Chapter 25
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THANK YOU SO MUCH TO STARFIRE25 WHO EDITED THIS CHAPTER FOR ME
Both Skye and Sharon manage to get a few hours' sleep after they arrive in DC and then they both get up early in the morning to get ready.
"Honestly, how bad do I look?" Skye asks walking out into the kitchen where Sharon is sting drinking coffee. Skye is wearing a black skirt and jacket with a white tank top underneath.
"Not bad at all." Sharon tells her.
"Really?" Skye asks surprised.
"Really." Sharon confirms, "What are you doing with your hair?"
"No idea, suggestions?" Skye asks curious.
"Put it up, in a bun." Sharon suggests, "It's out of the way and you won't be tempted to play with it."
"Thank you." Skye responds and she heads back to the bathroom, as she does Sharon notices that she is grabbing onto furniture as she goes so Sharon gets up and heads to the bathroom.
"Are you going to be okay walking into Congress not being able to lean on anything?" Sharon asks concentred.
"Yeah, I'll manage." Skye assures, "I have to."
"You know how bad this is going to be, don't you?" Sharon asks.
"I have an idea." Skye responds.
"And?" Sharon asks concerned.
"It could get bad, I'm not going to deny that, but this is what I have to do, like I said the world needs us and that's important. I'll be okay." Skye assures her cousin.
"How are you so sure?" Sharon asks.
"Because I have a backup plan in place just in case." Skye reveals, "And I know that they are worried about just what I know which means they are worried about doing something to me." Skye explains, "I'll be okay." She assures.
"Are you sure?" Sharon asks.
"Positive." Skye responds.
"On another note please don't tell me that you are wearing high heels." Sharon says.
"I wish I could." Skye responds and she actually means that.
"Skye, you can barely walk in flats." Sharon points out.
"I know." Skye says, "That's why I won't put them on until I'm getting out of the car." Skye explains as she starts to put her hair up.
Half an hour later Sharon pulls up in front of Congress.
"Good Luck." Sharon tells her Cousin as Skye puts on her black high heels.
"Thanks." Skye responds, "If you think Peggy will have any idea who I am say hi for me." Skye asks.
"Of course." Sharon responds, "See you later.
"See you later." Skye responds before, grabbing her brief case of documents and getting out of the car.
At the Tower everyone is in the War Room where, just like Skye knew they would, they have hacked into Congresses internal video screen and are preparing to watch everything go down.
(Line break)
After she exits Sharon's car Skye walks up the stairs, trying not to make it as obvious that she is leaning against the rail a lot. Once she reaches the top of the stairs Skye takes a deep breath and walks into the building.
As soon as she enters the building Skye has to spend about fifteen minutes going through security. Once she has gone through Skye gets escorted to the room where Congress are waiting on her.
"Miss Coulson, you're late." The chair says to Skye asks she walks in.
"I apologise." Skye says to him even though she knows that she is more than ten minutes early.
"Please take your seat." Skye is told and she walks to the single chair in front of the panel and sits down.
"I have files to give." Skye inform the committee.
"Of course." The chair responds and he sends someone to collect them.
"Please do not open until I ask." Skye requests.
"Of course" The council member responds.
"Thank you." Skye says to him, "I would like to start by saying this assignment is something I took very seriously and which I did put a lot of thought into." Skye informs the committee.
"Before we get to that we would like to ask you a few questions." The chair requests.
"Of course." Skye responds as she knew that this was coming.
"Where have you been since the fall of the Triskelion? What have you been doing?"
"I left the country, due to Hydra and several other parties who have interests in me. I left the country to protect those I care about." Skye reveals, "I have since realized that the best way to protect people is to be with them so I have returned." Skye tells the council.
"We have no record of you leaving the country or returning." The council informs Skye.
"You wouldn't." Skye tells them, "I didn't want anyone to know where I was going or that I returned." Skye explains.
"Can you offer proof that you did in fact leave the country?"
"Of course." Skye answers.
"You are to submit it to the court in the next forty days." They inform Skye.
"I have it right here." Skye says handing over a different folder.
"When were you informed that Hydra was active?"
"I was woken by the knowledge the morning of Nick Fury's death." Skye answers, "I left my family and headed here because I knew that I had to talk to Director Fury myself that this wasn't a conversation that we could have over the phone." Skye explains, "When I got to the Triskelion I informed Director Fury of what I knew and we left the Triskelion together because we were surrounded by Hydra agents and strategically it wasn't the best place to mount a defence." Skye explains.
"Director Fury was found in Steve Rogers residence fatally wounded, where were you when that occurred?" The Council asks Skye.
"Director Fury and I were attacked in his car." Skye explains wanting to explain the next bit in a certain way so that she doesn't make it even more painful than it has to be for Bucky to hear, "The Man that none of you believe to exist by the name of The Winter Solider, was the one who attacked us. I have since found out that that man was in fact brainwashed and I have un-done what Hydra did to him so he is his own man once more." Skye informs congress.
"We want to speak to him."
