16
Coulson knew when to back away from his partner and this was definitely that kind of 'when'. He blew a breath over his lip and watched as she disappeared into the darkness at the end of the corridor. With any luck she'd refrain from trying to put her fist through a wall…or in this case a boulder.
"Sir," Saez's voice interrupted his thought. "Other than the collection in the first room and whatever this is," he jerked his head toward the scene behind them. "There's nothing here. Should we prepare an advance through the blockage above?"
Coulson studied the darkness twenty feet away then looked toward the staircase in the opposite direction. He drew a deep breath and exhaled. "No…let's not blow up anything just yet."
The younger man gave a quick nod. "What about whatever this is?" They had both turned back to the litter of uniforms and rusted lugers. "These guys belonged to somebody, sir. They might have been Nazi's once but now they're just somebody's uncle or grandfather." The man pursed his lips and thought for a moment. "I'd want to know if they were my family."
Coulson nodded. "You're right, Saez." He stepped into the room and stared down at the uniform closest to the door. "Whatever might have been here is long gone, but at least we can give them some closure." He let out a fluttery breath. "Before we do anything, we file a report and let the techs sort this out."
"And the 0-84?" Saez wondered.
"We don't even know what it looks like." Coulson shrugged. "Supposed to be in that castle, or whatever's left of it. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the old dungeon." He paused and glanced at the barricaded stairwell again, then shook his head. "Let's close this room up and keep it intact for the science techs." He ordered as he motioned for the rest of the team to exit. "Finish storing the loot in the other room. Once this storm clears we'll make plans to get out of here."
Saez nodded. He jerked his head toward what they'd dubbed the treasure room and waited for the others to clear out. "Agent May alright, Sir?"
Again Coulson stared at the spot where the woman had disappeared into the blackness. "Just blowin' off some steam…" he told himself more than the younger man.
xx
"You know they say if you're in this much darkness for too long you lose the need for eyes," Coulson jested as he carried a lantern into the corner of the long tunnel that snaked out of the dome they'd discovered.
"They also say yǒngyuǎn bùyào chuō shuì long." She snarled back.
Coulson chuckled silently. "Wasn't aware you were sleeping…" he snorted. "Wasn't aware you ever slept."
May narrowed her eyes. She was not amused.
The man walked around her, easing past the rocks that had fallen from the walls. He tapped his knuckles on one of the largest. "Haven't noticed a dragon…" He peeked behind the boulder. "Unless you know something I don't."
May let out a frustrated breath and shifted position as she leaned against another large rock. "Just leave me alone, Coulson. I don't need any of your shit."
Coulson nodded and pressed his lips together. He half sat on the large boulder next to him and for a few minutes both listened to the silence in the cold cavern. She stared off in one direction and he the other. If it were possible to hear time tick by, Coulson was sure it would be in this dungeon.
"Never should have agreed to this damn ridiculous exercise in stupidity." May flung a small rock across the dark expanse. Its plinking echoed in the dark. She thrust her arms over her chest and tried to push away the thoughts of the little girl waiting almost five-thousand miles away.
"I'm sure William's got this." Coulson spoke softly. "Hell, look how you turned out." He meant it as a compliment but it didn't really come off as such.
May stood and paced across the small circle of light into the blackness and then back. "I should be the one. I should be there." She growled through clenched teeth. "Not here." She spat and drove a finger into the large rock next to her.
"May, you haven't left her forever. We'll be out of here in…" She looked up at him with venom. "We'll maybe not as soon as we expected but…"
"Damn it, Coulson!" She barked as another rock flew across the space, shattering as it struck the wall behind him. "We should have turned back as soon as that damn storm started. You can't even say what the hell Stark shoved in this hell hole or where it is. That stupid bastard lost it here almost seventy years ago. Fury doesn't even know what it does or why any damn moron would want it anyway."
