Chapter 25: Is that jealousy I Can see?
Later Natasha and Melinda had gone to their part of the Den.
" So, that was a lot of information we got today," Melinda said, heating up some water for tea.
"Yeah, I didn't know Tony and Pepper had a kid. I knew they had a third, but not what happened to them," Natasha said when Melinda gave her a questioning look. "After we stopped the invasion, I saw the faded words on Tony," Natasha explained.
"Well, no one knows what happened, but maybe this Lumley can help give some answers; if only about what happened to Linda and why they put Skye in the system," Melinda said.
"Yeah, did you know Linda? I never asked you that," Natasha asked.
"Yes, I met her once, it was just in passing. I had a mission and bumped into Izzy who was with her on my way out, and if I remember right they were on their way to meet up with Victoria," Melinda said.
"Poor kid," Natasha said.
Melinda hummed her agreement while taking the boiling water, filling two mugs, and sitting down again.
"Mel," Natasha said, when Melinda looked up to give her mate her attention, "was I too hard on Skye when she joined?" she asked.
"Hmm, a little, but so was I. You pretty much just ignored her needs," Melinda said, and she did not miss the wince Natasha made.
"And when Maria and Sharon became their own little pack, Skye lost the two she was probably the closest too," Melinda continued.
"I know, and that was my fault. I just hope Skye has room for Bobbi," Natasha said.
"It was not only your fault, but I also had a role in that too. I was the one who was meant to train and help her through the transformation, and I was hesitant to do so. That was on me," Melinda said.
"Because I asked you to," Natasha said.
"Maybe, but you didn't ask Bobbi to do anything, she was just careful because she could feel you and I were being careful," Melinda defended. "And I think Skye has room for Bobbi, they invited her along on their vacation, and then Skye is meeting her parents tomorrow," Melinda said.
"You think Bobbi will accept and go with them?" Natasha asked.
"Don't know, but I think so. I would encourage her to, if she is doubting if she should go," Melinda answered.
"So, what do you think of Skye now that we know more about her, and of all the mess of her past?" Melinda asked, after a few moments of silence.
"I think she is strong and good at hiding things, like scary good, like we couldn't even see she wasn't even an adult, but we have known that for a while now, but still. I think she will be a good agent once she is old enough," Natasha said, taking a drink of her tea.
"Yeah, if she chooses to be an agent, she is still young," Melinda said.
"Why wouldn't she want to be an agent? She is already a wolf, which is a part of SHIELD, and she has already been training to be an agent, first under Ward and then you," Natasha asked.
"Her heart wasn't in it, she was holding back, buying time to run I would assume," Melinda answered, "like I already told you," She then said looking pointed at the red-head.
Natasha lifted her hands in surrender, "Okay I may have forgotten you said that," Natasha said.
Melinda shook her head.
"But if she chooses to become an agent, who do you think Peggy will choose as her SO? I have a feeling she doesn't trust me to do it again," Melinda asked.
"I don't know, but I know it will be a wolf, that is what I would make sure of. I also know that Kara is out of the question. With all the trouble they could make, I think they are worse than Clint and I and you. Sharon, Maria, and Bobbi are out too because of their soulmate status. Maybe Izzy or Victoria, they seem protective too," Natasha said.
"Yeah, I got that feeling too. I think it is because of Skye's connection with Linda. What would you do if I died protecting a kid?" Melinda asked.
"I would make sure that kid was safe, maybe take the kid under my wing, or more accurate, paws," Natasha said without thinking.
Natasha chuckled suddenly, "What's so funny," Melinda asked, "I am just thinking that Skye will have her hands full," Natasha said, finding something very amusing.
"What do you mean?" Melinda asked.
"Didn't you see the look Bobbi got in her eyes when Skye was explaining her and Kara's prank after Victoria had chased Kara out? And then when Bobbi and Skye were sitting on the couch, the way Maria looked like she wanted to tear Bobbi's arm off?" Natasha said still with amusement clear both in her voice and on her face.
"Only you would think that's funny," Melinda scolded Natasha, but failed to hide her own smile.
"Really, then why are you smiling?" Natasha asked, grinning and Melinda glared.
The door opened, and Clint, Izzy, and Bobbi came in, "What did Nat do now?" Clint asked Melinda.
