Author's Note:

I am so sorry for having left this story so long without updates. I haven't abandoned it however so please don't give up on me, I'm just having a really busy year and this will mean that my updates will be less regular. Anyway, please enjoy this chapter, you might need to read the previous one as a refreshers since I've left is so long between updates :P

The alarm flashing alerts him that something is wrong. Checking their security systems he finds an external server using a backdoor to gain entrance, hacking into their computer systems.

"Uh, Daisy," he calls the other agent on his phone as his fingers dance over the keyboard madly trying to see what the hack had affected.

"Fitz?" she replied groggily on the other end of line.

"We've been hacked," he states as his eyes scan through the code scrolling down his screen.

"I'll be down in a sec," she tells him before hanging up and hurrying out of her room to the lab.

A frown knits his brow together as he finds that they hacked into the intercom system. What would be the point of that? At the sound of Daisy stumbling into the lab he looks up to see her rubbing her eyes. Glancing over at the clock he realises how late it is and he must've woken her up.

"What's happened?" she asks moving over to the computer and taking a seat in his chair.

"Uh, the servers have been infiltrated. Someone's taken over our intercom system apparently," he answers standing behind her, a hand rubbing the back of his neck a little nervously.

She goes quiet, the only sound of the keyboard clicking filling the room as she tries to find and solve the problem.

"Check the surveillance footage," she tells him without looking away from the screen.

He's moving before she's even finished speaking and the feed from their surveillance cameras pops up on his screen next to Daisy's. Looking at the footage he can't seem to spot anything abnormal, until a brief flicker in the footage of one of the cameras catches his hand. Re-watching to footage again, a chill settles down his spine as the camera zooms in on May's temporary room.

"We need to call Coulson," he touches Daisy's arm.

Peering over at his screen, her eyes widen as she sees what's happened. This is not good.

Within minutes Coulson appears in the lab after their hurried call, surprisingly looking like he hasn't slept at all. Well not surprising actually, the man has been so stressed and worried about his partner lately, though they are surprised that he hasn't just passed out from exhaustion yet. His posture states that he is alert and ready, but his face and eyes tell of just how tired and drained he is.

"What happened?" he asks, voice firm.

"Somebody hacked our system and accessed the intercom. It appears that they were targeting May sir, and…" Fitz tapes off not quite sure of how to tell him about what's happening with May.

"And?" Coulson prompts, a spark of anger glinting in his eyes.

"There is a situation with May," Daisy jumps in as Fitz struggles to find the right words. "They may have triggered her brain washing or whatever. She's not in a good way, potentially hostile."

Coulson stands there for a moment without saying a word, jaw and fists clenching in anger. Hasn't Melinda been through enough already?! He should have protected her better. Whoever did this is going to pay. Turning on his heel he exits the room leaving Daisy and Fitz behind him, a little stunned and unsure of what to do. Their experienced agents, he trusts that they'll be able to deal with the problem whilst he does what he needs to. Walking towards Melinda's room, footsteps echoing in the deserted halls, he appears calm and collected but he feels like he's drowning in a sea of uncertainty. If Melinda has reverted back to how things were before… He doesn't know if he will be able to bring her back a second time. He'll try though. He'll be damned if he gives up on his partner now. She needs him. Taking a deep breath as his hand hovers over the control panel of her door, he tries to prepare himself for whatever may be on the other side. Opening the door slowly, he steps inside and only from his extensive experience as an agent is he prepared for the well aimed blow to his May's right arm with his, he winces a little at the jarring impact. She lashes out with her left arm and he blocks her again. His bionic hand is struggling to hold her back as the technology of her left arm seems to surpass his own. It's stronger, more durable, and it feels like she is absolutely crushing his hand.

"May!" He grunts out her name as his arm shakes with the effort of restraining her.

His eyes lock onto her own dark ones, they're wild and scared. Flitting all over his face as if trying to calculate what to do next.

"Melinda listen to me," he goes on when a third attack doesn't come. "They're messing with your mind. This isn't you."

Her brow is knitted into a frown and her mouth is drawn in a firm line.

"I know you Melinda," his voice is softer now, a gentle lilting tone as he pleads with his eyes for her to remember. To break free from the prison encasing her mind. "You're a protector Melinda. Not this."

Something flickers in his eyes and he hopes that maybe he is getting through to her.

"I think you know that too," he states as he feels her easing her force against his arm a little. She's fighting this! He knows it. His girl is so strong. "I think you know what the truth is Melinda. Fight this. Come back to me."

Her eyes widen at his words as she gasps, her body falling slack as she crumples to the ground. Rushing forwards, he catches her before she hits the ground.

"I've got you, I've got you," he repeats over and over as she sobs into his shoulder. Rubbing a hand over her back in soothing circles her rests his cheek against the top of her head, arms wrapped around her securely.

A/N

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