Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel's Agents of Shield, only own Alex and another character I come up with while writing.
A/N: Hello and I'm very sorry for not updating sooner, but I was busy finishing this story arc so I can move on with the story. I will tell you have the next chapter written and waiting for when I finish chapter 8, which is half written. Thats part one of what I wanted to say in the A/N.
Part two is what will happen with future chapters and the other part it took me so long to update.
My original plan when starting this was reference the missions the team go on in the show as past events that happen before Alex or that happen before the current mission that the chapter is about. With was is currently happening and what has happened since I started writing this, has changed that. This will be AU after the events episode 9 "Repairs", which I made reference to in the begin of chapter one. While it will be AU, and this will probably confuse people, it won't completely be. I haven't completely decided but I might use other episodes as plot line for a chapter of two to help with the story I am creating. So, I might use "The Magical Place" or "Seeds" to further what I want to happen. If I do this, then I will tell you in the A/N before the chapter. I won't spoil anything and I hope no spoils anything the reviews because I haven't yet seen the new episode, but I do sort of like what they are doing and I may use it, but with my twist of Alex being important and not Coulson and Skye. I hope all of that made sense to all of you, if not PM me and I'll try to explain it better there with out giving to much of my plans away.
Basically this chapter is filler, full of fluff and bonding. I also try to incorporate Jemma into the Alex/Skye I had already planned. Tell me if I did ok with it, I'm trying.
I'll let you get to the chapter. Hope you enjoy it and I'll try to get the next one up sooner.
The Hacker, The Biochemist and The Beast
Chapter 6
An Unpleasant Conversation & Waking Up
to Two Beautiful Women
Coulson's POV
"WHAT!?" I wince at the voice yelling through the speakers. I just finished telling Maria Hill about what happened with Alex and she reacted how I predicted she would. If the daggers she is shooting at me through the screen is anything to go by. I think as a feminine hand comes into view and starts rubbing comforting circles on her back. She is not alone, this won't be as bad.
"Agent Simmons assures me that there wasn't any damage done internally." I relay what Simmons told me while she examined Alex after she was shocked. "She might be a bit sore when she wakes up, but that's all." But that doesn't seem to lessen the daggers being shot at me. The view of the camera moves and now I can see both Maria and her guest, Natasha Romanov. Natasha doesn't look happy either, but she is refraining from shooting daggers at me like Maria.
"How did this Agent Ward get a remote?" Natasha asks in a monotone voice, keying me into just how unhappy she is about the situation.
Natasha and Maria have both taken an interest in Alex, for reasons I haven't been told yet. Maria assuring that she is not treated like a science experiment and has some privileges around the Hub. Natasha at first just used Alex as an easy sparring opponent, someone to take her frustrations on. After a few sparring sessions, Natasha noticed Alex's hidden potentially and started to train her. Maria told me last night that Fury hopes in time Alex will come around to the idea of become an asset for S.H.I.E.L.D., but we both agree not to hold ours breathes on that one happening.
"He has the level clearance to Alex's file." I say after a heavy sigh and that information causes both Maria and Natasha to frown. I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from mentioning that it was Maria that cleared him for the higher level. "The chip and remote are both in there. He took that to Agent Fitz and that's how he got it. I was completely unaware that he had done this until the incident." I continue as Maria mumbles something about getting Fury to make Alex's file higher clearance and a few choice words for Ward.
"I'm starting to regret clearing him for level seven." Maria says in a frustrated tone, sitting back in her desk chair. "Clearly he hasn't let go of what happened when Alex was brought in." She says with a shake of her head. I frown at that, not clear on what happened when she was brought in two years ago. I heard there were problems and that a few agents suffered minor injures.
"He should know not hold grudges." Natasha comments, probably speaking from experience. "Alex escaped from where ever she was and was on the run for a year. She was probably on the look out for anyone that would take that freedom from her and strange people in black would make anyones fight or flight instincts kick in. Alex probably thought they were from where ever she was experimented on. She shouldn't be held responsible for what happened, it's in her nature now." She says matter of fact on what caused Alex to react the way she did the day she was brought in.
