Chapter 17
AN: Thank you so much for the support. Please leave a review/comment. I really hope you like this chapter.
A while after they left the Fridge Tony, Rhodey, Hank, and Bruce arrive at the playground, having arrived after Weaver and everyone from the Academy. As they arrive they are directed by Eric to the corridor outside the medical area where Natasha, Carol, Steve, Sharon, Hope, Hand, Izzy, Daisy, Fitz, Phil, Mack, Valkyrie, Hunter, and Clint are.
"What's going on?" Rhodey asks, as he notices Daisy sitting between Carol and Natasha, each of whom are holding her hand, as everyone looks solemn. Looking around Rhodey recognizes the looks that people have on their faces when a solider is injured.
"May was hurt, badly," Phil says, his voice breaking as he hates to know that his best friend is hurt.
"Simmons, Bobbi, Trip, and a med team are doing what they can," Hope explains, as her father walks over and hugs her.
"Where's Fury and Hill?" Tony asks curious, as he doesn't see the pair.
"They're getting everyone settled in. vetting everyone," Hand explains, as one of the things they did was arrange for Mike to be in a room alone until they can be sure Cybertech is dealt with, which should be pretty soon, Tony nods, and the group drift into silence once more.
For everyone who cares about Melinda, both from the future and present, the wait for an update about her condition is incredibly hard as they all want to know she is okay.
"It shouldn't be taking this long," Daisy says, in a quiet voice, to Carol and Natasha.
"They would be doing what they can to try and save Mel's leg, so it could be a good thing," Carol explains, wanting to reassure Daisy as while she is terrified, as she loves Melinda, she knows that Daisy is Melinda's daughter, and so she would be even more worried.
"Mel's tough, Daze, don't forget that. She's died three times, a leg injury isn't going to beat her," Natasha says, trying to be reassuring and so she hides how worried she is about her best friend, as she uses Daisy's nickname that only she uses.
"May's died three times?" Phil asks, looking horrified, but before anyone from the future can explain that Bobbi, Simmons, and Trip walk out from the medical area, and the second they do Daisy, Carol, and Natasha hurry forward, with the others right behind them.
"How is she?" Daisy asks, looking desperate.
"May is completely stable," Simmons reveals, not wanting to discuss her theory for why that is until she can be sure/talk to Bobbi, and everyone looks relieved about that. "However, we were unable to save her leg, the damage was to severe," Simmons explains, pain in her voice.
"Have you told her?" Natasha asks, being sure Melinda is going to take that hard.
"No, she hasn't woken up yet," Bobbi explains, shaking her head.
"We'll tell her," Daisy says, it not being clear exactly who she is talking about.
"Okay," Simmons says, with a nod. "Bobbi and I will get started on a prosthetic right away," Simmons explains.
"I'll help," Hope, Tony, Hank, Bruce, and Fitz say together.
"Thank you," Simmons says, looking between them. "Creating a design shouldn't be a problem, but getting the materials to build it to the specifications I would like it to be is more difficult," Simmons explains.
"Whatever we need just name it, and I'll make sure we get it," Tony says, as he knows that he can open doors that no one else can.
"Thank you," Bobbi says, looking relieved, and Tony just nods.
"Can we see her?" Daisy asks, looking pretty desperate to see her.
"Of course, but she won't be awake for a little while," Simmons explains, and as soon as she finishes speaking Daisy, Carol, Natasha, and Phil head into the medical area, while Simmons, Bobbi, Hope, Fitz, Hank, Bruce, and Tony head off to the lab so that they can get started on Melinda's prosthetic. While Bobbi and Simmons desperately want to be with Melinda they both know they can help her more by getting started on her prosthetic.
Walking straight to Melinda Daisy and Carol pull chairs over and sit on Melinda's left side while Phil and Natasha do the same on her right. Once they are sitting down Carol reaches out and takes Melinda's hand.
"I thought May didn't like it when people take her hand," Phil comments, feeling that is the best way to make it so it doesn't sound like he is accusing Carol of something.
"She doesn't mind it now," Carol says, as she gently pushes Melinda's hair out of her face, and without even realising it looks at Melinda like she is her world.
