Chapter 4: Jam and New Found Respect

Grant's POV- Status: The Bus. Whereabouts: "Classified"

The bus was quiet and he was taking advantage of the down time to catch up on his reading while they remained at the base trying to figure out how to get the 0-8-4 to turn Skye back into her regular self. He was almost to the end of the seventeenth chapter of his book when Skye ran up and sticks her head over the top of his book blocking his view looking at his book with a puzzled expression on her face Skye "what's it say?" she inquired curiously.

Rather than try and explain the plot to an inquisitive three year old he asked his own question noting the time as he glanced at his watch "ready for lunch?" he could finish the chapter later. Getting an enthusiastic nod from Skye he put his book down and headed for the kitchenette with Skye in toe.

Instead of just waiting for her sandwich like any other three year old Skye followed him round while he collected ingredients and started preparing their lunch. Standing next to him on her tippy toes Skye's nose barely reached the bench top, she was bouncing on the balls of her feet and she still can't see, taking pity on her he lift her up and sat her on the bench next to him "tanks" she smiled shyly.

Ingredients prepared "what would you like on your sandwich Skye?" he inquired reaching for the bread "Jam" she stated happily. He paused turning towards her "Skye we have lettuce, carrot, beetroot, tomato and chicken or ham" he said exasperated. Fitz was clearly a bad influence on her 'jam really? Here I am trying to get her to eat healthy from a young age again and Fitz is getting her addicted to jam, well at least it wasn't peanut butter and jam together' he thought with a grimace and waited for Skye to tell him what she wanted out of the ingredients he had prepared.

"No jam Skye, pick out of these" he said and pointed at the ingredients beside her. Frowning at him Skye asked "no jam" like she was waiting for him to change his mind "no jam" he confirmed as resolutely as he could he'd get her to eat healthy for once in her life "so what's it going to be Skye?" he asked trying to hold his ground.

Skye's POV

Skye wanted jam and if Grant wasn't going to get her any she knew who would, she wiggles trying to get down off the bench without falling. It was a long way down as she reached with her toes.

Grant's POV

Seeing what she wanted and afraid she'd fall he placed her on her feet only to have her take off running out of the kitchen. He sighed "really Skye" and started after her exiting the kitchen at a jog than breaking into a run seeing a flash of brown curls disappear towards the stairs "damn it Skye, not the stairs again" he increased his pace "don't even think about it Skye" he told her as he caught up to her grabbing her around the middle and picks her up just as she got to the top step "were do you think you're going? You know the stairs are dangerous and you're not allowed on them by yourself after last time" he told her frustrated as she squirmed to get away from him.

Realizing she'd been caught Skye changes tactics and yelled "FITZ-ZYY!" at the top of her lungs. From the top of the stairs he could see Fitz's head jerk up at Skye's yell and he dropping the object he was holding and bolted towards the lab doors.

Fitz's POV

He was surprised to see Ward struggling to hold Skye at the top of the stairs as she squirmed trying to get free "its ok Jemma Skye's fine" he called over his shoulder before continuing up the stairs giving the struggling pair a questioning look.

Grant's POV

"No jam Fitz! No jam!" Skye said in horror a little breathlessly due to her struggling against Ward's hold. He could see Fitz struggling to keep a straight face "is that right Agent Ward?" he asked with a smirk. Fitz wasn't going to help him so he sent him a glare "no Fitz, we have lettuce, carrot, beetroot, tomato and chicken or ham! All much healthier for growing girls than jam" he listed eyes daring Fitz's to contradict him as he emphasized the word healthier.

Fitz's POV

"Well Skye, I can't argue with that. Ward's right it is healthier" he said emphasizing healthier mocking Ward. Seeing Skye's little face fall in betrayal was too much and he continued against his better judgement "but Jam's yummier" he stated with a wink making Skye's smile return she reached her arms out for him, he quickly took her so Ward wouldn't kill him for siding against him. "How about we go and have yummy jam sandwiches and leave Ward to his healthier ones? He can read his book while we play?" he finished trying to get back onto Ward's good side.

Grant's POV

This made him rolled his eyes "fine then, I'll finish my book you keep her out of trouble Fitz. You hear me? No blowing things up with her in the lab" he told him sternly. Fitz rolled his eye at him "of course not, how about a little game of hind and seek Skye" he said to Skye as he walked off towards the kitchenette to make sandwiches leaving him standing there shaking his head.

