Hey babes! Thanks for all your love on the last chapter. Glad you all enjoyed it. New chapter comin at ya, but first...

A few review replies...

Melodie568: Thank you! As far as I know, I've usually been able to stay up and watch the ball drop. Probably when I was really little I wasn't able to keep myself awake. I've tried making resolutions too, but I have a hard time keeping them. :) It really is going to be an amazing year, and you'll figure out why very soon. Yeah, I usually try and update every Saturday/Sunday, sometimes I can't though. Thanks.

Guest: Thank you! You'll have to stay tuned. :)

Fini: Thank you! I don't know how often Sara'll call Skye 'mom' this year, but probably a few times. New chapter right now! :)

Time for a new chapter! Enjoy!

*January 2, 2015*

"Have you been having a good birthday?" Jemma asks over the phone.

"One of the best," Skye smiles into the phone as she lies back on Grant's bed.

"Oh really?"

"Mm-hmm. Grant and Sara woke me up this morning singing happy birthday and had made me breakfast."

"That's so sweet."

"Yeah, it was."

"What else did the three of you get up to today?"

"We watched some of my favorite movies, played some Monopoly, and had a picnic lunch in the backyard."

"That sounds very domestic," Jemma teases.

Skye rolls her eyes, "Would you stop?"

"Sorry, sorry."

"Thank you. And you know, even though I've been having a great time with Grant and Sara for my birthday, I am very excited for tonight," Skye says.

"Me too," Jemma replies. "It's been way too long since we've hung out just the two of us."

"Yes it has. And it only makes it better since it's my birthday."

"That it does. And I have our entire evening planned out."

"Please tell me we're going to do something fun."

"Of course we are," Jemma says, sounding slightly offended.

"Good. Because I do not want a repeat of two years ago."

"Okay first of all, it was not my fault they cancelled on us last minute. You know that."

Skye sighs, "Yeah, yeah."

"Good. And be at my place by five tonight. We'll have some dinner and then get our evening started."

"And what are we going to do?"

"Well that's for me to know, and you to find out."

"You're so mean to me," Skye fake pouts.

"Only because you deserve it some of the time."

"You're an awful friend."

"Yet somehow I can't seem to escape you."

Skye rolls her eyes, "Alright. I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah, see you then."

"That dinner was awesome," Skye says as she enters Jemma's bedroom. She hops up onto the bed and leans back on her hands, "So, what is the rest of the plan for tonight?"

Jemma moves to sit down in her desk chair, "Well, we can either stay here and watch movies while pigging out like we used to do as kids…"

"Or…"

"Or we can go to a club for dancing and drinking and then maybe get a tattoo while we're out."

Skye smiles, "That's more like it. And tattoos? Really?" She raises an eyebrow at her friend.

Jemma shrugs, "What? It's not like you don't have some already."

"I know. But you don't have any tattoos. I hate to tell you this, Jem, but getting a tattoo isn't exactly a walk in the park. They can be very painful."

"How do you know I don't have a tattoo? Maybe I got one and just never told you about it."

Skye raises an eyebrow, "Okay, first, you know I'd be super pissed at you if you got your first tattoo without me. And second, you tell me practically everything. There's no way you'd be able to keep something like that from me."

Jemma is quiet for a moment before letting out a sigh, "Fine. I don't have any tattoos. But recently I've been thinking about getting one."

"Have you told Fitz?"

"Why would I do that?" Jemma asks.

Skye shrugs, "I don't know. You two are dating, aren't you?"

"And that requires me to tell him everything I plan on doing? Especially if it's to my body?"

"Whoa, slow down. Relax, okay? I didn't mean anything by it. I just, well, I wasn't sure if he's seen you naked yet. Because if he has, he'd know you don't have any tattoos. I'm just really curious about how he'd react if he knew you were getting one. Because some guys think tattoos are unattractive. But other guys get really turned on by them."

"My sexual life is none of your business, Skye."

"So he has seen you naked," Skye smirks.

"I never said that," Jemma replies, a blush slowly creeping up her cheeks.

"But he has. Oh my gosh, does this mean you guys have done it? Please tell me you have."

Jemma is quiet.

"You have!" Skye squeals. "When?" Skye inquires further. Jemma stays quiet. "Come on," she pleads, "you can't just not tell me when. I need to know these things."

Jemma mumbles something incoherent.

"What was that?" Skye asks.

Jemma looks up at her, "I said Christmas Eve. He invited me over that night to have Christmas Eve dinner with him. After dinner we were on the couch talking and drinking this really nice wine he brought from his restaurant, and I leaned over and kissed him. He kissed me back, one thing led to another and then I woke up Christmas morning on the couch in his arms."