"Still doesn't excuse what Ward did." Maria says angrily, crossing her arm. "The level he used could have seriously hurt her, if what your Agent said about the level he used is capable of. It's normally used to kill people. Granted we don't completely understand what Alex is, but it doesn't give him the right to do what he did." Sounding frustrated at not completely understanding Alex and I am with her. With not completely understanding Alex, there are chances things affect her differently from someone without the Wolf DNA she has. Alex is the key to understanding what exactly she is, but has yet to open up about it. Maybe that will change. I think, looking back on the reactions she has had to Skye.
"That's true that we don't fully understand her, but as sad it is to say. What happened shows a bit of what she can withstand, even with how it came about." I say as careful as I can, not wanting to upset either woman further. Both woman nod, though a bit reluctantly.
"After this mission is over, I want you to punish Agent Ward how you see fit." Maria says in her usually tone of voice and changing the topic back to what we were original discussing. "He might not like it, but Alex is important to S.H.I.E.L.D., even though she doesn't see it or want to be. I'm guess he didn't read her complete file, otherwise he would know that. For all intensive purposes, Alex is an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and you know the rules on attacking a fellow agent. Make sure he understands that, Phil." She says and using my first name to drive the point home.
"I will and already have an idea of what I will do to Ward." I inform her and she nods her head.
"When Alex wakes up, call me. I want to talk to her." Natasha says in a tone that I know all to well. Maria smirks and gives Natasha a look I have only seen a few times. Only when it's us around.
"I'll do that, but it might be awhile. She is still out." I say bringing up the video feed from the interrogation room. As I said, Alex is unconscious on the bed with Simmons and Skye with her.
"Her body needs the rest." Natasha says softly, looking at the video feed that allowed them to see. "Take care of our girl, Phil." She says looking me straight in the eye as she does.
"I will." I state before saying goodbye to both women and disconnecting the call. I sigh in relief and slump in my chair a bit, happy that is over. It went better then I expected and I think it had something to do with Natasha being there. Both women have become feariously protective of Alex, for reasons I have yet to learn. Maria told me a bit of what both her and Natasha have done in the year and half that I have been out of contact with Alex. I'm happy that she has both of them looking out for her while I was away. And I promise from now on she will have me as well. I think while looking at the video feed of Alex still laying on the bed with Jemma and Skye waiting for her to awake. And maybe not just me. Getting up from my chair in search of May to discuss what happened earlier and what she thinks I should with Ward.
Alex's POV
I slowly wake up and my eyes are met with a blurry black wall. When I'm awake enough, I roll onto my back and it's when I notice the ache throughout my body. Slowly the events of this morning come back to me and I let out a low growl at what Ward did. The shock was the worse I have ever been given. S.H.I.E.L.D. technicians tested it on me once to see if it worked, but it hasn't been used since. I think it's more there to warn me to behave, rather then to be actually used. I don't remember the shock being that strong though. I think, slowly sitting up on the bed and grimace at the achy feeling in my muscles.
"Oh, your awake!" A beautiful British voice exclaims and look over to see Simmons sitting on the chair that is in the room. I'm surprised to see her siting there and even more surprised to see Skye sitting on the table with her laptop in her lap. "Are you in any pain?" She asks, quickly making her way over to sit on the edge of the bed next to me.
"Um, no." I say still stunned at seeing the young women sitting in the room with me. Simmons I understand because she would be looking after me, but I don't know why Skye would stay also. "I just feel achy, thats all." Looking around room and see the door open. Hmm, thats why May or Coulson are not here. I think, shifting up more so I'm not leaning on my hands.
"That's understandable after the shock that was given to your system." Simmons comments as she removed a round thing from my neck and as she does, I feel the light brush of her fingers on my skin. It sends a shiver down my spine, which thankfully neither notice. My wolf also liked the light touch and yips for more. Can't say I disagree with it. I think, watching Simmons look through the first aid kit for something.
