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by HenryYoung123

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The Cooler, Classified S.H.I.E.L.D. Location, USA

Newly minted Director of S.H.I.E.L.D Nicholas J Fury walked into the depths of a soon to be upgraded and rejuvenated secure site. Some of the worst that S.H.I.E.L.D. had come across had been held here, either objects of unknown origin, or people with or without gifts that were just too dangerous for anywhere else. But such was the changing world that this wasn't as secure and secret as it had once been and needed to be shut down. The current inventory moved, both human and otherwise and everything changed and secured. But being who and the position he was now in had brought something to Nick's singular eyed attention. A prisoner unlike any other, one that wasn't as hardcore, though doubly as dangerous. One who'd been a model prisoner the entire time he'd been there and one who quite frankly had been caught by bureaucracy and not a crime. His status was rather unusual after all, and while he'd been one of the first ever operatives of S.H.I.E.L.D. the previous Director hadn't liked him, hadn't liked anything about his origins and locked him away and threw away a key.

Nick wasn't the previous Director, he wasn't the same sort of person, and while he was paranoid, and dangerous himself he felt what they had in the depths of this facility was a true waste of resources. He was a gifted, though he was pretty cagey about showing his gifts, had behaved well, hadn't ever even TRIED to escape, and honestly could've done that any time he felt like from what Nick had read and generally it was like he was merely biding his time for something.

Nick wondered what that was, and if he could make him an offer to do with this apparently willing incarceration that would once more put Prisoner 616 into action. He had many accolades to his name, being the first specialist for the main. Known the agency over at one time as THE Specialist, he was a forerunner to something they now trained for at Ops academy and that only the VERY best of the best could become. He was the mark, the standard that any that had come after him had to meet, and many, quite frankly - fell far short at times.

Prisoner 616 had been a forerunner, friends to Peggy Carter herself and yes, he was old enough to have known her to be invited personally by the woman herself to join when S.H.I.E.L.D. formed out of what was the S.S.R of old.

Nick was being escorted by a guard who looked at him warily, Nick knew he had a reputation and a fearsome mien, something he'd cultivated for a long time, and the missing eye actually helped with that. But this was different, "You have something to say to me agent?" Nick finally said, he wasn't a great one for breaking silences but the guard was getting on his nerves with the furtive looks and all.

"Actually sir I do, you're here for Harry, right?" he said, his name was Thompson, level 5, not a bad level, not a great level and he was talking to a level 10, something he'd likely never in his life done before. Also he'd used Prisoner 616's name. This was pretty unusual, unusual enough for Nick to comment on it.

"Harry?" Nick said, his single eye bearing into the pale blue of Thompson's working pair.

"Yes sir, I've been assigned here a couple of years now and well 616, he's not like the other prisoners, and well...I won't lie I've gotten friendly. We all have that have common rotation down here." Thompson said, "Like I said he's not like the other high risk, high security prisoners, we know to watch our backs, of course, but Harry. He's had means and opportunity to escape, or hurt us, hell he's actually done the opposite at times. A Year ago as you're no doubt aware there was an escape attempt, a glitch was caused in the electronic locks down here from someone on an upper level frying the circuitry to the cells up there that unlocked those down here. It was damn near a blood bath. We've got the worst of the worst down here, and personally I got into trouble." he licked his lips, his eyes misting with memory, "I was down, a nasty gifted had me dead to rights, this was just outside Harry's, sorry 616's cell. Next thing I know Harry burst out, he'd made no move to escape and I figured I was done for, that he'd just join in with the other gifted. Seconds, had to be less really, Harry took down the aggressor, had him out for the count, tied in Harry's shirt and immobilized, then got me up, got me behind the barricade, then turned around, walked back to his cell and closed it behind him."

Nick nodded, he'd read that, but this was a more personal record than the reports. "Never a single day of trouble, he's a friend, even damn nice to talk to. He never demands anything outside of what he's allowed and EARNED. So I am only a Level 5 sir, and it's not really my place to even ask but...urh.."

"You want to know why he's even here, especially in the secure floor?" Nick asked.

"If'n it's not too much trouble sir, I just want to understand. Most here, it's pretty damned obvious. They're here for our safety, the WORLDS safety. But honestly sir, I think the world could do with MORE like Harry, I truly do."

"That's actually why I'm here Agent, I don't think he belongs here either, but you help me now. What's his mental state?"

"In what way, I mean pretty upbeat if that's what you mean, some prisoners who've been inside as long as he has get maudlin, don't really care what happens next. If I had to choose a word, it'd be patient." Thompson said, "Like he knows this is all a misunderstanding or something. He uses his benefits in some odd ways. He always laughs that since he's got the time right now he's doing his best to beat the 10,000 hour rule." Thompson smiled, "So I suppose you could say he keeps busy, nothing germane in anyway, unless you want to see his card magic."

Fury rose a brow, "Card Magic, like store bought?"

"Yes sir, it was the first thing he asked for when he was finally allowed some personal affects, a store bought magic kit, from there he focused on card magic. He's DAMNED good at it now, and that was only actually a couple of years ago, seems like whoever put him here had him under some unusually harsh restrictions, and that loosened up."

Fury nodded to himself, "Well that's...interesting."

"Actually sir, come this way a moment, if you're to talk to him, you might want to see this." Thompson said, redirecting their walk to the command center that after the aforementioned break, and part of the reason for the needed modernization, was installed to not be reliant on other parts of the faculty.

Fury was shown to a particular monitor the keyboard was tapped a moment and then Fury lifted his brow again, the black and white feed showed a dark haired man laying on is bunk, a pack of cards on one hand, the other was lazily throwing with an experts flair a card, it circled the room, landed back on the top of the deck and this was repeated, then a flourish the cards fanning, arching and a water fall from hand to hand, a mere flex and one shot to the other side of the room and dart board there-in, cutting the previous card in half on the bullseye. "That doesn't seem safe." Fury noted.

"Like I said sir, he's never given us a reason to doubt him." Thompson said, "At first we were obviously curious, and...perturbed, but he smiled, shrugged and said he didn't have any other way of flexing his aiming, and would never aim at us. I will say I was the one that didn't confiscate them and so far, now a year later he's lived up to his promise."

Fury nodded, this was all adding up to his previous thoughts on prisoner 616, aka Harry. The image on the screen changed, the man in repose on the bed stopped, looked at the camera, saluted with a lazy flick off his forelock and went back to what he was doing.

"I don't know how he does that, but he always knows when we're watching" Thompson said.

"I think I want to meet him now" Fury said, now more decided than ever he wanted to do this.

The Cooler, Interview Room 2
A Little Later

616 it turned out was an average height man with raven's wing black hair and incredibly green eyes. Fury had been around a lot of powerful people, had met a woman who could shoot lasers out of her hands and hell he WAS one of the most powerful men in the world now with his control of S.H.I.E.L.D.. But there was something swirling in 616's, this Harry's eyes that spoke of ancient power, intense but controlled perfectly on call a whisper away at a moments notice. This was backed up by the surprisingly easy way he moved despite the shuffle all prisoners had while shackled hand and foot like he was, then as he was attached to the table he merely let them do it. But Fury could see the assessment in 'Harry's' eyes, the plans being formed and rejected like all good operatives, especially a Specialist would have in this situation, but he never acted on any of them.

Finally he sat down, not having much choice, though Fury had a feeling he could get free any damn time he wanted to.

"My name is Director Fury," Fury began slowly.

This brought a slight light to the admittedly rather handsome man's eyes, "Indeed, truly?" he asked, his accent surprisingly was English. For some reason Fury hadn't really expected that. "Hmmm, that could bode one of two ways for me considering you came here to see me." he said.

"Oh really, and what do you see as those options being?" Fury was honestly curious to hear.

"You read my file, obviously, are probably new to your position and are being told about all the skeleton in S.H.I.E.L.D's closet and you've now read about me. Now either you're a fair minded man and you've come to see for yourself that I'm here on trumped up unjustified charges, or you're merely curious to meet the longest lasting S.H.I.E.L.D. mistake." Harry said in an easy tone, like he didn't really care which was true. "Looking into your eye, I think you're the first and I won't lie, it's an odd feeling I'm having right now."

"And what is that then, can I call you Harry?"

"I'd prefer it Director Fury, or what I'd really like to be called again is Agent, and that's the odd feeling after the couple of decades I've been locked up"

"How long, the file only mentioned you've been here a decade at most?"

"Not so Director, it's been longer, I was actually locked up originally by one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D, though none of the others actually knew that or I'm fairly sure Peggy would've had a thing or two to say." Harry said with a slight smile.

"You barely look 25 now," Fury noted.

"Part of why I'm here Director, I assure you I am...older" he said with a faint smile, "And there-in lies something that S.H.I.E.L.D has never been able to discern about me, and believe me it's been tried, so if that is the reason you are here, curiosity then I have to say that is doomed to fail. What gives me my longevity isn't something you can measure, nor is it something that can be taken from me, stolen, replaced or quite frankly...beaten by any science." Harry told him, "On the other hand, instead of trying to uncover secrets that you are woefully not prepared to tackle around here and at this time, I put forth a possible use and suggestion of what to do with me that will make us both happy and make use of my small gifts in way that will be beneficial to you and the Agency."

"You want to go active again, after what sounds like many years locked up by us, you're what...just willing to forgive and forget."

"God no, but then I don't hold any negative emotions towards S.H.I.E.L.D, nor the S.S.R back in the day, it was that one general who quite frankly I heard is long dead. On the other hand as much fun as it is picking up a few things I always wanted to learn, every day I'm here is another that I'm being truly wasted."

"I've read your file, you did some hairy missions, and your success rate was a clear 100%"

Harry smiled, "Precisely, now if you want to lock me up again and throw away the key...fine, I've got plenty of time to waste, but that is the word here that's most applicable."

"Waste, you think it's a waste you're here?"

"Exactly Director, you don't have to worry about my motivations either, though no doubt endless tests, a shrink or two and some test missions might help with that belief. So...ball's in your court Director Fury."

Fury sat back, then met the ancient and powerful unusually hued eyes of 616, The Specialist of lore and a man that went by the rather unassuming name of Harry. Slowly he started to smile.

Triskellion, Washington DC
Twenty Or So Years Later

Agent Phil Coulson swiped his lanyard at the door, in a special area of the HQ that only a level 7 could enter and higher. It's as well he was that now, after the Battle of New York and his 'Near Death' experience Fury had virtually showered him in benefits. Including putting together a very special team, most of it run by him with full autonomy. And that's the reason he was in the depths of the Triskellion and coming to this exact gym.

The near bunker door slid open, and Phil smirked. The room had at least twenty agents, all in work out gear and the one he was here to see was standing perfectly calmly in the middle, a blind fold on his face. Perhaps to give the others some semblance of a fighting chance. His name the agency over was The Specialist, no one really knew his origins, only that he was older than he looked. Phil happened to know he was a gifted but Fury kept him off the index. He'd proven himself MANY times to be loyal to shield at some hefty provocation now and he was the one you sent if it was FUBAR. Phil had the opportunity to work with him more than most and had found him to be a stellar operative, professional to a T, and actually one of the few good people left in the world. No one really knew what Harry could do, for that's his actual name, and Phil had asked that if he was gifted why he never seemed to use it.

The reply of he would if he had to was oddly sobering.

A blitz of motion signaled the start of the spar, five agents likely all at least level 7's which meant they were very good, practiced and experienced went for Harry at the center. Not being able to see didn't seem like too much of an obstacle for Harry who just swayed and shifted. First take down was an arm bar that must've felt like running into a steel girder, perfectly timed and positioned to take down but not permanently harm. Harry swirled down into a leg sweep upending his sparing partner perpendicular to the floor, a sweep of his arms and a hammer fist knocked the wind out of them as they hit the floor. Realizing they had to step up their attack the entire room attacked.

There was no other word for what happened but poetry in motion. Harry seemed to suddenly pick up speed, the blindfold was no hindrance to his movements, slick, fast as all hell in efficient and economical movements he started to cut a swathe through his sparring partners. It didn't last more than five minutes, with Harry getting hit a few times, but real life was like that. No matter how good you are you needed to take a punch in a fight, especially with multiple opponents, but even then at the end while surrounded by groaning bodies Harry hardly had a hair out of place.

He stood tall, only an average height for a man, not much taller than Phil himself, he tilted his head then the irrepressible lopsided grin made itself known, "Phil!" he said smiling massively. "The reports of your death appear to have been grossly over stated, you don't SEEM like an Inferi at least. Please...tell me I don't have to torch you old friend, that'd suck."

Phil laughed, "No, no, I'm not the living dead. I was down, 40 seconds, but they got me back."

"40 seconds, that's no small amount of time" Harry said, his hand moving to slip the blindfold off his face revealing eyes that defied rational explanation, they were at times TOO green, a sort of Emerald shade enhanced somehow by a lot of laughter as Harry never took anything overly seriously, and power – dear God you could TASTE the power looking into Harry's eyes. "Damn though...good to see you man. You got something for me mate, PLEASE tell me you do, I'm BORED!"

Phil chuckled, "As it happens I might've, but it's not your normal MO Harry, so I'm not sure how interested you'll be."

Harry strode over catching a towel sent at him by another agent, flashing them a smile, and on the way helping a few of his sparring partners to their feet. He reached Phil, flashing a large smile, "Phil you'd be surprised what I'm willing to do, since I got back from my little...issue, well, Fury hasn't been using me as much as he used to."

This issue being he'd been thrown into what some would call the old ways, pathways through the world tree where he'd ended up off planet and lost for about 3 years, he'd not said where he ended up. Only that he got back AFTER the Battle of New York, which was a shame because Phil had a feeling that the Asgardian Loki would've had his ass handed to him by Harry.

"Tell you what, I'll buy you a coffee and tell you all about the team I'm building."

"You said the magic word Phil." Harry smiled.

"I know" Phil grinned back.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 2: Chapter 01 - Enter Skye

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

S.H.I.E.L.D. 616, En-Route L.A.
Two Day's Later

"Boo"

Papers went flying up into the air as Phil Coulson got the fright of his life, his collectors pen brandished as a weapon and then only for his heart to slow to a more normal resting rate when he saw who it was that had scared a life time off him. "You Bastard! You still do that!" Phil said, "Didn't think you were coming," he said after he'd calmed a little more.

The wide stitched grin was a little creepy, but Harry had obviously enjoyed Phil's reaction. "That never gets old."

"So you never really show what you're capable of, but that you don't mind using," Phil said sighing, "Why?"

"For around twenty years I was...fixed to a single place, not willing to use that by my own rules. Now I use it every opportunity and besides the entire agency knows I'm enhanced, this just gives them a power to talk about." Harry said.

"I think we both know that's not It" Phil noted.

Harry spread his hands.

"So how do I explain you arriving to my team?" Phil asked.

"Tell them the truth if you want, I don't mind, you never know when teleportation can come in useful." Harry noted.

Phil took that on board with a small nod, there wasn't much reason not to, after all Harry made liberal use of that particular ability and wasn't shy about it either. He wasn't wrong too in that it gave people a reason why he was known as being a gifted. Phil had actually had the true honour to see Harry using more of those gifts, and honestly it was awe inspiring. It's one of the reasons he wanted him here. The sorts of missions they'd be doing, well having that on their side wasn't a bad idea, for the most part the team roster was a mess, two very green science academy graduates that while top of their class, literally, had no field time. Grant Ward another Specialist had all the personality of a water boarding and May was...damaged.

"Right, right, so what changed your mind."

"I talked to the boss," Harry told him, Boss being Harry speak for the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., a man he knew rather well personally, as did Coulson, but even Phil called him SIR. "Honestly he told me what you plan to do, backed up what you said and made another point that I wouldn't mind attending to."

"And may I ask?"

Harry smiled, "Sure, I want to keep an eye on you. Trust me 'Near Death' isn't so easily shaken off, your team...they look good on paper I'll grant you, but what you really need if you go sqwirlly is a friend on your side, and worst comes to worst I'll plant you till you come to your senses."

"I...don't know how to reply to that." Phil said, actually oddly enough rather touched.

"I'm not here to WATCH you, but keep a weather eye on someone I consider a good friend, and honestly what you're going to be doing sold the rest. Sounds fun, and God knows I could do with some of that."

"Oh like you NEVER have fun. I've always wondered how you get Fury to let you get away with it." Phil actually laughed.

Harry flashed what was known the agency over as a Harry smile, it melted hearts, panties, and Fury's raised brow as easily as the fascial muscles moving. Even Romanov herself was weak before that one, which would explain their two weeks in Budapest Phil was sure.

"So...how about you find me a bunk?" Harry said.

Phil nodded, "Come and meet the team, we've got the full detail here, bar, lab, even an area to work out. You remember Melinda May?"

"Mel's here, didn't think that was a name you'd actually pull out of your hat." Harry said with a grin.

Phil rolled his eyes, he'd tried calling the redoubtable Melinda May, Mel once, he still limped if it got wet and cold. But Harry, oh no - it was fine when he did it. And Phil had partnered with May a lot, in all meanings of the word.

They walked down the spiral stair case, finding his team was resting in the lounge area, his two science types sat together, far away from Ward who didn't seem like much of a people person.

"Grant Ward" Harry said a tight smile on his face, "As I live and breath"

Ward looked up at Harry a flash of 'something' gone before Phil could register it, then smiling and walking forward with a hand outstretched, "You're here, The Specialist, the Cavalry, what sort of team is this Agent Coulson, if you'd told me those two names before I wouldn't have fought this as hard." he said exchanging a shake.

"You two know each other," Phil asked the obvious question, meanwhile Fitz was looking with some amusement at Simmons who was a rather vivid pink.

"Oh sure, Garret's boy, we've met" Harry said, smiling more easily, though his eyes were not their usual brightness. "He's pretty damned good, his ability to work undercover really impressed me, he's able to be just about anyone on an op."

"I'll bear that in mind" Phil said.

"Urh...thanks" Ward said, actually seemingly pleased.

"FitzSimmons," Phil said, "Leopold Fitz, Mechanical, Jemma Simmons, Bio." he said introducing the other two members present.

"Hello" Fitz said, jogging his long time partner and friend who seemed a little frozen.

"Pleased to meet you both, seems I'm another member, you can all call me Harry" Harry said with a much warmer smile, though it was barely noticeable all told.

"Urk" Jemma said, then actually managed to increase her blush.

Harry shot her a real panty melter, but didn't seem willing to make a comment or embarrass her for it, which was the man Phil knew him to be. "I've been known to help mend a few bones if you ever need it. I've not re-qualified in a while, but I'm an MD" he said.

Jemma smiled, "You are? That's amazing."

"Sadly it's not my true calling in life, but sometimes I like to focus there to sort of balance the one I AM good at." he smiled.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean?"

"Well, Doctors Mend Bones and most of my job is well...the opposite" Harry said with a slightly sad smile. "I'm not as good as you I'm sure, very impressive records, the both of you." he said, "Now I spy with my green eye, a BAR" he smiled widely.

May walked in, then smiled widely which was pretty rare for her these days, "Harry!"

"Mel!" Harry said striding over and sweeping the bad ass of the plane into a hug, "Damn, it's been a while huh?" he said putting her back on her feet, "Was about to get a drink, join me?"

"Great to see you too, I can't believe Coulson got you here," she chuckled, "And no can do Harry we're re-routing towards L.A., I have a Rising Tide Routing route from HQ."

"Ahh, right briefing time!" Harry said with a smirk.

"Yes, quite" Phil said amused at seeing the redoubtable Melinda May looking glazed.

Back Alley, L.A.
Two Hours Later

Harry smirked, leaning against the side of a panel van, listening to the occupant ranting about how she'd never be found, and that the Rising Tide wouldn't be vanquished and all manner of amusing sentences. He pulled his badge, held it up and straightened up towards the door and then knocked actually quite lightly.

The talking cut off, then the door was pulled aside, a gorgeous brunette was the other side, saw the badge first, then looked into Harry's eyes, and blinked myopically. "What-up" she said eventually.

Harry chuckled, the girl was rather a goddess, not dressed the best obviously her funds were limited, and it looked like she lived in the van itself. "Now that depends on you" he said.

"Ohh English...dishy" she said her eyes sparkling with attraction, in no small amount. Her eyes flicked down his black suited form, not exactly S.H.I.E.L.D. Issue, or fed couture but the badge more than made up for that. "You don't look much like a faceless government douche" she noted.

"Why thank you, you're too kind" he said dryly.

She actually chuckled, "So...I guess you want something from me? Where's the black bag, or the goons with guns."

"Ahh I don't carry a gun." Harry smiled, "and while the black bag was posited as an idea, I managed to persuade my boss that this way is better. You have information we want, now admittedly intimidation is a way to go, or, like I hope having now researched your posts a little I don't think you're an average anarchist either."

She lifted a dark brow, still with sparkling eyes, her attraction for this god of a man rather blunting her usual paranoia and what would usually be her stand offish, if not rude response to an agent banging on her front door, well - side. "What makes you think that?"

"We traced your cryptographic signature, I took that and spread the field a little wider and all the posts about gifted have come from you, and I can't just keep calling you gorgeous in my head, what Is your name? I'm Harry."

"Hey, Skye if you like."

"I do, and as I was saying...Skye, you seem to have special interest in the Gifted. Now a member of our team thinks you're a fan girl, and that's a possibility, but personally I don't think that."

"Fan girl, Fan.." she sputtered.

Harry gave her a slaying smile that stilled her indignant response immediately, oddly leaving her rather flush. "He said something about sweaty cos-play girls at Stark Tower."

She went wide eyed, "I...one time!"

Harry laughed, "Well, we all do things we regret, but you don't have a fan girl air to you to me, I'll admit I was worried I was wrong. I don't have a great history with such, so...thank god really." he smirkingly said. "So instead of us coming down here and kidnapping your beautiful hide, I suggested that we could do more good by ASKING you to a meeting with my boss. You'll like him, he's a real stand up guy, has peoples best interests at heart, one of the only truly genuine good guys in the world by this point."

"Not that you're jaded or anything."

"My job is generally dealing with the other side, so...perhaps, you know - just a smidgen." he smiled at her.

She chuckled, "You DID ask nicely, but" she peered out of her van and up and down the alley, "I don't see any transportation."

"That's another reason I asked to do this." Harry told her, "Lock up and I'll handle transport."

She did so, easily done since the front was already locked, and then looked at him, "Gonna call a chopper?" she asked playfully.

He held out his hand, "I thought you'd relate to us better if you saw that gifted also work for S.H.I.E.L.D." he said. "Take that, and be ready to go WOW"

"I've heard that before." she said, taking his hand all the same.

He winked, and there was no other word for it, the world spiralled around her rather attractively, then suddenly they were standing in a hanger, her van was still behind her, taken up along for the ride apparently and she met his sparkling Emerald regard, laughed gaily and said, "WOW"

S.H.I.E.L.D. 616, Ops
Later

Harry looked to the side at Phil, "You decided to go this way...because what?" he asked amused, "Now like I said Ward is GOOD at this sort of thing, but I already partially had her trust." he said as he and Phil watched Grant Ward spilling his figurative guts to where Skye was thinking he was on truth serum, now as noted Ward was VERY good, but Harry didn't so much like lying to her either.

"She needed a push" Phil said, actually echoing his boss.

"Well you're the people person" Harry said, though you could tell he wasn't a huge fan of the idea.

Phil looked at him, a small smile on his face, "You like her," he noted.

"Hardly know her, but she's got a great sense of humour and I don't hate looking at her," Harry commented in amusement.

"You seem to, but you don't really take to people this fast usually." Phil commented.

Harry smirked, "I dunno, liked you didn't I?"

"Like I said you seemed to straight away and you're the most personable person I know, especially given your position and roles, but it took you about a week before you relaxed and got protective, and you already are protecting her, like the question there about the girl and my handling. You don't like that I'm lying to her, that's the issue."

"Just didn't see a need is all" Harry smirked.

"Hmm, well, let's see if this worked, Ward has flaked. Go get her, bring her here."

"On it Boss" Harry said, walking smartly out of the room. Only to return a few minutes later with their young hacker and hopeful helper. She was smiling up at Harry in a way that Phil had seen many women smile at Harry, though the fact Harry was smiling back in a similar way was worthy of note.

"So...Ward I don't think he likes your style" Skye said, "I think I do." she added, smiling slightly. Her hand slipped into her back pocket, "But...I'm still not sure. I've not heard the best about your agency at times, and he's a normal guy for the most part, had a shitty run of luck is all."

Phil cued the monitor, "You think that's luck talking, or that he's going off the rails." he said to a video of a new report of their Gifted trashing a warehouse and injuring the foreman.

"Like I said, he just needs a break" Skye said sadly. "He's...He's a nice guy, ya know."

"Some of the worst I've ever faced started nice Skye," Harry said softly, "But like you say, it goes bad, the wrong breaks, a shitty run of luck and they lose their way. Let us stop that happening here, let us HELP this man. Obviously he's got enhanced strength, it's been my experience that those that are in some way stronger tend to pick on those weaker without guidance."

"You're gifted, how can you say that?" Skye asked.

"I'm the best person to say that, if you don't think I've had my bad times you're very wrong, but...I had guidance, I had help and ultimately I never did step too far over the line that I couldn't pull myself back, but you can't do that alone Skye, you need someone there, showing you the line, showing you HOW to stay on the side of the Angels. Please trust me, it's only too easy to play devil than it is angel, and right now I would say this guy is on the cusp. Lot's of posturing there, a near miss with that gas tank instead of a direct hit. He wanted to scare the guy, next time...next time scaring him might not be enough. You get a .. taste for it you know and it's terribly addictive being a bad guy. It's an odd sort of freedom, free from guilt, free from conscious, free from responsibility, but along with that is the hand in hand hurting those that don't deserve it, and worse hurting those that are there to stop the one doing the hurting. That's what'll happen if we don't get to him soon you realize. Right now, the idea is to get him help, perhaps with his powers, with his attitude, showing him that line and telling him not to cross it. If we don't get to him soon, there's the other side of what we do, and that is likely the not so good you've heard about S.H.I.E.L.D.. The bit where we step in, stop people out of control. I've done that a lot, it's likely why I'm here. I'm GOOD at that, just don't know how to lose a damned fight, but what I'd honestly, LOVE to do instead. Isn't fight, it's talk to him."

Skye looked at him a long moment, right in the eye then pulled her hand out of her pocket and handed him a driving license, "YOU, you help him, yes?"

Harry glanced at Phil who nodded. "I will"

Skye blessed him with a massive smile.

"I'm calling in my team, we'll use this to brief them" Coulson said.

Alley, L.A.
Later

They'd had to move Skye's van back to the Alley, not that it was all that hard with what Harry could do, but her encryption was tied to her GPS there so it was a necessity.

"I think it's impressive ya know" Harry noted, leaning against the side of the van, eyes alight as he watched Skye work, "I'm able to work with tech, but it's not my favorite thing to do. I have, well ways of doing things, but you.." he shook his head.

"What?" she asked a light blush.

"Not to be rude Luv, but panel van, crappy laptop, free wireless and you cracked the RSA implementation of S.H.I.E.L.D. Luv, from here! That's IMPRESSIVE. I think you could work miracles with our tech," He noted.

She chuckled, "I won this thing in a bet, so...maybe."

"I think you're hiding your talents personally, and wasting them if you don't mind me saying"

"Trying to turn me white hat Harry?"

"Not really, but right now you're working with the Rising Tide but I don't think you actually follow their doctrine. It's not such a bad idea their view you know."

"I never expected an AGENT to say that to me."

"I said it's not a bad idea, I didn't say it's at ALL realistic" Harry told her, then a hand clamped to the back of his neck and he was thrown with negligence against the wall. He seemed to go down in a slump.

"Mike!" Skye said shocked. From there it was rather a blur, with him forcing her to comply, made worse when he pulled Ace into it, meaning she couldn't react the way she wanted. She wanted to ensure the kid's safety now.

The van pulled away, and Harry stopped faking, he'd seen the kid in flight and readjusted his plan too. Fighting Mike was certainly something he felt he was qualified to do, but the kid was in danger if he did that, Mike's Son he'd guess, and Mike was all the kid had, so he would've been scared, anxious and far more if he saw his dad fighting someone, especially if Harry won, as he tended to do. Skye was an adult, and as much as he already liked her a whole lot, the kid came first. But that didn't mean he was going to leave her to Mike's devices either. He made a rather herculean leap, landing positively gently on top of the van, lay down, held on, and shimmered out of sight.

Train Station, L.A.
Later

Having called in Mike Peterson's location when they'd arrived Harry saw his Boss walk up with a megaphone then teleported to his side while shedding the cloak that was his naturally, another of the gifts he rarely used, but then he had rather a plethora of those. To his credit Phil barely raised a brow, but then Harry had called it in, Phil knew he'd be in the area at least and was at least somewhat used to Harry just appearing.

He tried to reason with Mike through the megaphone, not the best way to hold a conversation, before the panel door flew right at him. He was about to duck back when Harry's hand snapped out, catching the door inches from Phil and stopping its forward momentum dead.

"Thanks" Phil said, flashing a smile.

Harry nodded, eyes intent as Mike made haste to get into the station, with his son and Skye. Skye was keeping a hold of Ace mostly, obviously having somewhat of a soft spot for kids. But then she was adopted, having been around a lot of likewise adopted and fostered kids in her time.

"Go, he's gonna blow, if you can get him out of here and some place safe."

"In what way." Harry said, "Certain energies don't mix well."

"Extremis?" Phil asked.

"Ahh, from what I've read...not that." Harry said looking annoyed, "But that's not to say I can't get others out of there. But he's burning up, building up in heat and energy, I try to teleport him it'll likely trigger him there and then. I won't say exactly how my teleportation works but infusing the body with a particular type of energy is part of it."

"Damn, never and easy solution."

"Easy is boring Phil" Harry grinned, then was gone without hardly a sign of it.

He reappeared just in time to see Skye kick a gang looking guy between the legs and get free as Mike was distracted as she lay the blame at his feet. "I Do like that girl" Harry noted, spotting Ace floundering he ran up, wrapped his arms around the tyke and was back on the bus, handing him off to one of the local agents and back before anyone realized what he'd done. Now to deal with Skye, who unfortunately hadn't gotten far from Mike.

He followed them as they went into an upwards staircase, teleporting straight to the floor they were obviously heading too since there were only two. He stood behind a pillar and as Mike appeared a beauty of a right cross knocked Mike away from Skye and stumbling back at the surprising blow. Up until fairly recently he'd really only been at the top end of human ability, but that had changed with his little side trip through the universe. So the hit was easily hard enough that Mike stumbled back and scuttled into a fall looking shocked.

Harry held out his hand towards Skye, who took it without question, then with a flurry of the world shifting around them she was back on the bus, before she had a moment to thank him he was gone and she quickly found where a female agent was fussing over a very upset Ace.

He moved exactly back to where he'd left while Mike was still getting up, in time for a man in a patrol-man's uniform to shoot at the already over stressed centipede enhanced guy with a pump action. Contrary to what Mike would've thought would happen the strange green eyed man who had knocked him on his ass then seemed to do the opposite in intentions, diving he took Mike out of the firing line, then swirled around and made a motion that sent the faux patrol-man flying over a banister to fall a good twenty five feet.

Mike was now rather enraged, confused as all hell and glowing slightly.

"Calm down" Harry said holding up a hand, "I don't want to hurt you, this was NEVER about hurting you." he said his tone level and even. He held up his hands in a near universal sign of meaning peace, as he'd also found out on his little side trip.

"Calm Down!" Mike raged, "You take everything away from me, and you want me to calm down!"

"No one has taken anything Mr. Peterson," Harry said, "Right now I've removed your son from the line of fire, because quite frankly mate you're not exactly setting an example right now. You do realize how you probably appear to him right now, right?"

This brought Mike up short.

"Already he's seen you attack me without any provocation, he saw you kidnap a woman that is nice to him, and you're raging, you're angry as a nest of hornets and mate...you're glowing. I read the file, you're a good father, you worked hard, you did the right thing. Right now, you're nothing more than an over powered loon, a monster and that's likely how he see's you right now. Is that what you want mate? You want your baby boy to be SCARED of you?"

Mike was wide eyed, "Scared?"

"I'm willing to bet he is," Harry said, "You sure scared Skye, kids pick up on emotions SO easily, trust me." Harry said, "He's seen you hurting a whole bunch of people too, tell me is that what you want for him to learn? That it's okay to hurt people when you're not getting your own way. No offence, actually...I do mean offence, but you're being a giant child right now."

Mike's eyes flared, "What?" he said dangerously.

"I'm serious. You know what, life is a bastard, it often asks more of us than we think we can handle, but you know what? Generally if you don't wallow in self pity you CAN handle it, and right now you're in a position to get help too. We weren't looking to lock you up, we want to help you come to terms with what I'm sure are difficult to control abilities, and hell I'm a gifted myself, there's a possibility that we can offer you work eventually. But right now, I'm more tempted to put one in your forehead to put you out of danger for every man woman and child in this entire train station. I've done it before, I'll do it again. But I'd RATHER you calmed the FUCK down, took a breath, and realized you're losing it mate and it's time to get HELP. We have two VERY clever bods on our team who I am willing to BET a high price can help with that glowing fire in your veins. I've read about extremis, that's what's burning you up and there is a certain amount of control involved in NOT going boom. So get that control or I'll end you myself, but you get that I'll walk you out of here take you to my clever bods and then when we're sure you're at least safe I will PERSONALLY take you to your son. I've been a father mate, and frankly one father to another. Not good, being a parent is all about being the opposite of selfish, and right now...do I REALLY need to say it?"

Mike looked like he would blow his top, then his lips quirked, trembled and a smile appeared on his face, "You don't do this sort of thing often I'd guess?" he said sounding amused.

"No, I'm usually the one they call to end threats like you WERE." Harry said intensely looking in to Mikes eyes, "But I do mean WERE. That's it, focus okay, take note of your breathing, literally think cooling thoughts, and lose the anger that'll help. You won't be stable for a while yet, but SAFER at least."