Their lunch eaten he headed to the lounge and Fitz carried Skye down the stairs to play chasee in the training area. An hour later he thought Skye looks a little tired as she crouched beside the arm of the chair he was sitting in hiding from Fitz. They moved there games upstairs as the cargo bay wasn't suitable for hind and seek.

Suddenly he heard Skye's miserable voice "I don't feel good" looking over the side he saw Skye looking very pale "eat too much yummy jam Skye?" he asked only half teasing reaching down the side of the chair to feel her forehead "I think you've got a temperature. Why don't we get Simmons to double check baby?" he asked only getting an unhappy sound out of Skye. He set his book down and reached over the side of the chair to scooping Skye up and carrying her down towards the lab.

Fitz's POV

He spotted Ward carrying Skye "oh are we finished playing now Skye?" he asked seeing her back in Ward's arms with her head resting on his shoulder eyes drooping half closed. Skye only gave him a slight nod he gave Ward a concern look "she's a bit hot, I'm taking her down for Simmons to checked out" Ward told him continuing towards the lab he followed Ward worried about Skye too.

Grant's POV

Upon entering the lab he looked around for Simmons, who looked up as they entered "Simmons could you please check Skye over, she's feeling a bit hot" he explained brushing her hair out of her face so it didn't annoy her "pop her up on the table and I'll have a look at her" he set Skye down on the table for Simmons to check her temperature.

Simmons' POV

"It appears Skye's picked up a mild case of Influenza, she's got a few of the symptoms" she explained to Ward and then turned back to Skye "Skye, sweetie do you have a sore throat or head?" receiving a nod she bustling around looking for something to give her. She found what she was looking for and turned back towards Ward "Skye needs to get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids and take this" she gives Ward the bottle of paracetamol "it should reduce her temperature while she gets over it" she said with sympathy smoothing down Skye hair.

"Only up to this line here" she indicated on the measuring cup "Skye should be fine in a day or so but her sore throat might take longer, get some rest sweetie" she smiled looking at Skye fondly snuggling back up in Ward's arms "thanks Simmons. I'm going to go put her to bed" Ward said heading back up the stairs with Skye while reading the back of the bottle of medicine.

Fitz's POV

Fitz turned to Simmons when Ward was out of ear shot "he's turning into Mr. Mom, what's he going to do when we finally get Skye back to her proper age? Ban her from drinking and take away the keys? Bloke thinks he can protect her from everything. I bet he even thinks it's his fault he didn't protect her from getting sick." Simmons sighed dramatically "don't be silly Fitz, Ward wouldn't take away Skye's keys, her van is locked in a S.H.I.E.L.D hanger remember. Why would he need to confiscate her keys?" she scoffed "besides it's not like Agent Ward has control over what illnesses Skye's body picks up, really Fitz and you call yourself a scientist" she mocked turning back to her discarded project "are you going to help me with this or not?" She questioned bring him out of his stupor.

Grant's POV

After he settled Skye in his bunk under the covers he tried to give her the medicine Simmons had instructed but Skye was shaking her head no, lips pursed shut "come on Skye, it'll make you feel better. We've got to get that temperature down" he insisted but she still wouldn't open her mouth he sighed "if you don't take this medicine now for me then I'm going to be forced to get May so she can give it to you" he threatened Skye glared at him opening her mouth knowing full well May would hold her down till she took it.

"Cold" she murmured pitifully voice muffled by his covers she was practically buried under them, he didn't want to leave her alone so he slid off the side of his bed and pulled open his draw looking for his grey S.H.I.E.L.D academy hoodie with 'Specialist' and 'WARD' printed on the back. Finding it underneath a plain black zip up one he tugged it out and walked back to the bed to manoeuvre a very disgruntled Skye into a sitting position to help her get it on. It was absolutely huge on her making her look even tinier but it would keep her warm. Scooting her back down and pulling the covers up to her chin he repositioned himself on top of the covers next to her.

Skye's POV

Skye was nice and toasty now but she needed a snuggle to make her feel better. Trying desperately to get her hand out from under the blanket to grab hold of Grant she got tangled. She let out a frustrated sign waving around her mile long sleeves to free her hand.

Grant's POV

He noticed Skye struggling with his sleeves and couldn't help but chuckle, she looked adorable in his hoodie. The chuckle earned him a glare sobering him up "what's the matter baby? Are the sleeves to long?" he asked rolling them up for her.

Skye blinked up at him tiredly "want snuggle" she told him sounding exhausted as she tugged on him with her now free hand trying to get him to move under the blanket with her "do you want me under the blankets is that it?" he asked getting another nod, not wanting to argue with her while she was sick he got under the blankets with her. Skye immediately rested her head on his chest closing her eyes content now that she could leech his body heat. He was feeling pretty content himself as he closed his eyes drifting to sleep.