Coulson held up his hands. "I understand…"
"Don't…" she poked a finger into his shoulder, driving him back. "Don't even…you have no idea. I shouldn't have…shouldn't…" The strong woman drew a breath and pulled back the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Shouldn't have left?" Coulson finished for her. "It's our job, May. It's what we chose…what we swore an oath to…"
She turned from him driving her teeth into her bottom lip to stop the tears that formed. "I shouldn't have put her in this position. I…I should not have let this happen." She still refused to face him, to allow him to see the streaks across her cheeks.
"You had nothing to do with this," he spoke softly. "You're right. I should have called it when the storm threatened the possibility of success." He heard her draw a breath and paused. Even in the dim light he could see her shake her head.
"This won't be the last time. I can't be her mother and this…" her voice trailed off as she hid the crack of it. "My…my mother was…not there, but my dad…" She turned to face Coulson, not caring that he could see her break. "What the hell made me think I could do this on my own? Damn it, if something happens to me she's right back where she started."
Coulson stepped forward placing his hands on her shoulders. He smiled. "Nothing is going to happen to Melinda May. She's invincible. Everyone knows that."
She pulled away roughly. "This is not a joke, Coulson."
"No, it isn't and I'm not joking. You're never going to let anything happen to you." He reached for her but thought better, dropped his hand then continued speaking to her back. "You are best thing in that little kid's life. I don't know her well but it didn't take much to see she adores you." He smiled and added. "And you are totally over the moon about her." He waited but May did not respond or turn toward him. He let out a soft breath knowing she needed time…time to be alone. He knew that because he knew May. Turning he started to pick up the lantern then withdrew his hand and took a few steps toward the rest of the team.
"You aren't alone, May." He spoke without turning toward her. "We're a team…all of us. You don't have to worry. We've got your back, always and that includes that little girl. I promise if…" he closed his eyes not wanting to even think of the inevitability of their profession. He swallowed hard. "If the worst happens…I'll never let her be alone." He walked away before she could make a comment or laugh at his corniness.
May listened to his footsteps as he departed, leaving her to pull her mask back into place and brace herself for the completion of this mission.
xx
No amount of consoling could convince Skye that things would work out for the best. William did his best but in the end was able to hold the little girl until she cried herself into a restless sleep. He laid her in her own bed and spent the next hour pacing the hallway listening for her plaintive cry and exhausting himself trying to decide what to do. It would do no good to worry into a breakdown. Surely, if he did so that woman would be back to take Skye away before a doctor could decide his fate.
William had had many occasions while raising Melinda to fret and worry but never did he find it necessary to alert his wife or pull her from her secretive profession. Even when young Mellie broke her leg falling from a bicycle and the time she had an emergency appendectomy, he had only informed Lian after the fact. But as that Roffman woman reminded him, Skye was truly not his granddaughter…yet.
He ran through a mental list of all the people he might call…who might help in this situation, but his contacts were mostly educators and men and woman of science. They had little to do with matters such as this. The light rapping at the door sent a chill through him. Had Roffman done her dirty work so quickly?
"William?" He heard his name whispered softly as he neared the door and let out a relieved breath.
"Celia," he breathed as he opened it.
"Oh my," Celia Gibbons exclaimed as she stepped inside the May apartment. "I knew I should have come earlier." William tilted his head in confusion as he followed her toward the kitchen. "I saw that woman when she left the elevator in the lobby." She began. "Gave me that little 'know it all' nod, like she was on some sort of mission." She shook her head and wrapped her hands around the back of the nearest chair. "The more I thought about it the more I could not imagine why someone that looked like some sort of inspector would be sulking around this building. Last time a person carried a bulky bag in here like that we all had to move out for a month while they rewired the entire fifth floor for whatever." She sounded as perturbed as he was worried. "I've since been on the resident's board of trustees and would know if any inspector was scheduled. I could not stop thinking about it until I realized where I had seen her before." Celia narrowed her eyes. "She was the contact person for protection reports right before I retired from the pediatric office. Not a sympathetic bone in the woman's body."
