Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners and I am not making any profit from this.
AN: Thank you to all who have added to alerts, read, reviewed or any combination of the three. It means a lot to me.
AN2: SPOILERS FROM 1X15 DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVENT SEEN THE EP
Okay so that was so so awesome. The after credits seen OMG. But that being said I firmly believe that whoever Melinda is reporting to whether it be Fury or Hill she is doing it to protect Coulson. I believe that she does really care about him and only agreed to be on the team (because she was so reluctant in the beginning) is because Fury or Hill told her what truly happened to him and so she agreed to watch him to protect him and make sure he is okay. I respect if you have a different opinion but that is what I believe and no one will be able to convince me different.
END OF SPOILERS.
Oh and thanks so so much for the incredible response to the previous chapter.
"Yes." Melinda responds and she helps Coulson up, "Is this your mothers ring?" Melinda asks shocked as she recognizes the ring that Coulson is holding.
"Yes, she told me to give it to the woman I love with my whole heart, that's you Mel, it's always been you." Coulson answers and the pair kiss as their friends, their family, clap.
"Yay." Skye says happily running over and hugging both her parents once they break apart.
"Please let them keep working together director." Skye requests before anyone can give their congratulations.
"Of course they will keep working together, why wouldn't they?" Tony asks confused.
"Married agents can only continue to work together if the director approves." Clint explains, "Congrats Mels." Clint says giving his sister a hug, "Phil." He says shaking Coulson's hand then hugging him.
"I don't think this will be a problem, do you director?" Natasha asks Fury putting on the sweet, chipper voice that usually means she will do something awful to you if you don't agree.
"I have never known either of you to let your personal relationship to interfere with your job, if that continues to be the case then I have no problem with this." Fury tells them, "But that being said you will not marry in secret this time, you will have a proper wedding, that's an order." Fury instructs.
"Don't worry I planned to make them anyway." Skye ells the director.
"Congratulations." Fury says shaking Coulson's hand.
"This requires a celebration." Tony comments, "At eight o'clock there will be a car here to pick you all up to take you to Per Se, where we will have dinner in the West Private dining room, my treat." Tony tells everyone, "And when I say we all I'm including you two as well." Tony tells Fury and Hill, "It has a private lobby and rest rooms in case you're worried about security." He adds.
"Tony you don't have to do that." Melinda tells him having spent enough time in New York to know how expensive that is going to be.
"Consider it my engagement present." He tells her "Congratulations Phil, Melinda." Tony says to his friends sticking his hand out for Coulson to shake but he finds himself surprised when Coulson uses it to give him a hug.
"So eight o'clock be ready." Tony says when he and Coulson breaks apart and he gives Melinda a friendly kiss on the cheek.
"How do you expect to get a reservation so late?" Fitz asks confused.
"Please, I'm Tony Stark." Tony says before leaving.
"You heard him, go get ready." Coulson comments and Fitz, Simmons and Ward come up and offer their congratulations before leaving.
"Guess we'll see you in an hour and a half." Hill comments "Congratulations Melinda, Phil." Hill says giving both his friends a hug before both her and Fury leave.
"Family hug." Clint comments once the director and deputy director leave and that's just what they five do.
"тетя Наташа, can I borrow a dress?" Skye asks her Aunt curious "I left most of the few I have at home."
"Yeah, I think I have something that will suit you." Natasha tells her niece. "There' all hanging in your Father's closet, go pick something you like." Natasha tells Skye who nods and leaves then Natasha turns to Melinda and Coulson, "You both know my opinion of love and marriage that being said I'm happy for you both, congratulations." Natasha tells her two friends.
"I better go give Skye a hand." She tells Coulson and Melinda, "Come on, let's give Phil and Melinda a minute alone." Natasha says pulling Clint out of the room.
"Something appropriate please Tasha." Coulson requests as she does which causes Natasha to say something in Russian that makes Melinda and Clint laugh and Coulson frown.
"Preposing in front of Fury?" Melinda asks and Coulson can't tell if she is mad or not.
"It felt right." Coulson answers, "Everyone here is our family, the other ways that I thought of just didn't feel right." Coulson admits.
"How long have you been thinking about this?" Melinda asks interested.
"Since before you died." Coulson admits, "All I know is that I love you and I want to be married to you again." Coulson tells her.
"I want to be married to you again too." Melinda tells Coulson, "If Fury and Skye didn't insist on a wedding I would say why don't we just go down to city hall first thing tomorrow and do it." Melinda comments, "We both know that a wedding and marriage are two very different things and I don't want to wait for our marriage to start." Melinda tells him.
"Then why should we?" Coulson asks, "We've got two weeks before Skye's going to the academy, I think with a little help we could pull a wedding off by then." Coulson comments.
"Do you really think so?" Melinda asks surprised.
