"We all decided to dress up as some of your most favorite Disney characters Skye." Skye took in Bobbi who was a life size Rapunzel. Lance looked just like Flynn Ryder. Melinda herself gasped at the intricate customs Bobbi and Lance had managed to make. She glanced at Vic who shrugged.
"You helped them?"
"Sure. I can sew. Unlike you two." She waved off Melinda and Izzy. Neither of you can stitch anything to save your lives."
Natasha walked in behind Bobbi and Lance. She smiled at Skye. "You look perfect as Mulan, Skye." She was dressed as Merida. Skye gasped. Natasha's red hair flowed brilliantly around the Merida costume that Tashie was wearing, complete with a real bow and arrows.
"My friend from school, Clint, let me borrow his bow and arrows. He even said he would teach me how the use them sometime. Aren't they cool?"
"Yeah and absolutely no taking those arrows out of that quiver. Not for any reason."
"I know. I won't mom."
Melinda raised her eyebrows at Vic. She just shrugged. "I'll tell you later," she whispered.
Skye ran over to Natasha. She stood in front of the trio of Disney heroes and jumped up and down. "All from my favorite movies. You guys are awesome."
"What about us Skye?" Jemma spoke as she and Leo emerged from the door that led to the kitchen. Both were attired in bright red costumes, Jemma's with a skirt and Leo's with shorts.
Leo dashed over to the others, laughing. "Don't I look just like him?"
Jemma also moved to the others. "Violet at your service." Indeed, the two costumes were fantastic. Obvious store bought but very nice, nonetheless.
"Violet and Dash." Skye squealed.
"I must say, you two look incredible." Phil deadpanned.
The other adults and Bobbi groaned. Skye was jumping up and down and grinning from ear to ear. "Just like real superheroes. My favorites – all of you."
"Me too?" Lincoln came through the doorway from behind Bobbi and Lance. He was dressed in a magnificent princely costume and carrying a mask of the Beast. "Prince Adam at your service, Princess Mulan." He bowed and held out his hand.
Skye giggled and took his hand. Melinda was smiling while Phil was taking pictures of everyone while running around to get the best shots.
Melinda looked at Bobbi. "Your idea for all these?"
Bobbi shrugged. "I guess. I mean me and Tash decided to go as Skye's favorites right away and then Lance said he'd go as Flynn to my Rapunzel." Phil frowned at that statement. Melinda elbowed him and grinned. "I called Jemma and asked if she wanted to go as a Disney princess and told her I'd help with finding her a costume but then she called me back and said she and Leo had come up with a better idea. They bugged Jemma's parents and they bought them those great Incredible costumes. Then we found out Lincoln was joining us, and I told Dr. Campbell that Skye's newest favorite movie was Beauty and the Beast and so 'whala', there he is."
Melinda walked to Bobbi and pulled her in for a tight hug. "You are amazing."
Bobbi "It's just a couple costumes Melinda. Geez you're sappy." Melinda rolled her eyes pulling away just as Phil flashed his camera in their faces.
"You like it Skye?" Lincoln looked at her expectantly.
"I love it. You look just like the Prince after Belle's love turned the beast back." Skye turned to look at all her friends and family. 'Thank you all. This is the best thing in the whole world."
Bobbi pulled her little sister in for a hug. Soon all the kids were in a big group hug. A few sniffles were heard.
"Hey, be careful none of you mess up all that makeup and junk." Izzy said.
"Too late." Bobbi's eye makeup was running a bit."
Maria pulled her away. "I'll fix it for you. The rest of you, no more tears. It's almost time to go trick or treating."
Melinda spoke up. "You little ones need to stay close to the bigger kids. Okay?"
"It'll be okay Melinda. We won't let any of them out of our sight." Bobbi sighed dramatically before Maria pulled her into the downstairs bathroom.
