Ain't No Way Around It
Hope all of you are safe and healthy as we make our way through this bizarre new world. Please stay at home, stay calm and stay safe.
Daisy held out a hand and stood still, waiting for whatever might come next. When everything remained calm she turned and reached out a hand to Dr. Liu who had fallen to his knees.
"You okay, doc?" She inquired, stepping carefully over the broken glass on the floor.
The doctor took the offered hand and stood, still holding tightly to the carton. "Yes…yes, thank you." He hurried to the nearest table and set the box down, pulled off the lid and let out a relieved breath. "Thank the great prophet." He sighed. "Nothing has been damaged."
Daisy peered into the box and scrunched up one side of her face then looked up at the doctor.
He gave her a quick nod and pulled one item from the carton. "This is the means by which you shall return to your own time and place." He held it out to her.
Daisy stared for a moment. It looked very much like one of those helmets dirt bikers wore with the exception of the full face shield that apparently was translucent. And the wires that ran from a large plug on the back base. "You gotta a bike to go with this?" She quipped.
"There is no need for anxiety, Agent. I assure you this is safe." The doctor sensed her use of humor to mask her feelings.
"Yeah, all ninety-seven percent of it…" Daisy mumbled as she handed the helmet back.
The doctor smiled and carefully placed it back into the carton then closed the lid. "Now I think we should investigate the reason for all of this." He nodded toward the wreckage in the room as he slid the carton back into its space on the back table. "I am certain my team has initiated an alarm."
Daisy cocked her head, turned down both sides of her mouth and shook her head. It didn't sound like anyone had sounded anything.
"There are a variety of alarms, young one. Some are more effective in silence." He smiled that thin smile again. "Come," he motioned toward the door. "I am sure there will be results."
xx
"No, no," Fitz waved his bandaged mitt. "Not that one…this right here," he made a failed attempt to point.
Mack rolled his eyes and let out a frustrated huff. "You know, Turbo these fingers are only a breath smaller than that glove of yours. Gimme a minute." He rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Perhaps smaller, faster fingers," Elena held up her hands and wriggled her fingers. She flashed a wide smile. Before Mack could protest she added, "I can follow Fitz's direction as well as you are doing, Turtle Man."
Mack wobbled his head in time with the deep chuckle that escaped him. He held the thin cable out to her and waited for her to take it before drawing back then held up his large hands and imitated her wriggle. "You're in charge. I'll take these large, strong hands and detach those couplings." He wobbled his brows at her and stepped aside.
"Okay Dr. Scientist what do I do first?" Elena turned to Fitz.
"The yellow wire must not touch the gold and green needs more plastic removed…" he began.
xx
The man obviously in charge led both couples and Skye through a maze of hallways to yet another door. In his black silk suit he looked more like an executive than a security guard. His voice was commanding but polite, although he didn't really leave a lot of opportunity to disregard those requests. The half dozen men that helped escort them seemed a bit more military.
Mr. In-charge smiled broadly as he pulled the door opened and directed them inside. The six armed guards that followed made no move to enforce his request but were enough to convince Melinda and May to stand down. Skye held tightly to her parents' hands but kept close watch on Daisy's mom and dad. She gave a quick nod when Melinda put a finger to her lips indicating she should be quiet. The little girl wanted to ask where her friend was or why they weren't all together, but everything was happening so fast she couldn't form any calm thoughts. And nobody was helping Yeye and that was the most important thing she needed to do. Skye drew a breath, ready to speak but merely exhaled when Melinda shushed her with a glance.
Once inside the room the In-charge man nodded toward the numerous chairs and couches. "Please make yourselves comfortable." He smiled broadly.
Skye scrunched up her nose. It looked like the waiting room in her doctor's office. She never got comfortable there. It was the most uncomfortablest place she could think of…ever. Drawing a deep breath she almost smiled at the fact it didn't have that 'you're gonna get a butt shot today' smell. Before she could comment, Melinda pulled her to stand in front of her and wrapped her arms around the little girl's shoulders. May smiled at how perfectly the two fit together and felt the pang of worry for her own child.
"It seems we've had a unique series of events," the man informed them, "and it also seems our lead scientist is indisposed. But as soon as he's sorted through this situation he'll join you." He motioned toward the door they had just entered. "My team will be outside should you need anything." At that comment he grinned at Skye then glanced quickly from Melinda to May. Both women understood the unspoken warning.
