Jemma Simmons sat in the chair by the hospital bed still inside their plane. It had taken a lot of yelling to convince all of the others to go to bed, but they had, eventually. Garrett had taken Ian Quinn to the Fridge in his plane. That was fine. More than fine, actually. None of them wanted to have Ian Quinn on their plane for a moment longer than necessary.

Jemma kept her eyes fixed on the monitors checking Skye's heart, breathing, everything. She needed to make sure she would be okay. She needed Skye to live.

She was so tired.

Skye felt weird. Fuzzy. Sore. Floaty. She opened her eyes and squinted at the light. It was so bright. She took a breath and found that it burned her throat beyond belief. She coughed.

Jemma sat bolt upright. "Skye!"

"Je-" Skye broke off into a coughing fit.

"No, don't try to speak!" Jemma said, hurrying to her and looking at the monitors. "You've been through a lot of trauma and you need to rest. Stay in bed, don't try to talk, I'll get you some water."

She left before Skye could stop her, but when Jemma returned it was to note the tears swimming in Skye's eyes. "Oh dear, are the painkillers not strong enough? It's okay Skye, I can help."

Before she could touch any of the IV's Skye was hooked up to, Skye weakly grabbed at her hand. Jemma hesitated, then started to feel Skye's emotions through the haze of drugs. Fear. Sadness. Desperation.

Basically just 'needing a hug'. Jemma sighed, putting down the water. "I'm so glad you're okay." She murmured, carefully wrapping her arms around Skye's weak form. Jemma tried to be as gentle as she could, mindful of Skye's injuries, but the intensity with which Skye clung to her was frankly impressive.

It wasn't until that moment that Jemma had really accepted that Skye was going to be okay. She felt tears well up behind her own eyes and fought to keep them back. Skye was okay. She was here. Jemma sniffled. "We were so scared." She whispered. "I- we're so glad you're okay."

Skye said nothing, just hugged Jemma as tightly as she could. It was coming back to her now. The mission, the villa. Ian Quinn.

"I'm sorry." Skye mumbled, momentarily forgetting about Jemma's insistence that she not talk.

"It's okay." Jemma said, feeling Skye's memories coming back to her. She pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm here. We're all here. You're safe."

When she tried to pull away Skye only held on tighter. "Don't go." She whispered.

Jemma smiled. "I won't." She promised. "But I need to check your vitals. Please?"

Skye made an unhappy sound in the back of her throat, but let go. When she did, she was immediately hit with a wave of fatigue. "J-Jemma?"

"It's okay." Jemma said softly, stroking her hair. "You can sleep. I promise, I'm not going anywhere."

She continued to drag her fingers through Skye's hair until she felt her mind ease into sleep. Jemma smiled gently, double checking that her painkillers were at an adequate level.

Just as she was finishing with that, Fitz stumbled through the door, ruffled, still in his pyjamas. "S-Skye's awake." He said, "I- I felt it."

"She was." Jemma admitted, looking to her. "Just for a minute."

"Oh." Fitz shuffled his feet. "I guess I should..."

Jemma smiled. "You can stay." She said gently. "She didn't want to be alone. I think she'd want you to be here."

"Well I would have been," Fitz grumbled, "But someone made the rest of us go to bed."

Jemma rolled her eyes. "Because you were all exhausted Fitz! There wasn't much need for it."

"I was just worried about her." Fitz said, looking down at Skye's peaceful face.

"I know." Jemma murmured, "But I was worried about both of you. You needed rest."

Fitz swallowed. "You need rest too." He said, "I can stay with her, I've got all your stuff up here, remember?" He tapped his head.

Jemma smiled. "Thank you Fitz, that's sweet, but I promised her I wouldn't leave."

He shrugged. "So don't. Have a nap in the chair and I'll keep an eye on her. I know you're tired."

Jemma grimaced. "I- okay." She surrendered. "Promise you'll wake me if anything happens."

Fitz grinned. "I promise."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

When Jemma woke, it was to see Fitz curled up beside Skye on the bed. Her arms were wrapped around him, her head resting on his chest. She smiled, for once not feeling the need to make a fuss. Fitz noticed her watching them. He grimaced. "She woke up while you were asleep." He said softly. "She just kept reaching at me until I'd give her a hug, then she wouldn't let go."

