The Wrong Side of Heaven

Disclaimer:
As always, I own nothing...

Rating:
M (for sexual assault/abuse)

Genre:
Romance/Hurt/Comfort

Pairing:
Coulsye

Lyrics Used:
Five Finger Death Punch "Wrong Side of Heaven"

You Better Back the Fuck Up

I've been thrown down, run around | Beaten til I hit the ground | Telling you, right now, that it's over

There's no room for mistakes | All the cards are in place | Say what you will, but, say it to my face

Better back the fuck up | Better shut the fuck up | I'll do what I want and, I'll never give up

"How bad is it?" Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, asked of one of his top ranked senior agents, Agent Phil Coulson. After the battle of New York, he hadn't had as many run-ins with the agent simply because of appearances. Most of the agency still believed Phil Coulson to be dead. But, this time, the interaction could not be avoided.

"That's the problem, sir." Coulson explained, concern evident in his voice. "We don't know." All they really did know, for certain, was that Loki had returned. That was enough to cause Phil's hair to stand on end. He had hoped that he wouldn't have to deal with the psychotic demi god anymore after New York. But, now, it appeared that he was targeting Phil's new team, specifically. One member, in particular. A certain young hacktivist who had unknowingly stolen Phil's heart. Also, the woman standing at his side in Fury's office. "All that we know for certain is that Loki appears to have resurfaced and appears to be targeting Skye, specifically."

"Any ideas why?" Fury asked, gruffly. After Thor had taken his adopted brother back to Asgard, the director had hoped that he wouldn't have to worry about him, again. But, he really should have known, by now, that the Director of an agency like the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division could never get so lucky.

"All I know is what he told me..." Skye offered, meekly, scared to death when the Director's single-eyed gaze zeroed in on her. "He just said that I would provide him a fine heir..." She explained, with an involuntary shudder. "And, that an heir would force Odin to let him stay here, on Earth."

"So, it's just an elaborate escape plan?" Fury summarized, to himself. "Shoulda knew he'd pull some weird-ass shit like this..." He mumbled, under his breath. "I'll get a safe-house vetted. We'll organize a protective detail..."

"Sir, with all due respect, I think it'd be best to keep her on the bus with the rest of the team." Phil offered. He wasn't comfortable entrusting Skye's safety to random, faceless S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that didn't know her-didn't have a personal investment in her the way the did. "Ward, May, and I can keep an eye on her. We can protect her, there."

"Seems reasonable." Fury admitted, eying Phil curiously. It wasn't like the senior agent to argue with him. Then, again, he did a lot of things that he wouldn't normally do when Skye was involved. "Skye, you have the final say. It's up to you. Where do you feel safest?"

Skye glanced between Coulson and Fury and back, anxiously. She hated it when all eyes were on her. Ultimately, though, she knew she would never feel safer than she did with her AC. "I have to agree with Agent Coulson." She replied, nervously. She wasn't insecure in her decision. Just in the reactions Fury and/or Coulson would have to it. "I trust in the team's abilities to keep me safe."

"That settles it, then." Fury replied, finally. "Skye, you'll remain on the plane under the supervision of your teammates." Skye really hated the word 'supervision'. In the past, it had always held negative connotations for her. But, now was hardly the time to quibble over terminology. She got to stay with her AC, and that was all that mattered to her.

"What'd Fury have to say?" Ward asked, curiously, as Skye and Coulson returned to the bus.

"Well, looks like you're all stuck with me..." Skye quipped, trying to cover her fears and concerns with sarcasm, as she always did. Glancing back to the senior agent, the rest of the team waited for his input.

"Skye will remain here, on the plane, under our protection until such a time as Loki can be secured once, again." Phil elaborated, for the rest of his team. Truthfully, they would all feel much better once Loki was out of their hair, once and for all.

"Yes, because he was so well secured the last time." May interjected, snidely, recalling Phil's last run-in with the psychotic god and how he was now on the loose, once again.

"Believe me..." Phil replied, tersely. "Nobody understands your concerns more than I do, Agent May-" Nothing more could be said as an alarm began to sound through the plane.

"What the hell's goin' on?!" Ward demanded, while May immediately checked the plane's computer systems in search of the anamoly.

"Somebody's opened the cargo hatch." May replied, stoically.

"Who could've possibly done that?!" Jemma wondered.

"Yeah, we're all here..." Fitz reasoned.

Before anybody could say or do anything else, Phil heard a voice he would have very much liked to live the rest of his life without ever hearing, again. "Did you miss me, Agent Coulson?"

Author's Note:
Okay, I know this chapter was kinda short. But, I really just wanted to set the stage, in the first chapter. I promise more action in the next chapter! I hope you'll continue to follow the story! And, don't forget to review!

~Skye Coulson