A/N: I'm sorry for the delay. Life has been pretty hectic and only recently had I finally been able to write more. To those who also follow either Never Let Go or Truth in Secret, they are undergoing edits and should be posted soon.
Summary: Agents Melinda May and Phil Coulson are put on a new assignment to look after an object of unknown origin, an 0-8-4. The only catch is this 0-8-4 is a person. A fourteen year old girl who's spent her life in the foster system is now in more danger than ever. Aman beast is hunting her and SHIELD has to make sure that it doesn't get close to her. AU, MCU characters will be used.
Chapter Ten
Monday, September 5th
Skye had never once in her life said she enjoyed school, but first time for everything. When she was younger, she did well because of what sister Helena had told her. That if she didn't do well, she would never have a future. No one wanted a stupid child and no one would help someone who couldn't help themselves. Not to mention College was a factor. Though at a young age she didn't understand why it was so important, only that it was and it costs money that she would never have.
When she was younger, school was incredibly hard because she could barely focus and the letters would always mix up in her head. It wasn't until she sat down with one of the kinder nuns, Sister Ann, that she was able to do better. It was because of the woman's tips and few study sessions Skye could keep up with her work and excel in school.
It's all a game. Once you know how to play, play it better than everyone else Mary and you'll succeed.
Skye grinned faintly at the woman's words that have yet to fail her. The other nuns pushed all the kids in school, hoping they would all do well enough to receive scholarships in the future if they weren't adopted. Skye was one of those kids they had to be worried about having a future at all. Skye was pulled out of her thoughts when the bell rang, signaling lunch.
Though hesitant, she took Simmons advice and decided to follow the career program with computers. She loved computers, and the classes here she actually enjoyed and wanted to do well in. Unfortunately she couldn't completely focus on the career path. So her mornings were all about computers, then lunch. On Monday and Wednesday, she had an hour of math and history while Tuesday and Thursdays she had science and literature. Friday's were undecided, free at the moment for either any class or extra help depending on if she was struggling in any classes.
As she had just started, that was yet to be determined. Skye grabbed her stuff and left the room without a word. She hadn't really talked to anyone besides Fitz and Simmons, Lincoln as well from the morning. He had been in one of her classes on hardware. There weren't many people in the computer area, she had at most 11 other students in a class. And considering how big this place was, it was surprising. Though Skye did recall that not as many students were in the career program.
"Hey Skye," greeted Simmons, "How did your morning classes go? Did you enjoy them? Think you'll stay with it?"
Skye loosened her grip on her strap, calming down from her initial shock. She wasn't expecting to see Simmons at all.
"Oh uh, yeah. I enjoyed it, I'm actually looking forward to classes tomorrow," Skye answered honestly.
Simmons beamed, "That's great. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sadly you won't be able to do more classes like it in the afternoon though."
Skye shrugged, "I think I can manage."
"Excellent," Simmons said with a nod, "Would you like to sit with Fitz and our friends? I'm sure they'd love to meet you."
Skye blinked a few times before answering, "Uh sure. Yeah, that's fine."
Usually Skye tried to sit alone and far from people. Even though she's as a talkative person, she wasn't in the mood for dealing with either fake people she hated or real people she would have to leave. Simmons lead her to the cafeteria. It was 12:10 and lunch would end at 1:00, so Skye knew she just had to survive the next 50 minutes. Hopefully things wouldn't go too bad.
The cafeteria wasn't as loud as the lunch areas she was used to, which was surprising considering how many students were there. A sea of people met her gaze and she suddenly felt very sick. At her last school she only went to the cafeteria maybe three times when she desperately needed food. Skye followed closely behind Simmons, almost stepping on the back of her shoe a few times as they made their way to one of the round tables in the center of the large room. Skye spotted the table first with Fitz and a few others she didn't recognize.
"Ah there they are," Simmons said, "Right this way."
Skye took a quick breath and walked with Simmons to the table that Fitz was at.
"Hey Simmons, hey Skye," greeted Fitz with a grin.
Simmons said, "Hey guys, this is Skye. She just started today and is working on a computer career program."
Skye gave a meek wave, "Hi."
"Computers huh," said the brown-skinnedd boy, "That's pretty cool. The name's Trip."
"Trip is working towards a military- espionage- black ops type of career," informed Simmons.
"It's called the Specialist program," said the pale tanned skin boy beside Trip.
"That's Ward. He's a good guy, but a downright pain," Simmons said.
Ward put a hand on his chest, "You wound Sims."
"The two of them are seniors, come May and they'll be sent to the Academy," said Fitz in slight awe.
Skye raised an eyebrow, "The Academy?"
"It's for SH-" Fitz was cut off.
"It's like a college," interrupted Ward, his eyes slightly narrowed at Fitz before returning his attention to Skye, "We're pretty much the feeder school for it."
