"Alright Skye you did great earlier today" Coulson assured as Skye walked back to the shop, "Enjoy dinner and some girl talk."

"That might be a little hard with two guys in my ear all night."

"Would you rather have Agent May?"

"No you and Ward are fine." She squeaked.

As Skye neared the shop Cidney was already outside making sure the door was locked, "Perfect timing. Shall we?" Skye nodded, "Don't worry it's only a couple blocks from here."

The women started down the street and the conversation rolled on easily. Throughout the walk and dinner they exchanged stories about van life- shooing away people trying to get in, breaking down in the worst spot possible, nearly getting arrested for parking illegally and actually getting arrested for parking illegally. Skye wished Cidney was an agent on their team more than once during their evening. Watching her now she was still surprised her and Ward were engaged. They were so different. Cidney was loud and outgoing, free spirited, yet rooted at the same time. She knew when to fly and when to settle into her nest. Joy seemed to seep from her and Skye wanted to be near that light inside Cidney. Listening to her stories Skye just wanted to drink everything in.

"And after that camping trip I was convinced that Bigfoot was not just some urban legend."

Both were laughing and Skye was wheezing at this point, "I can't believe you and Ward were together." Her tongue slipped while reaching for her water.

Everyone listening in the surveillance van froze and exchanged glances. Skye winced when the words escaped her mouth.

Cidney inhaled sharply, "What did you say?"

Skye wanted to play it off, "Mmm?" she sipped her water.

"You said Ward. How do you know about him? About us?" Cidney was growing suspicious, "Who are you? How do you…" she looked around uncomfortably, "Is he here?"

"Tell her Skye…no use in hiding it now." Grant's voice crackled over coms. "Go easy...it's going to be a lot to take in."

Skye leaned against the table, "I work with an organization called S.H.I.E.L.D. Have you heard of it?"

Cidney racked her brain, "Umm…the battle of New York. They were apart of that…what does that have to do with Grant?"

"He's a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. I work with him...we're apart of a special team."

Cidney shook her head in disbelief, "What is he like Jason Bourne or something?"

"Something like that."

"Why are you wasting your time with me? Does Grant have anything to do with this? Is he alright?"

"We need your help…Ward didn't set this up if that's what you're thinking. He's just advising because he knows you."

"I'm just a normal person." Cidney shrugged but Skye could tell she was trying to process everything, "Why would S.H.I.E.L.D want my help when they have people like the Avengers?"

"If you'll just come with me my boss will explain everything to you."

A halfhearted laugh escaped her lips, "Yeah I'm just going to go meet a boss with a woman I've just met because she says she knows my ex …that's how kidnappings happen" she whispered to herself.

"Then how about we meet here?" Coulson's voice drew her attention, "Skye head out to the van. I'll take it from here."

Cidney's eyes scanned the room and over Coulson. "We're not here to hurt you, Miss Allan. We just need your help."

Coulson went over the details of everything with her slowly after he gave her his badge to look over. He even showed her the file they had on Jeffery Wilson. When he finished, "I imagine this is a lot to take in." He looked down at her hands to see her twisting the ring on the middle finger of her left hand.

She drew in a shaky breath "I don't know if I could be any help to you…I'm shaking right now…I can't imagine trying to go into that party with one of your agents. I don't know how I can get through the next two weeks acting normal around Mr. Wilson or any of my customers."

"You'll be just fine. In the mean time we'd like to take you to our plane. We'll teach you some basic self-defense, and one of my best agents will give you some tips to calm yourself."

Cidney worked to steady her breathing, "Okay…um could I pack a bag? And I'll still need to be at my shop and make deliveries…I have a wedding tomorrow and.."

"Don't worry. Your work life won't change; we just want to be able to prep you during your free time. It's more convenient to have you with us. May I walk you home?" she nodded.

...

Coulson led Cidney up the loading deck of the Bus. At the top stood the whole team minus one member.

"I'd like you to meet my team, Miss Allan. You've met Skye, this is Agent May, Agent Simmons and Fitz." Each took a turn to shake hands with Cidney, "FitzSimmons will show you where you'll be bunking."

After the three departed, "Where's Ward?" Coulson addressed May.

"Your office. He didn't want her to be overwhelmed."

…...

"Why weren't you on the loading dock?"

"Sir?" Ward turned as Coulson brushed by him, "This is a lot to take in on one night. I thought…"

"What?" Coulson interrupted, "That we'd wait a few days till she settles and hit her again with you? I know this is a lot for her but now that she knows about Wilson I think it'd be better to get it over with."

"I can go down now"

"No…it's late and FitzSimmons are settling her in. They're putting her in your bunk so you'll have to find somewhere else to sleep."

Ward nodded, "Of course."

"Make sure you don't contact her until I give the say so. Tomorrow you can talk to her. Then we'll have May help her settle and then you'll have to teach her some basic self-defense."

"Couldn't May handle self-defense?" Ward hoped

"You'll be the one going in. I think it'd be best to try to build a little trust."