Chapter 7

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Many hours later at about seven am the next morning, Skye is still asleep and May is still holding her daughter and watching Coulson, brushing Skye's hair with her fingers as she does. It due to her watching Coulson so intensity that May is spots the second his eyes start to flicker and his finger twitch.

"Phil?" May asks and then remembers her promise "Skye, wake up." May says using one of the arms she has around Skye to gently shake her awake.

"I'm sleeping. Leave me alone." Skye says but doesn't open her eyes.

"Skye, he's waking up." May tells her.

"Huh? What?" Skye asks still clearly half asleep.

"Coulson's waking up." May tells her and Skye being more awake now actually registers what she was told and she quickly sits up properly, having moved at one point during the night so that she was laying on May's lap instead of being just in her arms.

"Coulson?" Skye asks rushing up so that she is standing right next to his bedside, May doing the exact same.

"Phil, can you hear me?" May asks, but she receives no answer though Coulson's eyes do flicker open and close "Press the green button on the monitor." May tell Skye.

"Why?" Skye asks looking at May.

"It will let Simmons know that he is waking." May tells her.

Skye quickly presses the button then grabs one of Coulson's hand in both of hers "AC, can you hear me?" Skye asks.

"Skye." Coulson's voice says with difficulty, it barely above a whispers.

"Yeah, it's me, I'm here," Skye tells Coulson relief clear in her voice, "We're here." She adds. "Melinda?" He asks.

"She's here too." Skye answers "We both are."

"Hi." Coulson says opening his eyes fully and looking up at his daughter.

"Hi." Skye says back a tear coming to her eye as she is so glad that he is awake.

"Hey, it's okay." Coulson tells her noticing the tear and not wanting to see her cry.

"Don't even scare me like that again." Skye says letting go of his hand and throwing her arms around him which causes him to winch in pain.

"Sorry." Skye says quickly "I didn't mean to hurt you." Skye tells him as she moves her arms from around him.

"It's okay." Coulson assures her "What happened?" he asks looking at May.

"An explosion." May answers.

"Was anyone else hurt?" He asks.

"None of our people." May answers "But two of the Israeli soldiers were killed, another six were injured." May explains remembering what Ward said in one of his updates during the night as Simmons walks in.

"Sir, good to see you awake." Simmons says to Coulson "Can you give as a couple of minutes of privacy." Simmons says to May and Skye.

"Of course." May responds. "Skye." May says when she has made no effort to move.

"We'll be right back." Skye says as she reluctantly lets go of Coulson's hand and follows her mother out of the Lab looking back at Coulson the entire time she does.

"Are you in any pain Sir?" Simmons asks.

"Nothing I can't hadle. How bad is it?" Coulson answers.

"You have a few minor cuts and bruises the most serious injury was a piece of rock piercing the left side of your stomach that had to be removed and repaired surgically, that also caused a large amount of blood loss." Simmons explains.

"How long have I been out?" Coulson asks.

"I finished removing the rock with Agent Ward's help at three o'clock yesterday afternoon, it's now seven am." Simmons answers "Now all your vitals are good, I've just got to check to see how your wound is healing." Simmons says placing her tablet down.

"Did Skye stay here all night?" Coulson asks as Simmons removes the dressing and starts to inspect the wound.

"Good that's healing nicely, slightly quicker than what I would expect, but that is good, and there is no sign of infection." Simmons tells him "And yes she did. She hasn't left your side since I let her back in the lab after your surgery." Simmons explains answering his question.

"How long do I have to stay down here?" Coulson asks, as he does he makes an internal note to talk to Melinda about how Skye's doing.

"You need to be on bed rest for at least a week, possibly only five or six days if you continue to heal like you are." Simmons informs Coulson "Then moderate exercise. No field work for at the very least a month." Simmons tells the agent.

"A MONTH?" Coulson yells angrily "I AM NOT SITTING AROUND DOING NOTHING FOR A MONTH." Coulson yells angrily.

"Do not yell at her." May says walking back into the room Skye nowhere to be seen as she quickly ran up to the bathroom why Simmons was checking Coulson, "Have you gotten everything you need?" May asks Simmons who nods "Go." She tells her and Simmons hurries out of the room.

