A/N: So, considering there are only exists, like, 6 fics of this series, I'm pretty sure no one is ever going to read this. However, I just binged the show and I loved it, but the one thing I kept thinking about the entire time was how Gabby and Swift's friendship would appear to anyone watching. A thirteen year old girl and an adult man meeting up all the time in secret and alone behind closed doors would definitely get some looks.

So I wrote this. If anyone does end up reading this, thanks so much and please let me know what you think! And also write your own version so I can have more content.

~Silver~

Something's not right

Susie hates getting in trouble. She always has. The expressions adults look at her with, the disappointment and exasperation, it makes everything inside her wither up and she feels a bit like she's dying.

She can't mess up, she can't disappoint them. Which is why she has to be absolutely perfect in everything in order to avoid any such looks. Perfect grades, perfect reviews, perfect execution of expectations and the rules.

And then in enters Gabby Duran, like a hurricane, or tornado, or any and every natural disaster that exists, all at once.

Susie hates Gabby Duran. She is loud and rude and does absolutely everything Susie tries to avoid, yet no matter what she does, she never gets in trouble. She's never affected by any of it, peoples' perceptions of her, the teachers scowls. No matter what it is she did, sleeping through class or skipping school or shoving the principal, she never, ever, gets in trouble. She's not even concerned about it.

Susie hates Gabby Duran. Until… she kind of doesn't.

Until that obsessive dislike that has her always looking for the other girl… has her noticing something really weird. Something that screams wrong to her in an alarming way.

The way the Principal interacts with her.

Her righteous indignation every time Gabby blatantly gets away with something, slowly morphs into uneasiness. A feeling of 'not right,' with the warning bells that she always gets when she interacts with Principal Swift (every interaction she's ever had with him has felt off, somehow), but now the warning bells are sounding for Gabby, the girl she very much does not like but kind of no longer hates.

Gabby is always doing something to get sent to the Principal's office. It's a daily occurrence. And if she doesn't do something, his voice is calling her to his office over the loudspeaker.

She's peeked in the window a couple times, and it seemed innocent enough of them sitting across from each other. But one time, she saw Gabby get up and storm toward the door, but Principal Swift had grabbed her arm, stopping her. Teachers weren't supposed to touch students- to put their hands on them. For any reason.

And then she heard the lock on the office door click and the blinds across the window were drawn shut. It's not the first time the blinds have been drawn when Gabby was in there. And it wasn't the first time she's seen Principal Swift touch Gabby. He does it all the time, and not to any other student. He puts his hand on her arm or shoulder or the back of her neck. And Gabby doesn't really react to it, but it's weird, it has to be weird.

Teachers aren't supposed to touch students. Every student knows that. Every teacher knows that, so she doesn't know why any of the other teachers don't say anything. They just silently stew in frustration when Gabby is sent to the Principal's office to get punished, only for her to get off scot free without even a detention.

He calls Gabby by her first name. That's not too unusual if you get a teacher who calls all their students by their first names, but Gabby's name is the only one he seems to even really remember. He always gravitates toward Gabby. He gets involved in classes just for Gabby. His eyes are always drawn to Gabby.

That's really really weird for a Principal to do, for any grown man that isn't related to you to do. It's what every news story and warning of strange men taking an interest in young girls warned about. It sets Susie's teeth on edge every time she sees him touch the latina.

And Gabby, oftentimes, will come into school with bags under her eyes and fall asleep in class, or will be moving stiffly for a couple days. She's seen bruises as they changed for gym class- on her arms and torso, like she's been whacked with something. Like someone hit her with something.

It's not a one time thing, and she never offers any explanation whenever Susie asks, always talking around it until the question is forgotten or it's too late to answer.

Gabby is good at talking around things without ever answering. Gabby is good at drawing attention and being extra and obnoxious, and no one else seems to notice the oddness around her. It becomes a 'that's just a Gabby Duran thing,' no matter how big things get (like Gabby losing it and trashing his office and almost putting him through a wall). It's like Gabby doesn't care, or she's trying desperately to get someone to care.

Susie doesn't know. Susie doesn't hate Gabby Duran so much anymore, especially after she ends up kind of liking her after their Best Fins adventure.

She really hopes this whole thing isn't what it looks like. But Susie can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. Everything about the Principal's interactions with Gabby are wrong.

