Anchors Can Really Drag You Down

Disclaimer: I own nothing

AN: Can I just say how much I wish Fake-Nate just killed Paige and THEN went after Poor Sweet Emily? But I digress, Emily almost gets killed again AND she gets stuck with Psycho Crazy Stalker Bitch we all know fondly as PIGSKIN! Fucking Bitch Needs To Die!

Anyway…hope you all enjoy!

'Push. Push. Push. Breathe. Push.' She glided through the water as if nothing could touch her, it was just her and the pool, nothing else mattered in this moment. Coach taking down times, the swimmer next to her…her mother; none of that touched Emily as she focused on her lane.

Her lungs burned, her arms and legs gliding through the water as if she were oil, she was effortless, unstoppable and just like that it was over and she was out of the pool; finishing seconds before the other girl. She grinned. "Easy up Fields…it's just a practice."

Emily turned from drying her hair as her teammate pulled herself out of the pool. Before she could respond Coach walked over holding her clipboard and stopwatch, "I see you've eaten your Wheaties this morning, nice hustle out there Emily."

"Thanks Coach." Emily responded with a shy smile.

"You've got competition Paige…Emily remembered that she likes to win." Coach smirked, and carried on into the girl's locker room.

"Happy to have her back." She said to the coach's back, smiling a little too brightly at Emily. "Guess you're out of that rut, huh Fields?" she enquired strangely, grinning from over her damp towel. "Think it'll last through the season?"

Emily's eyes narrows in confusion, "Yea…I was a little unfocused before, that's over now."

"We'll see." The girl responded, walking away and leaving Emily there to stare after her in confusion.

"Well that looked pleasant." The smooth voice coasted over her as strong arms wrapped around her towel-clad body.

Emily grinned, "Paige doesn't like coming in second…even if it was just a practice." She turned into her girlfriend's arms, smiling at the grinning girl.

Maya leaned in kissing her chastely, softly before stepping back and smirking, "Practice Shmantice, my baby was nothing but completely awesome out there, and no one will tell me otherwise."

Emily rolled her eyes with a blush, "I have to go change." She spoke, reluctant to separate herself from Maya.

Maya gave a resigned sigh and let her go, "Go if you must." She teased, smirking as Emily laughed at her antics and turned to leave. Maya took the opportunity and gave her girlfriend a friendly smack on her enticing ass.

Emily squeaked, "Maya!" she stared wide-eyed at the girl.

Maya looked on unapologetically, "Don't look at me like that I was merely reminding you that, that ass is mine Fields. Now hurry up and get dressed, I'm starving!" It took all of Emily's strength not to call her girlfriend out on the obvious dirty thoughts that she was thinking. "We should pick up dinner or something too!" That's it; Emily was so going to dying from all the blood rushing to her head.

Standing in front of the mirror, mindlessly drying her hair once more, Emily couldn't keep the small, peaceful smile from playing on her lips. She was content; her amazing girlfriend was out there waiting for her to go to dinner, she was back to being the best in the water, though that was still unconfirmed, and even her mother was acting just a bit less crazy.

"Listen up! Girls! Pay attention please!" And then there was McCullers…she had issues. Emily watched her from the mirror as the girl handed out wrapped white boxes. "So I know the vote for captain is coming up, don't up them yet!" the girl's eyed twitched dangerously, that manic smile still in place. "Right so voting for captain is up pretty soon, and I would just like to say that we had a great practice today, you know that was a really good show of the word team." She hand Emily one, pausing to stare at her for a moment too long. "No one member better than the other." She moved one facing the group, 'What the hell?' "Anyways I'd just like you all to keep in mind my efforts for making this team better and what a true leader is about. I know some of you-"

"Alright Paige, that's enough, I want you swimming not campaigning." Coach cut her off; she mumbled something under her breath and faded into the group. "Sharks, I want you all focused…like Emily." She blushed as Coach directed all attention on her. "She regained her focus and broke a record today!" everyone cheered…well not everyone. "I'll see everyone tomorrow! Really a great job you did out there today Fields…captain material if I do say so myself." She grinned and left.

Emily smiled at the praise her team gave her, ignoring the glare she was getting from the girl in the corner and finished getting ready; Maya was waiting. Paige stormed out without a word.

