Take This Darkness from My Soul
Chapter 2.
Skye listened to the comforting drone of the Bus's engines as she lay cuddled in her bunk with Coulson. At one time she would have felt embarrassed at this closeness because he was, in fact, her boss. But, the months together on this plane had changed them. The mutual bond they had forged literally in blood was strong and undeniable. Whatever was coursing through her veins was doing the same in his. That was just the physical part, but she knew the psychological effects were much more binding. They had both been subjected to something that forever made them different. Made them outcasts in some ways, even though only a few people were aware of that. She realized that having him close was not only nice, but needed as well. Here, with his arm draped over her waist, she felt safe and loved. Others might view them from afar as a very odd couple, but she didn't really care. To her, the bond of soul to soul was far greater than any physical appearance could ever be. Her hand was sliding up and down through the fine hair on his arm as she thought, and he realized that she was, like him, still awake.
"What's bothering you?" He said softly as he rolled onto his back. Missing his touch, Skye turned also and laid her head on his chest.
"I… I did something stupid." She replied.
"No, not you." Coulson teased, and it made her smile. She hesitated because she wasn't completely sure he would understand.
"I'm listening." He said. "I can't guarantee I'll be much help, but I can listen." Skye found it easier to talk to his belly than to watch his face, so she kept her head on his chest.
"I kissed Ward." She waited for a response, but it didn't come. He was giving her the time to sort out things for herself. She sighed and continued.
"All my life I've been attracted to a certain kind of man. The pretty ones, the bad boys. The ones who I knew I could easily get, but also the ones who had so many problems that I was never more than a physical comfort to. And, I let that… that pattern lead me again with Ward. But, now that I've had time to think, I really am ready to move past that. I think, I know, that relationships are based on more than just physical needs. At least the ones that last are. People that stay together share much more. They share trust and common interests. They have similar senses of humor and their ideologies match." She sighed as she came to the realization that this was the truest difference between Ward and her. She sat up a little and was able to look her AC in the eye.
"Ward killed a man in cold blood because of me." She said. "I can't justify that to myself. I can't live with that on my conscience." She met Coulson's eyes. "You would have never done that for me, because that's not in you."
"It wouldn't mean that I didn't love you." Coulson said sincerely. Skye reached up and put her fingers on his mouth to stop him from saying anything else.
"I know." She said firmly. "But the point I'm making is exactly that. You would not give up your integrity for someone else. And that's a very honorable and honest thing. Girls," she continued, "want boys who will change themselves to make a girl happy. Women, however, fall in love with men because of who they are, not who they can change them to be. Is this making any sense?"
Coulson smiled as she removed her fingers so he could respond. "It makes a lot of sense." He said firmly. She smiled and snuggled up to him again.
"Your turn." She told him. He sighed, but then spoke.
"When I was patching up May she told me some things. She told me that she had picked this team for Fury, that she was here to watch me, and that they were here to reprogram me or put me down if needed if I went awry." Skye sat up in shock.
"Put you down?" She said with fire in her eyes. "What the hell, AC? You're not a damn dog!"
He appreciated her anger because it matched his own. "Now you see how much May's betrayal hurt me. I don't know how to act now. I can't just be myself, because I don't know if I'll say or do something that she may see as wrong. I… I can't even be tired, or sick or hurt." He looked at Skye and she saw the fear in his eyes. "There is no way anyone will ever reprogram me, Skye. I will kill myself before that ever happens."
Skye took his words in and tried to process them quickly. He needed her to say the right things at this moment. She reached out and placed her hands on either side of his face.
"Okay, listen to me now. You are fine. I don't know why she said those things to you, but I didn't know you before, okay? From the time I first met you, your sanity has never been an issue in any way. And if it is, I will let you know. But," she continued, "you can't try to walk around being some sort of perfect robot. You have feelings and thoughts that are not in any way in need of "reprogramming." Skye winced at the words May had used. "Just be yourself, AC. What is inside here," she touched his chest over his heart, "is true and honest. You don't have to worry about that."
His eyes filled with tears for a moment at the relief he felt. Here was someone he could trust even as his world threatened to crumble. He felt safe and comforted.
Just then alarms began sounding in the cabin and throughout the plane. May's voice came on the intercom. "We've got company," she said, "two aircraft coming in starboard." Coulson was pulling on his shoes as he and Skye exited the bunk and headed toward the cockpit. They got a look from Fitz and Simmons who were coming out of their bunks, but simply didn't care.
"Fitz, get the guns up and running." Coulson said. "Skye, see if you can tell if they are preparing weapons to fire on us. I don't want to start shooting at them until we know if they are friendlies."
May looked up as Coulson entered the cockpit. He was dressed in wrinkled pants and his shirt was slightly unbuttoned. She wondered what he had been doing, but decided against asking.
"What do we got, May?" He asked.
"I think they're S.H.I.E.L.D." she replied. "No way to tell if they are friendly though. I can't raise anyone."
"Go to the emergency channel." Coulson ordered as he picked up the mike. "Attention S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft this is 616. We are NOT compromised. I repeat, we are NOT compromised. We are on orders to meet Agent Victoria Hand at the Fridge. Do you copy?"
May stiffened as the planes came nearer. Coulson could tell that she was fighting a desire to overrule his command and take evasive action.
"Coulson, we might have to shoot them down." She warned.
"Not until we know they are threats." He said firmly. She got angry.
"One missile from them and we could all be dead!" She practically shouted at him. "Are you willing to sacrifice us all?" Coulson's jaw was set as he replied grimly.
"If it means that we don't kill innocent people needlessly, then yes."
Skye took that moment to burst into the cockpit. "They are friendly!" She practically shouted. "Their radios are out, but I was able to get through on the computers. They are loyalists whose orders are to report to the Hub. Their weapons aren't even working."
They watched as the two planes crossed ahead of them on their journey. One of the pilots dipped a wing at them as they passed. May shook her head. She was not satisfied.
"They could have been lying, Phil." She said firmly. Coulson took in her words and replied without hesitation.
"Yeah, there's a lot of that going around. And, May…" she looked up to see his dark eyes glaring at her, "don't call me Phil."
He walked purposely out of the cockpit with Skye following. She quickly caught up to him in the hall where they were alone. Taking his arm, she stopped him and leaned up to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Now that was my AC!" She smiled proudly at him. He flushed a little, but was very appreciative. He'd followed his instincts and saved some innocent lives. He and Skye agreed to go change and shower. They would meet up with the rest of the team later to discuss different plans depending on what they found at the Fridge. He absently patted his pocket where the phone Hand had given him was. Things were not looking good, but he felt a fresh surge of confidence after his conversation with Skye. He realized that staying true to who he was would be key in the months to come.
To be continued.