Chapter 26
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Far away from the Playground, having been given an update on the latest developments, from Doctor Cho, Nick Fury is arriving at one of the most classified houses on the planet. Honestly, Fury knows that he would rather face an entire army of Hydra agents than have the conversation he is about to have, but he knows he has to, he owes it to both Melinda, and Lian to do this.
As he walks up the walkway toward Lian May's house Fury isn't at all surprised about the fact that he doesn't even get to the door before it opens and Lian walks out.
"What happened?" Lian asks, Fury, knowing well enough to know that he would not be at her door unless it was bad.
"Maybe we should sit down." Fury suggests.
"No, what happened to my daughter, Nicholas?" Lian asks.
"There was a battle, against Hydra super soldiers." Fury explains, "Melinda's alive."
"But?" Lian asks, knowing that her daughter must be seriously injured.
"She's paralysed, below the waist." Fury answers, "I have a Doctor by the name of Helen Cho treating her, and she's attempting an experimental procedure that may, with time, and a lot of Physical therapy, lead to her being able to walk again." He explains.
"Where is he?" Lian asks.
"Somewhere safe, a secret base of mine." Fury explains, "I can give you the location." Fury says.
"Give it to me." Lian requests, and Fury does exactly that.
At the playground Melinda, Hand and Fitz are still unconscious and Phil, Bobbi, Izzy, Skye, Mack, Trip and Simmons are all sitting around the lab that has been turned into a make shift medical bay, while Bobbi and Izzy are both sitting right next to the beds of the women they love the others are more spread out through the room, clearly wanting everyone to be okay.
"Director Coulson, Sir." Billy says, walking up to Phil, and keeping his voice quiet so that no one else can hear.
"What is it Agent Koenig?" Phil asks.
"Some visitors are landing, I think it may be best for you to talk to them before they walk in here." Billy explains.
"Who is it?" Phil asks confused.
"They're coming from Avengers Tower." Billy explains, handing Phil a land yard.
"I see." Phil says, getting up and heading out of the room.
A couple of minutes later Phil walks into the hanger, and sees the ramp of a new Quinjet open and seconds later Maria, Natasha, Clint, and to his shock Steve, Tony, Pepper, and a man Phil doesn't know walk out.
"How is she?" Maria asks, the second she sees Phil, and it is no question as to who she is referring to.
"Alive, she's had the first of three surgeries and is going to be in a medically induced coma until after the third." Phil explains.
"You're really alive." Pepper says, looking at Phil in shock.
"I am, and I'm glad to see you." Phil admits.
"How?" Tony asks, looking at Tony, not overly sure how he feels.
Hearing that Phil looks to Maria, who gives a slight nod, feeling that with everything else going on telling the complete truth would be the only way to a, make is so Steve and Sam trust him, and b, make it so Tony doesn't start to dig.
"When Loki stabbed me, I died." Phil admits, "I was dead for days." He admits, "Fury used experimental procedures, involving Alien DNA, that had me begging for death, to bring me back, and because of that my memories were altered." He explains, "For months I thought I was dead, but since I saw you two at Christmas I have been learning the truth." He reveals, looking between Natasha and Clint.
"Bobbi and Mel knew, didn't they?" Natasha asks, as that explains a lot.
"They were two of the few who did." Maria confirms.
"Which turned out to be a good thing because Hydra went to desperate lengths to try and find out how I'm alive." Phil reveals,
"Did they?" Steve asks.
"No." Phil confirms, and everyone looks relieved at that.
"Are you okay?" Pepper asks, feeling that that is a lot of information to get in two minutes.
"I'm okay." Phil confirms.
"I'm glad." Steve says, as Pepper gives Phil a hug, "Who else is here?"
"Agents, people I trust." Phil says, as he and Pepper break apart.
"You sure about that?" Sam asks.
"We just fought war against twenty Hydra Super Soldiers, and five regular agents, because we knew the government wouldn't be able to handle them, they're S.H.I.E.L.D agents here, and I trust them." Phil reveals.
