Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last section. You're all fabulous. Originally this was going to be the final chapter, and then it went over 9000 words even though I kept a scene out that I really wanted to include. I decided to cut the section in half and add that other scene.

XXXX

Chapter 46: What is family

December 1, 2014

Skye half expected to wake up in quarantine, being fussed over by everyone in giant white suits. Not in the spa room of the Stark suite covered in needles with a towel strategically covering her private parts.

"Why am I covered in needles? There all external, right? I didn't suddenly grow quills while I was unconscious?" Skye asked, concerned.

"So, you did see Raina post-transformation?" Tripp asked from beside her bed. Of course, he was there reading a Stark pad.

"Yes. Where is Raina?" Skye asked.

"She is currently being held at a secret Inhuman safe haven that I'm not allowed to know the name of." Tripp sounded annoyed as he explained. "Raina killed two agents before some guy with no eyes actually teleported her far away. She has claws now."

"And why are you here with me instead of going after Raina?" Skye asked, very confused.

"Because your boss has agreed to let the Inhumans govern themselves, and they will be responsible for Raina," Lincoln said as he approached her. "Nice to see that you're finally awake. Welcome to December."

"That's significantly less time than Fitz was out. Why am I covered in needles? Also, can I eat soon?" Skye asked. She felt ridiculously hungry.

"I'll text Fitz to bring you a sandwich for when we're done because obviously, the IV wasn't doing it. Acupuncture is a necessary part of the transition process. Honestly, we're making up the protocol as we go because every other person I helped with before did not transition in an ancient Kree temple. They went through several weeks of preparations beforehand at a minimum. Your body was not prepared at all for what it went through. Your DNA has essentially changed on a molecular level." Lincoln explained.

"I've always had to be different. I think that's why the nuns always hated me." Daisy remarked. Both Lincoln and Tripp chuckle at that.

"I've always liked a challenge," Lincoln smirked at her. "Gordon, a.k.a. the guy with no eyes that can teleport came by the compound yesterday asking if I would help transition, Raina. They're at a loss of what to really do."

"And you're still here?" Skye asked.

"He told him to go fuck himself. Which they deserve after pretty much excommunicating him the last few months for coming to work with us."

"Not in those words. I said I was busy taking care of another Inhuman that may be the elder's daughter. They're going to run a DNA test and get back to us. They have other people that can help with Raina, but you just have me trying to guide the rest of the team through the process."

"I'm glad you're here, despite the acupuncture." Skye smiled at him.

"We are almost done."

"What happened in Puerto Rico after I lost consciousness?" She asked both.

"Ross is now our only Hydra task force liaison. Also, I am recovering nicely from my relatively shallow stab wound. I will be cleared for duty soon." Skye smiled at that until she remembered who was responsible for the stab wound.

"And what about the guy who did it?" She really didn't want to refer to him as her possible father. It must be a lie.

"In the former Von Strucker holding cell." Tripp answers.

"So, I assume this means Fitz's uncle is at the Raft?" Skye asked.

"Yes."

"That's good. Only one evil person at a time. Please tell me you did a DNA test, and that man is not actually my father?"

"We did a DNA test." Tripp answers. "Jarvis will give you the results once we're done," Lincoln tells her before Tripp can follow up.

"And the fact that you're not telling me that he's not my father means that he is, and you don't want to give me the unwelcome news," Skye said, annoyed.

"Because you're still covered in needles." At that moment, the room started to shake slightly. "Also, you can do that," Tripp remarked.

"This is a peaceful space," Lincoln chides. "If you're going to trigger a shaking episode, you can let Fitz know he can take over his shift early."

"He's too busy making out with Simmons. He hasn't even replied to my text yet."

"They finally got together?" Skye asked, almost surprised. She didn't think they would ever actually work everything out. Though Skye knows that they were writing to each other while Simmons was on her Avenger detail.

"They kissed about 30 seconds before we told him that we needed them back," Tripp tells her.

"Fitz and Simmons are helping me with your transitioning. They're also trying to see if they can come up with something to help you with the hairline fractures that your powers are causing."

"I thought they were trying to figure out a way to…" Tripp stops speaking abruptly. Daisy is 99% sure it happened because Lincoln glared at Tripp, but she can't see that.