Mike nodded, "I .. thanks"

Harry smiled, "Not a problem, now...just don't explode on me and we're good"

The Bus, L.A.

Later

Skye walked up to where Harry was watching Mike apologizing profusely to his son after their in-house genius' had actually managed to at least stabilize him for now. She leaned into him and looked up into his eyes a moment.

His lips curled into a sensual smile, "What?" he asked a slight nod towards her.

"You came through," she noted, "It's been my experience that you're pretty rare because of that."

"I do try to live up to what I'll say, sometimes things go out of my control or ability, or even orders." he replied, "But in this particular case I was able to help him out. He's not a bad guy, like you noted. He could've been, like I said, but we caught him early."

"You've really seen that, a guy like Mike going bad?" she asked seriously.

"Many times, it really doesn't take much to make happen either, circumstances, a certain loss, a situation that gets out of hand and you've suddenly got your hands full."

"You know I think you're older than you look" Skye noted wistfully.

Harry looked at her, then laughed, "Oh...you could say that Skye you could say that. Mike has asked me to ask you though if you would personally see Ace to his Aunt Mindy's place. Mike is going to a facility to get more workups done, perhaps some training, and he is strictly speaking under arrest right now, so he asked me, AND you, to do that for him. Seems the way you handled the kid while he was...other, impressed him."

"Meh, I've been around a lot of kids" she shrugged, "And yeah sure, I don't mind doing that."

Harry nodded, "No doubt Ace'll get a kick out of the way I get around."

Skye laughed, "Yeah...I'll say."

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 3: Chapter 02 - Lifetime

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Farm, L.A. County
The Next Day

Skye walked up to where Harry was waiting on her, smirking. "See something you like?" she asked with that smirk still in place. Sticking her leg out a little and tensing. She wasn't sure how old he was, but he was passed the point of blushing, clearly.

"Can't think what?" He said with a dry drawl and a smirk on his face, flicking his eyes over the dress and boots she wore that day. Suddenly he tensed, holding a hand to his ear in a classic bit of agent body language. Then he looked at Skye seriously.

"You gotta go?" she asked sadly.

"I do...but there's nothing saying you can't come with me." he told her, to her surprise.

"Wait, what?"

"I was talking to P... Agent Coulson, and we noted you'd make a good addition to the team, analyst and a bit more. Consultant obviously as you're not an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D, but that gives you a freedom to do certain things Ph...Agent Coulson isn't allowed to do."

"I like the way you mentioned him by name and didn't mention yourself" she said with a smirk. "You seriously want me to join up?"

"Call it a trial basis," Harry said, "See what we do, and we'll see if you're as useful as we think you'll be. In the meantime, continue your Rising Tide self by all means, on the understanding..."

"I don't tell about you guys and the missions I'd immediately guess."

He tapped her nose lightly, moving so fast she barely had time to blink, "On the nose" he smiled another slaying smile at her. She loved and hated it when he smiled like that, loved it because they and he were gorgeous and hated it because she couldn't damn well think straight.

"The catch, of course is that we have a 0-8-4, and that means we're leaving, well - now. So not what you'd call a lot of time to think on this, but we go, we don't back track later to pick you up, it's now...or never."

"Lay it on a girl" she playfully complained, "Fine...trail basis, right?"

"You got it gorgeous, now you know the drill by now," he said offering his hand.

En Route, Peru, S.H.I.E.L.D 616
Lounge

"I don't think he likes me" Skye said from her place next to Harry, a position she seemed to automatically gravitate towards.

"Ward?" Harry asked, "Yeah, watch yourself with him, word to the wise. Between you and me, and I'm going to take a flyer and trust it will be, I don't entirely like, nor trust him."

She looked at him, "I think he...well, he likes what he's seeing, you jealous?"

Harry chuckled, "A lot of men would find you attractive, you're a very attractive woman, but I don't really do jealousy. I do, do, protective, and like I said - I dunno...don't overly trust him."

"Either way, he doesn't like me being here" Skye noted.

"Likely not," Harry said, "He's a very rigid operative, he's not great at thinking outside of predefined procedures and training. He's DAMNED good at under cover, much better than me, but at the same time he follows procedure for that all the time, throw him into a situation they don't account for and I'd worry."

"I'm guessing this isn't a problem for you."

Harry chuckled a rather sexy sound Skye had to say, "That's where I live Luv" he smiled. "But I know when to tow the line and I've been a loyal S.H.I.E.L.D Agent for...let's go with LONG time."

"No, seriously, how long?"

Harry studied her eyes a moment, "I actually worked with the S.S.R in World War Two, segued into S.H.I.E.L.D after being invited by Peggy Carter herself, and then spent around 30 years in prison after a General threw a hissy fit because I wouldn't share HOW I lasted that long, and all their experiments did was prove I'm all but impossible to kill." he said in such a matter of fact tone she almost missed the actual time scales involved and the fact of what he was admitting, "Director Fury, newly minted came to visit me in the Cooler, the forerunner to the Fridge, and yes these are real names, and I managed to convince him I was wasted there, and that was back in the late nineties. It's like 2013 now, and I'm still an agent, so...you do the math."

"Damn!" she said with feeling, "Who else knows that, and why tell me?"

He shifted, curling a leg under him and shot her a smile. "I'm trying to buy your trust, and as for others...Fury, obviously, And Phil, Mel has an idea I'm sure since I've not aged since I met her. But no one else, and frankly I'd like to keep it that way"

"Why is my trust so important to you, unless you urh..."

He smiled, "I find you more than plenty attractive Skye, I've hardly hidden that, but I'm not that stupid either than to spill my guts to a beautiful woman, or I'd've been in trouble YEARS ago in this game. No, I am honestly trying to BUY your trust, and I'll tell you why, another bit of honesty and no I've not shared this thought with ANYONE."

"I'm enthralled." she said biting her lip.

"Nervous bit of body language there, and you should be. You caved WAY too fast to me and my ultimatum, you're here and wanted to be here, as you noted did we track you or did you LET us track you. Frankly I think you're just too damned good for us to catch you without you leaving breadcrumbs, that's what I think. So, I think you're here for a reason, now if I sensed bad intentions about why you're here you'd be dead, I like you plenty, but I OWE Phil, and Mel, and I'm a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent with the oath's and Vows included in that, but I do have a certain latitude that others don't get I won't lie and I'm exercising that now, here, with you. No! Don't deny it, I'm VERY old Skye, there is almost zero chance you'd pull the wool over my eyes at this point, I know you're here for your own reasons, and I think perhaps it has nothing to do with Rising Tide, they are a means to an end, just like perhaps you're here as another. Now as long as that secret doesn't hurt me or mine and by mine, I even include Ward in that and I just admitted I don't like the guy because he's my team, and I WANT you to be a member too by the way. If that doesn't happen, I'll HELP you if you want me to at some later date. So, yes, I'm trying to actually outright purchase your trust by showing you a LOT, including things that a handful of people know about me, I think you're worthy of it and I'm rarely wrong. Now...that taken on board, you're going to be going into the field"

Skye blinked, she LIKED this guy, "Urh...Coulson said it's possible."

Harry nodded, "We're about four hours out of the LZ, so," he stood, "Go change into work out gear and meet me in the cargo bay, no more than three minutes you hear?"

"Ohhhhkay"

Cargo Bay, 616
A Moment Later

"This is a gun," Harry said with a grin, "I don't much like guns I won't lie, but it takes a HELL of a lot of skill to be able to do without them. No I have no doubt you could if you so wished learned to, but right now...that's not in our doable time frame, so you're going to learn to love this thing. This is an experimental issue..." he paused making a face, "Night-Night Gun, seriously I feel a fool even saying that. But either way it took some doing to get it out of Fitz' hands. But right now we don't want you having to deal with the ramifications of killing the bad guys. Killing, well it doesn't get easier unless you're worse than the things we fight. With this you can protect yourself without worrying about that, and that's eventually the angle that worked." Harry said. He pulled the cartridge, "10 Shots, based on a Sig, standard S.H.I.E.L.D issue that, after the debacle with Mike they got the rounds right, so this baby is cocked and locked and ready. Ever play COD?"

"Sure, loads of times." Skye said, "It's like that?"

"Absolutely nothing, yeah you point, aim and shoot, that is the same. But actually gunning down a fellow human being in the real world isn't as easy as games make it seem. Those are animated characters on a screen, even the most immersive experience in a game won't show what happens in reality. Let's just say a lot can happen, including the fact that physics can be a bitch, especially with these. For example, got a bad guy running at you, he's close, you shoot him, he drops onto you and knocks you flying with sheer momentum, see where I'm going with this?"

"Yeah," Skye said nodding seriously.

"On the other hand if you were well ranked on COD, we likely don't need to work on your aim much, but in the real world and in only the more modern games, well there are other factors that affect shots but for now we won't worry too much. It at this point, is really point-shoot-down, avoid the face with these, only because you hit them in the eye they're gonna get dead anyway."

Skye nodded, "It works through clothes?"

"Not so much body armour, if they're wearing that ignore the previous face comment, I'd rather you than them." Harry told her. "Now, take this, keep it on you at ALL times, and get used to carrying at least two or three spare mags, you'll find you can slip them into your waist band, gun included. In the guns case small of your back easy to reach and pretty comfy. Now, at times you won't be able to use the gun." he said handing it over and she parceled it away as prescribed, looking at him seriously, actually rather touched he was doing this. "Ahh, perfect Mel...come 'ere a sec I need your help with a demo."

"Who is flying the plane right now?" Skye asked.

"This is one of the most advanced planes in the fleet despite her advanced years, so in short...the plane is." Harry chuckled.

"Melinda May, I believe you met Skye" Harry said, "So I need to get your help with proving something to her so I can then in turn get her past a few things, just in case. We're not expecting trouble but you know 0-8-4."

May nodded, "What do you want Harry?"

"Punch me, right in the face." Harry said turning to her arms spread wide.

May smiled slightly, them WHAM. His head moved to the side a little and blood poured from his nose and a split lip.

"What the hell!"

"No, no, watch," May said, "This is what he wants you to see, seriously Skye...look at his face, and especially his lip, that's why I aimed there."

Harry nodded, he would talk but it would be rather garbled, she did hit rather hard after all.

Skye did so, angling his face with gentle fingers and watched entranced as he HEALED, blood running up his face, the lip sealing under her surprised eyes and he was back to his handsome self in mere moments. "There, that's what I wanted you to see...Thanks Mel." Harry smiled.

"Why?"

Harry grinned, "Because believe it or not, one of the hardest things to do if you're not a douche who gets off on others pain, is hurting someone else. I want you over that before we go into the field, so...your turn!"

"What?"

"Hit me, right in the kisser."

"I can think of other things I'd rather do with your lips Harry" Skye said with no hint of embarrassment.

"You think this is bad," May said, "The next lesson is far worse"

"Yeah, you're doing that one Mel" Harry said.

"Old chauvinistic bastard" May said not looking like she meant a word.

"Oh come on, you know I will in a mission, even a spar, but I'd HURT her, you know how hard I hit, and trust me after my little...adventure I hit HARDER than I used to."

"Oh...right, fine"

"Urh...what's the second lesson?"

May smiled mysteriously.

"Best we keep that a shock...I urh...mean surprise. Now, put it this way, hit me or I hit you. How's that."

Skye smirked, "You won't, you just said you won't."

"Bugger, yeah, got me there" Harry said, "Look, you saw how fast I heal and I SWEAR this is important, do this now in a controlled environment and you're highly unlikely to freeze the first time you have to do it for real in the world."

"He's not wrong, it's...well if we had more time we'd teach you to fight in a sparring environment, but he's not wrong in that this is an unknown situation, you may not have to fight, or we could be facing the end of the world and anything in between. That's what a 0-8-4 is, unknown." May said quite gently for her.

"Also, until we teach you to punch properly, I doubt you'll even hurt me Skye"

WHAM

May lifted a brow, "Huh"

Harry smiled, wiping his face, "Or I remember where you grew up in an orphanage and suspect spent time on the streets and you likely KNOW how to throw a punch, but look see...back to my gorgeous self already!" he said with a cheesy smile.

"It would be funny, but.." May said with an eye roll.

"I know right?" Skye smiled.

"Wait, what?" Harry said now confused.

Aztec Temple, Peru
Later

"And what do you do again?" Ward demanded of Skye as Coulson dealt with the government that had turned up. Skye wasn't feeling great, and that put the tin lid on it, making her feel about an inch tall.

"That's to be decided" An English voice came from the entrance, "But I think great things are potentially possible. That is if you don't crush her spirit first" Harry said anger in his voice at the end.

"It's fine" Skye said, brushing past Ward.

"Meh, it's just misplaced attraction anyway." Harry said with a big grin, "So, wrap it up kiddies, I've got a bad feeling this is about to go sideways."

Just then the entire temple shook from a nearby explosion.

They all looked at Harry.

He spread his hands, "What can I say...I'm pretty accurate." He turned, walking out of the entrance with a quick, "Ward - protect them, I'll clear a path."

Ward nodded, he didn't like the restrictions he was working under here, but he knew he'd been given an order. It wasn't entirely clear what Level Harry actually had, but he did have the ear of Director Fury himself in a way only Maria Hill and Romanov really had, likely putting him higher than even Coulson's level 8.

He gathered up the scientists, who actually let Skye help after Harry's earlier words, with a little direction instead of snapping at her, there was a sort of cool calm aura around Harry that calmed those around him and it had affected the two scientists as well. They arrived in time to find Harry jumping into a nearby tree line heard a man's scream, saw him tossed up into the air to land over a branch and then the leaves rustled clear the other side to a cut off cry for help. Whereas moments ago they would've been under heavy fire, instead Harry seemed to have cleared the nearby rebels and by time May skidded to a stop they made their way fairly relaxed to the SUV.

"Go on without me, I'm going to hook up with Coulson, meet you back at the plane" Harry said, "Ward, you know what I want?"

Ward nodded seriously, almost surprised he was being trusted with their protection. Then he blinked, where the HELL had Harry gone, he didn't even see him move!

They had a rather death defying chase through the jungle, Ward expertly guiding May through the ravine and valley to the air strip, slewing to a stop in the cargo bay of the Bus itself, hopefully Harry and Coulson were on their asses, but in the meantime Ward got the team up and out of the line of fire, dragging a worried Skye away from the ramp, "You're in the line of fire" he said shortly, but that did the job and she walked away, looking back. "And don't get attached, I've heard the stories" he said as a rather snide aside before walking away.

May hustled up to the cockpit just as the PNP arrived, with Coulson in tow and just as Skye was about to ask where Harry was he was standing right next to her. She looked at him with amusement, "That never gets old - does it?"

He flashed her a smile, "Nope"

Lounge, The Bus
Later, En Route

"Here" Skye said sliding a glass to Harry, "I'm guessing you still drink?"

"Trying to get me drunk Skye?" Harry asked with a smirk.

"Would it work?" she asked playfully.

"We'll just have to find out, huh" he shot back, taking the glass, Emerald eyes doing a sweep of the lounge, a note to them that Skye had to say wasn't positive. But then she was quickly becoming a study of his eyes, if she was totally honest with herself she would admit she was rather besotted with them and the man that wore them so well.

"What?" she asked.

He looked at her curiously so she elaborated, "I sense you sense there is something off."

He smiled slightly, "Whatever makes you say that?" he hedged.

"After that sense of timing earlier, let's just say I'm willing to trust your instincts to lead me too, and I think they are screaming right now." she said, leaning back and looking around quickly, with a rather debutant air, so as not to arouse suspicion. She looked back, eyebrow corked in question.

He winked at her, a warning look as there were ears nearby, so she put a lid on it. "So you're all experienced and things right?" she asked. "Because I want to integrate with this team, and it seems after earlier that it's so new the paint is wet, and yet I don't really see a way in with most of them. FitzSimmons are friendly enough, if a little confused as to why I'm even here, but Ward, May, they seemed far more locked down. You seem to have your own reasons to let me in, and yeah I'm not talking about our mutual attraction, though I am curious about something Ward said on that score."

Harry chuckled, "Oh Really, the mind boggles. But Ward, he'll come around, he's not the type to trust easily, but getting to the stage you can work together is likely a lot easier, prove you have worth on the team and the bitching will stop for sure. May, well now that's complicated. She's...well, I've not seen her in a long time, and she's changed, more locked down, more careful, and as far as I can tell hasn't pulled a single prank on any of you."

"Wait, What?"

"Oh, we had a big old prank war last time I met her, but...then Bahrain" he said softly, "And no - I won't tell you that, what little I know about it that's her story and I can tell you she won't likely tell it to you." Harry said, "Phil was there, he might - but don't push."

Skye nodded, "I'm curious I won't lie, but I'm not that rude either to butt into someone else's life."

"Said the Hacker" Harry said dryly.

"Alright fine you have a point, but what about what Ward said, he said 'don't get attached he's heard the stories'."

"Oh did he now, HA!" Harry barked a laugh, "Well, I see the rumour mill at S.H.I.E.L.D is still faster than anything known to man."

"Rumor, right say no more"

"No, I will, because some of them are true. Truth is Skye I'm not known for committing all that often, and haven't done in...well, a very long time. I don't mind telling you in the interests of that buying of trusts thing that I can and have, in fact I've been married a lot over the years, but I outlived them all."

"Damn, just how old ARE you?"

Harry smirked, "A lady never tells" he said in a joking manner.

"Had a feeling you wouldn't answer that." she admitted. "Ball park?"

"Old, VERY old, and recently I added a few miles to the clock thanks to an unforeseen side step right through the bloody universe and through time, not that it was horrible you know but try keeping a few thousand years straight in your head."

"Damn, and if you're free with that figure...damn"

"Brings it home huh," Harry smiled, "It surprisingly doesn't make a whole lot of difference you know. I refuse, absolutely to be .." he shivered, "OLD, and Mature" he said like it was he worst thing since reality TV. "I'd rather have fun and while I have a LOT of life experience I still make some of the same silly mistakes I made when I was your age, frankly I prefer it that way. I've met some people, even younger than me that felt they had seen and done it all! How BORING a view, there is ALWAYS something new and fresh and FUN! To Do you know, and I Love that. Took a while to get that into my head, but that was really a two way branch there, I hit a point and I realized, yeah...I ain't dying like any time soon, and I could've hated that, or I could embrace it...I think it's obvious which I did. So you know what, I AM a womaniser, to use a fairly uncomplimentary word, and no I don't have a lot of committed relationships, but I don't lie about that either. That is likely what Ward is talking about, and in the interests of our trust purchase deal I'll tell you that. Up to you if we explore the mutual interest or not, but I wouldn't let anything happen just yet anyway. Believe it or not I have some rules, and after our little training session Phi...Agent Coulson in his wisdom has decided that you're my rookie."

"I'm your what?"

"For as long as you're on this boat, it's up to me to teach you how to see the next day and, well I have SOME rules. If, eventually, you have interest in joining S.H.I.E.L.D I would officially be your SO, guide, training manual and all of the above, but right now I'm just the guy that'll try to keep your beautiful arse intact day to day, so get used to this face gorgeous you'll be seeing a lot of it."

"Yeah, don't HATE that." Skye chuckled. "They're not drinking," she said flicking her eyes around.

"Nice!" Harry smiled, "I'm happy you noticed that, but then you're a hacker, likely have trawled through thousands of lines of code looking for a bug on some hacks, or an exploit sometimes they aren't easy to see. I think that could be converted to an agency use." he smiled, "And no, not as a white hat hacker either, honestly it seems to me that any hackers that turn to white hat lose their edge if you ask me."

"I thought you didn't know so much about my thing, though you seemed to know a fair bit about the Rising Tide, I'll admit."

"Hold that thought and pass me the bottle Skye" Harry said, "I absolutely refuse what they are planning" he said taking the bottle off her as a guy lunged at him from behind.

Harry sensed him somehow, Skye didn't know how as she'd been so intent on Harry's eyes she'd not seen him coming either, and Harry had been facing the wrong way. The bottle smashed over the soldiers head in a rain of glass shards causing the nearby soldiers to leap into the fight. Harry merely turned to the side, somehow the pair jumping at him totally missed him, his hand snapped out, snagging one's ankle and amazingly enough hauled him into an entirely new direction slamming him hard into the wall that shuddered with the force and downed the guy entirely. As Harry was turning back from that the other had regained his footing and held a K-Bar to Skye's throat. Harry turned back to see him menacing Skye and Harry smiled a chilling smile, though he lifted his hands and stepped back. But punching Harry in the face wasn't the only thing that he and May had shown to Skye either, she slammed her foot onto the soldiers instep, then slammed her head back, a rather satisfying crunch and explosion of blood followed this move as well as the hold on her slackening. This was all Harry needed, he almost blurred from Skye's point of view, knocking the soldiers arm up and away from her entirely, punched the guy in the throat hard enough to break his neck, and yet not quite dropping him gurgling, out of the fight but not hard enough to do so permanently either. Then a twisting spin, his foot leading the way and the soldier was down, until a monitor came online and showed another of the Peru Government soldiers menacing Fitz with a combat knife.

"Shit" Skye said with feeling.

"Oh, I don't think so," Harry said pissed. Then he was just gone, there was not even a displacement of air, which reeled Skye's mind for a moment as she really focused to try to detect something this time. He reappeared on the monitor the knife soldier stiffened, his hand going slack from a precise strike to some point on his elbow from behind them a strong arm wrapped around his throat, pulling him off Fitz. The burly soldier outweighed Harry easily and yet was helpless under the strength of The Specialist and quickly flagged and eventually dropped to the floor. Then Harry was just gone again, and less than a minute later Harry walked out with Reyes and Coulson glaring at her.

"Seems I underestimated your team Phil" she said looking bemused.

Phil snorted, "Seems like." he said, giving Harry a nod, he'd been aware that hadn't been good, but it was also exactly WHY he'd wanted Harry along. He made solutions, in fact he pulled them out of his English ass more often than not, actually, he always did to Phil's knowledge.

616, En Route
The Next Night

Skye paused, finding she wasn't the only one. Harry was sat at the main sofa, card's flying around the room, flipping easily 6 foot up, all the way down one length of the lounge only to land directly back on the pack and then a cascade water fall that was twice as attractive and practiced as TV Magicians she'd seen who got paid for this stuff. Then he spun a card on his finger, flipped it around the index, fore and then around his thumb to lay flat back on the pack in a way it really shouldn't have done. Then finally he chuckled, "You guys can come in you know, I won't hit you if I don't aim at you, or you purposefully step into one's path." Harry said.

She and Jemma walked in, Skye amused, Jemma more Bemused. "What was that, it seems like an odd hobby for a Specialist, when did you get to practice it so well," Jemma asked.

"Prison" Harry replied easily enough.

"You know, card tricks I don't get, shanking someone, that I get, that's kind of normal, but learning card manipulation, that not so much" Skye said wryly.

"I never, in my entire life, have been - NORMAL" Harry said with a shudder. "Trust me I was BORN weird, glad of it really" he chuckled. "God, my relatives HATED that about me, but meh, I'm weird and still going, they are LONG gone." Harry noted.

Skye smirked, "Yeah...that's one way of saying it."

Harry chuckled, "Remind me Jemma to come down to the lab sometime for you to run some tests, medical science has advanced significantly since last I was tested and you my dear are a very bright spark, maybe you can figure it out. With my new...additions, I'm rather curious to know how I read anyway not been tested since I got back from my side trip."

"I'll give you a physical, but surely since you have an MD yourself.." Jemma trailed off her meaning clear.

"You know as well as I do that Doctor's make ROTTEN patients." Harry chuckled. "Besides, I'm not half as clever as you and my medical studies have always been focused on healing other people, that was - after all - the entire point, like I told you."

"I was wondering about that, with the Hippocratic Oath and everything." Jemma noted.

"Wait, you're really a doctor" Skye asked, "Medical Doctor?"

"Oh yes, many times," Harry said, "But I'm not currently qualified and that one I consider situational when it comes to oaths, and really what I do I consider a rather radical form of preventative amputation anyway." he smirkingly replied.

Skye snorted, Jemma even tittering slightly, "That's a rather...dark view if you don't mind me saying Harry" Jemma noted.

"I think at my age I'm allowed to be a little bit dark and strange at times, even callous if the situation calls for it" he said with a smile that was anything but any of those things.

"At your age?" Jemma asked, "You look no more than Skye and My Age, around 24 at most."

"Needless to say I am much more, you are aware I'm gifted, that one is rather an open secret, one I made sure was open, no one really knows what way I'm gifted though do they? Other than the teleportation thing, I can't help but use that after my incarceration, you have no idea how FREE it makes you feel, honestly I could've gotten out of there any time I wanted, but that really wasn't the point."

"Ahh, teleportation, I wasn't actually aware that was you know...true, I mean it seems rather fantastical actually." Jemma noted, "But I definitely want to run those tests now."

"Well I will warn you that previously no one has even been able to FIND what powers me, I know obviously but as beautiful as you are Jemma, I won't spill that one. I tried that once, I tell you being burned at the stake is rather an...unpleasant experience, of course they knocked me out at first, but trust me you wake up"

"That's horrible!" Skye said horrified.

"Oh don't worry, it didn't last very long before I put a stop to it. Needless to say they thought I was a witch," he said chuckled, "Entirely the wrong gender but there ya go!"

"That's...blase" Jemma noted.

"I've lost count of the ways people have tried to kill me sweet Doctor" Harry said seriously, "No one has ever quite managed it, I mean...obviously since here I am talking to you."

"So are you honestly telling me you're.." Jemma stalled.

"Go on, it gets easier to say the word with repetition, and honestly this is something I would like a solve to, if for no other reason than I wouldn't mind being able to share it you know." Harry said.

"Immortal, for real?"

"Yes, And while anyone here can know that, I am asking it stays in house and in return for that you get to do any and all tests you want, including destructive if you like since ya know, I'll heal from anything you do to me anyway. I wasn't lying, I would like to know how I am what I am, either to share it, or potentially put a stop to it. It's not all it's purported to be it has to be said. As I was telling Skye the other day I remain pretty positive I think but I do wonder just HOW long I'll last."

"Ahh" Skye said getting it, Jemma was the slow one for a change. "I think he's worried about you know...the end, and what happens then." she explained for the other woman.

"That's a staggering thought" Jemma admitted quite pale.

"Want to find out how to live that long, well" he spread his arms, "Have at it. Seriously Medical science has come a long way, but on my little side trip I've met more advanced cultures and I'll say it now, they couldn't figure it out. But if you ask me there is a hell of a lot to be said for HUMAN ingenuity. Wisest race I met are millennia more advanced than us, but honestly I see us being well ahead of them in half the time, they weren't terribly...innovative. They could do some impressive things for sure, but what Humans learn daily and our drive to learn, I've never really seen it matched by any of the races I met during that time. Some were close, but none better. Now if we can just stop killing each other we have hope."

"No offence Harry, said a man that kills for a living." Skye said.

Jemma looked at her sharply.

"No, no, she's quite right, I do. I'm the one they send in when it's all gone to hell, which is why I wanted to come here, well that and a personal reason, I get to hopefully STOP that shit for a change in a way that's not so bad for my soul. But like I said earlier I honestly think my job is a rather radical surgeon, cutting out infection before it gets out of hand. Like with Mike, I would've killed him there and then if I'd had to, but I much preferred that he calmed the hell down and Ace got to keep his dad. So no good looking at her like that, me and Skye are adopting a very honest relationship going forward, generally I'm a fairly honest person anyway, I'm too old for dealing with shit like lying to people, keeping track of WHO I lied to and told what lie. I'm far more likely to upset someone with a harsh truth than I am to tell a nice lie because I am a lazy old man I suppose."

Skye laughed, "Anyway I felt that was kind of hypocritical, now he's explained it.. not so much."

"When humans stop being horrible to each other I'll put down my weapon and pick up my MD and spend my days healing the sick, and I'd love that, in the mean time...I can't, sad fact, the world needs men like me and god I wish that wasn't true. Hell, screw world the UNIVERSE needs men like me right now. There are far more advanced cultures out there and I met quite a few but it doesn't stop war, Kree amazingly advanced race, war like as hell!"

"That's...sad really" Jemma noted. "But I will take you up on your offer all the same, if we can somehow chart your healing at the very least it could open many possibilities."

"Here's hoping, but do me a favour I don't want to be a lab rat again, so in house yeah?"

"You have my word Harry"

"Thanks Doc Beautiful" Harry said making Jemma blush.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 4: Chapter 03 - Sending up a Flare

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

AN: Right, well so far I've mostly stuck to canon, originally I was going to throw OUT Ward, but then I realized I need him, not so much now but later. But I'm already fed up with Canon, and really this is Harry, he's got a talent for getting into whacky danger even weirder than Coulson and the team usually manage, so this is where I leave Canon and go my own way. The major event's won't change a lot, I intend to try to keep those going while also working a story line of my own invention, needless to say Hydra will be involved, but not as it appears in the first few seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, more what was shown much later, and then not as much as I'd've liked to have seen.

By the way I'm trying to write this for NaNoWriMo, so far it's the 9th.

S.H.I.E.L.D 616, Ops
Two Days Later

Harry and his currently never missing shadow of Skye walked into the Ops centre of the bus, just as May did a radical change of course making them stumble a little. Coulson as unruffled as ever gave one of his unassuming smiles of welcome and Harry titled his head.

"Alright, what's wrong?" he said, "I know you, I know that look it's covering a decidedly oh-shit situation."

Phil chuckled, "Yes, perhaps Fury got in contact direct to me with a mission that's in your line, not so much the oh shit button as you call it, but the mystical that you also deal with for us."

"Mystical" Skye said with an amused tone.

"You don't have to believe it's real," Harry said, "All you have to do is keep an open mind to the possibility that it is and know for sure that other people believe in it and like anything spiritual and belief based they will do anything in the pursuit of their faith/belief."

"Now that I understand" Skye said with a serious nod.

"He always did have a good way of explaining that," Phil noted, "But from me to you Skye I will also say don't forget the FIRST thing he said there, keeping you mind open thing. I've been on this sort of mission with Harry before, and in this HE'S the boss, because...let's just say he knows how to deal with it, and I've seen things.."

"Imagine for a moment that magic is real" Harry said turning to Skye, "I see you smirking, but this is just a mental exercise, we've done a few of those already so indulge me."

Skye straightened her face, "Alright, so Magic is real."

"Now have you watched a fantasy movie, played an RPG, or even Dungeons and Dragons, something like that."

"Who hasn't, except that last one, that's a real geek thing."

"Charming, I love the source books more than playing though I'll admit," Harry smirked, "But as you might imagine I have a lot of time to read. So you have SOME idea of what magic is capable of then, seen it somewhat in action realize just how damned powerful it could be?"

"Yeah...scary really."

"Okay, now imagine it's MORE powerful, like...so much more powerful okay. Now in everyday life you meet people who hunger for power, the best parking spot, the nicest car, they want the best job, the biggest pay check, power by any other name, if not for anything but looking down on those with less than you, power and hungering after it. Got where I'm going with this, now imagine the ultimate power being magic that could say...give you virtually anything you ever wanted and more besides, imagine for a moment just how awful people are when in pursuit of THAT sort of power when compared to Joe and Jane Average and their petty squabbles over their power. Take that to an extreme and that's what those that hunger after magical power are like to the nth degree. So, imagine that just a moment then take away that magic is real, but keep that they BELIEVE magic is real...see the difference?"

"Not really" Skye said confused.

"Exactly, it doesn't matter if it's real or not, humans, or otherwise hunger after it, dream of it, desire it stronger than any woman or man and will do ANYTHING to get it, even if it turns out to be for nothing. That's the sort of cases I work, now most of the time that turns out to be relatively harmless, some bauble that's SAID to have power, but now put BACK in that magic, in SOME form exists and that's what Phil is talking about."

Skye shivered, and not just the words, but at the intensity of the man. "So what you're really saying is, that ninety percent we go we find nothing."

"99% really" Harry said, "But..." he said leadingly.

"There's that 1% when it's real, is what you're saying that magic DOES exist."

"S.H.I.E.L.D will decry that," Phil said, "I will outright do the same, company line is magic doesn't exist."

"And yet..." Skye said leadingly.

"You seem to be somewhat Harry's apprentice, not sure how that happened, but he's taken you under his wing. Harry always has a reason for the things he does, even if that reason is the very worrying reason of 'I'm Bored'." Phil said a sparkle of amusement, "I think he intends to take you with him on this mission."

"I intend to take you all" Harry said, "I'm a member of this team, right?"

"For sure, you don't usually work with people though,"

"As you said, I have done, and let's say...there's a tingle to Skye" Harry said tossing the woman herself a wink.

Skye laughed, "You think I can do magic?" she said then snorted, "I can't believe that word came out of my mouth in a serious sentence."

"With that attitude...not on your life can you," Harry said, "Let's see which type of mission this is, and then after...ask me again."

"Your face is way to serious for the words you just said." Skye noted wryly.

En-Route to Ithaca, Greece
Two Day's Later

The entire team was ensconced on a small fishing boat they had rented for the duration. The island itself wasn't really big enough to field an airstrip capable of taking the Bus even with the VTOL abilities, the weight being the limiting factor there so they had chartered a boat and gathered their gear, most of which Harry had tolerantly told them might not help them.

Skye and Harry were up at the prow, beautiful Mediterranean sun in their faces which were moist with spray, the sea itself was deep rich blue and glass like that day and Skye wasn't hating the way her life was going. She'd barely travelled America before this and now she was in a totally different part of the world. Albeit likely on a snark hunt, onto the trail of some mythical signs the nearest branch of S.H.I.E.L.D. had flagged but all the same she liked the team, Harry especially, the warm sun was sunning her and life was pretty good currently.

"I hope you keep that smile," Harry said for her ears alone, "Trouble with these missions, and the reason I usually do them on my own is the real ones aren't great for a logical mind. Now normally that would stop FitzSimmons coming right off the bat, but they are both highly inventive people used to thinking outside of the box, if somewhat constrained by science, Phil has seen weird, May...worse and you my dear LIVE outside the box. The only one I would normally have wanted left behind is Ward, but you know my thoughts there already."

