The next morning came for too quickly in Coulsons opinion. He rolled out of bed and took a quick shower then headed down to the common area. When he got there he found the couch empty. He looked around for Skye but she was no where to be found.
He made his way to the one place he had yet to check, Mays room. It was after 5 am so he knew she would be up, probably doing tai chi.
Coulson knocked on the door but recieved no answer so he knocked again and waited, still recieving no answer he took a chance and entered the room.
The sight before him made him freeze. May was lying on her back wide awake with Skye cuddled along her side with one arm tossed across her SO's abdomen, mouth parted as soft snores came from her mouth.
May glared at Coulson "Not one wor..." She stopped speaking when Skye shifted, eyes fluttering for a moment before settling down again. The older women snapped her mouth shut and held her breath as she waited for Skye to stop shifting. Coulson grinned and whipped out his smart phone.
"Don't you even think about it!" May warned through gritted teeth as quietly as she could.
Coulson weighed his options before sliding his phone back into his coat pocket then spoke in hushed voice "Long night?"
"The longest." She groaned.
Coulson chuckled then covered his mouth when Skye moved and snuggled into May's side.
May glared at him again then her face relaxed "She was positive that the 'thing' had followed her in here."
"Thing?" Coulson sat on the edge of May's bed.
She shook her head as if it weren't important "I had to check under the bed twice before promising to keep an Icer ready."
May looked down at her sleeping charge and bit back a yawn "Everytime I attempt to leave she starts to wake"
Coulson tilted his head to side before asking quietly "Why not just let her?"
May rolled her eyes "24 year old Skye is a pain if she doesn't get enough sleep and..."
"With me leaving you don't want to have to deal cranky 3 year old Skye" he finished.
May nodded and this time a yawn did slipped from her lips as she let her head fall back on her pillow. Coulson softly smiled and tried not think about how perfect the scene before him felt, Skye sleeping against May as he sat on the bed with them first thing in the morning before beginning their day.
He patted May's thigh without a second thought "Get some sleep. We don't leave for..." He glanced at his watch "two hours still."
Coulson stood from the bed and ignored the look May tossed his way as he made to leave "You're not even going to attempt to help me out of bed?"
Coulson shrugged "A minor hurdle for Melinda May"
If looks could kill Coulson was as good as dead but lucky for him it wasn't the first or the last time he would be on the receiving end of May's glare. He tossed her sheepish smile then left the room all the while thinking about leaving now as opposed to later so May wouldn't have a chance to get even.
-2 hours later-
Skye stood next to Fitz as they watched Coulson and Simmons ready the jet. May was giving the jet a once over, her face not giving anything away when she was finished she stood next to Skye. Skye glanced up at her and felt her cheeks get hot as she remembered walking up in the older womans bed and not just her bed but in her arms too. Neither had mentioned it and Skye didn't know why she was feeling hurt about the fact May chose not to acknowledge it.
Coulson came and said something to May breaking Skye's concentration, her eyes stung at the thought of him leaving. He crouched down to meet her eyes "I don't plan on being gone too long..."
Skye threw herself into his arms, nearly knocking him to the ground "Pwease don't weave!"
May and Coulson exchanged a worried glance at they way her L's were now replaced with W's. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed a hand up and down her back "I'll be back soon Skye. You have a mission of your own while I'm away"
She sniffled and pulled back "I do?"
He nodded "Uh huh. Very important too" he glanced up at May & Fitz "Very classified."
May held back her eye roll and walked away, Fitz following her.
"I need you to take care of May and Fitz for me while I'm gone"
Skye's eyes almost popped out of her head "yeah right"
Coulson smirked then slipped into 'Director mode' "Agent Skye this is a delicate operation and one only you can handle"
"But May doesn't need me."
The sad, soft tone didn't go unnoticed by the older man "She does. She doesn't know it yet"
Coulson sighed "Fitz needs a friend, be there for him and May... well May is..."
"Grumpy."
Letting out a short chuckle, he patted Skye's head "Then Agent Skye your sub-mission is to make her smile. Are you up to the challenge?"
Skye tossed him a mock salute "Yes sir!"
Jemma walked over "Sir, everything is in order"
He gave a slight nod and stood looking over to May, who took the hint and came to stand near Skye.