Skye found the interruption rude, but made no comment on it.
Ward and Trip shared a glance with each other. This school may have been similar to feeder school to the Academy, but only for some of the students here. All those students were selected, interviewed and went through an incredibly long process that determined whether or not the program was meant for them. If it was, they received a notification and a list of all the other students that was updated often. The people on that list knew about SHIELD and the program. Skye was not on that list.
Lincoln took a seat, "hey guys, what's up Skye?"
"Hey Lincoln," Skye waved as she took a seat with Simmons.
So far so good. Skye hopes this would go well. To her relief and slight joy, lunch had been really good. The food wasn't perfect, but good enough to finish and the conversation was great to listen to. She had to admit, she enjoyed this group and secretly hoped she could stay with them and get to know them. She knew she shouldn't want that, after all she only ever ends up leaving, but hope was a tricky thing.
Hope that she could stay and get to know them had started to build in her. Every time she got comfortable, she was taken away. It hurt like hell and she was really tired of it. Skye shook the thoughts away and focused on the group before her. The best thing she could do was enjoy it while it lasted, a good time was not likely to come her way again. Best to make the most of it.
Coulson had to admit he was not disappointed with the cover up job he was placed in. He would be a college professor at the local university, three classes a week he was 'required' to come in and teach. At first he had been worried that it would only say he was history teacher on his file, but he would actually get to go into the class and teach.
Though he wasn't a certified teacher or had a degree in history, he studied and knew enough from his classes in high school and the extra courses he took while working in SHIELD. Not to mention he was a complete history buff, there were hardly any historical facts he didn't know by heart. Some found it impressive others found it ridiculous.
May on the other hand was torn about her cover up job. According to her file she was a co-owner of a Dojo not to far away and would be required to do a class once a week for any age she chose. She loved fighting, she really did and had really missed being able to full on go at it, but she wasn't sure it was a good idea to have there. Though she was no longer easily triggered, she did have her moments. Each time she did recover quickly, but in the middle of a session or in a fight and she accidentally go too far was not something she wanted to happen.
"If you're really worried about it, we can contact Maria and have her move you," Coulson said beside her.
May looked at him uncertainly, "I don't know. Of all things why a dojo?"
"Because you are a kickass fighter," Coulson said with a smile, "You'd get that place into perfect shape in no time. Besides you used to love teaching others how to fight."
May shifted in her seat slightly, "That was before it happened. I don't want to have an episode in the middle of a session and accidentally break someone's arm."
Coulson made a face, "That would be unfortunate. However you were cleared for it, Dr Garner thinks you're okay, but you know yourself better."
"Do you think I'd be fine," May asked, her eyes focused on his.
Coulson smiled at her, that same confident smile he'd worn all these years, "Without a doubt."
May wished she had his confidence, but she was still unsure. She wouldn't focus on it now though. There were other matters to attend to, such as his other two jobs and their other 'children'.
"And what's your second job, the one where you go on business trips," May asked switching gears.
Coulson would spend a majority of his time here watching Skye with May, however he would still be called out on assignments. Fury would keep it to a minimum so he could focus on the 0-8-4, but he was needed in the field at times. The supposed business trips he went on were merely a cover so he could leave without drawing suspicion from anyone.
Coulson turned a page in the file, "It looks like I go on business trips for an insurance company. Apparently a few years ago I had more time on my hands and I always wanted to teach, so I got my degree in history to start."
May smirked, "That does sound like something you would do."
Coulson chuckled, "Yeah I suppose. I start on Wednesday. When do you go into the dojo?"
May looked at the file, "Tomorrow morning."
"Want me to go wth you," Coulson questioned.
He knew May would be just fine going on her own, but he wants her to know he was there if she needed him. Or even if she didn't think she needed him, he was just there. Besides they would also be playing the part of a married couple, it would be a good idea to be seen together.
"Sure," was all May said on it, "Next order of business is the three other children we apparently have."
Coulson grinned, "Checked in with Hill, she said the files have been changed and our children have been added to it along with their backstories which Hill orchestrated."
"I still don't know what possessed you to say that," May said with the shake of her head.
"It just slipped, besides Hill thought it was hilarious and is using it as an excuse to come visit us more often than planned," said Coulson still grinning.
He smiled again, May had to admit she missed seeing him happy or really seeing him in general. He was her closest and most trusted friend after all.
"Uh huh, we better make sure we know most if not all of this," May said leaning back into the couch.
Coulson nodded, "Yeah. We have until 2:30, then I'm off to get Skye. Unless you want to get her today?"
May hesitated, "It'd be better if you did. She trusts you more."
Coulson raised an eyebrow, "I don't think she really trusts either of us more than the other. Besides you were the one who took her shopping and stopped her from having a slight panic attack. It'd be good for you to get her. Plus you'll be the one home with her more often since I go on those business trips."
