Go Fish

Libby sat on the soft, cool sand as the waves crashed below her feet. She took a deep breath and filled her lungs with the sea spray. It was comforting sitting alone, just looking out at the moonlight making the ocean glow. She could almost forget the party only a few yards down. It would be her first episode back after everything happened. Libby shook and wrapped her arms around her knees as the cold night's breeze tried to penetrate her jacket. She shouldn't call it an episode. She knew that, but it was the first thing that helped her get to sleep. The episode is over. You have time until the next one plays. It made everything less real. And the less real it was, the less she would scream herself awake.

They had sent her home the next day, after her session with Dr. Lane had determined she would not self-harm. Libby was hesitant to leave the locked ward, but Giles assured her that Angel could not enter the apartment and Buffy swore that if any vampire so much as flashed a fang in her direction, it was dust. Libby remembered smiling, but the drive home was silent. She wasn't the only one who lost something. Giles had lost Jenny the same day. After everything Libby did, after all she tried and suffered, Jenny still died. She was certain life would only darken for her in Sunnydale, but when she entered her home there was a wonderful welcoming. Despite his own grief, Giles had let her friends plan a small birthday celebration since she didn't want the presents at the hospital. Libby smiled at the memory.

"I know you probably think this is beyond corny and totally unnecessary," said Willow. "But we were planning a surprise party for you after – you know, the kidnapping and torture and… stuff – so we thought we could also make it a welcome home party with a get better vibe to make up for–"

"Will, that's a lot of yakin' for a really short story," Xander chuckled. "Thanks to Angel, you had the worst 17th birthday imaginable and we want to cheer you up, so here's a quiet little shindig with presents."

Cordy stepped around the couch and said, "We got a cake too. And punch!"

"Thank you," Libby weakly smiled. "This is really sweet."

Buffy gently touched her shoulder and brought her to curl up on the sofa. "Here, you sit, and we'll bring you whatever you want first."

Libby blinked at the coffee table. There was a small red velvet cake in between clear cups filled with punch and paper plates with forks in the middle. All around it were wrapped presents stacked on top of each other. Simple, yet she was overwhelmed. After blinking a few more times, Libby started focusing on the shapes of the presents.

"How about we bring you the gifts?" suggested Giles and handed her his.

Libby took it and slowly ripped off the paper. She revealed a leather-bound journal with Celtic designs and symbols of strength, power, and balance. Libby carefully ran her fingers over it. It was so smooth to the touch it was almost soft, and she suspected that it was handmade. When she opened it, the first page read:

Libby Winters, the Slayer's Protector

All that is known about the legacy of a young woman that must fight for a world – and a sister – to which she was not born, and does so with remarkable bravery, strength, and compassion to make both a Watcher and a father proud.

She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the page to stop herself from sobbing, but when Giles put a loving hand on her shoulder tears rolled down her cheeks. Libby wiped them away before they fell to the page. She flipped through the others to see that Giles had written everything he learned about her powers and skills as well as her time spent as the Protector and his hopes for her. However, the journal was not complete. Libby looked up to him and he said, "I'll need to borrow it from time to time."

They smiled and she hugged the journal to her chest. Willow then brought her a bag and Libby dipped her hand inside to feel something small. She unwrapped it to see a crystal with different shades of purple leading into a calming blue point. Libby was so entranced by it that she missed what Willow said it was, but she did hear it was to help with healing. She looked up as Willow finished, "So it won't ease you physically, but I hope it will mentally and emotionally so that way you can feel better about finding yourself again." Libby smiled at her thankfully as Oz pulled out the other three gifts, her favorite classic Disney movies: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Alice in Wonderland. "For when you want to turn your mind off," Oz said with a wink.

Libby almost let out a laugh as she thanked him, which sent Xander swooping right in with his presents. "I think you'll find these to your liking." She carefully opened a long box to see a beautiful dream catcher with colored feathers dangling on the bottom. Libby hugged him in the hopes that it would work. Xander hugged back and awaited excitedly as she opened his last present. A poster with original artwork from the Black Widow comic. "To always remember that you can kick some major butt." Libby lightly laughed with him and planned to pin it to her closet door.

Cordelia was next and Libby was relieved to open a basket full of soothing scented candles and oils. "I read that aroma therapy can do wonders for damaged people." Libby peered over to her as everyone freaked out over the comment and said, "Thank you, I really like them." Everyone calmed down at her response and Cordy shot them all a superior smile.

It was finally Buffy's turn and she sat down next to her sister. "It's not much, but I wanted you to know how much I love you and that you mean so much to me and this is the only way I could think of so, here." She handed Libby a small jewelry box. Libby opened it to see a petite, white gold locket with natural blue diamond flowers around the engraved word, Sister, and inside was a picture of them smiling in the sun. The chain was the perfect length to rest right above her bosom, below the cross Buffy had returned to her earlier that day, so Libby immediately put it on with tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Buffy, and they held each other tightly.

"Happy Seventeen, Libby," whispered Buffy as she comforted her weeping sister. "We love you so much."

Libby turned her head to look at Buffy sitting off to the side, far enough away to give her space but close enough to talk. She smiled at her Slayer staring at the sea. There was no way she was actually taking in the beauty. Nope. Libby could all but guarantee she was putting all her energy into appearing like she was when she was really waiting for Libby to call her over. Buffy had been so supportive over the last few weeks. Whatever Libby needed, she was there. Even when it was time alone. That's what meant the most to Libby because she knew just how much Buffy hated that.

However, a guy from the swim team sat down next to her, so Libby returned her gaze to the ocean. Last thing she wanted was a swimmer following Buffy over.

"Hey," a voice called out behind her. Libby turned to see Gage walking up the beach and before she could say anything, he was sitting next to her. How did this just happen? "Haven't seen you for a while. Heard you got locked up in the nut house 'cause some crazy occult guy kidnapped you. That true?"

Libby furiously blinked and turned away from him saying, "None of your business."

"So that's a yes," he grinned as he looked out to the waves. "You just get more interesting every time we meet. Don't you, Winters?"

"More interesting?" Libby spat. "I was kidnapped and tortured by a soulless monster and that's a turn on for you?"

