Previously: Ward has only been permitted to help the team while getting Skye back as long as he wore a tracking bracelet. Fitzsimmons acknowledged their feelings for each other a bit ago.
An Inhuman named Alaris saw how Coulson's team handled the Skrulls and proposed for them to take care of some of the remaining Skrulls on Earth. Skye and Fitz slept on the plane couches when they were having a hard time sleeping.
Chapter Fifty Three
Skye felt like she hadn't had such a decent sleep in ages. Last time had probably been before Hydra. And honestly, she couldn't remember when she'd last slept for so long. Sunlight was pouring in high from the window, telling her it was at least around noon.
But they were on a plane. Could have gone to any time zone. So, maybe that really didn't mean much.
She stretched as she glanced about. Fitz was gone, his blanket and pillow absent with him. Skye wondered if he'd managed to fall asleep on the couch at all or if he'd only stayed out there to humor her. She supposed it didn't matter, but his presence truly had helped her to rest. So she had hopes that she'd been able to aid him as well instead of being a hindrance.
"Oh good, you're awake!" came a cheery English voice.
"Hey, yeah," she said, giving another stretch. "Morning Simmons."
Jemma chuckled. "Oh well, I think you mean afternoon."
"Ah, really? Dang…"
"Yes, but it's completely understandable," Simmons said, waving her off. "I'm just rather surprised how you were sleeping so soundly on that couch! Not the most comfortable piece of furniture…"
"Better than my bed, actually. But Fitz helped."
"Fitz?" asked Simmons, sending a blip of surprise through Skye from her. "He slept out here as well?"
"Mmm yeah…" Skye said, voice drawing back with embarrassment. "I guess we just didn't want to be alone."
It wasn't that Skye assumed Simmons would be worried about Fitz and her… trying anything together even given how recent their new relationship status seemed to be, Skye just felt extremely foolish about needing a sleeping buddy in order to get herself relaxed enough to shut down for the night.
But of course, Simmons didn't judge her. In fact, extreme understanding flew through her.
"Oh, that makes complete sense! I'm glad you were able to rest."
"Me too," Skye said with the utmost sincerity. She didn't realize exactly how tired she'd been until she could compare it to how refreshed she felt now.
"Well, do you think you're up for running some diagnostics in the lab?"
Skye's brow furrowed, because at first she didn't understand the question. She'd never helped Jemma with science stuff before. But she realized…
"Oh. For my powers."
"Yes! While it is nice that we have your father around to answer any technical questions we have, it seems that every power is unique and we'd like to start understanding yours fully straight away!"
Skye had expected this. Eventually. Maybe not first thing in the morning, after all that had happened. (Afternoon. Whatever.)
Maybe they were starting so quickly because there was a lot of ground to cover. That Jemma was going to have to keep her locked up and examined for days. Skye had, after all, bent a hoard of people's minds to her will… maybe they thought she was dangerous and needed it under control.
Before she just invaded privacy a little. Now, she supposed, it was a lot more.
Then there was the fact that Jemma was literally radiating excitement, apparently at the prospect of studying Skye. Even outwardly, she looked incredibly eager. And it was honestly a little unnerving.
Still, Skye accepted. "Of course. Should we head down now?"
"Oh, erm… why don't you freshen up a bit first?" Simmons suggested. "It's probably going to take a while."
"Mind if I shower?"
"Go right ahead! And feel free to put on some nice clothes for the day."
She raised an eyebrow. "Nice clothes for a day in the lab?"
"Ah, well, it might not take all day and… even so, it's always nice to feel fresh and pretty, isn't that right?"
"Um, sure."
Skye didn't really see why she needed to be primped at all to go be poked and prodded with needles and exams. If it were any sort of in depth examination, Skye assumed Jemma would have her put in a medical gown anyway.
Still, she was grateful for the time to at least brush her hair and teeth. Skye in the morning was surely not a wonderful sight.
What she was not grateful for was Jemma standing just outside her bunk after she'd changed from the shower.
"Whoa," Skye said as she started, nearly running into the beaming scientist. "Are you uh… waiting three inches away from my door for me?"
Jemma's smile faltered, her mouth turning into an 'O' momentarily. "Ah… yes I suppose that could have, possibly, been considered waiting for you, in the strictest sense of the word, or any, sense of the word…" She cleared her throat. "Anyhow, are you ready?"
"Wow, you're really excited to see my… insides, huh?" Skye asked warily.
"Oh, why, yes of course! You produce so very interesting blood, DNA and such. I'm going to need many samples. Lots and lots of samples! Let's get a move on, shall we?"
For lack of a better phrase, Simmons was freaking her out. But Skye still supposed it was for the best and followed the girl downstairs. They swept around the spiral staircase. When Skye saw the lab though, her mouth popped involuntarily open.
Not only were there a few extra people than she'd imagined would be around, and by a few she meant everyone remaining on the plane, but the lab had gone through a sort of metamorphosis.
There were streamers hanging from the ceiling. Balloons were wafting their way across the floor. But most noticeably, there was a cake sitting on the center table with three words written on it that Skye could honestly say she'd forgotten about.
"Happy birthday, Skye!" Simmons exclaimed, turning around to hug her. Skye was nearly too shocked and grateful to return the embrace, staring at the rest of the team. They were all beaming, each holding a glass of what looked to be champagne.
"Who… who did all this?" she managed through the stupid smile that was taking up most of her face.
"Ah well, Simmons really thought of the idea," said Fitz, beaming as though proud.
"But Coulson and May were the ones who actually put it together, in the middle of the night no less!" Jemma exclaimed.
Trip stepped up. "We all figured that you deserved something good though, Skye."
Hunter, who'd been hanging out in the back of the lab with Mack, stood up from his leaning on the wall. "Yeah, and since you weren't made to be a sacrifice like they'd planned for today, it's kind of like a birthday party slash celebration of life thing!
Skye rolled her eyes and sighed, the smile way too large on her face to be considered serious. "A birthday party is a celebration of life, genius."
