Chapter 46
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: Thanks for the support. This is the second last chapter. Tomorrow there will be the last chapter and the epilogue.
Even though none of them want to admit it Coulson, Melinda, Natasha, Clint and Bucky can feel the hope they have that Skye will be okay diminish a bit with every day that passes, although when Jane, Thor, and Darcy arrive they can feel that hope build up again, but as the days pass and it reaches twenty days since Skye loss consciousness with no sign of Skye waking or an idea on how to help her they can feel the hope once more start to diminish.
It is two days before Christmas and even though a lot of the members of the Tower stopped believing in miracles a long time ago a Christmas miracle is exactly what they are hoping for.
For the last week those who don't spend all their time in either a lab or by Skye's side have been debating whether or not to put the Christmas decorations up. After a lot of discussion they eventually agree to, feeling like it would be for the best and they even invited Rhodey to stay at the tower until after New Year's even though they know it's likely not to be much of a Christmas.
"There has got to be a way." Jane comments once more going through all the information that they have collected, "We need to find a way to help her."
"That's exactly what we are doing Jane, but what it comes down to is that we don't understand this energy, and honestly we don't even know if we are measuring it correctly." Tony points.
"What about having Thor take her to Asgard? They have more advance technology there right?" Fitz asks, "There might be a way to help here there." He point outs.
"Odin won't allow it." Jane tells him, "But Thor is prepared to figure out a way to sneak Skye in if we truly can't figure this out." She tells them.
"Give it a few more days and we might have to take him up on it." Simmons comments, "How can we be failing at this? How can we fail her?" Simmons asks becoming upset and she puts her head on the table and she starts to cry about the fact that she is failing her little sister.
"Oh Jemma. We'll figure this out. We always do." Fitz tells his girlfriend walking over to her and pulling her up into a hug, "Science never fails." He tells her.
"It is now." Simmons responds.
"No, it's not. Not yet." Fitz tells her and Simmons doesn't responds so he just holds his girlfriend as she cries.
"No. No more crying." Simmons says several minutes later, "Crying won't help anything, and it won't help Skye. No more crying." Simmons says and she starts to wipe her eyes with her fingers.
"Here." Fitz says pulling a hanky out of his pocket to hand it to her but as he does he pulls something else out as well, a ring box, which falls on the floor between him and Simmons.
"Fitz." Simmons says shocked realising what it is, as Fitz tries to pick it up before she can see it but she manages to pick it up first, "Fitz, is this what I think it is?" Simmons asks as Tony, Bruce and Jane now turn to watch what's going on.
"Yeah." Fitz admits, "I was going to wait until we had helped Skye. I was going to plan this whole thing." Fitz says looking around and realising something, "But think this is more fitting. You and I in a lab trying to save the person who helped us get together. It's where we started after all. In a lab, side by side." Fitz says and he reaches over and grabs the ring box out of Jemma's hand and gets down on one knee and opens it, "Jemma Simmons, you're more than my best friend, you're my everything, will you marry me?" he ask.
"Yes, I will Fitz." Simmons says, and Fitz puts the ring on her, and once he is standing up they kiss while Tony, Bruce and Jane clap, "We can't do any planning or tell anyone else until we know that Skye is okay." Simmons tells Fitz as he places the ring on her finger.
"Agreed." Fitz responds and Tony, Bruce and Jane come up and all say congratulations to the pair.
"Let's get back to work." Jemma says after exchanging one more kiss with Fitz.
"You just got engaged and you want to keep working?" Bruce asks.
"Of course." Fitz and Simmons reply.
"If only we had some of the energy that is inside Skye." Jane comments, "Then maybe we could understand how it worked a bit better." She says.
"That's it." Tony says getting a look on his face that Bruce recognizes to be Tony's 'I've got a genius idea' look, "I'll be right back." He says before running out of the lab.
"What just happened?" Jane asks confused.
"He got an idea." Bruce explains simply.
"Any idea what?" Simmons asks.
"None." Bruce responds and the four of them just wait for Tony to get back.
When he does get back a few minutes later he is carrying what looks like half the towers supply of arrows in three quivers.
"What's with the arrows?" Bruce asks his boyfriend.
"These aren't just any arrows." Tony reveals, "Skye put a bit of her power into each and every one of them." He explains.
"That's fantastic. How do we get the energy out?" Jane asks.
"I don't think we have to." Tony says looking deep in thought.
