I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but I felt it was better to get something small out then make you all wait around for something longer. But I promise, I will add a new chapter very soon!
Coulson stared sadly into the pit, feeling unusually helpless. "Coulson", Bobbi began hesitantly, "I think we should talk about something. I didn't want to stress out Skye before she went back into the temple, but Hunter and I saw Cal, her father. He looked like he'd been beaten up a bit".
Coulson rubbed his bruised jaw, smirking "Well, he's not the only one".
"Anyway", Bobbi continued, "we managed to get a tracker on him…Hunter did his fake-cowboy thing, which surprise, surprise, actually worked". Hunter started to defend himself, but May glared at him, clearly indicating he should stay shut up. "So, right now, he's in some hideout about three miles outside of town. We figured it would probably be a good idea to keep tabs on him in case he tries to contact Skye".
"Good idea", Coulson said, nodding "Fitzsimmons, I want you to keep close watch on any of Cal's movements, okay? At least until Skye is back with us. Since we can't follow her, we might as well make sure her father isn't". Simmons nodded, and left the room immediately, Fitz following behind her after a brief hesitation. Coulson sighed as he noticed the tension between them; he really did not have time to deal with their personal issues. "Actually, Mack, would you grab Fitz and see if you can come up with something useful in the Garage?"
"Yes, sir", Mack said knowingly, "I'll do what I can".
"Thank you. Bobbi, can you help Simmons monitor Cal, then?" Bobbi nodded, then exited the room behind Mack. Coulson looked between May and Hunter. "May, you'll stay here with me, and we can wait for Skye to get back. Hunter –" Coulson faltered, unsure of where to send him.
"Just take a break", May snapped, "but standby…Coulson and I might need someone to grab us a snack at some point". Hunter mumbled something under his breath, but left the room, leaving the two older agents together. "Coulson", May said gently, "you need to rest…you've had a very long day". Coulson nodded, and shoved his hands into his pockets, a habit he'd recently developed for whenever he felt nervousness. A surprised look came over Coulson's face as he pulled a scrap of paper out of his jacket. It seems someone else had also picked up on his habit.
Coulson grew even more puzzled as he stared at the words. "Cal's in there…don't come help". Then, realizing that Skye must've slipped in the note during their hug, Coulson paled. That's why Skye was so scared: she thought she was about to face her father again…alone, he thought, but it's worse than that. Whoever she thinks is her father…isn't. Coulson buried his head in his hands, then vented a frustrated kick at the wall, "Damnit, Skye".