"S.H.I.E.L.D doesn't exist anymore." Sam says.
"You could have called us, this is exactly what the Avengers do." Steve reveals.
"The Avengers can't be everywhere, and there are people who dedicated their entire lives to what we believed S.H.I.E.L.D was, we're not going to stop just because you tore apart the organization." Phil reveals.
"Where are Mel and Hand?" Natasha asks, before people can get into a fight she knows is going to happen eventually, "Can we see them?"
"They're through here." Phil says, leading a way, suspecting that this isn't going to be the first time he and Steve have this conversation, and everyone follows behind him.
A couple of minutes later Phil, Natasha, Clint, Maria, Steve, Sam, and Pepper walk into the lab/makeshift medical bay, and as they do Skye, Simmons, Trip, and Mack, look around, and honestly, they are all a little shocked by the sight.
Without a word to anyone Natasha, Clint and Maria walk straight over to Melinda's bed, and even though all three of them notice Bobbi holding Melinda's hand they don't comment, instead they just exchange looks, all coming to the same realisation.
"How is she?" Clint asks, causing Bobbi to look over at him, and because the other three know her so well they can tell that she isn't okay.
"There were no complications with her first surgeries." Bobbi answers, "She'll have another one on her back in twenty-four hours, and a third twelve hours after that one is finished."
"And that will help Mel to walk again?" Natasha asks.
"If it works, yeah." Bobbi confirms, "But even if it does work it will take months of painful physical therapy, at least, before she could walk again."
"Mels is tough, she can handle it." Clint says, as he Natasha, and Maria pull chairs over.
"It's going to be so hard for her not being able to walk, even if it is temporary." Maria comments, worried about the kind of effect that is going to have on Melinda.
Across the room Phil has decided that he should probably get introductions out of the way,
"In the beds are Melinda May, Leo Fitz, and Victoria Hand." Phil introduces, "Next to them are Bobbi Morse and Izzy Hartley." Phil explains, "This is Skye, Jemma Simmons, Antoine Triplett, and Alphonso Mackenzie." He introduces.
"It's nice to meet you all, I'm Steve, this is Tony, Pepper, and Sam." Steve introduces, even though he really doesn't have too.
"it's an honour to meet you Sir." Trip says, meaning that completely.
"Maria Hill informed me that Gabe Jones was your grandfather, he was a brave, incredible man." Steve tells Trip.
"He talked to you a lot, it's why I joined S.H.I.E.L.D." Trip reveals.
"Really? The last few days must have been a shock." Tony comments.
"Considering all of us are just following in what your father started it must have been a shock to you too." Skye says.
"My father started a lot of things." Tony says, sounding biter, "Besides from what I know he didn't have much to do with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"That's not true." Izzy says, from where she is sitting next to her wife.
"Excuse me?" Tony asks surprised.
"There are four people in this room who worked with him a lot, who almost died with him a few times too, he did a lot for S.H.I.E.L.D, and from what we've learnt it was only after he and Director Carter were forced out that Hydra was able to become more imbedded." Izzy reveals.
"But how can any of you be sure that S.H.I.E.L.D was ever good?" Sam asks, "What makes you think It was anything other than Hydra's puppet?"
"Because S.H.I.E.L.D agents, real S.H.I.E.L.D agents, protect people." Bobbi says, causing everyone to look at her, "whether they want it or not, whether they know we're there or not." She reveals, "That's what Peggy Carter and Howard Stark created S.H.I.E.L.D to be, that's what everyone in this room believed it to be." She says, "Hydra may have wormed its way in, and it may have spread, but as believe in that ideal, when there are still people dedicated to protecting people, to being a S.H.I.E.L.D will always exist." Bobbi says, quoting Melinda.
"Friends of mine died believing that, and they were right." Mack says, as while he isn't completely sure about the Alien stuff, he does believe that protecting people is what S.H.I.E.L.D does, and what it should continue to do.