"Ah," he said lightly in realization. "So it is."
Skye nodded thoughtlessly, happy tears threatening to overflow her eyes. She'd figured she'd cried enough for an entire lifetime, but somehow these felt fresh. Different. In a very good way.
"Thanks you guys," she managed to mumble as Simmons pulled her forwards so that she was in front of the cake at the table.
"You've earned it," May said, causing Skye to look at her in surprise at the comment, causing Skye to see that even she was smiling. That was a birthday present in it of itself.
"Plus, it's an excuse for cake," Coulson said. Skye realized he had a large kitchen knife, hovering eagerly over the pastry. "I'd never miss that opportunity."
"Who would?" her dad put in.
"I like the way these guys think," said Hunter. "How about we cut the damn thing already?"
"Wait, wait! I have candles!" Simmons shouted frantically. "Fitz, do you-"
"I have the lighter, Jem," he assured her, and Skye watched as her friends scrambled about the medical appliances to get them on the cake.
"So… the lab for a birthday party?" Skye asked.
"Kitchen's too small," explained Fitz, lighting the candles as Jemma put them on.
"Then Fitz and you sort of took over the longue last night…" Ward said, a little playful blame in his voice. Skye knew he didn't mean anything by it, but she felt her cheeks heat up.
"There!" chirped Jemma, lifting her hand away from the cake. "Twenty six candles!"
"Very precise, Agent Simmons," Triplett acknowledged.
"Thank you! Now on the count of three, we'll sing. One-"
"Hold on a minute Simmons," said Coulson. "I said I'd do balloons and banners, but we never said singing."
"Oh, but it's tradition!"
"And I have a mad set of chords," put in Triplett, while Hunter shook his head in slight disgust and Mack just sighed. Fitz looked slightly frozen, like he wasn't too keen on the song but wasn't going to fight Simmons on such a thing. Ward was as unreadable as May, though she did put in a solid "I don't sing."
Her father just looked ecstatic about any possible turn of event.
"Yeah Simmons," Skye said. "We could probably hold off on the song. I think I'd sort of feel indebted to them, and maybe… scarred."
"Y'all are missing out," mumbled Trip.
"Oh but you'll blow out the candles at least, won't you?" Simmons asked, and though Skye had no intention of letting them sit there on fire in the first place, she would have folded against the scientist's puppy-dog pout even if she'd had the greatest reluctance towards it.
"Of course." Skye made her way to the front of the cake, leaned over the thing, breathed in, and-
"Don't forget to make a wish, Skye!" Fitz exclaimed.
Skye quirked up the side of her mouth. "Don't worry, I didn't."
She blew out the candles, followed by everyone clapping their hands accompanied with a couple lighthearted cheers. Coulson was still eager to get his knife into the cake, doing so only after Fitz gathered off all the candles to carefully lick the remaining frosting off each one. Simmons looked slightly disgusted, but then he held one up to her mouth, at which point she tasted as well.
Skye had lied about making a wish. Ok, she didn't lie because she didn't forget to make a wish, she just didn't need to. This was her wish. Every birthday growing up, every star that flew across the sky or every penny in any fountain, she'd wished for a family. For togetherness on holidays and birthdays that didn't need presents so long as she had people who loved her. But Skye had stopped believing, eventually. After so many lonely nights where she'd returned unwanted. She never imagined she'd find people who cared about her this much or her biological parents, and somehow, she'd gotten both.
Maybe candles and pennies and stars were more reliable than Skye had given them credit for.
"Guys! I'm turning twenty-six, not five. I may be loving the party but I don't need presents," said Skye. "That's too much!"
"Oh, come now," Simmons replied. "You know we enjoy giving them to you probably more than you like receiving them."
"Probably." Skye smiled. "But I'm still really grateful."
"It's your birthday Skye, you deserve nothing less. Fitz! You give her yours first."
Leo perked up. "Oh! Right. Let me just go grab it…" he said, bolting from the room.
"No one told me we were doing presents!" Hunter protested.
"Hunter, you probably wouldn't have even come if it weren't for the booze," said Mack. "Now you're saying you'd have gotten her a gift?"
"Well, I'd feel like a much nicer booze moocher if I'd have gotten her something with everyone else."
"You've known me for like a day," Skye pointed out. "I think I can forgive you. Booze mooch away."
Fitz came back with a large package that had to be at least four feet in length. It was wrapped sloppily, giving it an outline that looked like some sort of body.
He set it down in front of Skye. "There ya go, birthday girl."
Just before Skye dove into the gift she heard Simmons harshly whispered to Fitz, "what in the world is that?"
Fitz didn't answer, though his face did get a little red. And as Skye uncovered the package she understood why.
It was a monkey. A giant stuffed animal monkey with a bow around the neck.
"Wow… thanks Fitz!" Skye exclaimed, picking up the plushie and giving it a hug. "I love it!"
He beamed. "How couldn't you! So his name's Henry, and –"
Simmons slapped his arm. "Fitz! I thought you were getting her new microprocessors!"
"C'mon Jemma! How could I pass this little guy up?"
"Little?" said Skye. "I doubt he's going to fit in my bunk."
"That's a good point," Fitz said, pointing a finger at her. "You should just keep it in the lab."
"Oh no!" exclaimed Simmons. "We are not keeping that in the lab."
"He could be like the monkey assistant we've always wanted!"
She scoffed. "We? We never-"
"Hey, lover's quarrel," Skye interrupted. "No worries, I think I can shove it into my bunk."
"See?" said Fitz. Giving another wary glance at Simmons he inched closer to Skye's face and spoke in hushed tones. "But Skye, honestly, if you really think there isn't room I could always keep it in my bunk-"
Simmons hit him again.
"Alright, my turn," Triplett said, stepping forward. He grabbed a small box out of his shirt pocket and gave it a toss upwards before catching it and setting it in front of Skye.
"A ring?" Skye said as she inspected the box closer. She couldn't help the first thought that came to mind, donning a southern accent. "Aw, my dearest Antoine I do so accept your proposal! My daddy's right over there ready and waitin' to give you his blessin'!"
