Chapter 55

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.

AN1: After a couple of crazy days at uni I have a few more chapters of this than To Make a Better World. So hope you enjoy.


A while after Daisy left Phil's office she is asleep in her bunk, and has been for a little while, when she feels herself being shaken awake. For the seconds that follow Daisy being woken up she is confused, but then she realises who woke her up,

"Uncle Phil? What is it?" Daisy asks, sounding confused.

"It's your Mom," Phil explains, and once he does Daisy bolts upright,

"Is she okay? What's happened?" Daisy asks worried.

"She's gone after Akela, I'm going to the hotel," Phil explains.

"I'm coming," Daisy requests, standing up. "Should we call Dad?"

"No," Phil answers, not needing to think about it, as he knows Tony will react badly to that and with this being a SHIELD mission he doesn't need to know, at least not now.

"Can you pass me my hoddie?" Daisy asks, and as she does Phil sees it on the shelf and so he reaches over and grabs it, being amused at what is on it as he hands it over.

"Iron Man?" Phil asks, suspecting that Tony would love it.

"Yep, it's awesome," Daisy says, with a grin, as she puts on her shoes. "Let's go," Daisy says, standing up and putting the hoddie on, not caring that she is still in her pyjamas.

"Okay, but you're going to stay back and do what I tell you," Phil requests, as they head out of Daisy's bunk.

"Of course," Daisy responds, with a tone of voice that tells Phil that she is probably not going to listen.

"I'm serious, Daisy," Phil tells her.

"I know Uncle Phil," Daisy responds, as they both head out of the plane, hoping that Melinda is okay.


While Daisy and Phil are hurrying to her Melinda has arrived at Amador's hotel room and Amador woke up the second Melinda turned on the light

"Whoever's monitoring you, do they have audio?" Melinda asks.

"No, but they'll use facial recognition to determine you're a S.H.I.E.L.D agent," Amador explains, recognizing Melinda.

"So, I don't have to introduce myself," Melinda comments, as she stands up.

"Did Coulson send you?" Amador asks curious.

"No. he feels sorry for you, I don't," Melinda says. "I bring you into S.H.I.E.L.D you'll get a fair trial, and no one else gets hurt," Melinda explains, as she will not, can not, let her daughter get hurt again.

"You have no idea, do you?" Amador asks, sounding surprised.

"We know that you receive orders," Melinda admits.

"Then you know that once they see you, only one of us gets to walk out alive," Amador says, standing up. "They built in a fail-safe, either I kill you, or they kill me," Amador explains.

"You should have stayed in bed," Melinda says, completely meaning that, and the two of them start to fight.

For the next couple of minutes Melinda and Amador fight, Melinda getting the upper hand, until the door opens and Phil shots Amador with a pistol version of the gun used on Mike, a gun that knocks a person out but doesn't cause harm.

"Mom," Daisy says, running into the room.

"I'm fine, Daisy," Melinda assures her daughter, as she returns the hug.

"Good," Daisy says, when they break apart, "What the hell were you thinking, Mom?" Daisy asks shocked, and angry.

"Daisy…" Melinda starts to say.

"No Mom, don't Daisy me, you went off on your own, which you, and Dad, got really angry at me doing by the way…," Daisy starts to say.

"Daisy, not now," Phil says, cutting her off, causing Daisy to look at him. "We've got to get Akela back to the Bus before the dendrotoxin wears off, you can talk to your Mom there, alright?"

"Fine," Daisy says, sounding annoyed.

"Good. Let's move," Phil says, as he picks up Amador, and once he does he, Melinda and Daisy head out of hotel room.


Not long after they left the hotel Daisy, Melinda and Phil get back to the bus and while Ward and Phil take Amador up to the cage Melinda and Daisy stay in the cargo bay.

"Daisy…," Melinda starts to say, once Ward and Phil disappear upstairs.

"What were you thinking Mom?" Daisy asks, sounding hurt. "Amador could have killed you," She points out.

