A New Rose

Disclaimer:
As always, I own nothing.

Rating:
T

Genre:
Romance/Family/Angst

Pairing:
Coulsye

Lyrics Used:
Blake Shelton "Sangria"

Your Lips Taste Like Sangria

We're buzzin' like that no vacancy sign out front | Your skin is begging to be kissed by a little more than the sun | You take my hand in yours, you lean in | And, your lips taste like sangria | Your lips taste like sangria

Watching Coulson take the groceries from the paper sacks on the counter, Skye couldn't quite shake the feeling of abandonment. She thought Phil Coulson would be the one person in her life who would never turn his back on her. "Fury's not the kind of guy to have a cabin to 'relax' … What is this place?"She asked, only half-sarcastically. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she remembered Andrew calling it 'deflecting'. Maybe she was guilty of that. But, right now, it seemed a hell of a lot better than facing the reality of the situation.

"It's a safe-house." Coulson replied, forcing his tone to remain casual and light, as he continued unloading the supplies he'd brought for her. Most of it was quick meals she could put together for herself until May dropped in on her in a few days. But, he wanted to make sure he left her with at least one good meal before he had to get back to the Playground. Part of him felt guilty for abandoning her when he'd always sworn he never would. He hoped this 'goodbye dinner' would assuage some of that guilt. "For people with powers. Rogers even spent a few weeks here after he defrosted."

"Okay, but, who's it supposed to keep safe?" Skye asked, finally turning to face Coulson as she summoned the nerve to confront the situation. "The people with powers or everyone else?"

"Both." Phil reluctantly conceded. Sighing, lightly, he added, remorsefully "Skye, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pull you from active duty." Phil hated this assignment more and more with every moment that passed.

"I get it – I do." "I just – I didn't think you'd lock me up like a werewolf during a full moon." She confessed.

"You're not alone, here." Phil argued, weakly. The truth was, he could understand her feelings of abandonment as isolation.

"Feels pretty isolated to me." Skye shot back.

"There's a direct video feed linked to the base and May will keep dropping by every couple of days." The director insisted.

"What am I supposed to do?" Skye questioned. Phil saw the lost look in her eyes and ached for causing it. "Go fishing?!"

"Well, if you do go outside, be careful." Phil warned, still trying to maintain a light and casual tone. "There's a laser fence around the perimeter." Even though it was meant as a light-hearted warning, Phil suddenly heard it the way he knew Skye had to have heard it and instantly wished he'd never said it. Reaching out to her, almost desperately, Phil lightly gripped her biceps as he tried to drive his point home. "Look … This is a safe place. You can relax here. You can use this time to get a handle on your abilities."

"Yeah." Skye scoffed, willing the tears she felt burning her eyes not to fall. "'Cause that's worked great so far."

"Well, maybe, it time we give you a hand with that." Phil replied, cryptically, as he released his grip on Skye's arms before moving to retrieve the small black case Simmons had given him back at the base. "Simmons has been working around the clock on these. She assures me they'll cut your recovery time in half."

Curious, Skye watched as Coulson opened the case to reveal a pair of gloves. "How do they work?" She asked as she held one of the gloves in her hand.

"The internal wiring emirs an electrical pulse which will inhibit your powers." Coulson explained, watching Skye's reaction.

"So, these take my powers away." Skye reasoned, hopefully.

"More like decreases their magnitude to keep you from hurting yourself." Coulson interjected, hoping Skye wouldn't get her hopes up, just yet. "Like I said, we want you to heal."

"Seems like a no-brainer." Skye replied, examining the glove in her hand.

"It's … a personal call." Coulson replied.

"What do you mean?" Skye questioned, directing her attention to Coulson. "Are there side effects?"

"A few … Simmons can go over them with you, later." Coulson replied, hoping not to worry the young hacker.

"Are these gloves really my best option?" Skye questioned.

"I can't answer that for you, Skye." Phil replied, regretfully.