Gage awkwardly blinked and stammered, "Whoa, what? Turn on? No! No, that's not… I…"

"You think you can just bring that up like it's an ice breaker? Like I'll open up to you because you think you know something about what happened to me? You don't know a damn thing. Not about what happened or anything about me."

Libby turned away, but Gage didn't move. He waited a moment, shocked and insulted, until he finally replied, "It's all over school. New girl got kidnapped in some cemetery by an occult psycho for some satanic sacrifice and then got locked up in the nut house to make sure she wasn't demonically possessed, or whatever. Which all means that you were taken walking home and hurt by a crazy psychopath but saved where the doctors at the hospital made sure you'd be okay." It was Libby's turn to blink when Gage looked her right in the eye as he continued, "There's no way you don't know that that's what everybody's saying. Hell, that's just the most popular version. But you always seemed cool about brushing people like that off, ignoring the gossip, even making fun of it to put them down, so yeah, I thought I'd try it as an icebreaker. Clearly I was wrong." His voice softened as he stood up and said, "I'm sorry. About everything."

Libby nodded and he walked off. She turned her attention back to the waves, still lapping over themselves. Like they always had and always will. It was comforting to know something would never change no matter where you were. The ocean would always be endless, the wind would always endure. Libby took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the sound and salt overwhelmed her senses. For the first time, she wasn't replaying the horrors that plagued her not only in the dark but in the merciless sun. For the first time it was something else. It was what Gage had said to her. Cool about brushing people like that off, ignoring the gossip, even making fun of it to put them down. She didn't even know who that girl was anymore, and it didn't seem like she'd ever find her again. Her strength wasn't endless, and she was afraid she couldn't endure.

Shouting disrupted the peaceful waves. Libby turned around to see Buffy save Jonathan from being dunked in a tub of ice. Gage was there laughing and soon led the culprit away. Buffy looked like she didn't want to be there at all and the moment their eyes locked, Libby saw her plead to come over and join her. She smiled and Buffy barely waved bye to the swimmer that wanted to hang with her. Libby found her own laughter when Buffy plopped down next to her.

"Oh my god, thank you! I was dying," said Buffy as she hooked arms with her sister.

"Didn't look like it."

Buffy raised an eyebrow and replied, "Please! I wanted to be here with you the whole time, but I was forced to suffer from afar."

Libby furrowed her brow and moaned, "Uh huh."

"But I love you and if alone time is what you need, alone time is what you'll have. No matter how much it pains me."

"You're a true saint."

"I really am," she giggled.

They looked out at the waves together and after a few minutes, Libby rested her head on Buffy's shoulder. The blonde looked over at her dearest companion and rested her cheek on her curls. Libby hadn't made this much physical contact in so long; Buffy could hardly remember. The blonde was usually the more affectionate one, but this… It was a need for comfort and the Slayer was almost brought to tears that Libby trusted her to give it.

"Something's going to happen, isn't it? Something demony sent from the Hellmouth?"

Libby nodded, keeping her eyes on the glowing and ebbing sea.

"We don't have to get the mail. I can return to sender."

She softly giggled at her Slayer, thankful for her in this moment, and said, "As long as you open the box, I think it'll be ok."

"Don't worry, I'll do all the heavy lifting." Buffy said as she tightened their arm hook and held Libby's hand. "No demon is getting delivered to you."

Libby sat under a tree on the side of the school. Buffy was with her at every step, like a shadow, and it felt like everyone was staring even more than they had been. She needed some solitude and since there was a break in her schedule, Libby asked Buffy to meet her in the library. She kept the pain of that request inside, but Libby did give her a sad smile at the Slayer's suffering expression.

It was better under the tree. Student traffic was cut down more than half and the wind blowing through the leaves was a soothing sound. Libby was almost able to find an inner calm, until Gage decided to sit next to her. She jerked her head to the side and stared at him. It was the beach all over again!

"Ready to apologize to me?"

"WHAT?" Libby yelled as her eyes widened in anger. "You actually think I should apologize to you?!"

"You were a bit bitchy to me when I just wanted to make some friendly conversation."

Libby could feel the rage turning her skin red. "How dare you?! You can't just show up and drop a rumor bomb in my lap about my very real and still very raw trauma like it's nothing! Like it's normal!" She got to her feet and didn't realize that the student traffic had started to pick up, just to watch her scream at Gage. "My life isn't a horror movie for your or anybody else's amusement! There was no pagan ritual, no satanic sacrifice, no occult torture chamber, no demonic possession, and certainly no necrophilia!"

"So you do know-"

"Of course I know about every story that's being spat about what happened to me! And because, what? I got grabbed in a cemetery? Well everyone who's eating it up can go to hell because being kidnapped, beaten, and raped for days is not something to be gossiped about, EVER! It's serious and horrifying and destroys you right down to your soul!"

Gage slowly got to his feet and stood in front of her, holding eye contact the whole time. Libby was infuriated. "If you don't get out of my face in three seconds, I will make you."

He smirked and took a step closer saying, "But we're having such a nice talk."

Libby acted without thinking. It wasn't the sarcastic comment and the smirk to match. He stepped closer and reached out his hand to touch her arm. She hadn't let Xander do that yet. Giles could barely bring himself to be closer than when they drove in the car for fear of Libby recoiling out of frightened instinct. Turns out, that's not the instinct she has. Libby slammed Gage's chest so hard, her open hand took over with telekinesis and he collided with the tree. She could hear his skull hit the bark, everyone could. Gage held the back of his head in pain and when he brought it back down to look, his palm was soaked in blood.

Gasps and shouts exploded behind Libby. She turned around to see at least half the student body had congregated there to witness everything, including Principal Snyder.

"He was taunting me! I defended myself!"

"That's not how it looked from where I was standing."

Gage pressed the ice pack to the back of his head and said, "I had asked about what happened to her last night and she flipped out on me, so today I went over to see if she was all right… and apparently she wasn't."

"Apparently I wasn't?" hissed Libby.

"See."

The swimming coach came in before Libby could respond and asked, "How we doing, Gage?"

Before he could answer, Snyder pushed Libby out of the way and asked, "Coach Marin, how bad does it look?"

"Luckily, there's no fracture, but sure as hell gonna hurt for a few days."

"I mean our chances of winning the state championship. Can we still do it?"

