Chapter 1: Red Gumboots and Iron Man Pj's
Grant's POV- Status: Kids section of The Market Place. Whereabouts: "Classified"
He's Agent Grant Ward; he never expected that he would be walking through the kids clothing section with Skye of all people. Three year old Skye to be exact in an oversized t-shirt that only the day before fitted her perfectly well until she caught the 0-8-4 that due to turbulence was falling off the edge of the lab table and zapped her into a three year old version of herself.
Now here he was walking through the kids section, looking way to out of place for an agent who can blend in anywhere with Skye on his hip, little hands linked around his neck, clinging to him while he got her some cloths that fit her properly. It had fallen to him to get his Rookie some supplies as nothing would fit her properly and everyone else was busy or refused the task- Coulson was informing Director Fury of the situation, Fitzsimmons where working flat out in their lab trying to figure out how to get Skye back to normal and May just flat out refused so it was left to him to sort out Skye.
He was suddenly brought out of his thoughts by Skye screaming, startled he put her down so he could reach the weapon in the back of his jeans. There was no way he was leaving The Bus without one especially with Skye being unable to protect herself. He tensed his body preparing for attack looking around to spot whatever Skye had seen he hadn't.
"ROBOT!" Skye yelled again suddenly running arms outstretched towards an Iron Man pair of footsy pyjamas.
Once he'd got over the shock of her outburst, he tucks his weapon back in place before somebody stopped it and called security on him. He sighed and followed her over to get a closer look at the pyjamas. Picking Skye back up he grabbed the pj's holding them up to examine them "I guess he does look like a robot" he actually chuckled in exasperation because only Skye could make him think there was somebody attacking them when all she wanted was Iron Man pj's, well robot pj's as she put it.
"Robot!" Skye pointed to him then back at the pj's.
'Skye must think Iron Man's a robot or that he's on the pj's' he's never quite sure with Skye. 'What would Stark think?' He wondered internally rolling his eyes at just the thought of what he'd say.
Skye wriggled wanting to get down, he sighed putting her down only for her to run over to socks and pick up some black ones with Iron Man's helmet on them which were clearly for boys not that Skye seems to care. He walked up behind Skye picking her up and the socks adding them to the basket he grabbed on the way in. He walked over to t-shirts holding up one with a kitten who has big brown eyes that remind him of Skye's, she scrunch up her nose at it shaking her head and pointed to a top with random numbers all over it 'it kind of looks like computer code' he thought, figuring that's why she probably liked it.
He decided Skye probably needs at least one nice outfit to wear out if they went anywhere so heading towards were he thought dresses could be, he spots one that reminds him of the bright pink one she'd worn to go undercover but only red with black leggings to go with it. He held it up to get Skye's approval. He was surprised to see she actually likes his taste this time her eyes went big with excitement as she nodded vigorously making her curls bounce while she made grabby hands at it. He add that to the basket too as he skimmed over the contents pyjamas, tops, leggings, jeans, singlets, underwear and Iron Man socks 'she probably needs a jacket and some shoes' he figured looking around trying to spot either of the two things.
Skye was currently bare foot with her tiny toes scrunched up 'probably cold' he thought concerned as he grabbed a black zip up hoodie with Iron Man on it, figuring anything with 'Robot' on it and he'd be safe.
Walking around the corner he caught site of shoes. Skye's eyes light up as they neared the end of isle display of gum boots, she was fascinated by a bright red pair. He searched for their smallest size 'she's got tiny foot. I think I'd better make sure they fit her properly. I have no idea what size her foot is' he reasoned. The cloths were easier he could measure against her body but shoes were a different story, they were something you really had to try on.
Putting the smallest pair he could find on her he looked up from his kneeling position and couldn't help crack a smile at the pleased look Skye was giving her new boots "do they fit alright, Skye?" He asked pinching her toe to make sure she had enough room.
"Think so?" Skye lifts her gaze from her swinging feet to look at him.
It sounded more like a question than a confirmation so he lifted her off the stool and sets her down on her now boot covered feet "better go for a walk and check but don't go too far ok?" He told her. Skye nodded taking what he thought looked more like a skip than a walk down the shoe isle and then back again to meet him coming to a stop with a jump in front of him.
"There good" she told him beaming up at him.
"Well ok than, let's take them off and put them in the basket so we can pay for them" he told her. Skye looks down at her new boots and then back up to him with big pleading brown eyes and he knew what was coming.
"Do we have to Gw-ant?" Skye asked in a small voice stretching out his name as she pleaded.