"Nat is being a dick again," Melinda said, still glaring at her soulmate, who had turned her attention on Bobbi.
"Don't you dare Natasha Romanoff," Melinda said.
"Uh, someone is in trouble," Izzy said.
"Oh, come on, I wasn't going to do what you think I was about to do," Natasha said, looking as innocent as she could.
"And you better not," Melinda said.
"Do we want to know?" Izzy asked Melinda over the link.
"No, especially not Bobbi," Melinda said back.
"Ah, is it about the clear jealousy both Bobbi and Maria showed today?" Izzy asked, and by the look she got from Melinda, she did not need an answer.
"Bobbi are you planning to go with Skye, Maria, and Sharon?" Melinda asked.
"I want to," Bobbi said
"So why don't you accept the offer?" Clint asked.
Bobbi didn't have an answer to that, "I really think you should go, Bobbi. That way both you and Skye will figure things out, and you will also figure things out with Maria and Sharon, you are not the first person to be in this situation," Izzy said.
"Yeah, I read a story a few years ago, about a man who had five marks and when he had found them all, he was a part of two triads. One of them, he only had one mark for one of the other people involved, and one platonic where he had both, and then a quarter where he also only had one, so that technically made it a pentatonic relationship, but he didn't want that, so they agreed to be platonic, and then he had a regular one with one other person," Clint said.
"So what Clint is trying to say, is it could be much worse," Izzy said.
Bobbi looked to Natasha and Melinda again, "Hey I told you earlier, it is up to you. I have done enough damage already," Natasha said.
"I agree with Izzy, you should go with them," Melinda said.
"Okay, I will go tell Maria I would like to come," Bobbi said, standing up and walking out in search of the Beta.
After Bobbi had left, Natasha made another comment about Skye having her hands full, but Melinda was quick to tackle her to the ground.
After leaving the rest of her pack, she made her way back to the shared area. Upon entering, Bobbi only saw Peggy, Skye, and Fitzsimmons.
"Wow, that is amazing Skye, like less than 3% of the world's population has an IQ between 131 and 140. It is an unusually high IQ; people with this level are talented leaders or professionals in the field. It would explain why you are so amazing at hacking and computers. Did you know Arnold Schwarzenegger and the actress Nicole Kidman have an IQ of this level?" Bobbi heard Simmons say.
"Do you think so? I never imagined myself as smart. Good at computers? Yes, but not smart," Skye said.
"You are kidding right?" Fitz asked.
Peggy noticed Bobbi first, "Bobbi come and join us," she said, getting the three young ones attention.
Skye's face lit up a little when she saw Bobbi standing not far away and patted the spot next to her.
"I was actually looking for Maria, I wanted to tell her I would like to come with you guys," Bobbi said, sitting down beside Skye.
"Maria and Sharon will be along shortly; they are getting dinner for everyone," Peggy said, "And I am glad to hear that, as I think Skye is too," Peggy stated, and Skye nodded.
"What were you talking about?" Bobbi asked.
"Oh, apparently Skye is a genius," Simmons said.
At Bobbi's questioning look, Skye explained, "My IQ test was 139."
"Wow!" was all Bobbi could say.
After some more small talk, Maria and Sharon, plus the rest of Bobbi's pack and Victoria's, came in with the food, and they sat down to eat. Everyone, except Skye, noticed the small race to sit beside Skye between Bobbi, Maria, and Sharon. In the end it was Bobbi and Maria who won, with a little grumpy Sharon on Maria's other side.
But Skye did notice Natasha yelping from May elbowing her side.
Skye woke up very early the next day, unable to go back to sleep; her mind kept reminding her that it was Friday, and she would meet Tony and Pepper, her parents, for the first time in 17 years. They would remember her, but she didn't remember them.
That made her anxious, and she could feel her abandonment issues flaring up. She lifted her head when there was a knock on the door, and Maria poked her head in, gesturing for her to follow.
Getting up she followed Maria into the kitchen where Sharon was heating water maybe, in a pot, and had three mugs ready.
When she was handed hers, she realized it was hot chocolate. No one said anything, and Skye was happy about that.
All too soon they met up with Bobbi and Peggy and were on their way to Stark Tower.
AN: A thanks to Fun_size_Tasha for beating.