Skye typed at her laptop, editing the code like she had tunnel vision. She was in such a zone, that she almost jumped out of her chair when she heard her phone ring out, with a message tone. Skye laughed at herself before checking her phone.

Miss USA ;): We should be done in an hour. We'll meet you after.

Skye smiled before quickly shooting back an Okay.

'Hey, is that a Stark phone? How'd you get your hands on one of those?'

Skye looked at the Agent who had just spoken.

'I know a guy,' Skye replied, mentally laughing; Stark had given the phone himself. 'It's Agent Daniels, right?'

The guy nodded, before saying, 'Yeah. You're pretty new around here, aren't you?'

'Yep. First day on the Carrier.' Skye smiled at the Agent.

'You know, I could help you out, show you the ropes.'

Skye smirked slightly, sensing the innuendo behind the tone.

'I think I've got it covered,' Skye answered dryly.

'Nah, it helps knowing a few high ranking faces around here,' the agent persisted. Skye knew he was only a level 2 agent; she had done a quick background check on everyone in the tech team. He only wanted to appear more consequential than he actually was.

'I think I'll be okay. I'm fine, really, I have a couple of friends.' Skye insisted, before returning back to work. Skye felt his gaze linger on her, as she worked. She guessed there would always be manipulative perverts, no matter how just the organisation. She had put up with it in the Rising Tide, before they knew how good a hacker she was, and she would have to put up with it here.

Skye had been working for 45 minutes, before she stopped, and got up. She needed caffeine. She looked around, and didn't see a coffee machine, so she went over to Agent Morgan.

'Hey, I finished the firewall. If any of the Rising Tide try and get in, we'll know.' Skye smiled, and it was returned by one from Morgan.

'Good work. That's it for the day, if you wanna take off.'

Skye nodded. 'I've meeting a couple of friends in 15 minutes. You got a coffee machine around here, while I wait?'

Agent Morgan nodded. 'Sure, there's one in the break room. It's the door on the left.' Morgan pointed towards a hallway, and Skye nodded.

'Thanks.'

Skye made her way over to the break room and punched in her order on the machine. The machine sparked to life, and started to drip out the much needed coffee. Skye tapped on her leg, as she waited for the last dregs of coffee to pour intoher cup. Her drink had just finished, when she heard someone join her in the room.

'The coffee here is shit,' Agent Daniels, the guy from before, warned.

Skye sipped at her drink and laughed. 'No kidding. You'd think this place would have a Starbucks or something.'

Daniels grinned, before offering, 'Me and a couple of others are going out for drinks. If you're done for the day, you'd be welcome to tag along.' Skye inwardly rolled her eyes. This guy just wouldn't quit.

'Maybe another time. I'm actually meeting with some friends.' Skye felt her phone vibrate, and saw a message from Steve. 'Actually, they're here right now.'

Agent Daniels looked slightly dejected, but was also curious as to who Skye could possibly know in Shield. Following her out the room, he looked into the main area to catch a glimpse of Skye's friends. There was no one.

He sighed, and returned to his desk, keeping an eye out, as Skye packed away her laptop. Just as she was putting the strap of her laptop bag over her shoulder, she heard the elevator doors open with a ding. Out came, much to the other agents surprise, Tony and Steve followed by Fury and a brunette woman whom she did not recognise. Upon seeing Skye, Tony grinned, and Steve gave a little wave, and Skye smiled in response. Agent Daniels looked at Skye in shock. These were her friends? Skye threw a smirk in his direction, and went to greet them, followed by Agent Morgan.

'Good afternoon, Director Fury,' Agent Morgan greeted. 'To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?' Skye could tell from her tone, that this didn't happen often.

'I came to congratulate you all on your success with the Rising Tide, and to see how Skye was doing on her first day.'

Morgan kept her surprise at Fury actively taking an interest in a new recruit at bay, and smiled. 'Thank you, sir. It wouldn't have happened without Skye's help. She's a great addition to the team.'

Skye smiled, and was about to protest in modesty, before the brunette spoke up.