"Hydra almost cost me my wife, it cost me friends, and someone who's been like a sister to me is in that bed over there, but despite all that I still believe in S.H.I.E.L.D." Izzy says, "And I believe that the world needs a S.H.I.E.L.D because there are too many battles for The Avengers to fight alone, too many battles that you just can't understand."
"You save the world, we protect it." Skye says, looking between her heroes.
"I have been given the tools to build S.H.I.E.L.D back up, the right way, and while I would rather not fight you, I will If I have to." Phil admits, "Because despite everything that has happened we are not agents of nothing, we are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and that means something, and the world needs us whether they know we're there or not." Phil reveals, and as he does Steve goes to say something, but before she can Natasha starts to speak,
"They're right." Natasha says, causing both Steve and Sam to look at her, "We're in the open, but sometimes those in the open can't protect everyone, people in the shadows can." She reveals, "Izzy's right there are battles that we can't understand, but the people in this room, have seen things that some of you can't even imagine, and they know how to handle it." Natasha reveals, looking between Steve, Tony and Sam, "I agreed that S.H.I.E.L.D had to be torn down because Hydra corrupted it, but that doesn't mean that all of S.H.I.E.L.D was bad." She explains, "If there is one person in this world that I trust to rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D the right way, to be the director, it's Phil Coulson."
"I second that." Clint says.
"So, do I." Maria says, as while she would like to help she is too much in the open right now.
"Thank you." Phil says, looking at his three friends.
"I don't know if I'm completely okay with this." Steve admits, "But if you're going to do this, then there has to be communication between S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers, to make sure everything's done right."
"I agree." Phil says.
"We'll that went well." Tony comments, looking glad, "We should set up a secure way to keep in contact." He admits.
"I'm sure we will, but we've only been in this base a few hours, it will take us time to get things set up to get all the supplies from the bus." Phil explains.
"What is this place anyway?" Steve asks.
"One of Fury's secret base." Billy says, walking into the room, "It was once an SSR base that remained off the books." He reveals, "And now that Agent's May and Hand are out of surgery everyone needs to go through orientation."
"Again?" Mack asks surprised.
"Yes." Billy confirms.
"Orientation?" Pepper asks confused.
"Basically, it means being asked questions by attached to Fury's state of the art, that he designed personally, lie detector." Trip explains.
"We did orientation at Providence; do we really have to do it again?" Skye asks.
"I really don't think that would be necessary." Phil tells Billy.
"I'll review everything from providence, then decide." Billy says, before once more leaving.
"Hill said you fought Hydra super soldiers, can they make more?" Steve asks concerned.
"Potentially." Simmons admits, "However we have all their research and collected all their computers so we should be able to find out if they passed the information on."
"It was one man who created the project, he's dead, and so is the person who took over for him after he died." Phil admits, "I knew both of them, and I don't believe either would have given the formula to Hydra as a hole, but I can't be sure until we go through everything."
"Hill also said you lost agents, I'd like to pay for the funerals, make sure their names are cleared." Tony says, feeling like it is the leas the could do.
"Thank you." Phil says, feeling grateful, "How about we go into the common area and talk." He says, looking between Pepper, Tony, Steve, and Sam.
"Sure." Steve answers.
"Come get me if May, Fitz, or Hand change in anyway." Phil says to Skye.
"Of course." Skye responds, and Phil, Tony, Steve, Sam, and Pepper head out of the lab.
A couple of minutes later Phil, Pepper, Tony, Steve, and Sam are all sitting around the table in the common area, all of them having cups in their hands.
"You look tired." Pepper admits.
"It's been a long week." Phil says, realising that it hasn't quiet even been a week since S.H.I.E.L.D fell, but truthfully it feels a hell of a lot longer.
"I'd bet." Tony comments, "Are you one of the people who knew my Dad?"
"Yeah." Phil confirms, "May, Izzy, and Hand are the others."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tony asks, as Pepper takes his hand.