"Skye, would you mind getting a bottle of water for Alex, please?" Simmons asks, still looking through the kit.
"No problem, be right back." Skye says quickly getting up from the table and walking out the room. I take the time to watch Simmons concentrate on finding what it is she is looking for in the first aid kit. God, she is beautiful. I think and watch a blush appear on Simmons cheeks. She pauses in her search to slowly look up at me with wide eyes and I realize that I must of said my thought out loud.
'Er, I meant to say that in my head." I mumble out, rubbing the back of my neck. "You are though. Beautiful, I mean." I awkwardly say and give her a smile. Her blush intensifies and she looks back down at the kit in her lap.
"Thank you." She says bashfully and resumes looking for whatever it is in the first aid kit. Does she not get told she is. I think and frown at the thought. If I were around her everyday, I would tell her at least once a day that she was. I open my mouth to ask, but Skye enters the room.
"Here." She says handing over the bottle of water with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on it. I nod my head in thanks as I take the bottle from her, just as Simmons finally finds what she is looking for.
"Here we are." She says in triumph. "These will help with the achy feeling." Opening a pill bottle and shaking out two capsules into the palm of her hand. I hold out my hand for her to place them in and pop them in my mouth, drinking them down with the water.
"Thanks" I say after I swallow the pills and putting the cap back on the bottle. I slowly shift on the bed until by back is against the wall and I cross my legs indian style. "So, how mad is Coulson?" I ask, looking down at the water bottle in my hands.
"He is mad, but not at you, Alex." Skye says in a reassuring tone. I look up at her standing beside Simmons with a small smile on her face. "He is mad at Ward. Fitz said the level he used on you could have seriously hurt you if held the button down any longer then he did." She explains.
"I didn't even know the chip had higher levels." I say thoughtful, but not surprised that S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't tell me that information. They are all about that at S.H.I.E.L.D., all about the levels and clearance to protect the whole of the organization.
"You did know that's what did?" Skye asks in a voice I haven't heard before from her.
"Yes, I did know. Though it hasn't been used since they tested it." I answer, following Skye with my eyes as she takes a seat on my other side on the bed. Are they not afraid to be this close to me? I think, watching the two women sitting on the bed with me. My Wolf doesn't sense any fear coming off of them, so they must not be. Why aren't they?
"Are you in pain?" Simmons asks, placing a gently hand on my knee in concern. I look up at her confused, remembering I already answered that question. "You looked like you were pain, that's all." She explains, not removing her hand from my knee.
"No, I'm fine. I was just thinking, that's all." I assure with a small smile. "Thanks for your concern, Simmons." Patting the hand she still has on my knee, making her smile brightly.
"You can call me Jemma." She tells me with her bright smile still in place. I give her a bright as I can smile back with nod of my head. That's five people that allow me to call them by their first name, which in my books makes them my friends. I guess I could count Skye in the small group as well, because Phil just called her Skye and nothing else.
"I'm glad. Felt kind of weird to call you by your last name." I say with a chuckle, both Skye and Jemma lightly chuckle with me. The pills Jemma gave me are slowly starting to work, thankfully.
"Can I ask you something?" Skye ask in serious voice, all traces of humour from moments ago gone. I nod my head in acknowledgement. "You weren't going to attack Ward, right?" She asks. I look in her eyes and I see her slight worry that she got her assessment wrong earlier.
"No, I wasn't going to attack him." I say looking into Skye's eyes the whole time. "What you said in the briefing room was right. I just wanted to show him the difference between Yuri and I."
"Good. I wasn't to sure." She says with relief. "Your a hard person to figure out. That's why I was in the room with AC when you first got on the plane. He wanted me to read you, because that's what I'm good at." She explains and I nod my head. I wondered why she was in the room with Coulson that day and now I know.
"So, not just a hacker?" I ask with a smirk, remember our conversation from yesterday at the park.
