Never Send An Agent to Do A Sister's Job Chapter 3: I Am Only Human, an agents of s.h.i.e.l.d. fanfic

Never Send An Agent to Do A Sister's Job

Disclaimer:
You know the drill, by now.

Rating:
T

Genre:
Romance/Hurt/Comfort

Pairings:
Coulsye
ScienceHusbands
Hawkdra

Lyrics Used:
Krewella "Human"

Author's Note:
Okay, everyone. I know a lot of you feel like I'm bashing on May, in this story. That's not the case, at all. I don't hate May. Really, I don't. But, when I saw the clip on YouTube, I got an idea and my brain just kind of said "Hey! I wonder what might happen if she actually said that because of this..." so I just went with it to see where it would lead to. Personally, I believe that May only said that Skye would be of no use to them on the bus because she felt like Skye needed to use non-SHIELD related computers to bypass the restrictions from her bracelet. I don't really think she was throwing Skye under the bus. Like I said, this was just a "What if..." kind of thing. Sometimes, I like to twist things around into alternate directions just to see what could happen...It's just an experiment. These are not my views on the characters or the show...

Also, I gave Reina a last name that I pulled outta the air...Just...For the sake of her having one...

I Am Only Human

"You found Phil?!" Kendra asked, wanting to confirm the findings before she got her hopes up.

"I tracked Centipede's financials." Tony began, his voice completely clinical. "I found an old apartment building-the complex was shut down years ago and all the other buildings torn down. The deed to the remaining building is in the name of one..." The billionaire paused, there, to double check his information on his StarkTab. "Reina Linton."

"Mike said that a woman named 'Reina' first recruited him into the Centipede program." Skye interjected, as the proverbial light bulb flickered to life over her head. "He said she was the one who took Ace hostage and demanded he turn Phil over in exchange for his son back!" She elaborated. "That has to be her!"

"It certainly is a strong circumstantial case." Kendra conceded. "Go tell May what you found. Have her plot a course for the nearest place for us to land." She ordered, directing her attention to Tony before focusing in on Skye. "Skye, I want you to round everyone else up. Have them meet me in the conference room. We need to strategize."

Skye nodded, once, curtly before making a silent exit-intent on fulfilling her mission. They finally had it. They finally had their shot to get Phil back and she'd be damned if she'd screw it up.

Melinda May and Grant Ward immediately flew apart when they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat in the doorway. Snapping their heads to the side to get a glimpse of who had caught them in such an intimate moment, both of their pupils turned to saucers at the sight of none other than Tony Stark grinning at them wickedly. "So sorry to interrupt..." He began snidely, striding across the room toward the agents. "But, I thought you both might like to know...We found Coulson."

"You found him?!" Ward repeated, dumbfounded. He hadn't expected the search to be so quick.

"I'm just gonna overlook that little insult." Tony muttered, sarcastically. "But, yes, Agent Ward...We did-well, Skye and I did." He corrected. "Agent May, I have the coordinates of his current location. KC wants you to plot a course for the nearest landing location."

"On it." Melinda replied, regaining her composure as she straightened her clothes. "Wheels up in ten." She added, curtly, before making her swift and silent exit.

"And, you, Agent Ward." Tony added, after the pilot had taken her leave. "First of all-excellent taste you have, there." The billionaire interjected, sarcastically. "And, second...You might wanna get your ass to the conference room before Skye comes looking for you. Kendra sent her on the hunt for the rest of the group. And, I'm guessing you and Julie Chen, back there, think that your relationship's some sort of secret. Wouldn't want to have to explain anything, would you?" He added, snidely.

"No, sir." Grant ground through gritted teeth as Tony flashed him a smug smile on his way out of the room.

"What are we looking at?" Natasha asked, clinically, ready to get down to business and save her friend. Now that she knew Coulson was-in fact-alive, she'd be damned if she'd let anything happen to him.

