math forever. Testing out is really a beautiful thing."

"Yeah, if you're cool with abandoning the friends not smart enough to test out or too smart to not want to test out," rambled Xander. "Meaning us! I can't believe you won't be in any of our classes this year!"

Libby gave him a pouty frown full of pity and said, "Not too late to take European History with me. Or World Lit."

"Yeah, we're gonna have a great time in those classes."

Libby held up a hand for Willow to high five. Xander rolled his eyes and slumped down in the chair, grumbling, "Oh yeah, such a great time."

"Xander…"

He looked up at Libby as she sat down across from him. "Sorry. It just sucks. We spent nearly the whole summer together after having most of the same classes last year, and now…" He glanced to Willow before his eyes flitted down to his notebooks. "You're testing out of stuff, Willow's in the super-brainy classes, leaving me in the you-gotta-take-em-if-you-want-to-graduate ones."

Libby reached out to pat his upper arm and replied, "You've got Cordelia and Gage and Oz in those classes, plus Willow in study hall and chemistry. And I bet Buffy too, once she decides to come back."

"I-I thought that she was…" Willow nervously chimed in. "I thought Snyder expelled Buffy. I mean, didn't he send a notification to her mom?"

"Yeah, but it won't stick. He doesn't actually have any real power."

Suddenly, Giles came out of his office with a wide grin on his face and seeing Libby made it grow even wider. "Oh, Libby! Hello. How did – erm – how did your tests go?"

"Well, I think. What's up, Giles?" she chuckled with a curious grin.

"Oh, I, uh, I just got a very pleasing phone call. Ah," he remembered and took out a letter from his jacket pocket. "This was delivered a little while ago. I think it might be from our, erm…" He handed the envelope to Libby and finished, "Our mutual friend."

"Right. Sena…" Libby nodded along and looked at the front. It was addressed to her but no return information. She frowned and climbed out of her seat. "Gimme a minute?"

Xander and Willow nodded, watching her climb the stairs and disappear behind one of the bookcases. Libby heard them ask Giles who the friend was, someone from her group therapy that she went to a couple of times or someone from the Council. She didn't pay attention to Giles' answer and opened the letter.

It wasn't from Sena Wyse. It was from Buffy. Libby slid to the floor as the written words found their way to her heart.

Dear Libby,

I know it's been a long time since we talked. Probably too long. I wanted to call you so many times, but I was afraid you wouldn't want to hear from me. So I thought I'd write to you, especially since your first anniversary of being here is coming up. And year one is paper, right? Written letter goes with that, which works out.

I hope you're okay. That things have gotten better without me around. At least, that's what I wanted for you. Everything that happened, and not just with Angel, it was because of me. If I hadn't brought you here, you'd be safe in your real home with your real family. Just because I needed you and you made my life better, doesn't mean I did the same for you. And I never really apologized for it.

I'm sorry, Libby. I am so, so sorry. If you can't forgive me, I understand. If you hate me and don't miss me and wish that I'll never come back, I understand. Just know that I love you and I miss you and I'm finding my way to where I can be a better Slayer – a worthy sister – for you. However long that takes me.

And about what happened with Angel… I know you didn't let it happen the way it did to hurt me. It took me a while to climb out of that grief to realize that it was what had to happen, for you and the world. No matter how deep I'm buried in sadness or how blind I get in anger, I always trust you. A trust I intend on earning back with you. With all of you.

If you could let my mom know I'm all right? That I'm just still trying to work some things out, I'd appreciate it. But you don't have to! Totally optional. Same for Giles and the gang. If you can, let them know that I love and miss them too. Though, for the record, I miss you most. These last few months, it's been like having a phantom limb constantly reminding you that it's not there. Have you felt it too? Maybe you can write back and let me know?

Love,
Buffy

Libby eased her head back against the books, closed her eyes, and focused on breathing deeply.

The Protector carried the letter with her all day in a haze. She barely spoke or registered anyone who was speaking around her. All she was aware of was the thumping heartbeat in her ears as the world tried to spin out of control. Libby barely noticed Giles' reaction to the letter when she handed it to him at the end of the day, though it seemed to be a similar deafening silence. When Libby would lock eyes with him, Giles mirrored the feeling of overwhelming and surreal emotions flooding her system.