"Where's my Yeye?" Skye demanded, stepping away from her mother and around May. With one foot forward and hands planted on her hips she channeled her both versions perfectly.
"Skye!" Four parents reprimanded.
Melinda laid her hands on the child's shoulders, pulled her back and opened her mouth to speak but stopped when the man held up a hand and squatted down in front of Skye. "You're grandpa," he began.
"Yeye," Skye corrected with a puppy-sized snarl. Melinda squeezed her shoulders a bit. Skye relaxed then looked back and up at her mother. "He's my yéyé." She spoke softly then dropped her gaze to the floor at her mother's glare. "I'm sorry." She mumbled quietly.
"That's alright," the man smiled at the girl. "You're yéyé," he began again, "has a very bad headache but he's fine and you'll see him very soon." The man attempted to stand but Skye grabbed the lapel of his jacket and tugged gently. He raised a brow in question.
"Where's Daisy?" She squinted in an attempt to imitate her mother's glare.
The man gave a quiet snort and stood, patting the little girl's head. "She's safe as well. Dr. Liu will join you soon and answer all of your questions." He gave one nod toward the others and exited through the door they'd entered.
May quickly scanned the room. Skye stepped closer to her and slid her hand into the woman's. May squeezed it a bit then smiled at the little girl.
"It's okay, May-mom. Daisy's okay. She didn't make the shake. She thought it was her but she didn't do it." Skye assured her.
May knit her brows and glanced to Melinda who shook her head, equally bewildered. "What are you talking about, Skye?" She asked her daughter.
Skye shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno, cuz I'm not thinkin' it but she is. I think she wanted you ta know." She shrugged again and turned back to May. "So don't be mad at her cuz she's okay…for now." Skye smiled and patted the back of May's hand before moving closer to her mother and father.
May glanced at Coulson. He looked as worried as she felt. This was the first they'd been in with only one door and it was well guarded. Any attempt to get out or neutralize that muscle could jeopardize Skye's safety. And that little girl did not need a full up front view of her mothers' might or abilities. May was certain her counterpart had kept that from the child.
She took in the entire room as Melinda and Phil were reassuring their child. No vents, no windows, not even a damn bathroom…only one way in and one way out. Coulson visually searched the room as well. No intercom this time, no way to communicate with the outside. The best he could tell there was no camera either. Whatever the hell this place was they were not being monitored. He let out a breath and dropped into the nearest seat.
"You're just going to sit there?" May admonished.
Coulson turned up his palms. "Not much choice is there?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Guess we wait for the lead scientist."
May let out a frustrated huff and dropped down next to him on the small couch.
Melinda held a hand to her head for a moment, massaging her temples. Skye watched, then looked to her father who had closed his eyes and let his head drop back.
"How come yer not doing it anymore?" The child's voice broke the silence of the room.
"Doing what, bao bei?" Melinda breathed, still rubbing her forehead.
"Talking all together," Skye replied, tilting her head to look into her mother's eyes.
Phil put a hand to his own head and held it there, almost feeling the dull throb behind his eyes. "It's just better to be a little quiet right now, sweet pickle."
Skye smiled. "I'm still not a pickle. And I mean like in the kitchen when you all said all the same words at the same time." She furrowed her brow. "How did you even do that?"
"She's right," Coulson stood, suddenly aware. "We've been together since the 'blue bang' and nothing freaky's happened."
"Probably one of Liu's tricks," May snorted with shake of her head.
"I don't think it is." Coulson disagreed. "I think it had more to do with that blue field that knocked all of us."
Skye jumped to her feet. "Was it like fireworks only not in the sky or the night?"
"You saw it?" Phil squinted at his daughter then leaned forward and spun her to face him. "Were you hurt?" He ran a hand over her head and quickly scanned for bruises.
"Uh ah," Skye shook her head. "I just fell in the weird bathroom when it got all shaky." She pulled away from her father. "Was it?" She repeated.
"I guess." Coulson shrugged. He could think of a lot of technical ways to describe the blue flash but the child's description worked.
Skye slapped her hands together and bounced on her toes. "You touched, just like me and Daisy when we got sick that time. It made everything different. It made us be there like we are now. I could see her like now, not just in my head. It fixed us."
Before any of the 'parents' could respond the door opened, admitting William and Dr. Liu.