"I know." Jemma murmured. "She was doing the same earlier. I think the drugs just make her a little clingy."

"Please." Fitz smiled, "Being Skye makes her clingy."

Jemma grinned. "True." She admitted. "But the drugs make her honest about it." She stretched. "What time is it?"

"About six." Fitz said, looking at his watch. "The others should be up soon."

"May's usually up by now." Jemma said, "I'm surprised that she didn't feel Skye waking up."

Fitz shrugged. "She's probably just exhausted. You didn't wake up when Skye did. I was just already awake."

Before Jemma could reply, there was a soft knock on the door. Both looked up. "Sir." Fitz muttered, trying and failing to get Skye to let go of him. "I- uuh."

Coulson made no comment on their situation. "She wake up?" He asked softly.

Jemma nodded. "Yes sir, twice so far. She's been fairly cogent."

"Good." He nodded, then paused. "Do either of you need anything? Breakfast?"

The two looked at each other. "I'd like some toast if that's okay, sir." Jemma admitted, and Coulson smiled.

"No problem." He winked. "I'll make your tea too." He stopped. "The tea drinkers outnumber us on this plane." He said, walking to the kitchen. "What has the world come to?"

He brought Fitzsimmons their tea and toast, then ventured down to the gym, following the sounds of punches. Phil looked down at May and Trip sparring with a smile. He liked watching Melinda spar, he always had. There was an energy to her. Lately it had been the only time she seemed really alive.

Trip laughed when she landed him on his back. "Damn. You really know what you're doing."

"Comes with time." Melinda said, giving him a hand back up.

"Not from any of your buddies?" Trip probed. "Can't hurt, right?"

Coulson laughed. "No, she gets my charm instead." May glared and Trip grinned. "I think something went wrong there."

Melinda raised an eyebrow. "You want to show Trip how it's done?" She challenged. "I think he needs a break."

"Oh, no, I wouldn't want to embarrass you." Phil grinned. "We both know how badly that could end for you."

May rolled her eyes and Trip chuckled. "How's Skye?" He asked, "Has she woken up?"

Coulson nodded. "She's asleep now though. She'll be in and out, you'll meet her eventually."

May grabbed a towel. "I need breakfast." She said, "We'll continue later."

Trip smiled easily. "What, haven't you done enough damage?"

"Not even close."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Coulson finally caught up when her when May peered around the corner to see if Skye was awake. "You could just go in you know." He said, almost making her jump. "She'd want to see you."

Melinda shook her head quietly. "I can't." She murmured. "I just- can't."

He put a hand on her shoulder, sensing her fragility. "Hey, why not? You know it's not your fault."

"She's only here because of me."

"Me too." Phil said softly. "I'm the one who invited her onto the team."

"You're avoiding her too."

"Yes." He admitted. "You think we should go in together?"

"No."

"Come on." He tugged gently at her arm. "I know you care about her, and she's not even awake right now. Just... come on."

Despite her apprehension, May let herself be pulled into the room. Fitz had gone to monitor Garrett's travel to the Fridge, so only Jemma remained. She smiled. "Hello."

May managed a slight smile. Jemma was always so formal. "How is she?"

"Recovering rapidly." Jemma supplied. "It's quite remarkable actually, I'd like to do some analyses of her blood to find out how this is occurring." Their unease must have shown, because Jemma immediately followed that by saying, "Once Skye has recovered, of course."

Both took a seat and Jemma hesitated. "How long do you think we should wait before we introduce her to Trip? Does this sort of thing... could if effect her recovery?"

May and Coulson shared a look. "It shouldn't." Coulson said. "But maybe we should wait until she's off her painkillers and a little more cogent. It's a lot to handle."

Jemma nodded. "Of course sir. Should we tell her about him?"

He shrugged. "Sure. I don't see any reason why not."

Melinda sensed Skye starting to stir and stood. "I should go." She said, quickly leaving the room.

Phil frowned. "Melinda-"

"Hey." A croaky, soft voice greeted him, and Coulson looked back around.

"Skye."

"Hi." She greeted weakly. "Good to see you."

He smiled. "You too." He said, struggling not to tear up. "You scared us." Jemma quietly left, giving them a moment.

