Chapter 31
AN: Hope you like this chapter. I'm sorry in advance.
May 2nd 2012
Three weeks have passed since Melinda and Phil talked about Afterlife, and due to SHIELD work Phil has been away from DC for about half that time.
It is the early hours of a Wednesday morning and due to an alert she has gotten Melinda, who is wide awake is standing in the living room in her old tactical suit.
"Gordon, it's an emergency, I need you and Kora," Melinda says, her voice a little louder than the usual voice she would use to call for Gordon, and she just waits.
A couple of minutes after Melinda called, something which doesn't surprise Melinda considering the time, there is a blue light and Gordon, holding Kora.
"Mellie, what's going on? it's the middle of the night," Kora says, and then she realises what her sister is wearing. "What happened?" Kora asks worried as she recognizes her sisters' tactical outfit.
"An Asgardian has come to Earth, stolen a powerful alien artefact that was in SHIELD's possession, destroyed a SHIELD facility, and he also has another alien Artefact that he is using to control people. All SHIELD agents have been ordered to prepare for war," Melinda explains, and even though they both understand how Melinda's abilities work it is strange for Kora and Gordon to hear Melinda's voice sound so militaristic and calm considering what she is saying.
"What do you need?" Gordon asks his sister.
"Fury has established command on a Hellicarrier, so he wants me to take charge of the Triskelion," Melinda explains, as most of the high level agents are going to the Hellicarrier, but she is an agent Fury trusts who would prefer not to be in the field, so he asked her to take charge of the Triskelion. "Kori I need you to stay with Daisy, I don't know how bad things are going to get so keep her from school, protect her, get her to safety if needed," Melinda says, to her sister.
"You got it," Kora says, with a nod, and after she sees her sisters nod, Melinda turns to Gordon.
"You need to go back to Mom, tell her everything I've told you; she needs to prepare just in case," Melinda explains as she knows that her people need to be ready in case this gets worse.
"Will do," Gordon says, with a nod, and after taking a few steps away from Melinda and Kora he disappears.
"What do you want me to tell Daisy?" Kora asks her sister.
"The truth, I'll call if I can," Melinda tells her sister.
"Be careful," Kora tells her sister, feeling worried about her, and Melinda just nods before heading out of the apartment.
A few hours after Kora appeared at her sisters apartment, during which she spent a lot of time making sure everything was secure, the door to Daisy's room opens and the almost seventeen year old walks out of her room.
"Aunt Kora?" Daisy asks surprised. "What are you doing here?" Daisy asks, walking over to the couch to where Kora is sitting, feeling worried as she knows that it must be something bad going on for her aunt to be there and for there to be no sign of her mother.
"Your Mom got called into work a few hours ago," Kora explains to her niece. "Something really bad has happened, and it could lead to a lot worse," Kora explains, and Daisy can tell that her aunt is actually concerned. "Your Mom said for you to stay home from school today and for us to just wait, and see," Kora explains, as Daisy sits down next to her.
"Oh," Daisy says, having no idea what else to say, and Kora starts to explain to her niece what she knows about what is going on.
For over twelve hours SHIELD has been doing what they can to prepare for whatever Loki is going to do. As she has been so busy getting the Triskelion ready, and doing her best not to be overwhelmed by the fear of the more Junior Agents, Melinda hasn't had a chance to call Kora and Daisy.
While Melinda is at the Triskelion Phil has been going back and forth between the Hellicarrier and the mainland. He is currently in an Elevator in New York on his way to meet with Tony Stark as Fury has asked him to bring the genius into the current crisis.
"You have reached the life model decoy of Tony Stark, please leave a message," Tony, who is clearly actually him, says into the phone.
"This is urgent," Phil responds.
"Then leave it urgently," Tony says, and as he does the elevator doors open and Phil realises that he has interrupted date night between Tony and Pepper Potts.
"Mr Stark," Phil greats.
"Phil! Come in!" Pepper says, excited as she gets up and walks towards him.
"Phil? Uh, his first name is Agent," Tony corrects as he and Pepper walk towards Phil.
"Come-on in, we're celebrating," Pepper says.
"I can't stay," Phil admits.
"Which is why he can't stay," Tony says, pulling a face.
"We need you to look this over," Phil says, holding a file out to Tony. "Soon as possible," Phil explains.
"I don't like being handed things," Tony comments.
"That's alright, 'cause I love being handed things. So, let's trade," Pepper says and she passes her glass of champagne to Coulson, takes the file from him, then takes Tony's glass of champagne while passing the file over to Tony. "Thank you," Pepper says.
"Official consulting hours are between eight and five every other Thursday," Tony comments as he walks away from Phil and Pepper.
"This isn't a consultation," Phil comments, doing his best to hide his worry.
"Is this about The Avengers?... which I know nothing about," Pepper quickly adds.
"The Avengers initiative was scrapped, I thought. And I didn't even qualify," Toy comments, wondering what is going on.
"I didn't know that either," Pepper says, and Phil isn't at all surprised that Tony told her.
