Chapter 25
AN: Thank you so much for the support. I hope you like this chapter.
May 28th 2008
A week has passed since Melinda went through Terrigenisis ever since May has been on the island with Daisy, Kora and Gordon, getting used to, and attempting to learn to control, her abilities.
It is the middle of the day and Melinda, Kora, Daisy and Gordon are all in the pool, as in Kora's experience when you make training fun it can help with stress, and cause someone to have an easier time when learning about their abilities.
"Okay, so we're going to test your limits," Kora explains to her sister, as she is taking charge of the training. While Melinda spent a huge amount of her life preparing for this it is different now that it has actually happened, and she trusts her sister to help her learn as that's what she does.
"Okay," Melinda says, with a nod.
"Stand in the middle of the pool, and close your eyes," Kora tells her sister. "Focusing on feeling, and tell us what happens," Kora says and once she does Melinda swims to the middle of the pool. Once Melinda is standing the middle pool Kora signals to Gordon to walk towards Melinda, and as Gordon is walking towards Melinda Kora gestures at Daisy to walk too and she does as well. "Mellie?" Kora asks, as she, Daisy and Gordon get closer to Melinda.
"Stop, too much, too much," Melinda says, and Kora, Gordon and Daisy immediately stop moving.
"Mellie, just breath," Kora tells her sister. "Focus on only one thing you're feeling, and let everything else slip away, and try to identify who you're feeing it from," Kora suggests.
For a couple of seconds Melinda tries to do as her sister suggested but it's too much, she feels everything that Kora, Daisy and Gordon are feeling, she can't differentiate between all the emotions, and it's too much. It's like a title wave of emotion overwhelming her, feeling like she can't breathe under the weight of the emotion.
"I can't… it's too much," Melinda says, swimming across the pool, then climbing out and running down to the beach.
"Aunt Kora," Daisy says, looking terrified.
"It's okay Daze, it's completely normal for it to take time to figure out how to handle your abilities," Kora assures he niece.
"Did it take you a while?" Daisy asks her Aunt, doing her best to understand what is going on a bit better.
"Oh yeah," Kora confirms.
"Daisy after going through the mist everything is new, everything is different, and even though your mom spent a lot of years preparing for this; going through it…. Is like nothing you can completely prepare for," Gordon admits. "Your Mom just needs some time, but I think she's gonna learn control," Gordon says, as it would help that Melinda did have all those years of mental preparation, though her age does make it more difficult on her.
"I just want to hug her without overwhelming her," Daisy admits, clearly struggling with everything and so Kora walks over to her niece and hugs her.
"I know Daze," Kora says.
About ten minutes later Kora walks to where Melinda is sitting on the beach, but purposely doesn't sit close to her sister.
"I am trying, Kori," Melinda tells Kora.
"I know," Kora assures her sister. "When our roles were reversed you told me that I had been preparing for the change for years, and that I can get control; well so can you," Kora tells Melinda. "Mellie, I believe in you and I'm gonna help you, but you're gonna do the hard work; you're gonna get control and I'm gonna be with you every step of the way. You're still you even if you don't think so," Kora tells her sister, and even though she cannot feel the associated emotions Kora's words do have an effect on Melinda and they mean something to her.
"Thank you," Melinda tells her sister.
"You never have to thank me," Kora assures her sister and after the twins sit together for a while longer they get back to training.
June 4th 2008
Two weeks have passed since Melinda left DC, and ever since her friends, family, in DC have been missing her a hell of a lot; Coulson especially.
It's late on a Wednesday night and because he usually spends his spare time with Melinda and Daisy Phil is at a loss about what he should be doing in his spare time and so despite the late time he is still at SHIELD.
"Why am I not surprised to find you still here," a voice says and Phil looks up to see Bobbi and Mack standing in the doorway, it having been Bobbi who spoke.
"I don't really have much else to do these days," Phil admits, and as he does Bobbi and Mack exchange looks.
"That's exactly why we're here, Sir," Mack comments.
"What do you mean?" Phil asks, feeling a little confused.