"What are you thinking?" Bruce asks wanting to pick up on his boyfriends train of thought.
"When Skye put her energy in these arrows she made it so that they will stun on impact." Tony says looking at Bruce.
"But Skye cannot be stunned with her own power." Bruce realises, having a good idea of what Tony is thinking, "You think that if touch her skin with an arrow, without even breaking the skin, that the energy that is meant to stun will just be pulled inside and may be able to increase her energy levels." Bruce realises.
"It would be the same as when Skye sucks energy back into herself." Tony comments.
"It could work." Jane comments nodding.
"What do you think?" Tony asks Looking at Fitz and Simmons.
"It makes sense in theory." Fitz comments, "It should work but whether it does or not is another question." He comments.
"Simmons?" Tony asks.
"It could work. It should work, but what if we make it her energy levels increase back to their regular mark it's too much for her to handle." Simmons points out.
"This isn't like when she took the energy out of the Clairvoyant. This is her own energy. Her body, her mind, and energy inside of her will recognize that so it shouldn't build back to over the level it was before she used to knock out fifteen Hydra agents." Tony comments.
"But if it does because her current energy is building itself back at such a slow pace she should be able to adapt." Bruce comments.
"It has risks, but it's also the only idea we've had in almost three weeks. We've got to try." Simmons comments and the others nods.
"Let's go." Tony says as he, Bruce and Jane pick up a quiver each.
When Tony, Bruce, Fitz, Simmons and Jane enter the medical lab they find, Coulson, Melinda, Bucky, Natasha and Clint sitting in the same places that they have been sitting for the last twenty days. Coulson and Bucky on Skye's left side, Melinda and Clint on their right, and Natasha sitting near her feet watching over them all.
"Have you found something?" Melinda asks when she sees them.
"What's with the arrows?" Clint asks when he sees them.
"We have an idea." Tony tells them, "Skye put a bit of her power into each of these arrows and we think that that is the key to helping her." Tony explains.
"Skye's energy can't be used against itself." Clint points out.
"That's what we're counting on." Bruce says to their confusion, "If anyone but Skye was touched with the head of one of these arrows they would be stunned, but we are hoping that in Skye's case her body will draw the energy out of the arrow and back into her." He explains.
"You want to stab Skye with three hundred arrows?" Natasha asks with a frown.
"No." Simmons says, "We don't think we're going to have to stab her. We think that by just placing the arrow next to her skin will be enough." She explains.
"What do you think the chances are of this working?" Melinda asks.
"Truthfully we don't know." Jane admits, "But we also know that this is the first idea we've had that has a chance of working." She tells them, "We think we've got to try."
"Then try." Coulson says, "If there is a chance of getting my daughter back then I want you to try." He says and the others nod.
"Bruce, Jane, Jemma keep an eye on the machine. Fitz and I will handle the arrows." Tony says and they nod and head over to the machines.
"Everyone else stand back please. Just to be on the safe side." Fitz comments and reluctantly everyone but he and Tony take a step back.
"Ready when you are." Bruce tells Tony from the machines.
"Here we go." Tony says and he places the tip of an arrow to Skye's skin which if you were looking closely you would see a bit of blue white energy go from the arrow into Skye.
"Anything?" Bucky asks.
"Yeah." Bruce says, "Her levels increased by zero point two five." He reveals.
"That's not much." Clint comments confused, not completely understanding why Tony, Bruce, Jane, Fitz and Simmons look so happy.
"Are you kidding?" Simmons asks, "After the last twenty days that's a miracle." She informs him.
"It is?" Clint asks.
"Yeah it is." Tony says as he picks up another arrow, "We should do the one at a time. We don't know what affect doing multiple will have." Tony says.
"Agreed." The other scientists say as Coulson reaches over and grabs his wife's hand, feeling like everything is going to be okay for the first time in twenty days.
For a little over an hour, one by one, Tony and Fitz slowly touch three hundred arrows to Skye's skin.
"That's the last one. What are her levels?" Tony asks.
"Ninety five percent." Jane says, "It worked." She comments a relieved smile on her face.
"We don't know that. Not until she wakes up." Natasha comments.
"Until who wakes up?" Skye asks sitting up, but before anyone can have a chance to respond she finds herself being hugged tightly by both her parents, "I'm okay." Skye tells her parents and for a minute she is confused about why they seem so worried, but then she remembers.
"We love you so much Baby Girl." Coulson tells his daughter.
