A/N: Warning: Philinda moment up ahead AND some May/Skye bonding.
Summary: Melinda Qiaolian May has been an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. for most of her life, but all the training in the world could have never prepared her for the challenge she was facing. She had to let go, but when she looked into those soft nut brown eyes, she knew in that moment she would never let go.
Excuse any misspellings and grammar mistakes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or any of the characters used.
Chapter Twenty
Skye woke up the next morning to see May sitting in the chair next her bed reading a book that was really thick from what she could tell.
"Harry Potter," Skye guessed as she blinked the sleepiness away.
May peered from behind the book, "No, this is a historical fiction novel."
Skye inhaled deeply and teased, "Think I'll pass on that one." May chuckled and Skye continued smiling, "So, what happened while I was out? Also why are we on the BUS and not at a hospital? Simmons patched me so well we didn't need to go."
The pained looked on May's face was enough to make Skye worry. May rarely showed emotion and even though she had opened up more, this was not something she had seen before. The sorrow in May's eyes, the pain on her face.
"A lot happened Skye," May said after a minute of silence, "I don't know where to start honestly. Once the mission had been compromised, everything fell apart. Ward and Coulson had been hit with something similar to the ICER's..."
As best she could May recalled all the events that occurred in those 72 hours, from the gun shots to lost train to the miracle drug GH-325. Skye listened intently, it was quite the story and she couldn't believe the team went through all that for her. That they were willing to do anything to save her and keep her alive. The idea of people caring for her that much made her smile.
"Wow," Skye said when May was done, "You guys had quite the adventure. I can't believe you, Coulson, Ward and Fitz-Simmons would go through all that trouble to save me…. Thank you."
May smiled, "Anything for you Skye. I made you a promise that I intend to keep, no matter what happens."
Skye only nodded in response. A few minutes later, Simmons, Ward and Fitz walked by. Ward and Fitz's eyes lit up when they saw Skye awake and smiling. Skye looked away from May and met their gazes.
"We have company," Skye teased.
May grinned, "I'll let them in and leave you guys to it."
"You'll be back though," Skye asked nervously and May nodded with a smile.
May walked out of the pod allowing Fitz-Simmons and Ward to come in.
"It's so good to see you," Fitz said then added, "Awake I mean. It's good to see you awake."
"So you've been watching me sleep," Skye teased, "It's good to see you guys to. I wanted to say thank you, for doing what you did. For saving me, it means a lot."
"We'd do anything for you rookie," Ward said with a soft smile.
"I'm still a rookie," Skye whined, "Come on Ward, I think I've moved up in status."
"No," Ward replied.
"I don't think so," "Definitely not," Fitz-Simmons added.
Skye groaned, "Whatever. So are you guys here to keep me company and make sure I don't die of boredom since I'm under house arrest?"
Ward smirked, "Something like that."
Fitz held up a white paper bag, "I brought games, music and your laptop is charging. I'll bring it down once it's done."
"Sweet," Skye said, "Show me the bag."
May walked through the halls and made her way upstairs to Coulson's office. He was standing behind his desk with his back to May when she walked in.
"You alright," May asked as she closed his door.
Coulson turned around and gave her a soft smile, "I'm doing okay. What about you?"
May shrugged, "My daughter's breathing and is on the road to recovery. I think I'm doing okay. You on the other hand don't look so hot."
"I'm fine, really I am," Coulson paused, "May I just want you to know-" Coulson started, but May stopped him.
They had, had this talk so many times and May didn't want to hear him blame himself again.
"No, you don't have to say anything," May told him.
She walked over to him and stared into his crystal blue eyes. For a moment, the rest of the world and it's problems didn't exist. It was only the two of them. May leaned forward, wrapped her arms around Coulson and buried her face into his shoulder. Coulson closed his eyes and snaked his arms around her waist. Silent tears slid down May's cheeks as she reveled in the feeling of his arms around her and the smell pine trees filled her lungs.
Even after all this time and everything they had been through together, he still had a way to make her feel like she was walking on air. No matter how much she denied it, May knew she still loved him and that she would always love him.
Coulson held May tightly. Ever since they met at the academy, he loved her and wanted to be there for her. She had always been there for him, through it all. If only he could stay like this forever with the woman he loves in his arms. All the things he wanted to say itching their way to the surface, but he forced them down.
"Thank you Phil," May breathed, "For always being there for me, even when I pushed you away."
Coulson squeezed May, "No matter what has happened-" "No matter what you've done," May said gently.
"No matter what you will do," Coulson went on. "I will always love and stand by you," May replied. "I swear it," Coulson finished.
Over the years, working as agents together there were some pretty close calls. Sometimes when one of them didn't make it back. It had been Coulson's idea that they saw something to each other before they go on missions. Not only was it something to say to each other, but it also helped them deal with some things that were happening around.