"Don't start. I know." Coulson tells May.

"Do you really?" May asks "In the last year you have died, come back to life, been kidnapped and almost died again. It wouldn't be the worst thing to have a little bit of rest." May tells him.

"You wouldn't be saying that if it was the other way around." Coulson reminds her.

"Probably not." May admits "But I'm asking you to Phil, not as your second in command or a fellow agent, but as someone who cares about you and who sat by your bedside all night making sure you were still breathing. I'm asking that you listen to Simmons and take the time that your body needs to heal itself, please Phil." May requests looking directly at Coulson actually showing him how much him being hurt has affected her, something that she hasn't allowed to happen in a while.

"Melinda..." Coulson begins to say but before he can say anymore Skye comes in.

"So, what did Simmons say?" Skye asks as she does "I'm interrupting something aren't I?" She asks as she senses the odd vibe in the room and notices the way May and Coulson are looking at each other.

"No." Both May and Coulson say quickly.

"You sure? Because it definitely seems like it." Skye says looking between May and Coulson, wondering what exactly she walked in on.

Before either Coulson or May can say anything Ward's voice can be heard through the planes coms systems "Director Fury's on the line Agent May, he's requesting to speak with you." He informs her.

"I'll be right up." May says before finally looking away from Coulson and leaving the room.

"What was that about?" Skye asks Coulson once May has left the room.

"Nothing you need to worry about." Coulson tells her.

"You sure?" Skye asks concerned.

"I'm sure." Coulson assures "Are you okay?" he asks worried.

"Me? I'm fine. I wasn't the one who had a rock sticking out of my stomach and who nearly died of blood loss." Skye reminds him not looking directly at him.

"Hey, I'm sorry about that." Coulson says reaching out and grabbing Skye's hand "I was hoping you wouldn't have to see something like that again." He says as he remembers the state he was in when she found him after what The Clairvoyant ordered to happen, even before he knew she was his daughter he never wanted her to have to see him hurt like that again.

"It's okay." Skye assures "I know you didn't plan on almost getting blown up, but just don't put me through that again, alright? Because if you do I will have to get May to teach me how to kick your ass." Skye says, using a joke to hide how worried she is and how much seeing him hurt did affect her.

"I can't promise I'll never be hurt again Skye." Coulson tells her.

"I know." Skye says still not looking directly at him.

"Look at me." Coulson requests and Skye reluctantly does that.

"I know it must have been frightening to see me like that…" Coulson begins to say and Skye cuts him off.

"You wouldn't wake up." Skye tells him "After the explosion you weren't even moving, I tried to get you to wake but you wouldn't. FitzSimmons and I had to carry you to the car. I thought I had lost you before I had gotten to know you." She explains looking away from him once more.

"Skye…" Coulson begins to say but Skye cuts him off.

"I know the job is dangerous and I know you can't promise me you won't get hurt again and I would never ask you to coz in my experience promises get broken, but can you at least try to be a bit more careful? I hate seeing you get hurt." Skye tells him finally looking at him.

"I'll try." Coulson tells her becoming determine to show her that not all promises are broken.

"Can I hug you or will it hurt too much?" Skye asks nervously.

"I think I can handle it." Coulson tells her.

Skye smiles and gently gives puts her arms around Coulson.


"Director Fury." May greats when she arrives at the Command Centre.

"Agent May, I understand Coulson is awake." He says to her.

"That's correct Sir, he woke not too long ago." May tells him.

"And how is he?"

"He's doing well. He isn't too happy about having to sit out field work for a while but I was expecting that." May admits.

"Yes, so was I." Fury responds "What about the investigation? How's that going? What's the status of the 0-8-4?" He asks.

"I was just about to get an update on that myself from Agent Ward." May informs the director.

"Very well, Agent Ward, what is the latest?" Fury asks looking at the other agent in the room.

"I got off the phone with the Israelis about an hour ago Sir, the sight has been declared safe. There were not more explosives in the area." Ward reveals.

"And the explosion, what details are known?" Fury asks.