"I'm gonna need Gage back at 110%. He's my second-best swimmer now, with Cameron taking Dodd's place since…"

Libby shut her eyes so she wouldn't roll them. Dammit. She had forgotten about that guy shedding his skin at the beach. After all, it was Sea Monster Week. "What happened to Dodd?"

"That's none of your concern," replied Snyder in his ever so condescending tone. Libby frowned. Concern wasn't even in her tone. "You'd better hope that boy's wound heals before the meet this Friday."

"Petronzi, I want you to hit the steam room as soon as your done here, try to relax and ease that headache." The coach turned to the nurse and added, "Take care of my boy, Ruthie."

"I always do."

"And you," he turned his attention to Libby, who crossed her arms and glared. "Try acting like a lady from now on and save any outburst for private therapy sessions."

Libby's mouth dropped, and all Snyder did was smirk. She guessed whatever tolerance he had for her officially turned to hatred. She turned to Gage as he hopped off the bed.

"Can I go now?"

Ruthie looked him over one more time as said, "Yeah, you're all bandaged up. Just keep the ice pack on and see your physician as soon as you can."

Gage nodded and followed Libby into the hall. "Feel better?"

She stopped, spun around, and furiously whispered, "Are you ever gonna stop being a dick? Just shut up and leave me alone."

"I'm sorry if I freaked you out when I tried to touch your arm. I wasn't trying to do anything."

"You were trying to hit on me by pissing me off in the most offensive way possible."

Somehow, Gage was smiling at her. "I was trying to get to know you, but when you made it clear I chose the wrong way to do it, I thought I'd help put a stop to all the idiots."

Libby stared, stunned and disturbed. "By being the worst idiot of all?"

"By getting you to put the entire school in its place, by doing it to me. I knew if everyone were able to hear your side of it, hear the truth, they'd finally get it and shut up. And turns out you were holding a lot it there. Didn't want it to punch me into a tree and crack my skull, but hopefully you'll feel a little better now."

Libby's mouth gaped open and she couldn't stop blinking. "You wanted to… Me to… what?"

"I don't care about much. I mean, I guess I used to, but now… School is stupid aside from swimming and people only pretend to like me because of how good of a swimmer I am and let 'em. I'll take the perks until graduation and then I'll – I don't know, I'll figure it out," stammered Gage. "Point is, there's something about you that makes me care and it's been that way since the self-defense class we had in gym. I just wanted you to know that even though I'm just another jerk, I'm not… you know –"

"Like him," whispered Libby.

"Yeah."

Libby stared up at him, feeling uneasy in her stance. She remembered how he was one of the three guys to turn into the sea monsters. Gage wouldn't get help in time and the monster forming inside of him would kill everything he was. She expected to feel bad about it, but then he acted like such an insensitive asshole that she was glad it would happen to him. Only he cared about her. Somehow through all the negative effects of the drugs, he was able to find enough of his true self to care about her. Libby didn't appreciate how he showed it, but she found herself appreciating his intentions.

"I'm sorry for screaming at you and cracking your skull. In my defense, I didn't think it would since it's so thick."

Gage laughed and replied, "Nah, doesn't matter. And I didn't mean it before. About wanting an apology. Besides, I'm the one who should be sorry, and I am."

Libby nodded and as he walked away, she called out, "Wait! There's something I should probably tell you."

Buffy walked into the library to see Giles, Xander, and Willow huddled over a table full of books and asked, "Where's Libby?"

"We thought she was with you," replied Xander.

"She said she'd meet me here."

"Maybe she needed some more time to herself?"

Buffy sadly nodded to Willow and sat down. "What's all this?"

"Apparently some remains were found on the beach this morning," answered Giles as he flipped another page. "Some human remains."

"Dodd McAlvy's remains." Willow clarified.

"Vampire?"

"No, he was eviscerated. Nothing left but skin and cartilage."

Buffy scowled at Giles' reply as Xander said, "In other words, this was no boating accident."

"So something ripped him open and ate out his insides?"

"Like an Oreo cookie," Willow chimed in, getting that certain look from everyone. "Well, except for, you know, without the chocolaty cookie goodness."

Buffy sighed and grumbled, "Package delivered."

"Yeah, um, Principal Snyder has asked the faculty to keep the news quiet for now, so not to unduly upset the students."

Xander glanced up from his book and scoffed, "For 'students,' read 'swim team.'"

"So, we're looking for a beastie."

"That, uh, eats humans whole," Giles finished Willow's thought. "Except for the skin."

"This doesn't make any sense," mused Buffy.

"Yeah, the skin's the best part." Xander agreed.

"Any demons with high cholesterol?" Giles stared disapprovingly at Buffy's comment, so she pointed at him and said, "You're gonna think about that later, mister, and you're gonna laugh."

"I'm so sorry that Libby is missing this," sighed the Watcher.

Gage was about to sign in at the medical center, but withdrew the pen and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Libby replied in a huff. "You already know the coach is giving you drugs through the steam, so why can't you believe that it's what killed Dodd?"

"Because no drug disintegrates everything but your skin."

Libby bit her lip in nervous frustration. "Look, I'll explain everything when I can, or rather when you're able to believe it. You're now the second-best swimmer and the higher you are on that list the more times you get the steam. Cameron is too far gone, but you… you I can help. Since you helped me. Just trust me for now, ok?"

Gage took a deep breath and signed in. "See you on the other side, I guess."

Libby made it back to school before anyone noticed she was gone. However, when the day ended, she didn't stay with the rest of the Scooby Gang. She asked Giles to drive her home so she could take the call she was expecting from Gage. She was so distracted by the hope of actually saving someone from their doomed fate, that she forgot to tell everyone about Cameron.

Not that Gage called.

She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Good thing would be they were able to help him and that meant he had to stay overnight. Bad thing would be there was nothing they could do, and he was suffering with the knowledge she gave him about dying in the next couple of days.

In the morning, Libby decided to search for him instead of meeting everyone at the library. She found him in the lounge sitting on the sofa with his feet on the table and playing a video game. He looked fine. Just fine. What the actual fu–

"There you are!" exclaimed Buffy. "What's with all the disappearing acts lately?"