"It never seemed like the right time." Phil admits, "Truthfully, wasn't sure how'd you react."
"I'm not sure how I'd react either." Tony admits, and the group drift into silence.
In the lab, ten minutes later, even though everyone is surprised by the fact that they all just basically threatened to go against the Avengers, no one is talking, as they are just waiting for something to change with their friends, hoping that it is a good change.
As she sits by her wife's side Izzy starts to notice her eyes flicker.
"Vic?" Izzy asks, "Can you hear me?" she asks, as Skye quickly hurries out of the room to get Phil, "If you can hear me, just open your eyes, or squeeze my hands, please Sweetheart." Izzy asks.
"Izzy?" Hand asks, her voice sounding groggy, as she slowly opens her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm here. You're okay." Izzy says, as she kisses Victoria's hand.
"Where are we?" Victoria asks.
"Another one of Fury's secret bases, we're safe." Izzy assures her, as Phil, Pepper, Tony, Steve, and Sam walk back into the lab.
"What happened?" Victoria asks, feeling strange, "My leg?"
"Vic, your leg was seriously hurt." Izzy says, moving over to her wife, "And because it was an open wound there was a high risk of infection." She admits, "The Doctors told me that because of that, it may get to the point where trying to save your leg would risk your life." She explains, "I told them to do whatever it would take to save your life, and to do that they had to amputate your leg." Izzy explains, trying to be as gentle as possible.
Even though she completely trusts her wife Victoria reaches out moves the blanket off to reveal the bandaged stump. Seeing it tears start to come to Victoria's eyes and seeing that Izzy moves, being as careful as possible, and sits down on the bed, where she pulls Victoria into a hug.
"I'm here. You're okay. Let it out." Izzy says, as she hugs her wife, hating that she is in so much pain.
Across the room everyone else, except for Bobbi who is staring at Melinda, look sadly at the pair, it being more than clear that everyone wishes there was more they could do.
Exchanging looks Natasha, Maria, and Clint get up and head over to Phil.
"Let's talk outside." Clint requests.
"Sure." Phil says, and the four of them head out of the lab and walk to the common room in silence.
"So, Mel and Bobbi have finally seen sense I see." Clint comments, as soon as they walk into the common room.
"Yeah, it's been a couple of months." Phil reveals.
"It's about time." Natasha admits.
"Yeah, I thought the same thing." Phil admits, "She's not handling Melinda being so hurt well." Phil admits.
"I'm not surprised." Maria admits, "Those two have been in love for years they just didn't realise, now they finally admitted it and this happened, it can't be easy."
"We're just going to have to be there for them, and make sure Bobbi looks after herself." Clint suggests.
"We will." Phil says, completely meaning that, and the four of them drift into silence.
"So, who wins the bet?" Clint asks curious.
"Does that even matter right now?" Phil asks, giving Clint a shocked look.
"It's Nat." Maria answers, before the group hear footsteps and Pepper, Tony, Steve, and Sam walk into the room.
"We're going to head back to New York." Tony explains, "With everything going on we're just intruding, but we'll come back when things settle down, organize that communication we talked about."
"That's fine. Things will start to be better in a few days, after May's hand her final surgery." Phil explains.
"I take it you three are going to stay here." Steve comments, looking between Natasha, Clint and Maria.
"Yes." Clint and Natasha say together.
"I can't, I have too many eyes on me." Maria admits, as she knows that if she stays she'll be risking everyone else's safety, "But I'll be back once Mel's had her third surgery." She reveals.
"Okay." Phil says, with a nod, and they all head out of the common room. While Phil, Natasha, and Clint head into the lab the others head out of the base.
It has been a few hours since Steve, Pepper, Sam, Tony, and Maria left the Playground, and ever since then everyone at the playground, with the exceptions of Piper and Billy have been in the lab.
After a little while Victoria fell asleep once more, but Izzy hasn't moved off her Wife's bed. Something else that has happened in the past few hours since Fitz has once again woken up.
