Author's Notes: - Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
Enjoy.
"Skye?" Ward demanded incredulously, following Coulson through the plane with Daniel and May just behind as technically this was a meeting, "Girl's not qualified to be a SHIELD agent."
Coulson nodded, "Agreed. That's why I've invited her on as a consultant. SHIELD does it all the time. Technically, Stark's a consultant."
"And technically," Ward continued to argue, "Skye's a member of the Rising Tide. She hacked our RSA implementation. Twice."
"From a laptop," Coulson replied blithely, "Imagine what she'll do with our resources."
"I am," Ward continued, "That's exactly what I'm imagining during this frown."
At that retort Daniel forced back a smirk, noting that May had a similar look on her face but both stayed silent.
"You brought me on for risk assessment," Ward continued, "She's a risk. She doesn't think like us."
"Exactly," Coulson stated.
"We have three people on this bus who aren't cleared for combat. You're adding a fourth," Ward stated.
"Three?" Coulson asked.
"FitzSimmons and Dr Jackson," Ward noted, he looked at Daniel, "No offence, doctor but I have enough people to protect without the addition of one more."
Coulson glanced at Daniel who gave a soft shrug, "Dr Jackson is cleared for combat. Until recently he worked with Air Force Special Forces and has been trained in hand to hand combat as well as a variety of weapons."
Ward stared at Daniel for a few moments, a little stunned before picking up his train of thought, "That still leaves two. At least FitzSimmons are trained S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists but Skye? You said this was a select team. Assembled to work new cases to protect people, I don't see how letting some 'hacker' tag along…"
"I'm looking for an objection I haven't already anticipated," Coulson cut him off; "I'm calling this. But your frown will be on record."
x
Phil waited until May and Ward had left before he turned to Jackson, "Any thoughts you want to share?"
Jackson shrugged, "I don't know SHIELD or this team well enough to make any real observations yet." He paused for a moment before continuing, "But I have been in her position, the untrained specialist in a team who have all been trained, needing to be looked after in the field. Everything Ward said is true but I'm still here and I am able to take care of myself in a way I never thought possible when I joined the SGC."
Phil nodded, "May noted that FitzSimmons have been coming to you for advice. This is the first time they have been out in the real world so it will build their confidence to have you as a sounding board. I'm hoping you're happy to continue in a mentoring role with them and include Skye within that."
Jackson shrugged a little bemused, "Sure. I didn't really think of it like that. I was the head of my department in the SGC so I'm used to talking through discoveries and theories with the other people there."
Phil chuckled; he had to admit he liked the younger man.
"There's a hole in your plane."
Daniel looked up at his friend and chuckled, "We noticed."
Jack took the seat beside Daniel and grimaced, "You know I promised Coulson that although you were trouble you weren't that much trouble."
"In my defence I wasn't the one who came up with the plan," Daniel replied with a slight smile, "I just played my part."
Jack grabbed a beer from the cooler sitting beside them and leaned back studying the army of people wandering back and forth.
"So," he asked, "What is your new team like?"
Daniel shrugged, "They're good, different from the SGC but I like them. And you know I'm not allowed to give you details."
Jack clapped him on the shoulder, "I'll just ask Fury or Coulson."
Daniel laughed leaning back shaking his head at his friend.
"I'm absolutely sure we agreed you wouldn't try to poach Dr Jackson back," Fury demanded walking over to where the two men sat.
Jack held up his hands, "Just visiting, Nick."
"In that case," Fury smiled slightly, "You should go say hello to Coulson."
Jack chuckled waving as Fury started towards his SUV leaving them alone. Clapping Daniel's shoulder Jack bounced to his feet and wandered towards the plane.
Daniel watched him for a moment before he turned finding Fury standing there again,
"I need both of them in one piece, make sure they don't drive each other crazy," Fury ordered.
"I'll do my best," Daniel promised, standing he wandered past where the rest of the team were sitting to rescue someone, not quite sure who that would be.
Entering the plane Daniel heard Jack's voice and moved to observe the two men as they talked. Daniel smiled seeing Jack smirk at Coulson's challenging look and he sighed before stepping in the middle of the two men.
Some things never changed.
Final Notes: I know not all Ward's speech was said by him but for the purposes of the story it fit better.
Hope you liked it.