"Mack and I through you could use some company so we're here to invite you to dinner," Bobbi explains. "We miss them too, so we thought we could miss them together," Bobbi explains.
"Sir, just because May and Daisy aren't here right now doesn't mean you're alone," Mack assures him, as he knows that Bobbi has helped him feel like he isn't alone by being the little sister that bugs him, so he feels like the least he can do is be there for Coulson who he knows must be struggling even more.
"You don't have to do that," Phil says, though he is touched.
"You're right, we don't have to, but we want to, because we're family," Bobbi tells Phil.
"Well in that case, I'll cook," Phil says as he closes the files he is reading. "No arguments," Phil admits.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Mack comments, as he has had Phil's cooking enough to know how good it is, and the three of the head out of the office together.
June 18th 2008
A month has passed since Melinda and Daisy left DC, and just like they have had many times in the past two weeks Phil, Bobbi, and Mack are having diner together at Phil's apartment.
"It's been a month," Mack says, saying what they are all thinking.
"I know," Phil says, glancing over a picture of Melinda and Daisy that he keeps in his apartment.
"I just want to know they're okay, because Melinda wasn't the last time I saw her," Bobbi admits, feeling worried for her mother figure and little sister.
"I know, I want that too," Mack admits.
"Nat's looking; I hope she finds something," Phil admits, though there is a part of him that suspects that she won't be able to. "I just want them back," Phil admits. As he has become closer to Bobbi and Mack in the last couple of weeks, he feels no hesitation about admitting that.
"Me too," Bobbi admits, Mack nods and the three of them drift into silence as while the three of them are enjoying each other's company it is clear that they all miss Daisy and Melinda and desperately want to know that they are okay.
On the island, at the cabin, Melinda has spent most of the morning trying to get control, and despite not being able to feel emotions can tell that she is tired so is laying on the outside bed when Daisy walks up and sits down, purposely not sitting too close to her mother as she doesn't want to overwhelm her.
"Do you think Cols is okay?" Daisy asks curious as this is the longest, she has been away from the person who she considers to be her father.
"I am sure he is missing us, but I think he would be okay," Melinda says, as if she was able to feel hope right now that's what she would be feeling, hope that Coulson is okay. "He won't be alone Daisy, Bobbi and Mack will be looking out for him, and will spend time with him so he isn't alone too much," Melinda assures her daughter, as she knows that.
"Good," Daisy admits. "I miss them all," Daisy admits.
"So, do I," Melinda admits.
"You do?" Daisy asks, as she is trying to understand how her mother's abilities are affecting her but she still has a lot of questions. "How does that feel?" Daisy asks, feeling worried that she is asking too much.
"It's not exactly a feeling, it's kind of like a knowledge," Melinda admits. "I know I miss them, and I know I want Coulson, and Bobbi, and Mack, and Nat to be okay, but I don't feel it like you do," Melinda admits as while she also wants Clint and Maria to be okay her 'feelings/knowledge' towards the other four is stronger.
"What else do you know?" Daisy asks.
"That I love you," Melinda assures her daughter. "And our family," Melinda explains.
"And Cols? What do you know about how you feel about him?" Daisy asks, with a teasing look.
"That I want to see him again," Melinda admits. "And that once I can control my abilities he is who I want to see the most," Melinda admits, knowing that there is something else she knows, but she isn't going to share that one with her daughter quiet yet, and Daisy grins as that answer is good enough for her.
"Do you miss having feelings of your own?" Daisy asks curious.
"Yes," Melinda admits as she is still getting used to the void she is feeling and isn't sure she will ever be completely used to it.
"Do you mind if I try something? I'm not sure if it will work but I want to try," Daisy admits as she has been talking with her Aunt and Uncle about her mothers powers likely work and so there is something she has been wanting to try.
"Okay," Melinda tells her daughter, wondering what her daughter is going to try.
Taking a few moments, Daisy focuses on one very specific thing she is feeling and then moves closer to her mother and puts her hand on Melinda's arm.
