Chapter 29: Castles And Co-Pilots For Life
Notes- This is unbeta-ed any mistakes are my own. Feel free to point them out and I'll fix them ASAP.
To answer a few questions.
Yes, Skye will definitely be an adult before the end of the story. I just need to figure out how in my head first.
I think there are some very important topics that need to be addressed between Skyeward once Skye's her adult self again and I'm excited to explore them.
As always feel free to put any ideas or suggestion into a review if you want. You guys might have thought of something I haven't and I love reading what you think should happen.
Grant's POV- Status: The SUV. Whereabouts: "On Route to The Beach House."
"Can't you hold it till we get home, baby?" He asked Skye, hopefully. He received such a murderous glare as he looked back at her in the rear view mirror that he didn't need an answer.
"Ward, just pull the bloody car over." Fitz snapped irritably. "Skye's jigging in her car seat." He informed him.
"Holding it is bad for her, Ward, just pull over." Simmons insisted.
He groaned. "We haven't even been on the road ten minutes." He told them annoyed, tapping the cars communication link with Lola and May. "We have a situation that requires we make a quick stop at the nearest gas station." He informed them in an unimpressed tone.
"What could possibly be so urgent that can't wait until we arrive at our destination?" Coulson asked him, sounding equal parts exasperated and inquisitive.
"Ahh…well, sir…" He trailed off, not sure how to explain.
"I HAVE TO PEE!" Skye shouted from the backseat.
The comm link went dead silent and then Coulson chuckled. "Now I understand the urgency, we better pull over at the nearest opportunity." Coulson agreed. The smirk on his boss' face was practically visible over the comm link.
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Pulling into the gas station, he unbuckled and swivelled around in his seat to face Skye who was indeed jigging. "This needs to be a quick stop." He informed her, sternly. "The rest of you stay in the SUV and lock the doors behind us." He ordered them.
"Hang on. What if we have to pee too?" Tommy asked indignantly.
"Yeah, I'm hungry." Fitz complained.
He glared at the two of them. "Do you need to pee?" He asked Tommy, unsympathetically. Tommy shook his head no. He turned to Fitz. "I'm sure you can go twenty minutes without food. Skye's going to wet herself if I don't take her to the toilet so stop complaining and unbuckle her for me." He told them, irritably.
"I WEELLY HAVE TA PEE!" Skye yelled as he got out of the car to get her.
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Running into the gas station with a three year old isn't suspicious at all. He thought sarcastically while he waited outside the bathroom for Skye to finish. He heard her flush. "Nearly done?" He called through the door impatiently.
HYDRA could spot them so easily, especially after their entrance. He didn't get a reply. "Baby, you alright in there?" He asked her, knocking on the bathroom door. If she does come out in one minute I'm going in and that would be suspicious.
Skye's POV
She was trying to hurry but she couldn't reach the stupid tall people taps. Grant was rushing her. She just couldn't reach, not even on her tippy toes. She scowled up into the mirror, only seeing the reflection of the top of her head and furrowed brows.
Her frustration was bubbling up inside her and she could hear Grant calling her name. He sounds worried. She thought anxiously. She wiped her tears away with her forearm and unlocked the door before he could kick it down.
Grant's POV
"Finally." He muttered, hearing the door unlock.
Skye open the door looking like she'd been crying. He rapidly scanned her little body for injury, finding nothing he figured that this was an emotional hurt rather than a physical hurt. "What's the matter, baby?" He asked her, concerned. Something was obviously wrong, either that or she'd have an accident because he'd made her wait so long. He instantly felt guilty; he shouldn't have made her wait.
Skye's POV
She didn't want to explain, she could feel her cheeks growing hot. "I can't weach da tap. I sup-post to be a big girl." She told him matter-of-factly, tears rolling down her cheeks.
She crossed her arms defensively and wiped her stupid tears away in annoyance. She didn't want to need help with everything, she wanted to show him she was a big girl and could do stuff herself.
Grant's POV
He really didn't have time for a three year old's melt down right now. They needed to be on the road. "Baby." He chided, kneeling down in front of her and drying her tears. "Being a big girl doesn't mean doing everything on your own. Being a big girl means you know when to ask for help." He told her, standing up and leading her over to the sink and turning the tap on. He lifted her up at the waist so she could reach to wash her hands. He headed back towards the exit, wanting to get back on the road. He held Skye's hand as she trailed behind.