Skye looked down. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Coulson said, standing to move closer, "It wasn't your fault. We're just- happy you're safe."

Skye sniffled. "I'm sorry I went in alone." She mumbled. "It was stupid."

"Some would say it was brave." He said gently.

Skye shrugged. "Same thing." She muttered.

Her self flagellation was too much for him to handle, and Phil immediately pulled her into a hug. "You did your best." He murmured. "We're the ones who should have been there. We're the ones who failed you, not the other way around."

Skye gasped for air, clinging to him in return. "You saved me." She said, "I thought I was gonna die, but you saved me."

"It wasn't just me."

"I know." Skye mumbled into his jacket. "I just- I've never had anyone who would do that for me." She trembled. "Thank you."

Oh Skye. "We'd do it again." He promised, and was surprised to find that he meant it. Even with all of the uncertainty and possible peril ahead of them. Skye was alive. "A hundred times."

"Stop." She commanded. "You're gonna make me cry."

Coulson smiled. "Sorry." He said softly. "You want me to say something mean so you can be mad instead?"

Skye laughed, then quickly stopped when the pain wracked her torso. "Ow." She muttered.

"Sorry."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Skye couldn't keep track of time very well. Or at all. Between the haze of drugs, muddying her connection to the others, the lack of windows or electronics, and how sporadically she had been sleeping, she was never really sure what time of day it was. Or what day.

She woke up every now and then. Sometimes to food. Sometimes to company. Sometimes to both. Once to neither.

Skye was pretty sure it was night time when she woke up and there was someone she didn't recognise sitting by her bed. "... Hi?" She said, bemused.

Trip kept his eyes on the floor. He wasn't really meant to be there. Fitz and Jemma wanted him to wait before meeting Skye, until she had recovered, at least a little. He didn't mean for her to wake up. He was just curious about her. "Hey." He said smiling. Despite all of that, he couldn't say he was disappointed.

Skye frowned. "Uuh, I don't wanna be rude, but who the hell are you?"

He laughed. "I'm Trip. Me and my S.O. came along to help your team find your magic cure."

"Oh." Skye coughed dryly. "I- thanks."

"No problem." Trip smiled. "Coulson and Garrett go way back from what I've heard."

Garrett. That name sounded familiar. "John Garrett?" The guy who lost his whole cluster?

"Yeah. He and Coulson had the same S.O. when they were cadets. Stuff sticks I guess."

Skye nodded, still finding it odd that this guy hadn't looked at her. "That's cool. Coulson hasn't talked about him a lot. What's he like as an S.O.?"

Trip shrugged. "Not all that hands on. Likes to let me do my own thing, but he'll kick my ass if it needs kicking." He grinned. "Guess you and me have that in common with our S.O's."

Skye stared for a moment, then grinned, realising that he knew May was training her. "I don't know." She said, "May kind of kicks my ass whether it needs it or not."

Trip laughed. "Yeah, I've noticed that." He said, "But hey, she gets results. As long as the constant ass kicking doesn't make you hate her and quit."

"Nah." Skye said, "That wouldn't happen. She's cool."

"Yep." Trip grinned.

Skye hesitated. "I- uh, was just kind of wondering... why won't you look at me?"

Trip grimaced. "It's kind of a long story... well, not really, more of a secret."

Skye swallowed. "The others are keeping secrets from me?" That... kind of hurt. Now she knew how they felt when they found out about Miles.

Trip groaned. "No, it's- it's complicated. We wanna tell you, they just think you need to be stronger, and-" He huffed. "Screw it. Those two are too careful anyway."

Trip looked up, meeting her eyes for the first time, and Skye immediately recoiled at the shock. When the headache hit and she felt the connection snap into place, she smiled unbelievably widely. "Oh." She breathed, then practically started bouncing. "It's you! Oh my God, I saw you once when I was meditating! Well, kind of, I mostly saw what you were seeing, holy crap this is awesome, hi!"

Trip laughed through the pain. "Hi." He greeted. He liked this girl. He could feel her energy and enthusiasm, even muted through the fresh connection and her drugs. "Nice to meet you."

Skye beamed.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The haze of drugs had finally started to wear off from Skye's connection, and it was that which finally made May visit her. Actually going into the room was something she had done before, but not when Skye was awake.