"I'll touch base each night and if things move too slowly I will be coming back solo"
May nodded "Don't let Stark talk you into any upgrades. Leave my jets alone."
Coulson smirked "No promises"
Skye fidgeted drawing his attention "Good luck Agent Skye"
Skye looked up at May then back to Coulson and winked.
They watched them take off and Skye let out a large sigh. May looked down at her trainee "What was that about?"
Skye grinned up at May and answered "That's classified." Before jogging to catch up to Fitz.
May stood for a beat and watched Skye sprint away. It wasn't often she caught off guard and if she were honest with herself she had fully expected Skye to openly explain what Coulson meant but instead she was denied the wanted information by Coulsons protégé.
When May entered the kitchen she found Skye sitting on the counter and bent over a bowl with a scrunched face as Fitz scratched his head "That's not uh... not right"
"Maybe chop it better?" Skye made a chopping motion with her hand.
May walked over and looked at the content of the bowl with a raised brow "What's going on?"
"Fitz is makin' me an omelet!" Skye said with a smile
"Trying to" Fitz added "The plan is there but the execution is... is..."
"Bad?" Skye offered trying to help.
Fitz nodded "In layman's terms. Yes."
May didn't miss the dejection in his voice. She looked in the bowl one more time, several eggs and globs of cheese and large pieces of ham all mixed together in a gooey mass. She rolled up her sleeves, grabbed the bowl and dumped it unceremoniously in the sink then started the garbage disposal. Skye's shoulders sank as her would be breakfast was tossed. Fitz shifted from foot to foot and was about to walk away when May shoved the bowl back in his hands "Start with your eggs, whisk them"
Skye patted her stomach as she swallowed the best omelet she had ever eaten before. May had showed Fitz each step to making the perfect eggy delight and when all was said and done she left them alone to eat.
"That was THEE BEST breakfast ever!"
Fitz nodded in agreement as he cleared the counter "Who knew adding milk while whisking would... would make the eggs... so.. so, uhm.."
"Fluffy!"
"Yes, fluffy" Fitz smiled at her and finished the dishes.
"May knew! I bet she really does know everything!"
"No argument there"
Fitz dried his hands and let out a puff of air leave his lips "Now what?"
"TV!"
"Doctor Who?"
Skye rolled her eyes "Duhhhh"
They sat on the couch side by side full engrossed by the current episode until Skye spoke "Fitz?"
He paused the episode and looked to his side and waited for her to continue. "You think they'll fix me soon?"
"I... I have no, uh doubt in my mind. Why are you...you worried?"
Skye let out a breath "Kinda... but Coulson has the bestest and smartest guys workin' on this."
Fitz nodded and looked down at his lap. She could tell he became upset and replayed her words in her head and grimaced.
She scooted closed and tapped his leg "I didn't... you are super smart"
"I was. Now... now I am... uh..." He snapped his fingers and winced then slapped the couch beside him "Forget it."
Skye felt her eyes burn and her lip trembled knowning she hurt his feeling somehow "I'm sorry Fitz! I just meant..."
Fitz seen the tears Skye was trying to keep at bay and immediately felt worse about how he reacted.
"I'm glad you stayed" she scooted even closer and hugged him "I would miss you and I wouldn't have anyone to keep me company"
He returned the hugged with one arm "I think your company is better than stairing down a microscope all day anyways."
Skye smiled and pressed play on the remote.
May found them a few hours later both asleep on the couch Fitz had his feet up on the table with his head tossed back, mouth open. Skye had her head on his thigh, stomach down and a thumb in her mouth. Decided it was best not to disturb them May turned and left the room and headed to the gym.
The rest of the day was uneventful until dinner. May made a quick meal of spaghetti and garlic bread and immediately regretted making such a messy dish. Skye's hands and face were covered in sauce, she even managed a few noodles to stick to her cheeks. When it came time to clean up Skye insisted she was a 'big girl' and didn't need help. After several moments of watching Skye smear sauce all over her face with a, now dirty, napkin and making it worse she went to the sink and wet a towel.
Skye squirmed and whined the entire time May tried to wipe her face clean.
"Skye sit still"
"But Mayyyyy I already cleaned my face!"
Fitz let out a chuckled which was silenced at the look May shot him. May could feel herself getting upset and took a deep breath before trying again. The blonde must have sensed Mays mood shift because he wet another towel and wiped his face off in exaggerated motions.