"I'm hungry." Skye informed him, stopping in the chip isle.
He sighed. "This was meant to be quick, in and out." He reminded her. Skye nodded, shifting from one foot to another while bitting her lip. "Didn't Gramsy give you breakfast while I was in the shower?" He asked her, realising he hadn't eaten all day.
"Yeah, but I'm still hungy." She insisted.
"Pick something quickly please, we need to go." He told her giving in. He gabbed some pretzels off the shelf and headed for the register.
Skye grabbed come chips. "Picked somein." She told him, lifting her arms up so he'd pick her up. "Can I do it?" She asked him shyly when he reached to give the man behind the register her chips.
"Fine baby, give the man the chips." He told her, his patients running out.
Six minutes longer than he wanted to be, they were back on the road. Fitz and Skye both happily munching on their road trip snacks. He glared at Tommy as he turned on the radio.
"I LOVE THIS SONG!" Skye squealed happily from the backseat.
He rested his elbow on the windowsill and pinched the bridge of his nose. Next time I'm taking the motorcycle. He vowed as Skye and Tommy started singing some Katy Perry song. He didn't think it was appropriate for a three year old once he heard the words- 'Daisy Dukes bikinis on top, sun-kissed skin so hot we'll melt your popsicle.' He nearly drove off the road.
Coulson's POV-Whereabouts: "The beach house."
He just couldn't help himself, he had to ask. "How was the trip, Agent Ward?"
Ward grimaced. "I'm taking the motorcycle next time, there's no radio." He informed him as he opened Skye's door to get her out.
He tried in vain to hide his smile. He just couldn't help but find it funny imagining the karaoke session that must have gone on between Skye and Thomas.
Grant's POV
He unbuckled Skye, shifting her straps aside. She'd fallen asleep after her third encore with Tommy.
Coulson chuckled. "I don't think Skye would be very happy about that."
He ignored Coulson's comment and gently lifted Skye out, she didn't even open her eyes just tucked herself under his chin and grabbed hold of his jacket. He closed Skye's door quietly and headed around to get their bags. The rest of the team were already assembled around the boot getting there stuff.
"Wow! This place is huge." Tommy exclaimed in awe, looking up at the house.
"It's gorgeous." Simmons agreed, looking at the gardens.
He left them stand there in wonder while he headed for the door. Unlocking the door he pushed it open, heading for the stairs. "Don't leave the lounge until I reset the security system. I'm just going to put Skye down for her nap." He told them, disappearing upstairs to his room.
Fitz's POV
He grabbed his bag from the boot, lagging behind as he followed the team inside. I was expecting something a little more Fort Knox less Better Homes and Gardens. He thought in amusement as he entered through the front door. He walked into an open plan kitchen and dining room. He blinked, his eyes getting used to the crisp white of the space. It was so light and open for a safe house. The tiled floor, ceilings and walls were all white with stainless steel appliances on the island bench which separated the two spaces.
The lounge the team was standing in was furnished with a dark oak coffee table, brown leather couches and armchairs. The TV was mounted into a wall full of shelves stacked with hundreds of books. Diagonal from that was a large open fireplace with drift wood stacked next to it.
The entire back wall of the house seemed to be glass, if he had to guess, you could look out at the ocean from the kitchen and see whoever was on the beach. The glass sliding doors looked like they open right up onto the patio leading towards the beach.
Grant's POV
He dumped his and Skye's bags by his door and carried Skye over to his bed. He pulled back his covers and gently placed Skye down, tucking her in. "Sweet dreams, baby." He whispered, backing out of the room and heading back down stairs.
The team was standing in the middle of the lounge where he'd left them, each looking in a different direction. "You know you can sit, right?" He informed them as he fiddled with the security system.
Fitzsimmons and Tommy's heads spun around to face him, Coulson and May obviously more aware of their surroundings just turned around to face him. "Just because it's white doesn't mean you can't touch it or something. It's just a house." He told them, mockingly.
They all wore sheepish expressions, except May and sat down.