"Lin, they've got this. Between Bobbi and Lance and Tash, the little ones will be okay. You little guys are going to listen to them, right? Stay with the older ones and not wonder off right?" Izzy reiterated to the four 8- year-olds.
"And no eating anything until you get back here, til Maria and I inspect it all. That's an order."
All four little ones led by Natasha saluted Victoria. "Copy that mom."
Vic grinned back at her. "Hey Tash, could you take the little ones to the bathroom and make sure they all use it please? Thanks hon." She watched as the four little ones walked off with her daughter. Then she addressed Lance. "We will hold down the fort here and hand out candy. Lance no pranks. Understood?"
"Yeah I got it. No pranks."
Maria who had re-entered the room with Bobbi chimed in "Bobbi?"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. We are supposed to be good examples and watch the kids and not let them eat any candy till we get home."
"Yeah I don't want a repeat of last year Bobbi." Phil chimed in.
"It was just a little bit of toilet paper. Not a big deal."
"It was to Mr. Grim. And the police." Phil frowned at her.
"You're just lucky he's a nice man and agreed to just have you and Akela clean it up." Melinda added.
"Yeah Piper wasn't too thrilled with being called and having to bring you back here," said Maria.
"I can't help it Mr. Grim thought we were part of a burglary ring."
"No pranks Bobbi. No pranks Lance." Melinda used her firmest, no nonsense voice.
"Okay. Is that why Akela isn't here tonight?"
"I banned her from Halloween yes."
"You can't ban someone from Halloween, Melinda."
"Yes, I can."
Maria nodded. "Yeah kid. She can. Just ... No pranks okay?"
Bobbi shot her a thumbs up. The rest came strolling back into the living room one by one. Skye and Natasha were the last two back and then Melinda handed all the kids their pumpkin treat buckets. Even Hunter took one and smiled at Melinda. Melinda and Maria then walked them out onto the porch. Natasha took Skye's hand and Lance walked next to Lincoln. Bobbi walked between Jemma and Leo and they walked off down the walkway.
"They'll be fine Mel. She'll be fine. Bobbi won't let anything happen to any of them, least of all her sister."
"What if something triggers her or someone is mean to her or someone scares her or someone..."
"Hey, hey, breathe. They are all good kids. Natasha, Bobbi and Lance won't let anyone hurt her or scare her. I think little Lincoln will defend his princess as well."
"Oh god Maria. Don't say that around Phil. He's already in overprotective dad mode with Bobbi."
"I noticed. Poor Lance."
Melinda laughed. "Bobbi likes him a lot. He's a good kid. But no one will ever be good enough in Phil's eyes."
"Bobbi's a great kid too Lin. You raised her to be strong, independent, smart and a bit mischievous. She's very much like you."
Melinda smiled. "I'm just beginning to see that yes."
"Come on. Let's have some of that hot buttered rum cider and some of Vic's chocolate chip ghost cookies."
"You know those two things probably shouldn't go together."
"Be adventurous Lin."
The two ladies walked back in the house where they heard Akela loudly denying that Melinda banned her from Halloween.
Natasha held tightly to Skye's hand as the excited little girl was nearly running. "Hey, Skye slow down. We have plenty of time to cover your neighborhood and you don't wasn't to tire out too fast."
Skye slowed down to match Natasha's pace. "I just can't wait to show everyone my costume Tashie. Isn't it the most wonderful thing ever? And Melinda did my hair and put make-up on me. She said it's allowed cause it's Halloween."
"You look perfect Skye. Just like the real Mulan."
"I love her so much. Mama and me watched the movie together. She's Chinese you know."
"I know Skye."
Bobbi laughed hearing Skye's banter with Natasha. She herself had watched Mulan with Skye three times now. Skye was interested so much cause for the first time she had a hero to look at that looked like her. Melinda was also teaching Skye about her Chinese heritage and culture. Just the other day Melinda had taught Skye how to use chopsticks. It took Melinda a ton of patience to deal with Skye's frustration but eventually Skye caught on and was so happy. Just those little things always made Skye so joyful. Like getting a pair of shoes she loved. Or parading around in her pink soccer uniform. Watching a Disney movie. Playing superheroes with her dorky dad. Dressing up as Mulan. Things many kids took for granted that were all new to Skye.
