Chen hadn't gone far from the hanger, though she had shoved a couple agents out the way with a little apology- something she could do another time. But instead of going to her bunk or the gym, she headed straight to the showers.
The water she found often relaxed her and she knew blood she missed was drying into crevasse. The showers were fortunate empty, locking the doors in then stripped down, though made sure a bathrobe was in range before turning on the water and stepped in.
She shuddered softly as the cool water hit her skin, the temperature not yet sorted but Chen let it run down her skin… her mind wandering..
Andrew… It had been so weird. To know him but...him not 'knowing' her. Seeing him as a patient. The last thing she had ever expected when coming back was… this. Being subjected to a Shrink who happened to be her ex husband… and oh… she let slip the lake…
Chen sighed deeply, the water heating up against her skin her hand feeling for the standard body wash. What would andrew say about that? WHat would he think… or conclusion? She had never mentioned a Lake to Coulson, so would he ask him about it? Waking up at a lake though...how could that sound to the third person? Nuts for sure. Something Andrew would no doubt bring up again… this wasn't going to be her only session with him, that she knew. He would see her as a person who'd need more sessions to open up with.
Chen sighed deeply out, closing her eyes before the water began to pour down her head; washing through her pixie cut and down her face. Her hair sticking to her skull… the heat of it now comforting as the thumping rhythm of the cascading water as it hit her skin. Her hands coming to her face, running along the bridge of her nose…
No damage…and no blood would seem under the mask either… but maybe it was time to see if she could upgrade the hardware and software. Make the mask punch proof… maybe calibrated so it would only be able to be removed or turned off by her touch…last thing she needed was to be demaksed if she had another attack or fainting spell. Something she'd have to talk with Maria about. They were overdue a conversation… and god she missed someone who knew who she was.
Chen's mind wandered to Simmons… The woman who knew who she was since day one. At least she understood her more; not treading on eggshells around her like so many people were… though the fact Simmons kept her true identity a secret so long, it was faith that she could remain undercover for her mission. Even if Chen missed having Simmons to talk to or to get the medication she usually had.
Reaching for shampoo, She squirted a little too much into her palm though didn't care as she raked it though the short locks. It felt good to have this new haircut though… it helped her become 'Chen' more. No one saw May in her style now; they hadn't actually seen her hair pre-cut before; having kept to a beanie hat though she only wore that now if her head got too cold. It made training much easier without anything to flick out her face too. A pro choice…
Chen had began to rub conditioner through her hair before there was a heavy knock to doors.
"What!" Chen called, irritable at the interruption and breaking her out her thoughts.
"It's just me." Called the voice though Chen recognized her easily.
"I'm kinda in the middle of something, Skye" She called, leaning her head into the water to wash out the conditioner.
"I know. But It's important!"
Chen growled in annoyance but cut the water and jumped out the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapped it around her body and walked to the door.
"What now?" She answered as she opened it, surprised to see Skye with a pile of fresh clothes on top of a small box.
"Coulson's cleared your timetable for the time being so… I think you need time to destress from the past couple days." Skye started, handing her the box. "Get dressed then come find me." She smiled then walked off, leaving Chen in the shower door way looking after her.
Chen frowned, watching her leave before turning her attention back to the box; withdrawing back into the room and locked it up, dropping the towel to keep her arms free as she opened it up; the new clothes dumped onto the side in favour of the box
"What's this…" She mused as she pulled out an small clear plastic bag of what looked like chocolates at the bottom but with bubble wrap over the top pushed into the bag on top; on the outside there was a printed label which said;
Stress relief package;
Directions; simply pop stress relieving capsules every 4-6 hours or as needed. If symptoms persist, take a chocolate.
Chen cocked her head to the side but couldn't help the soft smile at that. Skye had been waiting to give this to her… it seemed.
Looking back into the box, which was also filled with styrofoam, Chen also found a couple of sealed envelopes, new looking shampoos and body washes, CD, scented candles… then a flask though she didn't open it to see what was in it
Though the cold of the showers forced her to stop looking through the box and start drying quickly and changed into the clothes Skye had handed her… Much better than leaving in a bathrobe or towel… or even her bloody clothes.
Chen couldn't deny she wasn't touched by Skye's actions here…. The woman had put in thought and heart into it. She'd no doubt use what Skye had given her. Though it made her curious now to what Skye was intending next. Chen left the shower stall, the smile lingering on her lips as she dropped the box off to her bunk, grabbing her leather jacket then headed out towards find her as suggested.
It took a moment to find her by a SUV, on her phone though she looked up as Chen approached, smiling brightly.
"Thank you." Chen started off though Skye smiled.
"Well. It's a small thing I can do… I know you're my SO and all but out of everyone, it's nice to receive a small boost. I care about your wellbeing and I know we're gonna be very busy in the next couple weeks."
Chen nodded. "Things are gonna pick up more. Hydra especially. Since SHIELD is running smoothly, missions are going to be more of a priority."
Skye shrugged. "Yeah, which is why I think we need to take advantage of this afternoon. Away from SHIELD for a bit, so to speak. Plus, I got a few things we can do."
Chen tilted her head, "Like?"
Skye didn't answer but took the lead from the hanger with a grin. Chen took the cue to follow.
"Skye…" She called, though the younger woman disappeared from sight. Chen hurried up after her, turning a corner to see Skye shoot through into the room at the end of the corridor.
Chen jogged forwards and paused to see it was the room with the heating. Old school. A fire flickering from the boiler though she was surprised to see a couple of mats and Pillows on the floor.
"Of all the places in SHIELD, the boiler room never has any cameras…. Or bugs." Skye started, though was looking at the flickering flames; standing in front of it. "No one comes down here often."
Chen looked around a moment then slowly stepped forwards. "Why are we here?" She sighed softly; wanting to get to the point.
Skye looked to the mats and smiled softly. "A place away from agents and missions. Bunks are good but too small. Here I thought we could relax a bit. It's warm. Quiet… and I think you could use this area to go to when you're stressed. Mediaite, tai chi… stare into the fire." she suggested before moving to sit on the mat. "Plus, we can talk freely."
Chen didn't say anything for a long moment, looking to the fire then shut the door, dragged a mat towards the wall to sit and lean back. Pushing a pillow behind her back. Skye watching her for a moment and copied, sitting beside her.
Skye wasn't wrong in that aspect… Though Chen didn't say anything for a moment. She had known about this room of course… having explored the base and gotten to know the layout well but never thought about it in this context.
They stayed quiet for a long moment though Skye shifted a couple of times. Though Chen did listen out; it was very quiet. Apart from the crackling of fire from the boiler it was… peaceful.
"Can i ask you something?" Skye spoke after a couple of minutes."Since we're out if range of bugs and camera's… no seems more appropriate to ask."
Chen nodded slowly, closing her eyes.
"I know that..what happened affected you, I've helped the only ways I can and will continue but I just want to ask... How did you survive Coulson's attack, May?"