"Please stop scaring us like that. We can't lose you May." Melinda tells her daughter.
"I'll do my best." Skye responds, "How long?" she asks.
"Twenty days." Bucky tells her.
"You kept your promise." Skye says to him.
"And you kept yours." Bucky responds and the pair exchange a smile.
"How do you feel?" Simmons ask as she and Jane comes over to check Skye's vitals.
"Good. Really good actually." Skye admits, "How's that possible?" she asks then notices Jane, "Jane? What are you doing here?"
"Tony called me in to help." Jane replies, "We've been trying to find a way to get your energy levels up." She tells her.
"What did you do?" Skye asks curious, "I didn't think I was going to wake up."
"Then why did you do it kid?" Clint asks and Skye realises that she is going to have to have a talk with her Uncle in private.
"Because I had to." Skye tells her Uncle, "Those Hydra agents needed to be taken down and that was the only way they could be. It was the only way for us to have a chance to get out of there." Skye explains, "What happened with them anyway?" Skye asks, "With Grace." She adds.
"Everyone at the warehouse including Grace is currently being kept in the most secure prison in the country, but Ward got away." Natasha explains.
"And running Hydra now would be my bet." Skye comments with a frown.
"That's what we think." Tony confirms.
"So you didn't answer my question." Skye says to Fitz, Simmons, Jane, Tony and Bruce, "what did you do?" Skye asks.
"We put the arrows that you put your powers in next to your skin and you pulled the energy back into you." Simmons explains
"Good plan." Skye says, and as she does she notices something on her sisters' finger as she detaches the IV that Skye no longer needs.
"Oh my god. Is that what I think it is?" Skye asks and Jemma nods causing Skye to squeal and jump down of the table, making Simmons glad that she detached the IV's, and hug both Jemma and Fitz, "I'm so happy for you both. When did this happen?" she asks.
"About an hour and a half ago." Simmons answers.
"What's going on?" Coulson asks confused.
"Fitz and I are engaged." Jemma explains and everyone comes over to congratulate pair.
"How are you feeling?" Bucky ask Skye as everyone congratulates Fitz and Simmons.
"Better than I thought I would." Skye admits, "I didn't think I would wake up, so to feel this strong is shocking." Skye admits, not believing how good she feels, "What about you? How are you?" Skye asks curious.
"Completely healed." Bucky tells her, "I heal fast remember." Bucky says, and as his voice turns serious he asks, "You really didn't think you would wake up, did you?"
"No. I didn't." Skye says, "Did you really not leave me?" Skye asks.
"I made you a promise. I wasn't going to break it." Bucky tells her.
"Thank you." Skye says and then she kisses him.
When Skye and Bucky finally break apart from their kiss about a minute later they notice that everyone is watching them.
"You're not going to kill James now are you Dad?" Skye asks worried.
"Skye in the three weeks I have seen a man who has only left your side when Steve physically forced him to. I've seen how much he cares and I know how good of a man he is. Even though I know you don't need it and you shouldn't, I approve." Coulson tells his daughter.
"So do I." Melinda adds, though like Coulson she knows that Skye doesn't need approval though it will mean a lot to her to have it.
"Thank you." Skye tells her parents and she gives them both a hug, "I love you." She tells her parents.
"We love you too." Both Coulson and Melinda respond.
"Hang on did you say twenty days?" Skye ask and her parents nod, "That means it's what? Two days to Christmas?" Skye asks and her parents nod, "Oh god. That means I've got to go Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. That's going to be a nightmare." She comments.
"Kid you've been unconscious for three weeks I think we'll all understand if you don't get us gifts." Clint tells his niece.
"I want to." Skye says walking across the room to her Uncle who is standing with her Aunt, both of whom she gives a hug.
"Skye maybe you should rest." Coulson comments.
"I feel fine. I know I am fine." Skye tells her parents, "Where's everyone else?" Skye asks curious as she gives everyone who she hasn't already a hug.
"Um, J?" Tony asks.
"Everyone is in dining room having dinner Sir." Jarvis answers.
"We should go up there. I'm pretty positive none of you have been eating well for the last three weeks so it will do you good to eat." Skye comments and no one corrects her because she knows that she is right.
"Are you sure that you are alright?" Tony asks his niece.
"Positive." Skye tells her Uncle, "What you did worked." Skye tells them.
"What about long term affects? Will there be any consequences?" Bruce asks.
"No." Skye tells him, "I'll be fine." She assures her Uncle.