It was necessary now though. She knew that Jemma, Fitz and Trip thought she was recovering fine. She also knew a lot more about a sensate connection than them. It came with experience.

Skye wasn't facing her when she approached the door. Melinda stopped, looking in at her. Skye still looked so small. She took a breath. "You're in pain." She said.

Skye jumped at the unexpected intrusion, but brightened when she saw that it was May. She stammered when she realised what she had said. "I-I mean, kind of, not really though, you can feel it right? It's not that bad. I can take it."

May raised an eyebrow, walking in. "What I can feel is you trying to hold it in. That's why you won't ask Jemma for more painkillers. You know she'll ask questions."

Skye said nothing, just stared at her. After a moment, Melinda sighed. "What?"

Skye bit her lip. "Just... you're okay."

She frowned. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

She shrugged. "I dunno, I just- Coulson jumped off the train and disappeared, and then you got captured and you disappeared. I guess I was kind of scared..."

Oh. "I'm- fine."

"I know." Skye murmured. "I just- I hadn't seen you since, and I kind of... don't worry about it."

God, this kid could not be telegraphing for a hug more clearly if she used Izzy's trick of pulling her into it. Melinda put one hand over hers. "I'm fine." She said again. "You're fine. Everyone's fine, so try to relax, okay? Tell Jemma you need more painkillers."

Skye swallowed. "I can't hurt them." She murmured. "I just can't."

"I know." Melinda said, "I can't make you. I wouldn't either."

"Really?"

She raised an eyebrow. "How do you think I knew what you were doing?"

Izzy popped up beside her. "Mom sense." She teased. Melinda rolled her eyes, but was glad that Skye hadn't heard. Izzy had that sense at least.

Skye wove their fingers together. "I'll tell her." She said, "As long as you tell me why you've been avoiding me." She wasn't sure what had made her so bold. She had just missed May.

Melinda sighed, "Skye-" She didn't want to say it. She didn't want to admit that this was all her fault. That anything that happened now would be her fault too. The only reason she was here at all was because Skye was holding all her pain in.

The guilt was suddenly potent, and Skye tightened her grip on May's hand. "It wasn't your fault." She murmured.

May looked down, failing to pull her hand free. She wasn't used to someone knowing how she was feeling. It had been years since she had let any of the others get this close. Usually she would distance herself from them. But Skye was in pain, and maybe that was more important than her. "I opened your connection." She murmured. "Made you sensate. Let Coulson bring you on the plane." She took a breath. "I'm your S.O. I'm meant to protect you."

Skye tried and failed to catch her eyes. "That doesn't make it your fault." She said. She hesitated, then mumbled, "Come here."

Melinda frowned, then saw the look on her face. "No- Skye..."

Skye turned the puppy eyes up to eleven. "Everyone else gave me a hug." She said sadly. "Are you mad at me?"

Manipulative little shit. "No." She said, "But if all of the others did then you obviously don't need me to."

Skye tried desperately not to smile. She loved their mutual mockery and teasing. "I do though, Simmons said hugs are the only thing that will heal me."

"Liar."

"May, if you don't do this I might never walk again."

"That is a pile of-" May broke off with a yelp when she felt a shove to the middle of her back. While she knew that no one had actually pushed her, she also knew that if caught off guard, the effect was the same.

Skye laughed, triumphantly pulling May into a crushing hug. Izzy grinned at her, shooting her a smug salute before disappearing.

Melinda sighed. "I knew you two meeting was a bad idea."

Skye laughed softly. "I think it was a great idea." She said. "Meeting all of you was a great idea."

May softened, gently returning the hug. "Yeah." She said gently.

Skye grinned. "I knew you were a softie."

"Am not."

"Sure."

Skye wasn't sure how long it had been when she heard Coulson approaching. May had kicked off her boots and was sitting beside her on the bed, letting Skye cuddle up to her side.

Phil smiled for a moment at the sight of them, then remembered the reason he had for coming down. "We've got a problem." He said to May. "Garrett didn't make it to the Fridge."

Skye felt panic start to grow and her wounds start to throb. "And neither did Quinn." She realised.

May's arms tightened protectively around her.