"That's If I stay," commented May softly.
Once again, Coulson wore a confident grin, "Please. You aren't going anywhere and you know it."
"Oh really," said May incredulous, "And what has you so sure?"
"Besides liking the girl and wanting to help her, you enjoy my company too much," Coulson replied as he leaned back, "Face it. You're stuck."
May was severely tempted to respond childishly and stick her tongue out, but she was too dignified for that. Instead she opted to roll her eyes and return her concentration to her file. Though she could practically feel Coulson's smile beside her and she struggled to keep her own smile hidden.
When the school day ended, Skye found herself walking with her new 'friends' down the halls. Simmons was by far the nicest and sweetest person she had ever met, Fitz seemed like a pretty good guy and so was Trip. Ward was an interesting character, he seemed like the really tough guy with no emotions act going on. Lincoln she decided was a cinnamon roll, though he had the energy of that pink bunny from energizer.
Today was the first day of school that didn't actually suck, it went better than she had expected and for that she was grateful. Though she had some anxiety about tomorrow, whether or not she would feel same at the end of the day was debatable. All she could do was take it one day at a time and see. Skye waved goodbye to her friends, Fitzsimmons and Lincoln went to the bus line ups while Ward and Trip had already gone to their cars at the lot which apparently was a mile away.
Trip said it was part of their training, run a mile in the morning then a mile at the end of the day. She thought that was strange and cruel since it was only their program that had to do it. Trip had shrugged it off, after all the Specialist program was one of the harder ones and designed much like a Cadet program.
Skye readjusted her backpack and walked to the front yard where a good amount of students were waiting to be picked up. Some cars would be in the line on the side while others would walk over to where the cars were parked. Skye stood uncertainty at the fountain, not really in the mood to look around. What if they forgot her? Countless times Skye had been forgotten at school, waiting until seven, eight or once nine o'clock to be picked up. It was annoying and kind of sad to sit around waiting for people who didn't want to be bothered with you.
She took a seat on the fountain edge, letting the sound of people chattering and the splashing water help her zone out. She would have stayed like that for several minutes if not for the buzzing in her back pocket. It startled her and caused a brief moment of panic, but then she remembered she had a cell phone. An actual cell phone. It wasn't as fancy as the Stark phone, but it was definitely nice. Skye could browse the internet, play games, watch tv, text and call and even Skype people. It was more than she ever had before. She pulled out the phone to see May was calling.
She answered, "Hello?"
"Hey, just parked. Where are you," asked May.
Skye released a breath, at least May didn't sound angry, "Uh by the fountain."
"Behind the flood of students no doubt," May said lightly.
"Yeah, there's a lot of students," Skye answered with a frown.
She really didn't like crowds or being surrounded by a large group of people. May made a face at the tone of Skye's voice. She had been sitting in the car for the past twenty waiting for the students to come out and see Skye. Not that she minded the wait, it was nice to have some quiet. However when she didn't see Skye right away, she got a little nervous, though she would never admit that. Listening to Skye now eased her worry, but the way Skye spoke about all the students didn't sit well with her. May had suspected Skye wouldn't like crowds, but she hadn't been sure.
"Not a fan of crowds I take it," May said trough the phone.
Skye nodded, "Not really. Where'd you park?"
"Stay seated, I'm headed your way so you don't have to go through the crowd, unless would that embarrass you," said May as she stood beside the car, "since teenagers are easily embarrassed."
Skye took a breath, "No you don't have to come get me. That's too much work, I can just move through-"
"Too late, I'm already out the car. Besides I'd been in the car for too long anyway," May replied, "Sit tight. I'll see you at the fountain."
With that the line went dead. Skye stared at the phone for what felt like a long time. First, May had realized Skye's dislike of crowds. Second, May was coming over to her so she wouldn't have to go through the crowd alone. Third, May hadn't forgotten her. Four, May was almost to her. May waved at Skye getting the younger girl's attention. Skye stood from her spot and met May at the edge of the sidewalk closest to the cars.
"Hey," greeted May, "How are you doing?"
Skye shrugged, "Not bad. You didn't have to walk over to get me, I want to be as little of a bother as possible."
May looked down at Skye, "Nothing you do is a bother. You aren't burden, I promise."
Skye didn't say anything to that. Melinda sounded reassuring, but Skye wasn't sure if she should believe her. After all, people lie all the time without a problem. Who was to say Melinda wasn't lying right now?
"Come on, let's get going," Melinda said, "And I want to hear about your first day. The good and the bad."
Skye raised an eyebrow, "How come?"
"I'm curious to know what you did all day," answered May as they both entered the car.
Skye took a seat, "But why? No other foster parent cares."
"I'm no other foster parent," May said, just a hint of a grin on her face.