"I can handle a snark hunt" Skye said teasingly.

"I read the file, don't be so sure this is one," Harry said, "You learn to pick up on certain identifiers and I am recently from a culture far more advanced than ours that still uses and believes in magic, I've run a lot of mystical missions in the last few.." he leaned in, "Thousands of years. You pick shit up ya know"

She laughed at the expression and tone he'd used there, "So what's this about me having a tingle."

"Might have nothing to do with magic, might be something else for all I know, latent magic is a bitch to sense. Tends to be easily confused with other energy based gifts, and before you say no way...explain to me your fascination with the gifted a moment if you would?"

"I dunno really, just interested me, and yeah sure I felt like maybe there was more to life and the gifted proved that to me, didn't mean I thought I was gifted, in fact I really ain't."

"Ahh, so sad that such an intelligent girl is blind to humanities GREATEST gift you have in such plentiful supply my dear Skye."

"Okay, I think I'm insulted by the condescending tone there" Skye said with the eyebrow of doom raised.

"Intelligence, do you not remember me saying how SPECIAL humans are for human ingenuity, and I dare you to tell me I do not have a perspective that allows me to make that a firm statement." Harry said seriously, "And don't DARE tell me you're not intelligent."

"I dropped out of high-school, I don't even HAVE a GED."

"Tests, qualifications are a fair indication of intelligence used by the majority of the modern world but it's not a be all and end all either. Tell me did you crack the RSA implementation or not?"

"I did."

"Use a script?"

"For that, you kidding?"

"Do I really have to shove your face in the point I'm making here? That crappy laptop of yours, you I believe said you won in a bet, is not remotely powerful enough to crack that encryption, so therefore how'd you do it?"

"I dunno, just seem to be good at that stuff."

"So in your head is what you're avoiding saying, it's nice that you're modest Skye but you must also be proud of your accomplishments too and your skills, sure it came easy but it doesn't mean you aren't highly intelligent for being able to do it. If you applied yourself your intelligence can be made to work for you in a myriad of ways. I am of, middling intelligence, just off genius level IQ wise, but trust me I make it work for me, I've cracked technology millennia in advance of our own, I can crunch encryption in my head and for why...because I learned to apply what I've got to what I want to apply it to, just because you're good at one thing doesn't mean the intelligence required can't be applied in OTHER ways."

"Well if nothing else you're good for my ego."

Harry chuckled, "Either way stick close during this, do me a favour keep an eye on Ward too, I won't be able to watch him if it goes sideways, you watch him for me, bring my attention if it looks like he's going to freak okay."

"Okay, I can do that, but I kind of don't want to give the wrong impression either."

"Oh?"

"I think he urh...likes me, not you know me, but the way I look"

"Ahh, well I'm sure a woman as attractive as you is used to dealing with men who you aren't interested in."

"Well...I suppose, thanks I think." Skye chuckled.

Harry suddenly shot bolt upright, holding his hands out ahead of him, out over the side above the water, his eyes intent, and Skye noticed with a tiny glow that made them brighter than ever. He looked over at Phil and gave him a solemn nod, Coulson gave one back and did a side bar with May, then Harry looked at Skye, "This...this isn't a snark hunt" he said seriously.

Wilds of Ithaca
Later

"Olea europaea" Simmons said, "European Olive"

"And this one is purported to be over 1500 years old," Harry said stepping up with Skye as seemed to be a new commonality, close by.

"Yes, it's quite fascinating really, this entire island is steeped in history and made somewhat famous by Homers Odyssey." Fitz said, "Though that is perhaps not truly historically accurate."

"Either way this settlement is said to go back to the Bronze Age" May said reading her tablet.

"It's said magic was more common in such times, if one were to believe that sort of thing" Harry said with a tiny smile as he walked right up to the tree and carefully laid his hand on it. "Come 'ere" he said to Skye, "Put your hand next to mine, do you...feel anything?"

"This close to you Harry I always feel something" she said with feeling.

Surprisingly enough it was May who snorted in humour, Jemma just going rather pink.

"Yeah, yeah, you're a smart ass and funny, now indulge me"

"That's twice now, you already owe me one" Skye said but did indeed do as she was asked.

"Feel it?"

"What am I supposed to feel, it's hot, rough cuz of the bark.." she trailed off looking at him, then went wide eyed, "Wait is it vibrating?"

He smiled, "No cars for miles around, no people either. So...here's the rub my dear, what the hell is making it vibrate, now if the ground is doing it to we're fine.." he said leadingly, only for Skye to duck down laying her hand flat on the floor and pause.

"Nope, steady as well...the Earth"

"You know the world is rotating at thousands of miles per hour, not that good an example, just saying" Fitz noted.

"God bless gravity" Harry noted wryly. "So come up here, touch the tree again, then try to feel a little more for me. The way you're describing things I am thinking something other than what I mentioned, so I'm curious as to your take here?"

Skye obliged him again, vowing to get him to oblige her at some point, she wasn't so sure she had a problem with his lack of commitment thing right then. "You do that, I'm going to go feel up this other tree" Harry said walking away.

"I feel like such a fool, but it is definitely vibrating, it's the only word for it" Skye said with a chagrined expression on her face.

Jemma walked up laying her hand near Skye's. A moment later she said, "Dunno, I can't feel anything."

Skye let her hand drop, "Probably imagining things after Harry's weird ass speech earlier."

Phil shook his head, "Harry will be disappointed if you don't even TRY." he noted.

This got Skye's hand back on the tree sharpish.

"There's never shame in failure" Phil said, "But you'll fail less if you try first"

Skye nodded, "Like I said it seems to be vibrating to me, deep, very deep like into the Earth itself." she said, "It feels..."

"Scared" Harry said walking back.

"Yeah.." Skye said her face twisting in confusion, "That's...what was that?"

"I'll explain later, and to be honest when I figure that out myself. Now I need a compass."

"I can get you a heading on my tablet" Fitz offered.

"That's great, but I need an actual compass, come on Phil, all the old world gadgetry you like and you've not got an actual compass?" Harry asked. Phil shook his head, he looked around to a lot of shaken heads, "Well that's not so dire, you have a lot of equipment Leo, can't you MAKE me one please? I need to head into the forest here for some supplies, it shouldn't take you long to jury rig me a pin compass, here" he said reaching into Skye's hair and pulling a clip, then breaking off a tooth of one of her hair clips.

"Hey, could've asked."

"I'll buy you more, these are for shit anyway, you're hair looks great down." Harry said, "So...you know how to do that, or do I go to your science class at school and burn it to the ground."

Fitz laughed, "I was also a boy scout."

"Dib, dib, dib mate, you do that me and She'll be back." Harry said, taking Skye's hand and leading her away.

"Meanwhile, I think I know what he has planned, at least the edges of it, so set up a perimeter" Phil said to May and Ward.

Deeper into the Forest
A Moment Later

"So," Harry said with a disarming smile, "I brought you here under somewhat false pretenses."

"Oh yeah" Skye said her eye's lighting up.

"Steady Tiger," Harry chuckled at the eager look in her deep brown eyes, "No I wanted to introduce you to a local actually but you need to know how to react."

"Urh...this sounds worryingly like something I'm not sure I want to know."

"You've been chasing stories of gifted from one end of the net to the other, but I don't think you have any idea of how deep the well goes Skye. Now you really don't want to know, back out now and I won't say another word about it, if you're curious to really plumb those depths, just remember to stay calm, make no sudden movements and let me do the talking." he said then stopped and looked at her steadily.

She visibly braced herself and gave him a nod. Harry shot a smile at her that had her feeling damned good about herself, then called out, "Melina, it's me and the friend I mentioned, Skye. Do you have what I asked for?"

At first Skye thought he was talking to a tree, only the tree grew a body, then legs, then two more legs and a fawn like body, half was a strikingly attractive female, the lower half was fawn like and still quite attractive. "Melina is a dryad" Harry said, "Don't worry she can understand you through me," Harry said, "If you wanted to say hi or something."

Skye gave herself a shake, "Urh...Hi"

"Hello, Skye it is pleasing to meet you" Melina said with a friendly, beautiful smile on her face. As noted from the waist up she was a rather beautiful woman, quite young looking but mature enough for a figure which she covered with a rather leafy vest.

"Likewise," Skye said smiling, "We're in Greece, I'm surprised you speak English."

Melina looked confused, "I do not know this word?"

"She's not, in short. You're touching me and via me you understand her, and she understands you. Little trick I picked up on my side trip. Quite annoying really I spend most of my life learning all the languages I can, to then learn one single language that means I can speak and understand ANY language. It's called unimaginatively All-Speak." Harry said, "it allows me to communicate with ANYONE, no matter the language they speak, and for them to understand me and anyone I grant the ability via touch like now with you. Melina was gathering a few things for me, and she was going to hopefully tell me a bit about what's happening around here."

A small wicker basket was handed over, "There you are Harry" Melina said with a face full of attraction.

"Thank you kindly, now...tell all dear, tell all."

Camp, Olive Tree
Three Hours Later

"You were too" they heard Skye saying, laughter in her voice.

"I assure you I had no intention of...frolicking with her, and anyway that's nymphs" Harry said also with laughter in his tone. They broke the tree line behind the ancient olive tree they had camped at and shot them a smile, "Sorry that took so long."

"He was frolicking" Skye said with humour aplenty.

"I was doing no such thing."

"Urh...okay," Jemma said, "No Frolicking gotcha, but...where'd you get the basket?"

Harry lifted it, "Just some materials for a little...experiment on the environment, you make me that compass Leo"

"Of course" Fitz said, and like Melinda May and being called Mel by Harry, Harry was the only one that called him Leo instead of Fitz.

"Good good, yes," Harry said taking a look, "That's perfect, now Grant my man, you look like you do more than a few pull ups, fancy doing me a favour?"

"That depends," Ward said with a slight smile.

"I need you to climb that tree, high as you dare, getting me the newest sprout of leaf you can reach," Harry said, "So all the way at the top, but don't put yourself at risk, newer better sure, but it'll work a little less than brand new all the same."

"Urh...okay" Ward said after a glance a Coulson who gave him a nod.

"If you're doing what I think you're doing.." Phil said warningly looking at FitzSimmons warily.

"It's chemistry, little physics that's all" Harry said, "Admittedly in a way they won't have seen before and it'll look archaic as all hell, but it Is science, just not...mainstream" Harry said to the two now wary themselves scientists.

"Fringe Science?"

"If you like Leo" Harry said agreeably, "Now you might want to decry me to your test tube religion after this bit of 'Fringe' science, but trust me it works."

Fitz nodded slowly, "okay, always interested in new science."

"And it will be to you, but in reality it's very, VERY, old science" Harry said seriously, "Practiced on Earth back before that tree was a sparkle in its daddy's eye."

"How do you know it then, I mean if it's that old" Fitz Asked.

Harry flashed a smile and Phil groaned, "You really just don't give a shit do you." he commented.

"I was around back then, that's how Leo my man, now...ahh that's the stuff Grant, thanks" Harry said as Ward walked back to hear that and handed over a youngish looking fresh bunch of leaves.

"You were what?" Fitz said loudly.

"Shh, he wants that in house" Simmons shushed her partner, "Not spread across the Greek countryside"

"I told you I wouldn't lie to the team," Harry said off Coulson's look.

"It does explain how you've not aged since the day I met you" May noted, not overly worried by her tone.

"It does, doesn't it. But like the beautiful Simmons noted, I WANTED you, the team, to know this, but anyone else - no way. Honestly someone will want to experiment on me and really that leads to a rather useless occupation, no one has YET figured out how I do it the long lived thing." Harry said, "I'm hoping Jemma, and maybe you Fitz can help with that and I'll do any testing you want, but...only you guys."

Fitz nodded, glancing at Jemma who had a gleam in her eyes he knew well. If they could figure it out the medical applications alone were worth the secrecy right now. Ward nodded as they looked at him, while internally taking keen note of what Harry was admitting here.

Harry took the large cup of his water supply, pouring some water into it, clicking his fingers it suddenly started to boil much to FitzSimmons shock. He crushed up the leaves, rolling, tearing and then seemingly dicing them with economical movements of his hands before reaching into the basket and sprinkling various obviously forest sourced herbs and other plant based product.

He waved his hands over the concoction and it turned green, then another click his arms crossed over each other it burst into a foot high flame, uncrossed and clicked again and it died off.

"Nice trick" Fitz said, "But I've seen what Magicians can do, and Jemma was telling me you learned magic"

Harry shot him a very 'I knew you'd say that' look, then took the compass, pouring a tiny amount of the solution from his concoction into the water it was balanced on. It had obviously been facing north and then suddenly spun like a top, and when it was settled was pointing off to what would be due east. "Ah HA, glad that worked the other bit of 'archaic science' I know required sheep guts"

"He's...not serious, right Jemma?" Fitz said almost pleadingly.

Harry smiled, "Did I break you, or are we good?" he said a grin on his face, his eyes knowing they were handling it currently.

"But,...Magic! Magic's just a word for science we don't understand yet." Fitz pleaded.

"I believe you," Harry said, "I truly do, I believe you and people like you will one day understand what I just did in scientific terms and maybe be able to duplicate some of what I can do." Harry told him making him much calmer, "Until then Magic is just as good a word as any, right?"

"Okay, for the sake of argument I can accept that." Fitz said.

"Or like I said Archaic science, in that case what I just did wasn't much more than a simple chemical formula imbibed as we are agreeing to use, an energy form known as magic right now. Honestly it wasn't much more complicated than a cooking recipe to be honest, there are far worse with some steps that don't make a lot of sense, but I've never had much time for the heavy duty...chemistry of what we're arguably calling magic. That...that I can do in my sleep, hell half dead likely, tiny amount of energy for some radical results. All the ingredients combined with a little extra oomf get me a compass that can sense that energy. Nothing too it, similar to how a magnet works in the first place."

"What about the boiling water, cuz that had to be ACTUAL magic" Skye said wide eyed.

"That impressed you, that's hilarious since it wasn't even magic" Harry chuckled, "Sure I added a click, I call it a mnemonic trigger that, nothing more. I literally used a touch of Telekinesis to excite the molecules in the water to bring it to boil. And anyone can learn telekinesis it's not that hard, well okay it takes some serious study to get going and got...patience before you see results but magic...I should coco"

"You're a telekinetic, TOO" Jemma said.

"Really, it's not that exciting, you have a lot of 10,000 hours in my life, you pick shit up. Honestly with time and dedication and FOCUS, anyone can do that." Harry said, "Now...there is a large source of magic, for want of a better term, in that direction and that's where we need to head, but it's getting dark and mystic nonsense it's not best done in dark times of the day, well actually it is, which is exactly why we won't be stumbling around at night into something we're not expecting."

"You're taking this very laid back May" Jemma noted.

"I've...seen things, work long enough so will you, hell you just did and that was just Harry making use of what others use for so much bad I shouldn't wonder." May said seriously.

"Harry was explaining how humans hunger after power and in some ways magic is ultimate in that, so I don't think you're wrong there May" Skye said seriously. "I didn't believe magic was REAL before like, right now...but I did believe that people hungered after it all the same."

"We should camp down" Phil said commandingly. "Get an early start in the morning."

They all set to that.

The Next Day

Harry stood on the top of a hill over looking the sea which lay out before him like a gem encrusted carpet of rich blue.

"It's beautiful" Skye, who was as usual close and particularly that mission.

"Not a patch on you Luv" Harry said looking at her with a slight smile, then turned back before she showed how that affected her. "The compass is leading to the coast line, cliffs so likely we'll be dealing with a cave, it usually is in these sorts of locations." he said with a small smile. "I just really hope there aren't zombies, or worse...demonic ninja, I get really tired of cutting through swathes of ninja" he said wistfully. "I don't understand how they got so popular, their fighting skills and swordsmanship was a far second to a samurai you know, stealth, covert, that was all their bag, but some how they got so popular that for many ages now they are seen as the ultimate in bad ass."

"You know what tickles me about that rant. You were likely IN feudal Japan and know that first hand." Skye said musingly.

"Well, sure I was, not that I ascribed to any particular lord of course, Ronan really back then. I dunno what it is about me Skye I can't help but get in fights, no matter where I go or what I'm doing, I end up in a bloody fight." he chuckled.

"I'd imagine you don't lose many" she noted, "Not any more at least."

"Not so much, depends on your definition of lose really, I win just about all the fights I'm in, but sometimes I look at the room, battlefield, hell more that I just beat and I think...was it REALLY worth all that death and destruction." he said in a slightly more somber tone of voice.

"You're here, so yeah - I think it was." Skye said.

Harry turned to her looking rather shocked, a slight smile on his face.

"Don't make it a thing" she said jogging her hip into his side.

Harry smiled, "Either way that's about ten miles," he looked down, "Heeled combats, could be worse" he noted, "For shame you're not in heels, of the many inventions of mankind a pair of stilettos may well be my favorite of them all." he smirked at her.

"Sure, sure, take me to a club or something and I'll maybe have a reason to you know...own a pair."

"That's just a crime" Harry said with feeling, he turned back waving the rest up, then as Phil, Ward and May got to him first he pointing unerringly to a cove that was just visible from there, "That's where we're headed, lay money on it. Compass only says that direction, but I've walked this path before so to speak."

"I don't think we should be totally going on your gut" Ward said, "Not trying to be rude here, but I'd like a little more proof and not just some hocus pocus, but actual proof."

Harry smiled, "I thought you'd be the one to say that," he said agreeably, "Got you sat phone on you mate?"

"Sure, who do I call, get a sat reading or something of the area."

"Geological would be nice, but that's not what I want you to see. Just...look at your phone, this close I think there's something to see" Harry said.

They ALL brought out their sat phones, all of which were acting very strangely and had VERY low signal strength. "Here Boss man, pass me yours" Harry said, then Phil handed it over and he waved his hand over it, mumbling and it snapped back to action. "You too May, you're second in command, and a back up." And May did the same.

"What about me?" Grant asked.

"That's more taxing than it looks," Harry said, "And frankly I think I'm going to need my strength, this feels...wrong" he said, "And yes that's purely my gut speaking, but as you saw from your phones there is a high concentration of something affecting electromagnetic signals here, and it'll only get worse the closer we get. The fact it was that bad this far away, that's not a good sign and this time I ask you trust that very old gut."

Ward nodded, "Okay, at least you had some evidence to back your claim."

Harry nodded agreeably at him.

Later, Cove

"What'd I tell ya Luv?" Harry said chuckling as they stood before a dark, dank looking cave the entrance was rather large and very, in fact ominously dark.

"You called it Harry" Skye chuckled.

"What's this?" Ward asked.

"Harry made mention that if the source was at the coast, then it was likely a cave, given the terrain." Skye noted with amusement.

"Well, stands to reason, but I imagine he has a lot of experience" Jemma noted.

Ward nodded his agreement, "I suppose so."

"Something's not right" Fitz said.

They all looked, playing torches over the entrance.

"Oh, Oh, the torches aren't going in far enough." Skye said.

Harry shot her an admiring smile, "What I tell ya, good eye girl, I do admire your eyes."

"Not half as much as I do yours Harry" she flirted back.

"Flirt" Harry chuckled.

"Oh no" May said bumping up next to him, "She's right there"

Harry chuckled, "Mel...you're a married woman!" he said in mock horror.

May made a face, "Not any more"

"Oh...shit, open mouth insert foot, tell you what when this is done we'll have a drink and you can tell me what Andrew did" Harry said.

"It wasn't his fault."

"Mel! You're a woman, it's ALWAYS the man's fault" Harry chuckled, "Right let's see what you're about then, everyone take a step back, apprentice stand with me would you, I need a hand here."

"It's a start" Skye mentioned with a sexy smile.

Harry chuckled, "This is a pebble beech, grab a few and start chucking them at the mouth of the cave while I...well take readings really, science twins, you might want to do that too, it's why you're here really."

Various devices were pointed, and Harry held up a hand, "Ready" Skye asked, "and by throw you mean?"

"Hard, soft and everything in between, let's see what we're dealing with" Harry said.

Skye began to throw a variety of sizes, shapes and speeds into the mouth of the cave and Harry was already smiling, FitzSimmons were looking confused though.

"What?" Phil asked them.

"It's like they just...stop existing the other side of the entrance" Simmons said perplexed.

"I haven't seen one of these in a LONG time, cool!" Harry said with a large smile.

"Harry, seen what?" Skye asked, "I can't see the rocks land either, it's TOO dark the other side really."

"That's because this...is a fake, the pebbles are being basically atomized. It's a damned good job none of us went further than this point. It's a red herring designed to remove threats. Go for the big obvious entrance and miss the likely more subtle true one" Harry said, stepping back and bringing Skye with him by a guiding hand on her arm. "Science Twins, take all the readings you want, but no further than right here!" he said firmly. "I'm going to well, do something you can't yet replicate as I suspect the real entrance is hidden from the naked eye."

They nodded, "Not that it's helping us much," Fitz said in frustration.

"I truly believe one day people like you will do as I said yesterday, but that doesn't mean I think it'll be anytime soon either," Harry smirkingly replied, then turned away. Jemma just catching his eyes suddenly seemingly getting much brighter.

"Oh Wow" Skye said, who he was now facing.

"Stead tiger" Harry chuckled, striding around with purpose, inspecting the walls of the cliff around them in the surrounding area.

"How about you indulge me and just let me enjoy this" Skye said semi-seriously.

"You urh...knock yourself out luv," Harry said with a small smile.

Skye did just that, she was going rather head over heels for Harry. For a plethora of reasons, including an innate feeling of rightness to being in his presence, mutual physical attraction and just a sense that being with him that way was the best thing in her life she could do. She had concerns and reasons for not doing it, or...that, but they seemed to being shouted down by the increasing attractors that drew her to him like a moth to the flame. But that was just the thing, like the proverbial moth she was somewhat scared of burning up in his fire. None of which didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the view of his already spectacular eyes glowing more than usual, a dim glow of what had to be magic slowly getting brighter in his already strangely deep and detailed irises. There was always a weight to his gaze, a power of it own, like you could sense the power of the man by his eyes alone, and that was just enhanced to the nth degree currently.

"AHHHH HA!" he said suddenly smiling in a way that damn near made her swoon, even May groaned a little at THAT smile. He was classically good looking, though so was Ward, but there was just more to Harry that made him somehow impossibly attractive in looks, attitude and perhaps that power was a heady addition to his damned allure. "SNEAKY bastards." he said eyeing what looked like a hair line crack in an already craggy cliff face.

"I don't see anything." Skye noted.

"I would be surprised if you could, but for experimentations sake, put you hand here, next to mine." Harry said putting his hand on the wall.

After the tree and the strange feelings there-in and him now proving the existence of something worthy of being called magic she was willing to take a lot Harry said on faith. "What do you feel, what do the vibrations tell you Skye?" he asked looking at her intently.

"Well, you're right I feel a vibration again, this is a weird feeling though, oddly...furtive, and straining like it's holding something back." Skye said sounding out her feelings and interpreting them wasn't the easiest thing in the word, but Coulson's words came back to her, and she at least tried.

"That's a pretty good summation actually," Harry said.

"You feel that too?" Skye asked.

"No, not the same way and mine's a little more clear probably just practice there though, give it time and you'll learn to distinguish a lot." Harry said, "That vibration thing, it's yours, unique to you here, and perhaps linked to something inside of you, just waiting for the right moment. That's not to say you can't make some use of it now though." Harry said, "I've met...wow, a lot of gifted and like I said there is a tingle to you." Harry said seriously.

"Perhaps some tests?" Jemma said, "If Skye is willing."

"On the same deal as Harry?" Skye asked cautiously.

Jemma looked at Coulson, who smiled and nodded a little, so Jemma turned back with one of her bright, knock out smiles, "Seems like we have a deal and you never know we might, or might not find anything at all. I mean a tingle is a little...subjective." Jemma said carefully.

Harry chuckled, "Yes - I suppose it is rather isn't it? Okay stand back, that feeling of holding something back, I'd say because THIS is the entrance, so I'm going to open it, and amusingly enough we're going to WALK into a crack in the wall."

"And break our noses?" Fitz said confused.

"Ahh Physics, so immutable aren't they?" Harry said with a hugely teasing smile.

"Well...yes," Fitz said seriously.

Harry's smile was positively wicked and one of Skye's legs actually bowed into the other at the sight of it. Jemma was rather pink too.

Without looking away from Fitz, still with the wickedly teasing smile on his face Harry lifted his hand palm facing the wall and the crack there-in, "Get your instrument's ready, I'm honestly hoping you somehow record what's going to happen, not teasing here, I really do. I recently visited a culture who worked with magic like another technology, I don't see why we can't do the same." Harry said honestly. "You ready Leo?"

"Go for it, Jemma a hand maybe," he mumbled, "If you've stopped drooling" to himself. Fitz lifted his multispectral sensor tablet then a bright electric blue beam of light shot out of Harry's palm. At first that's all Fitz thought it was, light, but as he looked past his readings, not showing much, he saw the crack getting wider and wider. He figured Harry would bring the cliff down on them, but oddly the surrounding rock didn't seem to be shifting at all, which was against the laws of physics and probably explained that wicked smile of Harry's. "Here we go, grab your gear people I can only hold it a short while, this sounds crazy but run into the space I've made, contrary to what you believe there will be PLENTY of room in there." he said, "Go, go, go" he jived them and they all rushed through. Then Harry dropped his hand the gap already closing up, and he sauntered carelessly through in time for it to near cut off a buttock behind him.

"I suppose you think you're cool" Skye said with a grin.

Harry tossed her a wink, then let out a low whistle. "Not a bad place" he said with a grin.

"A cave system, going in land I'd guess." Fitz said.

"Yes, but a rather beautiful one, that's some form of light emitting moss I would imagine, but the way it's laying on the stalactites and mites is rather beautiful. Can I take a sample do you think."

"Glove protocol," Harry said, "But I invite you do to so otherwise, just use proper containment, some magical flora well...it's positively sentient." Harry chuckled, "Not so much here, but where I'm from some of it was damned right vicious."

Jemma nodded, taking tweezers and the black gloves of S.H.I.E.L.D. standard issue with Fitz' help gathering several samples.

Skye sidled up to him, "So it's not a cave" she said sounding sure, "I dunno how I know that, trusting that vibration feeling you seemed to have helped me discover that you know...had no idea I had."

"Good, good, it's a natural instinct Skye and those nine times out of ten can be trusted to lead you true. The thing that fucks up the tenth is human doubt thought clouding the issue until doubt sets in, or occasionally because something is designed to specifically trick those senses." Harry said, "Mel, would you mind keeping a close eye on Ward" he said softly, Ward was looking around the whites of his eyes showing.

She nodded sidling closer to the obviously mildly freaking out Ward.

"You were right" Skye noted, "You've like five for five so far."

"I'm not always right, god...that'd be boring, but I'm not often wrong either when it comes to humans." Harry said, "That said sometimes they can surprise you." he chuckled. "Glad they do really" he noted, then tilted his head, then looked at his magical compass, it was spinning wildly. "No help there then, well - time to listen to my own advice I guess. Come on guys we're going...that'a way." he said striding off.

Harry brought them to a stand still, holding his fingers to his lips, then an airy movement of his hand cast a dead feeling around the team, "I hear chanting" he said sounding more serious than they knew him to usually act. "That's never a good sign, and this is where I go do my thing, and you guys hang back. No!" he said holding up a hand to forestall any argument, "This is what I do because generally speaking only I can survive it, if you want to help, make sure none of them get out this way. From the voices I'd say no more than fifteen and honestly I'm not so interested in canon fodder okay, so you guys if you get a shot, ice them...hey - that's a way better name Leo, Icer...but that's besides the point, look.. Skye I see that determined look, give it ten years of dedicated training and I'd let you in that room, right now to be honest you'd be more hindrance than help."

Skye glared at him.

"And me?" May said.

"Mop up the slime Mel, that'd really help usually the canon fodder tends to get away, sometimes though not often that can cause problems down the line." Harry said, "so it WOULD help for you guys, you and Ward specifically to do that. Magic users generally don't know what to do with a physical fight, bullet's and .. Icers," he winked at Fitz, "will be stopped, in fact the inertial force will strengthen the shield weirdly enough though, fist or foot likely will be moving below their shields threshold."

May nodded, glancing at where Ward was looking a little better, "Science guy and Gal...do readings, why not you might learn something" Harry said, then with no further ado turned and strode off. Skye shot behind him, but as requested she went no further, watching, learning, and worried as all hell she'd admit to herself.

"Oi..." Harry said in a course version of his usual accent, "You got a permit for this ritual, the magic circle requires all class three .." he paused looking at the sigils burned on to the floor and the lines of the ritual, "Demonic empowerments to be registered with the proper authorities."

Fifteen ruby cloaked figures turned, and one black higher up taller and more imposing also turned and just stared open mouthed at him. "I'm sorry, I don't make the rules fella's, you're going to have to disburse until you file the proper paper work and then you can go back to your end of the world plans. I have copies in triplicate if you'd like me to help you fill them in." he flashed a wide smile, "It's what I'm here for after all, your service with the magic touch."

Skye was no more aghast than the people he was talking to, but she had to admit he had truly stalled the whatever the hell they were doing.

She knew at any moment they would snap back into action, likely kill him where he stood but of all the odd things it WAS working!

He continued to get closer, still smiling harmlessly, "They're much more simple than they used to be, modernization you know. No more than five hundred pages for this form."

One of the stooges patted down his pockets, "Oh don't worry I've got plenty of pens," Harry said opening his jacket, then made a sweeping motion, "Well...quills" he said his eyes turning as dark as his tone as suddenly actual quills, from a bird, shot out of his jacket and impaled four of the fifteen goons before they had chance to realize they were being attacked.

"FOOLS, ATTACK" the main honcho demanded in a rather shrill voice, at least that's what Harry heard, even if he was speaking Greek.

"My...that's familiar" Harry smiled, then tucked into a forward roll under a nasty looking purple fire curse from the main man himself, rolling back to his feet his hands flashing out sending stooges and boss scattering with a HUGE crimson wave of fire that just seemed to explode from his palms. It absolutely roasted the area, but they ducked behind stone formations, but what else it did was ruin any chance of the ritual being done, as any of the runes, ingredients and even the markings were nuked away in the searing heat of Harry's blistering spell.

"You will Pay for That!" The leader spat sounding angrier than a sack of cats.

"Ahh...you're spoiling me" Harry grinned, "Rolling out all the old favourites, any moment now you'll tell me I'll rue the day. Oh...go on, be a pal, say that, just for me."

The leader stood tall shaking his fist, "You will RUE the day you crossed.." he stopped a moment, and seemed to realize he'd done just exactly what Harry had asked him to do, "Damn it"

Harry smiled, "I like you!" he announced, "shame really, now seriously didn't you read the fine print, demonic empowerments are stupid and dangerous" he said his hands flashing out, a whip of fire appearing in one hand, of all things what looked like a sword made of plasma in the other. He worked the whip with better flair than Indiana Jones, fielding it against incoming spells, literally whipping them out of the air, the sword when struck in their direction sent out an arc of pure plasma that cut through the rock some were hiding behind and he was cutting a nasty swath through their numbers with an ease Skye found damn right erotic.

Soon there after he put down his tools and the leader looked around to find he was the last one standing, at this strangers design he'd say. "I'd say you feel powerful, but you really don't" Harry said sadly. "But the prep work, the magic you've been doing in turn to get ready for this ritual has poisoned the land in ways you can't even imagine, ways that are going to take a thousand years to heal and for why?" Harry said sounding his age for once, "For Power!" he spat sounding pissed a second before calming.

"My Master will...urk!" he dropped like a rock and Harry turned with an amused expression on his face. "Is there a reason you iced him in the middle of his grand I'll get you and your little dog too speech. I usually let them do that, it gives them at least some small sense of accomplishment."

"Actually I was thinking of FitzSimmons, or people like them. You seem set to bring science to magic or CREATE a science to magic Harry" Skye said, "For that, well, you're going to need experiments, and who better than those like him, who are magical and yet don't so much deserve what I am sure is actually a beautiful cosmic force."

"Ohh, I do like you Luv, but sadly Magicals aren't the safest lot to lock up. They generally are very good escapologists."

"So make them a cell to hold him Harry, is there no such thing as a null magical room or something?"

"And the clarity of your view is quite humbling, and you said you WEREN'T intelligent," Harry said shaking his head, "I can secure one at the fridge, but...well, I'm expecting a visitor now."

"When and for why?"

"I haven't used magic to that level since I got back," Harry smiled, "And it's the only way they can track me. But that's good, since I couldn't contact THEM, and I do have a pressing question I REQUIRE the answer to."

"Oh, you seem pretty angry, what's the question."

"Who the HELL was pretending to be my godson and have they caught the bastard yet!"

He stalked off leaving Skye mouthing 'Godson' to herself.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 5: Chapter 04 - Rehabilitation

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Lab, S.H.I.E.L.D 616, En-Route
The Next Day

"Again please," Fitz said, looking up at the smirking face of Harry. "Anyone would think you're mocking us, Harry. I thought you wanted us to study this?"

"Oh, I do, I do, but I also enjoy watching scientists confused." Harry told him, "Little wicked thing relating back to being experimented on for well about two decades all told." he said with a wicked grin.

"You're remarkably sanguine about that Harry" Jemma said, "I imagine these were not the most ethical tests, probably quite invasive."

"Oh yes that arsehole general had them cut me into itty bitty pieces to try to find out how I ticked at times," Harry said, then shrugged, "I got better, and I knew it wasn't S.H.I.E.L.D, not really and he was obsessed with a better super soldier serum, worked with Captain America, thought him a dud at first of course, but let me tell you Steve Rogers is one of the best men I ever met, he's no dud. But no one has gotten CLOSE to replicating Erskine's formula either."

"Well, I wouldn't say not close, though never quite the same all the same, the Centipede program itself is...intriguing actually" Jemma said, "Shows promise if done rather unethically."