'Wait a minute, this is the Skye you were telling me about, Fury?' The woman saw Fury nod, and turned to Skye.

'I've heard a lot about you. I'm Maria Hill, it's good to finally meet you,' she said, sticking out her hand.

Skye took it, shaking her hand.

'Its an honour, Assistant Director Hill,' Skye said, with a smile, recognising the name.

Hill laughed, before replying, incredulously, 'Really? I'm not that important.'

Skye scoffed, 'Please! I know who really runs this place.' Skye winked and Maria grinned. Looking over to Fury, she stage whispered, jokingly, 'I like her.'

Tony and Steve laughed, and Agent Morgan left back to her work. Fury turned to Skye and said, 'I wanted to tell you myself, Clint and Natasha's mission is ending a day early, they should be back by tomorrow night.'

Skye smiled, 'Thanks, they're okay, right?'

Fury gave her a little smile. 'They're good. They can handle themselves.'

Skye laughed, remembering who they were talking about. 'Right. Of course they can.'

Steve placed a hand on Skye's shoulder. 'You ready to go? I thought we could stop and get something to eat. The others at the tower already had takeout.'

Skye nodded. 'Sure. You fancy pizza?'

Tony pricked up at that. 'Pizza? Definitely! I know just the place.'

Maria laughed, and the others smiled.

'It was nice meeting you, Commander Hill. Fury, always a pleasure.' Skye said with a grin.

Maria and Fury nodded in agreement, before Skye, Steve and Tony left.

'So, where is this pizza place? I hope they have a parking spot for the 'copter,' Skye joked, as they headed back to where they had parked.

Skye couldn't contain her blissful moan as she took her first bite. With a blush, she mumbled through her mouthful, 'God, Tony, you were right. This pizza is amazing.'

Tony laughed, and took a bite in his own slice. Steve, showing a little more finesse, coughed to mask his laughter. They were seated in a dark corner of a family owned pizza parlour, mainly hidden from the view of the other occupants. It was nice and private, Tony had obviously called ahead to get the seats.

'So, we figured we could get to know you a little better, Skye,' Steve suggested. 'I know you're really staying to get to know Clint and Tasha, but seeing as you'll be living with us, we should get to know each other. If its okay with you, of course.'

Skye laughed, 'Are you kidding me? I want to know all about the real Captain America, and what the papers don't know about the man behind the Iron Man suit.'

Steve grinned. 'Okay, we can take it in turns. Where did you grow up?'

...

As it turns out, the trio couldn't have had more different childhoods. Steve was born in post-WWW Brooklyn. Raised by his widowed mother, he was a very frail and sickly child. This, however, did not deter him from protecting those important to him, and standing for what was right and wrong. He spoke of his brother, in all but blood, Bucky, and what the early 20th century was like in America. It was filled with hardship, but also a sense of freedom that children lack these days.

On the other end of the spectrum, Tony had been raised in a life of mansions and private schools. He was supplied with any material thing he could possible want, and money could buy. Despite this, Tony's early life was often dominated by the absence of his father, and a mother who didn't know how to care for a child. Tony was deeply loved by his long term nanny, and by his butler, Edwin Jarvis, however, they could not fulfil the same effect, as the care of ones own parents. Tony filled his early life with science, and the pursuit of knowledge, but it had lead to an irrevocably lonely childhood. Tony hadn't said this in so many words, but it was the underlying message along with the overwhelming tone of self pity.

'You know, I used to hate you, as a child,' Tony said, much to Steve's surprise. 'My father, whenever he was around, would constantly barrage me with stories of the great Captain America. It seemed that he had more interest in your legacy than his own sons life.'

Steve frowned. 'I'm sorry, Howard seemed a good man, when I knew him. I guess the war changed him. I'm sorry, I'm a constant reminder to his neglect.'

Tony brushed of the apology, with a laugh and a sarcastic, 'Don't get your star spangled panties in a twist, Cap. Bygones and all that jazz.'

Skye let out a laugh, but she and Steve could tell how Tony was grateful for Steve's apology, behind his joking deflection.