"Why do I feel like I'm missing something?" Skye asked.

"So apparently Raina's accomplice stabbed me due to the fact he has some weird version of the super-soldier serum complete with guerrilla testosterone and peppermint in his system." That felt like a subject change, but Lincoln was starting to remove needles now. So, she was just going to focus on Tripp's voice. She does not like this part.

"Are you saying it was the drugs that made him violent?" Skye asked.

"Among other things." She heard Lincoln mumble as he continued working.

"So, if that man really is my father, does that mean my birth name is Daisy? I remember him calling me that. You told me that was the name of your mentor's dead daughter. That means she probably really is my mom." It was at this point Skye felt the table shake a little bit. Seriously, how does she control this?

"Deep cleansing breath. Just relax. Focus on me." Lincoln whispers. "Let's just take things as they come. Right now, we're going to focus on you adjusting to your powers and getting your body healthy again. Everything else can wait."

"Okay," Skye said, doing as instructed. Thankfully, the room eventually stopped shaking.

"See no more earthquake." Tripp leaned over and kissed her head.

"One last question, who actually undressed me? I mean, I don't care if it's either of you, but…" Skye doesn't know how to finish that sentence, especially because she realized she's completely comfortable with Lincoln or Tripp undressing her.

"The first time my mom and May after that. Although I appreciate the open invitation." Tripp remarked.

"Hey, I'm a doctor. I'm a total professional." Lincoln added.

"Then why do you keep making eye contact with my breast?" Skye probably wasn't supposed to say that out loud. "Did you give me pain meds?" Skye asked as Tripp continued to laugh.

"Yes, because the hairline fractures, and I think it's just kicking in. I also think this is a conversation that should wait until after I'm done removing all the needles. It would also be helpful if you were no longer slightly high."

"Hey, if you two want to start making out, I'm okay with that. I would enjoy that, especially if I can join." Skye probably shouldn't have said that out loud either.

"Maybe for Christmas," Tripp remarked, smirking. She really wished she could see Lincoln's face right now. It was probably red.

Xxxxx

Since arriving back at the Avenger compound from a very disastrous May Stevens Thanksgiving that resulted in severe property damage, May has sat in on too many meetings. She was almost grateful that her mother and stepfather insisted they come along to provide babysitting services, almost.

Puerto Rico, while not a disaster, cannot be considered a success either. A now superpowered Raina killed two agents, and another two ended up in medical due to injuries sustained in the earthquake. An earthquake caused by Skye developing superpowers. After hours of debate and maybe threatening to shoot anybody who even thought about trying to lock Skye away, she felt they finally agreed on how to handle the situation. Yet she was wrong.

Today's meeting was supposed to be about what to do with the scepter they liberated from the Hydra compound. Now, it is in a 'pocket dimension' because it was unsafe for it to be transported to Asgard. For some reason, Thor asked that her stepfather attend this meeting. He refers to him as Steve Wilder of Mjölnir. Before she could ask about that name, the room started shaking, which triggered another round of discussions about Skye.

Lady Sif fundamentally believes that Skye and others like her are merely weapons for the evil Kree. Therefore, they should promptly remove to Asgard where they can be taken care of properly. Taking care of is obviously a euphemism for killing, and May will not have it.

"You are not taking Skye to Asgard." And you are not taking Antonio, May thought to herself as she stared the two Asgardians down in front of her. She wanted to smack the woman for merely suggesting taking Skye away.

"Obviously something must be done regarding this. Lady Skye is strong enough to split a continent apart if her powers grow unchecked. Her presence may trigger an invasion by the Kree returning for their weapons." Sif argued.

"If aliens invade again, we'll deal with it. However, I don't think we need to send my son's best friend to another planet. She might be useful in that instance. We have options. Not gel matrix CIA suggested options, but the science team is working on a few things." Tony argued.

Due to the events of Puerto Rico, Roslyn Price and Everett Ross descended upon the Avenger compound to discuss the situation. Ross was invited to be there, Price was not. After suggesting that Raina, once apprehended, be kept in a suspended animation gel cell until scientists can figure out how to remove her powers, Price was permanently banned from the compound. Ross was the one to do so. May is also 90% sure that her mother was in the process of having her removed from the Hydra task force.