"And again, I think I actually caught something in the upper bands of EM radiation that time."

Harry levitated the pietre dish they had him focusing on, again. "There, there Simmons, do you see this?"

Jemma shot over, leaning over Fitz' shoulder, eyes on the screen, yes nothing substantiate but definitely some form of spike there." she musingly said.

"How's the guinea pig," May said walking in and looking at this with amusement.

"Getting bored" Harry said brightly. "But I did promise to help them experiment, I'll admit I put myself into this mess."

"Science thanks you Harry" May said with a twinkle of amusement showing in her dark eyes. "You up for that drink later?"

"Love to" Harry said with a warm smile.

"We've got a lot to talk about," she said.

"Only what you're comfortable with Mel" Harry said seriously.

May nodded, walking away a light smile on her face.

"What about a sudden burst of magic, can you do that, something short and intense." Fitz said seriously.

Harry nodded, "Say when?"

"When"

Harry promptly transfigured the dish into a small duck.

"Good lord" Jemma said, "urh...is that...alive Harry?"

"alive..what in the!" Fitz said looking at what Harry had actually done and away from his readings.

"Short and intense enough for you?" Harry asked innocently.

There was suddenly a deeply felt clang, then a few moments later a loud banging on the cargo bay door.

Harry smirked, "I think that's for me...we'll pick this up later, and you urh...might want to brace yourselves." he said walking out of the lab which itself led directly to the cargo bay and triggering the door. A moment later a very distinctive Hammer arrived at speed going right for Harry's face. His hand snapped up, catching it by the head, straining hard against the sheer might of Mjolnir. "Guh, Thor get in here kid!" he snapped, "And pick up your mallet"

There was the distinctive thud of two feet hitting the metal plating of the cargo ramp and Thor himself was standing there and he didn't look...pleased. "I should let Mjolnir dent your face, do you know how worried we've been!"

"Ahh you knew what I was off to go do kid!" Harry shot back, now leaning into the hammer to stop it bowling him off his feet and likely out the other side of the plane. "I can't hold this much longer kid!"

"Did he just call Thor...kid" Fitz asked his ever present lab partner and friend.

"I believe he did Fitz" Jemma said with amusement, "Oh My, Thor...look at him"

"Gah" Fitz said at the starry eyed expression on her face.

"You...are a BAD uncle!"

Fitz and Simmons looked at each other in shock.

But then Thor relented and held out his hand and recalled Mjolnir to his hand.

Harry fell forward panting, "Damn that thing is powerful" he said laughing, then stood walked to Thor and dragged him in for a hug, actually picking him right off his feet into a back slapping hug.

"Uncle Harry!"

"Hey Kid!"

Phil and the others alerted now by FitzSimmons arrived to hear that declaration.

"Oh Crap" Coulson said.

"Son of Coul! What sorcery is this?" Thor said brandishing his signature weapon.

"I did die, but...I got better"

"No human could've survived that wound," Thor said sounding sure.

"What's this, I knew Phil bought the farm, but I never did find out how actually."

"Loki shanked me" Phil said.

Thor at this point was waving his hands around like mad.

"Loki? I figured it was some imposter that's happened before, or one of his magical clones gone on a rampage again when I heard about the invasion. Thor, are you saying it was ACTUALLY Loki?" Harry said sounding on the verge of truly angry.

"He was without reason Uncle Harry, went down a dark path and found out some secrets of his birth that .. he did not take well, father lied to him, and perhaps all of us. He destroyed the bi-frost nearly destroyed Jotunheim and all the Frost Giants, as it turned out his people"

"HIS people?" Harry said, "That old bastard, not even I knew that!" he said, "So no doubt this came out at the worst possible time it could."

"I was ready to take the throne, but Loki felt I wasn't ready."

"No offence Thor, you weren't, but you seem somewhat calmer now I have to say." Harry told him.

"Indeed, he was right but to do this he interrupted the coronation by letting frost giants through the old ways into the treasure chamber."

"The Casket, he promised them the casket...what the FUCK was he thinking?"

"I do not truly think he was thinking more than to stop me, he knew father wouldn't let the attempt succeed after all." Thor said.

"But an invasion, Loki...he's...that's just not him! I've known that boy his entire life, he's got a darkness, shit we've all got that Thor, but this? What drove him to it?"

"In part, alas I think I did" Thor said hanging his head.

"I hate to interrupt, but Harry looks ready to blow his top, perhaps upstairs and with a drink, a STIFF one might be a good idea." Skye ventured. "And talking it from start to finish too"

"You are wise fair maiden."

"Not so much but I can read Harry, and he looks PISSED." Skye said.

"Truly, you can?" Thor said, looking between them with a small smile.

"Quit that," Harry said playfully, "But she's not wrong, and yeah...I could do with a drink, and potentially a ride."

"This is one of the reasons I have come forthwith, the Bi-Frost is now repaired and frankly I think he needs his uncle Harry, I know I do, father has...he is more distant than usual."

Harry sighed, "You guys, worse than the Greeks I swear!"

Later, Lounge

"He did drop me out of Fury's flying fortress" Thor said indignantly, "I find I do rather hold some grudge for that."

"And he damn near killed Phil too," May said.

"I know, but I have a lot of trouble putting that against the image I have of a studious yet mischievous young lad I taught with this ranting monster you're telling me about. I love that kid, I changed his damned nappies, I nursed his fevers and I taught him his first magic."

"I'm not sure I thank you for that, since it was you who taught him the illusions he is always tricking me with" Thor said wryly.

"You still fall for those? Oh Thor!" Harry chuckled. "A millennia and a half you've been falling for that, don't you know yet how to tell the difference. He's good, very good, better than me even at illusions but the lighting dear boy, look at the lighting it isn't QUITE exact."

Thor nodded, "This I will bare strongly in mind."

Harry chuckled, then looked at Phil, "I would fully understand if you didn't understand this Phil, but I need to go check on him, and everything in the Realm Eternal, I've only been gone a short while and it seems much has changed in my absence."

"I understand family Harry, and this seems like Family. We thought you gone only a year or two, seems like it was much longer." Phil said.

"'Bout three, nearly four thousand years" Harry said rolling his eyes, "Honestly it's bad enough I've clocked enough miles normally without throwing time travel into the mix, but here's the bit you'll hate."

Phil smiled, "You're taking Skye!"

"He's what?" Skye said.

"Seems I'm your protector Milady," Harry smiled, "And I can't do that a dimension away, good thing here new experiences are great, Asgard is perhaps the safest place in the nine realms and Coulson will want you to report on what you see and learn when you get back which will be quite a feather in your Cap. young Padwan." Harry smiled.

"Oh hell, I was going to say yes, but you know, you have to actually ask first Harry!" Skye shot back.

Harry chuckled, "Skye...would you do me the honour of coming to the Realm Eternal?"

"Oh Hell Yeah!"

"Father will not like that, you know that" Thor said though he was grinning.

"I'll deal with Odin, I want a...talk anyway." Harry said, "Like why he didn't tell me the truth of my godsons origins, you know...just for an example" Harry said his eyes glittering.

"What would it have changed, this is where I must admit I fail to see why he was so angry. I understand that father lied, and should not have. But we were raised as brothers, he Is my brother no matter his blood, mother loves him and in his way father does too."

"I love your heart kid, it's straight and true and things are usually pretty black and white to you and I admire that, I really do, but other people aren't so firm in their convictions that poor kid probably doesn't know what is up or down and it is blindingly obvious to me right now that his little side trip where he gained the Chitari as allies, well someone was whispering poison in his ear." Harry said,. "And when I find who did.." he paused his face cut from stone, "There will be a reckoning"

Thor smiled, "I know that face."

Harry smiled a little, "So what's this I hear about an Astrophysicist you like?"

"Jane?" Thor said with a very special smile.

"Ahh...there it is, you love this girl kiddo?" Harry said.

"Indeed, I would say I do, our lives are world apart, and truly I should visit her now, if not for a more pressing concern I would be now the bi-frost is repaired, I .. miss her."

"Then go! Fool!" Harry said, "you could be there-in a whistle, Skye, Look up Jane Foster for me would ya, world renown if a little fringe scientists, she won't be hard to find."

"You got it Harry," Skye said cheerfully.

"Harry.."

"I can find my own way, just before you go call the Bi Frost for me, you know Hiemdall can't see or hear me unless we're in the same room."

Thor smiled, "You are certain?"

"VERY"

"Got her, she's in England right now, something to do with some astrological event that's due pretty soon."

Harry tapped his chin, "That'd be the convergence if I remember correctly, once every five thousand years...yeah that sounds up her ally."

"Is it dangerous Harry?" Phil asked.

"Nah" Harry said, "shocking, dodgy but really it passes pretty quickly the biggest threat is that the rules of nature will get...wobbly around the days approaching the event itself and leading off it, but it'll generally be fairly small scale, trouble is not something you can warn the general public about either."

"Why not" Skye asked.

"What ya gonna say, watch out for invisible rips in the space continuum you can't see, can't sense and won't realize you walked through until you turn up randomly on another planet in the nine realms, hate to say it Miss Rising Tide, you'd just create wide spread panic. Odds are that its highly unlikely anyone will encounter anything anyway, law of averages there, probably be centred I dunno, let's think back a bit here...5,000 years is a way to remember. And all the names were different, Urh...somewhere like...oh, Greenwich I think, or close to it. So London and surrounding area. If you want you could nail it, the big land marks the so called wonders of the world were all built after the last, usually marker points in the world which if you're smart could pin point the exact location of convergence."

"You saw it, didn't you" Jemma said a little pale.

Harry smiled, "I might've been knocking around back then, you know...just maybe. It's...pretty actually."

Thor smiled, "The only man I know that makes my father feel young," he chuckled.

Asgard
Later

The Bifrost stopped spinning and Heimdal looked with his special eyes wide, "The Seidh, my lord welcome home"

"Cut that formal crap out Heimdal, come 'ere" Harry said striding over and exchanging a back slap with the big guardian of Asgard. "Long time no see, excuse the pun."

"I have searched all this time, but alas your very nature is such that I am blind to you, but not your passing, which is how I finally detected your presence on Midgard."

"I wasn't trying to hide or anything" Harry complained, "I just don't use magic very often, feels like cheating most of the time, and I do like a tussle"

Heimdal laughed, "You are truly Aesir in spirit Seidh," he commented, "And who is the lady, the.." he leaned in, "Mortal lady" he asked.

"She's with me, this is Heimdal stalwart and true guardian of Asgard low on a thousand years now, it's incredibly hard to cheat his gaze, so rarely does anyone get by him. Heimdal this is Skye, Migardian and somewhat of an...apprentice in your terms."

"Truly" Heimdal said looking at her intently, "Intriguing."

"I get that a lot so far, Thor did the same thing" Skye noted.

"The Seidh has taken no students since .. Since Prince Loki"

"I'm not quite the same thing, we're not even sure I can do Harry's thing" Skye said then blushed, "I mean...his magic" she corrected herself.

Heimdal laughed, "Indeed, well I will announce your presence and I am sure an honour guard will shortly be here to walk you up, you know the king doesn't approve of you just...arriving."

"I know, but like I told Skye...it never gets old" Harry said taking Skye's arm and just disappearing.

Heimdal chuckled to himself, but sent warning as was his duty, even if he knew it was for naught.

Palace, Asgard
Moment's Later

"Ahh"

"Boo" Harry said belatedly.

"Damn it Harry I am an old man!" Odin laughed, clutching his heart, "As soon as it leapt from my chest I knew it was you. Before my eye even saw you."

Harry grinned unrepentantly, "Hey your godship," he said with that self same grin on his face, "So...sorry I didn't call, you know I can't when Heimdal can't even see me and I've not used magic in a while so nothing to track me either. I understand there might be some anger over me leaving."

"You told us what you intended to do Harry" Frigga said with a gentle smile, "But we had no way of telling if you completed your task or were merely destroyed in the attempt. We were ALL worried."

"Seems like, from what I've been hearing I shouldn't have left in the first place. Oh - excuse my manners this is Skye, yes she's mortal, but she is somewhat my apprentice and I wasn't hardly going to leave her in the lurch back on Midgard either. Yes, I know the rules, but I also know they can be bent and fractured occasionally."

Odin smiled, the warmest he'd shown for some time, "If she is with you then truly she is worthy."

"Thank you your majesty." Skye said with a deep bow, not a curtsey Frigga noticed. She smiled warmly at the FAR younger woman.

"Harry still has quite the eye I see," she noted with good humour.

"I know, you've been saving up all your teasing, but I want to see him." Harry said cutting through the chitter chatter.

"You've heard then."

"I got back just after the Invasion" Harry explained, "I didn't for a moment BELIEVE it was actually Loki, an imposter, or one of his experimental clones, but actually my boy? No, I didn't believe it until Thor told me himself." Harry said, "What in your name happened Odin, he was occasionally a little cruel in his teasing, his tongue perhaps a touch sharper than it might've been at times, but malicious, ranting a killer?"

"One might say it was in his blood" Odin said.

Harry blurred, glaring into Odin's one good eye, "One might, I can't threaten you Odin, but I know you're a better man than to spout raciest drivel too. It's a classic nature versus nurture, and you, hell We brought him up right! You know that, you are obviously angry, betrayed I shouldn't wonder, but imagine how He feels."

"Thor told you then," Odin said, licking his lips with nerves. He was the most powerful Sky father, but even then Harry gave him pause. The look deep in his unusual regard didn't bode well for his continued health should he continue that thought process either. If this were in a public venue, well Harry wouldn't have done it, but had he Odin would be forced to reply, but as it was, with Harry's close ties to his family he took it in the spirit it was meant. A very protective uncle figure, godfather he called it, even though they didn't have that relationship, Harry had called it that for both his boys, but he had bonded particularly with Loki. Odin could and DID forgive the look in Harry's eyes, in truth he was rather angry at himself for saying it and by the look on Frigga's face, he was in for far worse from her.

Harry bowed his way back, back to deferential, "He did, what I would like to know you highness is why I didn't already know, HELL, why didn't he. It's common to tell an adoptee that they are after all, signifying and strengthening bonds at the time by saying how much they are family despite the lack of blood. Surely this was your plan, given the situation, or...was there another plan you had for Loki"

"In truth, in the beginning there was," Odin let out a heavy sigh, "I thought he could bridge the gap between our two peoples, born of Jotunheim but raised by Asgard."

Harry shook his head, "They would never accept him, they are...I hate to use the word Barbaric and uncultured, but these are two fitting descriptions, clearly with education they can be far more, just look at Loki one of the finest minds here for your sake my king, but that plan wouldn't work as the Ice Giants currently stand socio-politically."

"This I came to realize, and what I should perhaps have told my son was that...my heart went out to him seeing him there small for an ice giant, naked and balling left there to die, I think perhaps THAT is what I should've have told him."

"We all make mistakes My King," Harry said, "And I will show him the memory of this discussion, it may not convince him, but it might broker a peace on which to build. I would guess he's locked up in the stockade."

"Indeed, I will take you there" Frigga said, "I visit often, supply a few things."

Odin glared at her, but she totally blanked him.

Harry looked at Skye, "You're going to be okay, Asgard is remarkably peaceful there hasn't been conflict here in many human generations."

"I will attend to the lass myself Harry" Odin said, making Skye blanch and Harry smile.

"Thank you my King," Harry said and was led away by Frigga on his arm.

The Stockade, Asgard
A Little Later

"Mother" Loki said fairly pleasantly, but then he didn't have much hate in his heart for his mother it had to be said.

"Loki" she said softly, an image of her appearing inside the cell with him, "How are you?"

"The same, trapped imprisoned, kept from my birthright" he said shortly.

"You still believe you should be on the throne," she asked, still softly.

"Why not, I would make no less of a hash of it than the dullard Thor."

"Oh Kiddo" a well known voice said attracting Loki's attention to the outside of his cell and the energy barrier there-in.

"Uncle Harry" he said sounding years younger, not an iota of his arrogance that he'd displayed of late and quite a lot of hope. "I thought you dead."

"You know better than anyone how unlikely that scenario is Kiddo" Harry said stepping right through the barrier like it wasn't there. He stared Loki in the eye and oddly Loki feared he would see the condemnation sometimes even his mother displayed, somehow he didn't think he could handle seeing it in his beloved Uncle's eyes. The one that had ALWAYS put him first, had encouraged his studies, hell had taught him nearly everything he knew and some tricks perhaps he should not have done. It would truly crush him to see that same look, to see that he too had chosen Thor over him in the end.

But there wasn't a hint, sadness, regret, guilt he thought he saw then the next thing he knew he was in his uncles preternaturally strong arms and having the stuffing hugged out of him, Harry holding his head whispering, "I'm SO sorry, I'm So Sorry" to him over and over. Then finally, "I should've stayed, I .. I didn't know, I swear I didn't"

Loki froze a moment, then given who this was, and what he meant to him it all bunched up, exploded out of him and he hugged the other actually now shorter man like he had done when he was a child, tears spilling from his likewise coloured eyes, he COULD be Harry's son with his looks and colouring, and cried into the only true father figure he'd accepted, and that had SEEN him, not Thor.

Frigga watched on with tears in her eyes, but also a lot of hope in her heart.

The hug lasted a long time, with Loki crying himself hoarse, before he realized what he was doing then looked at Harry oddly shy, "I'm sorry" he said dashing the tears off his cheeks.

"What did I tell you, when you were but a boy," Harry said with a gentle smile.

"There's no shame in crying, that I'd feel better for it" Loki said, "And...perhaps I do, but my anger has not abated uncle Harry."

"And that's why I'm so sad, all your life I've tried to get you to find your own path, but you insist on the foolish notion that you are somehow a better version of Thor, when you two are NOTHING alike. I love the pair of you, but I have told Thor this to his damned face before I left to come see you, you are my favorite for a host of reasons. Stop, think, stop trying to be Thor, step out of his DAMNED shadow Loki! I'm not saying you're better than your brother, no one is truly BETTER than another. We're all bloody unique and we should revel in that lad!" Harry said passionately, "You don't need to be better at being Thor, you need to be the best Loki you can be. That's what I've ALWAYS wanted for you, it's why I would show you the secrets of magic instead of sending you to the training yard like I was TOLD to do, it's why I encouraged your education, because while an expert on the battle field, you brother isn't the big thinker you are. Now as it happens I think, yes...you would've made a FINE king."

"Would?" Loki asked, looking into his beloved godfathers eyes and seeing only truth, like he always saw.

"Yeah, you fucked that option kiddo" Harry said with a wry smile, "It's an outside possibility we get you out of here, though I intend to make it happen. King...yeah maybe in a few thousand years, possible but you know how long the Asgardian memory is!" He cuffed the actually taller Loki around the crown of the head, "Dumb Ass! What were you thinking, and Earth...that's My home planet you dick!"

"I'm sorry, I...ahh uncle Harry I fucked up!"

"Oh hell yeah ya did" Harry laughed rather mirthlessly, "And I'm so sorry had I known your inner anguish was to that level I wouldn't have left kiddo."

"Oh Helheim uncle Harry I've been an adult for over a millennia." Loki said, "I can't expect you to fix all my hurts like you used to when I was a boy."

"No...perhaps not Loki, but you would've had someone to talk it out with, like we did for HOURS in the gardens, or in the reading room of the library, just sitting - chatting back and forth, messing with theory and righting the wrongs of the nine realms."

"I miss that" Loki said.

"We'll do it more, I have somewhat of a responsibility on Midgard, you know that, I talked it over with you, but that's not to say I can't figure out a way to get there and back easily. I almost wish Heimdal could see me at this point, then at least I could call the bi-frost."

Loki chuckled, "We never would've gotten away with half our pranks if he could've."

Harry chuckled, "No, true enough. I want to show you a memory, you remember doing that with me. I think you need to see this and I give My word I've not tampered with it, I'll show you from when I arrived to now."

Loki looked at him, "Any clue what I'm to see."

"No, I want your unvarnished reaction."

"Of anyone I trust you Uncle Harry"

"You ready Kiddo?"

Loki merely nodded, then Harry touched his forehead, then with a stream of literal consciousness trailing he touched Loki's.

He blinked, "You took a risk showing me that"

"I did, but did you watch him like I taught you to read someone"

Loki's lips quivered, "Yes I've never seen father .. worried"

"Yeah, yeah, that's not what I wanted you to see, of the two things I wanted you to focus on in point of fact. After he spouted his bit of raciest twaddle and when he made his heavy hearted admittance to his mistake."

Loki nodded, "I saw, he is very angry and spoke in anger, I saw he regretted it, but that was a risk."

"I trust you too you know" Harry said, "A Thousand and a bit years I spent with you, I trust you like I don't trust anyone else."

"I am not sure that's wise, surely if nothing else this proves I...am not worthy uncle Harry"

"No kiddo, everyone fucks up and don't get me wrong this is one HELL of a fuck up, and you know what Odin has every right to be angry, you killed thousands you realize that right? I'm not exactly happy myself. But in my opinion you were good and confused, angry and a whole host of fucked up and this...whoever took that bent it out of any sense and aimed it at Earth. And I taught you better Kiddo, you were USED, Manipulated and if anything is disappointing its that they got away with it. But you're young, mistakes are made, that is not to say it's going to be that easy to get people to forgive you, well apart from me. I strongly suspect Skye, the girl you saw, bet she punches you right in the kisser as soon as meets ya"

"If she is with you, I think it likely" Loki said with a wry smile that was far more the old him.

"But you MUST work at forgiveness, and by that I mean where you did the most harm. From what I gather you did a lot of property damage to The Ice Giants planet, but they are already back to full strength and thanks to your actions, well that show of strength ended that war rather neatly. Dirty pool tactics, but shit it works kiddo. But Earth, you must work to gain there forgiveness and you must be SEEN to work for it."

"Oh Odin, you can't mean!"

"Oh yes, I'm going to ask your father to release you to me and you're going to work off community service in aid of Earth, in whatever way they can use your help. And you'll do this or I will think of something far worse and you know me Loki...I can and will, this way you'll be close to, it won't be easy, what I have in mind will be exceptionally hard actually, but if it was easy, it wasn't worth it."

"I hate you"

"Sure you do kiddo"

Avengers Tower, New York
A Week Later

Loki was rubbing his jaw looking faintly impressed, he wore attire chosen by Harry and Skye had to admit he looked VERY handsome in it, just like Harry did, black suit, expensive as all hell, including a silk tie, all perfectly presented, but Harry had gotten a favour from Phil and well Phil had a statement to make, namely he'd decked Loki as he'd walked up to him. Surprisingly enough this had actually hurt the Asgardian prince. And he was, he had been granted Aesir status, like apparently Harry had. They were essentially Asgard and all that implied so the fact Phil hurt him meant AC was BAD ASS, with a hell of a right cross.

To his credit he was still willing despite the complications involved in revealing himself to do this for Harry, and on finding Loki cool calm, collected and about as dryly funny as Harry was seemed okay with doing it after making his 'statement'.

"I can't believe I'm here in Stark Tower, or is that Avengers Tower now?" Skye babbled, "Actually in the door, not you know outside NOT cos-playing I SWEAR"

"I think you'd look hot in one of those Iron man'ette costumes." Harry noted. "Tell me what parts of you glowed?"

She elbowed him playfully, "Of course I looked hot, it's me"

Loki's eyes, not too far off Harry's shade sparkled.

The elevator opened, on the tail end of Jarvis saying, "My protocols have been over ridden," and Pepper Potts was the first to turn to the door, dropping the pad she had in her hand and going a ghostly white, "Phil!"

"Pepper" Phil said warmly, "Seems the reports of my demise were...exaggerated."

The long haired strawberry blonde literally flew into a giant hug, then pulled back and slapped him, "You scared the HELL out of us, we thought you were dead. Even Tony mourned you!"

"I'm so sorry I wasn't allowed to say until just now" Phil said, "Not my call, I swear"

"You agents of S.H.I.E.L.D with your compartmental...oh My God TONY!"

"I see your presence has dawned on Miss Potts" Harry said dryly.

"I'm dead, that suit...it hits HARD Harry" Loki said sounding nervous as hell.

Then the Mark...god alone knows by now flew into the room landing protectively in front of Pepper, the uni-beam, the hand beams and a HOST of other deadly goodies appearing from slots and compartments all over the suit.

"I come in peace." Loki said holding up his hands.

"And he's why I am hear."

"Agent!" Tony's distorted voice said, but to his credit his arms didn't waver in the least. From a playboy the man had become a true warrior for the true.

"Mr. Stark" Harry said stepping forward, coincidentally putting himself between Iron Man, Skye and his beloved Godson, "We have a LOT to talk about and I would consider it a favour if you called together the Avengers, yes this is Agent Phil Coulson who damn near died and yes, this is the man that caused it and many other deaths and from that you doubt can conclude that since we're here, we have a LOT to talk about, I'm going to show you my badge, so I'm reaching into my pocket and I ask you to contact Fury, he's expecting your call to confirm my identity." Harry said hands up and calm, but still making sure he was physically in the line of fire to cover both Skye and Loki, "Phil will back me up too."

"Slowly" Said his eye slits actually glowing slightly brighter.

Harry did so, then showed his ID, flipped it to show one of the earliest of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Badges in existence, it had been in his belongings when Fury had sprung him from the forerunner of the Fridge.

"You're S.H.I.E.L.D., Jarvis, get Fury on the line would you buddy"

"At once sir, and...our guests."

"I've got them" Tony said carefully, his extra weapons sliding away but the arc powered repulsers still primed and ready, "Pepper, you should go to your meeting maybe"

"You'll be okay" she asked with a wavering voice.

"I think so" Tony said.

"I apologize for the scare Miss Potts, I do hope this doesn't ruin our business dealings"

"I did recognize you...eventually," Pepper said, "Usually you tend to stand out, but then look who you're standing next to."

Harry chuckled, "I believe we've got a meeting in a month, I hope we can keep that."

"I think that'll depend on what happens today" Pepper said, then smiled, "But you have always been a straight dealer," she said the last mostly to Tony. Then she made herself scarce.

"You do business with SI," Tony asked, "You CAN?"

"An Agent's salary doesn't pay for my suits" Harry shot back.

Skye snorted, then laughed.

Tony relaxed a smidgen more, but not all that much.

"I have Director Fury for you sir" Jarvis cut in.

Tony tilted his head, obviously keeping sound IN his helmet. About a minute of total silence later he straightened up. Then his visor snapped out of his face and he lowered his arms, "Seriously?" he asked somewhat incredulously.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 6: Chapter 05 - Family

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Back Streets, Berlin, Germany
Night - Two Days Later

"It's nice to get back to the simplicity of a mission!" Harry said conversationally as he walked up to a wall in a back alley of Berlin. "Considering the shit storm I'm going to have to deal with in a couple of days" he said stepping onto the wall and barely pausing he walked up it. "I mean, you think it would be slightly important to get them together a little sooner considering everything."

"Urh.." Skye began from ops in the bus, "How is it you're altimeter is going up and you don't remotely sound like you're climbing, exactly?"

"Maybe..I'm walking up the wall like I would a path" Harry said with barely hidden amusement.

"I would say yeah right, but...I actually think that's exactly what you're doing" Skye shot back.

Harry blinked, "You do?"

"Oh yeah sure, you basically told me anything is possible" Skye said sounding like she was shrugging.

Harry smiled, "You've got a remarkably open mind" he commented, "Okay nearly in position Grant, you copy?"

"I'm a go in t-minus five."

"Go get them" Harry said, you could hear the smile in his voice, Wards end.

"Be ready for pass off in T-Minus 6" May said.

"You got it" Harry replied chirpily.

"And people...make it smooth for a change" Coulson's voice came dryly over the comms.

You could just make out Skye stifling a giggle.

Ten Minutes Later

"Aww SHIT!" Harry commented in a dry tone as he was bumped from either side by the local constabulary. "Coulson is gonna KILL me" he added wryly, "Well...he'll try" he continued, he swung the wheel in a hard right, then back to a hard left, shouldering the two cars either side, his little post war LADA not making all that much of an impact. In fact if he had set out to choose the worst car he could for a car chase, well he wouldn't have done better. Of course that is not what he actually needed.

"Harry...report, Harry come in." the voice demanded in his ear.

"Little.." he paused stamping on the brake and causing the two far more modern and sleek patrol cars, and of course heavier vehicles to shoot ahead, he slammed his little hunk of fiberglass into reverse and continued, "Busy right now Skye"

"Oh boy, you're GPS tracking is all OVER the place Harry, are you teleporting right now."

"No, wish I could" Harry shot back, "Stupid finicky explosives" he muttered. "Can't take a teleport without going boom"

"I heard that, so what the HELL are you doing then?" Skye asked.

"Oh, just out for a nice Sunday after noon drive" Harry said slewing around a corner, cutting of three lanes of traffic and causing the patrol cars behind him to stack up at the intersection. He looked around, his senses hyper attuned, and smiled wickedly. He slowed the car, slewing to a stop, turned hard, thrust forward with all the tiny CC engine had in it and shot down a passenger path.

"Harry!" Coulson's voice thundered over the line, "The Police channels are blaring and the news is reporting a high speed chase, that wouldn't be you would it?"

"Urh...high speed, in a LADA, I don't so much think...SHIT, "SORRY MISS!...so." Harry continued in a perfectly normal tone, "Whoa.." he said suddenly, slammed on the break skidding into a controlled slide that took him nearly perfectly angled into an offshoot and onto a one way street...the wrong way of course because that's how his luck was going that day.

"You better have some voodoo way of hiding your face Harry!" Skye snapped at him through comms.

"Oh...of course" he said sounding perfectly relaxed, then made a face and waving a hand down his face to activate it. He really needed to remember to do that more often. He slammed the wheel hard right, tapped the brakes, gliding the car into a parking space, letting a patrol car shot past him, then bumped it onto the path and crawled forward.

"Smooth, just one time I wanted Smooth!" he heard Coulson complaining. "You need to get free and clear with the package, this is a priority three Harry, I can't say this with enough emphasis, we cannot afford for that explosive to fall into the wrong hands, and by that I also mean our allies."

"Yak, Yak" Harry muttered.

"What was that?" Phil said with icy calm.

"On it Boss" Harry said with a cheesy grin on his face. A truck suddenly loomed out of the crossways, Harry hauled the steering wheel, slammed the breaks and toppled the tiny fiberglass dinky toy onto its side, "SHIT" he remarked, slamming his hand on the wheel, then smirked, slammed his pal at the side passenger side window, the side he rested on, and sent a banishing spell holding on tight and the rather lightweight but TOUGH little LADA was back on its slender wheels. "Huh, good girl" he said patting the steering wheel. "Alright my darling, let's show them what an Old Russian girl can do. He said selecting a gear a little too high and she choked."

"Typical woman always choking at the fun bit"

"I heard that" Skye said a laugh in her voice.

"Come on, come on." Harry said pumping the throttle, keying the ignition and then finally thumping the steering wheel, the little car coughed into action and Harry floored it, nearly putting his foot out of the chassis.

He roared, well as much as his 'getaway car' was capable of, then pulled out his S.H.I.E.L.D issue phone, "Beam me a map of my location would ya Luv, I have zero idea where I'm going right now."

"On its way...should be.."

"Got it, you're a doll, I have to admit I like you in me on an op"

"I think that's dirtier than it sounded in your head" Skye said obviously trying not to laugh.

"Urh...that didn't happen" Harry said suddenly shooting off down a side street as a patrol car came the other way, slammed on the brakes and went after him. He didn't have the advantage of speed by FAR, but his little Russian girl was nimble, so he shot through a gap too small for most any other car, with alarming accuracy and was on the pavement, and down a side pathway, leaving the patrol car bleating away behind him. "Not good, not good"

"Can't you just teleport your ass out of there Harry?" Skye asked sounding exasperated.

"If I wasn't carrying a dirty bomb, sure! But explosives and my little trick...they don't mix, like two decidedly unmixy things"

"Did you just quote Buffy the Vampire Slayer at me" Skye said incredulous.

"Me...nooooo" Harry said with a smirk, the car nearly up ended as he slalom around a corner, taking to two wheels, before it bounced back to some very thin shock absorbers. "AH HA" Harry said eyes alight, "I'm sorry my Russian Doll, it's been fun, but like I said to that ballerina last year.. Borscht" Harry slammed down the accelerator right at a very steep looking drop.

"Harry...that makes no damned sense, I thought you spoke all languages, why would you say something about beetroot stew?" Skye said sounding very confused.

"As brush offs go, it worked quite well" Harry said, "Can't talk now...doing something crazy!" he said diving forwards as the little car took flight, he smashed out of the windscreen, sailing at least twenty foot over the drop down to hard unforgiving pavement below him, the car teetering into a downwards angle that it wouldn't be strong enough to cope with. The Train that was passing at just the right moment loomed up a little faster than Harry would like, but he had yet to learn to fly, so he was pretty much committed right now, until he exploded, backpack and all onto the train, through the window and luckily into an empty carriage, he rolled hit the other wall, landed in a seat and then somehow looked perfectly posed and neat after traversing nearly thirty feet, through two windows with the workings of a dirty bomb on his back. He looked down at the police crawling all over the wreckage of his little Russian savoir and smiled wickedly to himself.

"How in the gods green Earth are you now thirty feet away, and moving three times faster." Skye asked.

"Oh...you know I caught a train" Harry said, "I'll be at the extraction in.." he checked his watch, "About ten minutes."

"Good" Phil said, "And then we can have a WORD"

Harry made a face, "Alright boss man." he said.

Newly 'Officially' Dubbed Avengers Tower, N. Y.
Two Days' Later

Once again Skye found herself bracketed by two very handsome dark haired men, and in the now four days Loki had been sequestered on the Bus, well she hated to say it and true to Harry's word she HAD clocked him but hell if he wasn't everything you might expect from someone that Harry brought up, including smooth as glass, handsome as hell and twice as funny. Oh, and powerful as all hell. So really she didn't so much mind being there with him, and might even be able to provide some emotional support, Loki had rather taken to her after Harry had introduced her as his apprentice, a word that had a lot more meaning than the relationship of tutor in the ways of S.H.I.E.L.D-Fu Skye thought he was originally.