"No, you want to arrest him." Skye says and uses her power to find out just what they want to do to him, "And have him tortured too, really?" Skye asks, "Well you can forget that because I won't let it happen." Skye tells them.
"Tell us his name." Congress orders.
"That you can have." Skye informs them, "His name is James 'Bucky' Barnes, former howling commando and Steve Rogers's best friend. Found by Hydra after his believed death in World War Two and has been brainwashed and in and out of Cryo for decades" Skye responds, "You can try to arrest him and do what you want to him, but Captain America won't let you, and neither will I." Skye reveals, "I have complete faith in Mr Barnes, a lot more than I have in any of you. You're not touching him, next question?" Skye asks, leaving no room for arguments.
"What happened after Director Fury's car was attacked?" One of the other council members not the head asks.
"We got out of the wrench." Skye explains, "Director Fury ordered me to use my abilities to protect myself so I did, I was only slightly hurt." Skye reveals, "Director Fury was worried about what would happen if Hydra got their hands on me and what they would do to get their hands on my power so he told me to leave him and go hide myself away, so I did." Skye reveals, "I used contacts of mine form when I was a teenager and I remained hidden until I learnt of his death and then I reached out to Deputy Director Hill and you know the rest." Skye tells congress, using the lie she created and told the others to cover for the fact that Fury is alive when they all need to believe he is dead.
"Why did you reach out to Deputy Director Hill and not one of your parents?"
"Because I was concerned about their safety." Skye explains, "I knew that if I reached out to them I would be potentially putting them in serious danger." Skye explains.
"Please tell us your plans of the reformation of SHIELD." One of the council members, who Skye knows is the most on her side requests.
"As I said last week the goal of SHIELD was always protection and that is something that this world needs." Skye reveals, "To be the best protection we can be then we need a solid base, a foundation a heart, which is what New SHIELD'S directors and deputy directors will be." Skye tells the committee.
"Directors as in plurals?"
"Yes." Skye answers, "You can open your folders now." Skye says, "As you see the leadership of new SHIELD is going to be quite different but I feel that with three directors, three deputies and a leadership team of seven then the probability of mistakes can be lowed and it will be possible to see a situation from all sides." Skye reveals, "Now, complaints?" Skye asks and unknown to her everyone back at the tower is very amused by the way that she phrased that.
"Maria Hill is still under investigation for the part that she played in Hydra's take over and this committee still has questions in regards to the secrets she kept for Nick Fury." The committee tells Skye.
"Maria Hill didn't play any part in Hydra's take over, she risked her life to stop it and I know all the secrets that Nick Fury and Maria Hill kept and they are no were near as bad as the secrets you are keeping." Skye says, "Next objection?" Skye ask the shocked panel.
"With her history Natasha Romanoff isn't appropriate to be Deputy Director."
"Her history is exactly what makes her the perfect choice to be deputy director." Skye tells the panel, "See sees the world differently, she realises thing that the rest of us will overlook and she knows better than anyone the methods that will be used." Skye tells the committee, "Natasha Romanoff is one of the deputy directors of New SHIELD, and that's not going to change." Skye says, "Any other objections?"
"Tony Stark." One of the council members say but before he can give any reason Skye cuts him off
"Tony Stark is a hero, he is a genius and he has decades of experience with running Stark industries not to mention that ever since he became Iron Man he has made protection and peace his number one priority which is exactly what the goal of New SHIELD is." Skye tells the group.
"Miss Coulson you should think about showing us more respect."
"I am showing you the same amount of respect you are showing me, and the people I care about, it's a two way street." Skye tells them.
"Miss Coulson you are very close to being held in contempt of court." Another member tells Skye.
"I haven't done anything wrong." Skye tells them, "The fact of the matter is that you gave me a job and you don't like the way I am doing it, you don't like that I am standing up to you, and you defiantly don't like that I know all of your secrets." Skye informs them, "I am here for one reason, and one reason only, and that's to give my report on the founding of New SHIELD." Skye informs them.
"From what we have here, we cannot allow this to go forward." The chair informs Skye, "You're entire list is former agents and security risks that haven't been cleared yet." The chair tells Skye, "Give us one reason why we should okay this."
"Because you'll be making the biggest mistake of your life if you don't." Skye tells them as she knew that was coming, it's what she says after what she has to say that she doesn't know the outcome off, "Hydra as well as threats you can't even comprehend are out there. To quote Director Hill, 'The World ended with the Battle of New York, this is the New World.' And it's a world that none of you are prepared to deal with, but we are, it's what we do, it's what we have decades of experience doing." Skye tells them, "This team of security threats as you call them are a team of heroes who will do everything in their power to protect people whether you want them to or not." Skye tells them,
"Are you saying that you will work against the government?" One of the members asks.
"If we have to." Skye answers, "Hydra is out there, and so many more threats. You need us, it's as simple as that. So yes if you refuse to admit that then we will continue to do whatever we can to protect Humanity, with or without your permission." Skye reveals.