However, with the whole night to process and begin to deal, Libby walked over to the Summers' house the next morning. She slowly stepped onto the porch and lingered at the door. She hadn't been there since Joyce kicked Buffy out and still remembered how Joyce blamed her for Buffy's Slayer-ness. With a deep breath, Libby knocked her fist against the wood.

After a few moments, Joyce opened the door. Disappointment swept over eyes when it wasn't Buffy standing there, but Libby tried not to take it personally. With a small and timid smile, Libby said, "Hi Ms. Summers."

"H-Hello, Libby."

"I just… Uh, I wanted to let you know that, um –" Libby struggled, slightly swaying back and forth on her heels, before finally spilling the words out, "Buffy wrote to me. A letter. I got a letter from Buffy."

"When?" Joyce gasped and opened the door wider for Libby to come inside. "When did she write to you? What did she say? Is she all right? Is she coming home? Where is she?"

Libby walked inside and stopped in the middle of the living room. She turned around to face Joyce anxiously waiting for answers and replied, "I got the letter yesterday. She asked that I tell you that she's alright and still trying to work things out. She doesn't know how long that'll take, but she misses you and loves you. I-I don't, uh, she didn't say where she was –"

"But you know?" Joyce firmly questioned. "That's what you do, right? You know things?" She crossed her arms at seeing Libby's body tense and said, "A little while after Buffy left, Mr. Giles came to speak with me. Told me everything, including who are. I'll admit that I don't fully understand, but I think part of what you do is know things that others don't?"

Libby sheepishly tilted her head and half-nodded. She was barely able to maintain eye contact with her for more than a few seconds at a time because of how intense Joyce's stare was burning into her.

"Is that why no one's been looking for her? Why he told me to stay home and wait for Buffy to come back? Because you know where she is? And that, at some point, my daughter will –" Her voice cracked, and she placed a hand on her chest to contain the emotions swelling inside. "I just wish I could talk to her. To hear from her, to know she's safe after…"

Libby inhaled a lungful of air and compassionately said, "I'm sorry that you have to hear from her through me, but I hope it helps to know that she is safe."

"Sorry? It's been almost 19 weeks. Almost 19 weeks to the day and you haven't come by once."

Libby stammered, blinking frantically in shock at Joyce's words. She was so distraught and direct in an anger fueled by a hurt so deep she couldn't see straight. Something Libby wasn't expecting from her.

"Not once to tell me Buffy was all right. What made her leave or where she went or when she was coming back. You supposedly know everything, and you didn't take the time to let me know anything. Buffy said you were her sister, her Protector, through some ritual? Well, I'm her mother! So how could you not come here before now?"

"I-I didn't think you wanted me here…" whispered Libby.

"I wanted you to protect my daughter! Bring my daughter back to me, not keep her away from me."

Libby almost stumbled back at the sharpness of Joyce's words. "I didn't make Buffy leave or keep her away and I needed to take care of me for once. I'm sorry that this is how Buffy chose to take care of herself but I can't protect her if she's not here and it's not my job to bring her back. No matter how much I wish I could."

Libby retreated from the house and left Joyce standing alone in the doorway.

Libby sat on the blue sofa across from Dr. Primrose Nelson. Every 'Therapy Thursday' after school, since Dr. Lane recommended the trauma psychiatrist, Libby sat and they talked, but today was heavily quiet. Dr. Nelson watched her rigidly refuge into the back cushions and softly asked, "Could you tell me what rabbit hole you got lost in?"

"I forgot about her," whispered Libby. "I forgot about Joyce."

"Joyce Summers? Buffy's mom?"

Libby nodded, not making eye contact and ripping into her cuticles. "I got a letter from Buffy yesterday and she asked me to tell her mom that she was all right. When I went over, well, she wasn't happy to see me."

"Did she say that?"