"This, Agent Romanoff, is a satellite image of an abandoned apartment building that is owned-on paper, at the very least-by one Reina Linton." Kendra spoke, slipping into full-on Agent Coulson mode. "Stark and Skye managed to track Centipede to this building through their financials. We believe this is where they are keeping my brother. Agent May is plotting a course for the nearest place-to this apartment building-for us to land, as we speak." She continued on, rolling through the plan of attack. "Once we land, I wanna divide and conquer. Bruce, we're gonna need Hulk on the perimeter. Centipede will undoubtedly have their supersoldiers guarding the perimeter. Stark, you and Skye and I will take the northern quadrant. Barton-you, Romanoff, and Ward take the southern. Rogers, you and May take eastern quadrant-" Before she could complete her orders, however, a rather obnoxious alarm rang through the air.

"Who opened the cargo hatch?!" May demanded, walking into the conference room from the cock pit.

"Friends!" Thor boomed, striding proudly into the conference room. "Let us commence with our efforts to rescue the son of Coul."

"That's Thor!" Jemma whispered to Leo, excitedly. "It's really him! In the flesh!"

"So glad you could join us, Thor." Kendra replied, curtly. "I was just assigning teams. Given that no field operatives remain unassigned, you will be watching the western quadrant on your own. We'll all be on comms, so, just let us know if you need back-up."

"'Tis an honor to serve." Thor bowed, respectfully.

"A-Agent Coulson?" Leo chimed in, nervously. "What, exactly do you wish for Jemma and I to do?" He asked, timidly.

"Fitzsimmons, I'm gonna need the two of you to stay on the bus. We're gonna need eyes and ears outside of the combat zone to alert us of any movements on Centipede's part." Kendra replied, authoritatively. "We need you to have our backs." She added, in a more personable tone.

"Consider it done." Jemma replied, smiling proudly. She and Fitz may not have what it took to be out, in the field. But, damn, it felt good to at least be able to contribute something to the rescue of their mentor and friend.

Turning to her team, Kendra replied "Stark, Rogers, Barton, Romanoff...Suit up!" With curt nods of understanding, Tony, Steve, Clint, and Natasha all took off to prepare for the confrontation ahead of them. Turning to Bruce, she added "Bruce, you'll suit up when we get there."

"Noted." Bruce replied, briefly.

"Skye, I want you to come with me." Kendra continued, cryptically, focusing on the hacker. "I have something special for you."

"Oh. O-okay..." Skye replied, unsure of exactly what the younger Coulson meant by that.

"Everyone else..." The senior agent added, with a deep breath for courage. "You know what you need to do. So, get ready."

Walking into her brother's bunk, the younger Coulson made her way over to the closet as she began her prep for the impending confrontation. "Sooo...What, exactly, is that you have for me?" Skye asked, timidly, almost afraid of the answer.

Rummaging through her things in her brother's closet, Kendra smiled fondly as she pulled out a black and silver handgun which she then passed to Skye. "This is a Smith and Wesson SD-Forty VE." The younger Coulson explained. "It was the first firearm I ever carried as a field officer. It served me quite well. I held on to it with the intent of passing it on to a deserving young operative. That operative is you, Skye." She smiled fondly as the young hacker examined the pistol in her hands. "I want you to have it."

"Me?!" Skye breathed, snapping her head up to look the senior agent before her. "W-Why me?"

"I meant what I said, before, Skye." Kendra replied, sincerely. "You are on your way to becoming one of the best damn field operatives S.H.I.E.L.D. has ever seen...You're gonna need a solid weapon in your arsenal to get there." Smiling proudly, Kendra added "Plus...You remind me of a younger me..."

"Really?!" Skye breathed, in sheer awe.

"You bet your ass." Kendra replied, staring directly into the hacker's eyes to driver her point home. "Just remember...When you shoot...Always shoot to kill."