Susie nervously knocks on the guidance counselor's door, and she twists her fingers together in anxiety as she steps through. Either way, she can't let it keep happening. If something really is going on, only an adult can stop it. And that can only happen if she tells.

"Miss Burns? I… I think something is going on with Principal Swift and Gabby Duran, and I don't know what to do."

...

...

Gabby Duran is… exhausted. She babysat Kali yesterday, meaning her ribs are once again bruised, though she is notably getting better fighting against the intense warrior child. It would be fine if that was the end of the night, but Swift called with an emergency gig after, and she ended up watching two spider alien children that were literally climbing the walls all night. Their parents' spaceship broke down, and they got stuck offworld until the early morning.

Luckily, Liv didn't have any issues covering for Gabby. Sometimes, she thinks that her sister finding out about her babysitting job is one of the best things that could have happened.

It's so much easier keeping it secret with someone at home running interference with her mom. However, it's also easier to let herself get overworked. Still, this job is the best thing to ever happen to her. It's… amazing.

If endlessly tiring, sometimes.

Gabby is interrupted mid-yawn by Wes charging up to her, panic on his face. It's not such an unusual expression for her friend. "Gabby, I just saw two police officers in the office and they're looking for you."

The sleepiness immediately vanishes as a shot of adrenaline rushes through her veins. "What, why?" Gabby panics. She doesn't recall doing anything illegal lately. She automatically goes through the list of her typical crimes: No breaking and entering, or vandalism. Done.

That leaves only one possibility that her brain latches onto. The aliens. Someone knows, or found out.

"I don't know," Wes says, stress etched in every line on his face. He's horrible at containing his emotions and quite prone to freaking out. It normally doesn't faze her, but this time it doesn't help her own nerves.

Gabby is just about to decide making a run for it would be the best option, when a shadow falls over her, and she looks up to a vaguely familiar looking adult. "Gabby, hi. Can you come with me? I have some questions for you." She looks… There is an odd look on her face. Worried and sympathetic. People don't normally look at her that way.

Annoyed, exasperated, sure. Not… this. It's weird.

Gabby finally places the woman as the one who sat her down with her class schedule when she first moved here. The Guidance Counselor. She hasn't said a word to the woman since.

"What about?" Gabby demands, shrugging her backpack higher on her shoulder.

"Miss Duran," she says firmly, eyes not moving from Gabby's. It's weirdly intense. "Please."

Gabby debates making a run for it again, even more uneasy. But if police are involved, they'd probably just show up to her house instead, and then her mom would really freak out.

Gabby clenches her fists and nods, turning in the direction of the office. "Fine," she says.

Gabby's eyes immediately fall on the police officers as she enters the office, and then her eyes frantically search out Swift. He's in his office, hovering in front of the window, eyes locked on her already. He has that manic, frantic, light in them he gets at the prospect of Gabby spilling the secret (which, fair, since two of the three people who found out because of her still have their memories). But she didn't do anything this time. No one found out. They can't have.

Right?

Gabby swallows and swings her head back to the adults leading her into a side room. The two officers file in after her and close the door. The blinds are drawn.

Gabby scrubs her hands down the thighs of her pants. "What's going on. What questions do you have for me?" She doesn't know if she should be talking to Miss Burns or the cops, so she directs the question to all of them.

"Why don't we take a seat?" the counselor offers, ignoring the presence of the officers. Gabby doesn't want to sit down, she is buzzing with anxious energy, but she's trying to appear relaxed, so she does. Miss Burns offers her a small smile for that. "Gabby, before we start, I just want to reassure you that you aren't in trouble. Nothing you say in here will get you in trouble as long as you are honest."

That's not happening. "Okay," Gabby says. "So what's this about."

For a moment, the Guidance Counselor exchanges a look with one of the policemen, her first acknowledgement of them, and she hesitates as she presses her lips together. "Tell me about your relationship with Principal Swift."

The uneasiness almost overwhelms her. They know. How do they know?

Gabby forces out a laugh, doing her best to appear confused and innocent. "He's my principal?"

"You've seen him a lot since moving here, haven't you?" she presses.

"I mean, yeah," she has to admit. Everyone knows she goes to his office a lot. "I get in trouble a lot. I'm kind of not a great student."

"But even when you're not in trouble, you get called to his office, correct?"