"No, I guess not just a hacker." Skye says with a chuckle.
"Ward is also training her to be a field agent." Jemma says bright and with a hint of pride in her voice. I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from growling at the mention of his name, my Wolf still upset about what Ward did to us. I'm also not happy about it because of how close Ward would have to get to my Skye during some of the training. Wow, my Skye. Were did that come from? I think, completely surprised by the possessive thought I had about Skye. Guessing by the expressions on Jemma and Skye's faces, I couldn't stop my eyes from flashing yellow.
"Sorry." I mumble, looking down at the water bottle in my lap. No matter how hard I try, I can not stop that from happen whenever Ward is involved. There is just something about him that my Wolf just doesn't like.
"You really don't like Ward, do you?" Skye asks gently, placing her hand on my knee like Jemma had earlier. I look up at her and I glad to see nothing but understanding in her eyes.
"It's not about liking or not liking." I say take a deep breath and my senses are filled with citrus, vanilla and something tropical that I have come to associate with Fitz. "I don't know what it is, but there is just something about Ward that sets me off." Careful not to say 'my Wolf' in front of them. I have never said anything about it to anyone at S.H.I.E.L.D., other then Natasha. "Fitz can come in if he wants." Looking over at the open door. Skye and Jemma turn towards the door, seconds before Fitz's head pops around the side.
"How did you know I was out here?" He asks carefully walking into the room. His eyes dart to Skye and Jemma sitting on the edge of the bed on either side of me.
"I faintly caught whatever body wash you use." I say with a shrug of my shoulders as he pulls the chair over closer to the bed.
"You have heightened sense of smell?" He asks, sitting in the chair close to Jemma, who perks up at the mention of this. I frown at his question, pretty sure that it is my file S.H.I.E.L.D. has on me.
"I thought you read my file." I state in a questioning tone, pretty sure he said that he had when I returned from changing this morning.
"I did, well kind of. Just what Ward showed me when he asked me to modify the remote." He says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. My eyes widen in realization at what he said. He is not a high enough level to read my file. I think, looking over at Jemma.
"That's interesting. I didn't know that." I say mostly to myself, looking off to somewhere only I can see. I knew there are different levels at S.H.I.E.L.D., but I didn't know that my file had that high of a clearance level. Everyone I interact with at S.H.I.E.L.D. has a high clearance level, like Maria, Natasha and Clint, and I just assumed that everyone had the clearance. That's why I thought it was alright for me to be here, because they knew exactly what I could do. I guess I was wrong.
"What do I smell like?" Fitz asks in curiosity. I shake my head to clear my thoughts, making a note to ask Phil about it later.
"Something tropical." I answer in the best way I can on what Fitz's scent is. By the frown he sports on his face it wasn't the answer he was looking for. "Not a girly tropical, but like if I was on a tropical island. If that makes any sense." Trying to explain what exactly I smell from him.
"I use the Old Spice Fiji scent." He says to help me and I remember seeing that in a store when I was on my own.
"Hmm, good to know. It's nice, not over powering to the senses." I comment casually. Unlike Ward. I think, remembering the strong scent coming from him. I don't have to use my heightened sense of smell to know that.
"What do Jemma and I smell like?" Skye questions curiously and I look over at her to see the same expression on her face to match her tone. A quick glance at Jemma to see the same look.
"You smell like citrus," I say pointing the water bottle at Skye. "And you smell like vanilla." Pointing the bottle at Jemma.
"What about Coulson, May and Ward?" Jemma asks eagerly, turning her body more towards me.
"Coulson smells like the classic Old Spice. May smells like jasmine." I answer, while trying to think of the scent Ward smells of. "I'm not really sure what Ward specific scent is, there is a lot going on and all strongly scented." Scrunching up my nose at the thought of his scent.
"Yeah, what ever he wears is a bit strong." Skye comments and the other two nod in agreement.
"Do like to know what people smell like or is it just a hazard of your senses?" Jemma asks, going into what I like to call 'scientist mode'.
