Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update, I have serious writer's block and I am also back at Uni so I'm busier than I was before.

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Chapter 49 – Long Day

Coulson was not having what most would call a good day. After being woken long before dawn by the Asgardians he'd barely been able to get back to sleep after they had left in fear for Skye. When Coulson had finally given up on sleep he'd aged ten years after discovering Skye was gone and probably aged another five when he'd seen Skye's condition. Coulson had barely left the hacker's side the entire day, only for food and bathroom breaks and it had been during one of his brief breaks that Skye had woken up. The girl had barely spoken to him since, only sharing a few brief sentences before asking to be left alone with Simmons, so the team had left the hacker and biochemist alone. Simmons had left the room a couple of minutes later, telling everyone that Skye was getting some much needed rest and to leave her be for now. Even the clueless Fitz could tell that Simmons wasn't being entirely honest but when pressed for details the biochemist had clamped her mouth shut and hurried way. Everyone else had remained silent and the team quickly dispersed after Simmons' departure.

Now it was almost midnight and Coulson was sitting alone in his office on the Bus wondering if Simmons was actually going to come and confess about what was really going on with Skye. He'd actually been slightly impressed that Simmons had kept the secret of Skye's pregnancy for as long as she did but something had told Coulson that this time was different and the biochemist wouldn't wait quite as long before breaking down and telling the truth or even slipping up enough for Coulson to guess the rest.

So when a knock did come Coulson actually smiled to himself, "Come on in Simmons."

Simmons opened the door, looking somewhat sheepish, "How did you know it was me, sir?"

Coulson shrugged, "I figured you'd be coming to see me sooner or later and this late at night it would only be you or May and May wouldn't have knocked."

"If you say so," Simmons replied.

"So are you going to tell me what's going on?" Coulson asked, getting straight to the point.

"I don't know," Simmons answered, "I promised Skye I wouldn't say anything."

"Yet here you are," Coulson stated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, sir," Simmons nodded weakly, looking down at her own feet.

When Simmons didn't continue Coulson tried a different approach, "Is Skye okay?"

Simmons looked up, "Yes, sir. It has nothing to do with Skye's health or the baby's. As long as she rests and doesn't do anything too stressful then they should both be fine."

"Good," Coulson nodded, "So if it isn't to do with her health, what does it have to do with?"

Simmons remained silent for a minute until she suddenly broke, "Skye has a phone." Simmons blurted it out, clamping a hand over her mouth the second after she did so, a second too late to keep the words in.

Coulson blinked a few times then suddenly laughed, "That's what's got you so worried?"

"Yes, sir," Simmons replied, looking at Coulson as if he'd grown an extra head, "I don't understand, you don't seem worried. You took our phones for a reason."

"I did," Coulson agreed, finally stopping his laughter, "And it wouldn't have surprised me in the slightest if Skye got another one in London the first chance she got."

"You're not worried?" Simmons asked.

"Has she used it yet?" Coulson asked, crossing his arms.

"No," Simmons replied, shaking her head, "But…"

"Does she plan to?" Coulson cut in.

"She says it's in case of emergency," Simmons answered.

"And do you believe her?" Coulson asked.

"Yes," Simmons answered simply this time.

Coulson looked Simmons up and down, "So what's the problem?"

"Skye broke the rules," Simmons cried, "She has a phone."

Coulson raised an eyebrow, "Do you trust Skye?"

"Completely."

"Do you think she would call anyone or send any messages that could hurt the team?" Coulson asked.

"Not on purpose," Simmons replied.

"Don't you think Skye's smart enough to encrypt any messages she does send?" Coulson asked, looking at the biochemist.

"I guess," Simmons sighed, "But it doesn't change the fact that she has a phone when you said we couldn't."

"I never said you couldn't have a phone," Coulson shrugged, "Just that we were better off if you didn't and the ones issued by SHIELD were no longer safe. I have a phone and it wouldn't surprise me if May still has one. So as long as Skye's remains an 'in case of emergency' one I don't need to hear about it."

"Yes, sir," Simmons replied.

"That being said, if you could check from time to time to make sure it isn't being used that would be great," Coulson ordered.

Simmons looked slightly uncomfortable at the request but nodded in response.

"Good," Coulson smiled, "Now why don't you go get some sleep. God knows we all need it."

Simmons turned to leave then turned back, "Speaking of gods, how sure are we that the Asgardians won't be coming for Skye at sun rise?"

"Fitz didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Simmons asked, slightly confused.

"Sif returned during dinner," Coulson answered, "They're returning home for now and will return when the baby's born."

"So we've got three months to come up with a plan to save Skye?"

"Pretty much," Coulson nodded.

"Any ideas?" Simmons asked.

"No," Coulson answered truthfully, "But I've got three months to find one. Now get some rest."

"Yes, sir," Simmons answered, this time when she turned she actually left the room.

Waiting a few moments to make sure the biochemist didn't return Coulson picked up his own phone and dialled a number he'd been hoping to avoid calling for as long as possible.

The phone was picked up quickly on the other side, "Who is this and how did you get this number?"

Coulson smiled to himself, "Nice to hear from you too, Hill."

"Coulson," Maria Hill growled on the other end of the line, "What do you want?"

"I can't call to check up on an old friend?" Coulson asked.

"No," Hill replied simply.

Coulson sighed, "I need a favour."

"Of course you do," Maria sighed, "Okay. What is it?"

Coulson paused for a second before continuing, "Are you still in New York?"

"I am."

"Still working for Stark?" Coulson asked.

"Unfortunately," Maria replied, her dislike for the billionaire showing in her voice even over the phone.

"Any chance he can contact Thor?" Coulson asked hesitantly.

Maria paused before answering, "Thor's here, Coulson, in New York."

Coulson sat up straighter, "Really?"

"Really," Maria answered, "So what's this favour, considering you asked about Thor it obviously involves him."

"I need some information. No questions asked." Coulson answered simply.

"No questions asked?" Maria sighed, her annoyance evident even over the phone. She paused for a second before sighing again, "Okay, Coulson, just for you, no questions asked. What information do you need?"

"Ask Thor for everything he knows about an Eir, I believe it was called. And move importantly why his father is so interested in one of them," Coulson asked, not entirely sure he should be telling Maria any of this.

"Okay, I'll try," Maria agreed, "No promises though."

"All I ask is that you try," Coulson replied.

"I'll let you know," Maria answered.

"You can reach me at this number," Coulson told the former deputy director.

"Okay," Was all Maria Hill said before she hung up.

Putting the phone away Coulson left his office and headed back up to the house. It was finally time for bed, it had been a very long day after all.

Author's Note: I've actually rewritten this chapter three or four time, I wasn't originally going to have the call to Maria Hill but I really wanted to mention an Avenger again so I thought this was the best way to mention Thor. So can you please review and let me know what you all think, this is one of the chapters I am not so sure about and reviews make me feel a lot better about these kind of chapters.

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