Libby glanced at her Slayer and rubbed her forehead in exhaustion. "I'm sorry, it's just…" she glanced at Gage, who still hadn't noticed she was there and continued, "I've locked myself in this safe, quiet room in my head since… since leaving the hospital so I don't have to be trapped by everything else in my head now, but something happened. Gage, of all people, gave me something to focus on other than… I've been able to focus on actually saving someone who was gonna die, but hopefully won't now because of my helping them."

Buffy glanced over at Gage and said, "Well, that's why I'm here. We figured since he's the next best swimmer on the team, he'll be next on the menu. Care to help me watch him?"

"Actually, they're not being eaten… They're turning into the ocean beasties."

"What?" Buffy gasped. "That would've been good to know. How're we supposed to stop that?"

"I took Gage to this medical center yesterday and he was supposed to call me about it last night, but he didn't so –"

"You're spying."

Libby curled her lips inward and mumbled, "Maybe."

Buffy nudged her elbow against her Protector's and replied, "That's ok, I mean, a guy in danger of turning into a sea monster and he didn't call you back? Spying on him is called for."

They followed Gage all day. Around school, driving to the medical center, going home, and ending up at the Bronze. Libby couldn't figure it out. He went back to the medical center, so that meant good news. Right? Why wouldn't he call her? Buffy tried to come up with some ideas as to why, but nothing made sense.

"He does seem fine and like you said, it's giving you something else to focus on." Buffy said as they watched Gage play pool.

Libby took a sip of her Sprite and grumbled, "Not what I had in mind."

Buffy sent her a sisterly sneer and asked, "What did you have in mind?"

"Really? You think I could actually think about dating him? About dating at all?"

"I meant a spectacular saving of his life where he looks at you like the powerful warrior that you are," corrected Buffy.

"Oh."

As Libby took another sip of her drink, Buffy added, "He is cute though."

She glared at her sister, who got up from the bar and moseyed over to hide behind a beam closer to Gage. She groaned at needing to move closer too and as she did it, Gage locked eyes with her. He tried to smile and awkwardly waved, making Libby turn around and try to run. Buffy started to chase after her, but Gage was faster and cut her off.

"You've been following me all day," he said. "But when I let you know that I know you're there, you run? What do you want from me?"

"What I wanted was for you to call me about your consultation and possible treatment like we planned, but you didn't. What I want now is to hopefully not watch you… A beach bod is one thing, a beach beastie is another, ok?"

Gage shook his head and faltered, "Beach beastie? What is that supposed to mean?"

Dammit! "Just tell me why you didn't call to tell me what happened? This is your life, Gage!"

"I know! I just – I don't really understand what's happening to me, ok? The doctors did all these tests and gave me some transfusion thing, and they don't even know if it's gonna work. I didn't know what to say, I'm just…"

Libby understood and she didn't know what to say either. Not that Gage gave her a chance. He rushed out into the night and groaned to himself, "Ah! She's right! You're such a dick!"

"Gotta be talking about Libby."

Angel stalked out of the shadows, taking Gage off guard. "How'd you know?"

"Uh, she and I… had this thing once. Didn't go so well."

Gage frowned and slowly backed away at the look on Angel's face. "We don't have a thing."

"Good!" Angel said with a jolt, making Gage jump backwards. "She's a real head-tripper. I bet it wouldn't end well for you either."

"It's not like that, man. I don't know what your deal is with her, but I'm the one who's tripping."

Angel laughed and began to circle him, hearing his pounding heart and the blood gushing faster and faster in his veins. "I get it. You care about her and when you try to show it, she gets angry and lashes out. Did the same thing to me."

His voice lowered to a growl and his eyes darkened with every word. Gage saw this, felt the change of suspicious to threatening in this stranger, and suddenly froze. Angel's eyes gleamed as his face shifted into that of his true visage. Gage nearly jumped out of his skin and yelled, "You're the one that kidnapped her! Did all those horrible things to her! Aren't you?"

"Smart boy."

Angel lunged for his neck and sank his teeth into the artery. Gage cried out, trying to fight him off, but Angel was too strong. Libby and Buffy had split up to find him (Buffy patrolling the alleys looking for Angel) and at hearing Gage scream, Libby got there first. At the sight of Angel, standing under the lamppost and spitting out Gage's blood, Libby was thrown back into the courtyard of the mansion. He was holding her down, biting her, thrusting into her… he was killing her. Libby could only stand there, staring at the vampire who damaged her beyond repair.

Angel looked up and caught her gaze, smiling. "Why, Miss Winters! You're beautiful!"

Libby narrowed her eyes and instinct took over. With one powerful swing of her arm, she hurled Angel through the air and into the building at the end of the alley. The smash echoed around them and left a huge dent in the wall. Angel crashed onto the wooden skids and then off the railing until he slammed onto the concrete ground. Angel coughed out a laugh as he rose to his feet.

"How I've missed you, Libb! I insist you come back and visit soon instead of wasting time with this boy. He's got nothing on what I will give you."

Libby charged at him, strong and steady. "I will go back there, one more time, because I'm the one who's gonna send you to Hell!"

Angelus began to laugh again, so Libby flung him to the side and created another dent in a wall. He grunted as he lifted himself back up and said, "Hell will come, but not before I have you as my own." Angelus vanished into the darkness and Libby was tempted to help him go with another wave of her hand.

Gage managed to get back on his feet, holding his neck to stop the bleeding and checking to see if his bandage was coming off his head. "Was that the thing that took you? Hurt you?"

Libby took a deep breath and said, "Yes."

"I had no idea."

"No one does. Other than my family."

Gage gazed down at her in a way she didn't expect. There was no pity or sadness in his eyes. They were filled with disbelief, as though she was someone he never thought could be real, and it was awe-inspiring. "Do they know you can move things with your mind?"

Libby instantly covered her mouth. He saw! Of course he saw! He wasn't unconscious!

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Gage reassured her with a smile. "But you're gonna need to tell me all about it because I'm ready to believe it now."

She sighed in relief and smiled back at him. "Fair enough."

For a moment they stood in silence, awkwardly looking anywhere but each other. Libby had no idea what was going on inside her anymore. She was wired all the time, full of rage, and terrified to her marrow. All she wanted was to go home and have this all be a nightmare; since she couldn't she was determined to separate herself as much as possible. Then Gage gave her something she never thought to look for: purpose. Turns out, Buffy was right. It was her destiny to protect and when it was her only focus, she felt more herself again. She could find her strength again. Maybe she wasn't beyond repair.