"Yeah, I really do." Coulson answers, "There are what? Twenty people, maximum, that we would want to invite?" he asks and Melinda nods, "The hardest things are going to be finding a location, catering and someone to marry us because I think technically I'm still dead." Coulson tells her.
"What about the house?" Melinda suggests, "Either in the living room or out in the backyard." She suggests. "It would be fitting after everything that has happened and we can get ready there. Skye, Tasha and I can claim the upstairs you and your groomsmen can have the basement bathroom and area." She tells him.
"Yeah it would." Coulson comments, "Wedding outside, reception inside. Unless the whether doesn't cooperate." Coulson suggests. "What do you mean groomsmen plural? Clint will be my best man and that's it." He tells Melinda.
"I'm having two people standing up with me then you need two with you, that's the way it works." Melinda tells Coulson.
"Okay." Coulson says knowing that there is no point in arguing, "Clint and Tony." He tells Melinda.
"Really?" Melinda asks surprised as that isn't who she was expecting him to say. "I would have thought you would have said Fury." Melinda admits.
"Tony's been a good friend, the last few months especially. Yes there are still times when he annoys me and I would like to Taser him just to get him to stop talking, but he's the one I want standing by my side." Coulson explains, "I actually have another idea for a role for Fury." Coulson revels, "If you were okay with it I was thinking that we could ask him to perform the ceremony." Coulson explains.
Melinda smiles at that, "I that is a good idea." She tells him, "So less than two weeks, do you think we can do it?"
"With help, definitely." Coulson responds, "I think we should tell everyone at once at dinner." Coulson tells her.
"I agree." Melinda responds and the pair kiss once more.
An hour and a half later everyone except for Coulson and Melinda are down in the lounged area of the plane waiting.
"Does it feel like all we are doing lately is wearing suits?" Fitz asks curious.
"You didn't have to wear a suit last night." Clint tells him.
"We didn't know that." Ward comments.
"Didn't I mention that?" Clint asks faking surprise.
"No you didn't." Ward tells him.
"No fighting you two." Skye requests.
"We're not fighting Kid." Clint tells his niece, "So for how long have you know that this is coming?" He asks curious.
"Since the first week we all spent home." Skye reveals.
"Really?" Natasha asks surprised, "Phil's been planning this that long?" she asks surprised.
"Longer I think." Skye answers, "That's why I went to the house the other day. Dad needed me to get the ring out of the safe." She explains.
"So that's why you said it was a good secret." Ward realises and Skye nods.
"So I'm betting that after last night none of you are going anywhere near alcohol." Skye comments with a grin.
"You've been enjoying our pain way to much today." Clint tells his niece.
"And you enjoy dancing in your underwear way too much." Skye says quietly to her Uncle.
"I didn't?" He asks worried.
"You did." Skye confirms. "For about half an hour it was impossible to get you to put any clothes on." Skye reveals.
"Great, just great." Clint says sarcastically.
"Don't worry, I won't tell." She tells her Uncle.
"Thanks Kid."
"I will tease you forever though." She tells him
"I would be disappointed if you didn't." he reveals and Skye smiles back at her Uncle.
"Mom and Dad are taking a while." Skye notes and Natasha and Clint exchange a look.
"They just got engaged Ребенок they are probably celebrating." Natasha tells her niece.
"Celebrating what do you mean?" Skye asks then she realises, "Oh god, gross, thank you тетя Наташа I really didn't want to think about that. I could do with a drink right now, but I can't." Skye comments looking disturbed.
"What do you mean you can't?" Simmons asks worried hearing what her friend said.
"Nothing." Skye quickly says.
"You said last night that you weren't drinking because you didn't want to miss your parents, Aunt or Uncle doing something stupid." Ward comments, "Was that not the reason?" he asks frowning.
"It was part of the reason, a large part." Skye reveals, "But the other part was I know that drinking Alcohol when my brain is still trying to get my electronic levels up wouldn't be a good idea." Skye reveals.
"So you lied?" Ward asks a hint of annoyance or anger clear.
"I just didn't mention it because it was nothing to worry about." Skye reveals, "I didn't want you all to worry about me when I'm fine instead of enjoying yourselves, especially considering it was Uncle Tony's birthday." Skye explains.
"Are you sure that you are okay?" Natasha asks worried.
"Positive, I've just got to avoid Alcohol for a couple of days, just like I have to avoid using my powers. It's no big deal." Skye explains.
"The car's here." Simmons comments.
"Mom, Dad, the car's here." Skye says standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"We're coming." Coulson yells down and a minute later Coulson and Melinda walk downstairs.
"Let's go, we've got a very expensive dinner being paid for by Tony Stark waiting for us." Clint comments and the group leave the plane.
Twenty minutes later the group arrives at one of the most expensive restaurants in New York. Tony's car service takes them to the private entrance to their particular room and when they say that they are here for a dinner with Tony Stark they are able to go right in.
