Chapter 24
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.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO STARFIRE25 WHO EDITED THIS CHAPTER FOR ME
TO SkyeWard Lover (Guest): Back when I was writing Child of SHIELD, back when I was sure that I wasn't going to continue this series after that story I thought up the Skye and Bucky scene where Skye uses her powers to help him, remove the mind control that Hydra had done to it. The potential of that relationship whatever form it may take is one of the bigger reasons why I continued this series, because it is something that I wanted to explore so it wasn't forced or only a part of the story because it was suggested, but because it was something I wanted.
Ward and Bucky are very different as Skye said Ward has chosen to be Hydra and do what he did why Bucky was forced and stoped once he had control. I've currently got two ideas about where I am going with Ward's character and I'm not sure which I am going to go with so the possibility to be redeemed is there, but it is important to me that if I write Ward changing sides it is because of him, that it is his choice and not because of the possibility of a relationship with Skye. I do not plan to have Skye and Ward get back together, but just because I don't plan on something doesn't mean that it will not happen because a lot of things I didn't plan have happened, but the likely hood of that happening in regards to this is low. If you choose not to continue reading then I understand.
AN2: Thank you to everyone who supports this story it means a lot.
Over the next few days neither Skye nor Bucky bring up what they talked to Steve and Clint about. They continue to hang out more often than not with some combination of Tripp, Sharon, Fitz and Simmons, and they act exactly like how they have been acting with each other since they met, neither of them bringing up the possibility of a relationship.
It is late afternoon the day that Skye and Sharon are leaving for DC, they are having dinner with everyone else before diving to DC, They are hopping to arrive in DC around one am and get some sleep before Skye faces congress and Sharon goes and sees Peggy and finalises a few other things that she needs to do. Due to the fact that Bruce and Simmons don't want Skye's casts to be removed until they absolutely have to Skye is wheeling around the tower searching for Pepper as there is something that she has to talk to her about before she presents her new plan to everyone else before dinner.
"Hey, Uncle Steve, do you know where Aunt Pepper is?" Skye asks curious as she wheels past her Uncle.
"Her office." Steve answers, "She just got back from Stark Industries." He explains.
"Cool, thanks." Skye says and she wheels off to Pepper's office, which is right near The War Room.
When Skye reaches Pepper's office she finds the door open and Pepper sitting at her desk working on something,
"Can we talk?" Skye asks knocking on the door.
"Of course, come in." Pepper says and Skye wheels in, pushing the door closed behind her. "What can I help you with?" Pepper asks her niece curious.
"It's about my plan for the leadership of New SHIELD." Skye explains, "It's not just going to be one person." Skye reveals.
"It's not?" Pepper asks surprised and curious.
"No, it's not." Skye explains, "James gave me the idea and Tonio and I discussed why it would be a good idea to have more than once person in change." Skye explains, "If we have more than one then there are hopefully going to be less mistakes and having a people with different experiences and values and skills will hopefully allow things to be seen from all different angels." Skye explains.
"I think it's a good idea." Pepper tells her niece, "But what do you need my help with?" Pepper asks curious.
"Well there is going to be three directors, who are in charge of everything and all decisions must either be unanimous or two to one majority." Skye explains, "And three deputy directors who will decide other things with the same rules as the directors." Skye explains, "Together they will form a council and be New SHIELD's leadership and very very serious and extreme decisions will be made by them as a group." Skye explains.
"But that's an even number, which is a problem." Pepper realises.
"Exactly." Skye says, "I know that we decided that for the foreseeable future that we will be associated with Stark Industries, which is why I thought that having a representative who just represents Stark Industries on the council would be a good idea." Skye explains, "If you're willing, I want that to be you." Skye explains, "You're the most qualified and I know without a doubt that you can keep the other six members in line." Skye says with a grin.
"I honoured, and I'll do it." Pepper tells her.
"Awesome." Skye responds.
"Can I find out the names of the directors before the meeting?" Pepper asks curious.
"I was hoping you would ask." Skye reveals, "I wanted your opinion." Skye says pulling a piece of paper out of her folder and handing it to Pepper, "So, what do you think?" Skye asks her aunt nervously about a minute later.
"I think it's perfect." Pepper reveals.
"You do?" Skye asks surprised.
"I do." Pepper answers, "You've picked the perfect balance." Pepper tells her, "Very different values, different experiences, and different skills, but when it comes down to it they are the people you're going to want leading you." Pepper tells her.
"Thanks." Skye tells her with a smile.
"No need, I'll see you at the meeting." Pepper tells her niece.
"I'll see you then." Skye says before wheeling out of the room.