"It's a bit of both. I like to know incase I have to track, so I can distinguish the scents." I say, looking between Fitz and Jemma listening to me eagerly. "It's also a hazard of my heighten senses, sometimes I can't help but know what people smell like. Makes being in a crowded room unbearable for me."
"This is rather fascinating." Jemma comments excitedly, almost bouncing where she sits on the bed next to me. "I wonder if Coulson would grant me access to your file. I would like to read more about what you can do." She said more to herself then to me.
"Why read about it, when you can just ask me what you want to know." I state and watch her look at me with a bit of hope in her eyes at my offer. "I'm sure if I ask him nicely, Coulson will give you access as well."
"Why don't they have access to your file to begin with?" Skye asks looking at the two scientists curiously, bringing up the topic of clearance levels again.
"To protect her and the higher up's view her as an asset or they are hoping she will be." Coulson voice answers from the doorway of the room. "S.H.I.E.L.D. has a few Agents that only a few have full access too. Alex is classified as one of them, I think the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was hoping to use her skills." He continues as he comes further in the room, stopping a little behind Fitz. "This seems like the place to be, having fun you four?" He asks, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Just learning about some stuff." I say with a shrug of my shoulders, the others nod there heads in agreement.
"That's good." He says with a small nod. "I want to apologize for what Ward did. The only two who were suppose to have remotes to you chip, were May and I. He shouldn't have had one. I had mine in my pocket, but I wasn't going to use until absolutely necessary. Skye assured me that's not what you were planning on doing to Ward, so his actions were uncalled for." Giving me an apologetic smile.
"I'll take your apology because I have a feeling I won't get one from Ward." I say, giving him a small smile in return.
"Ha, Ward apologize." Skye scoffs, frowning and sounding mildly irritated over that fact.
"Doesn't matter, I won't be here long anyway." I say flippantly and see both Skye and Jemma slump their shoulders at the mention of me not being here for much longer. I would like very much to stay on the plane with them, but it's not up to me. Fitz also looks a bit down at me leaving. I guess I'm growing on him. I think , taking a sip of the water I still have in my hand. But it's not up to me really, I'm just here temporally to help with this mission.
Coulson taking something out of his pocket catches my attention and see him touch his screen a few times before bringing it up to his ear. I can hear it ring twice before a very familiar voice answers in a terse voice. Your kidding me, why is he calling her? I think, as Coulson says something to the person on the other end. He gives me an apologetic smile as he hands me the phone and I take it reluctant with a heavy sigh.
"Are you alright?" The voice of Natasha Romanov asks on the other end before the phone is even completely to my ear. I roll my eyes at her.
"What no 'Hi Alex' or anything before getting right into it." I ask sarcastically and hear a familiar feminine laugh in the background. "It's not like I haven't seen you in three weeks or anything." I say in a teasing tone and look over to Coulson who is trying to hide a smile. The other three are looking at me with mixture of confusion and interest. I hear Natasha sigh on the other end of the line before speaking again.
"Hi, Alex. It's good to talk to you." She says in a soft voice that very few get to hear from her. I smile brightly at hearing it, somewhat proud that she can be herself around me.
"Hi, Tasha. It's good to talk to you as well." I say back happily and in the same soft tone as her. "Did your mission go well?" I ask, hoping it went well and she wasn't hurt.
"It went very well and I'm injury free." She answers and I hear 'thank god' in the back and chuckle. Must be on speaker. I think, already knowing who is with Natasha. "Now, are you alright?" She asks again.
"I'm fine, Tasha. I promise." I say with as much sincerity in my tone as I can, hoping she will believe. In the short time I have known Natasha, she has become protective of me.
"Don't be upset with Coulson, ok. He said that you were, but I wanted to hear it from you." She says a bit sternly, but also managing a bit of softness as well. "I was here when he called Maria to inform her of what happened. He said the level of shock was higher then it was suppose to be. We were worried it could have done internal damage." She explains and I let out a sigh at the mention of Maria knowing what happened. She will not be happy. I think, scrubbing my hand over my face.
