AN: Hi, guys. This is my first Agents of S.H.I.L.D. story so I hope you'll like it. English is not my first language, I'm Czech, so I apologize in advance for any mistakes. Let me know what you think, thank you...

hanzoo

After Agent Ward left it is now only Coulson and Agent Hill in the room. They are both staring at the screens in silence for several minutes when Hill looks at her watch and speaks up.

"She should be here in about five minutes."

"I know." Coulson answers, knowing where Maria is going.

"She's going to kick your ass, you know?" she says and finally turns to look at him.

"I know."

"Do you think she'll say yes?"

"I don't know. It wouldn't be surprising if she said no, though." He sighs.

"I guess not. Getting her to trust you wasn't exactly easy. And after today…" she trails off, not wanting to actually say the words. She doesn't have to. Coulson finishes the thought for her.

"After today she might not trust me ever again. I know. But I have to try. You know as well as I do she could be a great asset to S.H.I.E.L.D."

They continue to wait quietly, both thrilled and dreading the upcoming conversation, until the door behind Maria opens and a young woman in her early twenties being lead by an agent.

She's wearing casual clothes, which makes her stand out a little here in a building where almost everyone wears a suit. She has a bag over her shoulder, which Coulson is sure, contains her lap top.

As she enters the room she doesn't notice him at first. Or she does but doesn't recognize him because she heads strait for Maria.

"Agent Hill." She greats the older woman politely and they shake hands.

"Skye, it's good to see you. How are you doing? It's been a while."

Skye shrugs her shoulders casually. "I'm doing good. But you know me, I don't need much as long as I have Wi-Fi." She smirks and Hill chuckles slightly.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you but would you mind telling me what exactly am I doing here?"

"Of course. I have an offer for you. How would you like to join one of our teams?"

"You want me to work for you?" Skye raises an eye brow in surprise.

Hill nods in confirmation and a smile spreads across her face as she watches Skye's face. Something tells her Skye would be willing to accept the offer.

"We are starting a new team. A mobile team on an airplane that will consist of two specialized agents, two scientists, a computer expert and the team leader. And we would like you to be a part of it as consultant. We've been keeping our eye on you for over three years and we believe you would be great asset to us as you showed in the past. Now what do you think?"

Skye stares at her for a moment, not knowing exactly what to say. A team? Would she even be able to work in a team? She never had anyone in her life, she's always been alone. How does it even work?

"Um, are you sure it's a good idea? I mean, I don't know the first thing about working in a team…"

"Skye, I know what you mean I wouldn't worry if I were you. You're smart and young and truthfully I think it would be good for you. And if I'm not mistaken you once mentioned you would like to become a part of S.H.I.E.L.D. one day."

"I said that, didn't I?" she sighs and stays quiet for a while, thinking. "Ok, let's say I say yes. What would I be doing and who are the others on the team?" Skye asks cautiously.

"Well let's see… You would be doing the same things we called you to help us with in the past plus I'm sure with your brain you would be able to help in other ways too during the cases. As for the other team members, I'm sure you've head of Agent Melinda May?" Hill asks half expecting the young woman to react the same as many others would.

She's pleasantly surprised when she only nods, no 'Cavalry' comment. That's good.

"I've heard of her, only rumors, though. Never met her in person before. But I thought she was on a desk job."

"She was but she changed her mind. She's one of the specialists and also the pilot. Ok, next Agent Grant Ward. Also a specialist. He just left here a couple minutes before you came. The team scientists are Agent Leo Fitz, a mechanical engineer, and Agent Jemma Simmons, a biochemist. They are not much older then you, they just finished the Academy but they truly are the best we have."

Skye nods, the information swirling in her head. She's seriously starting to consider Hill's offer. "And the leader?"

Suddenly Maria's smile fades a little and she turns to look at Coulson who was up until now just quietly observing the two women interact. Skye follows her gaze and her eyes widen at the realization of who exactly is standing right in front of her.

"Wha…" she stutters in shock. "You're dead. You…"

"Skye, I'm sorry I wanted to tell you but I couldn't. This information is only accessible to level seven agents." Coulson tries to explain.

"You've been alive this whole time. And… They told me you died in the Battle of New York." She turns an accusing eye to Hill. "You told me he was dead." Her voice is shaking with anger but at the same time she can't help the feeling of joy when she realizes this is really happening. Phil Coulson is alive.

She also can't the satisfaction she feels when Hill avoids looking her in the eye. She turns back to the older man.

Coulson nods and takes a step towards her. A step that Skye immediately takes back again. He sighs.

"And I was, Skye. I was dead for about forty seconds…"

"Eight seconds, Coulson." Hill intervenes.

Coulson rolls his eyes. "Ok, eight seconds. When I woke up in the hospital Director Fury told me I was officially dead and no one could know. Not even the Avengers know I'm alive. Skye, you have to believe me when I tell you I wanted you to know and that if I could I would tell you. But I understand I hurt you so if you want to hate me you can but please don't let this opportunity slip between your fingers just because of me."

As he finishes speaking both he and Maria patiently wait for Skye to say something.

"You are the team leader." It's a statement not a question. Coulson only nods and keeps quiet.

Skye stays there standing in front of them just staring at Coulson intently. Suddenly she takes the strap of her bag over her head and hugs Coulson so tightly it almost hurts. The older man is so shocked it takes him a few seconds to return the hug. Skye lets him go and steps away from him again to keep her distance.

"I'm still angry at both of you. And I probably will be for a while but that doesn't mean I'm not glad you're alive." She says not looking at either of them.

Coulson nods understandably. He didn't expect Skye to forgive him right away. He was actually prepared for the possibility of her never speaking to him again.

"Does this mean you would be willing to join the team?" Hill asks carefully not knowing what to expect.

Skye takes a deep breath and nods slowly. "Yes, I'll join your team. But don't expect me to forgive you anytime soon, AC."