"It was deliberate Sir." Ward revels "It was discovered that word spread among the local communities of the 0-8-4 and there were those who weren't happy with an Alien item so close to their home so they destroyed it. Destruction was the point Sir, not death." Ward explains.

"And the 0-8-4? Was it destroyed?" Fury asks.

"Unclear, I will be heading back to the site later today with FItzSimmons to investigate." Ward reveals.

"Good. After you have determined the status of the 0-8-4, I want you to head to England as soon as possible." Fury orders.

"Yes Sir." Both May and Ward say

"Now Agent Ward if you would excuse us I would like a private word with Agent May." Fury tells the level seven agent.

"Yes Sir." Ward says before leaving the room.


Ward waits outside the room for several minutes, wondering what The Director is saying to Agent May. He can see Melinda through the glass but as its Melinda she is giving nothing away about what is being said. About five minutes after he was asked to leave the room May exits it.

"You and FitzSImmons are to go to the site as soon as possible. I will stay here running back end." May tells Ward.

"Okay. Do want to tell me what Fury wanted to talk to you about?" he asks curious.

"No." May says as the pair walk down the stairs.

When May and Ward arrive down at the lab they see Skye hugging Coulson. As neither of them want to interrupt they both stand outside.

"You still love him don't you?" Ward asks May when he notices the look that May has on her face.

"Coulson and I haven't been together in a very long time." May informs Ward.

"That's not what I asked." Ward tells her "I was standing right next to you when the explosion occurred." He reminds her "The first thing you did is call for Skye then when Fitz told you she was okay you asked about Coulson. I saw your face when Fitz said that he was hurt and I've watched you sit by his bedside without moving for the past sixteen hours. It clear that there is still something there." Ward tells May but before she can say anything they notice Skye coming towards them

"What's wrong?" May asks as soon as the doors open.

"He wants to do something stupid and I can't talk him out of it." Skye tells them "I need your help."

"Of course he does." Melinda mutters under her breath not loud enough for anyone else to hear.

"It's not stupid I just want to go up to my room. I don't want to spend any more time in here than necessary." Coulson says and May realises that the Lab must remind him of the Lab he was in when he was brought back to life.

"You've just woken up after Surgery, you shouldn't be moving, you can't even move by yourself. There is no way you are going to get up those stairs." Skye reminds Coulson. "Tell him." She says looking at May and Ward.

"Skye, Agent Ward give us a minute." May requests.

Ward nods and exits the room, Skye right behind him. After the last few days Skye has come to the realisation that if there is anyone who has a chance of being successful at talking Coulson out of doing something stupid that it is May.

"Later today we will be flying to England." May reveals "Director Fury has a Doctor standing by who will check all your injuries, he will do that right here. Once he finishes and gives his recommendation I will help you upstairs myself." May informs Coulson.

"Thank you." Coulson tells her.

May nods "Are you alright?" She asks as she notices that his eyes are flickering opening and closed.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired." Coulson admits.

"Well I'll let you get some rest then." May tells him

"It's been a minute can I come back in?" Skye asks opening the door.

"Yeah, come in." Coulson answers and both Skye and Ward walk back in, Skye sits right back down on her seat and "So, what happened?" asks when she does.

"We reached a compromise." May tells Skye "But Coulson also needs some rest so how about we let him get some." May suggests.

"If I'm quite do you mind if I stay?" Skye asks Coulson curious.

"Not at all." Coulson answers "But Simmons said you said down here all night, how about you get some rest of your own." He suggests.

"I'm fine." Skye assures "I got a few hours' sleep last night, it was May who was awake all night, again." She adds. "You really don't sleep much do you?" She asks looking at May.

"I get enough." May answers.

"What about food? When was the last time you ate?" Coulson asks, knowing that it's not the time to talk about May's very bad sleep pattern, but as he notices the quick look that flashes on Skye's face he realises he said something wrong "I like you sitting down here with me Skye, I really do, but I don't want you to forget to look after yourself just because you're worried about me." He explains.

"I'm not." Skye assures "And the last time I ate was last night, Fitz brought May and I dinner."

"Which according to Fitz, neither of you ate much of." Ward comments causing Skye to give him a look which says "Not helping."