For the next few hours Skye shuts herself in her room and goes over and over everything she plans to say at the meeting and how she plans to explain what New SHIELD's chain of command is going to look like.
"Miss Coulson, the meeting is due to start in five minutes." Jarvis informs Skye.
"Thanks Jarvis." Skye responds and she moves the files that she is going over off her lap so that she can transfer from the bed to her chair before wheeling out of her room.
When she reaches the elevator the doors open to reveal Bucky.
"Hey." Skye says to him, "Were you on the roof?" Skye asks curious.
"Yeah, I wanted to clear my head." Bucky explains, "Nervous?" he asks
"Oh yeah." Skye responds, "They asked me to pick one director and I picked three, plus three deputy directors, they could hate the idea." Skye tells him as the elevator doors open.
"Well considering it was mine you can throw me under the bus if they hate it." Bucky says to Skye as they walk down the hall towards the War Room.
"Never." Skye responds, "It was a good idea, I didn't have to go with it, if they hate it it's on me, but if they love it it's thanks to you." Skye responds.
"No way, if you are taking the blame if they hate it then you are also taking the credit if they love it." Bucky tells her.
"That's not fair, it was your idea." Skye tells him.
"Exactly, which is why I will take the blame if they hate it, but you really should take the credit if the love it because you put it in motion." Bucky says as they arrive at the War Room.
"We're not going to agree on this are we?" Skye ask as they walk in.
"I don't think so." Bucky says taking his seat on the end of the left side next to Tripp as Skye wheels to the head of the table.
"What aren't you going to agree on?" Coulson asks curious.
"Who takes the blame if you don't like the idea I used to base my decision on The New SHIELD director." Skye explains.
"Or who gets the credit." Bucky adds.
"Right that too." Skye says, "For a while I was struggling to think of who to choose for the new director because I wasn't sure if there was one of us who is everything we all want New SHIELD to be." Skye explains, "Which is when James gave me the idea that maybe that is the key, to not have just one director but multiple who work together as a team as directors. Have people with different experiences, skills and values so that a situation can be seen from all sides and mistakes can be minimised." Skye explains.
"That's a good idea." Maria says approvingly and several other nods are seen in the room.
"I decided on three directors, three deputy directors and a representative from Stark Industries, to form a council that is going to be New SHIELD'S leadership team, who will make the very major, decisions together." Skye explains, "All decisions will have to be agreed by a majority of in the case of Directors either two to one or unanimous, and for the council at least four to three if it's a less major issue and if it's like end of the world big then it has to be at least five to two." Skye tells everyone, "So most of the decisions will be made by the directors of course and decisions at the directors' discretion will be made by the deputies, and others by the council together." Skye explains, "The new chain of command will be, Directors then Deputy Directors, and along with Aunt Pepper as the Stark Industries Representative, will make up the leadership council or leadership team, which of course needs a better name." Skye says and several laughs are heard at that, "Then its Senior Specialist: SHIELD Field agent, or SSSFA then Junior Specialist: SHIELD Field Agent or JSSFA, the science division will be a part of the chain of command but I am leaving that to the new directors to decide where they fit in." Skye tells everyone, "Now I need to make it clear that picking the new directors wasn't easy, I changed my mind a hundred times but I am now as confident in my decision as I can be." Skye tells everyone.
"Skye you were chosen for this not just because Congress told you to do this but because we trust you to make this choice." Steve tells her.
"Thanks Uncle Steve." Skye says with a grateful smile, "Okay so the directors of new SHIELD are; Maria Hill." Skye says and pauses for the congratulations, "Phillip Coulson." Skye says and once more pauses, "and Steven Rogers." Skye reveals and once the congratulations finish occurring Skye speaks again, "I realised that with the three of you New SHIELD will be in the safest hands, you are the best choices." Skye tells them, "Your deputies are, Melinda May." Skye says and she once more pauses for congratulations, "Natasha Romanoff." Skye says and she pauses not just for congratulations but to prepare everyone for the most surprising of her appointments, "And Anthony Stark." Skye says to everyone surprise, "All six of you see the world in different ways and all have different experiences which I know you will use to make New SHIELD great." Skye says to everyone once they have finished congratulating Tony, "Now you can change this part around because I went with who are the most senior and had experiences but I've put the SSSFA's down as Clint Barton, John Garrett, and Sharon Carter, the JSSFA's as me, Antonio Triplett, James Barnes and Sam Wilson and the science divisions as Jemma Simmons, Bruce Banner, and Leo Fitz." Skye explains, "What do you think?" Skye asks curious, "Oh these are for you guys." Skye says handing Coulson, Maria and Steve each a folder.
