Awakening Quake

By Misha

Disclaimer in Chapter One.

A.N- This story is an AU after 2x10. None of the stuff that's been happening in the second half of the season affect the story at all. So in this, Bobbi doesn't have a secret agenda, there's only one S.H.I.E.L.D and Jemma's not anti-power. The idea for this scene was actually one I had for "So You're the One", but I couldn't fit it in there. However, it worked for where I want this story to go, so I'm running with it.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Extending an Olive Branch

"I want to call in S.H.I.E.L.D." Natasha announced a few weeks later during an Avengers team meeting.

Tony raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were all on in agreement about not wanting anything to do with S.H.I.E.L.D for now?"

"Yeah, what Tony said." Clint echoed, raising an eyebrow at Natasha. "So what's going on, Tash?"

"I have a lead on a HYDRA underground operation." Natasha told them. "It's a resort that caters to women, mostly bachelorette parties. Skye and I could go by ourselves, but two women on their own might draw more attention than a bachelorette party." She looked around the room. "None of the other women here are prepared for undercover."

Skye saw Thor and Tony both frown at even the suggestion that Pepper and Jane go undercover.

"No," Sam agreed with a smile, "but Darcy would definitely be willing."

That was true. Darcy constantly complained about being left out of the action.

"I'm planning on calling in Maria," Natasha added, "but that's still only three. Calling in Coulson's team gives us more bodies."

Skye nodded. "She's right," She said, speaking up, "May, Bobbi and Jemma could all join us." Jemma didn't have a lot of combat experience, but Coulson had sent her to infiltrate HYDRA once, so she could probably handle this assignment.

Clint looked unimpressed and Skye could see Tony and Steve exchange a look.

"Do you think that S.H.I.E.L.D would agree to work this mission and not take over?" Steve asked Skye.

"I think that Coulson would welcome the opportunity to gain some good will." Skye said honestly.

"What does everyone say?" Steve asked after a moment.

After a moment everyone agreed to the plan, though Clint was obviously very reluctant.

"You're in charge." Tony told Natasha. "This is your operation, yours and Skye's. Make sure the S.H.I.E.L.D agents know that."

Skye wasn't sure how May would feel about that. After all, only a few months before May had been her SO, so she might not take a role reversal well. Still, May always put S.H.I.E.L.D's well-being first, so Skye was sure they'd be able to work something out.

"Skye, you make the call." Steve told her. "You're in the best position to be our liaison with S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Ok." Skye agreed. She felt like it was a good sign that the Avengers were willing to work with S.H.I.E.L.D, even if it was only for one mission. She knew they had their reasons to distrust the organization, but S.H.I.E.L.D had been her first real home and while she was happy with the Avengers, she'd be happier if she could have everyone she cared about in her life.

"Who's going to be the bride?" Tony asked with a smirk, giving Steve a pointed look.

Tony had actually been incredibly restrained about commenting on their relationship, Skye assumed that was Pepper's influence, but he wouldn't be Tony if he didn't make the occasional comment. Besides, he wasn't the only one, as she'd predicted, there had been a lot of good-natured quips about the change in their relationship. Nor had it gone unnoticed that Steve spent most of his nights in Skye's quarters.

"Bobbi still has the ring," Skye answered, giving Tony a dirty look. Her relationship with Steve was moving at the pace she was happy with, she didn't need any interference from outside sources. Besides, Tony was one to talk: it had certainly taken him long enough to propose to Pepper. "Since Pepper's not an option."

Tony glared at her, but Natasha smirked. "I did think about just using Pepper's bachelorette party as the excuse, but she's a little too high-profile." There was also the fact that the wedding was still several months away, but that could probably have been worked around.

"How do you feel about sending a few operatives in on an Avengers mission?"

Coulson blinked, surprised by the question. "What kind of mission?"

"Natasha and I are going undercover at a spa." Skye told him. "It's a HYDRA front. It offers special pre-wedding packages for bridal parties, so we thought we might blend in better if we had a few extra bodies with us. Maria Hill will be joining us as well, but we'd like May, Jemma and Bobbi to come along."

"Everyone's on board with this?" Coulson asked in surprise. It had been made very clear to him that the Avengers had no desire to work with S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Natasha can be persuasive," Skye said and he could hear the smile in her voice. "But yes, everyone's on board, as long as the understanding that this is an Avengers mission."

Which meant that the Avengers were the ones calling the shots. Coulson wasn't thrilled with the sound of that and he knew May wouldn't be either. But this was a peace offering and one that S.H.I.E.L.D couldn't afford to refuse.

"Assuming you accept, I'm going to act as liaison between the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D." Skye continued. "Since I have a relationship with your team."

It was a good choice. Coulson still considered Skye as part of his team and that would make working with the Avengers, on their terms, a little easier to swallow. "I'm going to put Steve on and you can discuss the details with him," Skye told him after a moment.

"Ok." Coulson agreed. "Skye, I'm glad we'll be working with you."

"Me too, AC."

Then Skye was gone and a minute later it was Steve Roger's voice on the line. "Director Coulson?"

"I'm here." Coulson assured him.

"Good, Skye said she filled you in on the mission?" There was an affectionate warmth in Steve Roger's voice when he said Skye's name that had Coulson's eyebrows raising.

"She did." Coulson answered. He paused, hesitating, he didn't want to bring this up, but… "Are you sure she's going to be ok with this type of mission?" He hadn't wanted to mention it to Skye, but they had sent Skye to the Avengers because her powers were a concern.

"We are perfectly confident in Skye's ability to control her powers." Steve told coolly and Coulson realized he had managed to offend his hero. He had the feeling that it wasn't just team comradery between Steve and Skye, but really he didn't want to know.

"I just had to double-check." Coulson said quietly. "You didn't see her after San Juan."

"And you haven't seen her in three months." Steve countered. "However, I understand your concern, but we look after our own and we wouldn't put her in a position that she couldn't handle. I think, we also need to be clear on the fact that this is an Avengers mission. Natasha is in charge of the mission, but Skye is her second. Maria Hill is just doing Natasha a favor, just liked S.H.I.E.L.D is doing the Avengers a favor. The Avengers are leading on this."

From the way he was talking, it sounded like Skye was considered a full member of the team. That was good for her, she needed a place to belong, but Coulson still felt pained that she couldn't find that place with his team. He also wondered how May and Bobbi would feel taking orders from Skye. Well, he'd have to stress how important it was to get the Avengers on board with the new S.H.I.E.L.D.