"Stop!" Skye replied, fed up with the clinical, generic answers. "Stop being this S.H.I.E.L.D. Guy for one second! Okay?! Please!" She was pleading with him to just be 'Phil' instead of 'Director Coulson'. "We've been through way too much, together! I just need you to be my friend, right now." She added, pausing for a moment before continuing. "What would you do if you were me?" She added, her voice notably calmer as she got straight to the point.

For a moment, Coulson just stared into the eyes of the unwitting owner of his heart, desperate for the answers that could somehow make this all okay for her. "I don't know." He finally conceded, quietly. "These are uncharted waters. But, if anyone can find a way through them, it's you." Phil replied, forgoing all the generic platitudes Skye was growing so clearly frustrated with and just speaking from the heart.

"Because I'm the red corvette." Skye breathed, staring straight into the eyes of the man she'd secretly grown to love.

"Because you're one of the few people I know I can trust." Phil breathed, sheer honesty audible in his voice. After a moment of tension, Phil decided they'd both had enough drama for one day. "But, for now …" He added, his tone audibly more light-hearted. "Why do you relax while I fix us something to eat?"

As Phil set a plate with spaghetti and his own homemade marinara sauce, Skye watched as he placed a wine glass filled with what looked like a deep red wine garnished with an orange slice. "Wow. Wine with dinner?" She quipped. "What, is this my 'last supper'?" She asked, realizing that she was only half-joking.

"Not wine." Phil corrected, warmly. "Sangria." He added, setting down his own plate and drink as he joined Skye at the table.

"Mmm." Skye hummed, thoughtfully, sipping on her cocktail. "This is good. What's in it?" She asked, curiously, setting the glass down on the table.

"It's my own recipe." Phil smiled, proudly, at the compliment. "It's just Butterfly Kiss Red Empress, a little Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, lemon juice, orange juice, and simple syrup all shaken together –"

"Not stirred?" Skye replied, playfully, finally beginning to relax now that Coulson was just being 'Phil' and not 'Director Coulson'.

"No." Phil replied, with a bemused grin. "Now … as I was saying … You shake those ingredients together and pour them into a wine glass and garnish them with a couple orange slices and grated nutmeg.

"Well, it's delicious." Skye replied, smiling her first genuine smile sine they'd arrived at the cabin. Watching her finally start to relax and even smile at him, eased Phil's mind, ever so slightly. Taking a bite of her spaghetti, Skye felt her eyes close in ecstasy as she savored the delicious flavor of homemade marinara sauce. "Mmmmm … Oh my God, DC!" She moaned,as she swallowed her food before speaking, again. "This marinara sauce is sooooo good! You have to give me the recipe."

"Now, that is classified." Phil replied, smirking cheekily at the sight of Skye's quirked eyebrow. "It's a family secret." He elaborated, warmly. "My grandmother taught me when I was young."

"Well, in that case, you'll have to swing by and cook for me, more often." Skye smiled, as she continued eating her dinner. Phil had to admit, he liked the thought of that. The whole scene – the two of them at the dinner table, together … him cooking for her – it was all so beautifully domestic that Phil wished it could be that way, every day. Only then, did reality sink in and remind him that neither of their lives would ever be normal. And, even if they were, Skye was a charming, attractive, young woman. She could have any man she wanted. He'd never stand a chance with a woman like her, anyway, and he was foolish for even wishing it.

Phil and Skye had finished the rest of their dinner in a comfortable conversation. Skye had opened up to Phil about things she never shared with anyone else – personal things – and, he felt honored that she trusted him the way he trusted in her. In turn, he shared more stories of his childhood with her – amusing her with his fascination with Captain America. She'd even comforted him when he spoke of New York and his own murder. He'd never felt closer to anyone than he felt to Skye. And, he hated the thought of leaving her behind – alone and confused – without telling her how he felt didn't sit right with him – it didn't sit right at all. Deep down, he knew he had to do something about it.

They were sitting in the living room – sipping on more of Phil's homemade sangria – when Phil finally decided to just go for broke. "Skye, there's something I need to discuss with you." He spoke.

Skye noticed the strange look on Phil's face – recognizing it as a nervous expression. This realization immediately put her on edge – Phil Coulson was rarely nervous. "Okay …" She began, setting her drink down on the end table next to her, before finally turning to face Phil – giving him her full attention. "You have my attention, DC … What's going on?"

