It's five o' clock when Skye has finally managed to move all her boxes and furniture out of the truck and into the living room where they are quite literally stacked to the ceiling. Trip asked if he could be of any help, but she hadn't really figured out what she'd like to do with the interior, so she sent him home after a cup of coffee and a sincere thank you.

Skye plops down on the couch that's still wrapped in plastic and sighs, running her hand through her hair. Since she started working for Shield Incorporated she finally managed to save enough money to buy this little house in the suburbs and move out of the van that was now parked in her driveway. Settling down has always felt strange, like they could still take this all away from her in a heartbeat.

Just as she's about to open up one of the boxes in order to find a mug and her laptop, the doorbell rings. She quirks an eyebrow and moves to open the door, but she doesn't see anyone there. Until she looks down. A little girl with dark blonde curls stands on her steps and looks up at her with big, curious eyes.

"Hi… Can I uh… help you?"

"My ball flew into your garden, miss. Could I maybe go get it, please?" She smiles shyly.

"Oh…" Skye is at a loss for what to say when a woman hurries to her front door with an apologetic smile on her face. Her hair is almost the same as the girl's, just a little straighter. Her cheeks are rosy from the chilly wind.

She's so beautiful it's nearly unfair, Skye thinks, and it's safe to say that that might be the reason Skye doesn't know what to say, instead of the fact that she always feels awkward around little children.

"Sarah, darling, I told you to wait for me. I'm so sorry," the woman quips and a smile tugs on the corners of Skye's mouth. And she's British. The woman lovingly runs her fingers through the girls hair. The little girl turns around with a blush on her face and grabs onto the woman's hand.
"Sorry, mommy."

"It's fine, really. I just didn't expect anyone yet. I just moved here today." Skye shrugs and leans her shoulder against the doorpost.

"I thought I saw someone move in today, yes. Welcome. I'm Jemma, from next door." She smiles a wide smile and Skye takes the offered hand, lingering a second too long.

"I figured. Thanks. I'm Skye. Nice to meet you. Do you eh… maybe want to come in? It's freezing. I haven't unpacked, but I have instant coffee, or tea, and I believe your little girl here has something to retrieve from my backyard."

"Yes, tea would be lovely, Thank you."

Skye's heart flutters. This is just stupid. She doesn't know why she's feeling like this all of a sudden.

Once inside, Sarah is tucked into the corner of the now plastic free couch with Skye's iPad and Skye is searching through her boxes, looking for the kettle.

"I swear to god, I have a kettle. I have instant coffee, so I have a kettle. I just don't know where." Skye grins when a chuckle comes from Jemma's throat.

"Ah! Here!" She fishes the item from the umpteenth box and motions for Jemma to follow her to the small kitchen.

"I could help you unpack, if you want, Skye. Sarah seems to enjoy herself just fine."

"Yeah, well, who can resist Adventure Time on Netflix. But I don't want to keep you. You probably have a husband at home wondering where you are." Skye winks, but a pang of disappointment flashes through her. She probably has a husband…

"No, that's quite alright. I live alone with Sarah; we manage just fine. And you're right. Who can resist Netflix, right?" She laughs a hearty laugh and pours the hot water in the two mugs Skye managed to find.

"The Hulk, really?" Skye asks when Jemma chooses that mug over the one with the Black Widow logo.

"Bruce Banner is a scientist. I'm a scientist. It's an easy pick, Skye." She rolls her eyes and Skye chuckles.

"Right, okay. I'll keep that in mind." She gently nudges Jemma's shoulder when they stand shoulder to shoulder against the countertop, looking into the living room.

"Hey, I'm glad your daughter rang my doorbell, Jem."

A soft smile settles on Jemma's face as she looks at Skye over the rim of the mug. "Yes, me too."