"So, you're feeling okay, right?" Skye asks worried, "No pain, or…. Anything?"
"I feel fine." Fitz assures her, "My arm is a little annoying though." He admits.
"It will only take a couple of weeks to heal, after that you'll be fine." Trip says.
"Yeah, I will." Fitz says, as he looks between Melinda and Hand, and thinks about the people who died, "I have an idea for a project for us, when I can work again." Fitz says, looking between Simmons and Mack, both of whom realise exactly what he is thinking.
"Yes, I've been thinking the same thing." Simmons says, "We'll get started as soon as you can."
"Definitely." Mack says, nodding in agreement.
"Do you know what they're talking about?" Skye asks Trip in a whisper.
"My guess, something to help May and Hand." Trip explains, also in a whisper.
"Ohhh." Skye says, with a nod, understanding perfectly, and wanting to help too, but honestly, she isn't sure that she can do anything to help.
While Skye, Fitz, Simmons, Mack, and Trip are talking Billy walks over to Phil.
"Lian May just entered the bases boundary, she'll be in the hanger in three minutes." Billy explains.
"Thank you." Phil say, and he walks over to Bobbi, Natasha, and Clint.
"What's wrong Phil?" Clint asks concerned.
"Assistant Director May is here." Phil explains, "I need someone to come with me to meet her." Phil reveals, and as he does Natasha and Clint exchange looks, and it seems like Bobbi didn't even hear what was being sad.
"Normally I'd give you crap about the fact that you're still scared of Lian, but I'll come with you." Natasha says, standing up.
"Thank you." Phil says, relieved, and he and Natasha head out.
"Did he just say that May's Mom's here?" Skye asks surprised.
"Yep, so get ready to meet a legend." Clint tells her.
A few minutes later Phil and Natasha are waiting in the hanger, when a car stops and less than a minute later Lian May gets out, and walks over to Phil and Natasha.
"Philip." Lian greats, sounding less than happy.
"Assistant Director May." Phil responds, standing at attention.
"Natasha, it's good to see you." Lian greats, her voice sounding a lot more pleasant when she talks to Natasha rather than Phil, something which Phil learnt not to take personally a long time ago, "Though I wish it was under different circumstances. Where's my daughter?"
"Through here, ma'am." Phil say, leading the way.
A couple of minutes later Phil, Natasha and Lian walk into the lab where Skye is waiting just inside the room, looking excited.
"You must be Skye." Lian greats.
"Yes, Ma'am, I am." Skye says, "It's great to meet you."
"It's good to meet you too." Lian says, "And you can call me Lian." She informs Skye, before walking past her and as she does Skye gives Phil a slightly smug look.
"Assistant Director May, I believe you know Agents Hand and Hartley." Phil says, indicating to where Izzy and Victoria are, "But I do not believe you've meet the rest of our team, Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz, Antoine Triplett, and Alphonso Mackenzie." He introduces.
"It's a … pleasure to meet you ma'am." Fitz says, sounding nervous as he remembers what Bobbi, Melinda, and Phil said just before Christmas.
"It's nice to meet you all too." Lian says, before walking over to her daughters' bed, "Clinton."
"Ma'am." Clint says, and Lian gives him a look, "Lian." He corrects, and once he does Lian walks over to Bobbi.
"Barbara." Lian says.
"Lian." Bobbi says, standing up, though she didn't let go of Melinda's hand, and from the way she spoke it's almost like she didn't realise anything was going on around her.
Without a world Lian just hugs Bobbi. For about a minute the two of them hug then break apart.
"How is she?" Lian asks Bobbi, acting like there is nothing strange about what just happened though in all the years he's known Lian Phil is pretty sure that he has only seen Lian hug Melinda, not anyone else.
