It was 2am and Skye was still unable to sleep, so she slid out of her bunk to get a drink- some hot chocolate, tea maybe? It always helped her sleep on difficult nights. As she headed to the small kitchen, she became aware that she was not alone, but only stopped when she saw the cargo ramp open. Who was coming on board the bus at this time in the morning? Becoming increasingly more curious as to who it was, Skye had forgotten all about her drink and looked around to find a hiding place- she eventually settled on behind one of the crates, where she could listen and see whoever had come aboard. She watched in silence as a man and a woman walked onto the bus, and was surprised when May appeared into the corner of her vision- why would may meet these people at this time? Was she a traitor? She briefly thought, before quickly dismissing the thought- May was one of the most loyal agents on the bus. They stood in deafening silence for what seemed like forever until May finally spoke.

"Director Fury, Commander Hill," she said coldly.

"Melinda."

"So, this is a personal call? Nick, what makes you think you would be welcome here on December second?"

"Melinda I'm s..."

"Don't say you're sorry! You don't mean it," she said, raising her voice slightly. "If you were sorry then you would have fixed it," she added, painfully quietly. "You're not welcome here, Nick, especially today, and you should have realized that. Get out of here, I don't want to see your face now or any day. As far as I'm concerned, my friend Nick is dead, so goodbye director Fury.

"Melinda..."

"Now," she said.

"Mel..."

"Get out," she said harshly, her fist making contact with his nose.

The director of SHIELD left the bus, leaving nothing behind except a few drops of blood. Skye was shellshocked. How had she just spoken to the director like that? The director of SHIELD! And she had punched him. Probably broken his nose and he did nothing about it. If May had that kind of influence, Skye was willing to bet that she would also be able to get access to the file that held her life story. She could finally find out where she came from. Skye almost gave away her hiding place when she jumped as May started speaking again. She had completely forgotten that commander Hill was still there. Odd that the Commander hadn't left with the director.

"I'm sorry Melinda, he wouldn't budge. Says it's for the good of SHIELD."

"Why the hell does this have anything to do with SHIELD. We were just living like normal agents and then... What gives Fury the right to do that to someone?"

"I don't know Linda."

Skye felt that she was crashing on an emotional moment. She felt guilty for watching. It was information that she shouldn't have known. Not the kind of stuff that she would have exposed as a member of the rising tide. There were some secrets that were supposed to be kept. This was personal, it revealed her humanity- the stony agent that she had once feared was similar herself in so many ways. May was better at hiding it but they were both broken underneath, and at some point, that kind of person always cracked, spilling their dark secrets into the world. May just seemed to have it more in control. Her shell had never cracked once in the time that Skye had been there, not until now, and December second? What was the significance? They kept bringing it up, edging around it like thin ice but it was still unclear. What happened on December second? Realizing that the two agents had left, Skye slipped out from her hiding place and headed to the kitchen to fetch her drink. Seeing that they were in the main room, Skye attempted to sneak into the kitchen but was noticed and called into the other room.

"Why are you up so early?" May asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"I could ask the same question."

"And I could answer that, but It would be a waste of my time because you've been eavesdropping on me for the last twenty minutes."

"Wait what?"

"You think I didn't notice you hiding behind the box?"

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I'd be a hypocrite to tell you off for it, although I have to admit, we generally targeted academy professors and director Carter."

"Want one?" Maria asked as she poured a glass of whiskey.

"No thanks Maria," she responded with an almost mischievous smile.

Moments later, Skye saw why.

"That is revolting Mel, come on, I expected better from you and Phil."

Flinching at the statement, for a reason Skye couldn't quite pinpoint, May turned back to Maria. "So, you're telling me you didn't steal some of the good stuff off Fury?"

"I didn't realize you guys had such a bad selection."

"I have some stuff I took from his office last year in my bunk," May said, disappearing out of the door."

"So, you're Skye?"

"Yes."

"Maria Hill. You sure you two aren't related cos your almost an exact replica of twenty-five-year-old Melinda."

"You just can't help making random insensitive comments can you Maria," May said as she placed a bottle on the glass countertop.

"Guess not."

"Want some Skye?

"Sure."

"Don't try and drink the same number as Mels or you won't be able to move later," Maria advised as she handed Skye a glass of the amber liquid.

"Please. I've been drinking since I was seventeen."

"Don't try it."

"Is that a dare Commander Hill?"

"Call me Maria, and yes I think it is."

"We are not doing this again Maria."

"Sais who."

"Clint, Nat, and Bobbi."

"Well, they aren't here right now."

"Thats the point."

"Who aren't here?" said Natasha, with Clint and Bobbi behind her.

"So, you all came," May sighed.

"Yes. You punched Fury and I'm pissed that you did it without me."

"You're setting a terrible example for Skye. Oh, Skye, Meet Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton and Bobbi Morse. Clint, you're here, I haven't seen you in like two years," May half smiled.

"Don't we get one?" Natasha asked as Melinda put her glass down on the table.

"I'm not letting you drink on this bus Nat."

"Why not?"

