A/N: Yay, update!

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 16

October 2011

Skye could hardly think straight. Last night someone got a clean hit to her head forcing her down, she was ninety percent sure she had a concussion. That was not a good thing at all. She couldn't tell the Maysons though. Because then they would ask how she got it or be pissed that she had yet another issue for them to deal with. The Maysons were cool and all, she actually did like them a lot, but she knew that eventually they would turn out to be like everyone else. She couldn't let herself get to close, never again.

It was out of the questions, but her head was pounding and the feeling she had to throw up had yet to leave her alone, a bad sign. Noises, any noise was a pain and thr lights were also driving her crazy. The chance that she did have a concussion were high. Gripping her pen a little tighter than necessary, she tried to focus on anything but the pounding feeling.

Originally she hadn't planned on spending so much time at the fights, she just needed it for a few days, but now she felt like she couldn't leave. When she was fighting, she felt the fire and adrenaline building, growing, powering her. It was as if she were in charge, in control, able to do something for herself.

"Skye, you okay," asked Simmons works frown.

The girls were in study hall trying to get some homework done and usually Skye liked to fill the boringness with some entertainment. Not today however, she was silent, but not due to concentrating on her work. Something else was wrong, not that Simmons knew what it could have been. Though Simmons would have been lying if she said she didn't notice how her friend was a little worse for wear. Appearing more sluggish, but she did have more light to her eyes despite it. No one could understand what caused the change in Skye, none of them were certain if it was good or bad for her. S

kye narrowed her eyes at Simmons, "I'm fine Simmons. Just, let's just do our work."

Simmons raised an eyebrow, she closed her books, "You never say that. What's gotten into you? Come on, you can tell me. Maybe I can help."

"No you can't," Skye said through her gritted teeth, the noise of everyone speaking softly around her was maddening.

"Well how do you know," Simmons asked, though her tone was but more hesitant.

She wanted to help Skye, but she didn't want to push her too far. Besides she could tell that her friend was on the more miserable side today. Simmons learned forward slightly, she recalled what she had observed of Skye today compared to recently along with this. It was then she realized.

"You have a concussion," Simmons said.

Skye rolled her eyes, "Oh what gave you that idea?"

"Well your irritated, you can't focus, noise is bothering you paused on how you react to even the quiet sounds, this room isn't bright, but you continue to squint or keep your head tiltied down, not to mention you looked like you wanted to throw up earlier despite saying you were fine," Simmons explained as she leaned back, "What happened?"

Skye huffed, "Just a fight. I'm fine."

Simmons rolled her eyes, "Clearly not. Go to the nurse or I will report your symptoms and you won't be able to run off."

"Let them come get me," Skye said bitterly. She grabbed her books and shoved them into her bag with unnecessary force. The bell rang the moment she was done making her hiss in annoyance. Simmons opened her mouth to speak, but Skye was already walking away. The teen sighed heavily, she grabbed her own books and went after Skye.

But in reality, it just means there's a high chance I'm leaving SHIELD.

It had been days ago since May had said those words to him, but still he couldn't seem to let them go. Even when May had been at her worst with SHIELD she still remained, the idea to leave had crossed her mind and Coulson knew that, but something stopped her. May had a thousand reasons to stay and one reason to go in the past. Today he realized she still had all of those to stay and one reason to go.

Leave SHIELD? You would leave?

For Skye.

And you said I was too attached.

May hadn't said anything else on the subject, in fact she had been avoiding it almost. Neither spoke more about her declaration, she didn't want to talk about it and Coulson was just afraid to hear more what she had to say about leaving SHIELD. May was his best friend at SHIELD, he couldn't imagine losing her in any form and years ago, he had lost her.

Here she was, so close, but now she was going to go. Of course he knew it wasn't set in stone, but he couldn't fight the nager he felt building that she was just ready to leave. That she didn't have any doubts about it and would just leave SHIELD, leave him behind… It stung. Dinner that night was tense and extremely uncomfortable for the three people of this household, each for their own reasons that they were willing to share.

Though Coulson noticed Skye's shifting demeanor, she seemed more irritated and out of sorts lately. He had no idea why and he had asked her what was wrong to which to practically hissed about how being a girl sucked before slamming her door. Coulson decided not to bother her again, but still he worried. And not everything that was going on with May and her words about leaving, that added to it.

Oh and how could he forget the breakthrough in the hunt for the manbeast? Agents had been watching one of Skye's previous foster homes to see that the man arrive and attack the foster parent. They stepped inside and even got a hit on the attacker, but he got away. It wasn't exactly a success, but it was more luck than they had, had in awhile.

"So," Skye said pushing food around her plate, "This is awkward. You two get into a fight or something?"

The atmosphere was incredibly off to Skye, but she couldn't tell what it was about. Fear pricked her mind that it was because they were going to tell her they were sending her back. That she was too much trouble, not a good fit and they no longer wanted to look after her. Melinda and Phil had been acting strange for days in fact, she wondered if it was because they were wondering how to break it to her.