"Why am I here again," she asked, since you know she had to at least put up a token effort. Truth was if he looked at her she'd fold, so she was specifically NOT looking into the gorgeous bastards eyes, no matter how tempting it was.

"Distraction" Harry shot back.

"Oh nice!" Skye chuckled.

"I figure they'll be so gobsmacked by your beauty that I can get Loki out why they drool over you."

"Okay...little better" Skye said trying not to preen.

"And they called me the silver tongue" Loki remarked dryly, and a little playfully, since he'd found out he COULD with Skye. She and Phil had made a physical point, and oddly that was them good. He knew that wasn't going to be remotely that easy with anyone else.

"Yeah, Yeah" Skye said with a tiny smile, not really hiding that she loved he'd said that, mostly because she knew he also MEANT that. "I suppose if nothing else I can help support Loki"

Loki looked at her rather touched.

"Yeah, she's not...horrible" Harry said a fond smile at her, in fact a smile Loki didn't think he'd seen him show a woman in the entire over a thousand years of his life that he'd known his godfather. He knew he'd been lonely, but he wasn't lacking for company all the same, it's just he never let it go anywhere and that's with the Asgard being almost immortal. But then he knew his godfather was a touch more than merely anything. "Right, this is going to be a shitty situation, but we MIGHT and I mean MIGHT have a couple of allies. I think Tony is at least intrigued and well...I'll leave the other one."

"The redhead" Loki said, "Has to be the redhead"

Harry kept a straight race, "Natasha Romanov...yeah, I don't think so." Skye doubted.

The elevator chose that moment to open, and none other than the entire Avenger's team was there, including Bruce Banner who was a rather worrying color that wasn't normally attributed to humans, but better known on his hulk form. "Ahh" Loki said, "I'd rather NOT get pummeled into the floor so I'll just..." Harry didn't let him duck back into the lift, grabbing the other man's arm he pulled him tight to one side, Skye the other and smiled into the room.

"Greetings Avengers"

There was a red-headed head that popped up, "I know that voice" a curious female tone said. Then she looked, Jade green eyes spotted Harry, a smile broke out on her face and she was up, tearing across the room and folded herself around Harry, moving between him, Skye and Loki to wrap herself around the darkly suited mage. "HARRY!"

"No way, uh-uh, nope" Skye said, shaking her head.

"Oh Hell!" Clint Barton said, "Lock up your daughters," he said with dry humour, "Heard you went missing" he said walking up, "My...you know who is gonna kill me if I don't lay on an invite for dinner"

"You got it mate," Harry said, "Hey there Red, loving this hug but Tony looks like you've evolved into an interesting new bit of code, Banner has thankfully turned back to pink but is wondering what you've caught and Pepper doesn't seem to recognize you at ALL."

Natasha pulled herself off, then slapped him good and hard, "When the hell did you get back!"

"Only recently, you were on deep cover, after the battle, wish I could say otherwise."

"Yes, it wouldn't have happened had he been there" Loki said.

Natasha looked form Harry, to the startlingly similar eyes of Loki and back, "You're the sponsor Tony talked about?"

"Yep" Harry said popping the P.

"Huh, okay...got my vote" she said kissing Harry on the cheek leaving a big red mark and stepping away.

"Mine too, I know I can trust you, but...I'll be watching, the bastard brain washed me, I didn't like that." Clint said.

Loki nodded, "I did, I did many awful things, and I honestly have no excuse for my actions. I would like to say I was crazed, or out of my mind, or perhaps blame my 'issues' as you humans like to say, but the truth of the matter is that everything that happened on that day and around it, all the death, destruction and mayhem I caused are entirely unforgivably my fault."

Bruce tilted his head to the side, almost like he was having an inner monologue.

"Uncle Harry says this is community service, he says it's paying my debt to society where it'll mean most, but I don't truly believe that is possible." Loki continued, "That said I do own up to my responsibilities and I owe this world and its people a debt that truly I cannot repay, so it is to this world I pledge myself until such time as you are shot of me. Uncle Harry says this is the best place to do that, with certain missions working with his team."

"Coulson" Clint said, looking pissed.

"You know how it is Clint," Harry said, "You know the game, he was ordered not to tell anyone, not even I knew when I got back and you know my clearance level. This was Fury, at HIS level and personal responsibility, if you want to be pissed...be pissed at him."

Clint smiled thinly, "Oh...I am"

"That said, if you wanted to 'talk' to Phil, well I'll be around to keep an eye on my godson, and sometimes Phil will be too. And I can also pass on any messages, but May is his watch dog so don't just ask me to clock him, even I don't want to piss off Mel...I mean May"

Romanov snorted, "Yeah...figures" she noted wryly.

"Hey now...no!" Harry said, "Me and Mel have never had that sort of relationship, back when I met her she was actually married after all." he paused, "And you know...actually loved her husband" he added the qualifier.

Skye snorted, "Trust you to add that bit."

"She's got your number, and...who is she?"

"First...where is Steve?" Harry asked, "Not caught up with him since he came off ice, my little trip pretty much covered that entire time."

"Dark, on mission, no idea where, or doing what, he's working at S.H.I.E.L.D now" Clint informed him.

Harry shrugged, "Not surprised, and that's the game, I'll catch up to him eventually I'm sure."

"He's living in DC, I don't think he'd mind me giving you his details" Natasha said.

"Wait, wait, you all know each other obviously and I'll admit he SEEMS genuine, but...give me a moment here" Bruce said, "This is the man that set the Hulk on an unsuspecting Helicarrier full of people after all, he killed thousands in New York, personally what was it fifteen in two days, it's going to take more than sorry to move on."

"And please notice I didn't SAY sorry Doctor Banner, that wouldn't be any more than an empty SOUNDING word. AM I sorry, I truly am, but I won't convince you by anything other than my actions going forward that I am committed to this, and I can only do that if but given a chance to do so." Loki said seriously.

"For me" Tony said, "You've got it. You and Me, we had ourselves a little talk over by that very window just before you threw me out of it. You HAVE changed, the look in your eye, if I didn't know better is shame, contrite, even...guilt, but unless they have damned good shrinks in Asgard, I don't get the fast turn around that was only a few months ago."

Loki smiled, "When the man you love as a father comes to you, and basically tells you that you've been a giant idiot, you listen. There is one person outside of my mother and perhaps MORE than my mother I trust." he indicated Harry, "That is he. This is all by his suggestion, and he read me the riot act, he held me through my break down and he faced down one of the most powerful men in the cosmos for ME." Loki said passionately. "His faith in me..." Loki trailed off, Skye actually hooking an arm into his and tugging him back a step, offering comfort.

"Good enough" Tony said more serious than was his usual.

"I actually agree, but it isn't so much our word you need here Harry," Natasha said as Bruce nodded his agreement. "You need to speak to Cap. We have no idea how long his mission will be. I'm sorry until we hear him say the same...while we all seem to agree he deserves at least a chance here, we can't move forward."

"I don't think Phil will mind hosting Loki a little longer" Skye said softly.

"Yeah...and I'll look for Steve" Harry said.

"He's staying with Phil, isn't that a little unfeeling" Pepper remarked sitting by Tony.

"Ahh the Son of Coul...made his feelings clear" Loki said rubbing his jaw while working it.

"You felt that?" Romanov said disbelievingly.

"He doesn't look like much but trust me you don't want to get clocked by Phil he's got a punch like something legendary, seriously he downed me once in a spar, mind you that was before my side trip." Harry said.

"Which we will be talking about at length, you had no way of letting us know you were okay, we were worried!" Natasha said with actual hurt lurking in her eyes.

"Miss...sorry Agent Romanov there was a higher block to Uncle Harry contacting anyone, I believe you call it the space time continuum and the protection there-in." Loki said.

"You got sent through time, to Asgard" Bruce figured out easily enough.

"Not at first, but I ended up there, and eventually they well. Made me one of them in a way that's hard to describe really." Harry said.

"Isn't that a conflict of interests" Pepper asked, "since you work for Earth and all."

"Earth Is a protectorate of Asgard actually, they've not been active here in a thousand years, but if they'd known about the Chitari they likely would've stepped in. And honestly if Earth goes to war with Asgard I'm definitely on their side because anyone in charge who waged war on them is obviously insane. The standing force of guards of Asgard is actually not that many," Harry said.

Loki smirked, "But with the I think you call the reservists, from all of the other eight realms.."

"We're talking over a billion troops, now that would take a lot of time to organize, but all else fails well there is always Hela"

"Who?" Loki asked.

Harry turned to him looking confused, "You don't know that name?"

"I have no idea who that is, other than I believe the fictional goddess of death" Loki said.

"God damn that god," Harry said, "He swore to me, he fucking SWORE to me!" Harry raged.

Loki stepped forward, grabbing Harry by the shoulders and making his face him "Enhance your calm Uncle Harry you're hair is sparkling with magic. What did Odin do now?"

"That's your father Loki" Skye said softly.

"Yes...he has earned that I think, but my loyalty is first for Harry, and honestly I don't think my brother would be far behind me." Loki said, "Now...what is this Hela? Obviously not a figure of myth and legend."

"This, is better discussed with Thor a part of the talk, can you handle that? It'll also likely make Odin angry. I know he did cover this up rather a lot, but he swore he would tell you boys the truth after your first millennial, I figured that was coming when I left to hunt for my pathway." Harry said his tone soft.

"I can as you say...handle that, in retrospect Thor tried to reach out to me several times." Loki said, "And it was me that let go, he hung onto me to the last at the Bifrost that day."

"You ARE calmer" Clint said softly.

Loki indicated Harry again, "I had no choice or he'd have tanned my backside for me"

"Damned right kiddo" Harry chuckled, "For now we have a plan of action, I find Cap if I can, if he's not in a position to talk we'll wait, if not I'll go have a chat. I think I can talk him around, me and Steve see eye to eye."

"You know him, that just twigged" Natasha said, "How? You said you weren't around when he thawed, then how?"

Harry smiled, then thumbed his Jacket, "Second Lieutenant Black, Howling Commando's Ma'am" he said in a perfect mid western.

"How OLD are you?" Tony asked.

"A lady never tells" he said batting his eye lashes outrageously.

Summit - Everest,
Two Day's Later

Thor looked at Harry with his head slightly tilted like this would help him understand what was going on with his uncle a little better. "Why are we meeting at the least hospitable place on the planet."

Harry smirked, "Well kid, it doesn't so much matter how bad the storm gets up here and I'm free with no one around to stop it when you lose your temper."

"Why would I?" Thor asked carefully.

"Tell me kid, you know the name Hela?" Harry asked, as Loki leaned forwards his eyes intent.

"As a myth, stories told to frighten children." Thor scoffed.

"Damn it"

"Apparently not brother mine" Loki said, drawing a rather pleased smile from Thor since that was the first time he'd outright admitted that since his...trip to the dark side. "It seems this was a real person and I believe from context that it was someone that Harry cares for greatly. But before we get into that, I must ask and I mean no disrespect Skye, should she be here for this. One, this is family information I fear and two, if Thor loses his temper she will be at risk."

"No more than the bus" Skye said shivering.

"Did you talk to Coulson."

"I dunno Harry, it's not much more than being creeped out, he's not...done anything yet." Skye replied.

"What is this?" Loki asked, he liked Skye if anyone was threatening her they were in trouble.

"Ward" Harry said flatly, "In the meantime I have her word, backed with some magical help she will not breathe a word and frankly she's safer here with me."

"Good enough for me" Thor said, "And besides I am not so free with my temper any more"

"I'm going to hold you to that, so let's just get this out there. You are not the first born of Odin"

Loki went wide eyed, "Hela I assume?"

Thor was slacked jawed. "A Sister?"

"Strictly, half. Truth be told this is NOT my place, but I asked him to tell you boys when you were old enough to understand, he seems to feel you're not. I disagree and what's more, I'm going to need your help."

"She is in danger" Thor asked dangerously.

"I very much doubt that," Harry said, "God...she was...glorious!" he said wistfully, then shook himself, "But the beauty I found in her, well it wasn't something you'd understand at your tender ages. Somethings that are inherently considered ugly have a charm, you know. And Battle, that was her canvas and she painted it beautifully. But...she liked it, she liked it TOO much. She helped to take and subdue the nine realms, including Earth, took toll and some of that gold you see on the walls of the palace to this day."

"But...she liked it, so...she didn't want to stop." Loki theorized.

Harry shook his head sadly, "I tried...god I tried."

"I would hazard you had a very different relationship with our sister than you do us." Loki said dryly.

Harry laughed, "Yeah...you could say that. I was younger, stupider maybe, it wasn't love, not exactly though I certainly care for her, but it's not like I stopped your father locking her away either. She was...well there is no other word, she is literally unstoppable, she has ALL the power of Asgard behind her, normally anyway, I warded her away from it currently but I doubt that's stopped her innate battle hardened abilities."

"Where is my sister, take me to her at once!" Thor said angrily.

"Brother...listen" Loki said softly. "He's getting to that part."

Harry smiled, "Always smart as a tack," Harry said proudly, "And yes I suppose I am, but only to talk. Sound her out, it's been a couple of thousand years it's possible she's calmed down, though honestly I'm not sure I think that truly."

Skye found herself walking over to the three powerful beings, sitting next to Harry and threading her hand into his arm in a sort of open hug at the sadness she'd heard.

"She probably hates me now, and she most certainly hates Odin." Harry said, drawing strength from that simple enough move both Thor and Loki noticed.

"I'm not overly fond right now myself, though I have somewhat forgiven father for the lies he told on my own origins, I feel like perhaps he isn't going to win awards for fatherhood" Loki said dryly.

Thor snorted a laugh, "Is true my brother."

"Your father has a lot of responsibility, things you kids won't understand until he dies and you take up the mantle of Sky Father yourself." Harry said, "Things beyond your ken, and yes even you as your currently divine selves have yet to understand the ramifications of being a chief god such as your father."

"Wait...I thought we called you gods because you were so much more advanced, and ya know aliens, we didn't understand that back then but...you really are gods?" Skye asked, "Oh...sorry, mouth running away again, family moment, ignore me."

"No My lady, it is fine, truly I could use the distraction. Loki or my uncle perhaps would say this better than me, but not all Asgard are gods, but some have taken on a divine mantle and have duties and responsibilities and indeed powers inherent in that divinity. We do not gather power by worship though and never asked the...younger races to do such, that was their decision but we saw that as a responsibility to look after those that saw us thusly and then eventually we found they needed us less, and less and stepped away especially on Midgard."

"I dunno," Harry smiled, "I think that was pretty good."

Skye blessed Thor with a big smile, "Yeah...it was, thank you Thor"

"You are most welcome."

"And, better to hear coming from you than I could've hoped to hear brother, you truly HAVE changed of late, is it this mortal of yours, or the mortal coil that was forced upon you by father?" Loki asked, "I mean no disrespect but there was a reason I ruined your coronation."

"And twas the right thing to do."

Loki actually started back, then smiled a very big smile, reaching forward he clasped Thor by the shoulder, "I like this!" he said with feeling, "What changed?"

"I could not point to a single thing, but it was during my time on Midgard that it came upon me how...arrogant, and unworthy I was I will not lie but losing you was another, the look in your eye as you loosed yourself into the void...it haunted me that my own beloved brother should hate me so, it made me wonder WHY"

Loki looked at him seriously, "I was unhinged and as Uncle Harry pointed out, being a damned fool in the first place. I don't hate you Thor, I don't think I ever did. I did blame you, but in truth it wasn't your fault, you didn't step into the light to hide me in your shadow it twas me who didn't step out into my own light."

Skye shared a watery smile with an emotional looking Harry. She leaned in, "You love those boys don't you."

Harry smiled, "Like my own blood" he admitted. "And Thor...I also am impressed, had I told you this before I left we'd be beset by a tsunami and I mean even here"

Thor laughed, "It's as well to control you temper when you have access to the power we do, do you not think," he said the last wryly since it was an oft repeated phrase to him from Harry.

"Cheeky little sod" Harry chuckled.

"And we have been suitably distracted I feel, and have a lighter heart and thus must delve back into the muck" Loki said.

"Wise words Kiddo, right now there are two options for you boys. Keep it to yourselves, or have it out with your father. Neither are what you could call attractive options. I have zero intention of going behind Odin's back, he is my friend after all, but it's up to you two boys what you want to do. I can just not mention your help, that is...if you're willing to travel to Helheim with me to talk to a sister you only just learned of."

Thor snorted, "You couldn't stop me"

"Likewise" Loki said, "I may not be blood as Thor is to her, but this is my family all the same."

Harry shot him a proud smile, and Thor was rather beaming at him. "Oh stop" he said looking away.

"Anyway" Harry said moving it along, "I know where she is, obviously, but it is not without its dangers. It's a trip that needs careful planning and need to warn you lads that even without Asgard behind her she is...perhaps even more powerful than either of you."

"We have you" Skye said.

He looked at her, "Excuse me, we?"

"Oh...I'm coming" she said firmly.

"I don't think so." Harry laughed, "While I want you to experience new things, and get a taste for the wider universe, specifically I want that for you we're talking about the single most dangerous realm that isn't even actually a realm, it's more an idea made into a location and it's hellishly dangerous."

"I know, so you'll need me to protect you."

Thor burst into laughter, "I like her" he said with feeling.

"As do I, but my Lady...sorry Skye, uncle Harry is not embellishing the danger here."

"No, there and throughout that realm it'll be up to you three boys to protect me," Skye said, "I'm just the weak little human, at least from what Harry keeps hinting about I am right now." she said shooting Harry the fish eye, "But when we meet with your sister, a woman that Harry clearly has...complicated emotional attachment to. That...there, is when I come into play. She might be a pure blood Asgardian, but I tell you now, women are women, and I'm a woman."

"She could literally squash you like a bug, so...no, you're crazy!"

"There is no argument here Harry," Skye said folding her arms into his arm and glaring at him, "You are BAD ASS my friend, I don't think I've seen even half a percent of what you're capable of, and you're old enough to make these two seem like kids, hell that's how you treat them and I'm guessing you were old BEFORE that side trip which was what three, nearly four thousand years you don't think is much more than a speed bump. Yeah, that's telling," she said rolling her eyes, "But you have a weakness, a big honking weakness."

Harry looked at her curiously. "You know what it is, you warned me yourself of the way you protect yourself against it." Skye said, then reached out and tapped his chest, "This...is your weakness, and I'm your friend a woman, and more than willing to protect you, so...Oh Yeah...I'm coming alright and if you try to leave me behind I'll...I'll tell Frigga"

Harry went wide eyed, "That...that's bloody diabolical. And potentially hurtful, Hela rather spurned Frigga's advances of motherhood towards her."

"Even better" Skye said her eyes lighting up, "She's got a vested interest too."

"Are all Earth women this scarily smart" Thor asked, "First Jane, now Skye is dancing circles around Uncle Harry, it's quite concerning really."

"I LIKE her." Loki decided as he watched Harry fold like a bad hand.

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Helping Me Out - Please check out that page, there's a few ways you can help me out, it's about my software and details a few ways you could help me there, please be aware this is fan-fiction and I'm not trying to charge for it. I'm not holding anything behind a paywall either for this or ANY story.
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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 7: Chapter 06 - The Depth of the Well

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

S.H.I.E.L.D 616, In the Air
The Lab, Two Days Later

"Ahh, our two experts," Jemma said as Loki walked into the lab with Harry and Skye at his side, this being the group he was most comfortable in. But to their credit they had been very welcoming and Jemma the most of that. May, Loki had found was plotting something painful for sure, Ward seemed apathetic and Fitz was more of the mean look and no further type unless provoked, and Loki had no intention of doing so.

They walked to the holotable, "This is alien, and our database thinks the writing is.." Jemma began

"Asgardian" Loki, Skye and Harry said at the same time.

"When did you learn that?"

Skye smiled as she was the one that Jemma had talked to, "While Harry rebounded with his godson I was...left with the god king of the entire realm, he is actually rather a darling and spoke to me about their history showed me a few very old books and I recognize the writing."

Loki smirked, "Yes my father is known to be charming...towards women at any rate." he said with dry amusement, "And I can further add it looks like a part of a berserker staff, unfortunately this is not a period of our history I know much about. Nor does Harry I shouldn't wonder, that was quite a long time ago, over a thousand years and at the time he was teaching me a few more...courtly pursuits than conscripting canon fodder."

Harry winced, "He might've put that better but from what little I understand, and like Loki it is little, he's not entirely wrong to say it."

Phil leaned on the holotable, "When your...Thor's Hammer touched down I consulted with an expert in Italy, A Professor Randolph, he's an expert in Norse mythology, perhaps we've get more information there."

"I will say I have no idea what that was doing in a tree in Norway" Loki said, "The entire Berserker army was a mistake, they were barely controllable, didn't do tactics overly and honestly the entire concept was ultimately rejected." he smiled, "And Son of Coul, Thor is my brother you can mention him as such I will not.." he looked at Skye.

"Lose it" she helpfully supplied.

He laughed, "Yes...I won't lose it, my brother and I came to a peace, and again facilitated by a man we both trust and respect." he said waving a hand at his godfather.

"Good, I liked Thor" Phil said.

"He is an honourable man, there is much to like" Loki smiled that away easily.

Phil met his eyes and then smiled slightly. "Better" he said, "Harry rather than take an actual Asgardian I thought you, Simmons and I could meet if he's willing to meet with us, you could perhaps make sure he's telling the truth."

"I can try Boss, but it's not an area of Asgard history I know much about, as Loki mentioned I was busy with the boys at the time."

"You know I met Thor and no offence Loki stabbed me, it's kind of creepy you call them that to me" Phil said with no rancour.

Loki laughed, "It isn't helped by the fact I myself and Thor look older now, and I eventually somehow ended up taller than the man I was shapeshifting to match."

Skye clicked her fingers, "Finally, now that makes sense! You're eyes, the hair, even a little the looks I was starting to wonder if you WERE his you know flesh and blood kid, by heart for sure, but actual DNA I was wondering."

Loki smiled, "I cannot tell you how many times I wished that, and I am a natural born shape shifter, it was thus only natural that I would take a form so similar to Harry."

Skye patted his arm, "I'm an orphan, so kind of get ya Loki"

"I know you do milady"

Phil was smiling rather proudly and Harry had a big grin on his face.

University, Italy
Later

"And you have plenty of time to rewrite the paper, which we can talk about at dinner." Elliot Randolph said with a smile to his VERY attractive student.

He opened the door to find people, his next appointment about to knock and Marie's eyes fixated onto an average height man with startling green eyes, "Excusi"

He smiled charmingly, "non è un problema, totalmente colpa mia e comunque da gentiluomo è un onore far posto a tanta bellezza"

She smiled widely, "Sei davvero un gentiluomo e posso dire che così bello."

He smiled a winning smile, "Grazie mia cara, da parte tua questo è un complimento per Chi meglio di conoscere una donna bella come the?"

She pulled out her notepad and scribbled on it. "Devi lasciare che it mostri I luoghi, questa è una città bellissima, degna di un uomo come the, come lo sono... altre cose" she said handing him her cell.

He took it with a smile, "Lo farò sicuramente, Bella"

She smiled and walked away with Harry's admiring gaze on her purposefully swinging hips.

"Well, I think I hate you already!" Randolph said with no rancour at all.

"Urh...I didn't understand a word of that," Jemma said, "But I am a little worried at a certain hackers response."

"Oh me and Skye are JUST friends while I'm training her, I made that very clear" Harry said.

"You sure about that?" Jemma said as Coulson gushed over the Waterfield 44 Fountain pen Randolph had.

"So I'm sure you're not actually here to steal my...student and talk about pens Agent Coulson?"

"Ahh yes, I...urh, yes, sorry about that I'm sure Harry will be...anyway, we wanted to show you this" he said and Jemma pulled out the 3d Print Fitz had made of the staff section they had.

"Well now look at that.." Elliot said with wonder in his tone, and a note of something else Harry detected. He brought it to a light and adjusted his glasses, "Now this is VERY interesting, fascinating really it appears to be a section of a Berserker staff."

"This much we knew, someone cut down a VERY old tree to find it, and obviously it's not the entire staff, we were wondering if you might have some lead we can follow that where they obviously already are that would allow us to take the other sections out of play." Jemma said.

Randolph smiled charmingly at her, "I'd love to help you.."

"Jemma, Jemma Simmons."

"You have quite a lovely smile Agent Simmons, now as it happens there is a...yes, there it is" he said fishing out a book from the pile on the desk, "Now let's see. This is translated from ancient scrolls and put into rhyme so how accurate it is I cannot say. There is a mention of a tree, haloed by rocks apparently."

"That's fitting," Jemma said, "I took that mould myself" she said, realizing that the good Professor seemed more willing to talk to her, and since neither Harry nor Phil were idiots they also realized it was best for her to take lead. "Had to half climb a tree to do it too"

"That sounds like it was a trial." Elliot mentioned carefully looking at her compassionately, even as he scrolled through the book for other clues.

"Heights, are well not my favorite."

Harry had heard about that, it had happened while he and Skye were in Asgard, Simmons had contracted an alien virus and jumped the plane to protect the rest of the team with Ward jumping after her to save her in turn. Dramatic and straight out of the under cover gaining trust handbook Harry rather paranoid felt, but the damn right obsessive way he was getting over Skye albeit quite covertly right now was...well it was getting on his wick. It was true he had talked to Skye a couple of times about the obvious compatibility and mutual attraction and put a pin in it for now, but she was also becoming a hell of a close friend, so yes he was half tempted to MAKE Ward back off.

Professor Randolph smiled compassionately, "For me for the longest time it was snakes" he said, "But facing your fear as you bravely did is truly the best way of dealing with them."

"Snakes, really I find them rather fascinating." Jemma said conversationally.

"And they are, indeed I learned a lot about them in the end, to help I suppose you could say, we didn't really have them where I'm from." he said, and for some reason that rang an alarm bell in Harry's head.

"Oh...and where's that"

"Ireland" he replied easily.

"You have no accent"

"No, well talking with a thick brogue as a professor isn't well received, Ahh here we are, another 'clue' here, rather flowery but essentially it's talking about rivers and bones, the exact passage is here." he said showing it to her, which she committed to her near eidetic memory. "Wow this one isn't even in poem form", he said with amusement, "Basically close to god."

"Right, thank you Professor" Coulson said, "Again you've been a big help."

"Keep me informed if you would as you might imagine this is rather my passion, and what became of the writings you asked me to translate."

"That turned out to be VERY interesting, belonged to the Asgard god of thunder." Phil said.

"And lightning, storms really" Harry replied, "Anything in that bailiwick is his."

"You know your Norse mythology." Elliot said looking at him closely.

"I suppose you could say the subject is close to my heart." Harry replied.

"Well on your date with my student perhaps you could help her on her paper"

Harry smiled, "Perhaps"

S.H.I.E.L.D 616, Ops
The Next Day

"You know what's not in Canada" Phil said sarcastically, "Anything Asgardian! Oh Hey Harry, good date?"

"Hey Phil and really I just helped her with her paper" Harry said. Phil smiled his usual smile, patting him on the back as he walked past making Harry wince. Unfortunately this was noticed by Skye.

"What the hell did she do to you?" she asked, looking amused.

"What...nothing?" he said nervously.

"We talked about this, I won't be jealous or anything but you're in pain Harry, I saw you heal from being hit in the face multiple times, how are you still in pain."

Loki, took the expedient route and just pulled his shirt up, "Oh Odin, I've not seen you that scratched up since you and Sif."

Harry froze, "What?"

"You know, it must've been what about six hundred years ago now."

Harry turned, very slowly, "Has she still not lived that down!" he said sounding pissed.

"Nothing to live down really, you know our attitudes towards casual relationships are fairly open minded and it's not like we didn't all know she was carrying somewhat of a torch for you."

Harry stepped in close, glaring up into his eyes, "What sort of fucking monster do you think I am!"

Loki went wide eyed, "I don't...not one less of one, what the hell uncle Harry why are you so angry?"

"I wouldn't lay a hand on that girl, I watched you ALL grow up, Sif included, when she first got interested in combat, who showed her one end of a sword from another while you boys mocked her and told her to go back to the maidens?"

"We soon stopped that," Loki said, "Now be fair."

"Who nursed your wounds, scrapped knees to full battle scars"

"You, you know we ALL adore you for that, I think that's where her crush was born." Loki said carefully.

"And at any time, did you not stop to think that I might have somewhat fatherly feelings towards the jack lot of you!" he said dangerously.

"Oh Odin, I'm so sorry" Loki said pale. "But that time, after the thing with...you looked wrecked Uncle Harry and let's face it some cobweb clearing was in order."

"Damned right it was, but we didn't have sex! I held her as she cried and railed and let her work out her anger with me in private. Yes...she kissed me, but I told her then what I'm telling you now and EXPECT you young man to pass onto the others!"

"Yes, Uncle Harry, I'm sorry Uncle Harry, it's just you can't deny she felt for you a certain way."

"No...perhaps not, but that doesn't mean I returned those feelings now does it, or that I would DREAM of breaking her trust in her weakest moment, that she could only show me because I never would!"

"To use a Saxon word, you all seem so fond of...fuck"

Skye laughed, "Heavy moment, now let's see." she said walking around, "Ouch! Did you have sex with an animal."

"I might be considered somewhat of a womanizer Skye but I don't exactly kiss and tell either" Harry said.

"Yes Harry I know just what sort of man you are, further proved by your anger a moment ago, but why the hell haven't they healed, I thought that was pretty instant."

"Yeah...okay I feel a little bad, because I purposefully gave you that impression, but it's a conscious thing, not automatic and really it's just a couple of scratches." Harry shrugged. "You needed the training, and it was the only way I could get you to do it."

"Right, well I'm now insanely jealous and will fly into a rage at any moment kill all brunette Italian girls with nice legs and obviously hunt you to the ends of time. Or...you can heal that now and I'll just forget about it." Skye said with dry amusement.

Loki chuckled, "I LIKE this girl." he reiterated an oft said phrase with Skye.

She watched the wounds quickly stitch together and nodded to herself, "Why can't you just do that automatically."

"Oh I heal MUCH faster than normal anyway, those would be gone by later, so they were minor so I ignored them, really fast stuff I have to add a little extra" Harry said, "From my stories you know what I can heal from, and that is automatic, it's just...not that fast."

"Generally it's harder to hurt him in the first place" Loki remarked.

"I wasn't exactly in a position to put up a shield" Harry said with dark amusement.

"Yeah, yeah and I hate you right now because you're obviously pretty damned good in bed too." Skye said with a sexy gleam.

"Can't complain" he said with a wink, "Now...you no doubt have been researching other locations for Phil. Whatcha got?"

Lab, S.H.I.E.L.D 616 - The Bus
Later

"Oi!" Harry said walking in on the tail end of Ward going off at FitzSimmons and Skye. "Ward, you are not being your usual cool calm self, so back the fuck down right now." Harry said firmly.

Ward squared up to him, and Harry just glared up into his eyes, "Take a breath," Harry said seriously, "You know you don't feel right, the staff obviously affected you, and I think the good professor likely knows what it did. Now do you want to bomb all your relationships you've built here, or do you want to go make that little shit sweat."

Ward smiled, then looked back at the shuffling room "Sorry" he said shortly and strode off.

"That was...intense" Skye said seriously.

"It was just biology" Jemma said.

"You're a darling, but you're not wrong either I think, what did you detect, if anything?" Harry asked.

"Elevated hormone levels, adrenaline off the charts and brain wave activity in some nasty areas of the brain, especially watching our guest." Fitz filled in.

"Yeah, did Not see that coming" Harry admitted.

"You'd think you'd sense it, like for like kind of thing" Skye said.

"We're not dogs, we don't sniff each other's butts when we meet" Harry said with amusement, "And generally Asgardians look totally human. There Is a pheromone the Aesir secrete that makes us rather popular with like minded races, but that's kind of a subconscious thing and quite obviously my leaning were more towards his student than the professor."

"That explains Thor" Jemma said then went pink.

"I know right" Skye said.

"Well I'm at least somewhat evolved and comfortable in my own sexuality to say that's at least partially the fact that Thor is a very handsome bloke and I know women as much as they decry it quite like powerful looking men and he's built let's face it." Harry said.

"Yeah, he's gorgeous but I dunno about Jemma but you don't have to worry about me" Skye said, "We might not be anything more than friends right now, and after seeing your back...rethinking that," she said with a grin, "But Thor is like your son, as much lacking in blood that might be and the fact he has a father of his own, the same I wouldn't go for Loki either and he's got both bad boy charm and looks." Skye said, "You're my friend and I wouldn't do that to you."

Harry smiled, "I do adore you, you know" he said with a warm smile and tone, "Not that I would actually say boo about it. The Asgard are surprisingly open minded about sexuality, but then they are a highly evolved culture, they might seem all old world and even archaic, but they truly are not."

"I hardly saw ANY technology" Skye pointed out.

Harry smiled, "Just because you didn't see it, doesn't mean it's not there." Harry said seriously, "They live simple seeming lives, but they have flight capable fraught, space ships that fell out of use somewhat after the bi-frost and extremely powerful computing power that works on the quantum and more theories we're only scratching the surface of they've had for thousands of years by this point. The trouble being, they got comfortable with what they got and then didn't so much do any more innovation. Now that's not overly important right now, they are the dominant force in the nine realms and capable of protecting their land from outside threats for the most part, and have a hell of a legend too. But...I do worry if it's enough to future proof them."

"You really adopted them didn't you" Jemma said.

"Oh my yes" Harry said with a smile, "I'm human, and I will always be human but...yeah I am also Aesir now and I love them as a people we're talking what amounts to a planet full of true blue heroes, what's not to love."

"Sounds amazing, I'd like to see it."

"It'd only disappoint you Fitz, like I said I didn't see any technology." Skye said.