"That's exactly why I went Daisy, so no one else would get hurt," Melinda tells her daughter.

"What about you, Mom?" Daisy asks, tears welling in her eyes. "Bobbi, Peter, and I have lost so much, almost lost Dad, did lose Uncle Phil, at least for a little while, do you want us to lose you too?" She asks, her voice breaking.

"Oh, Daisy," Melinda says, walking forward and embracing her daughter, and as she hugs her daughter she kisses her head, before they break apart and Melinda puts both her hands-on Daisy's shoulders. "Daisy, protecting this team is my job, it's what I do," Melinda explains. "But I promise you I will always do everything in my power to come back to you, and your brother, and your sister, and your Dad, just like I always have, okay?" Melinda asks.

"Okay," Daisy says, "I love you so much,"

"I love you too," Melinda responds. "Daisy, on this bus I will put myself in danger if I have to, it's what I do," Melinda admits. "Do you think you'll be able to handle that? Or do you want to go home?" she asks, there being a not so small part of her that want's her daughter to choose to go home as even though she will miss her so much she knows that she will be safe, which is what matters.

"I can handle that," Daisy says, with a nod, sounding determined.

"Okay," Melinda confirms.

"Daisy, we need you," A voice says from above and Daisy looks up to see Phil.

"Go," Melinda tells her daughter, who hurries upstairs, leaving Melinda in the cargo bay, and as she does Melinda takes out her phone and sends a message. 'Hey Pete, have a great day at school tomorrow, good luck with your history test, love Mom.' And within seconds she gets a response back.

"Thanks Mom, love you too,"


A little while after her conversation with her mother Daisy has gotten dressed into actual clothes and is sitting in the back of the SUV on her computer while Ward, who is wearing glasses, stops the car and cuts off the engine.

"Where are we?" Daisy asks, curious.

"Todorov building," Ward answers. "I think it's research, not military," He admits.

"Looks like a pretty crappy place, like a prison," Daisy admits.

"We wireless yet?" Ward asks curious, and Daisy continues to type.

"Yep, ready to detach," Daisy says, leaning forward and going to disconnect cords from the glasses Ward is wearing and as she does he flinches. "Don't look at me! They need to think you're her," Daisy says. "And oh, my god, super spy is ticklish," Daisy says, looking amused, and she detaches ward and goes back to typing on her computer for another minute or so, and also connects a battery pack "It would really suck to live like this, wondering if someone's watching," Daisy says, as while she knows technically JARVIS is always watching that is very different, at least in her option.

"Testing backscatter," Ward says, and once he does Daisy sees Backscatter on her computer.

"Good to go," Daisy says, leaning forward to hand Ward the battery pack she was working on.

"Remember, I can't look at you, much less give you help," Ward tells Daisy.

"Got it, don't count on you for help," Daisy says, and Ward gets up and leaves. "I'll be watching," Daisy mutters to herself as Ward heads towards the building.


A little while after Ward left Daisy Ward has made it through the building and to a area of the building where there is a man where the messages that Daisy is intercepting called a target.

"Target? Does that mean what I think it means?" Daisy asks.

"Probably, it's never good, especially for the target," Ward explains. "Let's hope it's a knockout and not a kill," Ward hopes.

"You should get out of there," Daisy says.

"I've come this far, I'll finish, whatever it takes," Ward says, knowing that that is what Garrett needs, as a message saying 'seduce him' comes up. "Help,", something which Daisy can't help but laugh at.

"I'm sorry, did you just say help? Because a minute ago you said you didn't' want or need my help," Daisy says, clearly being more than a little amused that Ward needs her help.

"That was before they asked me to go all Mata Hari on this guy," Ward explains, with a sigh, "I'm just gonna knock him out," He says.

"Ward wait!" Daisy quickly says. "If we want to get through the next door we might need him, it would be why the order was seduce, not kill," She says, knowing that would logically make sense.