William listened because there was no way to get a word into the conversation. He merely nodded. Celia wagged a finger.
"Then I thought, 'oh my goodness….Skye'!" She chewed her bottom lip. "From the look on that one's face I did not think it was good." She reached out and put her hand on his arm. "Is she alright? The poor dear…" Her tone changed from livid to sympathetic.
"She has fallen into a fitful sleep." William finally spoke. "I am afraid she has given up hope and is sure this woman will return to take her away."
Celia turned her head toward the hallway. "That poor baby," she tsked. Turning back to William she asked, "do you think I can look in on her."
William smiled and gave a nod. "Perhaps you would then join me for a cup of tea. I feel I may need to calm myself and would enjoy the company."
She took his hand in hers. "Of course, William, maybe if we put our heads together we can come up with a solution." She squeezed his hands tighter. "If only James was here. He would certainly know what to do." With that she patted the back of his hand and slipped back toward Skye's room.
xx
The door was not quite closed and the room dim in the winter's early evening. William had left the nightlight on in case the child woke. He did not want her in a dark room alone. Celia noticed immediately the blankets pushed from the empty bed and for a beat felt anxious. The fear was resolved when she heard the flush then the sound of running water from the adjacent bathroom.
Skye stepped back into the room, leaving the door ajar and the light on. Celia could see the little girl's red puffy eyes and realized the skip had gone from her gait. The child looked up, noticing the visitor.
"I throwed up." She mumbled with a blank stare.
Celia was across the room much faster than Skye thought an older lady could move. She gathered the child in her arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Oh, sweetheart, that is understandable. Don't you worry about it one little bit." She held the child to her shoulder and gently patted her back, resting her own cheek against Skye's. "You do feel a little warm, dear. Why don't we get you cleaned up and into your pajamas?" She smiled at the weak nod she felt against her neck. "Mrs. Gibbons will take your temperature and then we'll see if you need a little medicine. How's that?" Again the little nod let the woman know the child at least heard what she had said.
She carried Skye back into the bathroom and ran a warm tub for a quick bath. While the little girl soaked and stared blankly at the water, Celia collected clean undergarments and PJ's then explained the circumstances to William. It was possible, she explained, that Skye did in fact have a fever…perhaps not quite over the illness she'd just had. It could, however, be that she had worked herself up so much that it affected her temperature. In either case, Celia assured him, a little acetometophine would not hurt and may help her to relax.
The man agreed but worried no less. He paced the kitchen just as he had done in the hallway. William listened to the tea kettle squeal for more than a few seconds before taking it from the stove and pouring it over the tea leaves he had crushed in the pot.
Skye did not protest or flinch at Mrs. Gibbons taking her temperature. She sobbed silently while the retired nurse rubbed her back waiting for the few minutes to pass before she checked the instrument then remained on her tummy even when it was done. Mrs. Gibbons frowned at the number. It was too high to be just a reaction to the stress. She pulled the blanket over the little girl and patted her bottom before she stood.
Reaching down and brushing the hair from Skye's face, she spoke softly. "Okay, sweetie, I'm going to get something to help you feel better. Then I'm going to ask your grandpa to make you some nice soup or maybe some of his wonderful tea."
Skye shook her head against the pillow. "I ain't hungry." She mumbled into it.
Mrs. Gibbons patted her back softly. "I know, sweetheart, but I think it will help you feel better."
Skye shook her head again, without lifting it. "I think I'll just throw up more."
The woman sat down next to the child. "Does your tummy hurt?"
Skye shook her head.
For a moment Mrs. Gibbons just watched the little girl who refused to look at her. "It's okay to be upset, Skye. We are all upset right now." Skye turned her head on the pillow and glanced at the woman. "All of us, your grandpa and I as well."
The little girl drew a shaky breath. "He's my yéyé."