"Spaghetti is delicious but...uh, uh..."
"Messy" May offered through a stiff jaw
Fitz snapped his fingers "Yes, thank you Agent May. Messy." He looked over at Skye "Thank goodness we have these towels or we would be a uhm... dirty mess and would need a bath before bed. Right Skye?"
Skye sat quietly for a minutes before putting her hand over May's "'kay I'll be good"
May fought not to pull her hand from underneath Skye's and lifted her other to begin wiping leftover supper from the small face in front of her. She tossed a thankful glance at Fitz when he began collecting the dishes.
-later-
Skye sat at her desk and watched as May put new sheets on her bed, no one got around to it the night before. She tried not to feel embarrassed about her accident or the fact that she ran to May's room in the middle of the night. Her SO worked quietly and folded down the freshly washed linen and then looked to Skye expectantly.
Skye slid from the chair and with some struggle managed to climb in to bed, May pulled the covers up and said a quiet goodnight. The little girl yearned for a some type of physical show of affection even though she knew this was as close as she would ever get with May. Her eyes began to water and her lip began to tremble "I want AC!"
May turned from her place in the doorway, frozen, as Skye began to bawl.
Giant tears rolled down Skye's face and May cursed Coulson for leaving her in charge of Skye in her current condition.
She had been through hell and back. She could handle this; at least that's what May told herself as she tried to work out the situation before her. May didn't do kids. May didn't do crying. May definitely didn't do kids who were crying but something about Skye crying for Coulson made her heart twinge.
"Coulson is due to check in at any moment, would you like to stay up until then?"
Skye's sniffles slowed as she shook her head yes then surprised May when she held arms out towards her.
"After you say goodnight it's back to bed Skye."
Skye's tears slowed as she sniffled "Deal!"
May slowly walked to the bed and pulled back the sheets as she bent over Syke, the younger agent wrapped her arms around her neck. The older woman stiffened at the contact.
May tried to pull back but Skye's arms tightened causing her to stop her movements. She seen no point in causing another breakdown so she simply wrapped her arms around Skyes back and lifted the small girl, trying to mask her face from showing how uncomfortable she was. Right away Skye settled in the crook of May's neck.
When they reached Coulson's office the call came through and his face popped up on the screen.
"AC!"
Coulson smiled at the sight of May holding Skye to her chest "How my girls doing?"
"Good! But i miss you!" Skye bounced a little in May's arms "I hafta go bed after we say goodnight"
May shot him a look that said they would be discussing this later... at length.
"How did Stark take the news?"
"Of me NOT actually being dead?" He shrugged "oh, fine."
At the same time Tony walked on screen "He's a zombie.."
"For the last time I'm NOT a zombie!" Coulson frowned at the man next to him.
Tony rolled his eyes "A simple test will prove that"
They both stopped and looked at the screen when the heard Skye giggle "They are funny!"
Stark punched Coulson in the arm and grinned "You sly dog you. Back from the dead and making babies." He leaned closer to Coulson and whispered not at all quietly "A+ on the baby mama too"
May glared at the playboy and shifted Skye in her arms trying to look menacing but failing to do so with a three year old in her arms.
Coulson sputtered and turned a deep shade of pink before recovering "Tony this is Skye. You know Agent May."
Skye waved and gave a little yawn. Tony smiled and waved back "Kid's about to drop time for mama bear to put the cub down for beddy bye"
May's eyes narrowed and a insult was leaving her lips when Skye's hand began to play with her hair "I'm not a kid and I'm NOT tired."
"Skye we had a deal."
"But..."
"No. Say goodnight."
Skye yawned and rubbed her eyes "Can I sweep wiff you again?"
May's lips pressed in a line "Skye."
"Pwease?"
The older agent looked down at Skye who was moments from dreamland then to Coulson and wanted to smack the silly grin from his face "I'm going to put her down. Then we are going to talk."
"'Night AC" Skye gave a sluggish wave as her eyes began to droop.
Tony winced and watched May leave the room then looked at Coulson "Hate to be you. Zombie or not, wifey's going to kill you"
Coulson frowned but nodded slowly and waited for May to return. Tony rocked on his feet and let out a whistle when May entered the room. He open his mouth to make a smart remark but changed his mind when May crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. Instead he clapped his hands "Right. Down to business"
Again Coulson nodded and gave a hopeful smirk to his old friend. At Mays nod Tony started "Agent living dead here and Simmons, who is a real peach by the way, filled me in on your sitch."
