Hey all! Sorry it's been so long. Kinda had a bout of writer's block, but my beta and your reviews got me back on track! Hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones to come!

Disclaimer: Do we REALLY have to go there?

"You Reflect In This Heart Of Mine" (Chapter 18)

"He can."

Two Months Ago

Fury was furious as he paced back and forth in his office of the Bus. "Why didn't you tell me she was an 0-8-4? Why did you harbor her? You know protocol with 0-8-4's! Do you understand the problems this has caused?" He held up his hand to not even start talking when Coulson opened his mouth to say something. Fury was not done chewing him out. "I outta downgrade your ass to a Winnebago and send you to Alaska!"

Coulson jumped subtly. His heart was racing, but he refused to mention it. He was waiting for Fury to let his temper get the best of him. I would too if I found out one of my favorite agents wasn't immediately taking a 0-8-4 to the Sandbox.

"The 0-8-4 could be dangerous."

Present

Coulson was dreaming, twitching in his sleep. "No, no, no, no. She's not a 0-8-4. Thor told you what she is. She's one of us, Sir. Please don't let Odin keep her from us." He mumbled in his sleep.

May moved first. She entered the room, instantly sitting in the chair. "Coulson."

"It's my job to protect you."

Coulson stood there like a little good soldier, trying desperately to refrain from speaking. It'd just piss Fury off any more than he already was. "She's not a 0-8-4. Thor told you what she is. She's one of us, Sir. Please don't let Odin keep her from us." He begged.

"It's out of my hands, Phil. She's on Asgard. He's her father." Fury held up his hands like he was backing off. "Why do you think I left that file on her for you to find?"

The twitching of Coulson's jaw gave the only sign of his irritation. His mind was running all kinds of ways to bring Skye back. "You want me to find a way to get her back?"

"If you want her back, Phil, you have to find a way to get her back on your own. I don't plan on pissing the Asgardians off. We need Thor." Fury said as he started to walk away.

"That's not fair, sir!" Coulson yelled as Fury left the room. Once the man completely left the plane, Coulson kicked his desk. "Dammit!" He flexed the fists his hands had formed before walking over to the small window in the office. "Why is it that everyone is so determine to keep us a part? First, it's the whole not-knowing-who-you thing. Then, you getting shot and being taken up to Asgard to heal. Your father is keeping you from me." He sighed, feeling every bit like he was in a losing battle. "From us. I just don't get it!"

"It's against protocol."

"Coulson." He thought he heard May's voice gently trying to coax him awake, but he couldn't not with the dream he was engrossed in. He had to get her back, to keep her safe. "Coulson." There was May's voice again, interrupting his thoughts. Gotta keep her safe, gotta keep her safe, gotta keep her safe. Those were the words that kept repeating in his mind. He didn't know how he'd keep her safe, but he would. "Coulson! Wake up!"

Jolting awake, he looked around the room in a frenzy. Heart racing, he finally came across May and Ward, who were looking at him with complete concern. "What did I do?" He questioned, terrified of the answer.

"You were saying and I quote 'No, no, no, no. She's not a 0-8-4. Thor told you what she is. She's one of us, Sir. Please don't let Odin keep her from us.'" Ward told him.

"You were also repeating 'gotta keep her safe' in a mantra." May answered.

"A nightmare, then." Coulson pointed out, turning and flopping on his back. He looked up at the ceiling. "I really need to get out of here." He groaned, looking around the room. "Where're Skye and FitzSimmons?"

"On the Bus. Fitz called to let us know that Skye was getting a shower, some food, and taking a nap before coming back here." May let him know. He nodded, moving his head to look up at the ceiling. "She needs to."

May looked up at Ward who was standing on the other side of the bed, arms crossed and looking down at Coulson. It took a few seconds before he flicked his eyes over to hers, giving her a subtle nod. Turning back to Coulson, she grabbed his attention. "She's here." May stated, drawing Coulson's eyes to hers. "Do you have a plan on how to keep her here?"

Coulson looked over at the weapon still sitting on the food tray before averting his gaze up to the ceiling. Both agents could see the wheels turning in his head.

He remembered what she'd said about Asgardian customs. "There are certain customs on Asgard, most of them are similar to the ancient times and other cultures. A woman remains in her parents or brother's – really, any male family member's – custody until a suitor presents himself worthy of the woman's hand in marriage. By worthy, I mean the suitor has to prove he can properly protect the woman and any children they may have unassisted. Unassisted as in without the help of others."

Then, about how her father didn't want her to do any of his suggestions.

"What? Let me date you? Me court you?" He had suggested. "Marry you?"

She pointed at him and nodded. "All of the above."

"Why? Is it because of our age gap, or the fact that I'm not as strong as Thor? Because I can get that way if I have to."

"It's because you're a Midgardian who is tremendously weaker than Asgardians. He doesn't believe you could protect me from a god like Uncle Kaju. One snap and you'd be dead before he dropped you to the floor."

That's when it hit him to what he needed to do. Moving his head to look straight at May, directly in her eyes with a serious expression. "I have to marry her on both worlds."

TBC...