Skye tossed and turned until she finally came to. She looked over at the little clock that Phil had put by her bed – it said 5:47. She knew she wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon so she got up, grabbed Marie and her elephant after deciding the other two were still asleep, and went downstairs. Phil and Leo could be heard snoring across the landing but Skye wasn't sure where Melinda was. 'Oh yeah, Mel does her wavy hand thing in the morning'. Slowly creeping to the basement steps she sat at the top watching Melinda doing the same moves as yesterday but in a different order. Melinda knows Skye is there but she waits until she can see Skye fidgeting until she says anything.

"You my little one seem to be an early riser like me"

Skye jumped at the sound of her voice but for once it wasn't a 'fear for you life' jump, it was more of a 'wasn't expecting it' jump.

"I worked out if you get up early enough at St Agnes then you actually get a warm shower instead of a cold one – I guess the habit just stuck I guess.."

Skye didn't mention about the nightmares and how they come back every night – 'Melinda doesn't want to know about them anyway' she tells herself. Melinda wasn't sure her daughter was telling the truth but she figures that Skye will tell her eventually.

"What would you like to do? Do you want breakfast now or would you prefer to watch some TV first? I have 15 minute of tai chi left then I will join you"

Skye mulled the question over in her mind until she reached a decision.

"Pweese could I stay and watch you instead? If you don't want me to though I can leave… I don't wanna be in the way"

"Of course you can watch – maybe one day when your older I'll teach you and we can do it together"

Skye nodded and settled her self back into the step with her teddies on her lap. Melinda continued her tai chi until her routine was finished. Once complete, they both went back upstairs into the kitchen. Melinda poured Skye some of the orange juice they bought yesterday and they want sat on the sofa.

"Melinda?"

"Yes Skye"

"Can you stay with me and watch some TV?"

Melinda smiled and placed a hand on Skye's cheek. "I'd love to honey, by the way one of Leo's friends is going to come and stay with us for a couple of days because her mum is out of town – is that okay with you?"

Skye couldn't help but think why was Melinda asking her if it was okay? It's their house after all. But then she remembered another part of Melinda's question.

"She? Is it Leo's girlfriend?"

Melinda just laughed 'Skye is such a quick thinker'

"Nope, she is just Leo's best friend- they do everything together – pretty inseparable really"

"What does in-seb-erab-able mean?"

"Inseparable honey, and it means you can't split them apart – they just love to be with each other"

"Oh – I wish I had a best friend like that… but I'm never anywhere long enough to make friends like that"

Melinda's heart just broke in two, again, at the sound of the disheartened girl in front of her.

"Well once you go to school in a couple of weeks you'll make a new friend – maybe you'll have a cool nickname like Leo and his best friend – all the people at school call them FitzSimmons"

"Yeah maybe…"

8 am and Leo's alarm goes off but he just hits snooze and rolls over. It's not until he remembers he has a little sister that he loves and best friend that is coming to stay for a week.

He send opens his phone and sends Jemma a text.

*Hi Jem – Let know when your up then I'll walk round to get you ;) xx*

Leo quickly got out of bed and was just about to brush his teeth when his phone vibrated.

*Hey Leo – I am starving… do you think your Mum would mind you making some of your amazing pancakes? I've been craving them all morning ;) xoxo*

Leo knows Jemma's mum works really hard to provide for them since her Dad died but she can be so busy that she forgets to do basic things like doing the shopping or the laundry. The worst part is Jemma tries really hard not to draw attention to it so Leo knows this is her way of saying there isn't much food in the house.

*Of course Jem – Skye helped yesterday and said Dad's were better but she only said that so that we both won our little contest xx*

He practically got an answer straight away.

*Well your Dad's pancakes are chocolate so what little kid wouldn't like them – but if you had pancakes yesterday you don't have to make them again – I don't really mind! xoxo*

*You know me, I could have pancakes everyday for breakfast – I'm leaving my house in 5 minutes so make sure your bag is packed and ready to go J xx*

*Okay cool, I'll see you then xoxo*

Leo got dressed and went downstairs hoping to catch her mother before she went for her morning shower. Instead of having to trek around the house looking for his mother he found both her and Skye on the sofa watching TV which was a nice surprise seen as Melinda normally does anything to get out of watching kids TV. Although when he thinks about it – for the first couple of weeks, both Melinda and Phil would sit and watch anything with him if he asked – it was kind of a trust and bonding thing. It made him not be as nervous about asking for the things he wanted.

"Morning Ladies" Leo said with a little chuckle. Both Melinda and Skye looked around and laughed too.

"Good morning, Leopold" Melinda shot him a devious look as she knows he doesn't like his full name.

"Leo will you watch TV with us? Melinda said we will make breakfast after this show has finished!"

Leo's heart warmed at the fact Skye wanted his to be involved so he went over and ruffled her hair.

"In ten minutes little one – I have to go and get my friend first then I'll come and maybe if mum says yes, I'll teach you properly how to make pancakes"

Skye tensed, just for a second but Leo still noticed, so he went round and sat beside her putting Marie on his lap and stroking her.