"Hey, you're deep in thought there, Bobs." Lance had come along side. She noticed Lincoln had caught up to Skye and was holding her other hand. The science twins were between them and her and Lance talking very animatedly with each other. "This is the first house Melinda has on the list."
Right. "Hey guys. This one is our first house. Remember to walk on the walkway and not on anyone's grass okay?" A chorus of okays was heard.
Bobbi saw another small group of costumed kids across the street with a few adults leading them. She waved and then followed her lively group to the door of the Davis's. They were a young couple expecting a baby and had recently moved into the neighborhood. Melinda had them over this past summer for a welcome cookout. Bobbi watched as Skye rang the doorbell.
It was only seconds when the door opened and a tall man and a short woman with long brown hair stood in the doorway.
"Trick or treat!" Skye said exuberantly.
"Oh, what a beautiful costume. Mulan, right?" The woman gushed over Skye. She looked at all the others and smiled. "Look at all of you. Fantastic guys. You all must be fans of Disney huh?
Lincoln nodded his head and Skye beamed.
Mr. Davis spoke, looking around. "I wonder who you could be. Do we know you guys?"
Bobbi waved to the couple. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Davis."
Mrs. Davis smiled as she immediately recognized Bobbi as being the Coulson's daughter. "Hello Bobbi. The rest are your friends I take it."
"I'm Lance ma'am. That's my sister Natasha with the red hair."
"Mulan is my little sister, and these are some of her friends, Jemma, Leo and Lincoln."
"Ah I see. Well no tricks right. So, you get treats." Mrs. Davis pulled a huge basket out from behind him and held it out for them.
"Remember guys take only one. Pick something you like." Bobbi spoke up remembering Melinda's orders.
"Oh please. Take at least 3 or 4. We have so much more to put in the basket. Take a handful," encouraged Mrs. Davis as Mr. Davis nodded
The kids looked at Bobbi expectantly. "Well if she says to take more, I guess it's okay."
The kids squealed and each grabbed a handful of the small candy bars, even Bobbi and Lance grabbed a couple each. Bobbi ushered the kids away to a chorus of 'thank-yous' directed at the Davis'. Bobbi smiled and waved and turned to march her charges onto the sidewalk to the next house on the list.
Back at the Coulson's Melinda had come back inside only to see Akela had been let in the side door by Izzy while she and Maria had been out on the porch.
Akela smiled at Melinda while stuffing a ghost shaped cookie in her mouth. "Hey boss lady."
Maria shook her head and turned to Melinda. "You see why I am the best choice to be Skye's Godmother right?"
"Oh pffft. I'm far more than capable and you are already Bobbi's Godmother. Besides you need to learn to share Maria."
Melinda put her hands up as though to fend both women off, as she moved to grab a cup to pour some rum cider into it. Just then Izzy and Phil came practically running into the room. Melinda gawked at them. Maria started laughing and Vic just shook her head fondly at both her wife and her friend. Phil was dressed in a Batman costume while Izzy's getup was a pretty decent Wonder Woman costume. Vic handed them the baskets of candy, kissing Wonder Woman on the cheek.
"Dang babe you look hot."
"Don't I look hot too Lin? I'm Batman."
Melinda laughed as she came around the table and touched Phil's chest. "Why don't you come with me and we can see what parts of that are real and which parts are not?"
Akela groaned. "Get a room you two".
Melinda shot her an innocent look. "Which one Akela. We've tried them all you know."
Izzy high-fived Melinda, Phil turned a light pinkish color, while Akela pretended to vomit.
"For crying out loud Akela, how old are you anyway." Maria shook her head.