Gabby presses her lips together, brain turning. What is a reasonable reason for her to get called to the principal's office? Other than getting a new alien babysitting assignment? "That's just…" Think, Gabby, think! "For me to carry out my punishments," she blurts. "You know, for the other things."

"During class?" one of the officers break in, and Gabby is surprised that Miss Burns glares at him.

"Yup," Gabby says, trying to put on an air of unconcern. It's very hard when all the kids she babysits, and Swifty and Jeremy, are all on the line. She really wishes she knew what she did wrong and what exactly they already know.

She forces herself to lean back in the chair, to appear relaxed, and crosses her arms.

"Have you ever been to Mr. Swift's house?"

Gabby immediately recalls Principal saying over and over that no one can know about Jeremy. That he's not ready to interact with humans. Which means she can't claim to babysit for him. "Nope," she lies.

The adults exchange significant looks above her head again. Looks that reveal they know she's lying. Crap. Who saw her? What else did they see? Did they see Jeremy blob out- is that why they are asking about Principal now? Have they already captured Jeremy?

Miss Burns leans forward, hands stretching out across the table as if she wants to take Gabby's hands into her hers. Her expression is soft. "Gabby, you aren't in trouble. We just want to help. We can help, you just have to trust us."

"Help with what?" Gabby scoffs.

"What happens when you go to Principal Swift's office?" she presses.

Gabby grits her teeth. "Nothing. I write lines." She can't let them find out about the other kids.

"Has Principal Swift ever touched you inappropriately?"

"I-" Gabby's brain freezes, as the question finally processes. As all the questions collide together in one horrible realization of the situation. And it's- that's what they think? That's what they think Gabby needs 'protection' from? It's laughable.

But this questioning isn't about her babysitting aliens. It doesn't have anything to do with aliens. Which is good? But also so much worse. Shit, that's what they think? "What?" Gabby's surprise isn't fake this time. "No! Of course not, it's not like that."

"What's it like, then?" The other officer, the woman, asks this time. Gently, but matter of fact. Her expression doesn't change from its inscrutable mask. "Can you explain it to us?"

She really can't. Her brain keeps looping back to the relief that they don't know about aliens. That's… good at least. "He's…" She doesn't know what to say. She can't explain it. That something like that would never even occur to him. That he's from another planet, an alien, and his anatomy is a literal blob. Speaking of, how do Gor-Mons reproduce? "It's just…not like… that."

"Gabby, some people are very concerned about you and your relationship to Principal Swift. We are just trying to-"

"Who?" Gabby demands, jolting to her feet. "Because from where I stand, it's like you want me to accuse him. It doesn't matter if it's real or not, you just want me to say that he touches me. Poor Gabby Duran, she's a victim. Principal Swift is a pedophile, watch out! Fuck that. You already decided that he's the bad guy. You're on a witch hunt. You don't want the truth if it doesn't line up with what you already think about him."

"What about the bruises? Where do you get them," the male officer asks calmly, not rising from his seat like Gabby has. The only one who does rise is Miss Burns, hands held out placatingly.

At the mention of bruises, Gabby's hand automatically lifts to her side. "How-" her mind spins. About the locker room and probing questions. "Susie. Susie made the accusation." Gabby actually feels hurt for a moment. She thought they had been getting along better. That they might actually, eventually, turn into kind-of-friends. Then she scowls. "Well she's a liar. She's hated me ever since my mom gave her a bad review for babysitting. She's always been jealous, too- especially of my friendship with Principal."

"Gabby, thirteen year old girls are not supposed to be friends with adult men. Especially their principals. Do you understand how inappropriate that is?" Miss Burns says, expression apologetic and hands still out like she's trying to telepathically hold Gabby there, in her seat. She can't. She's not an alien.

"It's not like that!" Gabby bursts, frustrated and angry that they aren't listening- aren't believing her. How did this all go wrong? She shoves away from the table to stalk toward the door. The officer closest to her stands and reaches out as if to grab her, and Gabby twists her arm away, wheeling to face him. "Can I go?! Or are you going to force me to stay until I say what you want to hear."

Miss Burns has already grabbed the officer's arm to stop him from grabbing her, and Gabby yanks the office door open, heart pounding and chest rising and falling quickly as her eyes search out Swift. He's still peeking out his window, and Gabby quickly spins away as the anger quickly turns to panic.

Shit. How did this happen?