Out in the corridor Steve, Sharon, Hand, Izzy, Clint, Valkyrie, Mack and Hunter watch the interactions and it makes those not from the future feel like they are intruding on something.
"I've got to know, who exactly is May? When Daisy said she was hurt even Fury looked horrified, and I know enough from Bob to know how big that is, and now this," Hunter says, pointing to where Carol, Daisy, Phil, and Natasha are surrounding Melinda's bedside. "Who is she?" he asks curious.
"The human personification of what SHIELD should be," Sharon reveals.
"Really?" Steve asks surprised, being pretty sure that it would be a big deal for someone who is related to Peggy Carter, though he isn't completely sure how yet, to say that.
"Really," Sharon confirms with a nod. "Mel was recruited by Aunt Peggy when she was a teenager. She was raised as daughter of an intelligent agent, and Aunt Peg trained her even more. On her first interaction with Fury she bet him in a sparring match and has been Coulson's partner since they were both at the academy," Sharon explains.
"All of us amazing SHIELD specialists you've seen today, me, Sharon, even Maria, were trained by May. She was even in my corner when I brought in Natasha and those two have clung together ever since, have understood each other in a way no one else ever has," Clint explains.
"May left field work after something happened on a mission, everyone was shocked, no one saw it coming. One of the best Agents SHIELD has suddenly left the field and no one could understand why," Izzy explains.
"For the last six years Mel has been the glue that held us together, even though she didn't realise that," Valkyrie explains. "She took in the kids whose family had been killed and did her best to make sure they had some semblance of a normal life. She was there for each and every one of us when we needed her, always puts everyone first; does whatever she has to do to protect everyone," Valkyrie explains.
"We need May, you'll all see that," Sharon explains, it being clear that she is completely serous, and not sure what to say everyone drifts into silence once more.
After leaving the others Simmons, Bobbi, Fitz, Hope, Hank, Tony, and Bruce head straight to the lab. While the lab isn't really set up yet it is set up enough for the group of seven to have a work space.
"I assume prosthetics have advanced in the future?" Tony asks as he would hope so.
"Very much so, and we have made a few," Simmons says.
"I can hear the but," Fitz says, knowing that because he knows his friend, and feeling glad that that is still the case.
"The prosthetics we have made, and improved, have been arms and hands. We haven't really needed to make legs," Bobbi explains, knowing that that is going to present a complication.
"Then we use that as a basis," Bruce says. "But we alter it for the different physiological requirements," Bruce explains.
"And we tailer it to May, to make it work best for her," Hank adds. "I take it you know Agent May's medical information?" Hank asks, looking at the people from the future, knowing that would be key.
"Of course," Hope says, and once she does they get to work.
A little while has passed since Daisy, Phil, Carol, and Natasha sat down next to Melinda and while the science squad has come in a few times it has, for the most part, just been the four of them waiting for the person who means so much to them all to wake up.
"Jem, why hasn't she woken up yet?" Daisy asks concerned, as Jemma checks all the machines monitoring Melinda.
"There's nothing to be concerned about," Jemma says, as she avoids looking at Daisy, Natasha, Phil, and Carol
"Jemma, what aren't you saying?" Natasha asks curious.
"Nothing," Jemma says, clearly lying.
"Jemma, Nat's right. You might have gotten better at lying, but you are clearly aren't saying something," Carol says, looking concerned.
"Jem, what is it?" Daisy asks concerned.
"I am not sure if it is anything to be concerned about," Simmons admits.
"But?" Daisy, Carol, Natasha, and Phil ask together.
"When we were at the academy I saw that centipede, serum was leaking into May's wounds. During the surgery, despite the catastrophic damage, Melinda's vital signs never wavered, and they haven't now. It looks like the serum is affecting May in some way. Bobbi and I have talked about it and realised that we won't be able to tell how effected May is until she wakes up," Simmons explains.
"Does that mean May's going to get strong? Be like the centipede soldiers?" Phil asks curious.
"It's too soon to say," Simmons explains. "I have to get back to the lab. I'll be back to check on May soon," Simmons says, before leaving, squeezing Daisy's shoulder as she walks past.