He contined after his pause "And believe me when I say Skye's in good hands. I made a call to the big guy."
"Banner?" Coulson questioned
"Yup. The big green anger machine himself is flying in to help."
May tilted her chin up for a moment then her eyes slide over to Coulson's. Moments seems to pass without words.
"Are you guys aware I'm in the room? This whole eye ball convo is a twosome and I'm feeling excluded."
"Get used to it. From what Hill told me it's better to just go with it" Pepper entered the room carrying a tray of coffee. When she put the tray down she smiled at the screen "Hello Melinda. How are things?"
Tony did a double take "Melinda? No, her name is also Agent"
May smirked "Still a highly paid babysitter I see."
Pepper chuckled "From what I hear so are you"
Coulson opened his mouth but she continued "and I am not talking about your current 0-8-4"
"You're telling me. It's like a flying daycare center" May answered evenly.
"Hey!" Coulson and Tony said at the same time realizing they were being compared to children.
"So where is this little cutie I have heard so much about?" The blonde asked.
May leaned against the desk "In bed."
"Well from just what little I observed it seems her mental age fluctuates" Stark said as he put a hand to his chin then looked at May "Happen when she is tired or upset?"
"Yes." May stood up giving her full attention now.
"What I figured. She'll revert to adolescent behavior when her mind is weak or too tired to fight the change . Feeling vulnerable, tired, upset could cause a shift in age"
"It is happening more often than not"
"Could be she doesn't have the energy to fight it anymore... but we'll know more when Dr. GRRRR gets here" Tony let out an obnoxious growl.
May held in her sigh as Coulson gave her sympathetic look. Pepper and Tony sensed the mood shift when May and Coulson seemed to converse without words.
"See? They are doing it again! S'no fair Pepps"
Pepper rolled her eyes and shook her head "Come on, I'll make it up to you"
Tony watched Pepper saunter out of the room. He turned to the screen "Later Mama bear"
Giving Coulson and slap on the back of the shoulder and leaned in , saying something only Coulson could hear then hurried out of the room.
After a quiet moment Coulson spoke "So you know Pepper?"
May nodded "And the smartass" before Coulson could ask she answered "Your funeral."
The words hung in heavy silence and Coulson wasn't sure where to go from there so he just gave a slow nod. He knew there was a funeral but he hadn't thought about the people that attended or how everyone thought it was real. How May thought it was real.
"How was it today?"
"Could have been worse to be honest"
Coulson smirked "I have never known you not to be"
May rubbed a hand through her hair and perched herself on his desk.
"With Banner on this an antidote will be a walk in the park"
Letting out a breath from her nose May raised her eyebrows "The last time you said it would be a walk in the park Budapest happened"
Coulson chuckled "Yeah, Barton never let me live that down"
"He still wouldn't if he knew you where still around"
"Tony's mouth will spread the secret faster then a wildfire"
Again it became silent again almost to the point of being awkward.
"I know you're upset..."
"Oh I am more than upset Phil. I'm not cut out for this diaper duty"
"Skye is potty trained" he tried to joke but regretted it the moment he seen Mays face "Stark and Banner will have a cure in no time and OUR normal Skye back"
"It's late and I still need to do a perimeter check"
Coulson gave her a short nod. He knew she was done with the conversation. He could tell there was something besides the obvious bothering her but he knew her enough to know when and when not to push "Night May. I'll make contact tomorrow"
May nodded before disconnecting the link. She made rounds and found Fitz still up in the lab and ushered him to his room when he looked ready to fall asleep on his feet. Afterwards she turned off all the lights and headed to her room.
When she entered her room Skye was spread out and the sheets were pushed to foot of the bed and the top of her pajamas was up, exposing her belly button.
May took a quick shower and readied for bed then as carefully she adjusted Skye so she was just on one side of the bed then she climbed in and covered both herself and Skye. She layed on her back with her arms at her sides, looking up at the ceiling. May looked at the sleeping form beside her then back at the ceiling before closing her eyes for evening.