"I'm fine." Skye stresses "Besides, you'll be bored out of your brain if you are down here alone for too long."

"Very true." Coulson admits "So how about just half an hour. That gives you enough time to have some food and maybe a shower and not long enough for me to get bored." Coulson suggests.

"Okay, half an hour." Skye says reluctantly as she is actually a little hungry and could use a shower.

"Good." Coulson tells her and Skye leaves followed by May leaving Coulson and Ward alone.

"Glad you are doing better Sir." Ward tells Coulson.

"Thank you Agent Ward." Coulson responds.

"Simmons has informed me that I will be out of the Field for at least a few weeks." Coulson informs Ward "While I am protecting the team is you're responsibly." Coulson requests.

"Of course Sir, you don't need to ask." Ward tells him.

"Good." Coulson replies. "Now if Agent May knew what I was about to say I would probably require another surgery but I am going to say it anyway." Coulson reveals.

"Sir?" Ward asks slightly worried though doing his best not to show it.

"I know better than anyone that Agent May can protect and watch out for herself but I also know that she's been hurt in the past, I should, after all I'm one of the people who have hurt her the most, and I never want to see her that hurt again." Coulson reveals "While we were in Mexico Agent May informed me of your relationship and now I'm informing you that I will not tolerate her being hurt again." Coulson tells Ward the threat clear in his voice.

"What do you think you are doing?" May's clearly angry voice says from the door to the lab. "Go." She says to Ward as she walks past him, looking absolutely furious.

Ward quickly leaves the room, not wanting to be in the middle of whatever is about to happen between May and Coulson but as he leaves he realises that in a way he already is. As he does he hears May say "You had no right to do that." To Coulson, and as he walks up the stairs he is pretty confident that May added an "Again." To that sentence but he can't be sure.


After leaving the Lab Ward heads upstairs planning to make sure that Skye doesn't go downstairs until he is as sure as he can be that May and Coulson aren't fighting anymore as that is the last thing Skye needs to hear.

"Where's Skye?" Ward asks FitzSimmons who are in the command centre.

"Shower." Simmons answers "Where's Agent May? She said that she was going to get you then she was going to start the briefing." Simmons informs Ward.

"Downstairs, and she may be a while." Ward tells them.

"Why?" Fitz asks interested.

"Don't ask." Ward advices.

"Is Agent Coulson okay?" Simmons asks concerned.

"He's fine." Ward assures her though he can't help but wonder if he will stay that way.

"So what do we do?" Fitz asks as he and Simmons exchange looks both wondering what is going on.

"We wait for Agent May." Ward tells them.


About ten minutes after Ward entered the Command Centre Agent May does. When she does she doesn't give a single sign that anything is wrong even though Ward is pretty positive that she just had a fight with Coulson.

"The mission's simple. Go in, determine the status of the 0-8-4 and get out." May tells the three agents "The area has be swept and is classified as safe. That means that no other explosive devices have been found but there could be other dangers." May tells the three "I will monitor everything from here. You leave in ten, suit up." May tells them and all three of them nod and leave.

"Leave for where in ten?" Skye asks curious standing at the door eating cereal out of a bowel with her fingers, clearly only recently out of the shower, "What's going on?" she asks as the others exit.

"They're going back to the 0-8-4 sight. Director Fury orders are to determine whether the item has been destroyed and once that determination has been made fly to England." May explains as she does something on one of the tablets.

"Why England?" Skye asks curious.

"It's the nearest large S.H.I.E.L.D base." May explains.

"Makes sense." Skye admits "I was about to head back down to sit with Coulson, but I can stay if you need help with anything mission related." Skye offers.

"Are you sure?" May asks knowing how much Skye would rather be down with Coulson but appreciating the offer.

"Yeah, it's what he would want me doing." Skye tells her mother walking over to her, placing her bowl of cereal on the table as she does "What can I do?"

"Even though the area has been cleared of explosives there is still danger with sending FitzSimmons and Ward in." May explains.

"You want to go with them." Skye realises.