"Good." Bruce says relieved
"Thank you, all of you, so so much." Skye says looking at Tony, Fitz, Bruce, Jane, and Simmons.
"Tony is the one who came up with the idea." Simmons tells Skye.
"Then thankyou to Uncle Tony for figuring out the way to save me and thank you for the rest of you for working for three weeks for a way to do it." Skye tells her sister, "Now upstairs?" Skye asks and the others nod and together the group makes their way upstairs.
When they get to the top floor of the tower almost everyone is shocked to see the Christmas decorations.
"Who put these up?" Bucky asks curious.
"I'm not actually sure." Tony admits as they arrive at the dining room.
When Skye sees the rest of her family sitting at the table she smiles but when she sees a familiar face the smile on her face turns to shock, "Darcy?" she asks.
"Skye!" Darcy say throwing down her fork and racing over to her friend and hugging her.
"What are you doing here?" Skye asks shocked as she is positive that no one, with the exception of Clint who she may have mentioned Darcy to, knows that Darcy is her friend.
"I came with Jane and Thor. Jane's who I've been working with for the last few years. I didn't realise that you were Coulson's daughter though." She explains and the second that Darcy isn't hugging her anymore, Sharon and Tripp are.
"Lady Skye I am relieved that you are healthy once more." Thor tells Skye.
"Thanks Thor." Skye says shocked to see the god.
"Are you okay?" Sharon asks her cousin.
"Surprisingly yeah." Skye answers.
"Promise?" Tripp asks.
"Promise." Skye tells him and the trio hug her once more.
"Guys, how about instead of suffocating Skye with hugs we sit down and eat." Maria suggests, "Something which some of us haven't been doing much of for the last few weeks." She comments looking at Coulson, Melinda, Natasha, Clint, Bucky, Fitz, Simmons, Tony, Bruce and Jane as she speaks.
"Good idea. I'm really hungry." Skye comments.
"Well we've been feeding you through an IV for the past three weeks that's not the same as actually eating." Bruce points out.
"No it's not." Skye says as everyone sits down and for the first time in three weeks they enjoy a mean all together.
Two days after Skye woke up it is Christmas, and the group have what none of them thought would be possible a few days ago, an amazing Christmas.
Everyone wakes up at their usual time but instead of working out they all head to the lounge room to exchange presents.
After Christmas everyone with the exception of Coulson, Pepper, Bruce and Simmons who have to cook 'plays' with their new 'toys' which ends with a broken window and more than a few bruises and messes but no one really minds because it is Christmas, and they are all together.
When lunch comes around they all sit down at the table and are surprised by the amount of food that was made even though they realise they really shouldn't be.
"This is as grand as the fests on Asgard, I approve." Thor says, no one is quite sure if he completely understands what Christmas is even after everyone explained it to him but they do know without a doubt that he is enjoying himself, which is all they care about.
"I would like to propose a toast." Skye says standing up, which causes everyone to look at her, "I'm so happy that we are all here together, and that we have spent the majority of the last year together, so my toast is this; to the first of many years we spend together as a family." Skye says.
"Here here." Tony says and everyone raise their glass and toast, and as Skye sits down she notices that not a single person isn't smiling and she realises that this, what she is feeling in this second is what perfect happiness feels like.
For the next week the group plus, Rhodey, Thor, Jane and Darcy, who are still staying at the tower and who are in no rush to leave, spend time together, spend time being a family. While they continue to work on finding Ward and are aware of that they may be needed to do their duty they are also letting themselves truly relax for the first time in a while.
It is New Year's Eve and even though it is only five pm the alcohol is out and the celebrated has begun.
"Sir the directors of the CIA, FBI and the Secretary of Defence are on video call for you; Deputy Director Romanoff, Deputy Director May, Director Coulson, Director Hill, Captain Rogers and Miss Potts in the War Room." Jarvis informs Tony.
"This is so not good." Tony comments as a worried feeling fills the room.
"Really? I would never have guessed." Coulson tells Tony sarcastically as the seven of them head to the War Room.
"No more celebrating for us." John comments putting his beer down on the table.
"You don't know that." Jane tells him.
"It's the safe bet." John responds, "The directors of the CIA, FBI and the Secretary of Defence wanting to talk to us, it won't mean anything good. That's pretty much a guarantee." John comments.
"He's right there." Rhodey comments and everyone else nods and drifts into silence, all of them wondering what horrible thing has just happened, or is just about to happen.
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