Awakening Quake
By Misha

Disclaimer and Notes in Chapter One.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Secrets

"So what do you think?" Skye asked Jemma later that evening after the briefing.

"I can't believe this is your apartment." Jemma told her, looking around. "You can fit all of our living quarters from the Bus on here."

"I know." Skye agreed with a laugh. "After living in my van and then the bus, this was a big change, but I really can't complain."

"No." Jemma agreed. The apartment was incredibly luxurious, just like what she'd seen of the Tower. "Is everyone's apartment like this?"

"They've all been tweaked to meet specific needs." Skye told her. "I haven't spent a lot of time in most of them though, everyone's private areas are their own and we respect that."

Jemma nodded, that made sense. "Has your place been modified?"

"The furniture is all reinforced." Skye told her. "I had an attack my first night here and broke the bed so Tony replaced all the furniture, just in case."

"Didn't the drugs work?" Jemma asked in confusion. They had started sedating Skye immediately after San Juan and they'd had no issue with the drug protocol. Had something changed and had she become resistant to it?

"They don't sedate me." Skye told her quietly. "Bruce… He said in interferes with my training. I need to learn to control my emotions, not suppress them."

It was said without rancor, but Jemma winced anyway. It was a reminder that they hadn't known what to do with Skye and that they'd handled her all wrong.

"I haven't had a nightmare in months," Skye told her. "I've had some bad days, but… I'm doing ok."

Jemma smiled. "I'm glad."

"I mean, I know Ward and my father are still out there," Skye continued, "but I'll face that day when it comes and I know I won't face it alone."

Jemma had noticed during the briefing how well Skye interacted with the Avengers. It was obvious that they all considered her a full member of the team.

"Do the Avengers know about Ward?" Jemma asked quietly.

Skye nodded. "Yes. They know the whole story."

Jemma blinked. As far as she knew she was the only one who Skye had confided in about the true nature of her relationship with Ward.

"Steve convinced me that the others should know," Skye said quietly, "There was no judgement from any of them."

It said something about how comfortable Skye must feel with the Avengers that she could open up to them in a way she couldn't with S.H.I.E.L.D. Jemma knew that Skye had never quite felt like she belonged anywhere, but it seemed like she had finally found that place. It was a little bittersweet for Jemma. She was glad that her friend had found a place to belong, but at the same time she hated that she and Skye would never again be part of the same team.

"So what's the plan for tonight?" Jemma asked quietly. It had been politely requested that the S.H.I.E.L.D agents stay in their quarters. It was obvious that their presence in the Tower wasn't exactly welcome by everyone.

"We'll have dinner here and maybe watch a movie." Skye suggested, though she had a strange look on her face. "Jemma, can you keep a secret?"

"You know I can." Jemma reminded her. After all she had kept the secret about Ward and Skye for months. At times, she'd wondered if she was doing the right thing, especially when she came back from HYDRA and learned that Coulson was making Skye be the one to interact with Ward in his cell. But, she'd understood where Skye was coming from, so she'd respected her friend's wishes and kept her mouth shut.

"This isn't my secret, though." Skye told her. "And it's a big one, but you absolutely can't tell Coulson or May or even Fitz."

"Fitz and I aren't really sharing secrets these days." Jemma said softly. Things hadn't been the same since Ward had dumped them in that capsule. "But I promise, I won't say anything if you don't want me to."
"Even if it's information S.H.I.E.L.D would want?" Skye challenged.

Jemma paused. She was very loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D, however… "Will S.H.I.E.L.D be harmed by not having this information?" She asked quietly.

"No." Skye told her. "It doesn't hurt anyone. In fact, someone could be hurt if S.H.I.E.L.D found out."

Jemma paused, that didn't sound like Skye. Skye had always believed in Coulson and his vision, so why was she doubting S.H.I.E.L.D?

"We know how S.H.I.E.L.D treats people who are 'other', Jemma." Skye said quietly. "I'm proof of that."

Jemma couldn't argue with that. "So this secret, it involves someone like you?" She asked. "Then, yes, I can keep it a secret." She'd had months to think about how Skye had been treated after San Juan and to regret it.

Skye looked at her and then nodded. "Ok. JARVIS," she called out, "can you let Steve know they can come over?"

"Yes, Miss Skye." The AI responded, Jemma wasn't sure she could ever get used to that.

A moment later, there was a knock on Skye's door. Jemma's confusion must have shown, because Skye smiled. "Steve lives across the hall."

Oh. Well that was certainly convenient, Jemma mused, wondering about the state of Skye's relationship with the big blonde man. Other than confirmation that they were indeed dating, Skye had been pretty quiet about her relationship.

Skye answered the door and Steve stepped inside, but to Jemma's surprise he wasn't alone, a handsome dark haired man was him. He looked vaguely familiar, but he wasn't one of the Avengers.

"Jemma, you've already met Steve," Skye said, "and I'd like you to introduce you to Bucky Barnes."

Jemma blinked. Bucky Barnes? Captain America's Wartime companion, who had died in the 1940s? No wonder he looked familiar, she'd seen the photos of Barnes.

"Otherwise known as the Winter Soldier." Skye added, obviously waiting for Jemma's reaction.

Oh. Jemma had heard of the Winter Soldier, the HYDRA weapon who had surfaced around the time S.H.I.E.L.D had collapsed, but then he had seemingly disappeared and Coulson had decided that it wasn't worth S.H.I.E.L.D's resources to try and track him down. So how had he ended up with the Avengers?

"It's a very long story," Steve told her, obviously reading her mind, "however, it's not one I'd like S.H.I.E.L.D to know. Skye assures me you can keep a secret. This is one you need to keep."

"Yes, sir." Jemma told him, her eyes lingering on Barnes. He had a haunted look to him. "I won't say anything to anyone."

"Not even to May or Bobbi." Skye warned.

Jemma nodded, assuming that was why they had been told not to leave their quarters, so there was no risk of them running into Barnes. Except Skye had introduced him to Jemma, which was quite the show of trust.

Jemma looked at Steve Rogers, who was still watching her warily and knew that it was a sign of his trust on his part as well, but not directed at her. Skye trusted her, so Steve did as well; it showed how deep his feelings for Skye went because it was obvious from his body language how protective he was of Barnes.

"I won't say a word to them," Jemma promised, "or to anyone else."

Barnes smiled and stepped forward. He held out a hand and Jemma noted that the other arm, the one hanging by his side, was mechanical. "Thanks, doll, I appreciate it. It's Jemma, right? You're the scientist? Skye talks about you all the time."

Jemma blushed as she shook his hand. "Only good things I hope."

"Of course." Bucky assured her with a grin, still holding onto her hand "A girl as beautiful as you, how could there be anything but good things to tell?"

Oh. Wow. Jemma fumbled for her words. She had never been very good with flirting. She wasn't totally unexperienced, but it didn't come natural to her like it did to some girls. She looked over at Skye, who looked amused by the whole exchange and at Steve, who was shaking his head and grinning. Jemma's eyes met Skye's and her friend grinned, before loudly asking what everyone wanted for dinner.

Bucky released Jemma's hand and turned his attention back to Skye. Jemma took a moment to gain her composure. She glanced over at Bucky and had a feeling that keeping his identity a secret was the going to be the least of her problems where the former Winter Soldier was concerned…

A.N- I know Simmons is a loyal S.H.I.E.L.D agent, but I'm writing her as a friend first and I think that after everything, she'd value Skye's judgement. This is a very different Simmons than we're currently seeing (since I hate the direction Simmons is being taken). Also, she switches back and forth between Barnes and Bucky in her head, because she's just starting to get to know him and isn't sure how to think of him.