"No," sighed Libby. "But what she did say and the way she said it…"

Primrose leaned forward in her chair and calmly stated, "Sometimes it's not really the words or the tone that's actually expressing how we feel. While it may be how we want to be perceived, it's not the truth. People often project negative emotions onto others to relieve some of the pain from themselves, intentionally or subconsciously."

"You don't know what she said."

"But you do." Primrose kindly countered. "Go down that rabbit hole again, this time with your bio luminescent fireflies to guide the way."

Libby half smiled. She was convinced that Dr. Nelson enjoyed the metaphorical imagery even more than she did. They drew a lot on Alice in Wonderland, fables like it, as well as Libby's collage artwork. It helped untangle the mess in order to better weave the story in front of her. As that was the biggest thing of all: stories. Libby was named after her mother's favorite story and dreamed in them her whole life. Now she lived in one.

And the one she lived in had a mother who loved her daughter so much that the fear and guilt of never seeing her again made her act… well, exactly that. It was all out of fear and guilt over what happened with Buffy.

"Libby?"

She looked over to Primrose and answered, "She probably didn't mean it the way she said it."

"While it doesn't excuse how she spoke to you, the way you're able to see her side will ultimately best help you internally respond and move on." She rested her back into the chair and tilted her head. "You said you got a letter from Buffy? Would you like to talk about that?"

Libby heaved a deep sigh and honestly replied, "I don't even know where to start. I thought I was ready for her to… But now, I don't know."

"Maybe, when you're ready – just like with everything – ask for help. There's nothing in your life that you have to deal with alone, Libby. It's always a good and necessary thing to ask for help whenever you need it."

Libby idly sat at the edge of the black couch, next to the edge of the gold loveseat where Willow sat. Xander spread out on the opposite side, leaving room for Gage to sit next to Libby after getting her an orange soda. She gave him a wisp a smile when he brought the cup over and she took it gladly. Gage sat next to her, and half raised his arm. Libby looked to him and nodded. He asked the same way Bosco did when the pup wanted something, with big and adorable eyes. Gage gently lay an arm over her shoulders and Libby comfortably leaned in, sighing out a hum that was on pitch with the song.

"Boy, I'm glad we showed up for depressing night." Xander groaned.

"Are you sure you're okay, Libby?" Willow asked. "You've seemed really out of it since that letter."

Libby sipped at her drink, eyes glazed over, and replied, "I'm still processing. Letter, therapy… other stuff."

"Maybe we can help," offered Gage. "If you want. No pressure."

"Yeah! Help. That's what we could do. Help you process all the stuff."

Libby's eyes, like her voice, brightened at Willow, saying, "I know you could. And maybe…"

"Maybe what?" Xander asked.

"Maybe I should let you. I've been told asking for help is a good and necessary thing to do."

"Great! So, want to start with the letter?" Willow sparked in question.

Libby unfolded it from her jacket pocket and said, "It's from Buffy."

"What?" they all asked rather loudly.

"Yeah… She's okay. Misses us and sends her love. Didn't say when she's coming back, just that she has to work some things out first."

"Oh my god…" sighed Xander.

"I can't believe it. I mean, I'm glad she's okay, but how could she not be coming back?"

"Who's not coming back?" Oz joined in, handing Xander his drink, and sitting down next to Willow. "Buffy? She make contact?"

"Yeah, Libby got a letter from her yesterday." Willow informed.

"Intense."

"Very." Libby agreed.

Gage tenderly rubbed her upper arm with his thumb and asked, "Are you gonna write back?"

"She left a return address inside, so yeah, I guess. When I figure out what to say."

Willow straightened in her seat and offered, "I, or we, can help with that too. If you want."

"I'll let you know. Thanks Willow."

She smiled and they all sat for a long, awkward moment. Libby reread the letter for the umpteenth time, and everyone kept glancing to watch her eyes scan over the page. The number of questions that wanted to spill out could fill the entire Bronze. Not to mention all the feelings and opinions that had been stored since Buffy left. But that wasn't was Libby needed. So even though it twisted at their insides, the gang would keep quiet until she was ready to talk. And Libby knew. She slightly smiled after putting the letter away and everyone relaxed in their seats again.