After Simmons leaves Daisy, Natasha, Carol and Phil once more drift into silence, as they wait for Melinda to wake up, it being more than clear that they are all thinking about the possible side effects Melinda's going to experience.
While Daisy, Carol, Natasha, and Phil are with Melinda, and the science squad are in the lab, the others, Fury, Maria, Steve, Sharon, Hand, Hunter, Izzy, Valkyrie, Clint, and Rhodey are all in the office with Billy.
"The US government have raided Cybertech," Maria reveals, as she hangs up the burner phone she has been making phone calls.
"Good, that means that Mike doesn't have to stay alone," Valkyrie reveals.
"Good, he'll want to see his son," Cint says, knowing that.
"May's the only one who knows where his son is, and who's with him," Fury reveals.
"I'm not surprised," Izzy comments, as that makes sense, as she knows that Melinda, knowing the future, would want to make sure Mike's son is safe.
"What steps do we have to take right now to end Hydra?" Fury asks, looking between Sharon and Valkyrie.
"With Pierce dead and Mallick being arrested we should give it a couple of days, see who the US government takes into custody, and then we deal with the people we know of who are Hydra who the government don't deal with," Sharon explains.
"Good plan," Maria says, with a nod.
A while after Simmons left them Daisy, Carol, Natasha, and Phil are still sitting around Melinda's bed, and she looks like she is tarting to stir.
"Mel?" Carol and Natasha ask, moving forward.
"Mom?" Daisy asks, moving closer too.
"May?" Phil asks, as he also moves forward, and as he does Melinda's eyes flicker open.
"Hey you," Carol says, smiling at her.
"Hey," Melinda says back, looking glad to see Carol. "Daisy?" Melinda asks concerned.
"I'm right here, May. I'm not going anywhere," Daisy assures her, as she reaches out and puts her hand over the hand which Carol is using to hold Melinda's.
"It's really good to see you awake," Phil says, looking glad.
"I second that," Natasha says, smiling at her best friend, and Melinda, quiet hesitantly returns the smile.
"I'm sure you all have more important things to do than sit with me," Melinda comments, as she looks around at the people she cares about so deeply.
"Nope," Carol answers.
"Not at all," Daisy says.
"I'm good here," Natasha says.
"We're right where we should be," Phil adds.
"Thank you," Melinda says, feeling glad that they are all here for her. "They couldn't save my leg," Melinda realises.
"No, they couldn't," Carol confirms, as she gently squeezes Melinda's hand.
"Jem, Bobbi, and the science squad are already working on a prosthetic. You know how good they are, so they'll be done soon," Daisy explains, and once she does Melinda nods, trying to digest everything.
As the group drift into silence Melinda realises what she needs right now is not all the people she loves,
"You shouldn't be here," Melinda suddenly says.
"What do you mean?" Phil asks, sounding confused.
"SHIELD has fallen, Hydra is everywhere, you should be dealing with that, not sitting with me," Melinda explains. "Stopping Hydra before they can reassemble is more important," Melinda explains, purposely not looking at anyone.
"May, sitting with you is important too," Natasha reveals, knowing that, and wanting Melinda too as well.
"I need some time," Melinda requests. "Please," Melinda says, looking between Daisy, Carol, Phil, and Natasha.
"Okay," Phil says, knowing Melinda well enough to know that she needs some time. "We'll talk later," Phil says, before heading out of the room.
"I'll go see how the science squad is going," Daisy says, squeezing the hand that is over Melinda and Carols. "I'll make sure they add cool gadgets to your leg," Daisy says, with a grin, as she stands up.
"No need for that," Melinda tells Daisy.
"Nah, I think you do," Daisy says, as she leaves the room.
"DAISY!" Melinda calls, but Daisy keeps going with a smirk on her face.
"I'm gonna go check in with Fury, make sure he's not doing anything stupid," Natasha says, quite reluctantly, before getting up and leaving, exchanging a look with Carol, who seems like she isn't going anywhere, as she goes.
After leaving the room Natasha heads out and just as she gets out of the medical area she finds Daisy waiting, and she isn't at all surprised.