"You know damn well why not agent Romanoff."

"Now that all three of you are here, I think we might have no choice but to take this elsewhere."

"Don't pretend you're not as bad Maria," May teased.

"Same to you agent May. You're the worst of all of us. So, what if I've got into a few bar fights? I didn't end up in hospital.

"Don't you want to get your boyfriend Mels?" Clint teased.

Suddenly the room was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

"Did I say something?" Clint asked as they all stared daggers at him

"Let's go."

Coulson woke at seven to sun shining through the small window. December second. For some reason he always felt happy on that day. No matter how bad the mission was or whether he was injured or whether snow fell outside, he always felt unexplainably happy, but hard as he tried, he could think of nothing of significance that had ever happened on that date. Ever. He got dressed and headed down to the kitchen where he made a mug of coffee. The Bus was oddly silent but that didn't really bother him as they were probably in the cargo bay or lab.

Sitting down in his office, Coulson powered up his computer to see three missed calls from Nick Fury. Odd. Why was the director trying to call him? Just as he was going to call back, he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Simmons entered, looking flustered.

"Sir, Skye and May have vanished. There was blood in cargo bay, so I'm currently running it through the system for a match. There is no trace of them leaving- the camera footage has been wiped.

"Thank you, Simmons."

As Simmons was about to leave, Fitz walked in behind her.

"Sir, we have a match."

"Who is it?"

"Nick Fury."

"What?"

"The blood belongs to Nick Fury."

"Thank you, Fitz."

Why was Nick Fury on the Bus, he questioned before calling the man in question.

"Coulson."

"Fury. Why did you feel the need to kidnap my agents?"

"Kidnap? I only visited. Melinda punched me in the face and went off with my deputy."

"She did what?!"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'm going to put you on hold and let my other agents know that it's nothing serious."

"Fitz, Simmons, it's nothing to worry about."

"Then why is there the director of SHIELD's blood on the floor?"

"Him and Hill payed a visit this morning, and May punched him in the face."

"Why?"

"Who knows? They are always getting into fights, it's nothing to worry about."

"Did she get kicked out of SHIELD?" Simmons asked in a worried tone.

"Fury wouldn't dare."

"But he's the director."

"And she's Melinda May. If she was booted, half the avengers, level sevens, level eights, Maria Hill and the CIA would be after him."

"Who knew May had so many friends."

"At least the Avengers are off Contenant," he muttered to himself as he returned to the call with Fury.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Fitz said to Simmons after Coulson left.

"No idea."

4 hours ago

"I think Stark has a party going tonight. How does that sound?"

"We are so going!"

"This is nonnegotiable."

"Go get changed and meet back here in half an hour."

"You brought party clothes?"

"Of course! 90% of our meeting end up at random parties somewhere so we always pack that kind of stuff when visiting."

"Go change on the Quinn jet that Fury and I flew here otherwise we will wake the others."

Everyone else had left, leaving Natasha and Melinda alone.

"You, okay?"

"Fine."

"Melinda, how are you, actually."

"I can't do this."

"Don't be silly Mel, put the dress on and we're going."

"I just don't know if I can do it without him."

Seeing a tear slip down her face, Natasha pulled into a firm hug. You'll be fine. It will make you feel better and take your mind off things- you can't just stay here all day and cry in your bunk."

"I would never!"

"You and I both know that that's not true. Now put on the dress Mel, no debate."

Natasha picked a dress out of Melinda's cupboards, and Melinda did the same with Natasha's suitcase, both agents proceeding to get ready.

Present

Coulson returned to his desk and rejoined the call with the Director.

"You never got to the point where you told me where my agents are."

"I don't know exactly."

"What do you mean you don't know exactly!"

"Well, it has nothing to do with me!"

"What do you mean."

"Judging by the fact that Morse, Romanoff, Hill and Barton have also jumped ship and gone dark, I assume they have just gone out again."

"My agents would never!"

"Melinda May does what she wants and there is nothing we can do about it because she is also one of our top agents."

"And Skye?"

"Come on Phil, I thought you knew them. Skye is exactly the type of junior agent that they would take with them."

"I'll call if I find anything."

"Find anything," Simmons asked as Coulson walked out of his office.

"No."

"Do you want me to try and trace their phones?"

"Don't bother."

"Why not sir, it could help in tracing them."

"Romanoff, Hill, Bobbi and Barton have also not reported in today."

"Should I extend the trace to include them?"

"No. If they are all missing it means that Natasha has found some New York party and dragged them all along."

"So, you mean that SHIED's top agents have just jumped ship and left?"

"Hardly surprising with those five."

"And Fury just let them," Fitz spluttered, having been silent until then.

"Of course."

"They are uncontrollable. Fury can't do it without risking the contract of his top five agents. They will come back when they want, and no-one will be able to find them until then."

"And Skye?"

"They're always bringing along poor unsuspecting junior agents."

"Why are you treating them like victims?"

"If you can't stay conscious after a whole bottle vodka, then you don't want to even think about going out with them. They are all crazy. Ask agent Ward."