"That's not to say I couldn't get one of the artisans to show you some though" Harry put in, "Oh...that did it. I think Phil just threatened his anonymity" Harry said half an eye on the interview/interrogation. "You know the story of the warrior that stayed sounds romantic, but he was also a sworn soldier you know...so he's actually a deserter and would be considered a coward and discernable, they'd likely not even haul him in, more likely he'd just be excommunicated and never allowed back to the realm eternal, but that's not hardly as romantic as the warrior that fell in love with life is it."

"Soulless monster" Skye said rolling her eyes.

Ireland
That Night

"She doesn't know his anatomy" Fitz defended Simmons.

"I do" Harry said, looking around, "But that leaves Ward and May fighting and me out of it. You're call Phil"

"Help him" Phil said with barely any hesitation.

With that and no further pause Harry thrust his hand INTO Elliot Randolph's chest. His eyes took on a not so minor glow which was reflected in white in the professors blue orbs and he arched back into life. "Steady there proff" Harry said gently, "You'll be as good as new in a moment," he looked at Jemma, "Sadly this little trick only works on Asgardians."

"Soul Fire" Randolph said brokenly, looking at Harry like he was the second coming.

"Don't worry I learned from the best" Harry said with a gentle smile.

"You're Aesir, I feel it"

"Our souls are joined right now my friend, I'd honestly be shocked if you couldn't" Harry said, he looked a the others, "Think of it like a transfusion," he explained in easy terms, "I'm buoying his system with my own until his own innate regenerative abilities kick in. Even the common or garden Asgardian is extremely tough, and those in Thor and Loki's ilk, much more so."

"You're...You're.."

"Why yes I am young man, now shut up and lay back" Harry said with another soft smile.

"Seidh" Randolph whispered.

"That's me, and there I feel the tear repairing itself." Harry said withdrawing his hand.

The professors eyes snapped open and he looked up at Harry with a look of wonder, "I never thought I'd meet anyone that could manipulate soul fire." he said.

"Ahh, it's not THAT big a deal, but from what I hear you were a mason. So...no you likely wouldn't have mate." Harry smirked. "Rest easy, you'll be back on your feet in ten minutes, from the sounds of it Ward has wiped up the slime. Any tips for him in dealing with what he's likely feeling."

"I talked to him already, it's worse for humans" Elliot said, "But in a couple of decades it'll pass."

Harry winced, "You should be aware that's basically half a lifetime for a human."

Elliot made a face, "Yes, I am"

"Or.." Harry said standing he walked to the bannister and held out his hand, the staff, which was now in one piece, was ripped off the floor where May had put it and flew into Harry's hand. Skye winced, "Harry is that a wise idea. At your age I can only imagine the darkness you have inside."

"He turned bright runes moving up his arm and offered her a bright smile that didn't lack a single lumen than it normally did. "It Is a good idea, and I came to terms with my darkness a LONG time ago Luv" he said, The only way to dispel this form of magic.."

"You can't destroy it, I tried" Elliot filled in, in a round about way.

"Can you use soul fire?"

He chuckled a little damply, "Point"

The staff glowed with a white holy light and then seemed to be ripped apart by the molecule until mere moments later it was totally destroyed. Harry peered over the balcony again, "We good down there"

May nodded with a slight smile and Ward said, "Yes, I don't know what you did...but .. thank you."

"You're a member of the team" Harry shrugged it off turning back muttering, "No matter how much I don't like ya" but Skye and Coulson heard. Skye giggled and Phil glared at him reproachfully.

Bar, Dublin
Later

Harry slipped onto a stool next to Ward and gave him a bright smile, "Alright mate?"

"I .. I wanted to thank you"

"Good," Harry said, "I have a way for you to do that."

"Name it" Ward said seriously.

"You're making Skye VERY uncomfortable Ward. I'm not sure you even realize you're doing it, but the intense looks, watching her all the time. She's noticed, and I hate to say she's not interested. So right now, you're basically creeping her out. I'm sure you're usually much less intense, I think you have burgeoning feelings for Skye even, but sorry mate they aren't returned, so as a favour to me as her mentor/SO, I'm asking you to back it down a NASA tad okay, friendly word now stops heartache and awkwardness later sort of thing."

Ward glared, then finally relented, nodding.

"Thanks, Bar keep, his night...on me" he said handing over a black amex. "I could give you there's plenty of fish in the sea, but a good looking guy like you, I don't think you need that." Harry said clapping Ward on the shoulder and walking off.

Ward watched him go with something dark lurking in his eyes, then since he didn't have to pay swigged his drink to retire for the night as Harry walked over to a table where he was with Skye. He reached his room as May did the same, they shared an intense look, to go with the shared intense situation and shared trauma they had suffered then as May walked into her room, she left the room open. This wasn't an invite he refused.

Proudly Written in demScribble

With Thank's to "Lonewolf33" for being my Beta Reader!

Helping Me Out - Please check out that page, there's a few ways you can help me out, it's about my software and details a few ways you could help me there, please be aware this is fan-fiction and I'm not trying to charge for it. I'm not holding anything behind a paywall either for this or ANY story.
There is also now a Discord Server

Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 8: Chapter 07 - Crushes and Clubbing

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Avengers Tower
A Week Later

"Uncle Harry, you came," Loki said standing to meet his beloved uncle. Blood or not Loki adored Harry and he was touched that Harry was there after his first mission with the Avengers and not against them this time but as a member of the team.

"Of course I am, Phil is doing a welcome wagon they don't need me for that, and that means I get to hear tales of your first mission and perhaps properly check out this tower."

"Well I was rather surprised that Tony invited me here, was that your doing Uncle Harry?" Loki said suspiciously.

"Actually no, once Cap gave the go ahead Tony did what he does for the Avengers after all, now you are a member. You've got a long path kiddo but they're willing to let you take the first steps, don't fuck up and they'll walk it with you."

"Succinct as always" came a familiar and well known voice.

"Steve!" Harry said walking over hand already outstretched, "Sucked not being able to meet face to face before, how the hell are ya man and hows the modern world treating ya."

"Better" Steve said, "It's...different and sometimes tricky to navigate but I'm learning."

"Of course you are, you were always a smart cookie" Harry said, "Thank you by the way, for giving my god son a chance."

"Loki is welcome to his second chance, everyone deserves one of those." Steve paused and Captain America said, "But only two."

Harry nodded, with Loki doing the same in understanding.

"So got a girl yet...I realize that's a little insensitive but here's a course truism my friend, the only way to get over someone is under someone else."

"Oh My God Harry!" Steve said blushing.

Harry laughed gleefully, "Still easy" he laughed. "That being said, and I love making you blush like a virgin bride I really do. I am also not lying, you MUST'VE noticed that modern women are more...forthright and open to such things?"

"I haven't really...been out much, I did a little exploring then after the battle for New York I signed up with S.H.I.E.L.D properly and been on mission most of the time. I have a place in DC, close as I can to the Triskellion. Got a nice neighbor I suppose, a nurse."

"Sounds promising, nurses usually have a soft spot for the forces." Harry smiled.

Steve ducked his head, "We talk...in the hallway, sometimes."

"Oh wow, what are you doing tonight?"

"Anything but what you want me to do, I know that look Harry" Steve said quickly.

"Nope, you're coming with me, I'm not saying I'm getting you laid, but I think you really need to see the modern world for what it is now, you're going to be shocked, maybe even appalled but the best way out...is through Steve."

Loki chuckled, "Captain I strongly and respectfully suggest you just give in now, or my godfather will merely kidnap you and do it anyway, I too know that look and for over a thousand years more. It's really the best policy to give in. Trust me, and I realize now how stupid that was to say."

Steve laughed, "No...you have better experience of Harry, but I have some too and there were two of them then, he and Bucky were always trying to get me to do things I didn't want to do."

"And you usually did them anyway." Harry grinned. Then frowned, "I miss that guy"

"Me too Harry, me too." Steve said solemnly, "I ask only that you don't put too much onto me at one time."

"Hmm, I think I'll get Nat's help" Harry said, "She in?" he said walking away.

"Oh god" Steve said, "Anyone but her!" he said eyes wide.

"She is a...strong woman isn't she, but fairly indicative I believe of a modern woman's attitude if not far more...confident than most." Loki said commiseratingly.

Steve nodded with feeling.

The Bus, Ops
Same Time

"That's a mouthful, you should just call it the welcome wagon" Skye opinioned of the full ungainly title for what they were due to do, "And outside of Harry are there any telekinetic on the index, Thingy?" she asked the man she came to call AC, she did rather adore him. She also adored that thanks to Harry and his purchase of her trust she'd come clean pretty early on first with Harry and then with AC, and while no one not even May knew the real reasons she had STARTED this, Coulson and Harry did, didn't blame her and really at the end of the day with her fobbing off the Rising Tide to the point they'd gone dark and the fact they had Harry and she'd basically missed the entire thing with her now Very EX-Boyfriend, she was actually not dirty in the first place. Phil had promised to find out what he could about the redacted file that was the culmination of her life's search for her parents and honestly Skye kind of loved her life. And she adored the two biggest influences in making that so good, both men, one she looked at like a surrogate father and well...then there was her feelings for Harry which wasn't so clear cut.

"Actually Harry isn't even on the index. It's an open secret that he's gifted, but even I didn't know half of what he can truly do until he told us while being a member of this team. Most people know about the teleportation, something Fury always smirks about anytime it's mentioned."

"Oh, Oh I know this one" Skye laughed, "The day Harry was sprung by the director once the paper work was signed, Harry teleported them both into The Directors Office in the brand new Triskellion, thus proving he could've left at ANY moment he damn well wanted."

"Harry told you I'm guessing, he hasn't even told ME that story" Phil rolled his eyes.

"Ahh me and Harry are pretty tight" Skye hedged.

"Hmmm, anyway, as I said Harry isn't on the index, but most assume he would be and he's never actually been looked up and honestly doesn't give a last name anyway he's known either by Harry by those that he's introduced to, or the Agency over as The Specialist."

"I thought that was a special position, like Ward was a specialist right, he sure had a lot to say about that in Peru." Skye said.

"Yes, but he was the First, and still, no matter what Ward might think, he's the standard the others aspire to and yet do not, NOT reach." Phil said, pausing he added, "Don't tell Ward I said that."

Skye smirked, "Your secret is safe with me AC, so why do you want me along on this, you specifically asked Harry for me on this I mean."

"It seems that he has...circumnavigated some of the concerns you had" he paused, "I wish you'd come to me about that." he added.

"And say what, he's giving me the creeps, please make him stop? I mean how does that sound." Skye said ironically.

"You informed Harry."

"No...Harry saw it, he's a pretty good reader of people after all. I didn't mention it to him either, and while I'm kind of pissed he took it upon himself to have a word with Ward, kind of glad he did Because he's backed right off. I don't think he MEANT to creep me out, it was just...too intense." Skye said with a shiver.

"If it resurges, you tell me this time." Phil said, "And as for why I asked for you. I want you shadowing, and observing how we do this, when it's done right. What you saw with Mike Peterson is NOT normally how we approach or do that." Phil said, "I wanted you to see the, hopefully, other side."

"I can understand that."

"And you've expressed some interest in perhaps joining S.H.I.E.L.D." Phil said, "Now what Harry is showing you of late...we don't so much do that." Phil said ironically, "This...an intake and.."

She cut him off, "Welcome Wagon" she said with sparkling eyes.

"Welcome Wagon, this is what we do. If all goes well we'll talk to this woman, help her where needed, get her in the index for evaluation and protection if necessary for her, or those around her and we have some experience in helping newly discovered empowered learn to handle their gifts."

"That sounds...good actually"

"I know you thought we were a giant faceless organization of jack booted thugs at the start, but that's not us. Sure we will put down a threat when we have to but I'd like to think you basically watching Harry talk down Mike when it WAS his job to kill that sort of threat shows we're people too."

Skye smiled at him Warmly, "I've gotten to know you all better now, I know you have good people here, like you, Harry hell most of this Bus. Okay Ward still kind of creeps me out, but I've seen him putting himself on the line to protect us, I respect that he did that and it earns him respect and gratitude."

Phil smiled. "Okay so...read me the file." he prodded her.

"Okay well subject is Hannah Hutchins.."

Bar, Manhattan, N. Y.
That Night

Loki propped up the bar next to his godfather, watching Steve and Natasha. Amusingly enough no one actually knew what the leader of the alien force looked like, the only recordings of him was when he was in Germany and that surprisingly was easy to explain away and oddly most people didn't think much of a note of news they saw of a random killing in a country outside of their own. So he was free and clear to go out with his godfather and Steve and...Natasha who was dressed to kill and currently making Cap, Very uncomfortable.

"Do you think Agent Romanov has taken this opportunity to what's the phrase...put the moves on Captain Rogers."

"Maybe" Harry said watching with amusement, "Or it could be immersion therapy, he handles that he can handle anything or more than likely if I know Nat at ALL, she's fucking with him for her own wicked sense of humour. There's also the outside chance she's using the fact she is by far the most attractive woman in the entire bar to highlight Steve, drawing attention of the other women so when she walks away with a sigh on her lips they will hone in where she failed."

"Midgard women aren't logical."

"No woman is logical, you've been spoiled hanging around Sif who is very cool and collected and thinks in war zones and tactics." Harry said with amusement.

"Hello Handsome" a female voice said.

Loki looked over, "Sorry - not interested."

"I wasn't actually talking to you," she said with a mild smile, "Though you are, very...but your brother here, far more my speed."

"Brother" Loki said lifting an imperious brow, "No, no my dear" he said then slung an arm around Harry's waist and pulled him in tight, "This is my indentured bitch."

"Oh honey, you're so manly" Harry twittered in a classic over the bridge accent, looking positively girly.

"Damn, why are the best looking ones always gay" the woman said walking away with a sigh on her lips.

Harry and Loki looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Nat walked up, dragging a traumatized Steve behind her, "What was THAT" she asked humour in her eyes.

"Oh I think I just backfired a prank" Harry said smugly.

"I did NOT expect you to go along with it, you nearly made me crack" Loki laughed.

Harry chuckled, "You'll have to do better than THAT kiddo" he remarked.

"I am a trickster god, it's not right you showing me up like that, I will get my revenge" Loki said lifting a finger in solemn oath.

"You've been saying that for over a thousand years kiddo."

"And I still mean it, I did think I had you once."

"Oh yeah...when?"

"Well that did rather backfire on me, and swear you won't tell Thor." Loki said with a mischievous smile, "I sent Amora in your direction, only she missed by a whole person and landed on Thor."

Harry went wide eyed, "He's not been able to get rid of that heinous fan girl since!"

"Shh, shh" Loki shushed him laughing. "Now that's his fault is it not."

"Ahh well he did sort of make a rod for his own back by sleeping with her." Harry nodded, "Alright, well I suppose I'll keep that to myself."

Natasha was in a fit of giggles, "I don't even know who that is and it sounds funny" she remarked.

"She's actually moderately powerful" Harry noted musingly, "But about as effectual as a chocolate fireguard."

Steve got THAT one and laughed.

"You done torturing Steve now?" Harry asked the redhead amongst them.

"Ahh, maybe" Nat said with a grin, "At the least I think I doubled the amount of interested women who are drawn in by his clean cut image and refusal of the obvious tramp. Giving them sight of a nice all American guy that they can take home to mother."

Steve went wide eyed.

"Figured it was something like that, not that exactly but...I was pretty close right kiddo."

"Close enough I'd say." Loki said with a beaming grin.

Nat smirked, "I'm so transparent to you Harry." she said, then leaned in and rested a warm hand on his thigh, "Can you read me now?" she said huskily.

"Oh yes, and normally I'd take you up on that too" Harry said with a sexy smile, "But I'm actually not here to get myself or Steve laid, and the night has JUST begun."

"Wait...what?" Steve said with worry.

Barn, Elsewhere in America
Essentially the same time

Skye watched the last vestiges of May dealing with the ghostly stalker, impressed despite herself. She knew Harry rather liked May, but she didn't so much see it herself, she seemed cold and impersonal and damn right mean at times. No more proven than when she had taken Hannah out earlier that day with an icer without blinking. Phil had told her the story Harry wouldn't, and perhaps she understood a little better now the mask May wore, but still she hadn't expected her to be able to talk down a ghost with a murderous crush.

Skye felt it was important she DID understand May though, she was an agent that could be aspired to, she was a woman, she kicked ass, and looked good doing it. She easily handled men twice her size even groups of the same and Skye wanted to be that good, she was just not sure she wanted to let go of her humanity to do it. But if nothing else, this proved that perhaps May hadn't actually done that, she wore a cool indifferent mask, but obviously she DID have empathy and feelings. Locked down under tight control, but really was that such a bad idea in this line of work.

In truth Skye was currently of two minds about joining up to S.H.I.E.L.D, she wanted to be like Coulson a man she looked up to, and a little like May, but also Harry had been showing her a much wider world, hell he'd shown her more than a world. She was almost tempted to looking into doing that more often, but S.H.I.E.L.D. owned Harry's loyalty too and Skye felt that maybe with such examples maybe she might offer them hers. While she had showed empathy Skye knew that she wasn't the sort to use a hug either and Hannah was falling apart in relief and recrimination so she rushed over to tend to her, the danger was passed now, and it was time to catch up, settle things down, and when he got back tell Harry all about it.

Night Club, Manhattan, N. Y.
Later

"You know" Steve said slowly, "For what you just paid to get us in here I could've got a good car...two maybe back in the day."

"Times change Steve, money is worth less than it used to be, and there's more of it." Natasha teased.

"Right" Harry said seriously, "Kiddo look after Steve, here, go get a drink at the bar," he said tossing a fat money clip to Loki, "Me and Nat need a little chat" he said offering his arm to the redhead ex-super spy.

She eyed him a moment then took it and was whisked away into the crowds.

Once they reached the middle of the dance floor Harry clicked his fingers and all sound stopped around them, "Keep dancing but we can talk normally" he coached her.

"What's up Harry?"

"Do you have a problem with Steve?" Harry asked seriously.

"What.. no, seriously are you kidding?" Natasha asked with a small laugh.

"Does he offend you, that white knight complex the purity of the man?"

"Urh...little bit to be honest, but nothing that would affect us. He's one of the few people I trust at my back not to put a knife in it and one of the VERY few I will take orders from...what are you getting at here Harry?" she asked honestly confused.

"You know you are still pretty much the epitome of gorgeous, not changed a bit from when I 'first' met you." he said stroking some hair out of her face.

"That's...sweet, but I feel like its hiding a barb."

"It is, I've read your file, your REAL file, about three people in S.H.I.E.L.D have my clearance level, one of them is Fury, another is Maria, and the other is Pierce" Harry said, "But I wasn't satisfied, I've been active since...forever, and specifically World War Two I've been working in or around the SSR and then S.H.I.E.L.D. as a spy."

Nat stopped dancing.

"You are one of the few people that could relate to Steve in this day and age Natalia"

She glared at him, "So why do you insist on instead teasing him mercilessly like kicking a puppy in the street when you're ideal, damn PERFECT to help him adjust since you did it the slightly longer way around."

"How the HELL did you get THAT file."

"I've got tricks Nat, just tricks upon tricks. I burned it on the way out by the way."

"Why?"

"This was after we met up in Prague, what can I say...I like you, I think you deserved a break."

Nat looked at him a long moment, then slipped into his arms and resumed dancing, "Thank you...and I'll stop"

"Thank you, he's a good man, none better actually. I love the playful flirty Natasha Romanov, got to say but Steve...he can't handle that right now. He'll adjust he's a pretty bright bulb, but he's way in over his head and learning to swim in an entirely different world than the one he left. A few words of guidance, your unique view on the changed world since you're somewhat one of his contemporaries, it would do him a world of good and you know...maybe you too. You don't have to tell him your secret, or anything about the Infinity formula" Natasha hissed, "Yeah...I know that too, but wisdom is there to be shared just saying."

She held him a little tighter, "There is one better you know"

"One better what?"

"Man" she said smiling into his eyes, then leading him off the dance floor before he could reply.

Avengers Tower
Much Later

Steve was actually laughing as they walked into the tower from the elevator, "Phew...I'm a super soldier and I'm tuckered out" he laughed.

Harry smiled, "It's tiring but fun right!"

"Yes, alright, I'll admit it, it was fun." Steve said, "Loud, bright at times and crowded as all hell, but...fun all the same."

"And what time do you call this" Tony said appearing as he turned on a lamp, he and Pepper had obviously sat up for them.

"Oh...you didn't wait up did you, that's very kind if I'd known" Steve rambled.

Tony held up a hand, chuckling, "We were up anyway, you know me late nights are my normal, but am I reading this situation and Nat's party dress. Did you guys go .. clubbing!" he said with a wide smile that flashed a lot of well cared for teeth.

"That's wonderful" Pepper said, "And it sounds like you had fun. I would imagine though you were...urh.." she looked at Tony.

"Yes, he was" Natasha said, "But this time at least I played out rigger"

"Good, good" Pepper said with a warm smile.

Tony smirked, knowing damned well what Pepper didn't say. "I'm impressed Capsicle, honestly I am." he said and meant it. "Where'd you go?"

"Oh no where too crazy," Harry said, "Kinda mid range really."

"Mid range, they get MORE expensive!" Steve goggled.

"Oh yes, some of them have a credit check for the actual line, you don't want to know what you need to do to get on the VIP." Tony said, "But...I can help with that if you get interested."

"Thank you Tony, I'll...bear that in mind" Steve smiled. "I am TIRED, I've been in battles less tiring, I'm going to bed...Harry, Loki, Natasha...thank you despite my reservations, I did have a good time and I think that's partially up to you protecting me, so...I mean it, thanks"

"You are most welcome Captain Rogers" Loki smiled.

"What he said" Harry smiled.

"Tomorrow Steve, I have a video I think you should watch too, nothing bad, but...you were shocked at prices...I think this might help with that." Natasha said.

"I would...like that, honestly that was rather shocking to me." Steve said with a genuine smile, "Goodnight, and thanks again" he said walking away.

Tony waited and then laughed, "I cannot believe you took Capsicle CLUBBING!" he laughed.

"He's got to get used to this time somehow, and the new social norms. We took it pretty easy on him, as Nat said she protected him. Why that bloke isn't dripping in women already kind of surprises me." Harry remarked musingly. Both Nat and Pepper were nodding their agreement.

Tony smirked at his nodding partner and looked at Loki, "Now how do I say this without coming off a jerk."

"No one knows who I am Mr. Stark, there was no actual footage of me during the battle the only ones that know I .. I led it, frequent this building." Loki read what he wanted to ask. "Not so much as a lifted brow."

"We need to protect you, lest someone does find out who you are" Tony said, drawing a shocked look from Loki.

"Protect"

"We're letting you have your second chance, it'd be a real bummer if a drive by messed that up before you proved us right to do it." Tony said with a smirk.

"I urh...thank you Mr. Stark" Loki said looking surprised. "I will give that some thought."

"As will I" Tony said, "But you're not getting a suit" he said with a grin.

Lab, 616
The Next Day

Harry smiled a rather relaxed smile as he was dragged into the lab by Skye who seemed pretty insistent on showing him something they had found on their last mission. Skye was also shooting him rather knowing grins and as he walked to the holotable she lifted the back of his shirt, "Well I don't SEE any scratch marks, but I know you did"

"Are you monitoring my liaisons," Harry asked amused.

"Well, I'm thinking about running some sort of voting system, and if you make the grade I'm going to get you drunk and fuck you silly" Skye said with a totally serious face.

"Right, Because you've EVER had to get a man drunk to get laid" Harry said rolling his eyes. "Now I'm here, what did you want to show me."

"Gemma found it, but we had to repair the holotable, but luckily the data was still there" Skye said, "I was...curious given your extra planetary exploits if you would recognize.." she keyed the table into action, "This place. Tobias seemed to think it was hell, and that he deserved it." she said with a sad shake of her long tresses around her face. "Just don't tell Fitz I did that, apparently you need months on the course to even breathe on it."

"Six I believe" Harry said his hands expertly flying over the holographic interface, then zooming in at Skye's direction. "Jemma found this." he said suddenly very intense.

"She did, but didn't have much time to analyze it before a wrench wielding ghost guy attacked her."

"Yes, I did, and Skye you're a cow I wanted to show him that, I was very curious if he knew where it was." Jemma said walking into the lab with a smile on her face.

Harry tore across the room and laid one on her, "You Beauty!" he said with feeling letting the now dazed and smiling Jemma back to her feet, "I need a copy of ALL the data on my personal Share can you do that for me Skye?"

"You betcha"

"I need to talk to my godson." he said tearing off.

There was a silent moment, then the teasing tone of Skye said, "You want a moment to go change your panties."

Jemma blushed hotly then smiled a wicked little smile, "You're NAUGHTY" she said laughing.

"Oh hey, he didn't actually tell us where it led!" Skye realized.

The Lab
Later

Loki leaned on the Holotable his eyes intent, "Obviously I've never seen it myself" he said his intelligent eyes intent, "But it matches all I've heard."

"We're dying to know, obviously you and Harry know this place, so...spill already" Skye said.

Loki smiled at her while Harry smirked. "Helheim" he said simply.

"Huh, he was sorta right, that's the Norse hell realm right?" Skye asked.

"Someone has been swotting on Norse mythology."

"Two of my friends are big into it, so yeah.." Skye said like it should be obvious.

Loki shot her a rather emotional smile, full of gratitude which she noticed and gave him a smile in return, "But that's not really a GOOD thing right...could that hole as briefly as it was around have let anything out?"

"It's not like the Christian hell" Harry said, "It's not quite the same idea. And pretty damned secure, really only the All father himself can open a portal to get there. Which of course, was the biggest issue with our...mission" he said looking meaningfully at Skye.

"This is it...this is where she is?" she asked moving close to him for his ears only.

"Yep, been there a fair bit when I was warding it, never once Hela took up residence, but...it's not so much changed."

"It just looks like another planet" Skye noted.

"It is just another realm, albeit one disconnected from Yggdrasil" Loki said, "Long ago it WAS a realm of Asgard, then something happened, I know not what and...it is as you see it now. Desolate and literally lifeless."

"Not entirely" Harry said, "She's still alive, I KNOW she is"

Skye studied him a long moment, "You said it wasn't love...that sounds a lot like it."

"We had a.. complicated relationship" Harry admitted, "I certainly cared for her, and I think she did in return before the battle lust took her." he said seriously. His eyes intent on the freeze frame of Helheim itself and via a means that Odin had nothing to do with.

"Well you can't hardly build a particle accelerator just to blow it up to make a portal that only lasted a millisecond to get to her, you may and I say MAY get through it there, but how do you get back unless your whizzy teleportation skills cover that sort of thing." Skye said seriously.

"I can't jump dimensions, I can JUST about make it from planet to planet and that's a push." Harry said, "I'm pretty powerful Skye, but I've got my limits."

"The Bifrost could do it." Loki noted.

"Indeed, but I wouldn't put Heimdal in that position, he is a very honourable man, he may be willing to get us there and even try to get us back, but he would be forced by his code of honour to inform Odin, as he did with Thor's little rescue mission. I'm SO glad you weren't there for that, but I am going to clock that idiot for not calling on me." Harry noted as an aside.

"Greenwich" Skye asked. "We did the clear up on that."

"Fun!" Harry said dryly.

"Say" she said playfully, "Do you actually have a god of clearing up after yourself?" she asked Loki.

"Yes, we call them servants" Loki replied with a smirk.

Skye chuckled.

"Well the next time Thor gets all hammer time, send some our way would ya" Skye remarked with amusement.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 9: Chapter 08 - Spent

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

AN: It's the 9th at 17:00 which is nearly 12 hours after I started and at the end of this chapter I reached my goal of 50k of words for the November Writing burst. This means I basically did it in a day, LOL.

Prague, Warehouse
Night

A shot blew through their cover with Skye watching it Harry who had his back to the cover didn't even flinch as Skye ducked. Then another a little more towards him, and another even closer and still he didn't so much as flinch. Finally Skye reached up, dragging him an inch to the left and a final shot blew out through their cover right where his head had been.

"I know, I know...but I was focusing" Harry said tossing her a grin that always melted her ire like it was never there, totally into vaporware. "Now do you want to bitch at the immortal for not ducking, or do you want out of this situation." he said with a brilliant smile on his face.

"Oh gee...let me think" she said rolling her eyes.

"That's what I thought." he said toying with whatever gizmo he'd been building on the run from the state of the art computer lab they had recently been in. "What the hell is that thing anyway?"

"An escape plan, a little .. crazy, but you trust me right?"

"Uh...is that a multiple choice sort of situation." She smiled at him.

"I like how you're handling this, you're going to be GOOD" Harry said, "Grab me, tight around the middle." he said

"Oh, hey you should've led with that" Skye said clomping on, "Damn I feel serious...AHHHH" she suddenly emoted as he held his doohickey flat to the ground, triggered it a vivid purple flame appeared out the bottom and they were shot with alarming speed into the air, through a sky light and further up than Skye really wanted to think about.

Skye held on for dear life, but Harry cool calm and collected was searching the ground they were rapidly leaving and smiled, "Gotcha" he said, then she felt the now somewhat familiar feel of him teleporting and the next thing she knew they were standing in a park about three blocks away.

"THAT, you call that a PLAN!"

The Bus, Ops
Sixteen Hours Earlier

"This isn't from me," Phil said a serious face showing, "We've found a possible sight of a server farm to do with centipede but we're not really talking about a business arrangement here."

"Dark Web Server Farm" Skye nodded, "Mostly whispers but I heard if you've got the coin you can safely park your data that's actively protected by some of the best firewalls on the planet, backed with live hackers ready to block anything incoming as soon as the hack starts."

Phil pointed at her, "That's the intel"

"You got a location?" Ward asked, "We storm the place with a small strike team and...no?" he said as Skye was shaking her head.

"From what little I know they have private security that makes an army look tame, it's basically the most secure storage solution money can buy and by money I mean SERIOUS coin. But for that expenditure they basically guarantee your data is safe as a baby in a crib, maybe more so." Then she smiled, "And they're my people" she said looking at Coulson.

"You're reading it" Phil said, "But I refused to send you in there alone, this is a seriously dangerous situation. We need you to go in there, find or MAKE and exploit and get out. I don't doubt your abilities Skye but you just don't have the other training you'd need for that."

"I do" Ward said.

"No way" Skye said.

"I urh...thought we were getting on better now" Ward said carefully.

"Oh...we are, this isn't about that. But they'd sniff you out in a snap" she said snapping her fingers to make the point. "Fitz Simmons, MIGHT make the grade with a wardrobe update, but they aren't trained for that either."

"Excuse me" Harry said lifting Phil's glasses out of his pocket, he tossed off his jacket, lost the tie put on Phil's reading glasses and then his entire body language just...well it was like it learned an entirely new dialect. Harry always held himself with poise and confidence, you saw power in his every move, you knew he was tried, and tested and won through just by the way he stood. That was just gone and in his place in a somewhat laconic slouch was a nerdy looking guy with little self confidence that looked like he still lived at home in his parents basement.

"Well damn" Skye said shocked. "I thought you said Ward was better at undercover, seriously you're like a different person a far less hot one at that." She added the last with a wry tone.

He shot her a laconic smile, which was oddly endearing in a shy sort of way, and not like his bright smiles that near swept away her underwear in a single facial movement.

"Okay...stop now you're freaking me out" Skye laughed. That same shuffle in reverse and he damned near gained half a foot of height just by standing up to his full height. "So...with a wardrobe change...would I pass muster, Because if not. I am not letting you go alone, just...not happening, I was put in charge of your safety, you Became my student, I have invested time into you, I'm not messing about. No...don't give me that brown eyed glare, me or not at all."

"Luckily, with some coaching I think maybe we can pull it off, but we'd need a reason to be connected at the hip."

"That's easy, I'm your boyfriend" Harry shrugged.

"I like this plan already" Skye grinned.

"Seems we're a go." Phil noted dryly.

The Lab, 616 - En Route Prague
An Hour Later

"What in Odin's name is THAT" Harry said walking in to see Skye inspecting a device he'd never seen the alike of before, it was the smaller than a small sized SIM, and seemed like it was solid plastic with no telltale connective parts but he felt the buzz of computing power.

"This is something I dreamed up that Fitz' genius made into reality," Skye said with a small smile on her face, "I never thought I'd actually look at it outside of my fevered imaginings, that man he's SO clever."

"Said the woman that invented the damn thing. So what am I looking at, data storage seems obvious, but I don't see a single way of connecting it to anything and besides it wouldn't fit anything anyway."

"Ahh well, you know how computers emit EM radiation, and that a Hard drive cycles at a certain way." Skye said, "This wirelessly... I dunno the word, resonates and can upload the entire payload in about a millisecond. There's exactly 15mb of drive space, just enough for the Trojan worm I wrote to pull this off. Downside it's going to take a week to get the data OUT of the farm without triggering their security, spreading the data across the cloud in a totally random SEEMING way that well...only I know the actual pattern of."

Harry smiled, "I am so impressed right now."

"Another issue, it doesn't use a traditional wireless signal so it's clear there Because you can bet they'll scan our asses, and maybe our actual asses for anything transmitting, but it has metallic parts. Fitz said if I give him a week he could find something else, but right now this is the best I've got. And obviously it's suspicious if they find a random bit of plastic on me."

"Okay, pass that thing here"

"You hurt this I'll end you, this is like my first child, me and Fitz's brain child."

Harry laughed, "Hand it over." she did and he held it in his palm, "Now you see it" he closed and opened his hand, it was gone, "Now you don't. As for the metal...well, " he looked around then nodded walking over and grabbing one of Jemma's scalpels and a simple pin he cut open his hand unheeding of the blood and then inserted the pin actually into his bone.

"You're freaking crazy, do you like sticking alien objects into your body, is this a fetish I should know about?" Skye said wide eyed.

"This will explain the metal popping, they'll X-Ray me, find the pin and won't look further, without a full medical diagnosis they won't have the faintest idea this isn't a medical pin." Harry said, "I'll have Jemma extract this after the mission, with my healing factor it's no biggie so relax before you sprain something." Harry said rolling his eyes.