Skye's eyes widen and then a huge grin spreads across her face, "Jemma Simmons, I am so incredibly proud of you. You initiated your first time with someone. I am so, so proud." Skye wipes a fake tear from her cheek.

Jemma rolls her eyes, "Oh hush up. But back to earlier, you said tattoos turn some guys on. Is Grant one of those men? Because I know you two have slept together numerous times, so it's pretty much guaranteed he's seen them."

Skye smiles and lets out a small laugh, "Oh, he's seen my tattoos. And he loves all of them very, very much. I think it's one of his favorite parts about me. Whenever we do it he pays extra attention to each one. Like the first time saw the tattoo on my hip he went crazy. He started to—"

"Skye!" Jemma exclaims, cutting of her friends ramble before she has to bleach her brain. "I do not need to hear every explicit detail about your sexual relationship with Grant."

"So you can tell me about yours but I can't tell you about mine?"

Jemma furrows her brows, "That is…what? I didn't tell you any explicit details. Unlike you, I like to keep my private life private."

"Hey! I like to keep my private life private. You don't hear me talking to the paparazzi about how amazing Grant is in bed. Because he is absolutely fantastic. Oh my goodness. Like this one time when he—"

"Gah!" Jemma closes her eyes and holds her hands up. "Seriously, Skye?"

Skye rolls her eyes, "Fine. I'll stop talking about me and Grant having sex."

"Thank you," Jemma breathes out in relief. "Now then, shall we head out to our first stop of the evening?"

"Yes we shall," Skye smiles, "where are we going?"

"Only the hottest club in town, Providence."

Skye grins, "Oh, I love it there. I haven't been there in so long though."

"I know. Which is why I picked it."

"You are the best."

Jemma smiles, "I know."

"If we're going to a club," Skye says, looking at herself in the mirror, "we're going to need different clothes."

"Yes I know. Which is why I went to your house and picked out your favorite outfit to go clubbing in."

Skye's eyes go wide and she spins around to face Jemma. "Really?"

Jemma smiles and nods her head, reaching into her closet to pull out the outfit for Skye.

Skye squeals when she sees it and immediately takes it into her hands. "Hello, old friend," she smiles down at the outfit. "It's been a while. Let's hope you still fit."

"I'm sure it will," Jemma tells her. "Although, your cast will probably stand out quite a bit."

Skye glances down at her cast and frowns for a moment before looking back up at Jemma and shrugging, "So what? My cast is not the most important thing tonight. The most important thing tonight is that you and I have a ridiculously fun time."

"Yes," Jemma smiles. "Now go on, get dressed."

"Alright, alright," Skye smiles and then makes her way from the bedroom and into the bathroom to change.

"Hello ladies," the bouncer of the club says to Skye and Jemma as they approach the front of the club, forgoing the long line. "You here to get in?"

Skye smiles at him and nods her head, "That we are."

"Then I'm afraid you're going to have to get in line," the bouncer tells them.

Skye gives him a slight pouty face, "Come on, big guy. Don't you know who we are?" She gestures between herself and Jemma. Jemma just smiles kindly at him.

The bouncer looks back and forth between the two women. "Yeah, I know who you are. My daughter is a big fan of your music," he says to Skye.

"So…"

"So…back of the line. You may be a celebrity, but no special treatment. Not on my watch."

Skye huffs, "Fine. But I'll have you know—"

"Skye! Jemma!"

Turning towards the club door, Skye smiles at the man approaching. "Eric," she pulls him into a hug. "How are you?"

"I'm doing very well. How are you and your boyfriend? I heard about the accident."

Skye smiles kindly at him, "We're both doing a lot better now. Thanks for asking."

"Of course. And also, happy birthday."

"Thanks Eric, I can't believe you remembered."

"Of course I remembered your birthday; you're one of my best customers as well as a great friend."

"Glad to hear it," Skye smiles.

He smiles back, "So, what are you ladies doing out here tonight?"

"Celebrating Skye's birthday," Jemma informs him. "We're going to get tattoos a bit later."

"Good for you. And what are you doing before the tattoos?"

"Go drinking," Jemma tells him. "And maybe a bit of dancing."

"Where at?"

"We were hoping to get into your place, but your door guy won't let us through. So, maybe you can work some of your awesome club owner skills and get us inside?" Skye smiles hopefully.

Eric looks between the two women and then sighs. "Fine. I don't normally let people jump the line, but it's your birthday, and you're one of my closest friends. So I guess I can let you in."

Skye beams, "Yes! Eric, you are the greatest."

He smiles, "Thanks. Now come on," he gestures with his hand for the two women to follow him inside.