"She is a weapon made by the Kree. Nothing they create can be trusted. She would be safe is in Asgard. Humans cannot deal with such things. Lady Sif went on for several moments more saying various derogatory things about people she knew nothing about. Her son was inhuman, as well. He was just the sweetest baby. Lincoln has been working with them for months, and she trusted him implicitly. At this point, May was mentally calculating if the new night night grenades will work on Asgardians.

"I think it's best if you take your xenophobic girlfriend and leave. May is about to go into mama bear mode, and I heard the last time she did that she broke somebody's larynx." Tony threatened.

"First of all, she is not my girlfriend," Thor interjected, and Lady Sif did not look pleased.

"Because you prefer the attentions of…" The lady did not finish that sentence due to the glare coming from her prince.

"I don't believe lady Sif means to take your child away from you," Thor said, and it took May a minute to remember he doesn't know that Antonio is Inhuman. He must be referring to Skye as her child. "Sif is merely suggesting that she come to Asgard until Skye has adjusted to her new powers. We have several among us that can train her."

"That is not what I suggested. At the very least, we should take the two under the influence of the Mind Stone." Thor glared at her again before she could continue.

"Okay, now I want to go mama bear because my kid is one of those abominations you keep going on and on about." Now she wants to hurt Tony for saying that. "Do you want to lock him away in one of your prison cells? Or do you want to do worse to an innocent little baby just because they're not the right race? You know I'm starting to understand why Reindeer Games has issues. Growing up around the xenophobic will give anyone issues."

"Tony, sit down and hug your boyfriend," Phil said from the front of the conference table, one hand rubbing his temple in frustration.

"I'm only following your instructions because I want some quality Steve time," Tony remarked as he sits in Steve's lap. Almost everybody is rolling their eyes except for Roger, who gives the couple a sad smile.

"Skye is an agent, and we take care of our own. Also, the Maximoff twins are in our custody and protection, and you will not be taking them either." Phil responded forcefully.

"However, feel free to take the guy who stabbed my nephew. Although I think his extra strength is caused by guerrilla testosterone. Sweetie, why do they keep trying to replicate you?" Tony asked Steve, who just shook his head.

"Of course. We mean no disrespect Son of Coul. Sif, do not respond."

"You know I feel like there's some trouble in paradise. I'm just going to let Agent deal with it while I take my boyfriend for quality kid time." Which probably would involve making out in the hallway before arriving at the nursery. This is the most either couple can do between newborns, Hydra, and the Puerto Rico fallout.

"But we must discuss what to do with the mind stone. We can't keep it in a pocket dimension forever."

"Better than here on Earth. We are not prepared for…" All eyes turned to her stepfather as he stopped speaking abruptly.

"I'm just going to take Melinda to see Skye right now. I don't think anyone is ready to take this as seriously as they need to. The stones will put a target on the backs of whoever has them. They need to be secured far away from Earth until we are ready to deal with those who come after them." With that, her stepfather quickly ushered her out of the room.

"Why do you know so much about those stones?" May asked as they started walking towards Daisy's room. She was still in one of the regular rooms, contrary to the suggestions of certain people now banned from the Avenger compound.

"I was with Howard when he was studying the Tesseract," Roger explained. She will allow that explanation to go for now, but she feels like there's something else he's not telling her. She gets that feeling with her stepfather a lot. He is a master of half-truths and misdirection.

"It's okay for you to be worried about Skye. She's your daughter too. This must be a scary experience for you. Especially because you're concerned about Antonio going through something similar.

"She's not." She tried to argue, but Roger just gave her 'the look.' Obviously, after more than 25 years of marriage, he has adopted it from her mother.

"She's your daughter as much as you're my daughter. I thought of you that way since your mom introduced us when you were an angry teenager who was mad, her mom was dating again." Roger placed an arm around her.

"Even though Erik is the good kid."

"You are both my children. We wanted you at a different agency because we want you safe. Maybe we were always worried that something like what did happen with Shield imploding would eventually happen. I tried to tell Howard not to participate in Project Paperclip, but he didn't listen to me."

"You are worried about me, I understand. You've always cared since the first time you met me."

"Your mom loves you; she just doesn't know how to express it at times. She did drive several hundred miles to pick you up when you were in Canada. You know she was terrified when Shield collapsed. She called your dad."