"Okay, so how about we get into what we should do for Libby's one-year anniversary with us tomorrow?" declared Xander.

"Technically it's part of the Saturday morning that everyone wants to sleep through," corrected Libby with a smirk.

"Which can absolutely translate into late Friday night," Xander sweetly teased back. "I'm thinking we stuff our faces with yummy food truck grub, then go for the big group patrol, and end the night with that gelato place you love."

"The Dream Creamery?!"

"That's the one."

As everyone happily agreed with Xander's idea, Libby beamed at all of them. "You guys are the best."

The next night, almost every member of the Scoobies walked along the stone-edged path into the cemetery. Xander led the way with Cordelia next him. Libby walked behind them, Bosco on the hands-free leash buckled around her waist as she finished her taco, and Gage on her left. Willow and Oz brought up the rear, stakes at the ready.

"I can't believe you brought your puppy on patrol." Cordelia said in her not-so-missed judgmental tone. "I mean, does the term puppy-chow not come to mind?"

Libby telekinetically tripped Cordelia's boots so she'd stumble forward a bit. At her startled shout, Libby swallowed her last bite of taco and said, "I'm training him to get used to stuff like this. He needs to know what do to when Mommy gets attacked. Don't you, puppers?"

She leaned down and gave the back of his ears a good rub. Willow smiled at the boy blending into the shadows with a perpetually wagging tail and said, "He's a really good walker. Stays with you while he's lookin' around and sniffing everything. Being really quiet. I think he's gonna be a great patrol dog."

"Thank you, Willow. I agree."

That's when Bosco chose to bark. Incessantly. Everybody continued to move forward, hushing him, only Bosco kept barking louder. He stared off into the darkened bushes and started pulling. Libby stopped and pulled on the leash. "Hush!"

It came out like a growl, forcing the gang to halt just like Bosco. Libby leaned down as her pup's little woofs kept puffing out of his mouth. She followed his hunting stare and realized that he found himself a vampire waiting to attack.

"Good boy," she cooed and looked up at her friends. "He found one."

"Damn. That is a good boy," complimented Gage with an impressed smile.

The vampire sprung from the bushes and charged for them. Libby pushed out her hand and sent him crashing into a tree. The rest ran for him before the vampire could get to his feet. Libby watched as they all grappled, trying to pin the vampire down, but he threw them off one by one. The Protector clonked him against the tree again to give her friends another chance to stake him.

"Ok, Little Scoop." Libby said as she unbuckled the leash from her waist. "Just like we practiced. Bench!" She pointed to the metal bench across the plot. "Bench!"

Bosco looked over and then back to his mama before bolting and laying down underneath the metal haven. Libby smiled so proudly at him and called, "Stay!"

The vampire roared and thrust all but Xander off of him. Xander was able to keep the stake over the vampire's heart, but if any more pressure was applied to his wrists they were going to break. Cordelia screamed for him and as Libby readied her telekinetic throw, Cordy tackled the vampire and forced him into the stake that Xander held. The vampire exploded into dust and Cordelia fell onto Xander's chest. They looked at each other for a moment and then started passionately making out on the grass.

Oz helped Willow up and Gage walked over to Libby saying, "Is this the night you imagined?"

She smiled up at him after calling Bosco back over to her and replied, "Better. Once we get gelato."

Libby sat on the couch as it struck midnight, reading a leather-bound Pride and Prejudice that rested against her bent legs, with Bosco soundly sleeping at her feet. It had been a long few days to end a long year. It overwhelmed Libby to think about all that happened to her, but the night she just had with her friends and the ever-impressive Bosco gave her hope for a better year to come.

And reading her and her mother's favorite book could remind her that happy memories existed in the past too.

There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.

Libby smiled at Elizabeth's quote to Jane and muttered, "True that."

She lifted her eyes when the front door opened and smiled when Giles walked through holding a red velvet bundt cake with a wrapped present underneath. He smiled and hurriedly closed the door when Bosco ran over to greet him. Libby laughed as her Watcher tried not to stumble over the excited puppy and softly clapped when he made it over to the couch.