When they walk into the dining room, Tony, Pepper, Steve, and Bruce, are already there.
"Congratulations." Pepper says giving both Melinda and Coulson a hug when she sees them.
"Thanks Pepper." Coulson tells her.
"Congratulations Sir, Ma'am." Steve says and he shakes Coulson's hand.
"Congratulations." Banner tells them both.
"Look I didn't lie to hurt you I just didn't want you to worry." Skye says quietly to Ward when everyone else is distracted.
"I know." Ward tells her.
"But you are still mad." Skye realises.
"I just wish you would trust me more." Ward tells her and Skye doesn't know what to say to that because he should know better than most that even though a lot has changed she still has serious trust issues.
"So are we just waiting on Fury and Hill or anyone else?" Skye asks curious walking over to Tony wanting to avoid Ward for a little while.
"Just Fury and Hill." Tony tells her, "And speak of the devils." He comments as they walk in, "Why don't we all take our seats, the first course should be here soon." He comments and Skye walks over and sits between her father and Uncle.
"So we all know why we are here." Tony comments, "We're here to celebrate the engagement of two people who from what I understand it should have realised they we're still in love with each other years ago." Tony comments and Fury, Hill, Natasha and Clint each give a small laugh all knowing how true that is, "To Melinda and Phil, I wish you all the best." He tells his friends.
"To Melinda and Phil." Everyone repeats except for Skye who says to Mom and Dad.
"Melinda and I would like to say something if you don't mind Tony." Coulson comments as he and Melinda stand up.
"Of course, go right ahead." Tony comments.
"Melinda and I talked why the rest of you we're getting ready and we decided that we don't want to wait to be married, so the day before Skye goes to the academy we are going to get married at the house and we need all of your help." Coulson says.
"WHAT?" Skye asks shocked, "We can't plan a wedding in less than two weeks." She says.
"Yeah, we can." Melinda tells her daughter.
"She's right." Pepper comments, "I'll come by the plane tomorrow and we'll make lists of everything that needs to be done. I've been cleaning up after Tony for years I can plan a wedding in two weeks easily." Pepper tells her friends.
"Hey." Tony comments.
"Thanks Pepper." Melinda and Coulson says.
"We've already got some things decided." Coulson comments, "Sir, if you are willing we would be honoured if you we're the one to marry us." Coulson says looking at Fury.
"It would be my honour." Fury tells the pair touched by the request.
"Skye, Natasha will you be my bridesmaids?" Natasha asks her daughter and best friend.
"Of course." Skye says excitedly getting up and hugging her mother as Natasha nods at her friend.
"Clint, Tony will you stand beside me?" Coulson asks his friends.
"Of course man." Clint tells his friend.
"What does that mean?" Tony asks.
"It means I'm asking you to be my groomsmen." Coulson explains.
"Then my answer is yes." Tony says surprised by the request but not needing to think about it. "Clint you and me have to figure out the best bachelor party ever."
"No." Coulson says knowing that wouldn't end well for him.
"Sorry Phil, you don't get a choice in the matter." Clint says with a grin "I'm in." He says and Coulson turns to Melinda as they sit down.
"Don't look at me." Melinda tells him, "Clint is your best man and Tony is you're groomsmen planning a bachelor party is their job." He tells them.
"What about guests? We need to get invitations out as soon as possible." Skye comments.
"Well the people at this table." Melinda comments.
"That's it?" Simmons asks surprised, "There has to be more people you would like at your wedding." She comments.
"You've got to invite Thor." Banner comments, "He would want to be there, he feels guilt for you death." He tells Coulson.
"Yes, invite Thor." Skye comments exchanging a grin with Simmons both of their fan girl dreams coming true.
"I don't know how to contact him." Coulson comments.
"I do." Tony comments, "I'll get a hold of him." He says.
"You can contact Thor?" Fury asks, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it doesn't always work." Tony reveals.
"Simmons is right, there has to be someone else you want to invite." Skye tells her parents.
"Doctor Streiten?" Coulson says to Melinda as he is the reason that both his fiancée and daughter are still alive.
"Yeah." Melinda says, "But I can't think of anyone else, our family is everyone at this table." She comments.
"What about Blake, Garrett and Sitwell?" Clint suggests, "You used to like hanging with them in the old days." He points out.
"Melinda has knocked both Blake and Sitwell out more than once." Natasha points out.
"So have you." Melinda defends, "So has Maria for that matter." She points out.
"And so has Simmons." Skye adds.
"What do these agents do to piss of the female S.H.I.E.L.D agents?" Tony asks interested.
"A lot of things." Maria answers.
"Well, what about Garrett?" Clint asks.
"After last time you, Phil and Garrett were together?" Melinda asks raising an eyebrow.