"Hey, you're the one leaning on the counter. Let's just say I've seen far more than cooking take place on that counter."
"Oh yeah we were cooking pretty good till you interrupted us. You really need to learn to knock."
Maria looked momentarily disgusted as she pulled away from the counter. Phil's face turned a bit redder as he hushed his wife.
"You know Bobbi's not wrong Lin. You two are like rabbits." Akela shook her head.
"Showing affection to each other is a good thing for kids to see Akela." Maria shot back at her. "Not that I would know. My love life of late has been little to none."
"What about that guy Don set you up with." Vic looked at her curiously.
"Well let's just say Neanderthals are not my type."
"Oh brother, Not another one?" This came from Izzy who was rummaging through the basket of candy.
"Yep. Seems all the good ones are already taken. Hey, Phil you know any single teachers at that college you teach at."
Phil backed away from the women. "Oh no. I refuse to speak in case you guys have something to hold against me later."
"Oooooo...So you must know someone." Akela elbowed him in the side.
Vic noticing her wife poking in the candy basket interrupted, "what are you looking for?"
Izzy glanced up and then went back to her search. She held up a peanut M&M's pack and then grabbed another holding them both up. "Your favorite." She tossed her the two packages. Vic smiled as she caught them.
"Thanks hon."
"Hey you guys can't take the candy. That's for the kids." Coulson reached over to take back the two packages. Vic pulled them closer to her.
"It's just two Phil."
"Yeah well Maria, between those two and the peppermint patties you snatched, and the Hershey bars Akela swiped, we won't have enough."
"Look Phil it's been a stressful week okay? I need chocolate."
"It's not like we don't have ten more bags to dump in them Phil. Melinda pointed out as she grabbed a pack of twizzlers. "So, which one of your professor friends would be a good match for Maria, Phil?"
He backed further away holding the basket in front of him.
"Yeah maybe one that's good with kids." Akela winked at Melinda.
Maria spun around and glared at her. "I think that boat sailed a while ago. I'm too old."
"You're 36 Maria."
"Exactly."
"Hello." Vic stepped closer to her. "I'm older than you and so is Iz. We just got two kids. And Lin and Phil got one."
"Yeah I know a place that has tons of kids needing adoption Maria. And you wouldn't need to wait for a man for that. The way you care for and love our kids is pretty obvious you'd make a terrific mom. I know you've thought about it." Izzy smiled at her friend and co-worker.
"I keep terrible hours at the station."
"Oh please. If everyone waited till they had a good schedule for kids – no one would be a parent."
"That's a fact." Melinda nodded in agreement. Turning to Vic she continued. ""Speaking of kids, your girl is now calling you 'mom'?"
Vic smiled perhaps one of the biggest smiles Melinda had ever seen grace her face. "Yeah. That's pretty recent. What? Maybe a week Iz?"
"Yeah, 'bout a week. After Skye stayed with us."
"That's great."
"Vic nodded. "Natasha has let down her guard an awful lot since Skye came into the picture and since Bobbi has been such a good friend to her."
"And Clint. Don't forget Clint hon."
"Thanks for that reminder Izzy."
"He's a nice boy."
"I know that, but Tash is only 14."
"Yeah I know right. Bobbi is only 15 and well I think she and Lance are getting way too..." Phil broke off realizing who he was talking to. He looked to Melinda for help who simply smirked at him and turned back to munching on her twizzlers.
"Don't worry Phil. We already gave Lance the talk."
"Yeah Vic here might have mentioned getting the daughter of good friends pregnant could be a very bad thing."
"Pregnant! They-they-they- better not be-she's only...Melinda!"
"Oh shush Phil. Bobbi is not getting pregnant anytime soon. She is also not ready for that kind of a relationship yet, and promised me when she was, she'd let me know and we'd take care of it. You look hysterical by the way Philip. All badass in your Batman costume and shaking like a leaf at the prospect of your daughter having sex."
"Having sex?" He managed to squeak out.
