Hey everyone. It's been a while. Sorry. Hope you enjoy the update. TW's as usual 3/

Hours passed and Coulson felt no less helpless.

He didn't have a plan, didn't have any clue what to do next.

Melinda was out of surgery but still in ICU, still not out of danger.

Without her at his side, he felt lost.

She would tell him to buck it up, to get out of his head and sort it out.

He had to figure it out.

He stood, deciding his first port of call should be to see all his agents.

He'd been sitting with Grant for four hours, but he was still heavily sedated and sleeping.

He left the room, another agent stepping into the room on the off chance Grant woke up.

He saw Skye first, still sitting in between Leo and Jemma, but she wasn't crying any more.

"Hi." Phil stepped towards the bed, grabbing the spare seat and sitting for a moment.

Skye looked at him, all big eyes and nervous energy.

"Sir." She said quietly.

"Skye. You can drop the sir, I think we're passed that."

"I'm sorry." The woman shook her head. "I can't believe I did that." She said thickly.

"Do you regret it?" Coulson asked quietly.

"I...I'm not sure. On one hand, yes. I've seen the pain it's caused. But the thoughts are still there. I think...I think I do regret it. I should have come to you. To any of you. Talked before it got to that stage."

"I'm glad you can see that." Phil murmured. "I...I have some news. That will be difficult." He sighed.

The three youngest agents looked at each other, all in various stages of worry.

"What is it?" Jemma asked.

He wasn't entirely sure Skye was well enough to deal with what he had to say, but he would keep no secrets from any of them.

"Grant isn't well. He had...an episode, I suppose. Cut himself. May and I found him. Hunter was watching him and Grant choked him out, took his gun and tried to shoot himself." There was no being delicate about it.

Skye inhaled sharply, hand covering her mouth. Had she done that, had she triggered him?

"Is he okay?" Fitz's voice shook a little.

"Physically, yes. There was an altercation, May managed to get the gun from him, but during that, the gun went off. Melinda...was shot. She's in recovery."

"Shit." Skye cursed, burying her head in her hands.

"That's...bloody hell." Jemma whispered. "What a mess."

"What now?" Skye asked helplessly.

Coulson lifted his head and said very honestly, "I don't know."

Then, "we obviously can't carry on like this. Skye, you and Grant need help. Help we can't offer. The only thing that might help is...a different hospital. Where you can both get professional help. I don't like it, but we've tried, Skye. We can't help you the way you need."

The woman sniffled and rubbed her eyes quickly before looking up. "You're right." She said quietly. "I...I want to get well. I can't feel like this, I can't do this forever."

Phil exhaled. He'd been expecting a fight.

"Okay." He nodded. "I'll sort it out." He stood and walked to the bed.

This was time to be a leader, but it was also time to be family.

He leaned and hugged each one of his agents, lingering on Skye and whispering softly to her.

"You're so strong for agreeing to this, Skye. We can do this." He squeezed her once more before standing.

"I'll check in soon." He promised.

/A little short. I'm dealing badly with chronic illness. I promise this time I will update sooner. Lots of love and thanks for sticking with me.