"C'mon, you know I'm classier than that," he said. "If that were the case, I'd have at least have to take you out to eat. Maybe even splurge and go to Wendy's."
"Well that's as classy as you can get," Skye said wryly, opening the box. Her mouth fell open as a chuckle escaped when she saw what was inside. "No wait, I think this might pass it up on the classiness scale."
"What is it?" asked Hunter, peeking around Coulson's shoulder.
May smirked. "A mood ring."
Skye had put it on, now holding it out in front of herself as to admire it and sighed. "Thank goodness. Now instead of just knowing everyone else's emotions I'll be able to see what I'm feeling too!"
"What does it say for right now?" asked Coulson, a little curious.
"Mmm." Skye looked at the paper guide telling her what each color meant. "Grouchy. Oooh, this thing is on point. Birthday parties with the best friends a girl could have are a cesspool for grouchiness. I should start relying on this instead of my powers!"
"Ah, see?" said Trip. "You ain't that special. I've had those since I was five."
They all laughed, the sound slowly dimming until Skye was looking around awkwardly. Inquiring for more presents was probably rude, but she didn't want to declare it ended if anyone else had indeed been nice enough to get her something.
It wasn't until a moment later that she realized certified ninja Melinda May had crept up to her side, her hand open with what looked like a watch laying on her palm.
"Is that for me?" Skye asked. Somewhat dumbly. They were giving her gifts and she was handing it to her. Still, May nodded.
Skye looked at the object closer now that she'd gotten it into her own hand. "Hey, it's a Fitbit! They measure your heart rate and stuff. Thank you!"
And that was the moment she dared to give the Calvary a hug. Luckily, she didn't use any ninja knowhow on Skye, but accepted the embrace by giving her a pat on the back.
"You didn't even bother to wrap it?" asked Hunter incredulously. "What sort of SO are you?"
"May's not my SO," Skye said and couldn't help but have her eyes flick to Ward. He was behind everyone else, leaning against the wall as though he didn't belong there. And to be honest… Skye couldn't help but agree with his caution. If she were in his situation she'd be doing the same thing.
When Coulson's eyes drifted to the man he got up and left. Skye felt a pang of concern shoot through her and she was pretty sure the feeling was coming from herself. But being the current center of attention, she didn't go after him.
Simmons did, though.
Still, this seemed to be unnoticed by everyone else.
"I could be," May said, drawing Skye's attention back to her. "Your SO."
"You'd train me?"
May nodded. "As long as you're willing to put the effort into my schedule."
"Oh, don't do it girl," warned Trip. "That woman wakes up before the sun does."
"But I can wipe your ass on the mats, Trip."
He shrugged. "Fair point."
"That would be amazing," Skye said, hoping her voice reflected the utter gratitude she was feeling. "Thank you."
May smiled, but Skye could see Coulson waiting near impatiently out of her peripherals.
"Aw AC, you too?"
"My gift's pretty practical," Coulson said, eagerly holding out a blue and green gift bag. "Wouldn't get too excited.
Skye took out the tissue paper and her eyes grew wide. She gasped.
"This… yes!" she exclaimed. "Thank you Coulson!"
She threw him into a hug.
"Well I figured I need my computer analyst to have her own computer," he said as she dropped her arms.
"I love it!" she said. "Man, I can't wait to download-"
"Backtrack? It's already on there," he said smugly.
She squinted curiously. "Backtrack Three or Four?"
"Two," he said. She couldn't help but squeal.
"Thank you!" she said again and couldn't resist an extra hug.
It was with great difficulty that she set the gift off to the side because she truly couldn't wait to try it out! The SHIELD computers were great, and definitely necessary, but nothing beat having your own personalized laptop.
"Guess I'm next," Wolfe said, stepping forward. "I'm sorry I didn't even think to wrap it but… this was your mother's."
Her father produced a gorgeous necklace. It wasn't much, just a chain with a single crystal looped on the end. But the rock was pearly white, shiny and sleek, the simplicity only making it all the more appealing.
"It's beautiful," Skye said in earnest. She inspected the jewelry as it dangled in front of her face. "Would you mind if I wore it?"
He got flustered as though it was the strangest question he'd ever come across. "Of course not!"
She gave the chain back to him and turned around as she held up her hair, allowing him to place it around her neck.
Skye toyed with the links once she had it on, examining it even closer. She realized there was a tiny charm, just a small golden sliver, next to the crystal. It was shaped as a moon and stars.
Wolfe saw her eying it. "We were going to get you your own, but Crystal wanted something of you close to her heart. So she added the charm."
"I was born on the moon…" Skye mumbled as Wolfe looked slightly baffled. She turned her gaze downward. "The Skrull told me."
He nodded in acceptance but Skye could feel how the thought hurt him.
"Did the… Skrull tell you the name we had picked out for you?" he asked, and she shook her head. "Luna."
"Ah. Hence the moon?"
"But it works for 'Skye' as well."
"Oh wow, yeah it does," she mumbled in awe. Then she flung her arms around the man and hugged him. "Thank you, dad."
"See, I knew she'd start calling him dad sooner or later," she heard Hunter's voice, but other than rolling her eyes a bit she decided to ignore the comment.
Wolfe pressed a hand into her hair behind her neck to return the embrace, and she felt warm and caring feelings flow from him along with the entire room. Except one place.
Coulson was in front of her. And though he was happy, there was a sadness resonating from him as well.
But Skye knew there was enough room in her heart for both her fathers; she just had to make sure they knew that too.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Simmons asked as she followed in Ward's wake, immediatly after he'd walked away from the group.
"Hell if I know…" he mumbled. "But I'm leaving."
"Now you wait just a minute!" Jemma said, storming in front of him. "What happened to that present you got this morning, hmm?"
"It's not like she's going to miss some ridiculous ornament she doesn't even know about, Simmons!"
"Well I know about it!" Jemma insisted. "Ward… have you even properly spoken to her since we've gotten them back?"