Skye and Jemma happily follow Eric towards the entrance of the club. Skye stops and turns towards the bouncer, "Hey, do you have a pen and piece of paper?"

"Uh, yeah." He pulls out his pen from behind his ear and then tears off the bottom of one of the sheets on his clipboard, handing them both over to Skye. "What for?"

"What's your daughter's name?" Skye asks him as she takes the two items.

"Jenny."

Skye smiles and then looks down at the paper, "Jenny. Your dad says you're a big fan. Thanks for loving my music. Keep being as awesome as I know you are. Love, Skye." She looks back at the bouncer and hands the paper and pen back to him.

He just smiles wide, "Wow. Thank you so much. This is going to make her go crazy and I'm going to be her favorite parent for the next year."

Skye laughs quietly, "It's no problem." She gives him a smile as she turns back towards the club and walks inside.

"Alright alright," the DJ on the stage speaks up. "How are you all enjoying your night?" Everyone in the club cheers. The DJ smiles, "Now that's what I like to hear. Okay, before I play another song, I heard something very exciting earlier. Word has it there's a birthday girl down there somewhere. One of the hottest celebrities of the time. Where are you at, Skye?"

Everyone cheers again as Skye blushes slightly and raises her hand into the air. "I'm over here."

"There she is," the DJ smiles. "Can we get a spotlight on her?" A moment later, a bright light is shining down on Skye, illuminating her to the crowd. "That's much better, so beautiful. Probably the most beautiful woman in the room."

"Stop sucking up Vinny!" Skye shouts. "You've been trying that since high school. I'm not going to date you!"

"Never say never," Vinny replies quickly with a small smile. "Okay, because it is your birthday today, we're going to play a very special song for you. This is going to be a bit of a throwback for most of you in here tonight. I know you love this song, Skye, so don't even try and deny it." He hits a few buttons on his equipment before a song starts to play.

Skye's eyes go wide and then she starts laughing when she recognizes the song. "Oh my gosh!" She shouts. "I can't believe him. It's Bye Bye Bye! I used to be obsessed with this song."

"I know, Skye," Jemma replies.

"Come on, let's go dance." She grabs Jemma's hand in hers, taking another swig of her beer and then pulls her best friend onto the dance floor.

"Happy Birthday, Skye!" Vinny shouts over the music.

"Thank you," she calls back and continues to dance with Jemma.

"Ooh, here it is. This is the shop I go to," Skye tells Jemma as they approach the tattoo parlor.

"Really? It looks kind of…"

"Relax, Jem," Skye says to her best friend as she places a hand on her arm. "It's fine. The guy who works here is totally chill. And his artwork is incredible."

"Alright. Let's go in, then."

Skye grins, "Awesome. Come on." She grabs Jemma's hand and then pulls her towards the front door and into the shop.

"Hey Katie!" Skye greets the girl behind the counter.

The girl looks up and smiles, "Skye, hey. It's been a while. You here for another tattoo?"

Skye smiles, "Of course. And my friend Jemma is going to be getting a tattoo as well. Her first ever."

"Well then it's a good thing Marco is in tonight."

Skye smiles, "I was really hoping you'd say that."

Katie chuckles, "Let me go see where he's at." She stands up from the desk and makes her way into the back of the shop.

"I take it Marco is really good?" Jemma speaks up.

Skye turns towards her, "He's the best. And he's also the only one I trust to do my tattoos."

"Then I guess I'm okay with this."

"You're the one who suggested we get tattoos," Skye reminds her.

"Yes, I did, unfortunately."

Skye rolls her eyes, "Relax. It won't be that bad. Just get something small that doesn't have a lot of color. It'll be less painful that way."

"There's my favorite customer."

Skye turns towards the back of the shop and smiles at the man approaching, "And there's my favorite tattoo artist."

"Well I better be your favorite," Marco grins. "Otherwise we're going to have a serious problem."

"Don't worry. You're still the best."

"Good. Now, what can I do for you this evening? I assume you're getting a tattoo."

Skye nods her head, "Yes we are. This is Jemma, it's her first time getting one."

Marco turns to Jemma and smiles, "Well welcome to my shop, Jemma. Glad you decided to choose me to give you your first tattoo."

"Well, I didn't exactly have a choice. Skye's the one who dragged me here."

"It's my birthday," Skye tells Marco. "She suggested we get tattoos without actually finding a shop to go to. So I told her about your place."

"Well thank goodness for that. And happy birthday," he smiles at her.

Skye smiles back, "Thanks."

"So, what are you ladies going to get?"

"I'm not quite sure," Jemma replies. "I'm a model, so it can't be anything too flashy or too exposed."

"Something pretty simple and easy to hide, got it. Any idea of where you want it?"

