Melinda likes Vegas. She liked to get lost in the hustle and bustle, the crowds, the anonymity. No one knew she was an Agent of Shield. No one knew she was a walking weapon. No one was afraid of her. That the town was awake for 24 hours each day and never slept was a plus in her book. She liked playing poker at 4am. It relaxes her. Plus she has that poker face down. Well, for most people. Phil sometimes could see thru her. Andrew used to be able to. She pulled the covers off the bed and clamored out, walking barefoot to the bathroom. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was 2:00pm.
Her thoughts continued on, thinking of Phil and the team. The old team. But that was gone. Now there was a new team. Fitz, Bobbi, Hunter, Mac, Skye and Phil. Her thoughts moved to Jemma. When she had gotten the call she was going to fly back and help - but Phil told her not to. Said there wasn't anything she could do. Wasn't anything anyone could do. Stepping into the shower, she let herself get caught in the blissful warmth of the shower. Standing under the shower her thoughts drifted back to the team. Her team. But was it anymore. Hers? She wasn't even sure she would be welcomed back. She had left happy , ready for and desperately needing a vacation. That had been 3 months ago. She had gone on a cruise with Andrew. It was fun. She had wanted to try again with Andrew. Thought she might still love him. The week long cruise did confirm she loved him. She always would. They had shared so much history, so much of their younger lives. But as he had stood there inviting her to come back to his house, to move in, she realized that she was no longer in love with Andrew. Perhaps had never been. They argued for a few minutes with Andrew telling her to give them a chance and give them time. But Melinda knew her heart was with her team. And with Phil. She guessed a vacation where one has time to think so much will bring on epiphanies like that. Not that she'd tell Phil. But she also would not live a lie with Andrew. so they had parted ways, still the friends they would always be.
As Melinda stepped out of the shower, she heard her phone ringing. She had left it on the nightstand and just ignored it. It stopped. After a few seconds it rang again. Went to voicemail again. As Melinda stepped into the main room the phone rang again. She stepped around the bed and grabbed it, opened it and practically shouted, "what?"
She heard an intake of breath and then Skye's voice. No, Daisy's voice. Damn, that would take getting used to.
"Hey May. How are you?" Daisy's voice was quiet and subdued which was not at all how Daisy normally was.
"What's wrong Skye?"
"Ummm...nothing, why would you think something's wrong? I just called to say hi." Skye's voice sounded broken.
"Skye? Come on spill it." Melinda was in no mood for games. Unless it involved winning at seven card draw.
"May, when are you coming back?" Was that a whine Melinda detected in Skye's voice.
"Back? I don't know Skye. I haven't really thought about it. Is there something going on?" Melinda was getting worried now.
"You've been gone a long time May." More whining. Now Melinda was getting really worried.
"I've missed you. And I am sorry. You know, about knocking you out. I really didn't know what was going on and I..."
"Skye. I mean Daisy. Hey, we are past that. It's over. I told you everything was okay. " Melinda interrupted.
"But I mean if your mad at me or something, please don't stay away cause of that. I'm really sorry May." Daisy pleaded. "Or if you think we don't care or want you here. We do. May you're family. I really miss you. Everyone does."
"Tell me what is going on Skye. Now! That's an order!"
I was quiet. Melinda heard her sigh. Then it all came out. Phil and his hand, that nothing worked. Bobbie antsy about being stuck inside and over doing her therapy, Hunter's obsession with getting revenge against Ward, Ward still out there on the lose, Fitz obsessed with the Monolith and Jemma not eating or sleeping and almost getting killed, the new group that is after inhumans , the crazy inhuman that she and Lincoln fought, Lincoln running away from her and her fear for him, Jemma being missed and gosh Skye missed her so much, and she missed the old team and she missed May and she missed training with her, and just knowing that she had her back. And how this whole inhuman thing is her fault and Jemma missing is her fault and she has to keep chasing inhumans. Skye was talking non stop and Melinda could hear her voice hitch and that she was crying. Her words started not making sense.
"Skye! Hey, hey! Daisy! Come on calm down." Melinda had crossed from worried to terrified hearing Skye breaking down. "Hey come on, take deep breathe. Remember your training Skye." Melinda wondered if she was losing control of her powers cause she started hearing shouting and commotion over the phone line.
"Skye! Daisy! Stop!" Melinda.
"Daisy you need to stop". Melinda heard Phil's voice. "Damnit Skye."
She heard a thump in her ear and then Phil again talking to Skye. "Skye, come on, focus. You need to stop."
Melinda willed someone to pick up the phone. She was helpless. Her team was falling apart. Skye was falling apart and she could do nothing.
"Hey who is on here.?" Phil finally spoke into the phone.
"Phil? Is Skye okay?" All was quiet for a few heartbeats. Then she heard him respond.
"Melinda. Yes she is fine. She has everything under control. Well mostly. She is still crying." Melinda heard Skye sob something to Phil. She waited.
"Hey Melinda. Skye told me to tell you to come home. She said she needs you. She said she loves you and to please forgive her." Melinda's breathe stopped. "Umm ... hey me too Melinda. I need you too. And I love you. Come home. Please."
Melinda found her voice. "Phil. "
"I know you are trying to work things out with Andrew and we have no right to ask, but we...
"I love you too Phil. Tell Skye I'm on my way." She hung up the phone and started packing. Melinda likes Vegas but she likes home even more. If she left within the hour she could get home by dinnertime. Perhaps she could talk Phil into making dinner while they had that long overdue talk. After of course she calmed down her kids.