He hadn't. She knew he hadn't. And even if Ward was voted to leave by the team, or even himself, Simmons knew it wouldn't be fair if he'd do it with no closure for Skye.
"I haven't really, but-"
"Then you get your arse right back in there, Grant Ward! You can't just slink away from us."
He grunted a bit. "But this is stupid. I can't believe you convinced me to get it…"
"You picked it out in the first place. The fact that you're second-guessing it only proves that you have problems with sentimentality and intimacy."
Ward's brow furrowed, which was about as close as you could get to the man being flustered. "Who said anything about intimacy?"
Simmons sighed and couldn't help but smile. She wasn't sure anyone could have fallen for a girl harder than he had, even with her knowledge of how Fitz felt about herself now. Even if Skye didn't reciprocate the feelings enough for anything to come of it, they'd both be worse off if they never discussed it.
"She's speaking with Coulson now," Jemma informed him. "Just give it to her when they're done. You don't have to do it in front of everyone… I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
Ward huffed. "Fine."
Jemma smiled as he stomped back into the lab. That was about as positive of a response as she figured she'd get out of him and felt she'd done a job well done.
"AC?" Skye called to Phil as the rest were dispersing, finding smaller conversations and dipping back into the food and drink.
"Yeah Skye?"
"I just..." She sighed. "I guess I wanted to thank you."
He cocked his head. "For what?"
"For everything," she said as if she just realized this. "You… you gave me everything."
He smiled warmly at her, feeling slightly abashed but proud. "Ah Skye, I didn't give you anything. You earned it for yourself."
She shook her head. "You gave me a chance. So few people would do that for someone like me… you helped me find my family. And as much as I love my father, I'm not just talking about him."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm glad you feel that way, but those bonds you formed were your own to make."
"I know, I just… well, I want you to know that I… I really care about you," she said, before adding in a quieter and more hesitant voice. "You're the first real fa…ther figure I'd ever had."
He felt himself go still.
Father figure, right? That hesitant bundle of words was father?
Surely, Coulson cared about Skye. And when she'd been gone, though he'd never admit it in front of his agents, his heart cried a little more for her than Fitz every night when they still hadn't come home.
But the fact that she felt the same even with her own father just over to the side was...
A pretty big compliment, really.
"Oh," he said, in absence of other words while his brain tried to calculate a more appropriate response. "Um…"
"I'm sorry, if that was too much. I just thought you should know." She laughed. "You are kinda like the papa bear of the team. I hope you're at least aware of that."
He chuckled. "I guess I could have figured that out. But really, the fact that you see that much in me means a lot."
"I know," she said, then seemed to catch herself. "Sorry… I wasn't trying to pry into your head or anything."
"No you're fine," he assured quickly and shrugged. "Heck, I want you to know anything I'm feeling. It's easier than talking about emotions."
She tried to smile but it was fairly forced. "I feel like I'm invading everyone's unwilling minds all the time. And… it doesn't feel good Coulson."
"All of us understand that you can't help it. No one blames you even if you feel some things we'd rather not share."
"That doesn't mean it's fair to everyone."
"You're right. And if you really want to learn to control it better, you have an Inhuman father and a team of SHIELD agents to help you in any ways we can."
"Thank you," she replied shyly.
"So how do you feel about going on the Index?" Coulson asked, before he got too emotional for her.
"Uh…" Skye shrugged. "I hadn't really thought about it because my powers were kinda harmless before. Other than making people feel a little awkward I didn't think I could do anything. But now, what I did to the Skrulls… I could seriously hurt someone."
Coulson nodded. "I know."
"So before if I got put on the Index it was pretty much protocol. I'd be on the Power People list, that's cool, whatever. Now it's like… a precaution. Like someone has a hand on me if I ever lose my grip."
"Mhmm. And how does that make you feel?"
She scrutinized him. "What are you, a shrink?"
"No. But you will be seeing a therapist in the near future."
"Whoa whoa, what now?"
"It's standard protocol."
She sighed, rolling her eyes. "While I'm really not a fan of them, I guess it's only fair to share my feelings when I know… everyone else's."
"Good way to look at it."
There was a small pause before Skye decided to answer his question. "Being on the Index… It's not a bad feeling, knowing that SHIELD wouldn't ever let me slip up too bad. But…"
"Scary?"
"Yeah."
"That's ok to be scared. It's completely normal. You're probably beginning to understand that better than anyone, actually."
"Oh… yeah. I guess I am."
She hugged him then. Though it seemed out of the blue he was fairly prepared for it. He was learning Skye liked to give attack hugs when she felt sentimental or grateful. It was one of the many things he loved about her and the extraordinary woman she was turning out to be.
Skye nuzzled herself into his neck. He felt her smile.
"I love you, too," she whispered.
He felt a little jolt of shock, but tried to suppress it. Skye was only calling them as she saw 'em.
And even if she interpreted his own emotions before he did, she was one-hundred percent right.
"What were you talking to Ward about?" asked Fitz.
"Oh, just Skye," said Simmons.
"Hm," was all Fitz had to grumble.
It baffled him how Ward could just be walking around a bloody birthday party, as though he hadn't betrayed them all. Fitz had tried to see the good in him right until what would have been the end had the Skrulls not gotten to him.
Ward… he tried to murder them. Fitz couldn't just forgive that.
"How can you talk to him like that Simmons? Like he's just another person."
Simmons turned to him, searching his face curiously. "Well… because he is just another person Fitz. Another person who was manipulated from the start of his life and the moment he realized he'd been wrong has been trying to make up for it."
"Yeah, the moment he realized. I pointed it out to him a dozen times on the plane and he still didn't help us. How could he do that?"
Jemma cocked her head. "Think about it like this, Leo: say I'm Hydra."
"Don't even joke, Jemma…"
"It's not a joke it's a hypothetical example! Now listen. So I've just told you I'm Hydra. You have no preconceived notions about the organization and I've made it appear rather inviting, as well as saying it's really a means to an end anyway if you were to disagree with the organization's mission statement. You believe it for years and then say… Skye, who you like and trust but have only known a few months, tries to convince you otherwise and that I'm evil over just a couple hours. Do you think you'd jump to her thinking immediately?"