"May Skye Philippa Coulson, you are being held in custody until further notice." Once of the council members say.
"Yeah, I wouldn't do that." Skye tells the committee, "I have a backup plan in motion, one that would have just been activated." Skye reveals, as back at the tower Jarvis gives Tony access to the vault she created, "If you arrest me, all you secrets, every single one that you think I couldn't possibly know are going to see the light of day." Skye reveals, glad that Tony is smart enough not to do anything with them until she finishes talking and sees what happens next.
"Are you threatening us?" The Chair asks.
"No, making you a promise." Skye reveals, "I hate a lot of the secrets that you are keeping, I really do, and if this was a perfect word, if I only knew what I once knew and was who I once was, then I would have released them to the public as soon as I knew them, but this isn't a perfect world, I'm not who I was anymore, I know what I know, and I didn't." Skye reveals, "I understand now that there are just some things that shouldn't be known for everyone's own good, but you need to understand that allowing us to rebuild SHIELD in whatever way we see fit is also for everyone's good." Skye tells them, "I am proposing an understanding between us, I'll keep your secrets and you let us do what we do, what you need us to do. Let us protect people." Skye says and the entire room drifts into silence and Skye is more concerned that she will let she that she is actually going to get arrested.
For several minutes the council members just exchange looks and several pieces of paper Skye isn't sure what is going to happen and she doesn't want to use her powers to find out.
"Miss Coulson your request to reform SHIELD, possibly under a new name has been granted." The chair tells Skye, "Once a month a member of the organization will have to come here and answer any questions we have." The chair tells her, "You will keep this committee updated on any important intelligence that you gain due to your abilities and must present yourself before this committee when requested." The chair tells Skye.
"I accept those terms but I would like to make an addendum" Skye says, "You will give me at least forty eight hours' notice before the date that you want me to present myself and you will let our organization work without interference from you." Skye tells the committee.
"Agreed." The committee respond.
"I will also like to add that due to my abilities there may be times where I need to speak to you with little notice." Skye admits.
"I believe you know how to contact us." The head replies.
"I do." Skye responds.
"Miss Coulson, you are free to go." The head responds and Skye nods, gets up and leaves.
Back at the tower everyone watched the events occur becoming more and more concerned as they did. When the council informed Skye that she was being arrested Jarvis informed Tony about the vault that Skye set up and they continue to watch, becoming more impressed as she goes, Skye talk her way out of being arrested and even set up at least some goodwill between New SHIELD and Congress.
"She did it." Sam says impressed as Skye walks out of the room.
"That's our girl." Coulson says with a proud smile on his face.
"She did well." Melinda, who also has a proud smile on her face says.
"Tony, how bad are the secrets?" Steve asks as ever since Jarvis released the vault to him he has been reading through the documents that Skye left him.
"Bad." Tony answers, "But, Skye was right not to release them and not just because it gives us an insurance policy but because it means we can try and limit who knows this stuff to make sure Hydra doesn't get their hands on it." He says.
"They likely already have." Natasha points out.
"I don't think so." Tony answers, "I know it's likely, but because of what some of these secrets are I don't think they know." He admits.
"All better for us then, I guess." Clint comments though it's clear that his voice is far from being reassuring.
After she leaves the hearing room Skye makes her way outside and to the steps where as soon as she exits she sees Sharon holding two cups of coffee.
"You're amazing." Skye tells her.
"Yep." Sharon answers handing Skye one of the cups.
"How was Peggy?" Skye asks curious.
"Not good." Sharon answers, "Today's a bad day."
"I'm sorry." Skye answers, not sure what else to say.
"Thanks." Sharon answers, "So I need to pack up a few things still so do you mind giving me a hand before we head back to New York?" Sharon asks curious, clearly not wanting to talk about Peggy anymore.
"Not at all." Skye answers as they reach Sharon's car.
"May Coulson, sit down." Sharon's annoyed voice says as they have been back at Sharon's apartment for several hours packing up her stuff and Sharon has begun to notice that Skye is having more and more issues standing and moving.
"I'm fine." Skye tells her.
"No, you're not." Sharon tells her cousin, "You're barely able to stand, sit." Sharon instructs, "I've just got a few more things to pack, then I'm done and we can go back to New York. So please take it easy." She requests.
"I want to help." Skye tells Sharon.
"I get that, but you're hurt, even if you can't feel it, you need rest." Sharon instructs, "Please Skye." Sharon requests.
"Fine, I'll sit for a bit." Skye tells her.
"Thank you." Sharon responds and as Skye walks over and sits down on the couch Sharon starts to pack the rest of the stuff up.
Three hours later Skye and Sharon are on the road on their way back to New York. Sharon who is driving looks over to ask Skye something and she notice that her young cousin is fast asleep. When she notices that Sharon can't help but smile because as she is sleeping Skye looks so innocent and safe and yet she spent most of the morning threatening the US Government. To make sure that it doesn't wake her Sharon turns down the radio and continues to drive, occasionally looking over at Skye as she does.
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