"So wait you beat a record! Baby that's so awesome!" Maya grinned proudly, setting her chopsticks down to embrace the girl next to her. Emily grinned into her shoulder, even if the position was somewhat awkward given that Emily was really facing Maya's side as her legs draped over Maya's and the rest of the couch.

Maya pulled back and picked up her forgotten chopsticks and box of Chicken Chow Mein. Emily grinned as her girlfriend awkwardly poked at the noodles. "It was pretty great…but I think Paige is like jealous of something, because Coach said I was captain material and she kind of just stormed out." Emily shrugged, looking down into her own box of fried rice.

Maya sighed, "Baby, please don't take this the wrong way…but you are way too nice sometimes. Your Coach said that because it's true, if that girl can't handle the competition then she shouldn't be playing a competitive sport."

Emily picked her head up and grinned at her girlfriend, stealing a quick kiss from the girl's awaiting lips, "Here, let me help you." Emily laughed, seeing Maya's failed attempts at using the chopsticks. "I don't know why you insist on getting these when you can't even use them." Emily shook her head.

Maya grinned slyly as Emily scooted closer and offered her a bite of the Chow Mein on her own chopsticks. Maya chewed thoroughly, watching Emily eat some of her own food, wrapping her now free arms around Emily's waist. "Really? You have no idea?" she asked softly, suggestively.

Emily rolled her eyes, grinning madly as she stole another kiss from her girlfriend's lips. "No idea." She smirked in badly portrayed false innocence.

Maya chuckled lowly, a sound that erupted butterflies in Emily's stomach whenever she heard it. "You're not fooling anyone Fields, you love chopstick take-out day as much as I do." She took another offered bite.

Emily shrugged, still smirking as the two focused more on each other than the movie playing on mute on the television. It was true, these days when they'd pick up Chinese take-out and curl up on Maya's couch, a movie or some show on mute and just focusing on each other; they were the best days.

Another day, another broken record and Emily found herself packing up the things in her locker. With her head in her locker she didn't she her 'teammate' approaching. "Pretty." Looking up she saw Paige McCullers with her hands all over her bra. She took it back quickly, "Thanks." She responded tensely and completely weirded out.

She tossed it in her bag, Paige stepped closer, "Congrats on your time, another broken recorded…first freestyle, then breast stroke…" Emily turned packing her things. Paige glared at her back, "Keep it up and we'll have to test you for any extra…help you may have."

Emily spun at the off-handed accusation. "Go right ahead." She gave a tense smile, turning back to her locker.

Paige walked around her, leaning on the locker next to Emily's, "It'll take a lot more than breaking a few records to become captain." She taunted.

"I never said I wanted to be captain, Paige." Emily sighed out.

"Oh please Emily." She chided condescendingly, "You've been 'distracted' for months and then all of a sudden you're coming in first and breaking records? Of course you're gunning for captain."

Emily shook her head, "No, I'm not 'gunning' for anything." She denied, in exasperation.

"Good, because being so good at the breast stroke could really end up hurting you." Paige chirped.

Emily stilled, turning and glaring at the girl, "What are you getting at?"

"I mean, we all know what team you really play for." She stepped closer into Emily's personal space, keeping her voice low and to the point.

Emily narrowed her eyes, "You need to suck it up, if you want to beat me, work harder." Emily fired back, kicking her locker closed and snatching up her bag. Paige just smirked, watching the girl go.

Lunch…

"How was swim practice?" Spencer smiled over at her friend, frowning as the girl picked at her salad. "Em?"

"It was fine." 'If fine means getting bashed for your sexuality in the girl's locker room.' She sneered to herself.

"Ok…" she frowned looking at Aria, "So I heard that Hanna was setting you up on that blind date soon, know what you're going to wear?" Spencer turned her attention.

Aria grinned, "Well, she said it was just a coffee date, so I'm thinking casual…jeans probably."

Spencer rolled her eyes, "We all know they won't be just jeans, right Em?" Spencer laughed looking at Emily only to find that the girl's attention was on the person passing through the room.

"What?" she answered back absently.

"What are you looking at Em?" Spencer straightened in her chair.