Fitz shuffled his feet. "No, I suppose not."
Simmons put a hand on his shoulder. "Ward's trying to do the right thing. And you're precisely right: he's done plenty of awful things. But if we don't give him at least one second chance… I feel like we're just as bad as Hydra. Even Coulson believes in second chances."
"Just as long as you don't ask for a third," Fitz continued.
Jemma smiled. "Right."
"You're the most kind person I know, Jemma," Fitz told her. "I don't think many people could be that forgiving."
"Ah." She waved him off. "It helps that he's already begun to prove himself. I wasn't too keen on him being here at first, of course."
"Mm. When I was still away?"
Simmons nodded sadly as though reminiscing before wrapping him into a hug.
"You have no idea how glad I am that you're safe," she said. "I'm never going to let you out of my sights again," she vowed, releasing him. "Even if it means we have to have sleepovers with Skye every night."
"Oh…" Fitz blushed. "About that, Simmons…"
"Come on Fitz, I know you two didn't do anything."
Leo straightened up. That wasn't even what he was going to say but… somehow, he felt offended. "Oh you do, do you? You know, just because I haven't been with many ladies in the past doesn't mean I don't have any charm, Jemma Simmons. Skye and I… we could have… I can be sexy!"
"Of course you can!" Simmons insisted lightly. She pecked him on the lips. "Especially when you're flustered."
The comment sort of… irked him. Like she was just pacifying an insistent child.
Well, it was now or never.
Fitz literally swept Jemma off her feet, dipping her low to give her the hardest kiss he'd ever attempted in his life. He was pleased to see when he let up a dazed pleasure in her eyes, shock as well.
"I can be sexy," he repeated lowly.
(He was trying really, really hard to be sexy.)
It didn't help that he realized a moment too late that she was becoming increasingly heavy to his arms.
And they collapsed.
Simmons went into a fit of joyous laughter almost immediately, making Fitz smile even though he'd pretty much just humiliated himself. The sound was just so wonderful.
She cupped his cheeks and planted him with an enthused kiss.
"Damn well you can," Simmons chuckled.
"And what's going on over here?" asked Triplett cheekily, walking up with a few of the others.
"This a common position for you two?" Hunter asked as he approached. "You really need to get a room, plus a tie for the door…"
Triplett laughed. "Nah, it ain't like that. They're…" Triplett looked over the pair of them. Simmons was biting her lip and Fitz looked… well he looked smug. "Damn."
Skye was beaming as she walked over, clapping like a five year old with excitement. "Isn't it great? We can totally use Fitzsimmons as a ship name now!"
"Ship… what?" asked Mack.
"A ship name," she said. "Like relation…ship. It's like- ok, we don't have to…"
"Yes, if we could not do that, please," laughed Simmons. "We can still be Fitzsimmons if you so prefer-"
"But continuing to be used in the same sense that it always has," finished Fitz.
The others agreed. They didn't hold the spotlight on Fitzsimmons for too long, all breaking up into other chatterings and it was almost like old times.
But Simmons held onto his hand longer than she ever had before and Fitz couldn't keep the pleasant smile off his face.
"So, the bracelet."
Ward turned to the sound of her voice. He actually felt startled, because he was deciding when would be the exact correct moment to go talk to her. When she was done speaking with Coulson she'd immediately gone to Fitzsimmons, then Mack and Hunter joined in and Ward was just staring off into space making a plan of attack when she struck him with a question.
Right. The question.
Ward looked down at his wrist. "What about the bracelet?"
"When does it get to come off?" she asked, as though he should have known this was the question.
"Whenever Coulson deems it, I suppose," Ward said gruffly.
"Oh right, that's why Coulson told me to come talk to you," she said wryly, her tone feigning forgetfulness. "You'll like this." She grabbed his hand, bringing it up before her face. Her lips nearly brushed over the fist he was making. "Disengage bracelet."
And the thing just fell off, clattering onto the ground.
"Huh," Ward remarked.
"I know. Doesn't it just eat away at you?" she asked cheekily.
"Why'd you do that?" he asked. He hoped she didn't absorb the worry from inside him as he wondered if this was Skye's way of telling him to leave. That would sting much worse than just having left to a blaring alarm thirty minutes ago.
"Because you earned it," Skye said simply. "You took this chance and you ran with it Ward. You've taken every opportunity to help and you did."
Grant didn't know what to say. Yes, he'd been making the best of this situation, but surely Coulson would want extra precaution around him still. It had been all of about two weeks since he'd brought him and Skye to a Hydra compound. They weren't idiots, and though his intentions were pure it would be all too understandable to think he was still not one hundred percent truthful.
"Plus I'm basically a human lie detector," Skye added at Ward's confusion. "So as long as you stick with me, Coulson said it's fine."
"Do you… would you be ok with me hanging around you?"
Skye tucked some hair behind her ear. "Well, yeah. I sort of suggested it."
"You did?" Ward asked, making sure to keep his voice even.
But Skye jerked like she'd been hit. "Whoa there, tone down the excitement level or you may blow me over."
Ward nearly felt his cheeks redden. They didn't, but the fact that Skye could probably feel it anyway didn't help his stopping of the reaction in the first place.
"What did the Skrull mean when she said I was a character in her show?"
Skye seemed as though she'd been landed with another blow, but this time not from a physical force. She appeared suddenly beaten. Like she was about to cry.
Stupid, Grant.
He had decided before not to bring that up. Skye had cut the alien off for a reason and he wasn't going to pry. But embarrassment had had him grappling for a new conversation header and that was the first thing that popped into his mind.
Skye shifted uncomfortably. "While Fitz and I were there… the Skrulls liked to play games with us. And… trick us," Skye admitted quietly. She scoffed. "I guess they thought it was entertaining."