"I don't think I'm his type," Ward responds.

"Give me a sec," Daisy requests, and she uses her computer to get a better look. "Okay, cheap haircut, five o'clock shadow, I could be wrong, but odds are you guys play for the same team," Daisy admits, and she wracks her brain to think of everything various members of her family, especially Natasha, Bobbi, Sharon, and even Hope especially have taught her, "You're gonna have to bromance him,"

"What?" Ward asks confused.

"Talk sports, vodka, the Victorianov secret catalogue, be friendly, Agent Ward, can you be friendly?" Daisy asks curious. "Please don't die," Daisy mutters.

Over the next minute Ward tries to talk his way past the man at the desk, but it doesn't work and so he knocks him out and heads into a room where are two men and strange writing on the wall.

"What now? Are you supposed to grab one of these guys?" Daisy asks, as Ward walks closer to the strange writing and once he does he, and Daisy, both hear a click, and Ward heads back out of the room and as he does he realises something,

"Figured out what I needed the guard for, his password," He explains.

"Maybe I can talk you though a hack," Daisy offers. "Just give me a minute," Daisy requests, and as she does a lot of alarms start to go off, wondering if she can get away with giving JARVIS access to her computer, which JARVIS could then use to get access to other systems.

"No more minutes," Ward reveals. "Meet me on the south side of the building, ASAP," Ward says, as he takes the guys gun.

"Gotcha," Daisy says to herself as she gets out of the SUV. "Which sides south?" Daisy asks herself as she hurries to the front seat of the car.


A while later Daisy and Ward have both returned to the Bus. Phil and Melinda have discovered that Akela's handler is just as trapped as she is, and the women herself has been handed over to S.H.I.E.L.D, though she no longer has the cybernetic eye.

While everyone is spread out throughout the plan Daisy is once more sitting in the cargo bay, waiting for Clint, or Peter, to log on so that they can play their shooting game together.

"Daisy," A voice says, and Daisy looks up to see Fitz.

"Yeah, Fitz?" Daisy asks curious. "Did you need something?"

"Not exactly," Fitz says, and Daisy gives him a confused look. "You said Physics is your least favourite class, ever since I have been thinking about that so I designed some experiments to show you that physics is great," Fitz explains.

"Really?" Daisy asks, looking amazed. "You did that for me?" she ask feeling touched as she is reminded of her father and Peter, who have tried very similar things with her.

"For science, everyone should love science," Fitz corrects. "And I, well Simmons and I really, thought if we could look at your syllabus I could design some experiments directly relating to what you have to learn, if you want," He explains.

"That would be great," Daisy says, closing her computer, being further reminded of her father and Peter. "Can we start now? I Have my syllabus on my computer," Daisy explains.

"Sure, everything's already set up," Fitz says, and once he does Daisy gets up and they both head into the lab, neither realising that Ward is standing on the platform frowning because he is supposed to be getting closer to Daisy, not Fitz and Simmons.


After spending hours doing experiences with Fitz and Simmons Daisy realised that her feelings about physics haven't really changed, and probably never will, to her father and Brother's dismay, she did find herself truly enjoying their company, and feeling tired Daisy is headed back to her bunk.

As Daisy lays on her bunk she is flickering through the photos on her phone, smiling as she sees photos of everyone who she considers family, and as she looks at a picture of her and Natasha, Daisy pauses and after a moment of debate, she exits out of her photos, goes to her contacts and calls Aunt Nat, as she is pretty sure that she is the best person to help her with the questions she has.

"Joe's smoke shack how may I help you?" Natasha's voice answers after a few rings, and as it is an old code Daisy can't help but smile to herself.

"I'd like a number five," Daisy confirms, with a grin, as it's one of her inside jokes with her aunt.

"How you doing Daze?" Natasha asks curious.

"Good, um, okay, can you talk?" Daisy asks, knowing that there is always a chance that she can't.