Finally, Gage asked, "Walk you home?"

"I need to meet Buffy around the corner, but we can walk you home if you'd like."

Gage smiled and answered, "I would."

They turned together and walked under the artificial lights, Libby explaining what her powers were and how they connect her with Buffy. When they met up with her, the Slayer was stunned to discover that Gage was being let in on their biggest secret but seeing how open and kind he was to Libby – how at ease he made Libby feel – she decided to go with the flow. And the three of them talked about everything: Vampire Slayer, Slayer Protector, Hellmouth, and even all the demons and magic and what was really happening to him. Gage was overwhelmed by it all but his fascination and need to understand helped him take it all in and deal. Gage shared how the chemicals in the steam had adversely affected his DNA and that the doctors decided to do a plasma transfusion to try flushing it out of his system. He also admitted that he was scared to call Libby and tell her because it made it real, especially the part where the doctors didn't know if the treatment would be successful because they didn't even know what was going on without more extensive lab work. They understood and Libby even briefly squeezed his hand in support. They dropped Gage off safely at home and then Buffy walked Libby to the apartment.

"I'm glad to see you feeling more yourself again." Buffy said as they reached the door.

"I'm glad that I feel like the old me is still in here."

She started shuffling her feet and glancing away, so her sister gently took her hands and said, "It's not the old you, it's the real you. No matter what happens, you can't lose who you truly are. Not when it's a soul as strong as yours."

Libby had to pull her hands away to wipe away tears and wrap her arms around Buffy in a hug. She was so surprised that it took a moment for the blonde to hug back, but when she did it was as carefully as possible. Buffy was so overjoyed at her Protector's embrace that she didn't want to hold her too tight, but she was too desperate to give Libby all the sisterly love she'd been keeping at bay that she clung to her.

For the first time since Angelus' evil fixation began, Libby was able to start making the key to unlock her safe room door.

Buffy and Willow huddled together on the bleachers eating popcorn, a step above Libby and Cordelia, as they all watched the swim team practice.

"Keep the stroking up. Keep it going!" The coach ordered as he followed along the pool. "Keep it going all the way to the end. All the way to the end. Breathe deep."

Gage decided not to listen and stopped in the middle of his lane. He lifted the goggles up to his forehead and looked across the bleachers until he found Libby. Suddenly it wasn't the water that made him feel weightless, it was knowing she was there for him; that she cared about him just because of him. Gage sprung a hand out of the water to wave at her. Libby slightly smiled back, embarrassed at the attention, but still waved back.

Coach blew his whistle and shouted, "Gage, are you with us or not? Come on, let's go!"

He rolled his eyes and smiled again when he saw it made Libby giggle. He went to finish the lap and Libby turned back to her friends. They all stared at her.

"You with Gage now?" Cordelia asked.

"No, not at all."

"He seems to like you though, and that's nice." Willow said.

Libby shrugged and redirected the conversation. "So, Angel spit out Gage's blood."

"Right before you kicked his ass!" Buffy beamed at her sister. "Like he more than deserved."

"But I thought Angel liked blood." Cordy thought aloud.

"Maybe his eyes were too big for his stomach." Willow replied.

Libby shook her head. "There's something in his blood that Angel didn't like."

"Say for example, steroids with an extra dose of sea creature," finished Buffy.

"That would explain all their behavioral changes –"

"And their winning streak –"

"And why only the skin is left behind," Libby concluded Willow and Cordy's points.

Willow's eyes lit up as everything began to spark into place in her mind. "So, whatever's in the drug mix is not only giving the swim team their edge but having a major side effect of turning them into monsters. There's no way the dark arts aren't involved in this. No chemical is able to completely transform a person like that."

"Did you find anything in the research?" Libby asked Cordelia.

"Zippo. But we were looking for sea demons that already existed not any that were created. Although nothing matched the description that Xander gave us. Not that Chicken Little's much of a witness, but…" Cordelia trailed off at the sight of the new swimmer on the team. "Oh! Oh, my!" He was fresh out of the water, droplets rolling down his strong thighs and manly arms. "Now that, girls, is my kind of…" Sunlight glistened the water off the perfect subtly of his abs… highlighting the perfect trail of hair that led down to his –

"Xander?" Willow cried out in surprise to see so little on him.

"Xander?!" Cordelia echoed in complete shock of how he looked dripping wet.

"Xander!" Libby cheered when he spaztastically jumped to grab a body board so he could cover his speedo.

All four girls rushed over to him as Cordy scolded, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Xander shushed them as he met them halfway and said, "I'm undercover."

"You're not under much," teased Buffy as she and Willow checked him out.

"Get out of here before someone sees you impersonating a member of the swim team." Cordelia demanded.

"I don't do impersonations. I tried out for the team last night and I made it."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Xander nodded and relaxed his broad shoulder muscles. "I figured I can keep an eye on Gage and the others when Libby and Buffy can't."

"When you're nude?" Willow asked, eyes wide as she imagined it.

Buffy bumped her in the back as Libby said, "She meant to say changing."

"Harris!" the coach called for him. "You can flirt on your own time."

"Okey-dokey, coachie."

As he slowly backed away, still trying to cover himself, Libby followed him in a few steps and tapped him on his fit back. He jumped with an ever so small, but high-pitched yelp and froze when he saw her standing directly in front of him. His eyes went so wide with fear, Libby felt like she was looking at a puppy afraid of getting a spanking for peeing on the carpet. She knew why. They hadn't talked much or really been near each other since she… got back, and she knew why. He blamed himself for everything that happened to her and was terrified she'd never let him into her life the way he was before. Libby took the body board away and telekinetically tossed it back on the pile. Xander, unable to relax, moved his swim cap in front of his speedo. She gave him a small smile and said, "Thank you for doing this, for helping me help him."

Xander let out a deep breath he had been holding and replied, "Of course, Libster. I'd do anything for you."

"And thank you for doing it in a speedo," added Libby, with an open smile now. "You look good. Really."

Nervously, Xander began to chuckle, and his cheeks flushed. Libby grabbed the cap from him and flicked it at his face before she left him to his undercover mission.

Cordy continued to stare at Xander as he readied himself on the diving platform and dreamily said, "I'm dating a swimmer from the Sunnydale swim team!"