'So, Skye, please tell me you had a more enjoyable childhood. God, we're a bunch of downers,' Tony joked, with a gently prod at Skye's side. Skye took a final bite of her pizza and grinned.

'Sorry, I'm not exactly the poster child of happy families,' Skye joked. Tony and Steve were surprised how unaffected she seemed. Skye was so used to posing an indifference to how she was raised, it was hard to turn it off.

'I was left on the orphanage doorstep as a baby, must have been about 2 weeks old. There was quite the bit of controversy about my origins amongst the other kids. There was this bet running, about my parents suddenly turning up one day, and who they were. What orphan kid doesn't dream that their parents are royalty or a celerity.'

Skye shrugged, before she paused suddenly, deep in thought. After a brief moment, she started laughing. 'Now that I think about it, I owe one of the kids $20, they figured my parents would be secret spies. Guess they were right.'

Tony laughed, and Steve gave her a grin. It was easier this way, making light of a sad story.

'I didn't know at the time, but Shield moved me around every 6 months or so. Made my way around 24 different foster homes, I think it was a record, before I ran away from the home. I was 16, bought a van, started to hack, and just moved around. A new town every month or so, guess I couldn't shake that tradition of moving after a couple of weeks.'

Skye shrugged, as if it was a perfectly ordinary childhood.

Noticing they had all finished their food, and that it was getting late, Skye asked, 'Wanna head back?'

'Sure, let me just pay,' Tony agreed, as they stood up. Tony went over to the counter, and spoke to the cashier.

'Hey Tony,' Skye called after him. Tony looked up, with a raised eyebrow, and Skye grinned. 'Don't forget to tip well, they did let us park the helicopter on the roof, after all.'

Steve laughed, and Tony just smiled, as he added an extra $100 bill to the 50 he had already paid. The look of gratitude and happiness, from the man at the till warmed Skye's heart. She remembered how crappy it was, living of a lousy waitressing salary and tips. She hadn't even to pay rent back then and she found it hard, but then again, gas wasn't cheap.

'Alright, lets go.' Steve said, with a hand on Skye's shoulder. They made their way to the front door, but once again they were stopped. This time, it was by a young girl, who was clutching a napkin and pen, along with her phone.

'Ummm, hi...'

Skye gave her a reassuring smile, even if the girl had spoken to Steve.

'Hey, how can I help you, ma'am?' Steve asked in a gentle voice. The girl blushed, at the 'ma'am', Skye was pretty sure Steve does it on purpose.

'I... I'm a huge fan, Captain America, and of you, Mr Stark.' The girl blushed again, and Skye tried to stifle a giggle. 'I was wondering if I could get your autograph... And maybe a photo?'

Steve gave her a big smile, and replied, 'Of course, who should I say its for?' whilst reaching for the pen and napkin.

'Jenny.'

Steve scribbled something onto the napkin, before passing it over to Tony. He wrote something too, and held it out for Jenny to take. Skye gave a slight shove to Tony's side, and whispered in his ear, 'Say something nice, she looks terrified.'

'Here, sweetheart. Do you want a photo with both of us, or separate?'

The girl asked for one of both of them together, and so Skye said, 'Here, let me take it.' Jenny gave Skye her phone, before standing herself between Tony and Steve. Skye let out a, 'Smile!' before she pressed the button on the camera. After a few shots, she handed the phone back to Jenny.

The girl thanked them and returned to her table, and started babbling to who Skye presumed was her mother. As she looked, she saw several of the other customers had their phones out, and were taking pictures and videos.

Skye grinned at Steve and Tony. 'I forgot I was living with Celebrities.' Steve laughed, before teasingly replying, 'Shut up, Skye. Lets go home.'

Miles sighed, as he stared longingly at his laptop. He was irritated, he'd had enough with this damn bracelet on his wrist. Holed up in a cheap motel room, he lounged on the bed, as a young brunette, about 19, sat at the desk on a laptop.

'Please tell me you are close to getting this thing off me.' Miles snapped at the young girl typing in a rush at a computer.