"Yeye!" Skye shrieked as she sped across the room and plowed into the man. "Yeye, you're okay. I tried to get help and I ran and yelled and then mommy and May and these guys and…" She spoke faster than anyone could understand.
William hugged her tightly, then pushed her back far enough to look into her teary eyes. "I am fine, sunnu, just a small bump." He rubbed a hand on the back of his head. "Dr. Liu's friends found me in the hallway and made sure I was not hurt." He hugged her again. "I was worried about you but I see you have managed to find your mother and your father as well as their friends." He smiled at the rest of the occupants of the room.
Dr. Liu did not look as relieved to see the group. He spoke with a bit of tension that he tried to mask with concern. "It is not good that you are here together and we have little time." He looked to May and Coulson. "We must prepare for your voyage and discuss a matter that may not please you."
May took one step toward the man and spoke through her teeth. "Where's Daisy?"
"I apologize for the actions of Mr. Lacy. There are times he takes more liberties than he should." Dr. Liu shook his head. "Please come with me." He turned to the still opened door.
"We aren't going anywhere without Daisy." May held her ground. "Now, where is she?" Her hands curled into tight fists.
"Melinda, there is no reason to take such a tone with Dr. Liu." William spoke to the woman in the same tone the younger Melinda had admonished Skye earlier.
May narrowed her eyes and drew a breath through her teeth. "I'm sorry, Baba, but this ends here and now. I'm tired of all this run around." She stepped forward. "Where_is_Daisy?"
"Daisy is waiting for us in the observation galley." The doctor answered. "I will show you the way." He spoke to Melinda and Phil. "But I must speak with you separately." The comment was directed to Coulson and May. "Come, please."
xx
"You'll have to do it," Fitz's voice shook with exhaustion as well as anticipation.
Mack held the scalpel in his hand. "I don't know, Turbo. I'm pretty good with a hammer or even an axe but this," he held up the pencil sized tool. "This is…is…" the large man shrugged at his loss for words. The tool was lost in his massive grip.
Jemma shook her head in frustration. "Oh, just give it to me." She held out a hand. "I'm practically the only one who even knows how to hold it."
"Jemma, I'm not even sure this will work. The bloody thing could blow up in your hand." Fitz warned in a quick breath.
"Say what?" Mack's jaw dropped.
"Well, we haven't really tested it and Yoyo here would get you out of the way before…" Fitz's voice trailed off at the icy look from Jemma.
"Then I guess she can do the same for me." The young woman quipped. "Now, show me what to do."
For a few moments the two scientists glared at each other in a silent stand off. Fitz looked away first, turning to the hose stretched out across two table tops set on several boxes. "You need to make two precise cuts. One here," he tapped the hose with the tip of his bandaged hand. "And there," he nodded toward a bright orange line drawn on the hose six feet away.
Jemma gave a quick nod and settled the laser scalpel in her hand. She took a step forward but stopped when Mack's hand fell on her shoulder. He turned her to face him and placed the safety goggles he had been wearing on the bridge of her nose. She thanked him and turned back to the job to be done.
xx
Dr. Liu led the small group back to the major laboratory after dismissing Lacy and his guards. He pulled open the double doors and strolled inside again without alerting the technicians working there. May and Coulson exchanged a raised eyebrow glance while Phil and Melinda's was one of bewilderment. Skye grasped William's hand tightly but stared wide-eyed at the activity in the large room.
Once they'd crossed the room in a diagonal path, Dr. Liu opened yet another door and held out a hand allowing Phil's family to enter. He held out a palm in front of Coulson and May. "If you would," he began as both groups questioned with only their eyes. "My friend and his daughter's family should be comfortable here while you and I discuss what is to come." He smiled at all of them, waited until Coulson and May stepped back toward a second door, then moved across the room and flipped a switch illuminating a large two way glass. But not before pulling the door closed behind him.
"Daisy!" Skye squealed as she ran to it, slapping both hands against the cool surface. "Hey, Daisy!" She called, tapping the glass lightly. "Daisy!" She called louder then turned with a fine pout. "I don't think she can hear me."
"No, child," Dr. Liu smiled. "This room is quite sound proof, but it allows you to view what transpires in the opposite chamber."
Skye scrunched up her nose. "You talk kinda funny." She remarked before Melinda pulled her aside and scolded quietly.
For a beat the doctor and Phil watched. "The child is but curious." Dr. Liu remarked as he shook his head. "It would do well not to discourage her."