"Voz'mite menya dinamik , pozhaluysta." I say in the small amount of Russian I know. Seconds later Natasha says 'ok'. "How mad is she?" I ask a bit hesitate to know the answer.
"She is mad, but not at you Alex. This Agent shouldn't have had a remote to your chip." Natasha assures me and I wish she was here when she said that, wanting to feel her hand over top mine. "What he did not only delayed the mission, but also put your life at risk with the level of electricity he sent to your system. Maria didn't like what you did, but understands where you were coming from." She informs me and a small weight has been lifted from shoulders. I don't think I could stand Maria being mad at me and I'm happy she is not. "I should let you go. Just wanted to hear from you that you were alright. Be careful, Alex and remember what I taught you."
"I will, Tasha." I tell her to both of the things she said before saying goodbye and hanging up the phone. "I'm guessing she threatened bodily harm if you didn't do that." I say to Coulson as I hand him his phone back. The tight lipped smile he gives is all the answer I need. I just shake my head at Natasha antics. She means well.
"Who was that?" Skye asks in curiosity and I look over to her.
"A friend." I answer with a happy smile on my face at the thought of calling Natasha Romanov, aka The Black Widow, my friend. Very few get to say that and I'm proud to be called one of them. "She can be a tad on the over protective side, but she means well." Shrugging my shoulders. "Are we still on for tracking Yuri or has the plan changed since I have been unconscious?" I ask changing the topic away from Natasha.
"That's what I came to tell you." Coulson begins, sounding a tad frustrated. "May and I just learned that it has been raining since early this morning and just stopped about an hour ago. Tracking Yuri will be out of the question for you now. We'll have to think of another way."
"Hopefully not with another dead body." I say a bit sullenly, looking down at the water bottle in my lap. I like being on the plane with Phil, Skye, Jemma, May and Fitz is coming around, but I was hoping to find Yuri today so no one else has to lose a life. I look up when I feel a hand on my knee.
"We'll find a way to track him." Skye says confidently with a reassuring smile. "We always do."
"May has a few ideas on that front, Skye. Why don't you join her in the briefing room." Coulson suggests, more then orders. Skye pats my knee that her hand still rests on before getting up from the bed and walking with her laptop out the open door. "I want you to get a full scan, Alex, just to make sure everything is alright." Coulson directs towards me and I groan at the suggestion.
"That would be a good idea." Jemma seconds the suggestion, looking at me with concern. "Just to make sure nothing was damaged internally. It will only take a few seconds." The slight pleading tone in her voice and in her eyes make me cave.
"Alright." I agree giving her a small smile.
"It will also give me an opportunity to test something I made for you." Fitz pipes in excitedly about what he has created. "I want to make sure it fits right."
"That's also fine." I agree with a smile, but a bit wary about what ever he has created. "As long as Ward is not anywhere nearby."
"He won't be." Coulson states firmly. "You should get that done, incase we find something and have to leave quickly."
I nod my head and start to move to the end of the bed. Once my feet are on the floor, I notice for the first time I'm not wearing my boots and wonder how I hadn't until now. Before I get the chance to ask, they are places in front of me. I smile up at Jemma before putting my boots back on.
"I am all yours." I direct towards Fitz and Jemma, who smile at me happily. I slowly follow them out the black room, my legs still a bit stiff from earlier. As we make our way to the lab, we pass the briefing room. May and Skye are at the table trying to find a way to find Yuri. Skye looks over her shoulder at me and gives me a smile. I smile back at her before continuing my way on to the lab with Fitz and Simmons to get scanned and try on something.
A/N2:Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. As I said, it a bit of filler, while I thought of what I wanted to happen with Yuri. One more chapter before the action happens.
Translation: Voz'mite menya dinamik, pozhalusta : Take me off speaker, please I hope that is right, if not I'm sorry. I used Google Translate.