A/N: Hello Agents! This chapter jumps around a bit, but I couldn't think of anything too important between the two separate time slots that needed to be mentioned. Besides I wanted to focus on Skye and Natasha for a bit, see some big sister Nat there cause why not. There will be a look into Skye's therapy visit later on, but for now all we know is that she went. I am hitting a wall though on ideas, so if there is anything specific you guys want to see by all means send me stuff! Anyhoo, hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
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. A man 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 Thirteen
September 17th 2011
Skye knew she was being childish, she was well aware that her behavior was not okay by any standard, but she couldn't help it. The Maysons would have to drag her to the therapist office, there was no way she was going. No way. Sitting on her bed, typing on her computer and pretending the world didn't exist, that was more her speed.
Her bedroom door was locked, Phil knew either him or Melinda could break it down, but that would likely freak Skye out which they didn't want to do. Even though neither of them were too pleased by this display, it was a bittersweet moment for the pair. The fact that Skye was willing to challenge them like this showed she was getting more comfortable with them, at least that's what the parent books said.
Phil wanted to see it as a positive thing, it proved they were doing a good job. However it was Melinda who reminded him that Skye getting too comfortable with them meant that when she inevitably left, it would hurt just a bit more than the others. Phil hadn't been able to reply to that.
"We can't leave her there," Phil said with a sigh, "And I doubt reverse psychology would work in this case."
Melinda shook her head, "No, I don't think that would work." She knocked on the door again, "Skye, I know you can hear me. You remember what we talked about last week?"
Skye called back, "I change my mind. I'm not going, no way. I refuse."
Phil sighed to himself, he called to Skye, "One session. That's all we ask."
Phil really didn't want to force Skye to go, but he was growing more concerned about her. She needed some form of outlet, at least while she was under their care to work through all this stuff. One session would have more benefit than doing nothing.
Skye bit her lip at that. It was nice they were asking, she was worried what would happen when they decided asking was no longer working. However she needed to push them, their dark side would come one way or another. Besides, she did not want to go to a therapist. It didn't matter how good they were or how much they thought she needed it, she knew it was a waste of time.
Natasha, who had been standing at the top of the stairs, was amused by the situation at hand. Seeing May and Coulson in a domestic setting had been surreal enough, but seeing them deal with a teenage girl who didn't want to do as she was told was even more of shock. It almost seemed to her as if she were looking into a parallel universe.
"Maybe I can help," Natasha said walking over to them, "Give us a second."
May and Coulson exchanged a glance, wondering if it would be a good idea to let Natasha the hot headed spy talk sense into this rebellious teenager. The former russian spy could practically feel their thoughts as she stood their, her smile was wide nonetheless. It wasn't like either of them had another option besides breaking the poor girl's door down or just not making her go to the therapist's office.
"Go for it," Phil said, he stepped away from the door.
Melinda sighed, she wasn't thrilled about this situation, but she supposed desperate times called for desperate measures.
The two adults stepped away allowing Natasha access to the door. When Phil and Melinda were out of earshot, Natasha knocked on the door. She remembered Clint and May ganging up on her, years ago, forcing her to speak to Dr Garner about the trauma she had experienced in the Red Room. At first she was angry they made her go, but now she was grateful. Maybe she could convince Skye it wouldn't be so bad. For whatever reason, Natasha knew this kid was going to be a soft spot.
"Skye, it's Natasha."
Skye lifted her head from her laptop, her attention on the closed door. Embarrassment briefly washed over Skye, she liked Natasha and thought she was probably the coolest adult out there. This display definitely wouldn't put her in Natasha's good graces, giving her adopted parents trouble they probably didn't need. Skye's gut twisted for a moment as she waited for threats or guilt tripping to come, the other shoe was going to drop soon.
"I hated the idea of therapy," Natasha explained, she leaned against the door, "They made me go. I was so, so angry with them for that. Some stranger was supposed to tell me how to deal with all the crap I went through? No way."
Skye leaned forward on her bed, her interest peaked.
"No one could help me, hell I didn't want anyone to help me. I didn't need help because I was fine... sound familiar," Natasha said with a wry smile, "That first session that lasted a little more than an hour showed me how not okay I was. I don't know your story and you don't know mine, but having someone to scream at, cry to, just to talk about all the messed up shit going on… it can be a relieving experience."
Skye found herself standing in front of her door, she asked, "It worked for you?"
Natasha grinned at the closeness of Skye's voice, "My problems weren't solved after one talk, but I learned that having an unbiased opinion, wasn't the worst thing in the world. You might learn something."
"Maybe," Skye said in a soft voice.
"You never know until you try," Natasha said, "So come on. Let's try."