"You know with my history Congress isn't going to be happy with me being deputy director." Natasha points out, "They may not even let the appointment stand." She reveals.
"Considering I was deputy director of the Old SHIELD I doubt they will be happy with me being made one of the directors of new SHIELD, so you're in good company." Maria tells Natasha.
"We all are." Tony comments, "You realise that considering all our history that the only ones they might be okay with are Melinda, Phil and Steve, and they are big might." Tony says.
"They'll accept it." Skye comments giving everyone a look which says I know more than you do which everyone realises is true. Skye adds 'I won't give them a choice' in her head but leaves it unsaid.
"I think the first decision of our new directors should be the name, are we keeping it or changing it?" Clint asks saving Skye from being asked questions that she won't answer.
"I think we need to have a talk about that." Maria said exchanging a look with Coulson and Steve.
"Tomorrow just call it New SHIELD, name being discussed." Coulson tells his daughter who nods.
"Does anyone have an objection to their new position?" Steve asks and everyone shakes their head.
"Good." Maria says, "Skye you did good, this is very detailed and though out planning." Maria informs her.
"Thanks Aunt Maria." Skye responds, "Can I get my casts off now?" Skye asks curious.
"You can." Bruce tells her, "But I want you to continue to use your chair until you leave for DC." He informs her.
"I can do that." Skye tells him.
"Good, then to the medical lab." He says as he stands up and Skye wheels across the room.
"Do I have to tell you again how much I think this isn't a good idea?" Bruce asks his niece curious as they enter the lab.
"Nope, you've made it pretty clear." Skye tells him.
"I mean it Skye, this really isn't a good idea." He tells his niece.
"I don't have a choice." Skye responds.
"Just try and rest as much as possible." Bruce tells her, "And only stand if you have to." He tells her, "Sit on the bed." Bruce requests and that's what Skye does.
"Can I let you in on a secret?" Skye asks her Uncle.
"Sure." Bruce responds.
"At the moment Congress is pissed at me, like really pissed. They're going to be looking for any weakness I have tomorrow so I can't give them any." Skye reveals.
"There is something you're not saying." Bruce realises, "There is more going on than what you saying, you're worried about what they are going to do, so what are they going to do?" Bruce asks concerned.
"I'm cautious." Skye answers, "And its better I don't tell you." Skye reveals.
"Skye." Bruce says in a worried voice.
"Look, you'll want to tell what I tell you and I don't want to put you in that position." Skye explains, "But don't worry, they'll be thinking about something that is to be concerned about but they are not going to do anything because they are worried about what I know, so while this trip is going to be interesting, you don't have to worry." Skye tells her Uncle.
"Are you sure?" Bruce asks though it is clear that he is still worried.
"I'm sure." Skye tells her Uncle, "Now get these things off me, please." Skye request and Bruce spends the next fifteen minutes removing the casts of Skye's legs.
"Have you short circuited your pain receptions yet?" Bruce asks.
"No, not yet." Skye responds as she rolls down her pants legs.
"Okay, I'm sorry for asking this because I know that it is going to hurt you but I want you to try to stand up before you do, see how you go." Bruce explains.
"Sure, I can try that." Skye says, "You might have to be ready to catch me though." Skye tells her Uncle.
"Of course." Bruce says putting the instruments that he uses to cut Skye's cast's off away and then he walks back over to her, "Ready?"
"Ready." Skye says and she slowly and carefully lowers herself on to the ground, unlike the last time that she did that she doesn't scream out in pain but she does have to grab onto to the table and fight not to.
"How bad?" Bruce asks.
"Bad." Skye responds through clenched teeth as she lowers herself into the wheelchair.
"Will you be able to keep your receptors short circuited for long enough?" Bruce asks.
"Yeah I should." Skye answers.
"Like I said just try to put as little weight as possible on your legs and if you have to stand do it for as short of time as possible." Bruce requests.
"I'll do my best." Skye responds, "Thanks Uncle Bruce, I'll see you at dinner." Skye tells her Uncle.
"See you then." Bruce responds and Skye wheels out of the room.
Knowing that she has about twenty minutes until dinner Skye heads straight up to her room to finish something else she has been working on for the last few days.
"Done." Skye says to herself, five minutes after she sat down on her laptop, "Jarvis I'm uploading a vault to the system and hiding it with my standard extreme encryption, so if things in DC go bad; if I don't come back; if it doesn't go well and something happens to me or if the others notice on the hacked Video feed, I know that they are planning on setting up, that I am being railroaded or not given a fair chance, inform Uncle Tony and release the vault to him, he'll know what to do." Skye tells the artificial intelligence.