"Yeah, apparently I'm volatile, self-obsessed, don't play well with others," Tony comments.
"That I did know," Pepper comments.
"This isn't about personality profiles anymore," Phil says, as he knows they are way passed that.
"Whatever. Miss Potts, got a moment?" Tony asks, and Pepper walks over to Tony.
Over the next few minutes Phil watches as Pepper and Tony talk, and look at the file, and when Pepper whispers something in Tony's ear, something that causes Tony to be shocked, Phil can't help but look away.
"So, any chance you're driving by LeGuardia?" Pepper asks as she walks over to Phil.
"I can drop you off," Phil responds.
"Fantastic," Pepper responds. "Last time we talked you were planning Valentines day for your new girlfriend, who also happens to be your oldest friend and former SHIELD partner, is that still a thing?" Pepper asks, as they walk into the elevator.
"Yeah," Phil confirms, and he can't help but smile. "Our work keeps both of us busy, so we don't get many chances to spend uninterrupted time together," Phil admits, and once he does the elevator doors close. "Her names Melinda, and things are incredible. We're beyond happy; and because we know each other so well it just feels so right," Phil explains.
"I'm really happy for you," Pepper says, with a smile.
"I'm happy for me too," Phil admits.
May 3rd 2012
A few hours later Phil has got to experience something he has been waiting for his entire life, and having arrived back on the Hellicarrier, instead of going straight to the command centre like Natasha told him he was instructed to, Phil has ducked into a secluded Room and is making a phonecall.
"Phil?" Melinda asks, having stepped away from the agents she was giving orders too.
"I met him May! And he's just as incredible as I always though he'd be," Phil says, sounding beyond excited.
"Captain Rogers?" Melinda asks, as that's what she assumes as there is only one person who could make Phil this excited.
"Yep, I told him I watched him why he was sleeping," Phil reveals, and Melinda knows she would laugh if she could.
"He might have found it enduring," Melinda suggests.
"Hopefully," Phil says amused. "How's Daisy?" Phil asks curious, as he hasn't had a chance to check in since Project Pegasus was destroyed.
"She's with Kora. She's safe," Melinda explains, and because of what Melinda's told him about Kora Phil knows that true, and it gives him comfort to know that his daughter is so safe.
"And if things get worse?" Phil asks, knowing that even with her powers Kora might not be able to completely protect Daisy if things get even worse.
"Kora will take her home," Melinda says, knowing that Phil knows what that means, which he does, and Phil is glad about that answer. "Be careful Phil, you can't predict how things are going to go when dealing with aliens," Melinda tells him as if there is something she has learnt from her people's heritage it's that.
"I will, though I wish you were watching my back," Phil admits.
"Me too," Melinda responds, reaching up and touching the necklace Phil gave her, as for the first time since Bahrain, since she got her abilities, Melinda has thought about going back into the field.
"I love you, Melinda," Phil says, and Melinda knows what she would be feeling if she was touching Phil right now.
"I love you too, Phil," Melinda responds, and once she does the two of them hang up and get back to work.
A few hours have passed since Phil talked to Melinda, and after a battle with Loki in Germany, which Tony and Thor joined in on, Phil is waiting in the area of the Hellicarrier where Tony's Iron Man suit will be stored.
"Nice little place you've got here," Tony comments, once he is out of his suit, and walking towards Phil.
"It's not bad," Phil comments. "If you'd follow me Mr Stark," Phil says, and the two of them start to walk towards the command centre.
"So, I heard you and Pepper talking," Tony reveals. "You know I can help you with your problem," Tony reveals.
"And how would you do that?" Phil asks, genuinely curious.
"I can fly you and your girlfriend anywhere you want, somewhere secluded, give you a chance to find some time alone together," Tony offers.
"It's not as simple as that," Phil reveals, as he knows that besides SHIELD they also have Daisy to consider, as they walk into the command centre.
"Oh come on, it is, you've got to make time for things that matter, keep love alive," Tony says to Phil before walking over to the others.
May 4th 2012
It has been about a day since Melinda spoke to Coulson and ever since things have been getting from bad to worse. The Triskelion has learnt that the Helicarrier has been attacked, and they have lost communication. While most of the Agents are freaking out Melinda is standing away from them, so that she doesn't get overwhelmed by their emotions and calming giving orders, as due to her abilities she is the picture of stoicism and calm.
"Anything Agent White?" Melinda asks the communication agent who is trying to get communication re-established with the Helicarrier.
"No Agent May," the agent responds, and as he does Melinda's phone rings.
Looking down at the caller ID Melinda knows that if she could feel she would be feeling surprise, so she walks away from everyone and answers.
"Nat?" Melinda asks, once she is further away from all the other agents.
"I only have a few minutes, but I wanted you to hear it from me," Natasha says, and Melinda can hear the emotion in her voice, which she knows is rare for Natasha.
"Nat, what's going on?" Melinda asks as she knows Natasha would only be calling for a very good reason.
"It's Coulson….. May, Loki killed him," Natasha reveals, pain in her voice.