As soon as her daughter touches her arm Melinda feels all the love for her that her daughter is feeling, and because it is so strong Melinda can't help the tears that come to her eye, as it feels beyond incredible.
Seeing her mother's reaction Daisy quickly removes her hand, "Did I hurt you?" Daisy asks, feeling bad as she was trying to help and really didn't want to hurt her.
"No," Melinda tells her daughter before hugging her. "I love you so much, Daisy, and I beyond proud of you," Melinda says, and even though she feels what it means to Daisy to hear that, and to be able to hug her, Melinda doesn't move away from her daughter, rather she allows herself to feel what her daughter is feeling, even though it is overwhelming to her.
July 2nd 2008
Six weeks have officially passed since Melinda and Daisy left DC and while there are times where Melinda is improving when it comes to her powers she is still struggling with control, and how to handle the emotions she feels when touching someone.
It is early in the morning on the island, and even though she has been awake for a while Daisy is just lying in the bed that has become hers. It is Daisy's 13th Birthday and for Daisy it has been a day she has been looking forward to for a while, but as she lies in her bed Daisy isn't feeling the excitement she was expecting, rather she can't help but think about the fact that this is the first time, in her life, that she will not be seeing Coulson on her birthday. While there have been birthdays where Daisy hasn't seen members of her family, she has always spent her birthday with Coulson and Her mother, until now.
Deciding that she cannot lay in bed any longer Daisy gets up and heads out to the main area. Walking into the living/kitchen area she finds Gordon putting breakfast on the table, while no sign of her mother and aunt.
"Morning Uncle Gordon," Daisy greats.
"Morning Daisy, happy birthday," Gordon says with a grin.
"Yeah," Daisy says, not sounding very excited. "Where's Mom and Aunt Kora?" Daisy asks curious.
"Outside," Gordon answers, as Daisy walks over to him. "You miss Coulson don't you?" Gordon asks, being able to tell that.
"Yeah, Bobbi, Mack and the others too, but especially Cols," Daisy admits. "I know Mom really needs to be here right now, and I'm trying to be supportive, and I do like it here, but I'm miss them so much," Daisy says, tears coming to her eyes. "I always spend my birthday with Mom and Cols, it feels wrong that he's not here," Daisy admits, as the tears in her eye start to roll down her face.
"Oh Daisy," Gordon says, hugging his niece. "It's okay to miss them, and I'm so sorry that your birthday isn't what it should be," Gordon admits. "But you should be proud about how you're handling this situation; you're being so mature, and I'm sure that when you get home you and Coulson will make up for not being together today," Gordon assures Daisy as he kisses the top of her head.
"I hope so," Daisy says as she hugs her uncle tighter.
A little while later Gordon and Daisy break apart, and not long after that Kora and Melinda walk inside. Even though it is clear that Daisy misses her family back home, especially Coulson, Melinda, Kora and Gordon do their best to make sure Daisy has an enjoyable birthday.
In DC, just like he has done every July 2nd for the past 13 years, Phil is walking into Melinda's apartment, having used his key. Even though he knew the chances were slim there was a part of Phil that was hoping he would walk in and see Melinda and Daisy doing Tai-Chi together.
After he doesn't see his family Phil just spends a few minutes just standing in the living room, thinking about how much he misses his family, before finally heading to the kitchen and getting started on what he often does, make breakfast for Daisy's birthday.
About an hour after Phil got to Melinda's apartment Phil is sitting at the table, with the breakfast her brought when he hears the door open. Hoping that it is who he desperately hopes Phil excitedly turns to the door but he is a little disappointed with Bobbi and Mack walk in, though he is glad to see them.
"We figured we'd find you here," Mack admits as he and Bobbi walk over and sit at the table.
"Daisy's thirteen today," Phil reveals.
"I know," Bobbi admits, as she hasn't stopped thinking about it.
"Even with our job I haven't missed a single birthday… until now," Phil admits.
"I'm sorry Phil. It's hard enough for me, I can't imagine how hard it is for you," Bobbi admits.