"Nothing." She locked back to her lunch. "A girl on my swim team who would be all too happy if I dropped off the face of the earth."

"Who is she?" Aria frowned.

"Paige McCullers." Emily sneered.

"Oh I know her, we were on field hockey together…they named a penalty after her actually." Spencer nodded, knowing how…different the girl was. Aria laughed, "What happened?"

"She made a snarky comment about me being gay." She rolled her eyes, smiling falsely as she set her bowl on the table.

"I will destroy her." Spencer said automatically.

"Can I help?" Aria questioned deathly calm. "Have you told Maya?"

Emily sighed, "Guys really, it's fine. I handled it. I don't need you guys or Maya coming in to rescue me, relax." She reached into her backpack, pulling out the small white box and grabbing her wallet underneath. "I'm going to get a drink, anyone else thirsty?"

Aria picked up the box, "Aw did Maya get you something special?" she grinned cutely.

"That's from Paige." Emily responded.

"Ew." Aria grimaced, holding the box back like it was infected, "Why?"

"She's trying to bribe her way to team captain…whatever it is, you can have it." Emily shrugged. Spencer laughed as Aria quickly opened the box, finding a threaded blue bracelet that read 'Go Sharks'.

"Original." Spencer scoffed, Aria shrugged.

"Hey Maya! Have you talked with Emily since afternoon practice?" Spencer said as she caught up with Maya and Hanna.

Maya shook her head, "No, I had band practice and then I had to help Hanna here with something, why what's wrong? Is she ok?" she frowned.

Spencer grimaced, "It's just, she told Aria and I about this Paige McCullers girl on her swim team, guess something happened."

Maya thought about it, "Yea, she was giving Emily a hard time about breaking the freestyle record yesterday at after school practice…she do something else?"

Hanna's eyes narrowed immediately, "Wait hold up! Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this?"

Spencer rolled her eyes at the blonde's dramatic tone, Maya just grinned lovingly at her friend. "Anyway, Emily said that the girl made some comment about her being gay because the swim Coach said something about Emily being 'Captain material'. She didn't seem all too willing to elaborate, and she kind of didn't want any of us doing anything about it, but I thought you should know." She explained, second guessing herself for a quick moment as anger flashed through the two sets of eyes, then again she was sure the same thing happened when Aria and she heard about it earlier, so she wasn't too concerned.

"Of course she didn't want me to know…she knows what I'll do." Maya laughed humorlessly, sharing a conspiring look with her blonde counterpart. "I'm guessing she said that she handled it too?" Spencer nodded. "Ok." Maya sighed.

"Wait ok? We're not going to do anything about it?" Spencer questioned in surprise.

Maya shrugged noncommittally, "If she said she handled it, then I trust her until I find out otherwise…the last time I took shit into my own hands it blew up in my face, remember?"

Both Hanna and Spencer nodded sympathetically, but Hanna spoke, "Are you really just going to let this slide though?"

Once again Maya shrugged, "For now, it's about all we can do, Emily's a big girl and as much as I would love to fight all her battles for her…she wouldn't appreciate it very much."

"True." The blonde and brunette echoed each other.

Emily walked nervously into the locker room after being pulled from her last class of the day, Coach sat at one of the benches, a somber but comforting smile on her face. "You wanted to see me Coach?"

"Yes, why don't you have a seat." She pointed to the opposite bench seat just as Paige walked into the room, dread bubbled within Emily. "Both of you, sit please." Reluctantly they both sat, keeping as much distance between them as possible.

"What's this about Coach?" Emily smiled nervously, hoping she was wrong about the reason.

"It's come to my attention that there was an incident involving a homophobic comment earlier today. I'm sure you're well aware that we have a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying, of any kind. So, anyone want to explain?" Coach Fulton watched as the color drained from Paige's face.

"Coach Fulton, whatever happened between Paige and I was just a misunderstanding, it's been dealt with." Emily quickly explained away. Paige looked on, a strange kind pleased look crossing over her face.

"That may be very well and true, but I still need to know what happened and then I'll decide whether it's been handled or not." Fulton pressed, not believing that this was so unimportant as to be swept under a rug. She stared pointedly at Paige.