"Don't worry – she is super nice and she will love you! And if your really worried show her you teddies – I thing she will find one VERY interesting in particular" Leo gave her a cheeky wink and kissed the top of her head.

"Leo, tell Jemma to bring EVERYTHING this time – I don't care if she argues about being in the way! We can't have a repeat of last month where she didn't bring all the books she needed for her homework 'cause she thought she'd already brought too much"

"I try and tell her that but she still doesn't listen. At least last time I convinced her to leave spare toiletries and clothes here for when she has an impromptu stay- see you later guys" And with that Leo was out the door.

"Is Jemma nice Melinda, cause I'd really hate it if she didn't like me, is there anything I shouldn't say? I've only ever met one Jemma and she was really nice but I think she was being nice cause she felt sorry for me…"

Skye was now facing Melinda stroking Marie just as Leo was doing not 2 minutes ago.

"Jemma is lovely! The best friend Leo could ever have – they've been friends for ages and ages. Jemma's dad died when she was 12 but Leo was there for her and she has been there for him when he needed it too!"

"Okay so don't talk about dad – anything else?"

"Nope – Jemma loves to talks about everything, a bit like Tasha, so I'm sure you'll love her! Now shall we get everything ready for pancakes?"

Skye nodded and Melinda swept her up and into the kitchen.

Leo got to Jemma's door just as she was coming out. She looked tired a little pale She was next to the little travel suitcase with monkeys on it that Leo has bought her for Christmas three years ago.

"Are you sure it is okay with Mel and Phil that I stay?"

Leo just gave her a look of 'don't be stupid'.

"I think their exact words were – Jemma is always welcome and she is here 90 percent of the time anyway…"

Jemma rolled her eyes and gave a small but meaningful smile.

"Okay – thanks"

At this point Leo could see Jemma was having trouble lifting the case and got out of breath by the time she got to the bottom of the steps.

"Give me your case Jem – you can barely walk let alone carry a case. When was the last time you had a decent meal? Or a decent night sleep?"

She didn't make eye contact with him but did hand Leo the case and start to walk in the direction of his house. Leo catches up to her and slips his free hand into hers.

"Well, extra pancakes for you then and we will take a nap later – sound good?"

"Thanks Leo"

They continue to talk hand in hand in silence until they reach the Coulson House and Jemma walks in first knowing Mel and Phil don't mind. Leo puts Jemma's case at the bottom of the stairs and goes into the kitchen with Jemma following behind still hand in hand.

"Little one this is…"

"SKYE?! Is that you?"

Skye whips her head from behind Melinda when she hears the well-know voice.

"Jemma? Your Leo's best friend? Oh my gawwd I've missed you!"

Leo and Melinda exchange confused looks until Jemma explains.

"I used to go into Skye's school and help with reading and before we knew it I'd be spending hours after school at the orphanage with her!"

Leo jumped in before Jemma could get carried away.

"So we had that tutoring task you got pair with Skye? Well that explains a lot about why you liked it so much and why you carried on– I mean you're adorable Skye, who couldn't love you!"

Skye just looked between all three of them – with a big smile.

"Jemma I didn't know you weren't s'pposed to be wiv me for that long – thank you!"

Jemma picked her up and it hurt both Leo and Melinda just a little bit to see that she didn't flinch at Jemma's touch like she did theirs. But that was probably because she had months to trust her.

"Obviously Leo didn't recognise the name cause the last time I spoke to him about you, you were going by the name Daisy – Why did you decide on Skye?"

"Cause it sound more tougher than Daisy!"

Melinda giggled at Skye's choice of words but didn't comment on the mistake – instead she said –

"Well I think Skye is a beautiful name for a beautiful girl"

Melinda can see Jemma swaying next to Skye and her eyes drifting shut just a little bit. Skye wasn't sure how to take the compliment so instead she turned to Leo.

"Do you wanna come and wake Phil with me? Mel said the best way is cuddles but I think it needs two of us!"

"Sure thing little one – get on my back and we'll go up now"

Once they're out of the kitchen Melinda goes round puts a hand up to Jemma's cheek – Jemma burrows into the warmth.

"Honey – I'll be extremely angry at you if you let your self get in this state again – it looks like you haven't eaten or slept in days. Please come and see us if you are like is! Both me and Phil love you as if you were a daughter so it breaks my heart to see you like this – after breakfast your going up to Leo's room and going to sleep for a few more hours – okay?"

Jemma puts her arms around Mel's waist and breathes in the comfort she is giving her. It's not that her own mum isn't comforting it's just she's away a lot and Mel is always there for her like her own mum used to be. Before her dad died that is.

"Thanks Mel" She whispered.

"By the way – I tutored Skye for 2 years and she had 3 foster families and this is the happiest I've ever seen her! She likes is here – and I am SO glad she ended up here! You guys are just what she needs – A loving home where she knows it safe"

Melinda nodded and places a kiss on the top of Jemma head.

"Thank you Jemma – just remember that, biological or not, you have a family here too. And I am so glad Skye had you while she was in the system"

A little tear slipped out of her eye and Jemma tried to ignore the sinking feel in her stomach that her mum wasn't coming back.