Being an agent meant they would have to make some tough calls and sometimes those calls would hurt them. A call Coulson made in Moscow still haunted him to this. Much like the call May had made in Bahrain. When both of them made a hard choice out there and it was starting to weight them down, this was what they would say to the other. It was their way of saying that no matter what happens, they would have each other's back. In the end it became a saying for before and after missions.
A sign they would always stay close.
May let go of Coulson and looked up into his soft eyes. His hands rested on her waist while her hands stayed on his shoulders.
"You haven't said that to me since..." May trailed thinking of the last time he said those words to her.
It had been after Bahrain and she hadn't been able to say the words back. After what happened in Bahrain, May had been so broken during that time. It was as if the only piece of the old May had vanished that day. May couldn't save the girl, she had felt the ache for her daughter that day and the little girl who didn't understand. Even thought Coulson didn't know what happened in there, he showed her that no matter what happened he would always be there for her.
"I know," Coulson said softly, "It seemed appropriate. And I'm surprised you remembered it."
"How could I forget it," May asked softly, "Thank you Phil. Really."
"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you," Coulson said gently.
May grinned sadly before walking out of his office and going to bed with a heavy heart.
It was 1:00 in the morning when May woke up in the cockpit. She vaguely remembered coming in here to be alone and relax and since she hadn't slept since she found Skye in the basement, she was exhausted. Despite the late hour, she got up and made herself a cup of tea before heading down to check on Skye. However when she turned the last corner and looked in the pod, Skye wasn't there.
The door was open and the sheets were on the floor. May felt her heartbeat quicken in rate as she looked around the empty room. However she told herself Skye couldn't have gotten far. May set the cup of tea down and ran through the halls. Where had she gone? She shouldn't be out of bed in the first place. May turned another corner and saw Skye standing in front of the stairs that would lead to the lab.
"Skye," May hissed. Skye's shoulders immediately tensed, she turned around slowly to see a fuming May.
May was ready to yell, but she noticed Skye's red rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks, even in the dim light of the hallway.
"Skye," May said in a softer tone, "What are you doing out of bed? What's wrong?"
Skye opened her mouth to say something, but no words came, only tears. May walked over to Skye and got a better look at her. She looked broken and on the verge of falling apart.
"I-I saw him," Skye whispered hoarsely, "He w-was in front of m-me… I was trying to g-get away, b-but-"
May understood immediately what was wrong and said, "Take a deep breath for me." Skye did as she was told and May continued, "You're safe now. Quinn is gone and I will make sure he pays for what he's done. I will protect you."
Skye nodded, "I'm s-sorry I just.. I just… I panicked and h-had to make sure you guys were o-okay."
"It's okay, come on let's get you back to bed," May said softly.
The idea of walking back made Skye want to throw up. However May surprised her. May put her arm around Skye's back and bent down slightly so her arm was under Skye's knees. With ease May held Skye in her arms and walked back to the pod. Skye wrapped her arms around May's neck and rested her head down.
"You're a lot stronger than you look," Skye commented.
"And you're lighter than I thought," May replied with a smirk.
Skye grinned, "I'll take that as a compliment."
May set Skye onto the hospital bed gently and pulled the covers over her.
"Now you are not allowed to leave this bed again," May said sternly.
Skye groaned, "What if I have to pee?"
May rolled her eyes, "Then you can leave, but you will not be alone. Someone will help you get there and back. Otherwise, your butt is to stay in this bed, understood?"
"Yes ma'am," Skye replied with a smile, but it faded away as she asked, "Can you stay here with me?"
May nodded, "I'm not going anywhere. Move over."
Skye gaped for a moment, but scooted over to give May room to lay down. May lifted the covers and climbed in beside Skye. Once the covers were pulled over their bodies, May wrapped her arms around Skye who nuzzled closer to her. Skye's head rested on May's shoulder while May's chin rested on top of Skye's head.
As she stroked Skye's hair, May whispered, "I want to tell you it was just a bad dream, but we both know it was more than that. However I also want you to know, I will protect you Skye no matter what. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you before, but I won't let anything happen to you."
"You don't have to apologize," Skye said, "I knew you would come for me, just like you said."
May pulled Skye closer as she whispered, "I'll always come for you baby girl."
"I've never had this before," Skye whispered softly, "Woken up from a nightmare and had someone there to comfort me. It's nice.."
"That's why I'm here," May said gently, "Try to go back to sleep, I'm here for you."
Skye closed her eyes and relaxed in May's arms. May looked down at Skye for a moment with a soft smile. She would protect her daughter no matter what obstacles stood in her way. May pressed her lips to Skye's forehead.
Skye smiled lightly and said sleepily, "I love you."
"I love you so much Skye, always know that," May whispered.
Penny for your thoughts?
Teaser
"That's not true."
"How are you holding up?"
"I won't do anything to crazy."
"Not really."