Author's Note- Hi, all. I've had a few requests to extend this, but I couldn't see how I was going to write any more internal monologue, so it's segwayed into a narrative. Hope you enjoy it!

"Good news," Agent Coulson said as he walked into the lounge, straightening his tie.

"Lay it on me, AC," I said, grinning.

"Can't you just call me Agent Coulson?" he said.

"I can't. It's physically impossible," I deadpanned. "So, what's the good word?"

He shook his head in frustration, but soon smiled, eager to update me. "I've gotten word back from HQ. They've granted my request to allow you to be considered an official S.H.I.E.L.D. recruit. With Agent Ward as your S.O., you'll go through a modified version of the academy of communications program on-board while working missions with us."

"Modified version of the academy? What does that mean?" I asked, hesitantly.

Coulson beamed. "Well, first off, you'll go through some on-line training dealing specifically with your skill set."

"They teach hacking at the S.H.I.E.L.D. academy?" I asked in disbelief.

"They perfected hacking at the S.H.I.E.L.D. academy. Where do you think that bracelet is from?"

I looked down at the ugly piece of jewelry and absentmindedly rubbed my wrist. "What else?"

"You'll continue your defensive training with Agent Ward. Although academy recruits in data communications are not usually required to be combat ready, since you've been on more than one operation with us in the field, it's a useful skill set to have."

I remembered disarming Quinn. If I hadn't had those lessons with Ward, I would've been toast.

"So, are you up for it? It's going to require a lot of time and effort. You've been in this nebulous gray area for months, but that couldn't last for long. Are you ready to commit to this?" Coulson asked, eyes fixed on me.

"Yes, yes, definitely."

"I'm going to need this to be your top priority," Coulson said firmly.

"Of course," I said reassuringly.

"I mean it, Skye. No more looking for your parents. No more hidden agendas. You have to be one hundred percent behind this. If you falter, I can't protect you any more," he said.

"What are you saying?" I asked, heart in my throat.

"I'm saying that I had to fight to get you this chance. One slip-up, one indication that you are wavering in your dedication to this and I can't protect you anymore."

"What will happen?" I asked, certain that I already knew the answer.

"You'll be gone."

Author's Note- Hope you liked it. I'm still mulling over some ideas for how to proceed with the story. All action will take place before episode 10 and there will be slight modifications to canon (May and Coulson as Skye's parents, Ward and May as friends only, etc.).