"You...don't think like a normal person." she noted wryly.

Harry smiled massively, "Why thank you for noticing."

Arse End of Prague
Three Hours Later

Thanks to some serious back channel voodoo and some help from the Rising Tide and people Skye actually trusted to do it, they had identities and backing to get a job at the farm working as active hack protection and that was their first night on the job, they were disenchanted students from America, not long out of high-school which they could both just about pull off and looking to make serious Bit Coin. Plumb targets for the 'Farm' as it was known in the dark web.

They had just been led into the building and as Skye had realized the scans were damn right invasive. "If that scanner goes any higher up my skirt I'm going to ask you to buy me dinner" Skye said with a wicked smile. "That's a no go big man, only he gets up there" she said to the positively nerdy looking Harry, who smiled meekly, "Ahh honey" he said sounding very much NOT like himself, and with a perfect So-Cal accent to match hers.

The big security guard sniffed eyeing Harry like he had NO idea how Harry had landed a woman like her. Then it was his turn and it didn't take them long to find Harry's own version of a Trojan horse, the console alarmed disturbingly and Harry was quickly under the guards control.

"Easy, easy, I bruise" he whined, "It's just my pin man," he said, "Seriously is that an X-Ray over there, like at the airport?"

"Yeah." the guard said roughing him up a little just Because he had a serious hottie and he didn't, sort of petty nastiness.

"I'll go, put my hand in it, then you'll see, not doing anything bad, I swear sir" Harry said sounding amazingly earnest and scared out of his gorde.

"You better not bruise my property" Skye snarled, her eyes flashing, she walked up grabbing Harry by the hair and dragging him to the X-Ray, where upon he showed them what he planned for them to see.

"Right, you're cleared" they were eventually admitted, and Harry's other hand flexed, there was a small flash of white, and his other hand seemingly flexed in turn the fearful expression on his face not changing an iota. Skye possessively held him close and they were led to a cubicle, they had made their...circumstances very clear, so it was big enough for the pair of them, two top of the line rigs in place showing a secure Linux distro custom UI.

"The alarm goes, you get to work, you fail you don't just lose the job" they were informed by the jealous guard who was quite obviously very confused as to their relationship.

"God bless Linus" Harry said reverently making Skye giggle lightly and they were set for a while.

Non-Secure Server Room
Much Later

"It's done" Skye said, looking flush with success.

"Good, now come here and ravish me"

"I don't think now's the time, and your timing sucks"

"No...I'm serious" Harry said, "We WANT them to catch us here" Harry said, "And we need an excuse for being here and away from our cubicle, you're already the Dom, they've seen that in action, so come here, hold me down and ravish me."

Skye looked at him a long moment, then her eyes lit up and she jumped into his lap, slammed his arms behind him and held them in place, wriggled in a way that had a big reaction and then paused looking into his eyes, then she was on him. It was wild, untamed, incredibly passionate and blew them both away. It wasn't the way either would normally kiss, or even approaching Harry's usual stance in this sort of situation, but that's what made it better somehow.

They weren't sure how much later but Skye was torn off him, still pouting and eyes wild and a security guard looked at her with a weird look, "This area is out of bounds for new employees" he said.

"I'm sorry, but sometimes I just can't stop myself, look at him...so geeky and...grrrr" Skye said her eyes on fire.

"Whatever babe" the guard said looking VERY confused, "Back to your cubicle, you work out the night, then you're gone. You're ten minutes late from your lunch, we don't like that sort of thing here."

"Shit, you sure man, we need this gig" Harry whined.

"Don't beg, it's just sad" the security guard spat. As they walked away they heard him mutter, "Lucky little bastard"

Later

"Shit!" Skye suddenly exclaimed ducking behind the divider.

Harry looked at her still in role, "What's up honey" he asked in a weak voice.

"Quinn...he's here! He knows me, knows my face."

"Oh crap" Harry said. "Look, just keep your head down, he isn't the sort to look at the help. You just try not to be...that gorgeous especially in THAT skirt, okay, just think...dowdy thoughts or something."

Skye smirked, ducking her head and going back to her so far silent console, doing everything she was expected to do.

"Relax your shoulders, we're just doing our job, they likely expect us to be a little tense after getting fired earlier, but not THAT tense" Harry lightly coached her. "You look ready to bolt, trust in Quinn's arrogance, and we'll be fine."

This seemed to pay off and Ian Quinn was gone, only for another issue to raise it's head, "We need to talk" the security guard from the reception and that had found them said, "Ah...not you squirt I need to talk to the one in charge."

"Okay, you keep your head down my little geeky man" Skye said caressing Harry's head as she walked past. But Harry was watchful, and while he looked relaxed he was ANYTHING but.

Three minutes later Harry slipped out to follow them.

"No way" Skye said strongly.

"Come on baby, do that and maybe I forget what I saw, you keep your job and you get to taste a REAL man" the guard said looking at Skye with lust in his heart.

"Come closer and you'll be sorry" Skye said eyes moving behind him.

"I missed you snookums," Harry said.

The guard growled, swirling grabbing Harry around the neck a K-bar was at his neck, "Do it or I bleed him like a stuck pig"

"Okay, okay don't hurt him" Skye said looking at Harry whose eyes had just darkened significantly.

"Now what did I say about not being too gorgeous" Harry said seriously.

Skye shrugged, "I can't so much help that baby" she smiled.

The guard suddenly frowned when Harry took his arm in hand then somehow despite the burly guard outweighing him at least two to one out muscled him to lift the arm away from his throat.

"What the.." the guard said thickly, then a blur of motion and he was folded up on the floor bleeding from where his own knife was sticking out his thigh.

Skye looked down, "Was that REALLY necessary." she said rolling her eyes.

"Oh, I know what he was trying to force you to do, I don't like men that force women."

"He had no chance, I've handled worse in high school."

"You went to a really shitty high school." Harry noted.

"Well...yeah."

And as per their luck that night another guard walked to the door, took one look and triggered his personal alarm.

"This is not our day" Harry said, then in a blur of motion he was on the new guard, snagging him and choking him out with a classic 4 arm bar. Then he stripped him, taking his radio out of his ear to put into his own and tossing Skye his side arm.

"This is a real gun." Skye said.

"This is a Real situation, don't hesitate, it's us or them and I don't intend for it to be us" Harry said, then smiled, "Come on, this is the fun bit when it all goes wonderfully tits up."

"Can't you just teleport us out of here," she asked.

"That depends, is there a Faraday cage around the building?"

"Likely" Skye said, "That stops you?"

"No, but the feedback of moving through it will send an EMP throughout the building, I hope that Trojan of yours hides well by the way Because they will audit the system after this."

"I designed it to actively camouflage itself" Skye said.

"Dead clever you" Harry said, poking his head out around the door several times, then looking back, "Corridor's clear - come on." he told her about to step out to take lead.

"Hey, I've got the gun, shouldn't I go first?"

Harry looked at her a moment, then laughed, "Urh...no, not yet, one day - likely, today is not that day." he said and then moved. A plethora of guards was at the other end of the hall by time they exited the room and Harry moved like a striking snake, he planted his foot on the wall one side then higher the other and descended onto the three man team like the wrath of the old gods. He landed in amongst them and weaved like a charmed cobra, their hits missing him by a hairs breadth, his never missing their mark. Knee, elbow, followed by a palm strike, reverse arm bar lock and a kick to the solar plexus and there was now a pile of groaning trained thugs.

"I am so wet" Skye remarked.

Harry laughed, "Come on hormone" he said and they ran off towards hopeful salvation.

Harry stood proud after dropping his latest dance partner only for there to be a loud retort of a firearm, the smell he was so familiar with and the sound itself so loud in the enclosed room that it was near deafening, he didn't check himself over, he already knew what had happened. He didn't pause he shot to the wide eyed Skye, held her face between his hands and stared into her eyes, "Listen carefully Luv, you just saved my life, he had me dead to rights and you ended the threat. For now, that's enough I'll help you with the rest later, for now push the torrent you're feeling to the side, I never wanted you to feel this, it's why I gave you the Icer, but now you do, but we don't have the opportunity to deal with it. Look at me, right in the eye, focus on these eyes you seem to like so much, and push it down, focus on the next minute, the next fight of the many we'll be having to get out of here and only that, don't think of anything else, you hear me. When we're safe, well we'll grab a nice elderly bottle of scotch and talk it through...kay beautiful can you do that for me?"

Skye nodded, offering a brave smile.

"Good, very good, you're going to be a damned goddess, come on...we're about halfway there, this place is literally designed to be a fortress, and we're fighting out of it, thankfully fortresses are generally designed to stop being gotten into, not out of." Harry said, and looked at her seriously, "That's it...good, feel the gun in your hand, that is a heavy weight right now, but don't let that stop you next time. I'm depending on you to watch my back, I don't trust many with that, but...I do you and you just proved that I was right to do so." Harry said, and then led her away from the unconscious bodies and the one grisly nearly headless one.

The shots were getting closer as Skye watched before she finally pulled him to the side, then he enacted his crazy plan and they had some breathing space. Skye took her first proper breath for the first time in the last hour, that's how long it had taken them to get even this much clear and she was aware they weren't out of the woods yet. Extraction was half a city away by design, and in completely the opposite direction to the one they'd been forced to take.

"Now what?"

"Now we find a car, and hope to god it's not another bloody LADA" Harry said with a crooked grin.

Skye looked at him a long moment, then laughed, slewing off some of the tenseness and honestly a lot of the fear she was feeling.

He gave her that Harry grin, the one that never failed to make her, or any on the bus smile, and she knew damned well he'd made her laugh on purpose. Then he cocked his head, listening to the radio that had already saved their asses several times, their saving grace that the security force had yet to change their coding. "They're on the way in this direction, they tracked our trajectory apparently. Grudgingly I will admit they aren't half bad" Harry said.

"You sound like you think that's a good thing, I'd prefer the keystone cops were after us right now."

"It's not a win, if it's an Easy win Skye" Harry smiled a little insanely if you asked her.

"Can't we teleport now?" she asked.

Harry looked at her very seriously a moment and she was worried by the look in his eyes. "Yes, I can teleport you home, right to your bunk from here. But...I'm not going to do that Skye. You want to be an Agent, this is your goal right?"

"You know it is."

"Chances are you won't be working with someone able to teleport very often. Likely won't work with me after you leave training for some time."

"That sucks, I think we make a good team" she said with a small pout.

"Oh...we do, and I'm very impressed, but you won't have the option of just teleporting out of danger. I actually rarely turn to magic to solve my problems, for the easy win reason and Because reliance is just plain dangerous. So no...we're not going to do that, think of this as another lesson, you and me against a highly trained army of mercs. I like those odds"

"You're serious, you're actually risking our lives to what...teach me something?"

"You need to know how to do this without the option of teleportation, do you know how RARE that gift is, likely you'll never meet another person with the ability." Harry said, "I'm not the solution here, so we'll make our own. Like any other agent would do in this situation."

Skye looked at him a long moment, "When we get out of this I'm going to knee you RIGHT in the sack."

Harry smiled, "And I would not blame you for that, and likely Coulson is going to roast them after. You shouldn't be in this situation for perhaps years yet Skye, but since we are, let's see if you can't learn something."

"What do you mean? About not being in this situation?" she asked, "I've already done a solo mission" she noted. "That was the issue earlier in this craptastic night of luck."

"Yeah. And so far it's not the worst night I've had...take a moment to ponder that" Harry smirked, "But I'm serious, Fury or more likely Maria has been reading Phil's reports up the line, and this is good in a way you've garnered the attention of the big boys, they see your potential and saw you were likely the only asset they have that had a hope of pulling this off." Harry said, "You've been noticed, but you shouldn't be on an op like this, not until you've had ACTUAL training, preferably at the Academy." Harry said seriously. "But fuck it, life rarely gives us anything fairly, so we'll use this crappy situation to make sure next time, you're ready to handle it."

"I don't know if I love you, or hate you right now." Skye said seriously.

He flashed 'THAT' smile at her again, "That's not uncommon to me" he said, then took her hand, "This isn't the best neighborhood and that might work to our advantage."

"Why so?" she asked letting him lead her, suddenly other than their bedraggled state they were a rather grungy couple out for a stroll. She'd always admired Harry's ability to just suddenly...blend. This was obviously something she needed to learn herself so she swung his arm playfully and then cuddled in a bit.

"Good, very good, stash the piece, small of your back - like the Icer" Harry said in a low tone, their heads close like they were whispering sweet nothings to each other. "By the way...I LOVE that outfit on you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know that's why I picked it" she chuckled, "But you didn't answer my question."

"Higher affluence means more expensive cars, means car alarms and security systems, rule of thumb, you don't want to snag a Mercedes when there is a Volks next to it. That sort of thing. Flashy cars draw attention, more wide spread are generally ignored, avoid bright colours and custom plates, it's common sense really." Harry tutored her.

"So ideally what do we want?"

"ANYTHING but a Lada" he said with feeling.

She giggled, then hated herself for it. Then caught his smirk and slapped at him, making the pair of them laugh.

Harry smirked, "So...where did you learn to boost a car?"

"I am a good girl, I never learned that, it must be your influence and it was certainly not one of the ways I made money when I first...left St Agnes'" Skye smirked. The door popped, and she smiled.

"Wait...look inside the interior, look for flashing lights, or keypads"

"Right, right, not done this in YEARS" she noted. "I think we're good, this isn't the best neighborhood either, so that's as per your hopes."

"And it's a good old beetle too," Harry said, "You'd be shocked how much damage these things can take" he said slipping into the drivers seat, he tore off the glasses, swept his hair, changed his posture and then said, "Swap shirts with me"

"Urh.."

"What?"

"I'm not wearing a bra"

"I'll close my eyes, but get a move on."

There was a flurry of movement, "You looked"

Harry smiled, "Yeah...I looked" he said handing over his shirt, it was a little large on her and hers was a little small on him in turn, but I just made him look defined and buff, which was clear the opposite of the image he had portrayed at the Farm.

"You owe me a look for that"

"You're quite amazingly pert" Harry said conversationally as he pulled from the curb.

"Seriously, you will pay for that"

"Sure, sure" Harry smirked, driving at the limit, "Hunker down, get your head down below the window if you can. They're expecting two people, let's only give them one."

"Oh yeah and that's the only reason you want me to virtually put my head in your lap" Skye snarked.

"I'd like to think you'd at least be good enough to distract me, so...last thing I want really" Harry chuckled.

Air Strip, Prague
Two Hours Later

Skye literally let out a breathe, "You made it seem that it would be much harder than that."

"Did I?" he said innocently, "Yeah...okay I did, but actually it's not usually. The amount of security they can enforce drops exponentially the further away you get, so far as possible as quickly as possible and the radius they have to cover gets bigger while you get safer. They are a private army for sure, but they don't have unlimited numbers of government protection, so we kept out cool, we disguised ourselves and boosted transport and drove right out the grid without drawing attention to ourselves. A lot of success is in your head Luv, you keep calm, analyze the situation and yeah...it's THAT easy to escape. Now there was a chance we'd be spotted or any number of oh shit potential moments and that entire time you were on an adrenaline high, senses running hot and head on a swivel while at the same time keeping your head and most importantly you dealt with the pressure. The Agency can't teach you that Skye, that is yours naturally. Like I've said many times, you were almost born for this."

"I hate you right now" Skye said somewhat seriously.

"You learned a lot tonight, we had a real tits up of a mission and we got out and while I won't say we're home free until we're back in American airspace, we got out." Harry said, "That was your first REAL mission Skye, you walked into a dangerous as HELL situation, very little backup and you got OUT take a moment and go wow, I'm GOOD" Harry said with a smile. He said pulling over.

"Why are we stopping."

"We leave the car way from the Bus, and yeah...I'll teleport us from here"

"Bastard!" she said with feeling.

Coulson's Office, 616
Later

"How'd she do" Phil said after he finished reading Harry the riot act for putting her so at risk with his 'lesson'.

"Oh...with a little TLC she's got a shot at my position in S.H.I.E.L.D." Harry said, "Including the fact I'm pretty sure she's a gifted too."

"Oh, how do you know"

"You meet enough of us and you I dunno...get a feel. But even without that she kept her head, listened when I told her what she needed to do and didn't crack. For shame she cross someone off, but she had my back to do it."

"I'll talk to her."

"Or I will," Harry said, "The first is hardest, but it should never be easy," he said sagely.

Phil nodded, "You took a HELL of a risk Harry."

"Oh seriously if we'd been seriously pressed and her life was in danger I would've had her out of there in a flash, but I wasn't wrong was I. It's not like we'll be working together very often she can't just rely on that ability backing her."

"She's not even an Agent yet Harry!"

"Yeah...it's about time that changed Phil" Harry said, "She's bled for us, and now she's killed for us. What does she have to do to prove she's one of us exactly?"

Phil nodded, walking to his desk and then throwing a black bill fold looking wallet down.

Harry smiled, "You already got her one."

"If I do this, you'll need to officially be her SO." Phil said, "And be a little more professional."

"I think I'm being plenty professional already considering our...mutual interest." Harry said, "The fact she maturely handled that and me not being...well true, impressed me. But then of anyone I highly doubt she's all that conventional, which honestly makes her an even more attractive prospect for me. But I do have a code of ethics Phil, you know that and I rarely break them."

"I know, but the flirting!" Phil said with a small smile.

"Oh yeah, I'm the one leading THAT charge" Harry chuckled.

Skye's Bunk
Later

Skye slid the compartment open and smiled slightly to find Phil there with a bottle of scotch and two glasses, "Making a move on me AC"

Phil rolled his eyes, "Can I come in?"

"Sure, pull up a...bunk" Skye said with a smile. "You lose the coin toss"

"I asked to do this" Phil said. "Considering how protective Harry is of you, I'm quite honored he agreed to my request,"

Skye looked much smaller than her personality made her seem most of the time, "Do we have to?"

"Yes, If I know Harry earlier, when it happened he got you to tramp it all down, right. He did the right thing, and it's generally what you have to do Skye" Phil said, pouring two shots and handing her one, "But this bit...the After it's maybe far more important and if you keep this locked down, that'll work...for awhile and you'll either stop caring in which case one day you'll be the other side to this, or it'll burst out and you'll go insane with it. Healthier, harder perhaps, to deal with it as soon as you're able. So, now...now I want you to reach down where Harry got you to put that horror and all that shock and let it out."

Skye sniffed, "I don't wanna AC, it hurts. I killed a man."

"Yes, and in the worst sort of situation, he wasn't a big bad or anything he was just a Merc, but one that was threatening you partner, would definitely have killed him had you not acted. The sad fact is Skye that most of the time the lines aren't as clear cut as we like. Merc like that, just a guy...doing a job, maybe had a family even. He wasn't evil personally, I mean we just don't know. But nine times out of ten those are the people you end up facing in this job Skye. The ones that are clearly insane, bad or both, that's nice...it's simple. You know that at the end of the day you ended a threat and it's clear cut. But, right now you're likely thinking you didn't do that. But in a very clear way you actually did, just on a different scale. He was a professional he would've acted with finality and Harry would've died and more than likely you right after. You had Harry's back when he needed it and you did what you had to."

Tears were streaming from her eyes currently, her lip wobbling. She took a slug of the whiskey, "If that's true, why do I feel like the bad guy." she said brokenly.

"This is going to sound contradictory, but that, right there is what means you ARE a good guy. Lives matter Skye, and the worst part of being an Agent is that sometimes we have to take one, working with us that will nearly always be in protection, and was in this case very clearly but if you didn't feel that...I'd want to put you down myself. The fact you feel torn up inside, I know this is stupid sounding, but it's a GOOD thing. You ALWAYS want to feel that. It should NEVER feel...right, it SHOULD feel wrong, or we're no better than them."

Skye looked into his eyes, searching them then he opened his arms at the exact right moment and she flew into them.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 10: Chapter 09 - Bridges

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Avengers Tower,
Three Days Later

"Mr. Odinson, there is a Skye to see you," Jarvis said.

"Thank you Jarvis, please send her up." Loki said, "Ahh Jarvis, Just Skye?"

"Indeed Mr Odinson."

"Thank you, curious" Loki said, then stood to greet her as the high speed elevator deposited her at the top floor. It took mere moments for it to arrive and a rather furtive Skye was shown, she had bags under her eyes and wasn't her usual knock out self and as he'd seen most often in the company of his uncle, smiling. She looked nervous and rather dour and obviously troubled.

"My dear, whatever is the matter"

"Hi...urh, you got a moment Loki" she said.

"For you, anytime come...sit, it's just me right now Pepper has Tony at some meeting and the rest of the Avengers are doing their various duties. So we have some privacy."

"Good," Skye said, and he guided her to the open square of couches and sat her down, then sat across from her leaning in and looking at her with gentle interest. "Okay this is...this is really personal and I'm not sure I should even ask this, we hardly know each other and this is a painful subject for you I know."

"If I can help, after all you've done and the acceptance you've shown me milady I will answer you. Clearly you are troubled."

"A few days ago, I urh.. I killed someone."

"I see, spending life is always a burden, but I think perhaps you are speaking to me for a specific reason Because I am quite sure that Uncle Harry has already talked to you about this" he said gently.

"Yeah, AC actually and he said the right things and yeah I felt better but...he said I did the right thing, that I had my partner's back, that it was a split second decision and I chose to save my partner."

Loki smiled, "I think I know why you are here to see me, you doubt the purity of your intentions I take it."

"Yes" she said in a rush, like just saying it was a weight off her mind.

"Look at me, into my eyes, do it" he said sternly. Her eyes snapped to his and he seemed to peer into her soul. He smiled, "You are still the generous and kind woman you were when I first met you, I see that clearly, a woman that wouldn't spend life without a serious cause. I am just taking a wild guess and saying it was my uncle you protected and it is your feelings for him that are clouding the issue, and may I add only in retrospect." Loki said gently.

"You know"

Loki chuckled, "Anyone that has seen you two interact knows how you feel about my Uncle Harry, those who are closest to him know he returns those feelings, though right now I doubt he will act on them."

She smiled slightly shaking her head sending her brunette tresses dancing.

"You think you killed not out of a more pure perhaps professional detachment, but out of a selfish desire. I think. And as the only person you know personally that openly admits he has killed for less than pure reasons you've come to ask how do you tell the difference."

Her eyes snapped to his nearly the same as Harry's green eyes. "Yes!" she said surprised, "I'm so sorry I know I shouldn't.." she was cut of as he lifted his hand to stem the flow.

"I am glad you are" He smiled softly, "I am rather honoured that you trust me to answer you. The trouble is this will sound like a platitude, but you just know." Loki said, "and the thing that really tells me that your reason was the more rather more protection aspect is that you now question yourself. ~If you had killed with anger in your heart, you would know that feeling, had you done it for enjoyment you wouldn't CARE to ask and you most certainly wouldn't be tearing yourself apart in self recrimination Skye. I know this sounds pat, but the fact you are questioning yourself is in itself the reason why you can put your mind at rest. Only now after I have calmed and Uncle Harry whipped me back into sanity do I even CARE I killed so many people, or that I ripped out a man's eye merely to gain a resource. At the time, I didn't really feel much at all, perhaps a sense of power, satisfaction I did the job. I most certainly wasn't sat thee with tears in my eyes heart in hand worried over my actions. Please, trust me and look at who's asking, but seriously Skye...you are a GOOD person. The line of work you have chosen, well death is a part of it in a way that many other lifestyles will not have. You are a damned HERO, especially to me right now, Because you have the guts, determination and the heart to stand ahead of the...sorry, sheep and protect them from the wolves. From people like me." Loki said seriously, "That takes a class of person who is so terribly rare and so very precious. I am honoured and glad you brought this to me, and if you will listen to my experience talking, you did it for the right reason, and one day you will have to do it again, and you're reasons will be pure Because Skye you are like my uncle and my dolt of a brother," he said with a wry smile, "You're a damned hero"

Skye shot out of her chair and into his arms, crying her heart out.

S.H.I.E.L.D 616, Parked at S.H.I.E.L.D. Training facility
Two Days Later

Harry and Skye were already smiling as none other than Mike Peterson walked up the ramp in a S.H.I.E.L.D. standard issue suit, looking MUCH better.

"Mike!" Skye said darting forward, "I checked on Ace only yesterday, he didn't mention anything about this."

Mike smiled at her, "I didn't know either, and he adores you, you know that right?" Mike smiled, "Oh...sorry sir"

"No, it's fine, I'm very pleased to hear you have contact with your son." Phil said, "And I knew Skye's been keeping over-watch on him."

Harry walked forward, standing square on to the much taller man and looking at him seriously, "So...did I tell the truth, or did I tell the truth or WHAT?" he said with a sudden big smile.

Mike stuck out his hand, "Harry you are a rare man, Because everything you said has actually happened." he said exchanging a solid shake, "I owe you."

"No...no you paid me back by proving my decision not to cross you off was the right one." Harry said seriously, "Go forward, no debts, just look to yours and Ace's future."

Mike shook his head, looking at Skye, "Yeah...he's rare huh, I think I can see why you stayed here with the big faceless agency of scary men in scary suits."

"They grow on you" Skye said with a bright smile, feeling a lot cleaner in her soul after talking to Loki and some important self reflection.

"And there they are.." Mike said, "Fitz...Simmons, you're solve holds to this day," he said seriously.

"Good" Jemma said smiling an especially wide smile for the handsome man. Fitz gave him a nod and wink with a slight smile.

"Well this is nice, but why ARE you here, you're still in training right?" Harry asked.

"We've got a lead on Centipede, at least a trail onto one and we needed special response for that. Come to ops and we'll all get up to speed."

L.A., Warehouse
The Next Day

They had picked up a lead from footage of a breakout the centipede soldiers had perpetuated of a man called Po, ex-military and seemed like they needed him for games and theory. They'd tracked the sister of one of the soldiers, Ward had tricked her into calling her brother with a purposefully fishy cover story of winning the lottery and that call had been traced to a warehouse.

Ward and May had gone up the loading ramp while Harry, Mike and Coulson had gone in the front. Neither party were finding a damned thing.

"You think they cleared out, this so called Clairvoyant" Mike said looking around on a hair trigger.

"Relax big guy, it speeds the reaction time and makes it easier to think clearly" Harry said softly head on a swivel, eyes suspicious. He was doing the rare thing of carrying an Icer and lifted it towards a large shipping crate, "Urh...you know I think we just walked into a trap." he said conversationally.

"Looks like" Phil said calmly. "Fitz, call the brothers number."

A moment later and the annoying jingle of a classic cheap burner was heard from the very crate Harry was looking at with his head tilted.

"Good call" Mike noted. The doors exploded off the shipping crate Harry ducking easily under while Mike caught the one going for Phil's head.

"Thanks" Phil remarked, a sense of deja-vu. "You're up Agent Peterson"

Mike flashed a slight smile and turned to find Harry was already engaged in furious hand to hand with a super solider. To Mike's shock he was doing rather well, actually a beaut of a punch knocked the centipede thug off his feet and on his back as the distinctive electric whir of Icers being fired flared from towards the back of the warehouse too, obvious Ward and May had encountered there own resistance.

The two sets of Agents was funneled towards the centre of the warehouse by the four soldiers, May kicking ass and taking names in her usual bad ass style lightning fast and super accurate working with weak points that worked on anything humanoid, no matter how strong they were.

Mike was going toe to toe, strength for strength finding the latest model seemed a little stronger, while Harry was covering Phil for the most part, and slightly hampered by that, but all the same he was showing them he was a force to be recognized with.

Suddenly the tide turned as Mike downed his opponent with good old fashioned S.H.I.E.L.D. training and Harry clear knocked out a super solider with a powerful kick right to the jaw. The remaining two suddenly stopped, then without warning they turned tail and ran. Mikes guy was still alive so they all menaced him and Phil started to shoot questions at him.

"I won't tell, I swear I won't tell" the soldier said sounding oddly desperate.

"You will" Phil said seriously, and not a little dangerously.

"No...I won't I .." he suddenly stopped talking there was a muted POP, his right eye rolled to the left blood flooding it. A moment later Harry's unconscious opponent had a similar thing happen to him and the S.H.I.E.L.D Team were looking at each other a little stunned by this sudden turn.

Lab, 616
Later

"It's cybertek, the eye like Akela Amador, had" Jemma said, "But...they've made a few upgrades. It's got the same basic self contained power, and back scatter abilities, but there is a distinct increase in the technology. Which, frankly worries us." she said, looking at Fitz.

"It does, they must have deep pockets to be able to enhance and field this technology and improve upon it so quickly, we're not talking a small amount of money to even put one of these in play like we thought existed. It goes to reason that all the soldiers had these, and as Simmons noted these are much improved on the model we encountered before."

"Their implants are likewise more advanced than Agent Peterson as well, with more blood filters on extra parts of their body increasing the amount of serum in their systems. The only thing I would note is that I from the design I believe they need constant injections of fresh serum while...well Mike hasn't been dosed in months." she said shooting one of her smiles at the man in question who was listening intently.

"I think that's down to you two." Mike said, "They said your Night-Night rounds somehow balanced the extremis and the entire chemical cocktail that's in my system." he said.

"We call them Icers now." Fitz said offhandedly, "SOMEONE didn't like our name" he said shooting a playful glare at Harry who smirked back.

"Oh..thank god, sorry that...not good man" Mike said with a slight smile.

"This increase in technology, it's like they are trying to perfect the soldiers, right, I mean I'm not the only one that see's that?" Skye asked.

"That's our thought, but I'm concerned by the attitude behind the increase, the extra filters, the increase in power of the eye, it's a rather...inelegant hit it with a hammer thinking" Simmons said. "Like they are in a rush, instead of doing it...well, properly."

Phil pursed his lips, "That's an interesting point, it could just be them trying to rush a product into production, but you think there's more to it I take it?"

"All these devices taken separately, the filter, the cybernetic implants even the eye, well they have medical applications too." Simmons said.

"I was just thinking that, it's kind of the reason Mike was talked into the program in the first place after his back injury." Skye said.

Mike nodded, "I was told they could make me strong again, that's what the woman in the flower dress said, she was very persuasive."

"Wait...flower dress?" Skye said, then worked her tablet, "This wouldn't be her would it?"

"Yeah, yeah, that's her" Mike paused, "Raina, I think."

"Good, we've got a name, that's a hell of a lot more than we had on her before" Skye said, "It's like she doesn't exist" she said, "Hacker wipe to the nth degree."

"Like you did for me and Ace? And sorry about again." Mike said seriously.

Skye shot him a smile and gripped his arm in commiseration, "You weren't in the best place, I understand and have no hard feelings, I'm guessing S.H.I.E.L.D. put you BACK in the system"

"Same name, different person" Mike said.

"So, this is a woman that had cause to disappear, or didn't come from anywhere that really exists on the grid in the first place." Harry noted "And in this day and age that's precious few places."

"Met a few" Skye said, "Street kids, those that avoided the system, never got on the grid, never wanted to be."

"Interesting point, can you find out somehow" Phil asked.

"The picture I have isn't great but with a bit of work I could make a facial recognition template see what pops, if she's from that sort of background she's likely good at hiding off the grid probably cash only and moves around a lot. But these days its nearly impossible not to get caught on camera and social media is a gold mine for that." Skye told him. "But...it also takes time to comb millions of images"

"Right now that's the best lead we've got. So...go do that" Phil said.

Harry had a musing look on his face after Skye's words then turned on a heel walking out the back of the plane, holding two fingers to his head.

Loki appeared a moment later wincing heavily, "OW! Alright, stop shouting already Uncle Harry,. I'm here!"

"Thanks kiddo, sorry not used that in a LONG time and we are a long way from New York so...shouted." he said with a semi-apologetic shrug.

"Well, I'm here now, what can I do for you uncle Harry?"

"I need for you to call on the Bi-Frost for me, and watch over Skye until I get back."

"Will you be gone long." Loki asked, "Heimdal. Open the Bi-Frost." he called. Moment's later the muscular power of the Bi-Frost burned its distinctive pattern on the asphalt.

"Minutes, depending on how much my quarters have been moved around."

"Father sealed them on your departure, for your return" Loki said, "They are as you left them."

"That's worrying, I had a half eaten sandwich in there, it may have attained sentience by this point" Harry said with a quirky grin, stepping into the Bi-Frost.

May and Ward tore out the back of the Bus, the noise and general energy burst having warned them something was happening.

"Calm my friends, that was just Harry fetching something, he will return in a moment, in the meantime he has asked me to watch over you...is there danger a foot?" Loki asked his hands up placating.

May smiled slightly, "When isn't there?"

"Yes, that sounds like my Uncles kind of Heaven" Loki said dryly.

Ops,
Not Much Later

Skye was distracted from the lanes of cyberspace when there was a hefty thump on the main table. She looked up eyes already taking on the sparkle that was always present when looking at Harry. Then she took in what he had put on her workspace, "What in...Odin's name, is that hunk of stone."

Harry grinned, "It seems to me this task you've been set would be much faster with more processing power."

Skye looked at the stone looking tablet he had laid on the table, "You are joking, looks like its from the Flintstones."

Harry rolled his eyes, "I told you already that Asgard tech, doesn't look like tech. This...this is so old they let their kids learn on this shit, and even then I'm only showing it to you Because you're a damned genius in your field. It also works rather like a laptop, so it's going to at least be somewhat familiar. They advanced beyond this sort of interfacing thousands of years ago. Likely you've seen some of the tech, you said Odin showed you some history books."

"Yes, pretty moving pictures and stuff too. Figure it was magic."

"No...that BOOK" he said making air quotes, "Had more processing power than we have on the entire planet. They make it all look rather gestural and effortless but well they only LOOK human Skye their minds are very advanced and most of their interfacing is either magical or mental. This, this is so old that they had to hunt it down in the archives for Odin to teach me their tech when I got to Asgard some three thousand years ago, now...it might be the only one out of a collectors study."

"And that...what?"

"Will make this entire planes main frame look like a pocket calculator and not a modern one. Come here, stand in front of me while I give you a crash course in the OS, and from there it's already connected to the entire planet so, reaching the net will be child's play."