"You can die happy," said Buffy as Libby rejoined the group. "What about Jonathan? Is he involved with the mystical steroid brew?"

Libby shook her head as Willow answered, "No, he just… sort of… peed in the pool."

"Oh."

They all watched Xander, realizing what was about to happen, and the moment he dove into the water, they all cringed and groaned, "Oh!"

Libby and Buffy waited outside for Xander, the Protector pacing and the Slayer leaning against the wall. Xander finally came out, still drying his hair with a towel.

"You gotta love this undercover deal. 20 minutes in a hot room with a bunch of sweaty guys."

"You went into the steam room?" Libby asked, looking at Buffy who was staring at Xander with appalled eyes. "That's how the drugs get into your system!"

Xander rapidly blinked and stammered, "What? What?! WHAT?!"

Buffy walked forward and put her hands on his shoulders saying, "It's ok, it was only the one time. I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Why am I the last to know?"

"Because we thought you knew," explained Libby. "But you won't turn into a sea demon. Once won't do it. Three times won't even do it. Though you'll want to get a plasma transfusion anyway. Just in case."

Xander's eyes widened. "Just in case?! Just in case it is once, twice, three times a fish guy?! This is bad! Very bad!" He wanted to vent more at the fear rushing alongside the creature from the black lagoon in his veins but seeing the tremendous guilt and anxiety on Libby's face, he shut his mouth really tight and just nodded like a bobble head. "Mmhmm. You say new plasma, I say all good. Mmhmm."

"I'm really sorry, Xander, I thought I mentioned that part, I swear." He continued nodding and gave her very forgiving eyes, despite his inner turmoil. "Where's Gage?"

"He was right behind me, putting his sneakers on, but it's not the Velcro kind, so give him a couple of extra minutes." As Libby gave him an affectionate smirk at his frazzled (but still sarcastic) tone, Xander took another deep breath and lightly touched her arm saying, "Tag. You're it. I'm gonna go get myself some fishy flakes."

"Don't overfeed yourself or you'll go belly up!" Libby called after him to try to ease his worry.

Xander uncontrollably smiled. He didn't care if he got a dozen doses of fish monster. Libby was opening up to him again and even let him touch her arm. She still wanted him in her life. Libby smiled to herself too. It was good to start to find her natural rhythm with Xander again.

She looked through the door window but still didn't see Gage walking down the hall. "I'm worried," she told Buffy. "This is when he turned in the episode. What if I didn't get him help in time?"

Buffy stood next to her and reassured, "We're not in an episode, this is real life, and you're doing everything you can to help him so try to think positive."

"Right…"

Gage's screams burst out of the silence of the empty school. Libby and Buffy ran for the boy's locker room as he screamed for help. Buffy pushed him back so hard he stumbled into the lockers as Libby flung the sea monster formally known as Cameron across the room. They cringed at the sight and smell of it. Scaly and slimy, gills and whiskers, claws and fangs, and it was huge! Buffy put herself between the threat and Libby, telling her, "Run! Get Gage out of here!"

The Slayer kicked it hard in the chest as it charged them. Gage ran up behind Libby as she turned around to make sure he wasn't turning into one himself. As he was standing instead of writhing on the floor in agony until the transformation overtook him and he had to rip his own skin off in a painful sweat, she guessed he was gonna be all right. They ran to the door together, but when Libby looked back, she saw Buffy fighting it off with a lacrosse stick. It was so quick! And too strong. In the next moment, it slipped behind her and sank its teeth into her arm. Buffy shrieked at the stinging pain and was thrown hard into the lockers.

"Buffy!"

The Protector ran for her Slayer and sent the sea creature sliding down the sewer vent in the process. She lifted Buffy up, putting an arm over her shoulder, as Gage rushed over to help. They hurriedly left the locker room… and the coach was right behind them.

"I don't think that this is going to need stitches," the nurse said as she finished bandaging Buffy's arm. "But you might wanna have your family physician take a look at it."

Giles walked over to Buffy, avoiding Libby sitting next to her, and asked, "How are you?"

"I'm definitely feeling the burn."

"Well, the good news is that we have proof that none of your team actually died." Giles informed the coach.

"But the bad news is… they're monsters."

"How could this happen?"

"How could this happen?" Gage yelled at his coach in a fury. "We all know you've been giving us steroids in the steam! You manipulated all of us with those drugs until it was too late for us to want to stop! For us to never start! You're destroying us from the inside out and you're gonna act like you have no idea what's going on?"

"Easy now, boy! I'm making you the best that you can be! I'm not turning you into monsters! How could I?"

Gage lunged for him, fist pulled back ready to slam down into his face, but Giles stood between them and caught Gage's hand. "That's enough! We don't know all that's in the steam or who put it there, but our priority right now is helping the rest of your team before the transformation takes another." Gage nodded and calmed down enough for Giles to turn his back and growl at the coach, "But if you did have anything to do with this, we will find out and put a stop to you."

Willow brought up all the medical files for the swim team as Buffy, Libby, Xander, and Gage all gathered around the screen. "Dodd McAlvy: torn tendon. Gage Petronzi: fractured wrist, depression, headaches. All symptomatic of steroid abuse." She glanced up at Gage and asked, "You had no idea at first?"

Gage shook his head, furious and ashamed. "Not in the beginning, but once we started to win and enjoy the perks, Coach told us. At that point, no one wanted to stop. I didn't want to stop." He got up from the desk and walked to the window.

"Ok, but steroid abuse isn't usually linked with "Hey, I'm a fish." So, what else is in that stuff? The stuff that's now inside me too?" Xander asked, a bit on edge.

"I'm not sure. I think it has to be mystical, but the point is, these boys were obviously drugged." Willow tried to get Gage's attention as she finished, "And it's not all their fault."

Gage turned to her and gave her a half thankful, and half apologetic, smile. Willow returned it, knowing it was for the solitaire.

"Nurse Greenliegh treated every one of them. She must've at least known." Buffy said as she walked around the computer.

"If steroids are that dangerous, why would someone do this to them? And to themselves?" Willow asked, genuinely curious as to how something like this could even start.

"They needed to win. Winning equals trophies, which equals prestige for the school," replied Buffy. "You see how they're treated; it's been like that forever. Stop me if I'm wrong."