"Not yet Phillip. But it's gonna happen babe and you need to deal with it. Bobbi is almost sixteen."
Phil stuck his fingers in his ears and started humming loudly.
"So, tell me Lin what's it like to take care of three children?" Vic said as she pointed her thumb at Phil. "Bobbi, Skye and Phil."
"Well don't forget this one when she's at work." Maria nudged Akela as she laughed.
"Oh, very funny Hill. You're just a freaking comedian, aren't you? You should take that act on the stage."
The sound of the doorbell interrupted the conversation.
"Kids. Yay! They're here!" Izzy nearly tripped over her own feet trying to get out of the room, with Phil close behind.
Vic looked at Melinda and they both burst out laughing.
Akela continued after the interruption. "Cause you know Maria. You're comfortable on the stage." She grinned wickedly at the woman.
Melinda sighed. "Oh, here we go again."
"What? I'm just pointing out Maria's life before she became a police officer."
Maria was staring daggers at Akela.
Vic looked back and forth at the two women and then to Melinda. "What is she babbling on about."
"Maria here was a child star. A singer. Was on a show called Galactica Kids. Her name back then was Maria Stardust."
Vic whipped her head around to Maria. "She's kidding right?" Maria's face was stone.
Melinda was laughing and shaking her head. "Nope."
Maria crossed her arms and pouted. "Shut up Melinda."
Which only made Melinda laugh harder. She pointed at Maria. "There were three other characters on the show. Donny Moonbeam, Jane Brightdawn, and Charlie Sunshine. They traveled the universe saving people by singing. Their singing gave them magic powers to help people. It was cheesy as hell, but the kids loved it, and all those kids could really sing. Maria still has a great voice. Come on sing the theme song Maria. How'd that go again?"
Maria stuck her middle finger up at Melinda. Akela started singing. "Together we can light the night. Together we make the world bright. The dark shivers in fear, whenever Galactica kids are near." Akela stopped singing and joined Melinda in laughter.
Meanwhile Phil and Izzy returned. Looking around Phil asked, "what happened here?"
Akela pointed to Maria and started singing again. "Galactica Kids are your friends..." She dissolved into giggles.
"Upon us you can depend, Join with us in the fight, to battle, to win – Unite!"
Melinda giggled as Phil finished the song. "Oh my gosh, do you remember Kela when I got into the station system and blasted the song on repeat right after Maria was made Captain? "
"Remember? I thought Fury was gonna blow his stack. It played for five hours till someone figured out how to turn it off. A masterpiece it was."
"He never found out who did it. I'm pretty sure he blamed Phil though."
"Yep He gave me dirty looks for weeks. Still not as bad as when Lin put hair dye in the soap at the station. Fury did not think his blue skin looked stylish no matter how many times I told him it did. He blamed me for that one too. I have no idea why he never could figure out it was Melinda each and every time."
"Yep. Melinda was the worst. Notorious in her deviousness. I mean I always thought I was pretty good but you – your pranks were masterpieces." Akela smiled at her friend.
"Art really. Worthy of awards," Izzy chimed in. "Remember that one you pulled on Phil at the training conference?"
"We don't speak of that here in this house Isabelle." Phil frowned as crossed his costumed arms.
Vic interrupted the banter. Wait. I want to hear more about Maria Stardust. Did you know about this Izzy?"
"Nope. First I heard."
"Oh that's cause you two have only been living here since Fury left. It's common knowledge at the station. But you know since Maria is now in charge no one dares to mention it." Melinda explained.
"It was cute. Bobbi loves it." Phil smiled at Maria. "I even have some of the toys they made. They're collectibles now."
"I bet Skye would like to play with them."
Phil gasped at his wife. "But they're mint in the box Melinda."
Just then the doorbell rang again. Phil smiled and practically ran out the door again closely followed by Izzy each grabbing their candy baskets.
Maria sighed. "I might have a couple sets in my attic. I can give her some."