Emily stared at Paige, then at Coach. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Just a misunderstanding." Paige added quickly.

Coach Fulton sighed, frustrated at the turn of event, "Fine, Paige you can go." The girl was out before the finish of her sentence. Coach turned to Emily, "Emily…I can't protect you if you don't tell me what's going on, now if that girl is threatening you or bullying you, making you feel uncomfortable in any way you need to tell me." she pressed.

Emily sighed, "Honestly Coach, I'm fine…can I go now?" she waited for approval. Fulton gave it unwillingly, still not believing the girl, but knowing she wasn't going to say anything more. Emily left.

"Are you going to eat that?" Emily smirked at her friend, looking up from writing in her notebook as Spencer stared at the half eaten slice of pizza left on her plate.

"Help yourself Spence, if I eat any more I'll be swimming in two lanes. I'm stuffed." Emily grinned as her friend snatched up the slice and bit into it.

Spencer shrugged and stood to clean up a bit, "S'okay, you can swim in yours and Paige's lane. Fulton did kick her off the team right?"

Emily frowned, "Wait…you knew Coach was going to bring Paige and I in to talk?"

Spencer smiled in an obvious gesture, "Of course I did, and I'm the one who told her about what happened; besides it serves McCullers right, she's been harassing people since middle school, and someone should put her in her place."

"And someone already did; I did. I told you that I handled it and that I didn't need anyone to fight my battles for me." Emily explained outraged that her friend went behind her back, "I suppose you told Maya as well?" though she already knew the answer.

Spencer shrugged, "Of course I did, why are you so angry, I was just protecting you?"

"I can stand up for myself!" Emily fired back.

"Right, like you did with Alison." Spencer scoffed, and then scolded herself as hurt flashed across her friend's face. "Wait Em, I didn't mean-"

"I should go…thanks for not letting me get hurt." She said passively, gathering her things quickly and leaving before Spencer could protest.

Spencer groaned at her idiocy and pulled out her cell, "I did something stupid."

Emily took her anger out in the water, staying late and getting in a few extra laps after practice. So lost in her own head she failed to notice the shadow lurking above her as she surfaced, that is until a hand put pressure on her head and dunked her…repeatedly. Finally surfacing she ripped her cap and goggles off, "What the hell is your problem!"

"You are my problem Fields! First going and complaining to Coach because I hurt your feelings and now you've replaced me as relay anchor! Like you deserve it!" Paige sneered.

"Are you fucking kidding me! I saved you're ass from getting kicked off the team!" Emily sneered back. "And if you have a problem with the list go talk to Coach!"

Paige reared up to fire back only to be cut off by a hard shove that sent her flying into the concrete. Emily was stunned as Hanna helped her out of the pool and silently directed them toward the changing rooms, leaving a fuming Maya alone with an oddly calm Paige.

Maya waited for the sound of the locker room door slamming shut, and then set her sights on Paige. "I think it's about time you and I have a little chat McCullers."

Meanwhile…

"Maya's so going to kill that bitch!" Hanna smiled gleefully as Emily rushed to get her things together.

"I don't see the amusement in this situation Hanna! God, why don't you guys just let me handle things on my own, do I really seem invalid to you all? Right now my girlfriend is out there, probably beating the shit out of my teammate, yes it's a deserved beating, but Maya's going to have consequences, you know Paige will tell! Just to get back at me! I had it handled!" Emily screeched at her friend.

Hanna sighed and sat beside her frantic best friend, "Em, Emily listen to me." She waited. "It's not that you're invalid, and yes I know what that means." Emily chuckled just a bit. "It's just, I guess we all feel guilty about the whole Alison thing, and Maya well, we all don't want to see you hurt again. You don't deserve that shit."

Emily cracked a small smile, "I appreciated it, I do, but I need to fight my own battles." She looked pointedly at the blonde.

Hanna smirked and shrugged, "Sure, but you try telling that girl out there that she's not allowed to do some damage on someone she just caught trying to down the love of her life." The blonde smirked at Emily's blush.

"I'm not the love of her life." She mumbled pathetically unconvincingly.

Hanna scoffed in amusement, "Yea and I'm the Queen of freaking England."