"I reset the house security system so you won't trip it. It should only go off if the exterior doors or window are breached without the proper security signature. The motion sensors on the perimeter fence are on 24/7, excluding the beach access for obvious reasons but due to the bullet proof glass panels of the house, we should see anyone coming." He summarised for them. He watched the three youngest mouths dropped open in disbelief. He crossed his arms defensively; it was top of the line security.
Coulson's POV
He expected security to be tight, Ward wouldn't have taken Skye anywhere he couldn't guarantee her safety. He was still impressed though, this was quite the set up. "Well Ward, where do you want us to set up?" He asked him. He was willing to trust Wards judgement on this one.
Ward looked surprised but recovered quickly. "You and May can be on perimeter watch while Fitzsimmons can use the gym as a temporary place to keep the 0-8-4 so it's safe and secure. Gramsy and Tommy can set up in the dining room and I'll keep helping Skye deal with her past anyway I can." He told them.
Grant's POV
The team nodded. "Ahh…there are only four rooms. The fifth I converted into a gym which is down the hall, first door on the left. We're going to need to double up." He informed them. "Fitzsimmons can have Skye's room upstairs once I move her stuff. She can share with me, she will anyway." He said matter-of-factly. "There's two other bedroom on this floor. Agent May and Coulson can share one while Gramsy can sleep in the other with Thomas or if you want Tommy, you can crash on the couch. That's up to you." He said casually. "Oh bathrooms, on this floor it's next to the gym and up-stairs there's a joint access bathroom from Skye's room to mine, so Fitsimmons…I want you to knock." He to them sternly, last thing he needed was for them to walk in on him in the shower.
Fitzsimmons huffed indignantly.
Coulson stood up. "Let's get unpacked and set up." He told them, picking up his luggage and heading down the hall.
He watched the team scatter around his house, all except Fitzsimmons who looked slightly lost standing with their bags. "Come on, you two." He told them, heading for the stairs.
Fitz's POV
He looked at Simmons and shrugged, they followed Ward up the floating stairs to the second story landing. He looked over the glass railing back into the Kitchen and dining room. "I'm surprised Skye's rooms even on the second floor, after what happen on The Bus." He stated.
Ward rolled his eyes. "I wanted Skye close if something happen or she had a nightmare." He explained, pushing Skye's bedroom door open.
He stood there with Simmons in the doorway for a moment, he was surprised at how much Skye's temporary room looked like she lived here all the time. She'd really made herself at home. There were drawings stuck to the built in wardrobe doors as high as it seemed she could reach, dirty socks on the floor, clothes scattered around the room and toys everywhere.
The room even looked somewhat girly with the purple blanket and pillows on the bed, there was even a canvas on the wall.
Grant's POV
He noticed Fitzsimmons looking over Skye's room, frowning slightly he took a look around himself. It wasn't like someone was just staying here for a few days so they hadn't bothered unpacking. Skye had made this room hers, even though she really slept in his room. He found himself fighting a smile; he really didn't have a problem with it at all. He'd be quiet happy if Skye kept on living here when he got her back to being an adult but he'd prefer she slept in his bedroom permanently.
He picked up her purple blanket and folded it up. "Are you guys going to help me or just stand there?" He asked them, dryly.
"Sorry." They apologised simultaneously.
"What do you want us to do?" Simmons asked him, stepping forward looking for a place to start.
"You can gather up her clothes. Anything that looks dirty just chuck it into the hamper and I'll wash it later." He instructed her, pointing to Skye's laundry hamper. "I'll show you were you can put her clothes once we're done." He said and turned to Fitz. "You can gather up all her toys and just dump them in my room." He said indicating the adjoining bathroom through to his room. "Just try not to be too loud." He eyed Fitz, who was playing with one of Skye's toys fascinatedly. "We don't want to wake Skye." He told them, picking up a few of her toys.
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They'd have moved Skye's things quicker if Fitz wasn't distracted by every toy he picked up. He showed Simmons where she could put Skye's clothes in his walk in robe and Fitz made a pile for all her toys. It was all going smoothly until Fitz touched some toy of Skye's and it let out a high pitched siren noise.