"What?" Melinda asks, only feeling the void but knowing that she should be feeling more than that. "No," Melinda says, on instinct.
"It's true," Natasha says. "Loki stabbed him through the chest with an Asgardian sceptre, he's gone Mel," Natasha reveals, her voice breaking as she gives Melinda the news.
"Thank you for telling me," Melinda says, having no idea what else to say as she knows that she should be feeling her heart break, she should be completely apart, but because of her abilities she is not; because of her abilities she can't feel the grief she knows she should be feeling.
"'Thank you for telling me" what the hell May?" Natasha asks, as even with Melinda acting completely different since she disappeared after Bahrain this was not the reaction she was expecting.
"I have to go," Melinda says, before hanging up, so that Natasha cannot question anymore.
After having up with Natasha Melinda reaches up and takes her necklace from under her shirt, and just holds it. The void that Melinda has inside of her feels even stronger, as she replays Natasha's words over and over again as she does Melinda knows what she should be feeling, but she just can't feel it.
"Agent May! We've got communication back!" Agent White yells and Melinda puts her necklace back under her suit and walks back over. The advantage of her powers being that she can focus on her work and not compete fall apart like she knows she would if she could feel what she should be feeling.
Over the next few hours Aliens invade New York, and a team consisting on Tony, Thor, Natasha, Clint, Captain America and Bruce Banner fight them back, even when a portal opens. Between her abilities and the news that Natasha told her Melinda doesn't react to anything, though a part of her knows that Aliens becoming public knowledge could lead to negative consequences for her people.
As things are under control Melinda has left the Triskelion and is walking towards her apartment. Melinda knows that as soon as she walks into the apartment she is going to tell Daisy what happened, and then she will finally feel emotions about Phil's death.
Getting to the apartment door Melinda pauses for a few moments, before walking into the apartment. Walking into the apartment Melinda sees Daisy and Kora sitting on the couch together, clearly having been watching the news.
"Mom," Daisy says, getting up and hurrying towards her mother. Once she is close enough Daisy throws her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly, and Melinda feels how glad Daisy is to see her, and how relieved she is that she is okay and Melinda knows that in a minute she is going to take away all her daughter's joy. "I was so worried," Daisy admits, as they break apart.
"I know," Melinda admits as she can feel how worried her daughter is. "Daisy I need you to sit down," Melinda tells her daughter, and even though her sisters voice is completely void of emotion Kora can tell that her sister is about to give bad news.
"Okay," Daisy says confused, as they walk over to the couch. "Mom, what's happened?" Daisy asks worried, as both she and Melinda sit down on the couch with Kora.
"Daisy, before the Battle the SHIELD Helicarrier was attacked," Melinda informs her daughter. "Loki, the Asgardian who was behind the attack in New York, was freed, Cols went to stop him," Melinda tells her daughter, and Kora closes her eyes as she realises where this is going.
"No," Daisy says, tears coming to her eyes, as like her aunt she guesses where this is going, what her mother is about to tell her.
"When Loki escaped Cols went to try and stop him, Daisy, Loki killed him," Melinda says, wanting to explain it in the simplest way possible.
"No!" Daisy exclaims, and she throws herself into her mothers arms. The second she touches Daisy Melinda feels everything she hasn't felt since Natasha told her the news, all the pain, all the disbelief, all the sorrow. As she feels her daughters emotions Melinda doesn't even try to fight the onslaught she just lets herself be overwhelmed by her daughters grief and Melinda and Daisy hold each other as they both cry; both feeling the same heartbreak.
She may not have her sisters powers, but as she watches her niece and sister Kora almost feels like she can feel their heartbreak, and she has no idea what to say, or if there is anything she can do. But she also knows she has to do something and so she moves closer to the pair to offer them comfort.
The three May woman don't know how much time passes as they sit together while Melinda and Daisy cry. Eventually, Melinda and Daisy break apart from each other and as they do Kora realises that her sister is holding something.
"Mellie? What's that?" Kora asks curious.
"A necklace," Melinda says, and because she is so close to Daisy her voice is still full of pain, as she shows her sister and daughter the necklace. "Phil gave it to me on valentine's day," Melinda explains.
"Why…." Daisy starts to ask, and then the pieces fall together for her. "You guys finally got together," Daisy realises.
"In January, I told him everything," Melinda explains, and once she does Daisy just hugs her mother once more, as Kora realises that her sisters abilities might be a blessing as she won't feel the heartbreak of her own.
For a little while longer Melinda and Daisy hold each other until they are broken apart by the sound of the door open, looking towards it, due to Daisy having a glimmer of hope, Melinda feels it to, but seconds later they both feel disappointment when it is Bobbi and Mack, and not the miracle they were hoping for.
Without a word Bobbi and Mack walk over, as Daisy, Melinda, and Kora stand up, and the five of them just stand in the living room of the May apartment hugging, Melinda feeling everyone's grief and the overwhelming emotions are not too much; rather considering everything the feeling of barely being able to breath is how she knows she should be feeling.