Chapter 11
We're going after the city." Coulson said when Skye and Steve entered his office. "Ward left New York and has gone dark again. He's not important. We need to make sure Hydra doesn't get their hands on it. Raina just contacted us saying Hydra's threatened her. May's leading a team to bring her in. Skye you'll be with her, Hunter, and the twins.
Skye nodded "When do we go."
May walked in, "The bus is ready when you are."
Skye left the room. Coulson turned to Steve. "Our mission is going to be a little more complicated. We're going to make sure Hydra can't access the city."
Steve's brow furrowed "How?"
"It's underground with only one access point." Coulson explained. "We seal off the entrance and no one can get inside." He grinned "I love a good explosion."
May remained expressionless. "Putting Skye with me…"
"Ensures that we keep her as far away from her lunatic father as possible."
"Coulson I'd rather she were with me." Cap's comment caused both May and Coulson to look at him. Coulson frowned, May raised an eyebrow. "I just think it would be best, with Ward on the loose, to make sure that Skye is 100% safe."
"She'll be with me." May said
"You're needed on this mission." Coulson. "It has the potential to be more dangerous while Skye will be performing a simple extraction. We need you where the danger is Cap. If Skye's father weren't in play she'd be with us, but unfortunately I can't take that risk."
Steve was silent. He knew that logically Coulson had a point, but his instincts were telling him that he should keep her close.
"Skye is a very capable field agent." May said "I promise you she'll be safe."
Five minutes later everyone was on the Bus. They were flying together until a separation point where Coulson's team would break off in the smaller plane.
"Separation point in 25 minutes." May announced as she walked into the common area.
"Wait." Fitz said "if you're out here, who's flying this thing?"
"Trip." May said "He need to log extra flight hours and since he's on bench duty I figured he needed the practice."
"Trip?!" Fitz looked flustered "You won't even let me near the controls."
"Stick to science Turbo." Mack said. "Arguing with May won't get you anywhere."
Skye was leaning silently against the wall. Steve walked over to her.
"About earlier…" he began.
"If this is the part where you apologize because you feel guilty – " Skye frowned
"No." Steve said quickly, "yes… I mean… I'm not usually so forward when it comes to women."
Skye raised an eyebrow. "Forward" she smirked. "Interesting choice of words."
Steve flushed. "What I'm trying to say is, when we get back, I'd like to take you out."
Skye grinned. "I'd like that." She pushed off the wall and stood in front of him. "So what does a date with Steve Rogers look like?"
"Well." He took a deep breath. "I was thinking of taking you dancing."
Skye tilted her head. "I'll go find a dress."
The two grinned and Steve felt the worry in his chest lessen just a little. It had been a long time since he'd asked a girl to dance; a whole lifetime in fact. Looking at Skye he promised himself that this time he would ensure that he made it back to dance.
"We're leaving in 10 minutes." Coulson announced. "Get your gear ready and go up." Mack and Fitz were the first to say their goodbyes closely followed by Bobbi. Jemma hugged Skye.
"Be careful." She said
"You be careful." Skye grinned "And make sure this one comes back in one piece, he owes me a date." She indicated Steve.
Jemma smiled, "He's a troublemaker, but I think I can handle him."
Steve rolled his eyes. Jemma walked up the stairs to the jet. Skye turned to Steve and hugged him.
"What, no kiss?" He asked innocently
"Something to look forward to when we go dancing." She frowned as his expression darkened. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He smiled, though it looked more like a grimace, "I just wish we were on the same mission." He pushed her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. "See you soon." Then he went up to the jet.
Skye turned to Coulson and hugged him. "Be careful AC."
"It's a simple mission. Get in, Boom, get out." Coulson smiled and nodded at May before going up the stairs. As the smaller jet separated he walked over to Cap.
"Remember the last time we were on one of these together?"
Steve snorted. "I remember you telling me you watched me while I was sleeping."
Coulson laughed "let's make one thing very clear, if you hurt her, there will be consequences. Serious consequences."
Steve turned to him "Believe me when I say that I would rather freeze myself for another 60 years before I hurt her."
"Skye's important she's…special." Coulson looked turned to watch FitzSimmons. "I know you wouldn't I just felt obligated to give you the shotgun speech."
" Shotgun speech?"
"You make her cry I shoot you with a shotgun for each of her tears…it's the sort of thing – "
"Fathers say in reference to their daughters." Steve finished, chuckling. "I wish the Phil Coulson who asked me to sign his trading cards could see you know. I bet he'd never guess that he'd threaten Captain America with a metaphorical shot gun."
"He'd also never have guessed that he'd meet someone like Skye." Coulson said
Steve turned to watch the others. "I don't think any of us did." he murmured fondly.