"Yes Miss Coulson." Jarvis responds.
"Thank you Jarvis." Skye responds glad that her insurance policy is in place just in case what she told Bruce is wrong. Looking at her packed bag and the garment bag that Pepper has hung on her wardrobe door Skye wheels out of her room and heads to the dining room for dinner.
(Line break)
Dinner passes much like it usually does in the tower, with good food and conversations.
"You ready to go Skye?" Sharon asks once she realises that both of them have finished eating.
"Yep." Skye responds.
"Keep calm and don't let them get under your skin." Melinda tells her daughter as she walks over and gives her a hug.
"Stand as little as possible." Coulson tells her as he hugs Skye after Melinda has.
"Be strong, be forceful and don't let anyone push you around." Natasha tells her niece
"Be respectful." Steve says.
"Don't insult them like Tony did." Pepper advices.
"Hey." Tony says annoyed, "Don't be afraid to show how much smart than them you are, because you are." Tony tells her.
"Thanks Uncle Tony." Skye tells him.
"Kick ass." Tripp tells her and Skye has to smile at that.
"We've got to go." Sharon says and everyone heads down to the garage, both Skye and Sharon stopping at their respective rooms before they do.
Once they finish saying goodbye to everyone Skye and Sharon get into one of Tony's cars that he is letting them borrow and they leave the tower.
Skye and Sharon have been driving for about an hour and in that time Skye notices that Sharon keeps looking over at her trying to make it as un noticeable as possible that that is what she is doing.
"Why do you keep doing that?" Skye asks her curiosity getting too much for her.
"What?" Sharon asks.
"Looking at me, I don't mind but why do you keep doing that?" Skye asks curious.
"Sorry, it's just, I met you when you were a baby." Sharon explains, "The first time." She adds having been filled in on the whole de aged thing.
"Really?" Skye asks as thanks to Tripp she knew that she had met Tripp but she didn't realise that she knew Sharon.
"Really." Sharon confirms, "It was only days before you were kidnapped." Sharon reveals, "I was about four, almost five." Sharon explains, "Aunt Peggy was babysitting you because your parents had a meeting at SHIELD." Sharon explains, "Tonio and I were also there, I don't remember exactly why." Sharon explains, "I remember holding you and I remember squeezing your face a lot." Sharon reveals and Skye laughs.
"Thanks for that." Skye says amused.
"Sorry." Sharon responds with a small smile, "Tonio was two, and he was horrible." Sharon reveals.
"I'm sure he couldn't have been that bad." Skye comments.
"Oh he was." Sharon reveals, "After his nap he liked to throw toys at you because he wanted to play and didn't understand that you couldn't." Sharon explains, "And the next part I only know because I've been reminded of it a lot." Sharon explains, "Apparently I walked over to Tonio pushed him over and said 'you don't hurt May' and declared myself your SHIELD agent." Sharon explains.
"Really?' Skye asks once they both finish laughing.
"Really, Aunt Peggy has always been particularly fond of telling that story." Sharon explains, "Aunt Peggy took so many photos that day but I never saw them, not for a long time anyway." Sharon explains.
"Because I was kidnapped." Skye realises and Sharon nods.
"I didn't understand until I was a bit older, all I knew was that I never saw my cousin again." Sharon explains, "When I was about eight Aunt Peggy showed me the photos that she took that day and she explained to me that they were away and not out because they made Aunt Melinda sad." Sharon explains, "My point is, I keep looking at you because I'm so happy that you found your parents again, that we can have a chance of being what we always should have been." Sharon explains, "If you want." She adds.
"A family." Skye realises.
"A family." Sharon confirms.
"I'd like that." Skye responds and the pair exchange a smile, "I should have known my parents, my family, my whole live but I didn't." Skye says, "I have one set of memories where I did but it's not the same, don't get me wrong I am so happy that we had that chance, but I know I'm missing a lot." Skye explains, "Do you think you could tell me some stories?" Skye asks nervously.
"Of course." Sharon responds and she proceeds to tell Skye all kinds of stories about their family.
From the moment Sharon started telling stories and Skye added some of her own they both felt like the drive went a lot quicker. After what feels like a really short amount of time but what was actually several hours Sharon pulls up out front of her apartment building.
"Are you okay?" Sharon asks when she looks over at Skye and sees that she has her eyes closed and a hand on either leg.
"I am now." Skye responds.
"Did you just short circuit your pain receptors?" Sharon asks curious.
"Yep." Skye responds and the pair get out of the car, grab their stuff and head upstairs.
PLEASE REVIEW
PLEASE REVIEW
PLEASE REVIEW