"So what's it going to be McCullers?" Maya grinned menacingly down at the girl spitting out blood onto the concrete. "You getting the point yet?"

Paige sneered, "I guess you dykes really stick together huh? Or is it just because Emily's a good lay?"

Maya's anger flared, "Wrong answer." Her fist connected hard with the side of Paige's mouth. "Wanna try again?"

Paige groaned as she picked herself up again. "Yea, she must be a really good fuck."

Maya shoved the girl down, sending her crashing into the concrete. "Careful McCullers, your true colors are shining through." Maya laughed mockingly. "You know I didn't believe Lucas when he told me, but now? Oh I totally understand it's all so clear to me now."

Paige froze, "What are you talking about?" she spat trying to mask her fear with anger.

Maya laughed once more, crouching down to Paige's level. "You're going to leave Emily alone from now on, and you know how I know that you will? Because I'm willing to bet that, that conservative father of yours wouldn't take too kindly to having a dyke as a daughter? That little twisted crush you have on my girlfriend ends now, or else the whole school will know just how twisted you really are. I mean acting like a homophobic little bitch to cover up your own gay tendencies is a bit cliché, don't you think?"

"You wouldn't tell anyone, you don't have the spite." Paige sneered back pathetically.

"Normally I'd agree; no one should be forced from the closet." Paige sagged in relief, but Maya lent in closer, whispering, "But that was before you decided to put you're grubby little hands on Emily. I can't let that slide, I won't. Emily means everything to mean McCullers, and I'll do anything for her, but I won't stand by and let someone sniveling, closeted bitch hurt her." Maya stood, leaving the stunned girl on the floor. "Consider this you're only warning and if you so much as mention this to anyone or even breathe harshly in Emily's direction…well let's just hope you're smart enough not to."

That night, Maya's room…

"I'm so fucking mad at you." Emily panted harshly as she held Maya against the wall, her hands fused to her girlfriend's hips, digging her nails in just enough to leave surface marks.

Maya hissed against her girlfriend's lips as they pressed firmly, roughly into her own. "Mmm." She whimpered, her mind far to gone to reply to the delicious fury of Emily's tongue as it slipped into her mouth, taunting her own tongue in the most infuriatingly teasing way possible. Maya was fairly sure she'd be a melted puddle on the floor if it had not been for Emily's knee pressing firmly between her legs, both holding her up and adding to the torture at the same time.

Maya's hips rocked, painfully seeking out pressure where she needed it most. Emily just moved with her, keeping the contact as light as possible. Her right hand slipping up Maya's shirt, scratching up and down the girl's ribcage, delighted with the moans and whimpers the action forced from her girlfriend's lips. She grabbed the hem roughly, pulling it up slightly. "Off." She ordered firmly, panting into Maya's neck as she placed firm, wet kiss onto the girl's neck; sucking and biting when she heard the needy whimper slip out of Maya.

Maya raised her arms and the shirt quickly found its place on her bedroom floor, as Emily made a slow burning trail of kisses down from her pulse point to her collarbone. She was killing Maya it the best way possible. Grabbing Emily's chin, she brought their lips together in a heated passionate kiss, locking her girlfriend's wandering hands with her own and backing Emily toward the bed.

The bite on her bottom lip caused Emily's knees to go weak, Maya slipping her tongue passed as she took control of the kiss, her tongue twisting and tasting all Emily had to offer. Emily's felt the bed behind her knees not a moment too soon as she quickly slipped onto it, backing up so that she lay in the middle, Maya straddling her above. Emily groaned, feeling the weight of her girlfriend above her, untangling their hands to tug the girl's body closer, her legs opening and allowing Maya to settle there. Maya groaned as she felt Emily's log legs wrap around her torso, the pressure of their hips pressing firmly into each other's.

They pulled backed just enough to catch their breaths. "I'm so fucking in love with you." Emily panted into Maya's mouth; her eyes burning with not only lust but such an intense love that Maya lost her breath all over again.

Maya's breathing hitched as she rested her forehead against Emily's, her eyes burning with a similar fire. "My everything." She didn't explain Emily didn't need her to as a shudder ran through her entire body; she understood Maya's words perfectly.