He wanted to tell her to stop. Hearing this… it made rage build up in him he knew she'd rather not see. But Skye hadn't attempted to change the subject or deflect in any of her usual ways. She was opening up to him, and damn if she didn't deserve something a little cathartic. So he remained stoic.
"Anyway," she continued casually. "One time they pretended to capture you and Simmons. Like, they morphed into you or whatever and started… hurting you. Which was horrible to watch, but it got worse."
Ward stiffened.
"They made it seem like you overpowered the Skrulls and could get away, then you got our cell open… we thought we'd been rescued."
And then the sadists ripped it out from under them just to see them fall, Ward thought, enraged.
"But that Ward only wanted to take me and left Fitzsimmons locked up," Skye explained. "And I believed it was you! I mean, I knew they were shapeshifters and I'd known what you'd done for us. That was so wrong of me to think. I couldn't just let Lyja blab it to you without saying sorry."
Whoa. Whoa whoa.
Skye was not having such difficultly because of the contents of the story and what they had been put through… she was upset because she was blaming herself?
"Jesus Skye… are you… you're ashamed of that?" he asked in disbelief.
She looked down, only confirming it. "When they were hurting you it was one of the first times I realized I had feelings for you, even if I still thought you had a lot to make up for. Then I just turned around and completely believed it, when that should have been the easiest red flag to spot in the world!"
Skye didn't seem to have noticed she'd let a rather vital piece of information slip from her mouth. But he supposed, given the rest of the context, whatever feelings she had for him should be background noise to speaking about what she'd been through. And the blame she'd wrongly placed upon herself.
Ward shook his head. "You do remember I betrayed you, right? You had every right to believe what you did."
It was not something Ward wanted to bring up at all. He still didn't even think of it as a betrayal (he hadn't considered himself loyal to the team while he was undercover, despite growing fond of the people on it) though now he knew his intentions had been skewed.
But given what Skye had seen of him, how could she not believe what the aliens had laid trap for her to fall into? He needed her to understand that.
"Of course I remember that! Kind of hard to forget," she mumbled, bitter. He couldn't blame her. "I'm not saying you were worthy of buckets of trust but I should have figured it out! The way they said it… it just wasn't you. Nothing like you've ever been. And I was completely aware they were damn shapeshifters… I should have known right away!" she screeched, angry tears brimming in her eyes.
Ward realized it wasn't that he had a grade A standing with the team that was making Skye guilty for feeling this way. It was that she'd been tricked and humiliated and her pride didn't want to let her admit that to him.
He pulled her into his chest. She graciously pressed into it, which was more he could have hoped for with such an impulsive move.
"You did amazing," he told her firmly.
He could almost feel her roll her eyes, her voice already gaining back her attitude of norm. "You weren't even there."
"No, but you're here," he said as they pulled away from each other, though his hands lingered on her hips. "You got Fitz out of there along with yourself. Anyone who can escape alien prison all by themselves is pretty amazing in my book."
She crossed her arms. "You're probably just leading up to saying it was your excellent SO training that got me out of there."
He shrugged, smiling. "I wouldn't deny it."
"I knew it," she said wryly. She was smirking and he was glad for the organic change of pace of the conversation. Unfortunately, his hands were still out in front of him for the hug. Her eyes held squinted curiosity as she noticed what he'd been casually hiding before.
"What's that?" she asked.
He sighed. Well, he supposed it was time.
"Here," he said, holding out the gift lamely. "This is for you."
"Dude, you totally missed present time!"
He smiled cheekily and began pulling it backwards. "Well, if you don't want it…"
"Want! Do want," she said, grabbing for it greedily and opening the small package. "Hey, the Colosseum! That a… supervillain held hostage."
"Yeah well, it stuck out to me I guess," Ward said.
Skye smiled like she knew something he didn't. "You were totally taking in the sights, weren't you? Mr. Spy-man that never notices anything but the mission."
"It's hard to miss something that big."
"Uh-huh. Sure."
"If it's a bad memory though, just throw it away."
She looked a little shocked. "It's not a bad memory." She tilted her head side to side. "Eh, ok, so it didn't start out that great. Being taken to the Skrulls from there and all, but this mission turned out pretty damn successful!"
"You did get super powers," he reminded her wryly. Not that she'd have actually forgotten.
"Right," she said, looking slightly exasperated. "Super fun super powers…"
"I know it must be a lot to take in," he said, watching her face as the sarcastic mask she used to hide her feelings faded.
"It is, but there's something I don't understand about what they're telling me."
Ward nearly gulped. He wondered if his feelings for Skye were becoming too apparent for her to miss. Not that she didn't already know, but they were always swirling within him… he didn't want her to think he was obsessed.
"Why are you all not afraid of me?" she asked, looking up into his eyes. "I… I can literally make you do whatever I want you to."
"It nearly killed you."
"All that means is that I'd have to do it one person at a time," she reasoned.
He cupped her cheek with one hand. "Because we trust you. We know you'd never do that unless you had to."
"I could lose it though," Skye mumbled, shaking her head. "When… when you guys wouldn't go back to help Wolfe, I… pushed you guys into turning around."
Ward honestly didn't know that. Had she done it to him? He didn't feel anything.
Not that it mattered.
"That was the right play."
"It was wrong of me," she said. "It's… it's violating."
"Skye," he said firmly, putting both hands on her cheeks now as to ground her. "You did the right thing. Wolfe and Morse were dying and you made a call. If anyone else could have done that, they would have."
"But they can't. It's just me," she said, her lip curling upward in apparant disgust. "I know I'm being weird and bipolar… but it's hard figuring out you're a giant freak."
"You're special," he said, echoing words from a lifetime ago, because he'd thought them before long Raina ever said such a thing to him. "And if anyone deserves a power like that, it's you. Because you'll always make the right choice."
They locked eyes in a strange hypnotic way that was hard to peel his gaze away from. She'd been near crying and she still looked beautiful. How could Skye ever think she was anything less than she was? Which to Grant was, well, perfect.
"Holy shit," she whispered, her mouth dropping just a bit. "It should be like, outlawed to think of someone so intensely."