"FITZ!" He hissed frantically. He watched Skye jerk awake, she clamped her hands over her ears then scooted under the covers where it was warm and safe. "Baby, it was only Fitz." He told her, shooting Fitz an 'I told you to be quiet' look. "It wasn't the alarm. It was only the firetruck toy you make me get at the supermarket." He informed her, pulling the blankets back so he could see her. She was curled up in a ball, hands over her ears and her eyes shut tight. He sighed, not surprised she reacted like this. Skye associated sirens with the alarm system he'd told her about. "Baby?" He called, moving her hands away from her ears.
She wriggled away from him, her eyes still shut.
"Skye, you're safe. It was only the toy, it wasn't a mad guy." He told her, soothingly. She seemed to recognise his voice, her eyes shot open and she scrambled over to him tucking herself under his chin.
Fitz's POV
Skye wasn't crying thankfully or he would have felt a lot worse. "I'm sorry, Skye. I didn't mean to wake you up." He apologised, feeling guilty.
Skye lifted her head from where it was tucked under Ward's chin. "S'kay Fitzy." She said quietly, giving him a small smile.
Grant's POV
He could see how bad Fitz felt for scaring Skye so he didn't say anything. "How about we go down stairs and see what foods in kitchen for lunch?" He suggested.
Skye nodded her head against his chest, clearly not walking herself down the stairs as she stayed put. Well she's not very good with stairs anyway. He thought cynically, setting her on his hip.
Fitz's POV
He kept doing this, he kept scaring her. Simmons must have noticed he wasn't with her because she waited at the top of the stairs for him to catch up.
"You didn't mean to scare her. It was an accident." She told him, leaving no room for argument.
He sighed. "It just seems I can't do anything right." He sat on the top step watching Skye watch Ward heat up tomato soup.
Simmons sat down next to him. "Skye trust you, maybe not like Ward, but she trusts you'd never do anything to harm her." Simmons told him, firmly. "It's you she missed the most." She said a little bit of jealously evident in her voice.
Simmons was now fixedly watching Skye, who was getting soup all over Ward's clean white kitchen. "She made Ward make pancakes. I think she missed you too." He told her incredulously, causing both of them to chuckle as they imagined Ward cooking something he deemed so unhealthy.
Grant's POV
"Baby, you're getting soup everywhere." He told her, watching her play.
"I'm practising my Bus." She told him, zooming her spoon around and sending soup flying all over the place.
"Well, how about I be the pilot?" He suggested, hopefully. He'd need to clean the kitchen ceiling at this rate.
Skye frowned. "I wanna do it." She objected. "I a big girl, I pilot." She insisted, clutching her spoon to her chest, dripping soup down her front.
He didn't want to argue with her but she was really making a mess. "Skye, how about you be my co-pilot?" He suggested, her hold on the spoon loosened but she didn't hand it over.
"What's a co-pilot?" She asked him, not understanding the term.
"A co-pilot helps the pilot fly The Bus." He told her, simply
"So d'ay share da flying." She clarified.
He nodded. "Yeah, they share the flying. Here, let me show you." He said, taking hold of her hand that still held the spoon. He scooped up her soup, flying it round with her 'help' than stirred it towards her mouth. "Open up, baby. The Bus is coming in to land." He told her, zooming the spoon into her open mouth.
She swallowed and giggled. "Being a co-pilot is fun." She told him clapping excitedly, bouncing in her seat. "Can I be your co-pilot for other stuff too?" She asked him, hopefully.
He set her spoon down and met her excited eyes. "Baby, you can be my co-pilot whenever you want." He told her, seriously.
Skye's eyes widen with excitement. "Weelly?" She asked in disbelief.
"Yeah baby." He told her sincerely, picking up her spoon again. "Ready co-pilot?" He asked in what he considered a sack-able impression of an aeroplane pilot for a level seven specialist.
Skye shouted. "READY." She set her little hand over his as he continued to feed her.
He stopped himself telling Skye he wanted her as his co-pilot for life, she was only three and wouldn't understand the significates of his feelings yet but he'd be quite happy sharing his life with her and anything else for the foreseeable future.
Yeah, she could be my co-pilot for life. He thought contently, zooming another mouthful of soup her way with her tiny hand over his.