It was about quarter after 1 in the morning when May shot up in bed and took her in surroundings. She glanced at the time and steadied her erratic breathing. Skye was scrunched in fetal position sucking her thumb, her hair was slick and stuck to the sides of her face. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. May furrowed her brows and tentivley reached out to smooth the bangs from Skye's brow only to become unsure when the small girl let out a whimper. Getting over her doubt she pushed her hand foward and gently brushed the stray bangs from Skye's head. Immediately the little girls face calmed at the touch and she pulled her thumb from her mouth with a small sigh. Once she stopped May settled down again and listened to the even breathing of the little girl next to her to calm her nerves. She would be lying if she said that waking up from nightmares wasn't a normal occurrence. Normally after a dream she would bolt out of bed and head to the gym to work off any stress but as she thought about leaving Skye cuddled into her side making her stiffen. May counted Skye's breath and copied the rhythm until she relaxed enough to find sleep again.
It wasn't until she felt like she was being watched did she open her eyes, her hand grasped an icer that she kept near at all times. Skye was sitting with her legs tucked underneath her and her hair was all over the place as she stared down at May. May glanced at the time, 7:15 am, then back at small brunette "Skye?"
Skye blinked a few times before sliding her eyes to her lap then back to May "Yeah?"
May sat up a ran a hand through her hair "Everything okay?"
The little girl slowly nodded "I... I didn't know where I was when I woke up"
"You do now?"
Skye nodded wildly make her hair fall in her face "Uh huh. The Playground... with you. May."
May had feeling Skye had said her name for her own assurance but let it slide. She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her arms there "Why didn't you wake me?"
"You were sleeping"
The matter of fact tone made May smirk "Right. Well, next time wake me instead of staring"
Skye nodded again thoughtfully then began to squirm and she blushed.
May held in her groan and she pulled the blankets back and slid from the bed. She didn't have to say anything for Skye follow her into the bathroom. After they settled Skye's business May waited as she watched the small agent brush her teeth then left to have some breakfast.
May didn't have a moment to herself all day. If she went to gym, Skye was right behind her. If she went to Coulsons office, Skye followed. She didn't know how much more her nerves could take. May was sitting at Coulson's desk going over last month's spending when she looked up to check on Skye. It had became far too quiet. When she glanced up the room was empty.
"Skye?" May put down the forms she had been reviewing. When she didn't get an answer she stood for the desk.
May walked down the hall checking the empty bunks as she went and calling out Skye's name. She checked the hanger, the gym and the lab; Fitz hadn't seen Skye all day.
Trying to ignore the knot in her stomach May made her way to the 'mess hall'. She came in just in time to see the stool Skye and been using to reach the top shelf slip from under her feet. May raced and leaped forward to catch Skye before she hit the ground but in the process she took the brunt of the impact. She was now spawled out on the kitchen floor with a tiny Skye in her arms.
May sat and winced at the sting in her elbow but ignored it as she frowned "What the hell were you doing?"
Skye grimaced at the tone her SO used and clamored from her lap "I wanted a snack"
"A snack?" May frowned.
Skye crossed her arms "Yes. A snack. I was hungry!"
The older woman brows raised as Skye's mannerisms went on the defensive then she frowned again "Well like it or not you need to ask someone to hel..."
"I don't need any help! I'm not REALLY a toddler ya know!" Skye exclaimed as she pouted.
"Could have fooled me" May muttered under her breath as she picked herself up from the ground then looked down at the still pouting pint size agent "like it or not, not asking for help isn't an option for you"
Skye didnt bother looking at May as she frowned. May picked up the stool and returned to its rightful place at the counter then faced Skye again "Still want a snack?"
The smaller agent frowned and said through gritted teeth "I don't need your help"
May frowned again "No, what you need is an attitude adjus..."
"Oh! Agent May there uh there you, you are! Trip is on the line"
The senior agent nodded at Fitz and left the room.
Fitz sank to the floor next to Skye "Have you lost your mind? May was this," he held up his thumb and pointer finger "close to throttling you"
Skye didn't speak for a moment then quietly said "I just wanted a snack"
Fitz pat her shoulder and gave her sympathetic smile "I know. Just next uhm..." He tapped his leg and squinted.
"Time?"
He pointed at Skye "That's it. Time.! Just next time ask..."
"BUT I'm not a baby. I am an adult!"
