Synopsis: It has been twelve months since the team has defeated Hive and lost Lincoln. Daisy has not been the same since Lincoln's death, so she leaves S.H.I.E.L.D. to join something with a little more drive and openness….the Avengers.
CHAPTER ONE-THE DECISION
Lincoln….DON'T! Don't pay for my mistake.
That moment in time played over in Daisy's mind like a skipping disc, haunting her. It had been twelve months since Lincoln had fried the Quinjets functions and flown into space with Hive and an armed nuke to save the world...and die. Daisy could not help but feel guilty...responsible even. She vowed to herself daily to find a way to make it right; to find a way to atone for the mistakes that haunted her conscience. An idea has been gnawing at Daisy's insides for weeks, and that idea might be just what she needs to atone for the guilt and move on with her life.
Daisy gets up off of her bed and begins gathering her things and placing them into a duffle bag: her gauntlets, her jumpsuit, a few changes of clothes and personal items. In her backpack goes her laptop and phone, and their power adapters. She picks up the two bags and walks out of her room, and shuts the door for the last time….she's leaving and not planning on coming back. Too many painful memories and hurt lay here. It is time to move on for good.
She makes her way up to Coulson's office, nodding to the agents she passes but avoiding all attempts at conversation. Upon reaching Coulson's office, she is disappointed to find that he is not alone; instead, May is with him talking. Sighing, Daisy realizes that it would be easier to kill two birds with one stone and walks in.
"Daisy," Coulson says in welcome.
"Coulson, May, " she responds.
"We were just talking about a mission overseas that our operatives are wrapping up," states May. "A little messy for my taste but they seem to have finally gotten it under control."
"That is good to hear," says Daisy, hesitantly. If she gets too involved in this conversation, she'll never get around to why she is really here.
Coulson takes the moment to notice the two bags that Daisy has with her and asks, "What brings you here, Daisy? Are you leaving?" He nods toward the two bags.
"Actually I am."
May lifts an eyebrow to ask why.
"It has been a year since the Hive incident and Lincoln's passing, "Daisy begins to explain. "I am haunted by grief and the memories, and I think,,,,,I think that part of that has to do with being here. Being here I am constantly reminded of what happened...what I did. I feel it would be best if I left."
"Daisy," Coulson interjected. "What happened was not your fault. No matter how strongly you feel about it...you were brainwashed, you couldn't control your actions."
"That still doesn't make what I did right. I feel I need to atone for my mistakes, I need to be a part of something bigger."
"You are a part of something bigger. All of us here, we are a team...a family," Coulson says pleadingly.
"Daisy," begins May. "We forgive you for what happened. It's time you started to forgive yourself."
"I can't move on to forgive myself, May. Not here. Here I am just reminded of all the pain I caused. It is not the same without Linc-...I need to leave to be a part of something big like this organization,"
"The Secret Warriors operation is still active, Daisy. What about that?" asks Coulson.
"No...he was a part of that too. It won't be the same. I actually have something in mind, we have ties to it so you can always get in contact with me if you truly need my help."
"Daisy,,, what are you talking about?" demanded May.
"I am going to join the Avengers."