Gage walked back over to the group and said, "You're not."

"The discus throwers got the best seats to all the crucifixions," joked Xander.

"Meanwhile, I'm breaking my nails everyday battling the forces of evil and my French teacher can't even remember my name."

"Or you get kidnapped and tortured, only to come back to a school full of horrible rumors about it." Libby's comment silenced everyone, so she added, "Point is the whole thing's wrong and unfair. So how about we get Gage to another plasma transfusion, get Xander signed up for one, go fishing in the sewers, and tomorrow we can find out exactly what the coach did to the team and take him down."

They all paced around the library, leaving Libby to stand and face them all. She stared at them as they waited kindly and patiently. It's like they all lived in an eggshell now because of her. And it makes sense. She does seem to lash out in a loud and violent manner when triggered. But aside from Gage – and his strange yet good intentions – none of them have triggered her. Libby knew why and she felt a sad smile twitch at her lips. They weren't the problem, everything inside her head that wouldn't stop screaming was the problem. Angelus was the problem.

Libby took a deep breath and said, "We need to find the rest of the swim team and lock them up before they turn. Once they're all safe, we need to get them emergency plasma transfusion appointments before they have a chance to kill each other or anyone else."

"Yes. Yes, good. Uh, we also need to know exactly what's in this-this, steroid gas so that the hospital's toxicology lab can develop an antidote." Giles said.

"The doctors took a lot of my blood for testing, so they're already trying to figure that one out," replied Gage from the left staircase.

"Willow can look through Nurse Greenliegh's files and if she finds anything, send them to the hospital?" Libby asked.

The redhead bounced to her feet and said, "I'm on it!"

"Great! Meanwhile, Buffy and I need to talk to the coach because he's a lying sack of crap."

Buffy nodded, eager to take down the bad guy with her sister, but as they were heading out, Gage got up and walked between them. "I'd like to go with you. He's my coach after all. Doing this to me and my team."

Libby looked up at him and replied, "I know, but we need you to help convince your team to believe everything that's happening. Convince them they need to be locked up. Please, Gage."

He drew in a breath and clenched his jaw but nodded in agreement. Libby knew all he wanted was to help and take down the man who would have destroyed him so she softly – and very briefly – touched his arm and added, "You're the first person I've been able to save since coming here. I don't want to mess that up now."

Gage relaxed and smiled. "Ok. I'll round up my guys."

Buffy nodded in support of his decision and their plan in order to turn Libby around and head out the library doors. She could do this, and the Slayer knew it because Buffy was going to do everything in her power to protect her Protector. And it was time to reel in the true monster.

"You got some imagination girls," accused the coach.

"Well, right now, I'm imagining you in jail," replied Buffy as she and Libby followed him up into his office. "You wearing a big orange suit and, oh look, the guards are beating you up."

"You don't have any proof."

"We have all the proof we'd ever need to have you locked up for life," snapped Libby. "Or you could tell us what's in the steam so we can fix this."

The coach glanced over his shoulder to see both girls crossing their arms and staring at him with intense resolve. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "After the fall of the Soviet Union, documents came into light… detailing experiments with fish DNA on their Olympic swimmers. Tarpon… mako shark… but they couldn't crack it."

"And you did… sort of."

"And the Hellmouth took it to another level," Libby mumbled close to Buffy's ear. There's no way it was just his formula! No way. She never believed it when watching the episode and she surely didn't believe it now.

Buffy raised her eyebrows in obvious agreement and demanded, "Why?"

The coach turned around and protested, "What kind of question is that? For the win! To make my team the best they could be! Do you understand we have a shot at the state championship?"

"Do you understand that we don't care? It's over. There's not gonna be any swim team."

"Boy, when they were handing out school spirit, you two didn't even stand in line, did you?"

Libby's eyes boggled at the ridiculousness of that statement and yelled, "This isn't school spirit! This is insanity!" The coach turned around and when he turned back to face them, a 9MM was pointed directly at them, his finger on the trigger. "And my point is proven," whispered Libby as she felt herself paralyze in place.

"Get in the hole!" Buffy instantly jumped in front of Libby when the coach raised his gun. "In! Now!"

She looked down to see the high entrance to the sewer and slowly glanced back at Libby. There was just enough space under her arm for Libby to flick her wrist and send the gun flying out his hand, but when she looked into her Protector's eyes, all she saw was terror. She was back in the mansion again, chained up and tortured by Dru and all her toys. The Slayer brought her focus back to the coach and said, "Let her go, and I'll jump in."

"She either goes in with you or I shoot."

"Libby," she whispered and held out her hand. "I'll protect you, but you have to come with me."

She could barely move. Drusilla was laughing and cutting into her, beating her. But then she felt her Slayer's hand holding her trembling one. "Trust me. I'll protect you." Libby found enough strength to grip Buffy's hand and they jumped in the hole together. They splashed into the murky water. It was cold and smelled of rot. They immediately resurfaced and wiped off as much as they could, but it wasn't enough.

"You think I don't care about my boys. But I do," he called down to them. "They count on me."

Buffy's attention was brought back down to the water when Libby screamed. It was Nurse Greenliegh, or her freshly eaten corpse. It floated along the dank water, bumping into them to get by. Buffy screamed at the sight of the chunks torn out of the body and pushed it away from them.

"So, what, you're just gonna feed us to 'em?" she yelled.

"Oh, they've already had their dinner. But boys have other needs."

The horror on Buffy's face wasn't for herself. She looked to her sister and the petrified stare gave her enough power to take on anything that would try to even look in her Protector's direction.

"In you go," said Giles as Gage led his team into the (now cleared out) weapons lock-up.

"It's gonna be all right, guys. I should've turned by now, but I haven't because I got help in time and so will you." Gage comforted his swim-mates as Giles closed and locked the door. "You just gotta stay calm until that help comes, all right?"

They all nodded, following Gage's lead, so Giles went over to the stairs to talk to Willow.

"Everyone's accounted for except Sean."

"I think we can safely say we found Sean," answered Cordelia as she and Xander entered the library. "He was in the pool skinless-dipping."

Gage walked over to the Scoobies and asked the same time as Xander, "Where's Libby and Buffy?"

They looked at each other, awkwardly and annoyed, as Willow answered, "They haven't come back yet."