"Why would Ward...?"

"They were celebrating Maria's promotion, Garret came and therefore brought Ward. Nineteen-year-old Ward got very drunk and ended up in medical because he said he could drink more vodka than Mel and Nat."

"So, Skye might..."

"No, Ward was just obnoxious."

"Fair enough."

A Few Hours Later

"Skye, what are you doing here without the others?"

"May said something about it not being safe to come with them, dropped me back here."

Simmons stared at the very drunk agent for a solid minute before grabbing her arm to stop her falling over. She was wearing a hot pink dress what had a low neckline, short skirt and small sleeves. She was also walking in a decidedly wobblily manner, and Simmons could barely make out a word she said.

"Ah, Coulson, Skye is back."

"Thank you, Simmons," he said before taking Skye's arm and leading her towards her bunk.

"You need to get some sleep, and your head will murder you tomorrow."

"You never said you had a hot Ex Coulson," Skye slurred.

"What did you say?" Coulson said, as he was sure he had misheard her. When he looked back at her, he found that she had passed out, so he carried her the rest of the way to her bunk. He was sure he had misheard her, but the comment confused him. He had never been married, and it's not like Skye would ever encounter one of his few ex-girlfriends. Now that he thought about it, it seemed strange that he did not recall dating anyone within the last ten years. As he contemplated this, a notification appeared on his computer. A mission. He sighed before calling what was left of the team round the holo table.

"May's not back yet, and Skye isn't in a fit state to do missions, so it's just the four of us, but we have a mission that can't wait. There has been sudden activity among a very large number of SHIELD suspects- people we have been keeping track of sudden silence in drug and trafficking rings and the very strange appearance of Ian Quinn's body off the coast of los Angeles. We have a busy night."

"Where to first?"

"Oh, and Ward, I need you to fly the Bus."

"But I've never flown a plane of this size."

"You will fly it, and if you crash it, I will not stop Melinda from personally murdering you."

"Thats reassuring," Ward muttered as he walked to the cockpit.

"I say we call it a night."

"Agreed, now how do we get Mel back to the bus unnoticed?"

"We don't. It's quite clear that they've noticed that we've gone, Skye's probable told on us, and Fury probably worked us out Aswell. I say we all go back to the bus and wait it out a few days. It's better to face Coulson than Fury. With any luck Coulson will be so happy to see you guys that he won't care about a small trip."

"It's all very well, but Coulson likes you guys."

"He likes you as well dumbass TAHITI wiped the whole ten years from his memory, so he doesn't remember the encounter with your mother."

"Small blessings."

An hour later, the five agents walked onto the Bus in LA.

"Why did they put you on a small cleanup mission like this?"

"If you'd been bothered to read the mission brief, then you'd know that it isn't just a small cleanup mission."

"Please, they are all drugged with 48-hour sedative and tied up where we found them."

"So, this is what SHIELD agents do when they are not on duty? Randomly clean up other people's missions," Skye said.

"Well, it would have taken them another six months of cover work to take half of those groups down so we thought we would save them the effort. It's not like it takes more than half an hour to do that kind of work when we are all here."

He was about to tell her off but was momentarily distracted by her attire. The black silk minidress had a low draped neckline and fell to her mid-thigh. It was paired with black strappy heels and smudgy black eyeliner. Her hair fell in neat curls to her mid back. And he thought she looked beautiful in her leather jacket and jeans. She was so out of his league, he internally groaned as he stared at the girl, he had had a crush on since the academy.

"Do go and get Simmons and tell her that there is no need for our level of analysis on this case. Send her, Fitz and Ward back to the Bus."

"Yes, sir," she said, mocking him slightly.

"You know, they all already have a crush on her, sending her to do that kind of task dressed like that is not going to help," Skye said, completely sincerely.

"She can handle them; she's been dealing with that kind of thing for years although she gets ridiculously annoyed every time."

"Anyone else would be flattered," Skye commented.

"She was flattered until she started having to reassign agents. After Clint she stopped training male agents, after Maria she stopped training agents completely and now, she prefers solo missions. "

"So, she doesn't even date them sometimes?"

"God no," he laughed. "Melinda hasn't dated anyone since she divorced Andrew fifteen years ago."

"She got married?"

"She divorced him a year after she married him. Why are you even out here?"

"I don't know. My head is killing me so I'm going back to bed."

"I think they're coming but I'm not sure because they didn't really say anything."

"Not surprised."

"What?"

"They all have a ridiculous crush on you, especially Skye, and you are wearing that dress."

"What's wrong with it."

"Nothing's wrong with it. That's the problem. You look too amazing in it. You are ridiculously ignorant of your own beauty."

"Please, stop lying."

"If I'm lying then why does half of SHIELD have a crush on you."

"Thats an exaggeration."

"I don't actually think it is."

"Where did Skye go?"

"Inside."

"I'm going to go join her."

"Hey, Skye, I assume you got back uneventfully?"

"Yes. When were you planning on telling me about Andrew?"

"Who the hell is Andrew?"