"I know." And she is still shocked about that.

"She fusses because she loves you."

"And now she has grandkids to fuss over. I could live without critiques on my bottle-feeding skills or diaper choices."

"I'll talk to her. Regardless, we adore both of the babies. We are a little concerned about how they came into the world, but we still love them." Roger knew the truth. Phil informed them when he needed their help to get her out of CIA custody.

"It doesn't matter. I'm surprised you stayed this long." She really thought her parents would be on their way to Maryland by now.

"Well, my stone knowledge is required. But also, we are retired. We can stay here if you need us. Your father is willing to help, as well. I don't think he's cleared to be here. Although I also think Tony's house in Arizona is scaring him. Apparently, Jarvis is there."

"That's a given for any Tony Stark property, and not everyone adapts as quickly as you. Once most of Hydra is in custody, we are probably going to move to one of Tony's houses in Arlington. It's currently being renovated to add a second master suite and the nursery." Once the twins were older, they would try living in separate houses. Only Steve can live with Tony for extended periods.

"The old Stark home?" Roger asked.

"Yes, the one on Arlington Ridge. With the secret base underneath that only you knew about." He was the one who told her how to get into Stark's house.

"Because I talked Howard into building it. Just in case it would ever be needed. I'm glad my grandkids will be there. I think you'll be safe there."

"I'm not entirely sure. I worry." She tells him honestly.

"About Hydra?" He asked.

"About how I can be a good mom, especially doing this job. Mom was hardly ever around. And I'm sure she did it to keep us safe, but it still hurt." Although apparently, she did better for Erik, that's because they were retirement age and mostly teaching at that point.

"You shouldn't be. You're a good mom. You're also living with multiple Avengers on top of a secret base. I think you're prepared for any contingency." Her stepfather joked.

"It doesn't feel that way," May tells him.

"You knew to get the children as far away as possible when your parents started arguing. That's pure maternal instinct."

"I really want to lock them in a room with Dr. Suarez. They've been divorced for more than 35 years. What is there left to fight about?" May asked, annoyed. She was tired of her parents' inability to get along. Her dad was friends with her mom's new husband but couldn't even get through one Thanksgiving with his ex-wife. They caused a fire.

"I'm not against this, and I really don't know at this point," Roger said just as they opened the door to the section of rooms where Daisy is. Of course, they almost run into Natalie Stark in the lab coat. May knows that she's been spending the last few days in the lab going through her husband's work because she's the only one who understands his notebooks. They're still trying to figure out what he did to the older twins. This was one thing he wasn't talking about.

"This is convenient. I was actually looking for you." Natalie tells them.

"Is everything okay?" May asked.

"Actually, I'm looking for your stepdad. I came across something in my husband's notes regarding the Tesseract, and I heard Mr. Stevens has some knowledge in that regard."

"I'll be happy to help. Let's go to your lab. You don't need May for this? She was going to go visit Skye."

"Not at this time," Natalie responded.

"Go on. I'm sure I'll see you in the nursery later."

"Okay," May said as she reluctantly left her stepfather behind to find Skye.

Surprisingly enough, Tripp isn't there. He's been practically living in Skye's room since she was recovered from the Kree temple in San Juan. Campbell, too, for that matter. But he was her doctor, so it was expected. Instead, Skye was animatedly talking to Fitz.

"I heard you and Simmons are finally together."

"Yes. Although we're taking things slowly due to…"

"Recently deceased former boyfriends?" Skye finished for him.

"Yes.

"I know you're still sad, but at least by the end, I think Ward was really starting to make peace with who he was. At least that's how I feel." Of course, as Skye spoke, the room started to shake slightly.

"Maybe you should try your breathing exercises," May suggested from the hallway.

"May, you're here, and you don't have a baby strapped to you." Even May will admit that at least 50% of the time, she has a baby strapped to her. It's become a constant practice since the almost kidnapping a few weeks ago. "Is that because you're afraid to bring the babies around me?" Skye asked, concerned.

"It's because the grandparents are here and hogging the babies. Your mom scares me even though she tells me to call her ā mó. Roger told me that's a grandmother equivalent." Fitz explained and maybe slightly surprised.