"In here." Fitz tapped her temple "but until...we... I mean, they find an antidote you need to...uh... adjust"
They sat for a beat before Fitz added "And maybe try, try not to uh... agitate May. Yeah?"
Skye nodded.
"Even adults need to ask for...uh..." He looked to Skye for assistance.
"Help."
"See? We could all use some"
Skye smiled and hugged Fitz then looked at him "Can you help me get the chips down?"
Fitz smiled and stood from the ground "Sour Cream & Onion?"
"Duh!"
Later Skye found May in the gym going to town on a punching bag. She watched as May pummeled the lifeless object in flawless, fluid moments. Skye stood there mesmerized as she watched her SO exhibit every perfect jab and punch that she tried so had tried so hard to mimic.
"Did you need something?"
Skye shook her self from her thoughts and looked up to he SO and shrugged.
"That's not an answer"
The little girl held back her eyeroll and jumped a little as May landed a particularly hard blow to the hanging sand bag then finished the combo with jumping spin kick.
May walked over to Skye and began unwrapping her hands as she did "Come on, out with it."
Normally Skye would shrug off May gruff demand but right now it hurt her feelings so she began to cry. May froze. She had no idea why Skye was crying. Letting out a sigh she knelt down to be level with the crying 3 year old "Why are you crying?"
Mays words weren't harsh or mean in fact, they were soft and gentle.
"You're mad at me!" Skye rubbed her eyes with her fists.
"I'm not mad at you"
Skye nodded wildly "uh huh! You useded a mad voice"
Okay so she was dealing with little Skye. May moved to sit indian style and pulled Skyes hands from her face "I am not mad at you."
"Pwomise?" Skye's tone was hopeful as he shiny eyes met May's.
May held in her eye roll "Yes, I promise."
Skye smiled and launched herself into May hugging her tightly around the neck. May let herself be hugged although she stiffened and didn't return the gesture.
"Wanna see what I can do?" Skye asked as she pulled back.
"Knock yourself out." May decided to wait until Skye was 'herself' again so she played along.
"Huh?"
May shook her head "Nevermind. Show me."
Skye moved to stand on the mats and moved her arms slowly in front her and jutted out her foot a few times then grinned at May "See?"
"I do." She had no idea what she was being shown. Skye began the movements again.
"Im'ma be jus' like you when I grow up!"
May frowned with concern "Skye?"
Skye paused her movement and looked over at her SO "Yeah?"
"How old are you?" She asked slowly.
The little girl looked at her hand then held up 3 fingers "Thwee!"
"Dammit!" May growled as she walked to the comm on the wall and jammed the button "Fitz! Gym. Now."
When she looked back at Skye she had wide eyes "Ooooo! You said a bad word!"
This just became very complicated. May rubbed her temples as Skye did tumbles on the athletic mats and waited for Fitz.
Skye lay sleeping on the couch in Coulson's office while Fitz and May waited for the vid con to link.
"Stark's house of genius" Starks face came into view and May felt all her tension rise again.
"Get Coulson. Now."
"Alright, alright. Sheesh." Tony leaned back in his chair and crossed his arm "Jarvis! Can you page Mr. Agent May and tell him mama bear is on the line"
May clenched her jaw and counted backwards from 100 and by the time she reached one Coulson entered the room.
"May? Skye okay?"
"Depends on how you define okay." May snapped.
At Coulson's confused look Fitz took a step foward and cleared his throat "Skye had, had an age relapse"
"Okaaay..." Coulson drawled out clearly not catching on.
"Three hours ago!" May growled as Fitz nodded slowly.
Coulson mouth made an 'O' as his brows lifted towards his hairline.
"She hasn't. ..uh... returned to her, her..."
"Right mindset?" Stark continued in a thoughtful tone.
Again Fitz nodded and May shifted her weight to one leg so that her left hip stuck out.
"Hmmm. Could be her batteries are drained and she'll be recharged and be back to herself in the morning or..."
"No, no or."
Tony shrugged "Sorry mama bear but it could be that you're cub might actually be three until we figure out a reversal"
If looks could kill no one in the room would be alive and breathing. Coulson glowered at Tony for a moment before he turned his attention to May "I can be home tomorrow but I think talking to Banner first hand may be beneficial"
May slowly leaned back against Coulson's desk with arms still crossed "No, stay. Talk it over then get your ass back home. I'm no Mary Poppins."