Skye swallowed at those words. It wouldn't kill her to go see the therapist, besides Phil and Melinda only asked for one session. After this first one she would never have to go again. She took a deep breath, steeled herself an unlocked the door. Wordlessly, she opened the door to see Natasha leaning against the frame an impressed smile on her face.
"Ready," Natasha asked.
Skye puffed her cheeks, she shook her head no in response.
Natasha still grinned, "That's okay, one step at a time."
September 21st 2011 Wednesday
Skye knew she was screwed. There was no way she would be able to stay with the Mayson's after this. It didn't matter what she said or what she would do, they would send her away. Defeat seemed to settle over her as she leaned back in the chair outside of the Principal's office. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest, she could feel an ache with each passing beat.
Now she had been to the Dean of Discipline, the Nuns, Assistant Principals, the Principals and even to police stations for her actions, but this time was different. This time she was with foster parents she kind of liked and while they had given her passes before, there was no way they would let this slide. It wasn't her fault, he was verbally attacking her along with Fitzsimmons and when he got too close, she punched him in the face. That definitely made him mad.
He may have been an athlete, but he didn't know how to fight well. Skye wasn't much better, she's had only two lessons from Melinda that focused on footwork and getting away from someone's attack. Mostly dodging and evading. It came in handy today considering his wild swings, though Skye had enough practice dodging angry foster parents before. However she usually didn't punch back, today she did using Robbie's old advice.
The guy got some hits on her that would definitely leave bruises, but she knew his busted lip would take awhile to heal along with some other injuries she had gifted him. He may have been bigger, but Skye was faster and attacked like she did during her underground fights. It had taken three teachers, Ward and Trip to pull her off of him and it took Fitzsimmons to calm her down.
Skye glanced at the door, she couldn't hear what was being said. The Principal was talking to him first along with his parents who happened to be nearby. The Principal had called Skye's home, but she didn't know who answered. However she half expected both of them to show up which would have been worse. Her eyes started to burn with tears she did not want to shed, she told herself it was because of the bruise on her right temple and the one that would likely show up on her stomach. Skye shuddered.
"Don't look so defeated, from I heard you kicked his ass."
Skye nearly jumped out of her skin. Her gaze was brought up to see the young woman with fiery red hair. It had been a few days since Natasha had come to stay with Phil and Melinda for a bit, but she would be leaving this Friday. Skye tried to act like that didn't upset her, but she couldn't hide it all that well. Her concerns about the Maysons being like other foster homes was nearly gone, but enough was still there to make her wary.
Though Natasha was a bit different. She had a strong feeling she wouldn't do anything to hurt her, except maybe get annoyed with her for giving her parents such a hard time. Yet whenever Skye did seem to be giving them trouble, Natasha usually looked amused and would barely hide her smirks.
"Natasha," Skye said in surprise, "What, what are you doing here?"
She took a seat beside Skye, "I was hanging out at home when the phone rang. I answered and said I would come."
Skye visibly swallowed, "Are Phil and Melinda, are they that mad they wouldn't come?"
"No, they don't know yet," Natasha replied, she frowned at Skye, "Why would you think they would be so mad that they wouldn't come?"
Skye looked away and shrugged, "I don't know. Some foster parents don't show up and when they do, they are through the roof angry."
Natasha replied, "Look Skye, you don't have to be worried about that stuff with them."
"I attacked him first," Skye whispered, "Melinda told me if I was going to learn, I couldn't go picking fights."
Natasha hacked the footage after the call, the other kid may not have thrown a punch, but he was way too close in a threatening way. She recalled watching the video, there wasn't any audio though she could whatever he was saying was not good. Not to mention, he did grab Skye's wrist before she attack him.
"He grabbed you first," Natasha replied, "You acted in self defense. Neither Phil nor Melinda will mad about that."
"Were you ever worried, about what they would do if you made them angry or upset," Skye in a voice smaller than a mouse.
Natasha remembered her story that May had showed her the other night, the full extent of the fictional version that matched enough of the real version for her to relate to. At the Red Room, she was terrified to make any sort of mistake. There was no room for error there, any error could get you killed by the other Widows or by the teachers.
Natasha inhaled, "I was at first. My old… guardians you could say were not fond of any missteps. One error, you paid the price."
Skye looked up at Natasha with glossy eyes, "Really? They hurt you too?"
"They did," Natasha answered honestly, "Melinda and Phil, they never did. Not intentionally. I remember Ma teaching me how to fight." Natasha laughed at the memory of the 'tiny Asian woman' wiping the floor with her on her first official day of SHIELD training. She shook her head, "That woman was tough."
Skye wore a weak smile at that, "Yeah, she's hard to dodge."
"I promise you Skye, they won't hurt you or send you away for this," Natasha assured her, even putting a hand on Skye's shoulder.