'Not the eyes, you're a damn Specialist. You should be equipped to handle this. Don't cave just because she said your first name, don't cave….to late' he sighed. "I suppose you can wear them until we get to the checkout but then you have to take them off ok?" He insisted trying to sound firm. Skye jumps up and down excitedly clapping her hands then launches herself at his legs hugging them tight. Looking down at her in shock he was met with the sweetest toothy smile, he reached down to pick her up but was met with crossed arms and a defiant look.
"I can walk by myself Grant Ward" Skye told him giving him a look that almost screams 'don't even think about it.'
'Skye must have perfected this look at a pretty young age; she uses it every time I goes to pull her blankets off her bed' he shook his head "I know you can Skye, it's really busy. I don't want you to get lost" he told her patiently, his Rookie was so stubborn. He could see Skye was thinking carefully she tilted her head to the right looking up at him calculatingly.
"How about I hold your hand" she proposed eyeing him.
'She's negotiating with me, she's three years old. This little minx is actually negotiating with me. I'm the Specialist here and Skye's negotiating with me' he thought shaking his head exasperated by his Rookie's determination "fine" he conceded sticking his hand out for her to hold.
Skye smiles triumphantly grabbing his much bigger hand leading him out of the shoe isle skipping a little as she went, he rolled his eyes at her antics and looked down at her little red boots which looked ridiculous with the oversized top she was sporting 'well, at least they'll match her dress' he gave himself a mental shake. He's been spending way too much time with this girl if he's thinking about whether her shoes match her dress or not.
Holding her hand firmly they walk towards the checkout he noticed toys coming up and picks up his pace, speed walking past them nearly dragging Skye behind him as she tried to look. He inconspicuously grabbing a stuffed Iron Man from the end of an isle and hid it under her new dress so he could surprise her later.
Arriving at the checkout he let out a sigh of relief and picked up Skye getting no complaint this time, he realised Skye must be tired as she laid her head on his shoulder and fisted her hand in his t-shirt while the other was occupied by a thumb in her mouth.
They approach a middle aged woman behind the register and he loaded up there overflowing basket onto the conveyer belt. He suddenly remembered Skye's boots and quickly slipped them off her feet and places them down too. Skye whines a little as the cold air hits her little toes, scrunches them up. The woman raises an brow "she didn't want to take them off" he explained hoping she wasn't going to make a big deal about it, the women didn't say anything else just got on with the process and hands the items over to him once he'd paid.
Grant's POV- Status: The Market Place's underground carpark. Whereabouts: "Classified"
Nearing the car he reaches into his pocket and pulled out the keys, he was about to hit unlock when he hears a sleepy voice.
"Can I do it?" Skye asked timidly.
Looking down her eyes were barely open "I suppose you can, here" he shook his head handing over the keys allowing her to press the unlock button 'so it's not just my buttons she likes to push' he thought amused as he placed the shopping in the boot and Skye in her seat buckling her up, he'd been just as surprised as anyone that the S.H.I.E.L.D hanger had a spare car seat after all it wasn't everyday someone got turned back into a kid so why would they need one but apparently it happened more often than he thought and he was fortunate enough to be able to borrow a car seat suitable for Skye.
Closing Skye's door and opening his own getting in he realized Skye still had his keys "Keys Skye?" he asked getting no response 'probably doesn't want to hand them over' he sighed swivelling around in his seat to get them back. He was met with the sight of Skye sound asleep still clutching his keys in her little fist. Stretching into the backseat he prized open her little fingers, gently releasing her hold on his keys. Skye's eyes fluttered open "go back to sleep baby, I just need the keys" he sooths pulling back with the keys in hand
"Kay, Robot" Skye sighed contently nuzzling the side of her car seat as exhaustion took her.
Swivelling around facing the front again he failed to suppress a smile apparently it didn't matter what age Skye was she still come up with ridiculous nicknames for him. Even though he'd only introduced himself as Agent Grant Ward she still called him 'Robot' he'd never admit it but he loved her nicknames even though he'd love to hear her using his first name more. Hearing her call him Robot again was enough for now, it gave him a little bit of hope that he'd get his Skye back to herself and in the meantime figure out how to look after the three year old version of his Rookie.
He decided to expect the unexpected because he certainly didn't anticipate Skye being turned into a three year old today or having to spend hours in the kids clothing section helping his Rookie find cloths. Who knows what tomorrow would bring, he can only hope he's better prepared with today's learning experience to face the future.