Melinda grinned. "I'll tell Bobbi to show her the tapes and see if she likes the show. It's cheesy and the graphics are godawful, but it's fun and harmless entertainment."
"Did they even have video back then? And I so want to see those tapes I only have the one pirated one and it's pretty grainy."
"Absolutely not. Melinda one thing is you cannot let this one have access to those tapes."
"Yeah so how old were you Maria?" Vic asked as she poured another glass of cider.
"I was 12 when I started and stayed on the show 3 years. It lasted another 3 after that with new kids. That was back in the mid 90's when the show was really popular. It had an eight-year run."
"You make good money?"
"Actually, yeah I did. They had products like toys and videos and books, and we made appearances around the country a couple times a year. I made a percentage of most of it, a small one but still decent. My dad was pretty good with putting the money away. Used most of it for college."
"Good for you. So how did you go from kid TV star to police work?"
"I was recruited by Fury. He came to the campus at college and I needed a to go to a seminar for my Criminal Justice course and his was one of the only ones not filled up. So I went and after talked to him and a week later changed my major from Forensic Science to Criminology. He hired me out of college and here I am."
"Forensic science?"
"Yeah I used to watch Quincy MD with my grandpa. And all those forensic file investigative shows. But after talking with Fury I figured out I'd be a better fit for police work."
"Damn lucky you needed that credit too." Izzy said as she walked back into the kitchen. "You are a damn good detective and even better leader. Here." She tossed her another peppermint patty and she opened her own milky way bar.
Bobbi grinned as Skye reached up to ring yet another doorbell. This house was a few blocks away, the furthest from their own house. They'd been at it for about an hour now. The door opened and Bobbi's former piano teacher opened the door. The woman smiled at the group, greeting them and held out a box of large candy bars.
"Hey guys only take one, those are the big bars. Hello Mrs. Simmons. Remember me?"
"Of course, I remember you Bobbi Coulson. I heard your parents brought home a new member recently." She talked as the kids all picked out a candy bar.
"Yes. That's her right there. Skye. She's Mulan."
Mrs. Simmons smiled as Skye waved at her. Skye picked out a twizzlers, cause she knew Melinda liked them.
"So Skye. Do you like music?"
Skye nodded and smiled.
"Do you play an instrument."
"No."
"Would you like to?"
Skye thought for a moment and then nodded.
"Oh, what instrument would you like to play?"
Skye looked back at Bobbie and then whispered, "I like playing the bongos at school."
Bobbi raised her eyebrows. Oh no way. Drums? She laughed a little at the expression she pictured on her dad's face if Skye asked to play the drums. "Really Skye? Maybe drums huh?"
Mrs. Simmons laughed. "Well that is one instrument I don't teach but I do have names of instructors who do. Tell your mom Bobbi if Skye here is really interested." She turned her attention back to Skye. "Skye is a lovely name for such a pretty girl. Welcome to the neighborhood."
Skye lit up and smiled. "Thank You."
Bobbi didn't try to correct Mrs. Simmons about Melinda being her step mom and not her birth mom. In fact, the more she kept thinking about it – the more she decided Melinda deserved the title. Maybe she'd start calling her mother 'Audrey', and test out 'mom' on Melinda. After all Melinda was her mom in every way that mattered. She felt a hand slip into hers and turned to see Skye had moved next to her as the other kids started to leave. She smiled at her sister and spoke up, 'let's move on out guys and head back home. We'll go to the houses we skipped on the way back."
The group headed off down the sidewalk Bobbi still holding Skye's hand, with Lincoln and Leo walking with Lance and Jemma beside Natasha talking her head off about candy calories and sugar intake.
"So, you and Phil got wrangled into being chaperones?" Maria grinned at Melinda who rolled her eyes. They were in the kitchen chatting. The others had gone to help hand out candy.
"She was slick, let me tell you. First me and then Phil. Don's going too."