Ward bristled. "Oh."
And then Skye's lips were on his, hungrily and eagerly moving away on his mouth. Her touch plunged deep quickly, like this couldn't happen fast enough and he returned her pace the best he could, instinctively wrapping fingers into her hair.
It was only for the briefest of moments that Ward recognized they were making out in the lab in front of everyone. Fitzsimmons, Coulson. May…
But soon he didn't really mind, or couldn't even focus, because something was happening.
A warmth crept into his head, multiplying the feelings of care and lust such as ones he held for Skye. They were similar, but not completely the same… as though the same emotion but coming off in a different form.
It didn't take long to click that they were Skye's feelings for him.
It was amazing. It only heightened everything, their senses. He knew it was affecting both of them because he felt that too, they were in sync. It was as though the capacity he could possibly have for happiness had doubled in an impossible way.
There was also… another feeling. It started with his mind (Skye's mind really) and had gone lower. Much lower.
One might say, below the belt.
Skye broke the kiss off and her emotions had left his head immediately.
But that other thing… that was only calling to him more.
"Then again, maybe it was so strong cause I was feeling the same way," she panted.
"Uh huh," Ward said, slightly disheveled.
She frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Well… I think you transferred your powers while we were kissing."
Her brow furrowed. "You mean…?"
"I could feel your emotions. At least, I'm pretty sure."
"Really? Wow! Well, they were pretty much about the same as yours," she admitted. "Just less for my boobs and more about your - aspects…"
He chuckled. He thought he'd felt something directed towards his pecks in his mind.
"Did you uh," Skye bit her lip. "Did you feel that other thing, too?"
Well, to be perfectly honest he was still feeling it. "Yeah. Wonder what that's about…"
"That we're clearly sexually attracted to each other and when our emotions teamed up they made us super horny?"
Ward blinked. That was pretty straightforward. "I guess that could be a theory."
Skye caught her tongue with her teeth as she smirked, lifting her eyebrows. "Wanna test it?"
Ward was caught up a little in disbelief, but hell if he didn't have to be told twice. "Your bunk?"
"After you sir," Skye said, gesturing in front of her.
He grabbed her wrist as they turned around and Ward remembered they had an audience, wandering eyes glancing over them from their impromptu make out session. But they hadn't been close enough to hear anything. Ward hesitated a little but Skye eventually took the lead as they headed out the front door of the lab and –
An alarm started ringing.
Perfect. Timing.
"Is that a perimeter breach?" asked Simmons.
"Someone's here," said Coulson, heading towards the door. Skye looked at Ward curiously, a sort of "who do you think it is?" question etched on her face as Coulson checked a monitor to see who it was. He seemed relieved somewhat and went to fetch her.
"Bobbi!" Hunter exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to have a chat with you guys," she said. "Especially Skye."
"Good to see you're up and about," Skye commented happily.
The agent smiled. "You too."
Skye began walking over to the Bobbi as they began conversing but she looked over at Ward and mouthed "sorry."
Ward was definitely irked though he couldn't help but smile to himself. He was fine with waiting, it made it all the more special. Heck, the fact that she'd even absolved him of Hydra traitor at all was something he was disbelievingly grateful for.
He supposed he had her powers to thank for that.
Plus getting the bracelet off.
And for whatever happened that was about to get them into bed together.
Yeah… Skye might have needed adjusting, but Grant didn't think those abilities would be getting old anytime soon.
"So… something's going on?" asked Bobbi.
"It's Skye's birthday," mumbled Fitz, his voice muffled as he chewed on a piece of cake. Mouth still full, he offered it up to her. "Want some cake?"
Morse looked nearly overwhelmed by the action. As though it was the last thing she'd been expecting, though her face held certain amusement. "Um, no thank you."
"And if you didn't know about the party I'm guessing you didn't come here just to booze mooch as well…" Skye mumbled, possibly eying Hunter just a tad. Morse caught the glance and rolled her eyes over to him.
"Really, Hunter?" she asked.
"Hey, you didn't bring her a gift either I'm guessing!"
"So you didn't contribute anything and still came to leech. Can't say I'm surprised…"
"It's fine, Bobbi," Skye cut in, a little awkwardly before Hunter could make a rebuttal. "I wasn't even entirely comfortable with the whole 'gift giving' thing anyhow."
Morse smirked. "I gathered, really." She ducked in close to Skye. "But just look at his face. Who wouldn't want to yank that chain?"
Hunter rolled his eyes. "You are so charming," he deadpanned.
"I try," Bobbi said with a shrug. "Though I guess you could say I do come bearing gifts."
Morse walked over to Coulson, handing him a small box. "Fury sent me to give you this."
Coulson observed it. "What is it?"
"It's a tool box. A…. small one. Fury's going to go dark. He's faked a death and as far as anyone knows, save for a select group of people, he's gone."
"What will become of SHIELD?" Simmons asked immediately.
"Fury handed the keys to the kingdom to an Agent that's pretty high up and very trustworthy. But before he did, Fury decided instead of separating by clearance levels, there should be subdivisions."
"Really?" asked May skeptically.
Bobbi nodded. "Coulson forwarded me what the Inhumans sent you guys. About how they want you to round up all the Skrulls. And you have a gifted on your side." She motioned towards Skye who tried to muster up a smile. "Your subdivision will focus on actual extraterrestrial threats to world security."
"And just how big does this director guy of yours intend for this subdivision to be?" asked Hunter.
"Not director anymore and… all of you, if you want. Then recruit as necessary."
"Not that this isn't a nice ride," said Trip, "It'd get a little cramped."
"Well we do have a Skrull spaceship," mentioned Fitz. "So we could try to do something with that…"
"That's also where my 'gifts' come in," Bobbi continued. "Fury believes this has the potential to be a crucial part of SHIELD's future and is prepared to give you whatever resources left you deem are needed."
"Wow," said Skye. "That's awful nice."
Bobbi turned towards the girl. "I'm pretty sure if it were anyone but Coulson heading it up, he'd feel a little different. But Fury's trust in Coulson is pretty unwavering. And he always says he can count how many people he trusts on one hand, so it's kind of a big deal."