"Good point." Clint comments and Ward becomes interested wondering what happened.
"We'll think about it." Coulson comments ending the conversation before someone, meaning Natasha or Melinda can say what happened.
"Who's Garrett?" Skye asks her Uncle curious as he is the only one she has never heard of.
"Old friend, S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Ward's SO, and if I remember correctly one of the agents on the team to try and find you." Clint explains as he does he realises he probably could have left the S.H.E.L.D agent part out.
"Really?" Skye asks surprised wondering why she has never heard of him.
"Really." Clint confirms as the waiters come out.
"First course is served." The waiters comment and a course of food is placed in front of everyone.
"Bon appetite." Tony comments and everyone begins to eat.
They are almost finished desert, the dinner having passed without incident, the main conversation being about the wedding and surprisingly no one noticing that Skye and Ward aren't looking at each other when Skye realises something.
"Sir what about our mission for the next two weeks?" Skye asks and it isn't Fury that answers but Coulson.
"We currently have no leads, and it could take us a while before we find anything. We can work everything we have from New York and travel if we need to." He comments.
"I agree." Fury says, "Unless there is a lead that needs to be tracked down right away I don't see why you can't work from New York, in fact I believe it might work in our advantage." Fury comments.
"How?" Ward asks interested.
"It will make them think we are distracted, that we aren't focused on them." Natasha realises. "It could lead to a mistake being made by them."
"Exactly." Fury notes and both Steve and Banner exchange confused looks wondering what is going on.
"Enough with the shop talk." Stark comments, "We'll deal with the very large problems we've got tomorrow." He tells everyone.
"He's got a point." Skye comments, "No more work talk."
"You're the one who started it Kid." Clint tells his niece amused.
"Shut up." Skye tells her uncle teasingly.
"Never." Clint responds and he playful hits her shoulder.
"Children, do I have to separate you?" Natasha asks from Clint's other side.
"No." Clint and Skye respond, "We'll be good." Skye tells her and when Natasha isn't looking Skye sticks her tongue out at her Uncle and he does the same in response.
When the dinner ends the group goes their separate ways. Pepper telling Melinda and Coulson that she will be at the plane at about nine thirty the following morning to get started on working on all the plans that need to be done for the wedding as they do.
Once everyone arrives back at the plane they all go to their bunks or in some cases, the place that they sleep, everyone that is except for Simmons who follows Skye to her bunk.
"Are you alright?" Simmons asks curious.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Skye asks.
"Because you parents got engaged, are getting married in less than two weeks oh and you're avoiding even looking at your boyfriend." She tells her friend.
"Was it that notable?" Skye asks worried knowing that it won't end well for Ward if it was.
"No, not really, but we were in a room full of spies so one of them might have noticed, but I was only paying attention to you two because I heard what he said to you." Simmons explains.
"You did?" Skye asks surprised.
"I did." Simmons confirms, "So are you okay?" She asks concerned as she sits down across from Skye on her bunk.
"I find it hard to open up to people and I don't like it when people worry about me." Skye tells her friend.
"I know." Simmons responds.
"Yeah you do, so why doesn't he?" Skye asks sounding both upset and angry.
"I think he does." Simmons tells her, "But I think that he thought that maybe you would open up to him now that you are seeing each other." Simmons explains, "Especially considering how much you open up to Clint, Natasha and Tony."
"It's different opening up to them that it is talking to him about things." Skye explains, "People hurt you that's all I even known and relationships, romantic love that's what hurts you the most." Skye tells her friend, "I am petrified everything I tell Uncle Clint, тетя Наташа or even Mom and Dad something because I know every time I do I'm telling them something that could hurt me, even though I know that they wouldn't the fear is still there, it probably always will be." Skye explains, "I like Ward and I do trust him but the trust that he is asking me to put in him is something different, and I don't know if I can." Skye reveals.
"Are you willing to try?" Simmons asks.
"I don't know." Skye admits truthfully in a quiet voice.
"Talk to Ward tell him what you've told me." Simmons tells his voice, "He likes you Skye, a lot, but I don't think he gets just what it means to you to let someone in. Talk to him." Simmons tells his friend knowing that it is the best advice that she can give.
"I will." Skye tells her, "If he will talk to me." She adds.
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that, though you might want to wait until morning." Simmons tells her friend.
"Yeah, I will." Skye responds, "Now I'm betting that you're busting to go see your man, so go, I'll be okay." Skye assures her friend.
"Are you sure?" Simmons asks concerned.
"Positive, go." Skye tells her and Simmons leaves her friends bunk.
As she watches her go Skye smiles at her friend glad that one of their relationships seem to be going well. Deciding that she could do with an early night, Skye doesn't even bother to pull out her laptop like she would usually do instead she gets changed and heads to bed, hoping that the nightmares will stay away.
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