To Skye's credit, she didn't flinch away, "How do you know?"
This took Natasha a few moments to answer. She remembered all the stuff she did when she first arrived to SHIELD, how she was a literal nightmare to anyone who came by. In all honesty, she was waiting for them to turn her over to Vladimir, back to the Red Room, the KGB or when they would just kill her. It had been May who told her she wasn't going anywhere first, then Coulson, Barton and eventually Fury.
She looked down at Skye and briefly no longer saw a fourteen year old girl, rather she saw a small child who was terrified of what was going to happen when she faced the two people who were supposed to be her protectors. In her brown eyes, Natasha could see her own green ones that were filled with fear before the Red Room beat it out of her.
"Because of all the stunts I pulled that were much worse than getting into one fight at school," Natasha answered, "They'll be upset because they can't condone you fighting or encourage that behavior, but they will be proud of you for sticking up for yourself and your friends."
"Will you tell them," Skye asked in a whisper.
"It can be our secret," Natasha replied, "But I do think you should let them know what happened. So they can hear it in your own words."
Skye supposed that was fair, but she really didn't want to tell them at all. What if Natasha was wrong? What if they did send her away for this?
The door opened allowing the teenager, whose name Skye didn't even remember, and his parents to walk out. They all looked at Skye, but said nothing before walking away. That had mostly to do with the threatening gaze Natasha was wearing, one she typically reserved for those she was about to kill when she had been an assassin. Clint had told her it was terrifying.
Natasha had a feeling that kid was going to get an unpleasant visitor some time this evening.
"Ready," Natasha said standing.
Skye followed her lead, "I guess."
"Don't worry, just tell the truth about what happened and we'll get ice cream after."
Natasha walked in with Skye behind her, her nerves still shaking her core.
The meeting was not as horrible as Skye thought it would be. Natasha had been ready to defend Skye, even opened with her reasoning of why Skye should not be in trouble. Though her defense was hardly needed considering the principal was actually on her side. The video of what happened had been played to review and while Skye did throw the first punch, he had grabbed her first.
Her reaction, a bit aggressive, was an appropriate response for someone who felt threatened. He let her off with a warning, much to Skye's relief. Lunch was just about to start, but the Principal decided to give her the rest of the day off which was fine with Skye. She would text the others later to let them know what happened, they wouldn't believe it and she could hardly believe it either. Natasha slung her arm over Skye's shoulder, it reminded the younger girl of Robbie.
"Not too bad huh," said Natasha grinning.
Skye nodded, "Not too bad. We can still get ice cream though, right?"
Natasha smirked, "Obviously. Come on, let's go. Here's my car."
Skye gaped, "You have a Corvette, for real?"
Robbie and Gabe would have lost their minds if they saw this car, especially Robbie. Skye could practically hear him spouting off all kinds of facts about this car, the make, model and could even tell what engine was there based on the sound of the revving. He was a show off like that.
"Oh yeah, climb in," Natasha said beeping the car, "We have some adventures to go on."
When May got the text from Natasha that said "Hanging with Skye, be back later :)" she was not sure what stories she should be prepared for. Though Natasha had helped teach recruits a handful of times, none of them had been under the age of twenty one and the infamous Black Widow did not like children. May just hoped whatever Natasha had planned with Skye would not involve anything too dangerous or illegal, that would just give her another headache.
May texted back, 'Don't do anything illegal.'
Natasha's reply was instant, 'I make no promises.' May didn't bother to respond, she simply shook her head.
Keeping up the undercover act was getting easier for May, but it was taking more and more energy not to fall into a routine, to not let this become a habit. Getting used to leaving with not only one, but two other people was not something she wanted. Especially when as soon as this was over, she would have to go back to being by herself. Though that was what she wanted, she knew despite herself she would miss the energy Skye brought to house and the comfort having Coulson so close.
It hadn't been a month yet, but Melinda knew that when this assignment did eventually end, she could admit that it would be a sad occasion. Not to mention how much it would likely hurt Skye in the long run. May leaned back in her chair, she was sitting in the office at 'her' dojo looking over some paperwork along with the progress reports she had on Skye. Skye was adamant on not coming to the dojo yet for official classes or to work with others, which May didn't necessarily mind, but she thought Skye might benefit from being in a real class. However that was a bridge she knew she would have to cross later and further down the line.
May looked back at some work when there was a knock on her door. She looked up to see a young man wearing a t-shirt and jeans, he had bright brown eyes that were almost too excited to be considered normal. Yet they looked familiar.
"Come in," May said as she studied the man, "How may I help you?"
The man smiled, "Hi, my name is Cal and I wanted to ask about the classes you offer here?"