The moment Coulson realized he loved May.

So finishing and editing this story was the last thing I wanted to be doing tonight! Between uni, work and my internship it feels like all I have done this week is write! However May was scary as hell in the recent episode! And tbh kind of bitchy... So this story was to reassure myself that once upon a time she was a warm and happy person. Kids bring out the best in people so I figured it was fitting to have them in the story, showing Mays softer side.

I would also like to say that I've received a few messages and reviews (from guests so I can't reply) asking when I will be updating my other stories. So far all my Agent of Shield stories have been one shots and therefore are complete and will not be updated. This is my first multi-chapter story.

Enjoy :)

Coulson watched from his seat in the café as May crouched down to play with the young Egyptian children. He saw her smile as one of the youngest came running over to her, a tiny doll clutched to her chest. May laughed before kissing both the child's cheek and the dolls.

"You're partner is quite good with children." The comment from Coulsons' contact broke him out of his trance.

"Yes she is." It was all Coulson said before turning his full attention back to the matter at hand.

May laughed as a dozen or so children tugged at her, all wanting to show her something. She glanced over to where Coulson was sitting, deep in conversation with his contact. Sighing, she followed the children down the path to their school. He looked like he was going to be a while so she might as well make the most of her time here. It had been years since she had been around so many young children and she loved their innocent view on everything.

It was an hour later that Coulson went looking for his partner. He found her sitting cross-legged, on the dirt floor of an old school house. She had a young boy sitting in her lap and two young girls leaning over her shoulder as she clapped her hands to the song the children were singing. He stayed in the doorway, quietly watching as she laughed and smiled along with the other children in the room. It had been a while since he had seen her so carefree and happy and he was loving every second of it.

When the song finished, May lifted the young boy out of her lap. Standing she made her way over to him.

"All done?"

He nodded. "You're amazing with children." He said as they began to walk away from the school.

"Does that surprise you?" She asked with a smirk.

He shook his head. "Not at all."

"May! May! May!" They turned around to see the young girl with the doll running up the path behind them. May crouched down as she reached them.

"Here." She said holding the doll out. "To keep you safe."

"Thank you." May said, as she stroked the dolls hair. "But I think you should keep her, so she can always keep you safe. I have my doll back at my house."

While Coulson watched the interaction, he was overwhelmed with affection for the woman before him. Because as much as she was a warrior, she was also human and for every cold, stern expression she had there was an equally warm and loving one. She may hide that side of her, but he was one of the lucky few that got to see what Melinda May could be like when she wasn't being Agent May.

It was at this point that Coulson realized he had fallen in love with his partner.