Mrs. Gibbons smiled and rubbed her hand on Skye's back. "Yes, he is. He is your yéyé and he will not let anything happen to you."
Skye drew a breath and let it out in a sob. "He can't stop the case lady. Only May could, Mrs. Gibbons. I really need her." With those words she climbed into the woman's lap and cried even harder. "I really need my May."
"Shhh, shhhh, sweetie," Mrs. Gibbons hushed her. She wasn't sure what to say or how to console the child. William had told her May was away and the woman knew her neighbor could be gone for long periods of time. Even before they had become friends she would notice the apartment empty and the absence of the young quiet woman that lived there. Twice since then she kept Skye in her care while Melinda was away on what she called 'confidential business'. Celia had no idea what Melinda did for a living and she did not ask. In this town there were far too many people who did far too many jobs that remained 'confidential'.
Celia carried the little girl to the kitchen, still shushing and comforting her. With a weak smile she put her into her grandfather's arms and excused herself to the master bathroom where she knew May kept any and all medicines. A few minutes later and with a little help she coaxed Skye into swallowing the measured dose of fever reducer and a few sips of William's special blend of calming tea. Within an hour the little girl was once more tucked into her bed.
"She has herself so worked up," Celia whispered as William kissed his granddaughter's head and stepped toward the doorway. "It certainly isn't causing the fever, but it isn't helping either." She shook her head as he pulled the door almost closed and they walked back to the kitchen. "Look at the time," Celia nodded toward the clock. "I'm sure you haven't eaten. Let me get something. I'm sure I have leftovers, perhaps a sandwich?" She offered.
William shook his head. "I am afraid I have very little appetite at this time." He smiled weakly. "I do not think I will sleep tonight as well. But I will take some tea to help relax my worries." He patted his hand on his shirt pocket. "Melinda left me one number which I hesitate even now to call. Her business takes her far from home and even should they contact her it may be too late by the time she arrives." He drew a breath and closed his eyes saying a quick prayer. "My granddaughter is lost in her troubles. This shall do the same to my daughter and I cannot console either. For them to lose each other would cause more heartbreak that either can withstand."
Celia squeezed his forearm and nodded with a sympathetic smile. "In that case, William, I will share that calming tea with you."
xx
It was half past ten when Celia took her leave, but not before checking Skye's temperature and telling William to call her no matter what time, if she was needed. A second dose of fever reducer helped the little girl to fall back to sleep.
William sat in the rocker in Skye's room watching her sleep. He dozed a few times but woke each time she whimpered or fidgeted in her sleep. Twice he retrieved her panda from the floor, tucking in her arms. By midnight he had made a trip to Melinda's room to take a pillow and blanket from her bed. He gently put that pillow under the little girl's head and tucked the blanket around her. For the first time in hours, Skye seemed to be relaxed in sleep. He let out a soft breath and kissed her temple before retreating to the kitchen.
His tea had grown cold and reheating it seemed pointless. He sat in front of the cup with his head in his hands. The man weighed his decision several times reminding himself that indecision was worse than no decision at all. William rose and walked slowly to the telephone on the wall. It was almost ironic that Melinda would have kept the archaic item left over from her mother's time in this same apartment. The gold telephone still graced the wall between the kitchen and living room, its coiled cord still hanging between the receiver and the box itself. William remembered the argument they'd had over replacing the circular dial with the push buttons. Lian was not a proponent of change. He drew a deep breath and tugged the small slip of paper from his shirt pocket.
The numbers were unfamiliar. He stared at them for seconds before lifting the receiver and tapping the first three digits. He used two fingers to press down the silver hook that would disengage the call. This may not be the best choice. He looked down the hall to his left at the small stream of blue light that spilled from Skye's room then turned back and quickly tapped all of the numbers on the small note.
"State your alpha-numeric code and hold." The voice came without one ring. William stared at the digits under the number on the small bit of paper. "State your alpha-numeric code…" The message repeated.