Looking up at the senior agent, Skye saw an earnestness in her eyes, that she knew should have chilled her to the bone. She didn't know if it was the adrenaline of going after Coulson or what...But, instead, she only felt empowered as she nodded in agreement.

Once they had arrived on the scene, the team had been met with an immediate attack by Centipede soldiers. After a brief struggle-with the Hulk's help-they found their way into the building. "Remember, everyone..." Kendra ordered, quietly. "If anyone spots my brother, call it out. The rest of us will meet you, there. We're gonna need all hands on deck to get Phil outta here."

Her orders were met with a chorus of "Got it."s as the group split up into the previously assigned teams and headed off to their respective quadrants.

As they explored their area, Stark couldn't help noticing the firearm that Skye was sporting. "That's some heat you're packing." He commented, cheekily.

Skye could only smile proudly as her eyes scanned the room for any sign of her AC. After a few more moments, her attention perked up as her ears caught hold of something. "Guys!" She called out, in a hushed tone. "Over here! I think I hear something!" She added, frantically gesturing for Tony and Kendra join her at the doorway.

Pressing herself against the wall to remain out of sight, Kendra strained to see if she could hear what the hacker thought she was hearing. "Nice catch, rook!" Kendra grinned, proudly at her brother's young protege.

"You were killed." Kendra heard the voice of a woman-presumably Reina-speaking. She could could only assume she was speaking to her brother. "Now, you're here." Kendra definitely did not like where this conversation sounded like it was going. "We want to know how."

"That's it." Kendra declared, drawing the attention of her two partners. "I've heard enough. I'm going in. I want the two of you stay back. Stark, I want you to stick with Skye-watch each other's backs. I wanna handle this as quickly and quietly as possible." She elaborated, keeping her tone hushed. "If we go in there, all guns blazing, it'll only start a war. I want to get through this with as few casualties as possible." Skye and Tony had to admit that Kendra was right. If they went in there, shooting first and asking questions later, they would risk Coulson getting hit and that was not a chance any of them wanted to take unless absolutely necessary. "Stark, radio the others, have them meet you here. Only come in if you think I truly need the help."

"Got it." Tony nodded his understanding.

"You can't just go in there, alone." Skye argued. "You need back-up, you need-"

"Skye!" Kendra cut the hacker off before her rant could get out of hand. "I have to go in alone. Right now, the best advantage we have is the element of surprise. It always was my best move." She grinned wickedly. "Just keep an eye on things from here, and only come to my aid if it appears absolutely necessary."

Staring at Kendra apprehensively, Skye finally had to admit the senior agent was right. "Fine." She acquiesced. "Just...Be careful, okay? It's bad enough AC's in trouble...I don't want anything happening to you, too..."

"I always am." Kendra grinned mischievously as she silently crept through the door that had been left ajar.

"Guys!" Tony called out over the comm, quietly. "We found Coulson. I repeat, we found Coulson. Meet us in apartment twenty-one-ten. Stand down, when you get here. We are going in only as a last resort. Do not move without my signal."

"Got it." Ward replied, curtly, taking off in the direction of the unit he'd been summoned to with Romanoff and Barton in tow.

"On our way." Steve replied, taking off with May in tow.

"Please, I'm begging you, just let me die." Her brother's frantic voice threatened to shatter Kendra's heart inside her chest. The senior S.H.I.E.L.D. agent had to physically bite her tongue to prevent herself from giving away her location as she crept up behind Reina, her weapon drawn. Once she stood directly behind her, Kendra finally spoke.

"So glad I could rain on your parade, Reina." Kendra spoke, dangerously, as she kept her gun pointed directly at Reina's head. As the woman before her turned to face her, Kendra came to a conclusion. This bitch has to go... She decided as she cocked her gun.

Author's Note:
So, I decided to leave this one, here, because I felt like I was starting to ramble. I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can. But, work's gonna be getting crazy, next week. So, we'll just have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime, enjoy!

-Skye Coulson (formerly known as Shaelynn Stark)