Phil smiled. "That one is not easily discouraged."
"Please keep your family here, Mr. Coulson." The doctor requested quietly. "There is much to be done and it will be best if you and your doubles are separate. The previous situations did not end well. The risks are very high and in order to save all of us we must move quickly."
"What are you saying?" Phil felt the serious nature of the doctor's tone.
"Time is growing short, Mr. Coulson. Both worlds are suffering because of this displacement. I fear if it is not corrected the results could be devastating. Our world is on the brink of what may become an age of ice. I cannot imagine what their world is becoming." He nodded toward the large window.
Phil glanced at a contrite Skye who nodded at May's gentle reprimand although she stared at the toes of her shoes. William stood behind the child. He turned back to the doctor. "I understand." He barely spoke.
"I assure you it is safe for them here. This process is untested but it is the only means we have of correcting this debacle. Once this is done I must destroy everything to prevent it from falling into the hands of those who would use it for disastrous purpose." He took Phil's hand and pressed a set of keys into it. "The snow-cat is a short distance from the entrance. Use it to take your family to safety." He pushed Phil's hand closed and smiled.
"But, what…" Phil called after the man as he headed for the door.
Dr. Liu smiled as he rested a hand on the door handle. "I have lived a full lifetime. I am the last to have this knowledge…the knowledge Everett and I destroyed years ago. Once I am gone there will be no way of reproducing it." He turned back and grinned. "Both worlds will be safe."
Phil looked at the key in his hand. He nodded toward the doctor who gave a short nod and exited the room.
xx
Daisy paced around the small room. She stepped inside one of the capsules and stared at the dark inside. She considered pulling it closed but with a second thought shook her head and stepped out. There was no reason to tempt fate. If she broke the damn thing they'd never get home.
There were a lot more wires than Fitz had attached to the headset helmet things they wore in his Fitzwork room. The computer was a lot smaller and she could find no monitor that showed all those swirly green ones and zeros. There was a small round display with a red line that circled around it. It reminded her of some old fashion fangled radar but nothing seemed to blip on the revolutions. A soft hum filled the room which the girl figured was probably some kind of electricity or a generator of some kind. Hell, this thing had to get power from somewhere. She couldn't really make sense of any of Fitz's gobble-dee-gook so this stuff was more than bizarre. The girl let out a frustrated breath and fell back, resting on the edge of the sturdy table that held whatever the hell all this stuff was. She picked at a nail and sighed a second before the door opened.
"May," Daisy smiled and pushed herself away from her perch. "Coulson, where have you guys been?" She hurried toward them trying to hide her relief as well as the blush on her cheeks.
"Daisy," May breathed, happy to see the girl in one piece.
"Daisy," Coulson opened his arms and wrapped her in a tight embrace. "You okay?" He asked quietly into her hair. She nodded against his chest.
Dr. Liu hurried past them, flipping switches and turning knobs that brought the equipment in the room to life. The electric hum grew more intense. "Time is growing short. There is much to say before we begin." The man rambled without looking at anyone in particular.
May stood staring at the capsules against the wall. "Two," she remarked turning toward Coulson and Daisy. "Two."
Daisy stepped away from her father's embrace and drew a shaky breath. This was not going to be easy.
xx
"The couplings just won't hold," Mack let out a long frustrated breath as the hose slipped from his hand. "The Kevlar is too slippery and the hose is too thin…either way it just won't hold."
"It has to work." Fitz peered over his shoulder. "We've got nothing else."
"Listen Turbo, you tried but this just…." Mack dropped his gaze and shook his head.
"Needs a bit more…" Fitz turned away looking in all directions a broad smile crossed his visage. "Simplicity," he finished.
"Simp…what?" Mack wrinkled his face.
Fitz had moved away, once against scavenging through boxes and drawers that lay strewn across the concrete. Mack shook his head and stood. "Fitz, these are the only couplings we've got. Everything else is…" He moved to the smaller man's side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No, no, Mack. It's not a coupling we need. You've already said it won't hold…but…" The young man moved to another box. Mack shook his head and stepped as well. "Here!" He made an attempt to snatch something from the carton without success.
Mack looked into the box then to Fitz and then back. He smiled broadly and slapped Fitz on the back sending him forward a few steps. "You are a genius!" He pulled the object from the box and held it out for the younger man's inspection.