He jerked awake as a tiny hand hit his chest, Skye was thrashing all over the place "Skye, what's wrong?" he asked trying to stay calm "hot" she whimpered wriggling trying to dislodge the hoodie from her body "too hot" she whined restlessly, little tears leaking from the corner of her eyes as she struggled. "Hold on baby, let me help" he moved quickly pulling the hoodie up and over her head trying to cool her down, putting his hand on her forehead to check her temperature he understood her discomfort she was really hot.

Deciding that she was probably still too warm in her leggings and t-shirt he stripped them too, leaving her only in her singlet and underwear "baby you're burning up, let's get you to Simmons" he figured she'd know what to do "no, no, no, no" Skye cried repeatedly. He picked her up not concerned by her protest in her feverish state and ran down to the lab.

Entering the lab setting Skye down on the table he turned nearly bumping into Simmons in his hurry to explain "Skye's to hot, she woke up writhing and crying" he said in a rush while trying to keep Skye from wriggling off the table.

Simmons was already checking Skye's temperature "ok we need to get her temperature down" she stated calmly. "What do you think I've been doing?" he snapped at her panicked "sorry, how do we get her temperature down?" He apologized trying to calm down "I gave her the medicine. Skye must have only slept for an hour. You can't give her more yet? Right?" he asked he did remember the time period between doses in his panic and she wasn't even close. "No I can't but there's a much simpler way to bring her temperature down" Simmons put forth calmly.

"What then?" he was going to lose patients with Simmons if she didn't get to the point and tell him how to make Skye feel better soon. "We bath her in cool to warm water and that should bring her temperature back down" she explained. Hearing all he needed to know he scooped Skye up and rushed her to the bathroom without a second thought.

He gently set Skye down on the shower mat while he adjusted the temperature "cool to warm" he muttered 'I think that's it' he stripped to his boxers than lifted Skye holding her to his chest stepped under the stream of water.

Apparently he wasn't the only one who thought it was more cool than warm Skye let out a noise that sounded like a cross between a squeal of surprise and a whimper as she tried to get away from the water pushing against his chest.

He had to holding Skye a little tighter to his chest to stop her pushing him away "sorry Rookie but it'll help cool you down" he insisted not letting her free. After a couple minutes she rested her head on his chest and just hiccupped it seemed to be working to his relief. Skye was calming down and her skin felt cooler to the touch "feeling better now Baby?" He inquired, he was freezing "cold now" Skye told him in a small quivering voice he actually chuckled "how about we get out, we can't have you freezing can we?" he said smiling getting a shaky nod.

Hearing a knock on the door made both of them jump "Ward is her temperature down? Is Skye feeling better?" Simmons asked worriedly through the door. He turned towards the door "Temperatures back to normal now, she's complaining its cold so we'll be out soon" he yelled back, after a moment's pause he heard Simmons voice again "that's wonderful, I could get her dressed for you if you want to take a proper shower?" She offered. "That actually sounds great, I'll be out in a minute with Skye" he called back.

He opened the shower door reaching for a white fluffy towels he wrapped it around his own boxer covered hips, he didn't need Simmons seeing his boxers than grabbed a second one and crouched down to wrapped a dripping, shivering, cross armed, teeth chattering Skye up too. He picked Skye up and opened the door to see Simmons waiting, he handed her over "thanks Simmons" he said "no problem go and have a nice hot shower I think you've earned it" she told him taking Skye upstairs to get dressed.

He headed back to the shower stripping properly this time and adjusting the water to a much warmer temperature he stepped in closing the door just letting the water wash away all his stress. 'How the hell do parents do this for years until their kids old enough to look after themselves? I've only been at it for a few days and I'm more stressed and worried then I've ever been for any mission' he shook his head and concluded that parents must be an undiscovered kind of superhero as he steps out of his streaming hot shower he had a new found respect for parents, well not his own but good parents who love their kids and treat them right. Drying he realised he didn't have cloths in here, he secured his towel more firmly around his hips praying that he doesn't run into anyone on the way to his bunk.

Dressed in a pair of sweats and a white t shirt he chucks his and Skye's dirty and soaked cloths in the washing hamper on his way to find Skye and Simmons. Hearing a giggle coming from the direction of the kitchenette he headed there only to be stopped short by the scene in front of him. Skye was sitting on the bench in her Iron Man pj's helping Fitz's make sure they had enough bowls he listened as Skye counted "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 aannddd 6" she said dramatically putting each finger down that she counted. Simmons was dishing up what appeared to be spaghetti meatballs.