"She's gonna be okay right?" Daisy asks concerned as she knows what she thinks, but she wants Natasha's opinion.
"Of course," Natasha says. "Look Daze, It's gonna be an adjustment, but Mel's tough. You know that better than anyone," Natasha admits.
"That's why I'm so worried Nat. When we were in 2091 May doubted her value because she was injured and couldn't protect the team," Daisy explains. "I'm worried that she is going to start to do this now," Daisy admits, looking concerned.
"Then we have to make sure she doesn't," Natasha explains. "Daze, Mel's always looked out for us, made sure we never doubted ourselves, now we need to do that for her," Natasha says, as she puts her arm around Daisy's shoulder.
"Yeah, we do," Daisy says, leaning into the arm of the person who is like an aunt and big sister all rolled into one to her.
"Come on, let's go find some Nazi's to beat up. It will help us both feel better," Natasha says, with a smirk, knowing that, and the two of them head up to the office.
Back in the medical area Carol has made no effort to leave Melinda, and she doesn't intend to. Carol knows Melinda well enough to know that while she may be pushing people away that's not what she truly wants, it's just what she thinks will protect everyone else.
"Isn't there somewhere you can be?" Melinda asks, hoping the answer is yes.
"Nope, I'm not going anywhere," Carol reveals.
"Carol…." Melinda starts to say.
"No, don't even start Mel. You think you can push everyone away, because you don't want them to see you struggling, but you know what, I don't care," Carol reveals, and as she does she moves Melinda's blanket off her leg, and Melinda avoids looking at the injury. "Mel, I don't care about this; it doesn't change anything for me. I love you, all of you, no matter what," Carol reveals, and as she does Melinda looks at the leg.
"I can't be the protector you know now," Melinda admits, as she stares at the stump of her leg, and tears come to her eyes.
"Yeah, you can, and even if you couldn't I wouldn't care," Carol reveals, squeezing Melinda's hand, wanting to reassure Melinda as she knows that it matters to her, but at the same time wanting to assure her that she doesn't care if Melinda can't be what she once was. "Like Daisy said a prosthetic is being built, so you'll be on your feet in no time; because your Melinda May, and this won't beat you," Carol says, knowing that.
"How can you be so sure?" Melinda asks, looking at care.
"I know you," Carol says simply. "Mel, for the last six years the two of us, and Nat, have become closer than most people become in fifty. So, I know you're gonna be okay, know you can handle this. but I also know you're not alone, and you don't have to push those of us who care about you away," Carol explains.
"I love you too," Melinda responds, feeling amazed, squeezing Carol's hand.
"Oh, and because I don't want you to be blindsided, Simmons is worried that you may have been infected with the centipede serum," Carol explains.
"Oh great," Melinda says sarcastically as she knows how problematic that could be.
"Don't worry, I'll help you test your strength," Carol says, with a flirty grin, and as she does Melinda smiles back.
After leaving Melinda Daisy and Natasha do exactly what they said they were going to do and go to the office where Fury, Maria, Steve, Sharon, Hand, Hunter, Izzy, Valkyrie, Clint, Phil, and Rhodey are.
"How's Mels?" Clint asks curious as Daisy and Natasha walk into the room.
"Carol is helping her," Natasha explains. "Daze and I need to punch some Nazi's. What bases are compromised?" Natasha asks curious.
"The Sandbox seems to be, just like last time," Sharon explains.
"Hydra took that fast with a powered person in our timeline, but Simmons and I made sure that he didn't get powers this time, so not sure what would have happened in this timeline," Daisy admits, being pretty sure she said timeline way too many times.
"Want to find out?" Natasha asks curious, looking at Daisy.
"Yeah, why not," Daisy says with a shrug.
"So, Sandbox, who wants to come?" Natasha asks curious and once she does Maria, Izzy, Steve, Sharon, Hunter, Valkyrie and Phil put up their hands.
"We'll monitor things here," Fury says, referring to those who didn't put up their hands.
"Sounds good, let's go," Natasha says, and once she does the group of eight leave the office, those from the future knowing that they a decent fight is how they all deal with things, and so it's exactly what they need.