"I feel like that's to be expected of a May mom. Also, if she's teaching Fitz Mandarin, I should learn Mandarin."

"You can sit in on lessons when I'm teaching the twins," May suggested.

"I like that." Skye smiled.

"I'm going to let you spend some time with May. I'm working on something to cut down on the hairline fractures in your arms." Fitz kissed Skye on the four head before leaving.

"How are you feeling?"

"Really glad that the room is not shaking right now. Also, glad I'm not covered in either needles or quills. Bonus, I'm not blurting out weird things because of the pain medication. I think Lincoln cut my dose down after I accidentally suggested a threesome." May is not even surprised.

"You were told about Raina?" May asked because May specifically asked that Skye not know about that until she was 100% cleared.

"I saw her after I busted out of my cocoon, literally. I'm sorry I couldn't keep Raina from using the diviner in the temple. I know she killed two agents. That's my fault." She sees a tear falling down Skye's cheek, but at least the room isn't shaking right now. That's good.

"What happened with Raina was not your fault." May places an arm around Skye. In the last few weeks, she's become more comfortable with such gestures. She blames the twins and possibly little Alana. Although now living in an undisclosed Stark property somewhere in Europe, the child was a hugger while she was here.

"It feels like it, and now everything's different. I'm different. I start shaking the room when I freak out. Which is causing my bones to break, which is painful. What's wrong with me?" Skye nearly pleaded.

"Nothing is wrong with you. Yes, you're different now, but you're still you. It takes time to adjust to that. It won't happen overnight."

"Which is why you ended up in HR for several years after Bahrain?"

"Yes, but I don't want you to have to go through what I did back then, and you won't. You have an excellent support system around you."

"Are you still going to be my SO even though you have babies now and are an Avenger?" Skye sounded almost worried.

"Always. I was scared when Phil told us what happened." She nearly broke her phone. "I was worried, especially when you stayed unconscious for three days."

"Even if Lincoln told you that it's perfectly normal for people like me to sleep for days after transforming? Especially when he puts them on a nice mix of pain meds due to the broken bones?" Skye remarked.

"I don't always trust doctors. Also remember, my son is like you as well. I wasn't just worried about him, I was worried about you too. I see you like family as well." May explained as she saw a tear run down Skye's cheek. She quickly passed her a tissue.

"Ignore the crying. I'm just overly emotional because so much is going on, and everything's different. I'm trying to process that, and it's not really going that well. I'm sure I'll have a session with Dr. Suarez as soon as she has a moment." Skye remarked.

"Because of the powers? Lots of people on this bass have powers. Even I now have advance healing."

"And I think of you and Coulson as my parents too much to even think about why you have advance healing abilities. Okay, maybe Lincoln didn't turn down the medication that much." May was thinking something similar.

"I mean, I know you and Coulson are not actually my parents, but sometimes I see you that way. I know who my real parents are now. Apparently one of them is detoxing downstairs in lock-up." Skye remarked.

"I think of my stepdad as my other dad. I have for a long time. Parents are more than biology." May tells the young woman with a soft smile.

"It feels like for the first time, I feel like I actually have a family. Every time I felt something close to that before, I got kicked out. I know there was a protocol in place to keep me safe, but now I'm afraid that I'm going to be kicked out of Shield to keep me safe because of the powers." Skye tells her. The light above the two wiggled a little, but it's barely noticeable.

"We are not kicking you out because you now have powers. You belong here. You even have a last name now." At her words, the light stopped shaking.

"Apparently, it's something that starts with a Z." Skye joked.

"I mean, Carter. The same last name as the founder of Shield. It fits in a way." May explained.

"Daisy Carter does sound better than any combination with the Z. I'm thinking about maybe using my birth name. I think I like Daisy. I used it undercover a couple of times."

"That is your choice. However, I like the sound of Daisy Carter myself."

"I do too. Daisy Skye Carter, it is. New powers, new name." Skye smiled at her.

"Just remember, family doesn't leave you behind, no matter what." She tells Skye, no, Daisy.

"Is it okay if I hug you now? It will be good practice for when the babies get older." Daisy tells her.

"Of course, you can." They stayed that way until Phil pulled her out for another meeting.

To be concluded

Once again, a special thank you to Constance, who helped with Chinese language advice for this chapter.