"I can talk, so why don't you tell me what's going on," Natasha responds, being able to tell that something is up.

"It's Mom, she's not hurt or anything," Daisy quickly says, not wanting Natasha to worry. "I just want some help understanding something and I think you're the only one who can help me with that," Daisy explains, as she is pretty sure that while her father would know, he may not be able to explain it in the best way, same with Bobbi, but she is pretty certain that Natasha can.

"If I can I will," Natasha assures Daisy, not being able to help but wonder what the hell is going on.

"So Mom and I were on mission, and she purposely put herself in danger, which is something she and Dad got really mad at me for a couple of weeks ago, but whatever that's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is that when I asked her about what she did she said that protecting the team is what she does, that she will put herself in danger if she has to, and I was wondering has she always done that? Do you know why?" Daisy asks, speaking faster than usual as she thinks she as heard her parents talking about that at some point but she cannot remember the exact details.

"Daisy, slow down," Natasha requests. "Now, what the hell are you talking about?" Natasha asks, clearly confused, which Daisy doesn't think she's ever heard. "What do you mean you and your Mom were on mission?" Natasha asks confused. "And what team?" she asks, as even if Melinda was on a mission, there is no reason she can think of why Daisy would be on it.

"You don't know…," Daisy says, eyes widening as she realises that she may have just made a huge mistake. "I thought…. Um, I got to go, great talking to you Aunt Nat," Daisy says, before quickly hanging up as she is pretty sure she just revealed something that is going to get her in a lot of trouble, and if she stays on the phone with Natasha she is likely to reveal more things than she shouldn't. "Oh shit," Daisy says to herself once she hangs up, and realising what she has to do Daisy hurries out of her bunk and to the cockpit.

"MOM," Daisy calls as she runs into the cockpit.

"Daisy, what's wrong?" Melinda asks, clearly worried.

"So, you're probably going to get a call from Aunt Nat because I called her and said something that I now realise I probably shouldn't have, and she's confused, so sorry," Daisy says continuing to talk quickly.

"Daisy, what are you…," Melinda starts to say, before she is cut off by a phone ringing.

"Okay, bye," Daisy says, before hurrying out of the cockpit.

"Daisy!" Melinda calls after her daughter, but because she figures she will get more of an explanation from Natasha, even if she will have to give an explanation of her own, she answers the call, "Hello,"

"What the hell is going on, Mel?" Natasha asks, without even saying hello.

"Hello to you too, Nat," Melinda responds as she walks over and closes, and locks, the cockpit door so that she can talk to Natasha in private.

"Not the time, Mel. What's going on?" Natasha asks.

"I'm going to need more of a question than that," Melinda responds, as she sits down.

"Please, you never do, but I'll play along," Natasha responds. "Daisy said you've been on mission, that you have a team, that she's with you, what the hell is going on?" Natasha once more asks, and as she does Melinda knows she has to be careful about how she answers as Natasha knows her well enough to be able to figure out everything if given a little, and while Natasha has been informed that Phil is alive, they don't know how that happened or what could happen.

"I'm apart of a team, on a mobile command unit, Daisy stowed away and Tony and I agreed that she could stay for six weeks to help out and learn, as long as she kept up with her school work," Melinda explains.

"This team has something to do with Phil? How he's okay, doesn't it?" Natasha asks.

"What makes you say that?" Melinda asks, wondering what Natasha has realised as it would be bad if she realised too much.

"Please, as soon as you and Tony told us that Phil was alive I knew something was going on," Natasha admits. "You wouldn't go back in the field unless there was a very, very good reason, and if it meant Daisy joining you you'd resign rather than put her in danger, unless there was a very, very good reason… what's really going on?" Natasha asks concerned.

"I can't answer that," Melinda says, as she cannot tell Natasha more about what is going on, even though she may want to.