" C" the man stated slowly and clearly. He heard the clicks and hums of the connection change then it fell silent. The sound was eerily quiet yet he instinctively knew the call had not been dropped. The dial tone had not returned. There had been no telltale click of disconnecting.
"You're message has been received. You will be contacted when your party is reached." The robotic voice told him and immediately the call ended.
William knew before picking up the receiver that he would not speak to Melinda directly. It was procedure. He knew that. He'd been briefed many times in the past. Call, give the code, wait for a response. It could be hours or days before he'd know if Melinda received the message. He also knew there would be no sleep for him this night.
xx
May stared into the blackness at the end of the tunnel ignoring the lantern Coulson had left behind. She was torn between the duty she swore to do and the child she swore to raise as her own. How could she do both? Who did she think she was? And how could she ever desert that little girl she already loved more than she thought possible? She drew a deep breath, held it, then blew it out slowly over her lips. Focus, she told herself. One thing at a time…finish the mission…she drew another deep breath and repeated the exercise. Control your emotions…control…she could not lose control and yet it was getting harder and harder to pull that wall back into place.
Baba would keep Skye safe until she returned. He had been her rock all those years when her mother was away. He read to her and tucked her in at night. He walked her to school and watched her bounce her ass on the ice until she couldn't take it any longer. He took her to the park and lay in the grass watching the clouds. He told her that her mother could see the same sky she did and at night they would watch the stars. She'd pick one and have it watch over Lian…wherever she was.
There were two people she trusted in this world…Baba and for some ridiculous reason she trusted that damn fool, Phillip Coulson. He was a nerd and he drove her insane and half the time she wanted to knock him into next week. But in the long run there was no one she'd trust her life to in any mission situation other than Phillip Coulson.
And right now…he needed her.
May drew another deep breath, held it, blew it over her lips and marched back into action.
xx
"How much ya think all this stuff is worth?" Cooper wondered as he tapped the top onto one of the boxes the team had filled.
Bradshaw studied a painting he held and answered without turning toward him. "A lot more than we'll ever see…"
"Think they'd miss a little piece?" Saez chuckled, holding a small figurine in one hand.
"Don't see any inventory lists anywhere," Cooper shrugged as he pulled another box from a stack against the farthest wall. "Must have taken 'em years to collect all this loot," the box came free with a jerk and a large poof of dust. The man waved it away as he coughed, "damn Nazis."
"Somebody's been looking for this stuff since '45. Wonder if there's anyone left who'd even recognize it?" Cooper shook his head. "Probably end up in some museum somewhere." He examined a fist sized lamb that appeared to be chewing its own foot. He shrugged and tucked it into the excelsior already in the box.
Saez held a figure that looked like a combination of the abominable snowman and a jack o lantern. He curled up one side of his lip and shook his head. "Looks like the chachkies my Nan puts out for holidays."
Cooper laughed a fluttery laugh over his lips. "Where does a guy named Saez learn chachkies? You keeping secrets, Genero?"
Bradshaw smiled at the easy banter among his team.
With a good-natured chuckle, Saez replied, "Prefieres que diga chuchería?"
Cooper thought for a moment, standing still over his half packed crate. "Yeah," he nodded, "chuchería rolls off that Spanish tongue of tours a lot smoother." He gave a nod and grabbed another figure from one of the long wooden tables.
"Did a lot of word for a neighbor when I was a kid." Saez grinned. "She had a lot to say about those chachkies."
Carson shook his head at all the chatter. He pulled the packing from a small box and set it on the table the reached for the clock Coulson had been so intrigued with earlier. As he lifted it he felt the winged figure in the center turn. He pulled it closer turning it away from his chest and toward the large wooden door they'd removed to enter the room. A soft hum emanated a second before a gold beam shot from the center of the clock and hit the door.