'Umm, well, I've found a way to block the signal, so it no longer stops your computer access...' the girl mumbled, as she looked nervously at Miles.

'But?' Miles all but growled at her.

'I cant take it off...' Before Miles could shout at her, she quickly rambled, 'But you wouldn't want to, anyway. If you take it off, Shield will know. It still tracks your location, and monitors your heartbeat. Taking off the bracelets will only attract Shields attention, and the Rising Tide is already angry with us.'

Miles instantly calmed, switching in the blink of an eye, much to the relief of the young girl. 'Well done, you did great, babe.' His voice filled with false praise

The young girl beamed at the small morsel of attention Miles had thrown her. She seemed so eager to impress Miles, and couldn't see the manipulation in his eyes.

'Do it, block the signal,' Miles commanded, and watched as the girl typed away at her laptop. After a few minutes, she looked up to meet his gaze.

'It's done. You should be able to use your computer now.' She smiled at him, and mistook his happiness for gratitude.

'Thank you. That's all, I don't need you any more.' Miles spoke with complete indifference. The girl froze, and looked at him in confusion.

'Miles?'

'Leave. You didn't really think I cared about a pathetic girl like you? I don't even remember you name! Alice? April? I don't care. All your good for is a hack and a good fuck.'

He sneered at her. 'You have performed on both fronts, I have no need for you any more.'

He watched as tears filled her eyes, and she rushed to gather her laptop and clothes laying around the room. With a sob, she ran out the room. Miles smiled to himself. Finally. He reached for his computer, and turned it on. He held his breath as he waited. After a few moments, nothing happened. No Shield logo came up. Miles' smile grew to a grin, as he booted up his system.

'Okay, Shield, what have you been up to?' he muttered to himself as he started the program he had designed himself, to filter through news feeds, social network, everything, and find pieces of information relating to a few key words. Mainly, these were Shield, Avengers, the names of each avenger and the few agents he knew, and of course, Skye.

Not that much had come up. There was mention of Coulsons team in the Caribbean Islands, no substantial information; yet another article critiquing Pepper Potts' new status as CEO of SI; a few dozen pages of fan fiction (that, if anyone was asked, Miles hadn't even touched) and of course, the tweets. Pictures of the avengers, run ins, the lot. Miles quickly flicked through, stopping every now and then, to look closer at a picture or a video.

One video, showed Tony Stark and Captain America, with a young brunette, talking to a fan. The video was bad enough quality, that he couldn't see much in the low lighting of where the video was filmed. The fan was taking a picture, and then he heard the joking tone of the brunette, saying something about living with celebrities. It wasn't of much interest, till he heard Captain America's response.

'Shut up, Skye.'

Miles froze. It couldn't be! Miles replayed the video again, straining to see the girl, but no dice. Scrolling down, he read the comments.

'-Who's this Skye girl?

-Does she live with the avengers?

-I wish I was her.

-Do you people not read the news? 10664257/avengers-mystery-roommate

-WHO IS SHE!?'

Clicking on the link in 4th comment, it took him to a news website, more prone to gossip than the truth. Reading down, he saw the headline, 'The Avenger's new room mate. Who is she?'

Continuing, he read,

'An unknown woman (pictured below) was seen yesterday, entering the Avengers Tower, with a large duffel and box of things, and has yet to leave. The woman was unavailable for comment, but was joined with Hawkeye and the Black Widow. We have yet to discover who the woman is, and what relations she has with the Avengers. Could she be a fellow super hero? Or another of Tony Starks play toys?'

Miles scrolled down, so he could find the picture, and there, sure enough, was-

'Skye,' Miles growled, in anger.

I know, I know. I suck. Its been like 2 and a half weeks, and I'm sorry. I was in Germany for a week, and then I had a buttload of coursework and then some personal stuff that is getting in the way of my writing. I'm sorry. I hope you like it, and yeah, cliffhanger. There will definitely be more tasha/clint/skye interaction in the next chapter.

Thanks for all the lovely comments, im glad you liked it. It always makes my day to see what you all think. Leave a review with any opinions/comments/ideas/chat, I always reply if its not on guest. :)