"I'll talk to Fury then," Natasha says, being pretty sure that if Melinda can't give her answers then she'll make him. "And you should talk to Daisy, she confused, and concerned, she needs to understand why you do what you do,"

"I will," Melinda confirms. "How are you Nat, really?" Melinda asks, realising that it has been a while since they talked.

"Pretty okay actually," Natasha admits, and once she does the two old friends begin to talk and catch up, as the last time they saw each other was when Melinda and Tony told Natasha and Clint that Phil was alive, which was a while ago.


A little while later Melinda has finished her conversation with Natasha and has headed to her daughter's bunk to talk to her. When she gets to Daisy's bunk knocks on the slightly openly door.

"Yeah," Daisy's voice says, and Melinda pushes it open the rest of the way,

"Can I come in?" Melinda asks, looking at Daisy who is sitting on her bed.

"Sure," Daisy responds, and so Melinda walks over and sits next to her, and puts an arm around her daughter. "Am I in trouble? I thought Aunt Nat knew,"

"You're not in trouble," Melinda assures her daughter as it was natural for her to assume that. "Aunt Nat knows that Uncle Phil is alive, but didn't know about me being back in the field, and she Definity didn't know that you were with us,"

"Why not?" Daisy asks, looking curious.

"Two reasons, the first is that Fury wants to restrict who knows what, and the second is that I wanted to tell Aunt Natasha, and Uncle Clint, in person, not over the phone," Melinda explains.

"That makes sense," Daisy realises.

"Yeah, it does" Melinda confirms. "Daisy, I want to explain something to you, tell you a story,"

"Okay," Daisy says, feeling confused though she snuggles closer into her mothers' arm.

"You know that when I was growing up I used to do Ice Skating before I switched to martial arts," Melinda tells her daughter.

"Because there were padded floors and you could hit people," Daisy says, with a grin.

"Yeah," Melinda confirms, smiling slightly. "When I was a kid I worried about my mom when she was on mission… of course I don't have to explain to you what it's like," Melinda tells Daisy.

"You really don't," Daisy confirms. "I worry about you, and Dad, a lot.'

"I know," Melinda says, as she kisses her daughters head. "I was set to join the CIA, I had already been accepted, had told your Uncle Richard…,"

"Peter's biological father," Daisy realises, and Melinda nods.

"We were going to join together, but then one day, I went to go see Aunt Peggy, I wanted some advice, and as we started to talk we talked more about SHIELD," Melinda explains. "We talked about a lot, but what stuck with me, what always stuck with me is when she told me that SHIELD's agents protect, Daze, in whatever form that is needed, and so that's what I'm always going to do, protect, even if that puts me in danger because that's who I am," Melinda explains to her daughter.

"I guess I get that," Daisy admits, sounding uncertain. "I just really don't want to lose you Mom,"

"I know," Melinda says, placing a kiss on her daughter's head, and the two of them drift into silence as they sit side by side in Daisy's bunk.

For a little while Daisy and Melinda just sit side by side in silence, and as they do Daisy realises something, knows what she wants,

"Mom, can we call Dad, Pete, and Bobbi?" Daisy asks curious.

"Sure," Melinda says, and Daisy grabs her computer and makes a group video chat with the apartment and Bobbi, after a few seconds her sister, brother, and father, all answer.

"MOM! I Did great on my test!" Peter reveals, looking excited.

"Pete, that's great, congrats," Melinda says, with a grin.

"Really is, well done, Pete," Daisy tells her brother.

"Thanks Daze," Peter says, with a grin.

"Little Bird, you okay?" Tony asks concerned.

"Yeah, just been working a lot," Bobbi answers.

"You should rest," Melinda tells her daughter.

"I will," Bobbi answers.

"Good," Tony tells his daughter, "How'd your mission go?" he asks, looking at Daisy and Melinda.

"Good," Melinda and Daisy both respond, and the family of four proceed to talk, and catch up, all four of them feeling very, very glad to be able to talk to one another again, even if they aren't together.