"Yeah I know. He asked for the day off. He said that Jane told him Phil was going and he didn't want to be the only man there."
"What a sneak. She told Phil the same thing about Don. And so of course she also had Skye bat her big brown eyes at both of us."
"She's gonna win every time, isn't she?"
"If you mean that Skye has us wrapped around her fingers and we'd do anything for her – yeah. She does. She's just so happy right now. Everything is going so well for her and for us."
"You're waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Melinda nodded. "It's been far too quiet lately. She keeps things bottled up and I know she tries to pretend them away."
"Hmmm...now who does that sound like?"
"Yeah I know. But I'm also worried about Bobbi. You know Audrey asked Bobbi to come live with her? She wants her to visit over Thanksgiving break and stay for a few weeks. Then she wants her to move in with her after the semester of school is over."
"Have you talked to Audrey?"
"No. Not yet."
"What does Bobbi want to do?"
"She claims she wants to stay here, and she doesn't even want to go for Thanksgiving. She wants to be here for Skye's first Thanksgiving. Do you know her mother promised her a new car?"
"Bobbi can't drive yet."
"No but in February she turns sixteen. Audrey also wants Bobbi to take music and drama and dance lessons again."
"Bobbi dropped all that because she hated it. She loves martial arts and basketball."
"Yeah."
"And she's damn good at both. What is Audrey's problem? I mean she left her. She left Phil and she left her. To go traipsing around the world on a concert tour with her lover. She has never shown an interest in raising Bobbi. She's happy to play the artist aunt who showers Bobbi with material possessions. What changed?"
"Honestly I have no idea. Neither does Bobbi. The cherry on top is that my parents are visiting soon. They want to meet their new granddaughter."
"William and Lian are coming? Together?"
"Yeah. Apparently, they are back together. Have been for some time."
"You're kidding? Oh my gosh you're not kidding. When are they coming?"
"Before Thanksgiving. They plan to stay a few weeks."
"Weeks?"
Melinda raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Weeks. That's what she said."
"Oh, poor you Lin. Is Phil a nervous wreck yet?"
"Not yet. But his nerves will frazzle mine and between my mom's judgment and dad's constant words of wisdom along with Skye's internalized issues and this Audrey thing with Bobbi – I don't know. So many things are happening- I am just – the nightmares are back again and all these – I am – I just don't want to hurt them. Not Skye. Not Bobbi. Not Phil."
"You won't."
"I keep – I keep thinking what if I make the wrong decision. What if my actions hurt Skye more than she already has been hurt? What if I mess them up? What if I can't protect them? Help them?"
"Hey Lin. You won't hurt them. You are a protector. You had no choice. You have to realize that you had ..."
"Didn't I? How are you so sure? There had to be another option. Something I missed. Maybe I shouldn't have gone in. Someone else could have..."
"Hey. Someone else would have made the same call. You know that. We all know that. I would have done exactly what you did Lin. Phil would have too."
"I don't know Maria. He got shot because I made a choice. He almost died. And I killed a kid."
"You saved nine kids and two teachers. That means something Lin. Those two died the moment they took the hostages. You know that. You and Phil saved them all."
"Not all."
"You couldn't have predicted what they were going to do. You followed protocol and did everything right."
"I know. But ..."
"But two kids still died, and your husband's life was changed. As was yours. I get it. It hurts like hell. And not easy. It's never going to be easy. But you also saved fourteen people Lin. You, Phil, one of the perps, and eleven victims."
"I guess that counts for something."
"That counts for everything Lin."
Akela opened the door just then. "Hey, the kids are back with their candy stash."
Melinda smiled and got up wiping at her eyes. "Guess I need to get out there before Skye and Bobbi eat way too much sugar." She walked out hurriedly past Akela.
Akela looked over at Maria as their eyes met a mutual understanding passed. Their friend was still blaming herself and still carrying that guilt around. Both knew it and both were determined to change that.
.