"Stable." Bobbi answers, "She's had a surgery on her spleen, and one on her back." Bobbi explains, as she sits back down, "She's going to have another surgery on her in about seventeen hours, and another one twelve hours after that one." Bobbi explains, "I told Doctor Cho to try the experimental procedure, even with all the side effects I felt like that would be Melinda's choice." Bobbi explains.
"It would have been." Lian says, "You made the right choice, and I am glad that you were the one who made it." she says, meaning that completely as like the others who know Melinda and Bobbi well she knows that those two have had feelings for each other for a long time, but she also knows that Melinda loved Andrew, and Bobbi loved Hunter, though she never met him, "Philip I need a chair."
"Right, of course, ma'am." Phil says, and he hurries to get one, as he does Skye, Fitz, and Simmons exchange amused looks, looks that they are actually surprised that they are capable of at the moment.
About a minute later Phil hurries back into the room and places the chair next to Bobbi.
"Would you like some Tea, Ma'am?" Phil asks curious.
"No." Liam answers, and Phil nods, and heads back over to his seat.
It has been over sixteen hours since Lian arrived at the Playground, and in that time everyone in the lab, with the exceptions of those who still need medical attention, Bobbi, and Izzy, have left to get some rest, or shower, or eat.
Even though everyone knows that it's not healthy for Izzy or Bobbi, everyone else either knows them well enough to know that they won't willingly leave Melinda and Victoria's sides, no matter what anyone else says, or they are too scared to bring the matter up with them.
Having just finished getting the room that was designed to be an isolation room, but is being used as a operating room, ready Helen walks over to the bed where Melinda is.
"It's time for Agent May's second surgery." Helen reveals.
"How long will it take?" Bobbi asks, not wanting to let go of Melinda's hand.
"That depends on a large number of factors, but between six and eight hours." Helen answers.
"Okay." Bobbi says, then she turns back to Melinda, and she bends down, "I love you." She whispers into Melinda's ear, and she places a gentle kiss to Melinda's cheek, then moves away, and once she does Lian squeezes her daughters hand the steps away without saying anything.
Once Bobbi, and Lian, step away Helen signals to the medical team, and they walk over and roll Melinda across the room, and into the makeshift operating room.
"You know, Helen just said it herself, Melinda's going to be in surgery for a while. It's a good time for you to get some rest, eat, have a shower." Phil suggests, looking at Bobbi.
"I'm fine." Bobbi says, and then before she can react Natasha stabs her with a syringe, and if Clint didn't catch her she would have fallen to the ground.
"What did you just do?" Skye asks shocked.
"Sedated her." Natasha explains, as Simmons hurries over, "She'll be asleep for about five hours." She explains, as Simmons checks Bobbi to make sure she's okay, and as she does Natasha shows her what she injected Melinda with.
"I get that Bobbi needs rest, but do you really think that was the best way to get her to rest?" Mack asks curious, looking disapproving.
"It was the only way to get her to rest." Clint explains, "You got a bunk we can put her in?" he asks Phil.
"Yeah, follow me." Phil says, and Clint, with ease, picks up Bobbi, and he, along with Natasha head out of the room.
"Was that really a good idea?" Skye asks with a frown.
"Bobbi's okay, and the injection Agent Romanoff gave her won't do anything other than letting her sleep, which is a good thing." Simmons explains, as she walks back over.
"Yeah, I guess." Skye mutters, still not thinking that that was the best idea.
A few minutes after they left the lab Phil, Natasha, and Clint arrive at one of the empty bunks, and as they do Clint lays Bobbi down on the bed, and Natasha takes off her shoes, and her baton holder so that she is more comfortable, as Phil grabs a blanket and lays it over her.
"She'll be pissed when she wakes." Phil whispers to Natasha and Clint.
"We know, but if she actually gets some rest it's worth it." Natasha explains.
"We should let her get that rest, come on." Clint says, and the three of them leave the bunk, leave Bobbi to get some rest, not caring about the fact that she is going to be pissed when she wakes up what they did was for the best, even if Bobbi doesn't see it that way.