Fitz was already on the move. He bent low to peer into the spout that would hold their make shift tubing. "I believe you'll have to jam it up inside then pull the Kevlar over the coupling adapter. The ties can then go above and below that covering." He stood and turned to Mack. "You should be able to pull it taunt enough to hold the bloody thing until we get that blasted door open."
Mack looked at the zip ties in his hand and the hose on the floor. If this worked they'd be out of this damned place in less than an hour. The soft rumble under his feet encouraged him to move quickly.
xx
Jemma stood at the base of the Zephyr's ramp. She quickly swiped a tear away hearing Elena approach. "We can't just leave them." She drew in a shaky breath.
Elena looked straight ahead. "There was little we could do. The machines were destroyed and…"
"I know," Jemma replied around a stifled sob. "But we should have tried. They never would have left us behind." She brushed away tears with both hands.
The rumble under the floor shook the plane causing both women to wobble and reach for support. Instruments and equipment rattled behind them.
Elena smiled as she regained her balance. "Looks like those powers Daisy left behind will make sure we follow the Director's orders."
Jemma managed a small smile. "She does so like to have the last word then, doesn't she?"
xx
"NO!" May slammed her hand on the table causing several items to topple and roll to the edge. "She goes with Coulson. I'll take the risk." She snarled through her teeth, challenging everyone in the room.
"May…" Daisy began.
"Not a word," she warned. "Not either of you," she turned to Coulson. "This is not your decision to make."
Dr. Liu shook his head and spoke calmly. "I am afraid it is not a decision for you either." He addressed the incensed woman.
May sucked a breath through clenched teeth and stepped around the table, coming face to face with the doctor. "When it comes to…" she drew another deeper breath, "to the people I c…care about it will damn well be my decision."
The doctor was not intimidated. He calmly removed his glasses and wiped them with his handkerchief and shook his head. "Unfortunately, fate has already made that decision," he slipped his glasses back in place. "And that decision cannot be altered."
May drew another breath and jabbed a finger at him. Coulson stepped between them and wrapped his hand around hers. He smiled at her glare. "Maybe we should hear what the doctor has to say." He gave her a silly smile and tilted his head just enough to ignite the calm in her.
Giving Coulson an invisible smile in return, May relaxed her hand, letting it drop to her side. She looked to Daisy who had to look away and then back to Dr. Liu. "This better be good." She warned.
xx
Skye watched May and Dr. Liu through the window. She couldn't hear the conversation but she was sure they were yelling and May punched the table three times already. The little girl shook her head.
"Your mom is pretty angry." She remarked to Daisy without turning around.
Daisy stood behind the little girl, watching the same action. She'd chosen to leave Dr. Liu to do the explaining. It would be a lot easier not to have to listen to the argument that could not be won. Besides if this was the last time she'd see her parents she preferred it wasn't while they were yelling, especially at her. May was already pissed. It could only get worse.
"I don't think she likes what Dr. Liu is tellin' her." Skye shook her head again.
"Yeah, about that…" Daisy hedged chewing her bottom lip,
Skye remained silent, refusing to turn around. Daisy glanced across the room where William and the younger version of the Coulsons were engaged in quiet conversation. Melinda glanced up occasionally checking on her child. She smiled a weak smile at Daisy. The girl gave a small nod and stepped closer to the little girl.
"Hey, kid, we need to talk." Daisy spoke softly.
Skye shook her head. "I don't want ya to tell me suttin I don't want to know." She answered just as quietly. "I might say a coupla words my mom won't like too much."
Daisy laughed through her nose and looked away again.
"Your mom's sayin' lots of 'em." The little girl tapped the mirror with one finger.
Daisy laughed again. "I'll be careful not to hit your buttons." She waited but Skye did not respond. "Anyway it's kind of a personal conversation…just between you and me." She pointed a finger from her own chest to Skye and then back.
"They're talkin' 'bout those tube things aren't they?" The little girl asked, striving to change the subject.
"Dr. Liu's going to use them to send May and Coulson back." Daisy affirmed her guess.
"To the place where they were low laying?" Skye asked in a quick breath.
"Low laying?" Daisy whispered to herself.
"Where everything's all broken and burnt," Skye elaborated. "We didn't go there together 'sept when I was invisible and got you to sleepwalk." She finished with a giggle.