Jemma shakes her head, "No, sorry."

"That's alright," he smiles. "I'll think of something. And for you, miss Skye?"

"I'm thinking about getting an anchor. With my boyfriend's name inside of it."

"Putting your boyfriend's name in ink," Marco says. "Isn't that a little risky?"

Skye shrugs, "For most people, maybe. But I don't plan on letting this one go anytime soon."

"Alright. Where do you want it?"

"On my chest. Right on the middle."

Marco raises an eyebrow, "Really now?"

"Yeah," Skye smiles. "My boyfriend really loves my other tattoos, so I figure this one will really drive him crazy."

Marco chuckles, "You really are something else."

"Tell me something I don't know," Skye grins.

"Alright, well, let me go in the back and draw up a sketch for you Skye, and see if I can find something to suit your fancy, Jemma."

"Thanks Marco," Skye smiles at him as he walks into the back of the shop.

"I'm kind of nervous about getting a tattoo," Jemma tells Skye.

"You'll be fine," Skye assures her. "Just be sure to take deep breathes, and don't focus on the pain."

"And that'll help?" Jemma asks.

Skye nods her head, "Absolutely. When I got my first one, I talked to Marco the entire time, telling him about some of my plans for a few songs. The tattoo was over pretty quickly."

"So if I get something small and then talk the entire time, it'll feel like no time at all has passed?"

"I guess so, yeah."

"Excellent. How long is it going to take him to get those drawings done up? Because the longer I sit here, the more nervous I get."

"Relax, Jem," Skye says to her. "He should be done soon, he's a pretty fast artist."

"Okay, that sounds good," Jemma takes a deep breath.

"Do you want to just sit here in silence until he comes back out with the drawings?" Skye asks.

Jemma nods her head, "Yes, that actually sounds great. I think I just need to sit quietly for a little while."

"Then sit quietly is what we'll do," Skye smiles.

"Alright ladies," Marco walks back out into the lobby, "how do these look for ya?" He stops in front of Skye and Jemma, handing them each a sheet of paper.

"This is incredible," Skye smiles down at the anchor on the page. She looks up at Marco, "It's even better than I thought it'd be."

"I'm glad you like it," Marco smiles. "What about you, Jemma?"

"It's beautiful," Jemma tells him.

Marco nods his head, "A beautiful flower for a beautiful girl. I figured you'd like something a bit elegant, and I thought we could put it on the back of your neck. That way it'll be easy to cover up for photoshoots and whatnot. You like it?"

"I do," Jemma smiles. "This is so beautiful."

"I'm glad you think so," Marco smiles. "Now then, who wants to go first?"

"Jemma does," Skye speaks up quickly.

Jemma's head snaps towards her, "What?"

"You're going first," Skye tells her. "And don't try and argue with me, because if you go second, then it just gives you more time to chicken out."

Jemma sighs, "Fine. I guess I'll go first."

"Good. Now come on, let's go get you in that chair." She stands up and grabs Jemma's hand, pulling her towards the back where the tattoo chairs are at. "Lie down on your stomach and let Marco tattoo you."

Jemma sighs and lies down in the chair, moving her hair away from the back of her neck. She takes a deep breath, "Alright, I'm ready."

Lying on his bed, Grant is about to close his eyes and fall asleep when he hears a small trill from his phone, indicating a new text message. Rolling over, he picks up his phone and looks at the screen to see a new text from Skye. He slides his thumb across the screen and unlocks it, waiting for the message to load.

Hey there, handsome.

Hey. You having fun with Jemma tonight?

Tons of fun.

That's good. Now why are you texting me? Shouldn't you be enjoying your best friend time?

I have a special surprise for you.

For me?

Yeah.

Well what is it?

I got a new tattoo tonight.

He grins. Oh really.

Yep. You wanna see it?

Of course.

You like?

Smiling to himself, Grant clicks on the photo to enlarge it and then sucks in a breath when he sees it. It's a photo of Skye, smiling flirtatiously at him. She's wearing a button down shirt that's opened just enough to show off the valley between her breasts. A black and dark blue anchor is sitting in the space, his own name written across the inside bottom of it.

He taps inside the reply button and quickly writes a message back, Best thing I've seen all day.

I thought you'd think like that. :)

I do like it very much. It really suits you. :)

Glad you think so. You can have an up close look when I get home later ;)

Sounds like fun.

Oh it will be.

So? What did you think? Let me know in a review down below. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Quick note, I most likely won't be updating next week, because I'll be in Utah for my brother's graduation. So unless I can find some time to update, I won't be. Just giving you a heads up.

Also, I couldn't help throwing in a little N'Sync. :)

Until next time,
Jellybean96 out!