Suddenly Skye looks up "we made dinner but Fitz says no jam" her voice is horrified like she thought jam went with everything, walking over to her he softly smiles "that's your bowl, number 1" she says pointing to it. "Hay, how come Ward's number 1?" Fitz inquires "I thought I was your favourite?" he says with a teasing smile.

Skye looks at him with an incredulous look "you said no jam" she told him like it should be obvious "so what I've been downgraded to number 2 because I don't put jam on my meat balls?" Fitz questioned incredulously. Skye shook her head at him "nope your number 3 bowl" she tells him matter of factly. "Well then who is number 2?" He inquires "Jemma, she let me wear my robot man jammies to dinner."

He smirked at that and Simmons just sighed "oh Fitz's, when will you learn your never going to win an argument with Skye." "But Ward doesn't put jam on his meat balls either Skye?" Fitz reasoned trying to defend himself "so we should be equal number 1" he insisted "but there can only be one number 1" Skye said puzzled not realizing this conversation had nothing to do with bowls but who was her favourite.

Saving Skye from any more confusion "you heard her Fitz, there can only be one number 1" he said taking a mouthful out of said bowl before it got cold trying it"great spaghetti guys" he praised cementing his place as number 1 judging by the proud smile on Skye's face and the glare Fitz sent him.

Placing his bowl on the table he went back to the bench and picked up Skye in one arm and then looking from the bowls to Skye "which number bowl are you Skye?" he wondered out loud getting a shrug from her "how about number 6 bowl" at her inquisitive look he elaborated "guess what number is Coulson's favourite?" he asked, catching on Fitzsimmons smiled it was common knowledge that Skye was Coulson's favourite protégé. "6" she exclaimed happily clapping.

He grabbed her bowl in his other hand and helped Skye get settled at the table then went back to get a piece of garlic bread. Fitz whispered to him rather loudly "you made that up, Coulson's favourite number isn't six? Is it?" he questioned disbelievingly. The man in question walked into the kitchen and stage whispered to Skye loudly "it is but that's classified, can you keep a secret Skye?" He asked. Skye nodded vigorously placing a bolognaise sauce covered index finger in front of her lips showing him.

Coulson chuckled walking over to grab forks and his and May's bowls "looks great guys, May and I have a video link conference with Fury in ten minute" he informed them and headed back to his office leaving the rest of the team to finish their dinner.

Skye had eaten most of her bowl but clearly still not 100% she was almost falling asleep at the table "how about we get you to bed" he suggested getting a tired nod she pushed her bowl away and held up her arms to him.

He wiped her sauce covered hands and mouth first then picked Skye up and headed for the bathroom "teeth and bed" he told her helping her brush her teeth then doing his own. They headed to his bunk well there's ever since that night with the storm Skye seemed to just end up there anyway.

He set Skye down on his bed were she crawled under the covers and got comfortable "story?" she asked "um….once upon a time" he started not sure what to say but then an idea struck him "there was this princess that lived all alone until one day a Robot and his boss needed her help, right from the start the Robot knew she was no ordinary princess. She was smart, funny, kind and could make him smile all rather great weapons to possess" he told her with a smile seeing how wrapped up in the story she was getting "The princess agreed to help the Robot find the man he was trying to help while she was doing so the man snuck up on her and took her away" Skye's eye looked worried so he quickly continued not wanting his story to frighten her "The robot and his boss were looking for the princess when she sent them a clue" Skye smiled at that and her eyes lost the worry "tracking the man from the princess's clues, they located her and helped the man, saving them both. The Robot's boss decided that the princess was such a great help he wanted her to stay so she wasn't alone anymore. The princess decided to stay so she could help people….. ahh….the end" he finished abruptly but Skye added smiling "and to make the Robot smile because that's her superpower" Skye stated knowingly "yes Baby, that's her superpower" He agreed giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Before he turned out the light he gives her another dose of medicine not wanting her temperature to spike again and slipped out the door leaving it open just a bit in case she needed him. He stepped out of his bunk and Coulson's voice startled him "She's right you know, her superpower is to make you smile" Coulson told him walking back to his office without another word "I know" he admitted once Coulson was out of earshot as he sat down in the chair Coulson had just occupied to finish his book. Skye could always being a smile to his face, he knew she was the only one that held that power over him, he didn't need Coulson to tell him he'd known for a while now.