"You know he won't leave you alone until you say hi," said Libby.

"Yes, yes," replied Giles with a smirk and a scratch for Bosco. "How the dynamic of this household has changed since his arrival."

"You got him for me!" Libby feigned a shrilled response.

"I also got these for you," Giles countered with his own British version of sass. "To commemorate your first year here."

Libby bounced to the edge of the couch and opened the cake container. She plunged her index finger into the cream cheese frosting and savored the sweetness. Giles removed his glasses to wipe them at her action which earned him a curt chuckle.

Eyeing the square shaped gift, Libby asked, "I wasn't expecting anything for today. I mean, besides hanging out with everyone… at the cemetery." They both released an empty laugh and she shifted in her seat to seriously say, "Really, Giles, you didn't have to do all this. Especially after the surprise letter from Buffy. I know you were as thrown for an emotional loop as I was."

"No, no. I, well, erm, yes, I was, but it's not about that," he said, turning to face her with deep emotions in his eyes. "I know what you've been through this last year and what it all means. I only wish that…" Giles glanced at the gift on the coffee table and sighed, "I wish I was able to find a way to send you home or at least after three months have found something, but perhaps this will help you feel as though you have a home here too."

Giles handed her the wrapped square and Libby gratefully took it. At first, she thought it might be a book, but the weight and feel didn't match. No, it was a frame. A grin tugged at her lips. They had taken a lot of pictures with Bosco the day Giles brought him home from the pound. There was a small one on her desk of just her with Bosco and several more on her collage wall, so one with all of them together would be wonderful. But it wasn't a photograph.

Libby tore into the paper and saw the word, 'Certificate.' Her heart started pounding and stomach flipped like a pancake with adrenaline. She ripped the rest off and read, 'Certificate of Adoption.' It was a complex legal form inside a dark wooden frame, but all Libby saw was that Giles was officially – legally – her adopted father. She lost her breath and tears welled in her eyes.

"That was the phone call I got in the library. My connections through the Council had it finalized and sent it to me. I was h-hoping, erm –" Giles shifted as the anxiety rose inside his chest. "I hope this is all right. I just, um, after everything, I wanted to –"

Libby dropped the framed adoption papers onto the coffee table and looped her arms around Giles' neck. She clung to him, gripping her dull nails into his tweed blazer, and wept, "I never thought I'd have a father."

Giles uncontrollably smiled and his glasses began to fog from his own tears. "Well, y-you have one. A Watcher, father, teacher, friend… whatever you need. You and I, we're family."

"Thank you," cried Libby, snuggling into his hug as Bosco poked his head between them for attention. "This means everything to me. More than you could ever know."

Giles patted her shoulder and kissed her forehead. "I dare say I have some idea."

Libby rolled her head over to the clock. It was almost 4:30 in the morning. Around the time when Libby arrived the year before and she could not sleep. Bosco was curled into her side and sleepily groaned as she rubbed his neck. There was no boiling pain in her body or sting in her tattooed wrist. No Buffy.

She opened her eyes to silence her thoughts that tried to disguise themselves as dreams and looked at the clock again. 5:45. Ugh.

The Protector lifted herself up and carefully climbed over Bosco. He watched her movements with drooping eyes as she got dressed but didn't move. Libby kissed his head and then quietly snuck out of the apartment. Her feet stepped onto the stone outside and she could almost feel the cold through her sneakers. With a sharp breath, Libby ran.

She ran all over Sunnydale. Through her neighborhood, through the cemetery, through the forest, and through the center of town as the sky began to lighten in anticipation for the sun. She ran until she couldn't outrun her thoughts anymore. Libby slowed as the sun began to rise and stopped at a corner to catch her breath. Her superhuman agility really needed to kick in via endurance.

As the Protector felt her heartrate steady, a bus pulled up. A bus from Los Angeles. The sliding door screeched open, and one person stepped out. The Protector stared as the bus drove off, leaving her to stare into the face of her Slayer.

Buffy and Libby stood paralyzingly still a bus-length apart as the sun rose above them.