"Not exactly," Melinda told her with a side glance at Phil, "Just, some news I don't think he took too well."

Phil snapped his head to look at her, "News I didn't take well? I took it fine. It was your news that just surprised me."

Skye glanced between the two of them, "Ooohhh kay. Well, I'm going to go upstairs now."

"Hold on a second," Phil told her.

Skye narrowed her gaze slightly, shoving down her fear. Why did she care if they were going to send her back? She was so stupid, letting herself get comfortable and actually liking them or her friends at school. The burning of her eyes surprised her for a moment, but she forced herself to remain as under control as possible.

"Why," Skye asked letting her anger show through.

"Watch your tone," Melinda reprimanded.

Skye glared at her, "Or what?"

"I think we all need to calm down," Phil said before the two could go further, "I'm stressed, it's getting to me. Ma-Melinda, you're restless and think you have a plan ready for your next step-"

"I don't think, I know," Melinda interrupted.

Phil bit back his own frustration, "You think you have the next step after your declaration. To just-"

"I know what I said Phil," she snapped at him, her tone causing Skye to flinch, "And I meant it. This is not a discussion we should be having right now."

Skye's eyes flashed at that, "Because I'm here? No, you don't get to dismiss me when I could be the subject."

"This does not concern you," Melinda said, "However if you prefer that we discuss you, how about we talk about your late night adventures?"

"What I do is my business," Skye protested.

"Not while you live under this roof," Phil told her sharply, "Those underground fights are dangerous."

Skye scoffed, she shook her head, "So what? I can handle myself and have been handling myself my entire life. And while we're at it, why don't you just take me back so I can continue to handle myself."

"And if you were hurt," Melinda questioned, she gestured at Skye, "Enlighten us. If you were hurt, would you be able to handle it?"

Skye replied, "Yes I-"

"No, you wouldn't be able to handle it correctly because you are still a fourteen year old girl, you may have had to take care of yourself because no one else has, but you are not as wise and experienced as you think," Melinda interrupted her.

"We can't all handle our issues like a robot," Skye hissed bitterly.

"We can't all choose to lash out at underground fighting rings," Melinda remarked, some ice in her voice.

Skye struggled to keep her anger in check, "Not like you stopped me from going. Just take me back to Agnes and you won't have to be burdened anymore."

All the tension that had been placed between the trio seemed to fade away at those words. Skye didn't know what to make of the shift in atmosphere, it came on so suddenly it almost made her dizzy. Though she blamed that on the lack of sleep and not on Simmons concussion idea from earlier.

"Where does Agnes come into this," Phil asked incredulously.

Melinda added, "You think because you're having some rough days that we'll take you back?"

Skye lost the edge in her voice, "Well, yeah. I caused trouble at school, I'm sneaking out pretty much every night, I give you guys a rough time. I've been sent back for far less."

Melinda leaned back in her seat, wondering how she should proceed with this. Despite her declaration of leaving SHIELD for Skye, she wasn't entirely sure how well Skye would take the mingled truth. Obviously the part about SHIELD would be left out, but May planned to keep Skye away from SHIELD, which meant in a manner of speaking it was similar to adoption if not more under the table.

However she knew she couldn't just throw the word adoption around, especially in front of a young teen who was desperate for a real home despite her unwillingness to admit it. May quite honestly didn't believe she could give Skye that, there was a chance she and Coulson could give that Skye together. In another universe she supposed they did, but that universe didn't seem to be this one. Looking at Skye now, May knew that the journey ahead for this girl still had more trials to go.

"Sending you back isn't an option," May said breaking the silence, "Doesn't matter what you do."

Without another word, she stood from the table and left the dining room. Skye and Phil could only watch her go, their own thoughts spiraling. Skye didn't know how to feel about that, but she felt warm, she believed Melinda and that wasn't something expected. Guilt was the next emotion Skye felt as she sat there in silence. If Melinda and PHil really did care about her like they claimed, she was starting to feel guilty for the hard time she was giving them.

There was still a chance it wasn't true, but she considered that if it was, then maybe she should change her attitude about it. The very thought of doing sent a wave of terror through her, but she knew was curious and she wanted to know just how much truth there was to Melinda's words just now. She would put them to the test, if they were telling the truth then she had nothing to worry about. If they weren't, Skye imagined she'd be back at Agnes in a few more weeks.

October 31 2011

"I can't believe we agreed to this," Melinda said shaking her head as she filled up another bowl of candy.

Skye smiled at her, "Honestly, I can't believe it either."

It had been more like luck as far as Skye was concerned and a welcomed surprise. It took a day or two after the dinner fights for things in the household to return to normal and by that point, Skye managed to tell them about her symptoms which did result in a doctor's appointment that she didn't protest. A mild almost moderate concussion had been the diagnosis.