"There's … something I've been needing to tell you for quite some time, now …" Phil began, not really sure how to phrase what he wanted to say. "And, the idea of leaving you here, alone, without saying it … Well, it just doesn't seem right, to me." With a steadying breath, he decided to go for broke. It's now or never, Phil … He told himself. "Skye … I'm in love with you."

Skye couldn't believe what she was hearing. He didn't just say what I think he just said … Did he?! She thought to herself as feverishly attempted to process what she was hearing. DC's in love with me?! Seeing the rejection storming over Phil's face and Skye knew she had to act fast. Acting on pure instinct, Skye reached out and placed a hand on either side of Phil's face as she pulled him in.

As Skye's lips collided with his, Phil felt his eyes slide closed while his hands snaked around her waist – holding her flush against him. She tasted like the sangria they'd both been drinking as her tongue glided past his lips into his mouth. In the moment, Phil's mind shut down, as he simply savored the taste that was purely Skye. However, the moment was far too short for Phil's liking as Skye pulled away to look directly into his eyes. "I love you, too, DC." She breathed with a warm smile spreading across her face.

Phil couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You do?" He questioned, dumbly.

"Mhmm." Skye hummed, reaching for Phil's hands as she took them in hers. "Why don't …" She began, rising from her seat on the love-seat as she pulled Phil up with her, guiding him toward the bedroom. " … I show you just how much?"

Phil Coulson couldn't believe what he was hearing. His mind couldn't even begin to process what was happening. In the end, he decided to just go with it. For once, in his life, Phil Coulson was just going with the flow and not over-analyzing everything.

Phil and Skye lay next to one another on the bed, Skye's head on his shoulder with her arm draped lazily over his waist with his arms wrapped around her shoulders, lazily drawing random shapes on her bare back. Skye laid there, silently listening to the steady, rhythmic lullaby of Phil's heart beating in his chest. The sound soothed her. Finally … For the first time since she came out of the temple … the thousand bees in her body were silenced as she finally felt truly at peace.

Unfortunately, reality was a bitch as the perfect moment was shattered by the shrill shriek of Phil's phone ringing. Sighing heavily, Skye reluctantly pulled herself off of Phil's chest as he reached for the phone. "Coulson." He greeted, curtly.

Skye wasn't an idiot. She knew why the phone had rung, and silently extracted herself from the covers as she began searching for her clothes strewn across the floor while Coulson focused on whatever emergency the team was calling him about. She didn't even care what it was about, knowing that she likely wouldn't be included in the conversation, anyway.

"Thanks for the update, Mack." Coulson stated, finally, hanging up the phone.

"Is everything okay?" Skye questioned, as she felt two familiar, strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. She hated how the genuine concern bled through her voice as she paused, having pulled her jeans up, though, she was still shirtless clad in just a black, lacy bra.

"I'm afraid I have to get back." Phil replied, reluctantly pulling away from Skye as he began redressing himself.

"I get it." Skye sighed. "Didn't really expect you to stay and cuddle." She shrugged, lightly.

"This is temporary, Skye." Phil replied, desperately. He hated leaving her, this way. He felt like he was treating her like a common hooker. If things hadn't been so desperate at the base, he would have found a way to stay with her. "I'll be back in a couple days. If you need anything-"

"I'll let you know." Skye replied, bracing herself for the sight of Phil walking out the door.

Phil couldn't stand it, anymore. Stepping forward, Phil pulled Skye into his arms, holding her close. "We'll figure this out." Pulling back, Phil stared straight into her eyes as he added "I promise."

Skye hated knowing how much Phil truly meant those words. As much as she wanted to be mad at him – hate him for abandoning her, especially after all that had just happened between them – she knew she could never be mad. She knew how bad things had to have been for Phil to be going back. The two of them shared a silent look before Phil wrenched himself away before he let his emotions get the best of him and make him stay.

Author's Note:
I hope y'all like this! I know it's a little rushed, but, hang in there with me. I promise, it'll get better! I got a lotta fun in store for this story!

~Skye Coulson