The four men froze as the golden color spread over the wood. For a moment it appeared to be made of god. Every man smiled at the sight. That much gold would be… Ten seconds later the golden wood disintegrated into dust and felt to the floor. The large metal hinges hit the rock base with a loud clang causing every one to jump.
"Nobody move," Bradshaw ordered.
Every man obeyed, freezing where they stood.
"Carson, don't even breath and," Bradshaw drew a breath. "Whatever you did…don't do it again."
xx
Skye shuffled into the kitchen rubbing a fist into one eye. She stood barefoot and glanced at the tea cup and saucer on the table but no Yéyé. She stared at the clock in a useless effort to decipher the time. It still confused her. A sound from the laundry room startled the little girl who backed toward the hallway door.
"Sunnu," William was just as surprised as he stepped from the dimly lit room into the kitchen.
In a breath she was across the kitchen and wrapped around him. The man lifted her in his arms. Skye rested her head on William's shoulder and let out a shaky breath. She wasn't sure she had any tears left but knew if she started crying again she probably wouldn't stop forever.
"Where is your robe, xiǎo hóuzi? And you're slippers, sunnu, you're small feet are like ice." He wrapped a hand around her toes as he moved to the table.
"Will the case lady come for me today?" Skye whispered as she tightened her grip on the man. "I don wanner a take my stuff. She wone lemme keep it." She shook her head.
William dropped into his chair and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close tucking her under his chin. "Today we are safe." He assured her. "Even the wheels of the system do not move than quickly." He whispered mostly to himself. For a few minutes he simply held her, gently rocking as if she were an infant…calming both of them.
"Perhaps, today you will join me for a light breakfast?" William asked without releasing the hug he held her with. He felt her shake her head.
"I doun wanna eat, Yéyé. I doun like ta throw up." She shook her head against his shoulder.
"I will make a special tea to settle your restless stomach." He smiled.
"You gotta tea for errything, Yéyé?" Skye asked. He could feel her scrunch up her face as she usually did when deep in thought.
William nodded, squeezing her tighter. "There is tea for every need. This I truly believe." She looked up at him. He pressed his lips against her forehead feeling the warmth still there. He sat back and continued rocky. "Perhaps we shall invite our friend, Mrs. Gibbons."
The man stood and reached for the telephone then thought again. He took the keys from a hook next to it and headed down the hall, still holding Skye in his arms. He opened the door and stepped into the hallway, pulling it locked and closed behind him. A moment later he was pushing the buzzer on Celia's door.
xx
Celia Gibbons cinched the belt on her robe and glance at the numbers on her small clock. It was not yet seven thirty. Who could be knocking at this hour? She shuffled to the door and stood on tiptoe to peek through the small peep hole. She pulled the door open quickly.
"William," she tried to keep the alarm out of her voice as she laid a hand on Skye's back.
He gave a short nod. "I believe the fever has returned, but she does not seem as hot. WE thought you might join us for breakfast."
"Please, allow me," she countered. "Join me, both of you." She moved aside and motioned for him to enter.
"We are not quite dressed for visiting," he apologized.
She stepped back and spread her arms. "And I am not dressed for visitors," she laughed, "so we are perfect. Please, I will see to Skye and prepare breakfast for everyone."
"You got tea?" Skye's voice came from within William's embrace.
"Skye," William gently scolded.
"I do indeed," Celia smiled. "A very nice gentleman made sure I had a very wide selection. But first, we are going to check your temperature."
William slid the little girl to the floor. The spark that was Skye had not returned. She took Mrs. Gibbons' hand and allowed her to lead her from the room. William closed the door and walked to the kitchen. He would prepare tea for everyone.
xx
The elevator door on the third floor of May's apartment building opened. Veronica Roffman exited, followed by a large man with a badge clipped to his jacket pocket. She led him down the hall and rapped on the door of the last apartment and waited for William May to answer.
She would rap four times before heading back to the elevator.