"You shouldn't diminish what you are feeling. I know how much May and Daisy mean to you," Phil admits. "To both of you," He adds, looking at Mack.
"When they get home we'll give Daisy a big party," Mack says, really wanting to do that for the person he is realized he loves like a little sister.
"We will," Phil confirms, and the three of them drift into silence.
For a while Phil, Bobbi and Mack sit together in silent, and after a while they are joined by Natasha, Clint and Maria who had the same idea as Phil, Bobbi and Mack.
July 16th 2008
Two months have officially passed since Melinda get through the mist and she is still learning, still struggling to manage her powers. It's a lovely day on the island, Melinda and Kora are standing on the grass area together. Melinda has both hands on Kora's arms and is holding onto her sisters arms.
"It's okay Mellie," Kora tells her sister, as she and Melinda have been working together so much she can see the signs of Melinda starting to become overwhelmed.
"Too much," Melinda says, letting go of her sisters arms and taking a few steps back, looking like she has been fighting someone for over ten minutes. "I'm not getting better, Kori," Melinda tells her sister, suspecting that if she could she would be feeling disappointment right now.
"You don't have to get better, Mellie, there's nothing wrong with you," Kora tells her sister, telling her what Melinda already knows. "Mellie, you know how the adjustment takes, and you've already come soo far," Kora assures her sister.
"I don't think so," Melinda admits.
"Well I know so," Kora tells her sister. "Mellie, you just felt my emotions for five minutes, and I was purposely feeling more than one thing, and you handled it," Kora explains, as she has figured out how to think about something to cause specific emotions which works to help her train with Melinda. "That's big; you should be proud," Kora assures her. "Don't beat yourself up,"
"You know, I always knew you'd be an amazing Transitioner. If I could feel something right now, I would be incredibly proud of you, Kori," Melinda assures her sister.
"Thanks Mellie," Kora says, smiling slightly. "Want to try something a bit different?" Kora asks curious.
"Sure, why not," Melinda admits, and her sister attempts to punch her, which Melinda blocks, getting a swell of emotion as she does.
"Focus on beating me, which we both know you always do, but also deal with the emotions," Kora tells her sister.
"Okay," Melinda responds, and the twins continue to try their unconventional training session.
While Melinda and Kora are training Daisy and Gordon are sitting by the pool, both of the have their feet in the pool, as Gordon is telling Daisy things about their people and heritage.
"So, the gene isn't always passed down?" Daisy asks surprised.
"Not always," Gordon admits. "But your chances are increased if you have two inhuman parents, and even further increased if one of your parents have gone through the mist when you are born," Gordon explains.
"So, my chances…." Daisy starts to say.
"Is nothing you have to worry about," Gordon admits. "You have the inhuman gene, I can tell that," Gordon explains as while he has to focus extremely hard, and it's quite difficult so not something he has done often, it is something he did with Daisy.
"Oh cool," Daisy says with a grin as there was a part of her that was concerned that if she went through the mist that nothing would happen. "So, Grandma can absorb life force, and live longer, Aunt Kora can control energy, Mom is empathic and my biological father could produce and control water," Daisy says. "Will I get a power that is similar, or could it be completely different?" Daisy asks curious.
"I can't say," Gordon admits. "We were designed Daisy, or powers are designed to create equilibrium among our species, fulfill a need, and we all have a purpose. That means if you go through the mist your power may be similar to someone in our family, or you could have a completely unique ability that has never be seen in our people before," Gordon explains.
"Like you," Daisy says.
"Exactly," Gordon admits.
"Were you scared when you first went through the mist and couldn't see?" Daisy asks curious, not feeling worried at all about asking such a personal question as her mother, aunt and uncle have made it clear that Daisy can ask whatever she wants.
"Terrified, but your grandma helped," Gordon admits. "I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through it without her," Gordon admits. "I can tell you about my experience if you'd like," Gordon explains.
"I'd like that," Daisy admits, and Gordon starts to tell Daisy all about what going through the mist was like for him.