This is AU Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D story. I love the Marvel Universe and don't own it or its characters.

This is a story the muse in my head just wanted to explore and share . I appreciate any feedback to both

feed my muse and help me tell this story of the Shifters of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Chapter One

Perched high in a pine tree, the snow leopard rested with eyes closed in the late morning sun. The only indication that the beast was not asleep was the snowy white tail that dangled down from the tree limb. Every few minutes it swooshed in the air. Senses alert, the leopard heard the sounds of a vehicle engine come down the road maybe three quarters of a mile in the its direction. The snow leopard chuffed in irritation when a few minutes later it was followed up by the vehicle pulling to the side of the woods and thud of a car door. The leopard chuffed in irritation. The tail that once had been moving lazily now swooshed aggravated back and forth. Eyes remained closed as the leopard extended its senses. Ears flicked to the side eyes closed as she listened to the sound of a locking mechanism being engaged followed by the sounds of a single pair of footsteps moving in her direction.

The snow leopard nose knew the scent the wind carried its direction. There was no danger. So instead of leaping from her perch and running, the leopard stayed. It chuffed again.

"When you said you were going for a run last night I expected you back at dawn," a male voice drifted up into the tree.

The leopard opened amber colored eyes and stared down at the man. It let out a big cat yawn.

"I get the full moon but Melinda, damn I had to drive the SUV an hour just to lock on to your heat signature," Phil Coulson grumbled becoming more annoyed when the leopard merely blinked down at him. Coulson grimaced when the leopard suddenly sprung from its branch and landed onto one of similar size in a nearby tree. Coulson sighed crossing his arms and leaned against the tree the leopard had jumped from. He really hoped he would not have to chase. When he moved to step closer to the animal's perch, a low growl of warning erupted. Up in the tree's the leopard's eyes glowed sharply and accessing. The cat irked at Coulson's presence.

"I don't pretend to understand all that you went through at Bahrain on that mission where you and Clint were taken by Centipede," Coulson calmly spoke to the Leopard who was climbing higher in the tree. "You know that I was there at the raid when Tasha got you out of that breeding lab with the other shifters," he remembered. You channeled your anger over that violation placed upon you to make those people pay."

Walking to the tree where the snow leopard perched, he tilted his head upwards shielding his eyes from the bright sunshine to look directly at the animal's glittering amber eyes. "I am sorry I walked up here complaining the way I did Melinda," the agent apologized. "In the year and a half since it happened, I don't think any of us on the team don't understand your need to run and for your panther to roam free in the wild. I know she for helps you with all that's happened."

The leopard rose in one fluid motion and leapt to stand in front of him. She ran the side of her face into his suit leg gently then bumped him with her shoulder. Only past experience of being knocked off of his feet from his fellow agent's friendly bumps kept the agent from stumbling onto the grassy ground.

"Mel," Phil spoke as he stroked the animal's silky coat of her beautiful coat paying special attention to stroke her under her white chin. "Mel, you are such a beautiful creature in both your forms," he added genuinely wishing he and his partner could spend the day out here alone with May. The leopard rewarded him with a purr and he fell to his knees gathering a willing leopard into his solid frame. The leopard melted to him purring. "Please wear the communicator earring next time please" the agent's voice finally broke the silence. "I got worried at sunrise and I could not find you," his voice broke. "I can't lose you." The feline gathered in his arms shifted forms and he gathered her closer. A softer purr still rumbled into Phil Coulson's chest.

"I am sorry" May finally spoke her head tucked into neck her mate's and her boss. Nobody but Coulson got to see this side of the quiet deadly agent who could track out any target with her feline senses and could bring down or kill any threat with her bare hands. "I just felt so caged in the bus yesterday. The leopard was so restless and my emotions over the chatter of Centipede starting to manipulate shifters D.N.A. sent me over the edge," May explained to her life-mate of a year and a friend for much longer.

The snow leopard dual life as an agent of shield was a difficult balance. And Coulson knew the urge to run and be free was a direct polar opposite from the rigid structure of being one of the best agents in the Shield Organization. So he let her run when mission's allowed and a safe place to do so presented itself. Melinda up until tonight had always been reliable to return at dawn. Tonight had the first time he ever had to go look for her. Phil did not speak anything in response just waited for the woman in his arms to share what she wished.

"There is something happening Phil," May explained, "Something is not right," she added her body stiffening a little in his arms and shuddering. Miss-understanding his partner's response for being cold

Phil shucked off his jacket putting it around Melinda's naked form like a blanket. The cell phone he had placed in his pocket deciding at that moment to ring.

"Coulson," the agent answered pulling his ringing cell phone from the jacket pocke draped in front of Melinda May. "Yeah, I found her. We should be there within the hour. Mission briefing soon as we arrive," Coulson spoke in quick short sentences to the caller.

"Fury?" Melinda asked taking her partners hand in her own pulling them both up. She handed Coulson back his jacket and plucked at the buttons on his dress shirt. "Can I wear that to the S.U.V? Did you bring me any clothes?"

"In the passenger seat," Coulson answered in response unbuttoning the shirts buttons and removing it from his bare chest. "Come here," he beckoned pulling his chosen mate to him taking a moment rub her bare back in the same manner as he had stroked her fur a few minutes before. 'I love you Melinda May. I am here for you always."

"And I you," May answered back reaching up his bare shoulder and pulling him down in a gentle kiss.

Coulson could not miss the change in May's demeanor and the twinkle that had entered her eye.

"Meet you at the bus," May spoke into his ear blowing into it and taking off into a run morphing as she ran.