Family Matters CHAPTER 20

It had been three weeks since Maria had spoken with Grace by the lake and everyone was back at work. Grace was staying at the new Avengers Facility helping to train Wanda and Pietro she was staying out of the spot light though. She and Steve seemed to be getting closer and Clint had been doing his best to always be around when they hung out at the facility. Natasha however seemed to be finding ways to keep him distracted. May and Coulson were back on the bus and Skye had been cleared for field work once again she was happy to be back to her normal rank. She and Jemma were rather close now and she enjoyed spending most of her time with Fitz and Simmons. Bobbie had been hanging out with them also but Skye always looked up to her as one of Maria's friends she could not help but keep her at that level even though she had tried making friends with her Skye held her at a higher respect. Jemma was the only one that knows that Skye has continued to stay in contact with Lincoln, or so she thought but it became clear that both May and Coulson both know considering they requested his help with a case they were working when they came across a new inhuman he agreed to help with their transition. Jemma seemed to like him especially when she found out that he was training to be a doctor. Everything was looking good for the May family…that was never going to last. The cases they had been given seemed to be getting stranger and harder...Coulson was getting a bad feeling about it, he had consulted Fury and Maria both agreed that something was coming.

Skye was training with May on the mats sparring with each other as they were stationed at a shield base restocking supplies after a rather long mission. Fitz and Simmons were in the lab with Bobbie and every now and then they would look out the door and watch as May would stop to teach something new to Skye. Skye was tired and sore as she was finished with her workout she was helping May wipe down the mats and return them to their correct places Phil was up the stairs he looked like he wanted to talk but gave a small sigh as he looked down on them.

"May you have a call in my office." Coulson informed her so she ended up leaving Skye to clean up which Skye complained about in a joking manner but stopped when she got a very specific look from her mother she almost could not stop the smile from pulling at her lips…almost. It was a look she had not seen since before the Bahrain incident.

May entered Phil's office surprised to see that it was Maria on the other end of the line and by her expression it was not good news.

"The avengers have been called to assemble." Maria stated knowing that the line was secure.

"Where?"

"Wakanda."

"Why?"

"Alien presence detected…war is coming." Maria stated as May looked at her oldest daughter she could see the signs of worry and stress.

"What can we do?" May asked thinking of ways she could support her family.

"You and Coulson have another mission…this might not come to anything. Nick just wants to be sure. We have the carriers getting prepped but King T'Challa has not formally asked for any help other than the Avengers."

"Sargent Barnes is there yes?" May asked knowing that he went there to help with undoing his brain washing.

"Yes, you should know that Grace is going with them." Maria stated this made May look at her. "She has trained with the Avengers for three months now. Clint and Natasha would look out for her let alone Steve. According to Nat the pair are inseparable. I know what you're thinking but I could not talk her out of it." Maria stated and May could see that she looked slightly guilty.

"If she made up her mind no one would be able to talk her out of it. What is our mission?"

"We have located Quin." Maria stated this grabbed May's attention.

"Where is he?" May asked

"Italy. I will send the data through to you. Do I need to ask this?" Maria asked looking at her mother who gave her a pointed look in return.

"What?" May asked even though she knew exactly what Maria was going to ask

"Can you handle this? or do I need to give it to someone else. We want him alive." Maria stated even though she looked like she did not necessarily want him alive. May raised an eyebrow at her waiting for her to elaborate. "He has intel on Gravitonium…so he has to be able to answer our questions." Maria stated when all she got in return was a specific look Maria sighed giving her a nod before she replied.

"Send the coordinates." May responded Maria searched her face for any sign but came up blank so she sighed.

"Be careful." Maria stated before sending through the coordinates.

"Watch over the others." May responded "And Maria…that was three sighs." May added before ending the transmission. May looked down at the tablet in her hands before moving out of Coulson's office. She was not surprised to see both Skye and Coulson sitting together at the lounge looking at her with expectant expressions.

"The others are being sent to Wakanda." May stated

"Are we going to back them up?" Skye asked

"We have our own mission. Maria is sending through the details now." May informed Coulson who nodded but he was looking at her waiting for her to continue he could tell that something else was on her mind.

"Grace is going with them." May stated

"Is she ready?" Phil asked

"She has been training with Nat and Clint daily. Maria says there is no talking her out of it."

"Is that all?" Phil asked noting that May was being hesitant this had him concerned.

"We are going after Quin." May stated but she was looking at Skye who seemed to go tense at the mention of his name.

"We have a location?" Phil asked he was also watching Skye's reaction.

"I assure you I am not going to break at the mention of his name." Skye stated looking at both her parental figures.

"Are you going to be okay with this? We can drop you off somewhere?" Phil stated

"If we do end up getting Quin I want to be there." Skye stated

"Okay, if it gets too much."

"I will tell you." Skye reassured her before getting up and walking to her bunk, she ended up walking past Bobbie who was heading to the kitchen.

"Wheels up in ten lock it or lose it people." May's voice came over the bus's com unit.