"Nothing is going to happen to you!" Buffy promised as she charged through the water to be next to Libby. "Those things aren't touching you! I won't let them have the chance to even think it, I swear!"

Libby shut her eyes and shook her head. This wasn't happening, this wasn't happening. This shouldn't be happening! How could she freeze like that? She knew about the gun, knew about the hole, knew about what they would have to fight in the sewer. It wasn't supposed to go down like this. She was supposed to fling the gun from his hand and Buffy would kick him into the wall unconscious. The end. But when she saw the gun… all she could see was the instruments Drusilla would lay out, feel them tear and break her body, hear Angelus' voice… Where was her anger now? Why was she taken over by fear? How could this be happening? Libby couldn't stop shaking her head or open her eyes, even as the tears fell.

Not until the growling sounded and the waves splashed over them as the sea creatures swam closer, circling them. Buffy kept Libby behind her and moved them away from the beasts as best she could, but she couldn't see.

The coach looked down on them, smiling at his perceived victory, as Xander and Gage walked up behind him.

"What's up, Coach?" Xander asked.

"Oh, Harris. Petronzi," he stammered, getting to his feet to block the hole. "How're you guys feeling?"

"A little dry," replied Xander. "Nothing a little lemon butter sauce won't cure."

As they chuckled, Gage stepped forward, next to the gun, and demanded, "What did you do to Libby and Buffy?"

Coach's eyes darted straight for the weapon, and Gage followed to see it not an inch away from his hand. Before the coach could lunge, Gage grabbed it and pointed it in his face. Xander immediately backed up and said, "Whoa, man! That's not how we do things!"

"He's right, son. Put it down."

Gage laughed, rage evident in the sound, and said, "Sure, Coach. I'll put it down." In one strong swing, Gage hit him on the side of the head with magazine well. He went down hard and stayed down, unconscious. Gage unloaded the gun and placed it back where he got it from as Xander walked over, mouth open.

He looked at Gage and cheered, "Now that's how we do things!"

One of the creatures leapt from the water, but the Slayer struck him back into the rank shallows. A second sprung up behind, but she was able to push him back before he could touch Libby. But the third, newly turned Sean, swam up to join and grabbed Libby's ankle from underneath and pulled her down. She screamed only Buffy wasn't able to reach her in time. The other two jumped up and tackled her. Both Slayer and Protector were trapped under the water. Buffy couldn't see, but she could feel them pulling at her. She kicked until they thrashed to the surface and the Slayer followed. With powerful punches and determined moves, she fought them back enough to dive back to save her sister. As she was about to go under, the third was hurled up and out of the water and Libby flew to the surface.

She did it. She fought back and won! Buffy smiled and grabbed her arm to bring her to safety. They stood together, Buffy keeping her arms out to protect Libby, as the sea demons circled them. They were trapped, but they weren't alone. Xander and Gage saw them from above and quickly lowered themselves to help.

"Libby! Buffy! Hurry! Your hands!" Xander shouted to them.

Without hesitation, Buffy went under the water and grabbed Libby's legs to thrust her up into the air. Libby yelped at the action but was caught by Xander and Gage.

"You got her?" Buffy called up as she wiped the water from her eyes.

"We got her!" Gage answered as they pulled her up to safety.

"You're next, Buff! Come on!" Xander called back to her as he lowered himself again.

Libby coughed up the rest of the sewer from her lungs as Gage lightly rubbed her shoulder to make sure she was all right. She looked to Xander and saw that he wasn't hoisting Buffy up. "Where is she?" He didn't have to answer. She heard the sudden splashing and roaring, and Buffy's scream.

They were on top of her, shoving her down into the un-breathable darkness. Buffy fought them off as best she could, but they were strong, and she had limited mobility in the water. There was too much thrashing! Water was blinding her, deafening her. She couldn't get away no matter how hard she fought. Not with three of them. Buffy began to cough but not enough air was getting to her lungs and too many claws were ripping at her clothes. She was going to drown. She was going to be devoured.

Only she wasn't. Abruptly, she was out of the sewer and up on the floor with Libby, Xander, and Gage. When she caught her breath, Buffy saw her Protector. "You-you lifted me out of there?"

Libby nodded and hugged her close. "I'm sorry I didn't do that before you had to fight them off to save me. I'm sorry I didn't fling the gun away. I'm sorry I got so scared."

Buffy tightly hugged her back and said, "There's nothing to be sorry about! I save you; you save me. That's how it works. We're in this together no matter what."

Libby smiled against her wet locks, but of course their moment couldn't last. The coach came up behind them and hit Gage over the head. After he fell back, Libby waved her arm and sent him down to face his boys. Buffy glanced at Libby as she stared with just as much hatred as the creatures violently showed him. Xander and Gage came to watch as well, but none offered to help. He threw Libby and Buffy into the depths to be raped by his own monsters – innocent teenagers destroyed by his insane ego. Gage was the first to look away and offered Libby help to her feet. In his mind, she was right. This was the only way it could end. And that made him part of the gang.

"Let's see, I gotta take a make-up chem test at three and then Gage and I are meeting up with some of the guys for plasma transfusions at five. It's turned into quite the busy afternoon."

Libby smiled and said, "Sounds like you guys are in for a lot of fun."

Xander smiled back and put an arm around her shoulders to give her a side hug. "Yup, and thanks to you, the fun will never stop."

"Yeah, Giles said the doctors are confident that the treatments are gonna work." Willow chimed in next to Buffy from the other couch.

"Well, turning into a creepy-crawly wasn't on the top ten list of things to do before I turn twenty."

"Mine neither," seconded Gage, next to Buffy.

"I want you to know that you've really proven yourself to me." Cordy told Xander as she took his hand in hers. "And you don't have to join the new team next year if you don't want. I'd be just as happy if you played football."

Xander's smile disappeared but then returned in confusion as the others hid their eye rolls. Giles soon jogged up to the six of them and crouched down by the table between Gage and Libby. "The people from Animal Control have just left. Our creatures have apparently made a-a dash for it. Um, so to speak."

"Does that mean we have to hunt them again?" Willow asked.

"No, I don't think so," answered Buffy. "I don't think we'll be seeing them anymore."

"Where do you think they'll go?"

Buffy and Libby looked at each other and back to Giles. "Home."