Coulson tried hard to hold back his smile when she referred to the playground as home so he just gave a quick nod instead "I will call in the AM and hopefully Skye will be herself...well her three year old self. Well...not her three year old self but tiny Skye with big Skye thoughts"
He knew he was rambling but couldn't help himself. He was nervous, a 'real' kid on base was the last thing any of them needed but there was no way in hell he would send Skye away. He had a promise to keep.
May rolled her eyes then met stares with Coulson.
Tony rolled his eyes this time and looked at Fitz "How can you handle the eye dates?"
"Eye dates? Oh, right..." Fitz let out a chuckle "You get used to it."
"Yeah, yeah."
"So... any uh prog, progress on an antidote?"
"Nada. Zip. Ziltch."
"Have you tried splicing..."
Tony scoffed "Of course I have. I'm not an idiot kid. It's the first thing I tried. We have enough brains on this. You just worry about diapers and naptime"
Fitz rubbed the back of his neck feeling like an idiot for just thinking of it "Right."
"It's late Fitz."
The blonde looked to May and nodded taking the hint he said quick goodnight and headed to his bunk. As soon as he was out of earshot May turned to the screen and stood straight "Let's get one thing straight Stark if you ever and I mean EVER put down any of my agents again I will see to it personally that you sorely regret it. That 'kid' has been through hell and back so he doesn't need an arrogant ass like you stomping what's left of his confidence."
Stark's mouth opened and closed a few times not knowing how to respond or if he even should. Coulson smiled with pride as May defended Fitz and wondered if she knew how motherly she actually acted towards the team.
May made a quick nod to Coulson before she disconnected the call.
When the color in Tony's face finally returned he shook his body as if he had the chills "Jarvis!"
::yes sir?::
"Take a note"
::Go on sir::
"Don't mess with any of mama bears cubs."
::Noted. Anything else sir?::
Tony shook his head then looked at Coulson "Was it something I said?"
May moved Skye into her own room making the executive decision that since she was already sleeping she wouldn't mind being in her own bunk. Then she sought out Fitz to make sure he was actually in bed and not burning the midnight oil in the lab.
His bunk was empty, as expected. May found him on the lab looking down the lens of a microscope until let out a frustrated huff and began to tap the side of head with the knuckles of his right hand.
"You should be in bed."
Fitz looked up startled at the voice breaking his concentration then gave a half hearted shrugged "Can't sleep. Skye needs help."
May raised an eyebrow "There's not much you can do until Banner..."
"THATS JUST IT! Everyone thinks I can't do my...my uh part!"
The older agent knew Fitz was far from done so she waited him out with a stoic face.
"This... uh time last year Simmons and, and I could have uh... eh..." he paused and tapped his fingers on the counter beside him as he tapped his foot "created an antidote by now..."
Fitz let out a sigh "Now Simmons has Stark and I'm, I'm too ...bloody stupid..."
"Enough." May firmly ordered making Fitz stand straight with wide eyes "You are a lot of things but stupid isn't one of them. You went through a traumatic event... you just haven't found your footing yet. Yet."
They stood in silence while May mentally kicked herself for trying sooth Fitz; she wasn't good at it. That was Coulson's department.
Finally Fitz broke the silence and asked "How long? How long does it take?"
"That depends on you. It took me years because I distanced myself from those who were trying to help until someone finally stopped taking my bullshit. Don't make my mistake."
Fitz nodded and rubbed his hands on his jeans before locking up Skye's blood samples.
May hit the lights on the way out and when they reached Fitz bunk he turned to face the older agent with question displayed on his face. If he wasnt going to ask, she wasn't going to dig so she gave a short nod and turned to head to her own bunk.
"Who?"
May turned to face Fitz and raised an eyebrow.
"...Stopped taking your bull... uh, bullshit?"
"Coulson. Pushed this team on me. Got me back in the field. If..." she paused for moment gathering her thoughts "If you need that nudge..."
She trailed off; she was lousy at this whole comforting thing but Fitz tilted his head in thought and gave small smile before heading into his bunk. May waited until his lights went off before heading to her bunk. She laid in bed staring at the cieling going over her short conversation with Fitz and kicked herself for not offering more to the young agent then her mind drifted to the even younger agent just down the hall and let out a sigh before trying to get some sleep.
TBC