On the other side of the glass May threw her arms in the air and turned away from the doctor while Coulson pointed to the tube thingies. Both were yelling but Dr. Liu just stood there talking. May turned back and walked really fast with her finger pointing. Coulson stepped in front of her a moment before she came face to face with the doctor.
xx
"You put Daisy in that damn thing and send her back!" May snarled at the way too calm doctor. "I'll take my chances with the helmet." She jerked her head at the carton now open on the counter behind the man.
"No," Coulson interrupted. "Send them both, I'll be the guinea pig."
"Coulson…" May began.
"It's my call, May. I'm still in charge." Coulson reminded her.
"In charge, my ass," she spat. "They're going to need you back there. And Daisy…"
"I believe they will need all of you." The doctor interjected. "In order to correct this imbalance it is necessary that the three of you return."
"And yet you're telling us that only two of us are guaranteed success." Coulson struggled to hold his own fury.
"As I said the probably of the helmet's success is quite favorable." Dr. Liu reminded them.
"But not certain!" May slammed a hand on the table. "You are…We…" she looked to Coulson and swallowed the emotion she held tightly in check. "We are not risking our child's life even for a damn three percent."
"If there is the slightest chance she won't make it, it is too much to risk." Coulson added, his voice rose much louder than he cared to use it.
Dr. Liu shook his head. "The tubes, as you call them," he nodded to the brass pods, "have been designed to send a pair of random researchers to a designated location. We have secured that location through the interactions of those your scientists made possible. It was understood they would be incorporeal until recent developments resulted in data we have yet to comprehend."
May let out an audible huff and spun away cursing in Mandarin under her breath. Coulson grit his teeth and swallowed the same English words. "So you're going send us back as what, ghosts?" May growled.
For a moment Dr. Liu looked as if he had no concept of what she was saying. He tilted his head to one side and merely stared at the woman. "That would be extremely unlikely at this point, Agent May. My interns have completed hours of research and reprogramming to assure you will be returned to your point of origin in the same state you departed."
"Then put Daisy in that damn thing and I'll take my chances with the helmet." May barked, once again slamming her hands on the table.
"Again, Agent May that is not possible." The doctor folded his hands and resting them on his stomach.
"Don't tell me it's impossible," Coulson snarled. "You damn well make it possible."
"The helmet is designed using the genetic code of both versions of your daughter. It will react only to one of them." The doctor explained.
May threw her arms in the air and turned away from the doctor while Coulson pointed to the copper pods. She turned back and stormed at the doctor with a finger pointing. Coulson intercepted her advance but not the finger she shot over his shoulder.
"You were going to put that…that thing on a child, on Skye?" May bellowed at the doctor.
"That would be highly unethical, agent." Dr. Liu seemed to be losing his cool for a moment but quickly resumed his calm. "We were decades from a prototype or a simulation. Skye certainly would have been an adult by the time we could attempt such an experiment." He defended.
"Experiment?" May almost shrieked. Coulson was tempted to release her.
"All of that has been alleviated, I assure you. The helmet is no longer experimental. It is currently working technology that will in all likelihood transfer Daisy safely to your dimension."
May dropped her hand and drew a breath, clenching her jaw before speaking. "Only slightly less than one hundred percent." She balled her hands into fists and stormed from the room. Coulson followed.
xx
Skye drew a deep breath. "You think your mom will hit him?" She pressed the tip of her finger on the glass pointing to Dr. Liu. "She looks like she's gonna hit something."
Daisy watched for a moment and wondered the same thing. The room remained still for a few seconds before May stormed out with Coulson in pursuit. Dr. Liu merely watched.
Before she could react the door burst open admitting a livid Melinda May.
"Uh oh," Skye grimaced as she turned from the glass.
"Damn it, Daisy, if you…" She marched toward Daisy causing the girl to take a few steps backward.
"May!" Coulson was a step behind. "Stand down!" He tried an order rather than a request. When she looked to him, he cast his gaze toward the wide eyed little girl watching. The woman reigned in her anger but not without casting a 'we'll finish this later' glare at her adult daughter.
Melinda and Phil had also risen and moved to their child. William stood back waiting for what would happen next.
May let out a huff and walked to the farthest corner of the room. Coulson smiled at Daisy and rested a hand on the back of Skye's neck. "She just needs a little time…" he started.
"She's pretty mad." Skye watched as May paced in the small space the corner provided. She looked from Coulson to Daisy then back to May. "Somebody's in big trouble."
"I'm sorry, Coulson, there's no other way."