"I'm figuring that out," Skye muttered before saying in a normal voice, "Well it started with me trying to find the counselors office. The place is so big I couldn't find anything…"
By the time Melinda and Skye got back to the house, Skye had finished telling her tale about school and they had gone through the rest of ride relatively silent besides the radio. It was a nice car ride, Skye had to admit she enjoyed the ride with Melinda just a little more than she did with Phil. Phil had also asked about her day while Melinda disappeared for a little. She returned when Skye was halfway through retelling her school day with snacks for all. Some apple slices and peanut butter for all, which Skye really enjoyed.
Luckily Skye didn't have homework tonight. Her teachers wanted her to get settled in first, they were made aware of her 'situation' and seemed understanding. It was a response Skye hadn't expected. Most teachers told her she just had to get the assignments in by the end of the week or whatever close deadlines and offered very little help. It was annoying at most and sad at the least. She did well enough in school because it was drilled into her the only way she would ever get to College was through perfect grades. It was a hard task, but Skye managed it well enough.
Though she would never admit this, in sixth grade she learned how to hack into just about any website without being seen. From there she found all the answer sheets she would ever need or if she was on the lazier side, she would hack her school's website and change grades. Not just for herself though, for others as well just to be on the safe side and avoid detection.
Skye wasn't proud of it, but she feared being beaten or going without food more. Though towards the end of eighth grade she stopped trying in school and used her hacking to keep her afloat. Just enough to pass and move onto the next grade really was all she needed.
"What did you guys do all day," Skye asked when she was done talking about her day.
She never spent time talking about her day and how it was or anything of the sort. It was kind of nice to say what she did and say that she had a good time.
"I made some PowerPoints for my classes and travel arrangements for the next two months, mainly to get ahead and make sure I'd be on top of things," answered Phil simply.
Skye asked, "You teach College right?"
Phil nodded.
"So," Skye started, "Why do you need to travel?"
"For my second, well really first job," Phil explained, "I work for an insurance company and they need me to go all over for meetings and making deals and really boring stuff."
"And that doesn't get stressful, seems like a lot," commented Skye as she watched the man.
Phil shrugged, "Keeps me busy and active, but it's enjoyable."
Skye, satisfied with that answer turned to Melinda, "What about you Mrs, I mean Melinda?"
Melinda answered after sipping some water, "Well I stopped by the dojo to make sure everything was in order. Session planning, paychecks and paperwork really."
Skye asked curiously, "What does your dojo teach?"
"Tae kwon do, karate, jujitsu and a few other forms," answered Melinda.
Skye was interested martial arts, she had wanted to take classes before, but could never afford it or had the time. The only thing Skye really knew how to do was a good bit of parkour thanks to her time with Robbie and she could throw a punch, also thanks to Robbie. He was the big brother she never had, he taught her just about everything she needed to know in order to survive on the streets. She was sad to part ways with him, but it was for the better. This way neither of them or any other kids would fall into the hands of their twisted foster father. Skye forced herself not to reaction to the thought of him.
She looked at Melinda and asked, "How much do the sessions cost?"
"Depends, anywhere from 25-50 dollars a session," answered Melinda, "The plans are cheaper. You'd be able to go for free if interested."
Skye's eyes widened, "Free?"
Melinda nodded, "Since I co-own it and you're my ward, you would go for free to any of the classes. You mentioned earlier you had an interest in martial arts, I planned to offer you a session or teach you myself, but wanted you to get settled first."
Skye could only blink in surprise. It took a few moments for her to compose herself, but the smile on her face was enough for Melinda. It was one of the few genuine and happy smiles Melinda had seen on the young girl's face. Melinda wished the teen would smile more.
The older woman couldn't help to return the infectious grin, "You can start next week. This way you can find a routine for school and see how it balances out, sound like a plan?"
Skye nodded, her excitement growing, "Oh my God yes! I don't know what to say. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Melinda said, "Do you have any idea which form you want to learn?"
Skye shook her head, "Nope. Any one will do."
Melinda thought for a moment, "Depends. I'll take you to the dojo and they'll do evaluation. Right now I'd say to place you in Tae kwon do. Krav Maga might be good for you, though probably too rigid."
Skye shrugged, "I'll do whatever."
"How come you want to learn," Phil asked curiously.
"To protect myself," Skye said a bit hesitant, "This way if someone tries to hurt me, I'll be ready."
It was reasonable answer, but Melinda knew there was more to it than that. From the look she got from Coulson, she could tell he thought there was more to. In Skye's file there were mentions of neglect and abuse in other homes, but they were glossed over. Melinda could tell Skye was blamed for something that wasn't her fault, she made a mental note of it and eventually wrote it down. Skye just wanted to be able to protect herself, the agents could understand that.
"In this world it's always good to know how to defend yourself," Melinda said honestly, "Just don't go searching for fights."
Skye could only nod.