I've been hanging onto this story for nearly three years now and finally got around to editing. Like usual, I plan for this to be a long winded story. Thank you new episodes of Agents of Shield that have to do with Skye, you have brought new plot bunnies to my mind. I plan for this story to take place from 1x13 "Tracks" to where the current episodes are in Season 4. A long way to go, I know, but please join me for me the journey.

The team had been aware of the price for keeping the world safe; the risks that followed them around as they went up against those who would rather use their powers for evil instead of good. They could deal with those minor, non-threatening injuries, but the possibility of death was something they could never prepare enough for. In fact, they refused to give up on those who meant the world to them.

Skye was one of those people they just couldn't give up on. Since finding her bleeding in the basement of Ian Quinn's compound, the team immediately went on a mission to save her life as she teetered on the edge of death. They refused to believe she wouldn't make it out alive after taking her to the Shield facility in Switzerland, so they sought out the same drug that had saved Coulson when he had been fatally injured. Despite all their efforts, she remained in a coma-state, which meant they took turns sitting by her bedside as they waited to see if the drug had saved her too.

"Have you been here all night?" Jemma inquired to Fitz who had a book resting in his lap, leaning towards the bed as if he had just shared a secret with a comatose Skye.

"It doesn't seem fair we're going on missions and she's still lying here, surrounded by wires and tubes."

"It's not fair, but you know as well as I do that we have to give the drug time to work. Just like Coulson, Skye's body has gone through extensive damage and cannot even begin to heal without proper rest."

"Sometimes I find myself going through scenarios in my head, like what if I had gone after her."

"You can't keep blaming yourself. Whether you went in there or not, you might be sitting in a hospital bed right now next to her."

"Don't you think I don't know that Jemma?" Fitz turned abruptly in the chair he was sitting in. "I should have been there to protect her, and she should never have been alone in the first place!"

"You're right, she shouldn't have." Gemma's voice held a lot of regret as she touched his shoulder, not willing to talk about this any further."Why don't you get a cup of coffee? I'll take it from here." He looked reluctant to leave for several seconds before standing up and walking out of the room. "Let's check how your wounds are healing, shall we?" Working swiftly, she filled her in on everything she was doing. She was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn't notice Coulson standing at the door.

"How is she?"

"Still the same since you last asked that question." Jemma finished packing the wound, then looked up at Coulson. "Sorry, it's kind of been a long morning."

"It's been a long couple days for all of us. The question is when is the last time you got a good night's sleep?"

"I've got sleep." Jemma assured him, turning back to listen to Skye's heart and lungs. "Who I'm worried is about Skye who is in critical condition and Fitz who I found sitting in the cube with her all night."

"He's probably still blaming himself for what happened to Skye." Coulson stated softly, his eyes meeting hers. "We all do in some way. Keep me updated." Jemma nodded as he walked out of the room.

"Please be okay." She brushed the dark locks of hair away from Skye's pale face. "I can't lose any more friends. I will do everything to keep you keep you safe for now on, I promise. Just make it out of this, please."