"Director Fury strongly hinted that I should." May admits "Ward is a more than a capable Agent but with the dangers and with what happened yesterday it would be better if two combat operatives were there for the safety of the non-combat ones." May explains.

"Makes sense." Skye admits "But someone has to stay here and monitor the op, right?" she asks "That's what you were going to do?"

"Exactly." May answers.

"Monitor the inferred satellites right? Keep an eye on the area. Stay in contact with the team." Skye says and Melinda nods "I'll do it." Skye says taking the tablet of May as even though she wants to go down and sit with Coulson this is what the team needs her to do.

May nods "It shouldn't take too long." She tells Skye.

"Go, I'll be okay." Skye assures her mother who nods and leaves the room "Just make sure you are too." Skye tells Melinda just as she walks out of the room.


When May reaches down into the Cargo bay she sees Fitz and Ward preparing the last few thing that they need and Simmons in the lab checking on Coulson.

"Change of plan." May says walking up to Ward and Fitz. "Skye will be monitoring the mission, I will be coming with you." She tells them.

"Really?" Ward asks surprised.

"She offered." May reveals.

"How's Agent Coulson?" Fitz asks Simmons as she exits the lab.

"Just fell asleep again." Simmons answers.


Ten minutes after May left the Command Centre FitzSimmons, Ward and May are on their way back to the 0-8-4 site.

"Skye? What's it looks like?" Ward asks through the coms.

"Good. The only activity in the area is the Israeli soldiers, there are about ten of them with two trucks. They're a couple of hundred meters away from the site." Skye tells them.

"No other activity?" May asks.

"None." Skye answers after double checking all the feeds she has open. One of which is a feed into the Lab that she is using to keep an eye on Coulson.

"Keep us updated." Ward tells her.

"Will do." Skye responds


Five minutes after Skye gave her update saying the area was clear FitzSimmons, Ward, and May arrive at the site.

"Remember as quick as possible guys." Ward reminds them as the exit the car.

"Science isn't something that can be hurried Agent Ward." Fitz informs him.

"I don't care, just get it done." Ward tells him.

"Skye?" May asks through the Coms.

"Still clear as far as I can tell, how's things on your end?" She asks curious.

"A mess." May answers "The bomb did a lot of damage."

"We already know that." Skye comments as she looks at the open feed of Coulson down in the lab.


For over an hour FitzSImmons search the area looking for the 0-8-4. They find a few little pieces that read as alien artefacts which they collect but they don't find much more than that. Once they have they have collected everything that is Alien they contact Skye to tell her that they are on their way back.

"Gotcha, you're all clear. See you when you get back." Skye informs the others before placing the tablet back in its holder and leaving the Command Centre.

Once she leaves the Command Centre Skye collects her laptop out of her bunk and grabs a bottle of water for herself before heading down to the lab to check on Coulson.

When Skye down to the cargo area she looks through the Glass Doors and sees that Coulson hasn't woken in the few minutes since she left the Command Centre. Deciding that she will wait for the others to get back before she goes in and sits with him once more Skye sits down on the bottom of the stairs and waits.


After only waiting a few minutes Skye hears the sound of a car and soon after she sees the Car pull up.

"This time you're definitely our Welcoming Committee right?" Ward asks Skye.

"Nope." Skye tells him "Just making sure you are all okay before I go and sit with Coulson again." She reveals "Are you?" She asks looking at May.

"We're fine." May assures her "Good work today." She tells Skye.

"Thanks." Skye tells her the complement meaning a lot to her.

"Wheels up in ten." May says before heading upstairs.

"He's been asleep since you guys left." Skye informs Simmons "Should I worry?" she asks concerned.

"No, it's perfectly normal. But I can double check everything if you would like." Simmons tells her.

"Thanks I would appreciate it." Skye tells her with a nod.

"Oh don't worry about remains of the Alien objects, Ward and I will handle them." Fitz says sarcastically.

"Thanks that would be great." Skye calls over her shoulder.

"Come on, looks like we're on our own." Ward tells Fitz sounding slightly amused.

"That seems to be happening a lot lately." Fitz says as Ward opens the back of the car and they each grab a box of the Materials they collected.

"That it does." Ward says as he closes the door to the trunk.

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