Skye lost all her technology rights, partially due to the fights and because the doctor said so. Skye also had to stay home for a bit which she wouldn't have complained about if she had access to entertainment, but she did sleep a lot. She returned to school with little issues, though she and her friends were staying home tomorrow.

It was Halloween and Skye was hosting a little get together for her friends. Phil had been the one to suggest it and that lead to Melinda and Skye filling up party bowls of candy, popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels and chips. Phil left to get age appropriate horror movies, much to Skye's annoyance, but his choices seemed well enough.

"Are you excited," Melinda asked as she threw away the empty candy bag.

"Yeah," Skye answered with a slight grin, "Yeah, maybe a little nervous too. I've never hosted people before. What am I supposed to do?"

Melinda answered, "Have fun. If they have a question, like where's the bathroom, you tell them. It's straightforward."

Skye sighed, "Guess so. What are the ground rules?"

"You already know where they can and can't go," Melinda reminded her, "No screaming after midnight, you will give Phil a heart attack. If you guys do decide to go out into the neighborhood, please let me or Phil know when you'll be back."

"I doubt we're actually going trick or treating," Skye said with an eye roll.

Melinda raised an eyebrow at her, "Considering you told me you've been trick or treating twice, I highly doubt any of your friends will allow you not to go."

Skye opened her mouth to protest when the doorbell rang, her heart quickened in pace at the sound. She looked in the direction of the door biting her lip as her nerves came back up. This was the first time she was hosting a party/ sleepover and she didn't want to screw up.

Melinda went to the door, she greeted the first guests, "Hello Simmons, Fitz."

"Good afternoon Mrs Mayson," Simmons said happily, "I know we're early, but I thought we could help with anything or-"

"Convince Skye to put on this costume and come trick or treating with us," Fitz continued with a hopeful expression.

Skye groaned from her spot in the kitchen. Melinda grinned, "I think you two will have better luck than me. Come on in."

Simmons and Fitz walked in smiling. The pair had come to the house a few days before to visit Skye while she had been under house arrest. May knew them to be excellent students at the Academy and would likely become some of SHIELD's finest. The pair of them were incredibly sweet, well mannered and genuine which May found refreshing. If she was being honest, she knew Skye tended to follow a different crowd and was pleased to see that she had found friends of a different sort. SHe closed the front door and returned to the kitchen to see Fitz holding up a Red Riding Hood costume.

"Seriously," Skye asked looking at it, she shook her head, "I already said I wasn't going trick or treating."

"Well even if you don't go there's no reason you can't dress up with the lot of us," Fitz told her, "Besides, be glad this is the costume we brought. Simmons wanted you to be a scientist like us."

Skye smirked, she looked over their outfits, "Who are you supposed to be?"

"I am Marie Curie," Simmons said smiling. Her costume was a black dress from the late 1800's, ruffles ends on the sleeves and around the neck line. If Skye wasn't mistaken, it had to be the same dress Curie wore in most of the photographs that existed of her.

"Dr Frankenstein," Fitz said as he adjusted his lab coat. If Skye was being honest, he looked like he typically did whenever he was in one of the science labs. Though she had to give him credit for wearing a lab coat that could be adjusted to look like the one that Dr Frankenstein wore in the movies.

Skye shook her head with a grin, "You guys look good, but really, I don't need to go trick or treating."

Simmons sighed dramatically, "Oh no Fitz. Whatever will we do now? How will we tell Lincoln he doesn't have a counterpart to his costume?"

Fitz struggled not to groan at her performance.

Skye blinked twice before asking, "Wait, what? Lincoln's counterpart?"

"Yes," Simmons said with a too wide smile, then she winced, "Sorry, too much huh?"

"Obviously," Fitz remarked with a breath, he looked back at Skye, "Lincoln is dressing up as a grey wolf so if you don't dress as Red Riding Hood, he won't have a partner."

Skye crossed her arms over her chest, "What about Trip and Ward? What are they dressing up as?"

Fitz answered her, "Men in black, just suits really, but they do have the neuralyzers."

Skye's brow quirked up as she let out a soft, huh.

Her eyes fell onto the Red Riding Hood costume for a moment, studying it. The red cloak looked smooth and almost like velvet which was nie. The dress from what she could see on the side of the packaging had a red skirt with a little white fabric down the middle. The top was white with a black corset looking thing around the waist. Maybe it wouldn't kill her to dress as Red Riding Hood and go out trick or treating.

"It'd be a shame to let Lincoln down," Simmons muttered.

Skye's eyes narrowed at her dangerously, silently daring her to say more.

Simmons smirked softly, she took the costume from Fitz and handed it Skye, "Would you please get ready now?"

Skye sighed in defeat, "Okay, okay. Fine, but just this once and we're only going for an hour."

Fitzsimmons cheered to themselves for a moment. Skye made her way upstairs, Simmons at her heels while Fitz sent a message to Lincoln that their plan worked and Skye was going trick or treating with them tonight. It was going to be a really good night.