Coulson tried to hide his proud smile. Unsuccessfully.
"And I am personally offering my services to the team," Bobbi continued.
"Skye, I really want to thank you for getting me to the machine in Rome. I mean… I was dead. I'd been in rough spots before then, but I pretty much felt myself die."
"I know the feeling…" Skye mumbled. She felt Ward's hand give hers a tender squeeze, nulling the painful memories.
"But I'm not. Hell, I'm not even hurt!" Bobbi spun around to the rest of the group. "And the way you all look after each other… it would be an honor to work with you all."
"And it would be an honor to have you," Coulson assured.
Hunter sighed. "Are we gonna sing kumbaya to initiate her now, or…"
"Jesus… You just can't handle when anything is serious, can you Hunter?" asked Bobbi.
"That's a lot of negative energy coming off the two of them," Trip observed.
"Trust me," said Mack with an exasperated sigh. "They could being singing a whole new tune by tomorrow."
Bobbi and Hunter just eyed each other, like that wasn't a completely out of the box idea. Definitely not possible to deny.
Then the lights went out.
It was unprecedented and took them all for a shock. No one got too panicked before the backup lights settled in, followed by every screen in the lab turning on.
"Greetings, humans," Alaris boomed as he came over all the screens. Every single screen.
"Subtle," scoffed May.
"Well we were hacking your systems anyway and I thought, why not?"
"Ah yes. Good point, good point…" Skye muttered quickly. "But um, why are you hacking our systems?"
"We're just uploading everything you guys are gonna need for aiding us with this Skrull fiasco. Known co-ordinates and weaknesses, pick-up points, etcetera."
"Terms?" guessed Coulson.
"Oh yeah, definitely the terms. And I'm your unwilling liaison! But I guess it's better than spending actual time on Terra," he said with a shudder. He literally shuddered.
Skye rolled her eyes. This guy was a drama king if she ever saw one.
"Now I'm gonna give you guys a hint… go to the Virginia location first. Pretty sure there's only two Skrulls there so you can get your feet wet!"
"Thanks for the heads up," said Coulson.
"Yeah well I wouldn't want you guys to come close to dying on your first time out! I'd be heading back to your planet tomorrow if that were the case."
Coulson nodded. "And there's the double meaning."
"Nah, I'm sure you'll do fine. Just keep an eye on that one…" he said nodding to Skye.
"You can count on that," Ward assured him. Skye felt abashed not only by the comment, but she noticed that most of the crowd giving her reassuring smiles from the promise as well.
"…and get started! ASAP, or whatever you people call it. You were all just standing around anyway because I can see the lab's equipment wasn't in use, but you're all in there..."
"Oh well we're having a birthday party!" Fitz exclaimed. Alaris looked… unimpressed.
Simmons bristled next to him. "You know, not everyone has to know that Fitz."
"Well he was obviously curious!
The Inhuman put his hand to his face. "And these are the people we've employed…"
Coulson stepped up. "We'll get it done. ASAP."
"Good. Thank you humans," he sang sarcastically, as though they weren't doing him a giant favor.
Well, no Skrulls on Earth is probably a favor for both of them, but still.
He blipped off their screens rather abruptly as the lights turned back to their full glow.
"Does this really mean we're cutting the party short?" Fitz asked.
May sighed audibly, walking briskly towards the door. "I'll set course for Virginia." She turned to face Skye. "Happy birthday."
May set a hand on Skye's shoulder and she knew she saw a smile on her face. A tiny one. A ghost of one?
Then she headed out of the lab.
"I'll look our systems for the co-ordinates," Skye said, heading to a computer.
"Weapons check?" asked Ward. Coulson gave him a nod of affirmation and he began walking out. Grant glanced at Skye along the way and she tried to give him somewhat suggestive eyes, hopefully making a promise for later.
Simmons wanted to begin analyzing data that may be left when Bobbi offered to help, and soon enough both women were on their way to a station.
"I guess I'll, uh, sober up…" Hunter mumbled, disgruntled as he walked out of the lab.
"So the party's really over?" Fitz asked, sounding distressed. "Just like that? I don't even know what to do!"
Coulson walked up to him. "Well if you calm down, you'll remember what I asked for you to start specs on last night? I'd like you and Mack to work on those."
Fitz stared blankly for a moment before his mind caught up with him, his eyes lighting up with realization. "Ah yes, definitely. Let's go, Mack the mechanic."
Mack started a bit, as though he'd never really thought about his name such a way. He chuckled as he followed Fitz away.
"And what are you gonna do, Agent Coulson," asked Skye cheekily.
"I'm doing it. I'm in charge. Supervising."
"Ok well that sounds way easier than anything we're doing, I wouldn't mind that job."
Coulson shrugged. "Well, maybe one day you'll have it."
He walked away and Skye was left to ponder that thought. It was just a passing comment but… maybe one day she could do it? Be in charge of a team. Coulson was the best of course, he could probably be director if the opportunity was present.
Skye shook herself away from the thoughts. Nah, this was where she belonged. Next to her teammates and comrades and working together to beat the baddies. The fact that SHIELD wasn't dead was the best gift she could have ever been given. She couldn't imagine life without these people now, and her family just seemed to keep growing. Her unconventional, super spy, random little family.
And Skye wouldn't have it any other way.
A/n: Yeah I kinda turned them into SWORD... but not really. Threw Luna's name in there cause why the heck not. Had this done a couple days ago, which I found funny given the emphasis on Skye's birthday in yesterday's episode haha.
That's the last chapter other than the epilogue with a peak to their future! This chapter was pretty long, almost 10,000 words. O_o It's a bunch of fluff and generic lines but… hopefully it pleases you guys to see the ships sailing and general happiness.
I know it's bad writing for a lot and it is mainly because I've lost inspiration and I force-wrote this, so it took over a month. Meanwhile, I once wrote a one-shot of the same length as this chapter in one night. It's all about the muse!