Skye didn't waste time getting up close and personal. "First...they are a very straight forward people" he started, "But their OS...make working with windows 3.1 look like child's play" he said and spent the next couple of hours coaching her.

Bridge, Portland
That Night

Mike had gotten a call from Ace, but it had turned out Raina had somehow gotten to him, despite the protocols in place with S.H.I.E.L.D and even the over watch Skye had put in place to warn her of undesirables getting even close.

It was simple enough and there was no talking either Mike or Coulson out of it, straight swap...Ace for Mike. Obviously Mike was willing, and had asked Coulson to be his second.

"And remember, don't do anything to put my boy at risk, but...then" Mike said looking at Skye intently. "When he's clear...do what you need to" he said unusually intense. He turned to Harry, "I've heard the stories, and I know your rep and I've seen first hand what sort of man you are." he said in a low tone, "If anything happens to me, you get my boy safe."

Harry didn't give false platitudes, it was pretty obvious why they wanted Mike and just what that would involve, they all knew Mike was giving his life to save his son's. "You have my word, I will hide him in a safe place that even Fury won't be able to find."

Mike marginally relaxed, smiling slightly, he looked at Skye. "You lived up to what you said you know...you wanted to help me, perhaps it didn't lay out as you thought, but you still came through." he smiled a little, "Thank you for that Skye."

Skye had tears in her eyes, "I hate this"

"It's time" Coulson said, stepping up to Mike's side. They walked off, not a glance back.

"I don't like this" Harry said, his tone tense, "It doesn't feel right, something is...off"

"After Peru, I'm willing to listen" May said, "What do you want to do."

"Nothing we CAN do, not until Ace is clear." Harry said, then purposefully relaxed himself, "But when It happens, then we can act."

"It" Fitz asked as Simmons chewed a full lip.

"When I feel like this, IT is always something, I never quite know what IT will be, but it usually becomes pretty damned obvious pretty damned quick."

"I lost them, behind the mixer" Ward said over comms, a secure line direct to his team, untraceable by usual methods, they weren't risking it up close and personal, but Ward was in a sniper nest and they did after all need to be able to talk to him.

"Yeah, that was the plan." Harry said, his eyes narrowing, taking on a slight glow, "You got any gizmo's Leo that can give us audio form this far."

"Laser mic, but if they spot the beam" Fitz trailed off the ramifications were obvious.

"This is taking too long" May said, now tense herself.

"I think Mike has the girl by the throat." Harry said, "I can only enhance my vision so far and I lose some clarity."

Loki slipped in beside Harry, "Say the word I can remote teleport the boy"

"You are better at that than me" Harry noted, "Yes, I like that idea, but we can't afford to spook them with Coulson too close either."

"Things on Midgard are somehow far more complex than a thousand years of adventuring with Thor" Loki said, "I'm not sure if I enjoy the challenge, or miss the simplicity."

Harry chuckled a little, "Yeah...right there with you kiddo" His eyes suddenly narrowed as Mike picked up Ace and was running towards them. Only thing, Coulson was the one being held.

"Do it" Harry said firmly and with a focus and twitch of his hand he teleported Ace right out of Mikes arms. To his credit Mike reacted quickly, he turned tail and ran back to perhaps save the situation. Clearly the deal he had stated was the deal, was in fact not their true purpose.

Suddenly the mixer truck exploded into a massive conflagration that most certainly flash fried Mike as Skye hugged Ace so he couldn't see and cried out. Harry just reacted, he went with his instinct and started to run. He called back, "Loki...find Mike's...find Mike in that, and get him out. Just...trust me"

"Of course, be safe Uncle" Loki said, casting a myriad of detection spells. Suddenly the limo that Coulson had been manhandled into went up too and this time Skye was joined in her scream by Jemma and an angry cry from May. But Harry didn't even slow down, he angled off to the side his senses on high alert as a small helicopter lifted from under the bridge and lay down fire, mostly firing at Wards sniper nest. Harry took aim, and disappeared with is distinctive lack of any real sign outside of him no longer being in one place, only to arrive IN the copter. He put a hand on an obviously drugged Phil shot Raina a slaying smile handing her a rose, "You're pretty" he told her, then with a twist of the space continuum he and their captive were gone, only to reappear just outside, free falling. His hand went into Coulson's holster, and pocket as he let Phil fall too, changed out to a tracker, fired snagging the radically course adjusting black 'Helo, grabbed Phil by the shoulder again and then reappeared back with the rest of the team who all flooded Phil just as Loki said grimly, "I found Mike"

Harry met his eyes, "Call the bi-frost" he said, "You guys get Phil back on the bus, get that fat bird in the air and don't come down without a level nine saying so, preferably me" Harry said as the roar of the bi frost settled on the on fire bridge, "Ace...I'm going to do everything in my power to get you dad back to you okay, but...for now you stick to Skye, do not leave her side."

Ace nodded seriously and clamped around Skye's waste, who hugged him to her side, "Come back to me safe and in one peace" Skye said intently.

He flashed the smile she loved to hate, "Always Luv" he said and he, Loki and Mikes burning body were pulled into the intense beam of the Bi-frost.

Somewhere In Nevada
Much Later

Po was rather perplexed, "You're telling me that the plan went off without a hitch until suddenly a.." he looked like he swallowed something nasty, "Dishy Englishman just appeared took Coulson and disappeared."

"He gave me a flower too" Raina said, "Smug bastard" she said with no expression on her face. "The man was obviously a gifted, and frankly how did we not know that Coulson had one on his team! I fail to see how a Clairvoyant would miss that."

"It appears the most worrying thing to come from this is that this .. gifted is able to hide from the Clairvoyant."

"Impressive" Raina said softly. She smelled the flower a small smile on her face.

"Bah!" Po exclaimed, "He will not be happy"

"I think the take away here is that we have found a weakness the Clairvoyant is now aware of and perhaps can account for."

A centipede soldier walked into the room and he looked...concerned, "Yes...what is it?"

"We searched everywhere, but the remains or anything of Mike Peterson weren't there."

"WHAT!"

Asgard Healing Rooms, Asgard
Later

Mike groaned as he came awake, but since he knew he'd just been in a damned big explosion he actually felt surprisingly good.

"Steady Mike" a very welcome voice said. It was the voice of a man he knew he could trust, who'd proven himself dependable and honorable, and it had to be said that was a rare anyone in the world. His eyes flickered open and light flooded in, "Ouch" he said with feeling.

"Yeah...I know, you've probably got a nasty headache, bear with me" Harry said, then the light faded.

"Ahh, that's better thank you," then he shot upright, his entire focus swimming. "ACE!"

"Shh, shh, he's safe my godson got him to Skye and he's on the Bus with her now, they've gone dark until I or someone else my level tells them otherwise. And I intend for that to be me. But you have some thinking to do my friend."

Mike sat up, looking himself over, "I...am not really hurt."

"Oh, but you were mate" Harry said, "You're currently on Asgard, it was the only place with the level of medical technology that COULD heal the mess you were in. I won't detail everything, but burned to a crisp and missing a leg from the knee down...that about sums it up.

Mike pulled the sheet away and looked at what looked like his leg. "Huh"

"Think super advanced culture, they can regrow limbs, replace things you don't want to know about so regrowing healthy skin and repairing nerves...child's play, I actually had to work on your nerves, seems Frigga thinks I'm losing my healer skills she spent so hard teaching me" Harry said with a lopsided grin.

"I don't know what to say. Again, You're my own personal guardian angel"

"And I might be able to grant you a wish Mike, but...you need to think on this. I've done this before though I had help, this time I have...another option that will remove your Sister and her family and Ace totally out of danger, but they won't have the same freedoms they enjoy now. That said, it'd be pretty damned good all the same and I'd make sure Ace and his cousin have the best possible education."

"What's the catch, gotta be a catch with that expression on your face."

"It's not so bad, I'll do that if you want to still be an agent. To my mind you are a born hero Mike, you WANT to do good. But this is a new way of life, and you'll need to keep a hefty secret. You'll be able to visit, carefully, see your family and your son as often as you can, but outside of the most trusted people in your life you must never tell a soul you even HAVE a family, let alone a weakness like a son. That was just quite clearly shown to you as a way to manipulate you, and don't worry none of us is going to hold that against you, I'd've done the same myself, no hesitation and anyone that gives you shit for it can kiss my beautiful English arse" Harry said, "No father would've refused that, and anyone that says they would doesn't deserve the title."

Mike smiled a little. "You're already in some pretty dangerous cross hairs I have to tell you, but you can choose to back out and I'll disappear you to the best of my ability, but there is no real guarantee that'll stop them."

Mike smiled, "So what you're really saying is that I don't really have a choice."

"You could try your luck, but.." Harry spread his hands, "I'll make it work, whatever you decide."

"I want to be an agent, I want to help people but I don't want to put my family at risk to do that. If you can protect them, then...I'm saying yes to that."

"I'll make it happen, lay down you've had a traumatic experience, tomorrow I'll take you to Ace."

He turned, but Mike called him back, "Harry.." he looked at Harry emotionally.

"Ahh, don't make it a thing" Harry said with a grin and walked away leaving a laughing Mike behind.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 11: Chapter 10 - Clearance

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

AN: So I think I have planned far enough ahead to make a small warning here especially given some of the content in this chapter. If you think I'm letting Ragnarök happen you must be joking, personally I think that film while very funny was not even worthy of being canon, the character of Hela was outright WASTED and while I think Odin is a bag full of tools, the Asgard are wonderful and after that and then Thanos being a dick...they were virtually wiped out. One of the things I love about writing Fan-fiction is that you get to make broad sweeping changes for things you don't personally like. I didn't like that entire story line, a very sad end to a rather wonderful ANCIENT race, some of whom were really rather too powerful to be wiped out THAT easily. Though I do love the 'And you are then the God of Hammers' line Odin laid on Thor, that had me giggling for hours. Thusly if you think I'm setting up Mike for more shit and loss in the future here, and I won't say exactly how...you'd be wrong. I am YES, fucking the Clairvoyants plans, I am making an attempt to shift Harry around so he DOESN'T just steam roll all the challenges that the Team faces, but that one, I dunno at this point I still need Ward, but not actually for a long time, and Garret was only important to Ward's story line, so I'm kind of having fun fucking with his plans. Also, Q and A folks, before Quinn where the FUCK did Garret get the money to pay for all those toys?

In flight 616, Atlantic
The Next Day

Ace suddenly tore out of Skye's arms and since he also shouted, "DAD!" Skye didn't panic.

Fitz looked at the newly arrived Harry, Loki and a surprisingly spry looking Mike and put his hands on his hips, "Since I learned you could teleport I've been trying to guestimate how that works, and thanks by teleporting onto a plane moving at over two hundred miles per hour you just borked them all!" he said.

Harry chuckled, "Still...it's a hell of a mental exercise right Leo?"

Fitz smirked and strode off muttering about wormholes, and how that's not how his teleportation obviously worked.

"And there he is" Skye said, not even trying to hide her smile at seeing him, she looked past to the tearful reunion of father and son and shook her head, "You know Mike is going to end up worshipping you as his own personal deity."

"Nah, currently he's at guardian angel" Harry said with an easy smile, "I'll leave the godding to my boys, so...hows you"

"Pissed" Skye said with feeling, "They nearly killed Mike, threatened a little boy and stole our AC, if it wasn't for you god alone knows what tortures he'd be undergoing."

"There must be a reason they wanted Phil, I get Mike he's stable he hasn't had any more infusions and still has his abilities, you'd think that would be a priority for them, but Phil...there's only one thing I think they'd want to know." Harry said musingly. "And doesn't that just open up a whole shitty can of worms"

Skye looked at him a long moment, "And what's in your handsome head?"

"Ahh, you think I'm handsome Luv?"

"Oh, me and any woman you've met...ever" Skye rolled her eyes, "But distraction technique much, deflection alert."

"Fair does Luv, but I need to have a word with the boss before I talk about my suspicions"

Skye nodded "I get that."

"Which is why you were a rotten member of the Rising Tide, you actually respect personal privacy" Harry teased.

"You know why I really joined," she said easily.

"The boss in his office?"

"Yep"

"I'm going to go have a chat, do me a favour, watch out for Loki, I've seen the look May cuts him, that's one woman you don't want to cross"

"I'm not the one you need to warn" Skye said.

Harry half turned then turned back, "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh I urh...walked in on her and Ward having a...moment"

Harry's face creased into confusion, "Seriously..Mel and Ward?"

"Yeah, I don't think it's anything serious, just you know...physical"

Harry shook his head, "I hope so," he said, "I know Andrew, her ex-Ward falls far short of the charisma of that man." he said with a sad shake of his head as he walked away.

Skye sniggered to herself as Mike walked up Ace up in his arms, he looked at her very seriously, "Skye.." he paused, "I.."

She smiled, "Hey...we're good"

"You and your...friend, are too alike," Mike said, "But you, you need to let me say the words." he told her, "You protected my son when I wasn't able to, you watch over him while I'm away and this time you have given him a hell of a lot of comfort and shown him a bucket full of love when he was scared after while not seeing, but knowing something bad happened to his dad." Mike said, "If I could I would officially make you his godmother, but sadly my ex had that choice, but unofficially me and Ace say you're one of us, part of the family, one of the Team, and if you ever need anything from either of us...you just gotta ask. Harry is arranging to get Ace and his closest family out of the firing line, maybe 'way' out of reach actually, he's undecided and in talks about that" Mike said, "But he told me that I can only tell those I trust most that would happen, and well...that's you"

Skye shot him a warm smile, "I will protect that secret and Mike...one super charged Hacker wipe is incoming when Harry gets that going."

Mike smiled, "I don't know how I lucked into meeting you and Harry, but I thank god that I did"

"You're most welcome" Loki said with cheeky grin. This caused Skye to fold up into giggles closely follow by Mike's rich laugh and a very confused giggle from Ace.

Coulson's Office,
Same Time

"I don't like that look" Phil said, "You are rarely serious Harry, it's one of the things I most admire, especially now I have a better idea just how old you are. Right now, you have serious face."

Harry smiled slightly, "I'm perturbed"

"That's...worrying"

"Why you Phil, they should have wanted Mike, but instead they threw him away, maybe they intended to fish his body out of the water and study it, that's even likely but their main goal was hands on you. Alive and kicking too."

Phil leaned forward folding his hands and looking as serious, "That did occur to me to and I am sure you came to the same conclusion I did."

"It's really the only reason I can think of," Harry said, "And lends itself to wondering...how long were you down, Because 40 seconds hell I'm a damned doctor I know you can be 'gone' for a good three minutes before all hope is totally gone. Why does he care about 40 seconds, huh, can you tell me that boss man?"

"No, I can't, and if I say that Tahiti is a magical place one more damned time I will scream, but.."

"You feel compelled to do so right"

"I do, and that makes me think of potential memory modification, I've seen a few files on that, redacted at my old level...this one, or yours...maybe not."

"The Hub"

"The Hub." Phil replied.

"I gotta get Mike and his family squared away."

"Like Fury did for Clint, Laura and the kids?"

"Actually it was me that made that happen, Clint was my find"

"I never knew that."

"I picked him out of the circus and stopped him doing petty crime, sponsored him into S.H.I.E.L.D, never regretted it a moment. And later he paid it forward with Natasha"

"One of our best, but I think we've lost them both to the Avengers"

"It's a higher purpose"

"You'd be a shoe in Harry, but you don't seem interested."

"I'm not a hero Phil, I work best from the shadows"

"Bullshit are you not a hero" Phil said a little angered.

"I thank you for the way you view me, but the work I do is...dark"

"And thankless, but damn it needed to be done, I was VERY happy when you joined us, you should step out into the light of day where you can shine."

"Phil, you'll make me blush."

"And there it is, you and your lady both do that."

"My what now?"

"Oh hush," Phil shot him down. "But you and Skye deflect with humor, she's twenty four I can excuse her, god knows how much older than that you are, I think you don't so much NEED to hide behind humor"

"No, not NEED," Harry said with an easy smile. "I am touched by what you said, and I'm honoured my friend and a man I truly respect see's that in me."

Phil smiled, "Thank you, that's more like it" he said. "Now...square Mike and his family, you taking them off world."

"I need to clear that through the All Father, but I do own quite a lot of land there, so that's basically mine to do as I please but strictly speaking mortals need special dispensation. That said he is not an unreasonable man as angry as I am with him currently, so he'll do it to protect a child." his expression darkened, "It's just his own he seems to fail with."

"Oh...that's a bad look" Phil said, "I've not seen that look but once"

"Yes, but this won't end in a blood bath" Harry said, "For one I still respect and OWE Odin, he's almost a brother to me, was almost something more, but his handling of not only Thor and Loki but now...well I won't get into it, but his first born was especially important to me, one I made him promise to tell the boys about her, and two her cool off was supposed to have ended quite some time ago."

"How long was her time out"

"Nearly two thousand years now, but to an Asgardian...that's not actually that bad. But still...too long, I expected him to not only tell the boys, but also release her and I've not mentioned THAT part yet to my lads, but that was supposed to happen around about the time I hit Earth again."

"It seems this first born was important, didn't you want to be there for that."

"I'm a big part of why she was trapped, or at least how she stayed trapped, I figured she wouldn't WANT to see me." Harry said honestly.

"And be honest with me, where DOES Skye fit into your life now."

"Right now...close friend, much admired student and potentially more later" Harry said honestly.

Phil nodded slowly, "I like that girl, do right by her."

"I'll do my best"

"I can ask no more than that, Because you have an amazing best Harry."

Harry's Estate, Asgard
A Week Later

Mike breathed in the sweet air of the vineyard attached to Harry's land and shook his head, "This is a paradise, this is not what I thought you meant"

"This is my land, I lived here myself for many years" Harry said, "It's warded to hell and back, that's special protections that I can do as part of my gifts and Asgard is generally a peaceful place, there has been no direct conflict on these lands in a thousand years and anything that crops up they are quite good at handling. Ace and your sister's family will be safe here, out of reach of your enemies and the education the kids are in store for is literally light years ahead of anything on Earth."

"Harry, god damn it I don't know what to say."

"Promise me something and we're good okay."

"Name it"

"That you will stand for those weaker than yourself, that you'll use your gifts to protect and never threaten the innocent and...we're good"

"You got it"

Harry smiled, "Take a week or two here, relax spend time with Ace, you need to lay low anyway why not with your son. If you want, there's a training yard out back, and it's keyed to my physiology so...you won't break anything"

Mike laughed, "I love you man"

"Ahh, don't get sappy" Harry grinned, but did give the other man a back slapping hug. "I gotta go, me and Phil have a mystery to solve."

"Look out for Skye okay," Mike said. "That's a very special woman."

"You don't have to tell ME that" Harry said, teleporting away to the Bi-Frost.

"Odin's beard" Heimdal said clutching his heart.

"Do you know how statistically unlikely it is for an Aesir to have a heart attack, and you all do that exact move at a little jump scare!" Harry said with a beaming grin.

"I think you are trying to prove the statistics wrong" Heimdal said with a chuckle, "Back to Earth?"

"Head for the roof of Avenger's Tower, I want to ask Tony a favour"

"Indeed The Lord Stark has a fertile and interesting mind, I find myself watching him creating with wonder in my heart."

"Humans are special, and Tony is one of the best" Harry said.

"Indeed, I will keep closer watch on Midgard in times to come, I think humanity is finally starting to come into its own."

"Oh...they're getting there" Harry said as Heimdal triggered the giant transportation device with is great sword, he gave one last wave before stepping back into the beam and Heimdal smile to himself, his incredible and magical gaze focusing on his arrival point.

Avengers Tower
A Moment Later

"Good...something Mr. Jarvis" Harry said stepping into the rooftop access and knowing Jarvis had pickups over the ENTIRE building even the floors the Avengers weren't using.

"Good morning Harry. I must admit it feels rather too familiar for my programming to call you that, do you not have a last name by which I can call you sir." Jarvis said.

Harry smiled, "And it's questions like that, that make me realize that if you're not already sentient you're close" Harry smiled, "And I do yes, of course have a last name, I've had many last names Mr. Jarvis, but my real name well...in this day and age and a very weird bit of luck is not something I'm comfortable using, but if you would like and it would make you more comfortable Mr. Jarvis you could address me in the form you're using for Loki, and call me Mr. Jameson. But if you truly want to follow protocol then actually Loki now Odin has come to his senses if once more actually titled Prince Loki, which is the proper Asgardian form of address. Though I quite like Mr. Odinson, and we use that on his human documentation, but in truth it should be Prince Loki."

"Thank you Mr. Jameson, I'll update my files, I appreciate the...heads up I think Mr. Stark would call it."

Harry grinned, making his way down the six flights of stairs, "Not a problem, I like that you asked off your own back Mr. Jarvis, as I said it shows self awareness and a need to self improve, which is after all very sentient."

"I do not think I am classed as even an AI Mr. Jameson," Jarvis said, "I am known as a VI"

"Yes, I think that's more to skirt the laws than the truth of the situation Mr. Jarvis" Harry chuckled. "From what Tony boasts you started as mostly a natural language UI, and now you look to improve yourself and seek to meet goals, albeit protocol programming but while that could be called just acting to prearranged program you actually put yourself out to ask me my name instead of waiting for someone to input the data"

"I...thank you Mr. Jameson."

"You are most Welcome Mr. Jarvis, I can take it you've let Mr. Stark know I'm coming"

"Mr. Stark is already aware, and is entertaining your Lady Skye. Which in regards to my previous line of questioning, what should I use to call her."

"That I'm afraid is not so clear cut, Skye doesn't know who her parents are, hates the name she was given at the orphanage and it is kinder to in this case go by her chosen name of Skye. Perhaps a more formal Miss Skye, Thor sometimes calls her The Lady Skye."

"I thank you for your advice, I find our conversations illuminating and you interact with me in a way that only Mr. Stark does"

"I treat you as a living being, Because that is how you are to me, and I have certain standards I somewhat adhere to of respect and conduct with dealing with other beings, so I then apply them to you. I've met many beings, sentient intelligent, all manner of shapes sizes and origins, but I've found they all respond to basic respect best of all."

"I think that wise and think I will adopt that myself Mr. Jameson, again...thank you for your wise words."

"Again Mr. Jarvis, you are most welcome" Harry said striding into the stairwell access to the sounds of laughter, smiling as he heard the rich tones of his godson mixed with the lighter of Skye and perhaps most surprisingly the tones of both Pepper and Tony in there too. That was some way passed merely putting up with Loki's presence, that was somewhat accepting him. This was very much to Harry's liking.

"And what prey tell are you doing here, skiving off work again I suppose" Harry said by way of intro and smiling at the laughing face of Skye, this was a good look on her.

"If you must know you left Loki as my own personal body guard and I quote he didn't like the way Ward looked at me. In all honestly he was just checking out my ass, I've had worse than that in the street." Skye laughed.

"Good show" Harry said to Loki, "So you brought her here, good choice."

"Oh honestly, he's much better now, I think May is slaking his lust pretty well" Skye said seriously. "The scary stalker aspect is WAY down now."

"Obsession never really goes away" Loki said carefully.

Skye smiled, "Yeah...to whit Harry's over protectiveness that seems to be rubbing off on you."

"Are you saying you didn't want to visit Skye?" Pepper teased.

"Nah I love you guys, but still I was kind of working on something."

"That's partially why I'm here, Tony mate can I have a word in your shell like"

"I dunno what that is, but sure" Tony said easily.

Later

Skye had a playful look on her face as she enjoyed Harry's face in profile as he read on one of Tony's unique tablet devices that had both a normal tablet touch screen and a fully capable holographic interface. "I'm concerned" she said laughter in her voice, "The last time I saw you looking that serious the man trying to coerce me into giving him head ended up beaten bloody and with a knife sticking out his thigh." she said.

There was a round of chuckles and a thin smile from Harry that was rather vicious all the same.

"Urh, Skye...where abouts was the dagger...inserted. And if someone could clarify the expression..head" Loki said carefully.

"Drop it kiddo" Harry said.

"About here" Skye said, touching the inside of her thigh, Tony looked startled.

Harry sighed, "Thanks" he said to Loki.

"Urh Tony looks a little pale and Pepper seems to be working something out that's going right over my head."

"I take it you didn't pass biology in high school" Tony said softly.

"High School Drop out here" Skye said uncaring.

"Yeah,...we need to fix that, you could do with a GED at least and you're plenty intelligent" Harry said.

"Ah...I want to know why Tony is looking at you like that."

"He's Dead Skye" Loki said seriously, "I take it, with a little guess work Head involves well, mouth."

"Oral, yeah" Skye said with a shrug.

"Oh...good riddance" Pepper said.

They all looked at her a little surprised, she was a rather gentle natured woman. She smiled slightly, "Before working for Tony well, some of my bosses thought I would be willing to offer a far more 'personal' service for my P.A. role." she said seriously.

"Said one of the most powerful women in business now" Skye noted. "Shows those dicks huh Pep"

"You're right there" Pepper smiled. "But while it's a little hard core, I am not sure I hate that he did it."

"Was that...about what we have mutually agreed not to talk about." Skye said carefully.

"No that had nothing to do with WHO it was and was all about WHAT it was. You're remarkable blase about this, but it's non-consensual sexual acts" Harry said, "I call that Rape and I have a totally unwavering policy when dealing with rapists, male or female. Basically I end them. Have done well...since I was a boy"

"That's pretty hardcore, I would imagine it happened to someone important to you," Tony said gently.

Harry laughed, "You could say that, well actually first...it happened to me, a few different ways really but sexually my first wife."

"You married her?" Skye looked at him with shock.

"Here's where it gets REALLY twisted, she wasn't content with making me have sex, she stole perhaps the most important choice a human being or like minded being has, she stole my love."

"How? I mean obviously you mean that, and we know enough from Loki to know magic is real...so what are we talking a Love Potion" Tony said incredulously, only for the hilarity to drop off his face at the serious look Harry was giving him, "Fuck...they exist."

"Harry burned all knowledge of how to make them," Loki said, "But...where he's from they could be bought in a shop."

"Bitch dosed me daily with the most powerful there was, had three of my children and I thought I was in love." Harry said.

"Obviously you broke out of it somehow, or were cured." Skye said, "Or worse you outlived it."

"No, death was the answer, but for shame not mine. I did something when I was young, beat a bad guy and when my kids were just a year into their schooling a revenge attack wiped out, half the students of the school, including my brood." Harry said looking haunted. "That surge of TRUE emotion somehow cleared my head, and then I noticed how my wife was reacting...and she didn't seem to care, was already pushing to have more."

"Sick bitch" Pepper spat.

"But even then I was just going to leave her, but I had to dig." Harry said his tone grim. "Turns out her brother did the same to a woman I truly loved, not romantically but a WHOLE LOT all the same, I .. I lost it." he paused, "No...that's not even close. I fucking went mental, dark even" Harry said, "I wiped them out."

"Your wife and her brother...I'm not sure that's so bad." Tony said.

Harry gave him a bleak look, "No...the entire family it was a thing, started with Molly with Arthur the parents and all the kids did it. I ended the entire line in a night. ~I didn't hurt the kids or spouses obviously they were victims, I arranged for them to get the antidote and well...let's just say Fleur was VERY grateful for that." Harry chuckled darkly. "God Hermione went BAT SHIT at me for what I did." he said, "Which is ironic considering that's the one that pushed me over the edge. But she was always my better nature, pretty much the only reason I even survived actually."

"Hermione that's an OLD name, sounds oddly familiar" Skye said musingly.

"AND anyway" Harry said quickly, "That's when I started doing that, and I do NOT apologize for it, and yeah...JUST head counts." Harry told her seriously.

"Dick" Skye said with a slight smile.

Pepper pouted thoughtfully, "I think I should be angrier or up in arms or something but it's something all women particularly fear and there have been a few...overly forceful moments in my life that...it was horrible" Pepper said.

"Their names" Tony said his tone dark.

She patted his thigh, "You're not my hitman, you're the man that perhaps I was most worried about when I started with you only to find out while you were a womanizing dick, you were never forceful."

"Well...I doubt he had to be" Skye said, "Not that I see him doing it anyway, but I mean.." she waved at him.

"Oh now he'll be grinning for days" Pepper smirked.

"Even in my most evil moments I would never have dreamed of forcing a woman," Loki said, "and I was truly unhinged, it's a special kind of evil."

"I agree, and well I am rather pleased to say that I do that, and at times I have been rather...thanked"

Skye laughed, "That makes loads of sense, you stop them from stealing it and then as reward you are given it gratis. Should've made the bastards watch that little bit of revenge."

Harry chuckled, "So...upside is that guy if he didn't find medical help in a few minutes is now dead, and since I twisted the blade too, likely did so pretty quickly I would've made 100% certain but we were rather pressed for time." he chuckled.

"You gave me a jive about not teleporting out Because of the Faraday cage...was that true?" Skye asked.

Harry met her eyes and smiled, "Yes...it was, and would've ruined the entire sting. Talking of which we should be seeing returns unless they found your sleeper, soon right?"

"Oh yeah, already started to comb the cloud in the places I sent it, kind of ruined some old ladies cat picture collection for which I feel a little bad, but I'll make it up to them" Skye said.

"What's this?" Tony asked looking at her with intense curiosity.

"It was bloody genius Tony," Harry said, idly flipping the pad he was reading and flicking the holoscreen into action as he spoke, "We had a pretty uncrackable off grid server farm to get data from, and she first invented a way to sneak a way of uploading a worm past their security in a device she had Fitz make for her that used ambient resonance to upload in a flash 15mb of data totally off any audit trail it was smaller than the new Sims Apple are using and had the damn thing make an exploit upload data into seemingly random places in the cloud, including some old ladies prized cat collection by the sound of it and is now reaping that. I don't doubt they TRIED to find a hack after...our explosive exit, but her little bit 15mb snippet of code hid so well they obviously didn't find it. There was no audit log to trace since it didn't use any known form of upload and honestly she's bloody clever this girl!"

Skye was actually quite pink.

"Right, you...with me" Tony said standing up and glaring at her.

"What?"

"High school drop out...more like they dropped the ball, we're going to my lab and I'm running you through a few tests."

"Oh no...I don't test.." Skye stopped talking at the intense look Tony was giving her, it was far more serious than she knew he could be.

"Tony is a huge supporter of education and intelligence and you know...using it and perhaps more importantly feeding it, he calls intelligence a gift to humanity. It's one of the very few things outside of being an Avenger he takes seriously" Pepper said with a proud smile for her man, "I wouldn't test him on this Skye."

"K" Skye said blushing but following Tony as he marched her to his lab.

"I'm very pleased, I didn't know that about Tony. But I'm glad that happened." Harry said seriously "I've been telling her almost since we met that she's clearly very intelligent but she has no confidence in that regard."

"I think Tony is about to give her some." Pepper said

Coulson's Office, The Bus
The Next Day

Harry put the tablet he'd been reading the downloaded data onto Phil's desk.

"That's one of Starks" Phil noted.

"Oh Fury is always bitching about how Stark is always swimming in and out of S.H.I.E.L.D systems, I decided to use his backdoor for my own ends and he was happy to help." Harry said, "We are still going to go to the Hub, see if we can pick up a clue as to what happened to you. But I am thinking you may well have to talk to Fury direct on that, but I've been thinking about this Clairvoyant that's been dogging us."

"There are no psychics on the index, we never found one that was real."

"And you never would you wally" Harry said rolling his eyes. "Any physic worth his salts would know you were coming as soon as you entered their range, and that in my experience can be as much as a city, some of the scary ones...much worse, and as for not existing, HELLO Professor X just a little."

"Mutants are outside of our paradigm"

"They might be, but we are outside of theirs? Do you think they all play by Xaiver's Rules too?"

"Shit"

"But in this case I don't think we need to worry, he's only had specific information, its been my experience if he has psychic ability that it's quite scarily all inclusive."

"You've met actual psychics, Professor Xavier perhaps."

"I'm not with out a few abilities in the area myself Phil, though its something that leaves me rather cold to do, so I don't so much do it or am all that skilled with it." Harry said, "Just a spell really, not even that hard, protecting against it, now that's a skill, but reading...you just cast"

"That's disturbing"

"I've not done it in years, feels like a cheap trick and by this point I don't so much need a spell to know what people are thinking, to some degree of accuracy by sheer experience of human nature."

"I think you just made it worse" Phil said with a grimace.

Harry smirked, "Either way it made me wonder are we dealing with a psychic, or someone with access to a lot of information hiding behind a title." Harry said, "Now there are a few sources that could give the information that bastard seems to have, but when he went for you Because he we believe it's about your death, it made me realize that his source is limited. Perhaps...by clearance level."

"Oh Harry say it ain't so" Phil said slowly. His eyes wide.

"It makes a lot of sense, you think about what he's done and what he knows how centipede manages to stay one step ahead of us, Because we report what we're doing and log flight plans and orders are recorded in triplicate." Harry said, "We're not dealing with someone with real POWER, we're dealing with a son of a bitch with CLEARANCE, and pretty high clearance at that."

"How high do you think."

"Your level, I don't think mine, definitely not level 10, since they don't know what CLEARLY Fury did to save your life. I think it's about time you put the screws to the boss man, you want me to take you to him."

Phil took a long breath in through his nose, "Yes...please do that, and then...perhaps guard the door."

"Ahhh, right you are Boss man." Harry said reaching out and snagging Phil's shoulder.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 12: Chapter 11 - Clairvoyance

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Triskellion, DC
Three Hours After Last Chapter

Maria looked at the door to her bosses office as Phil charged out looking PISSED from where she was leaning on the wall half in Harry's arms as she was charmed silly looking into those eyes of his. She shot him a wry smile, and he gave her a wink, then leaned in and kissed her cheek before walking up to Phil who as was his usual polite manner said, "Take me home please Harry"

Harry just nodded, touching his shoulder and they were gone. Maria gave it a five count then walked into Fury's office, mostly to see if he was upright. He was working his jaw and looking slightly dazed but then Phil was known as the hardest punch in the entire agency and not for any small reason. "He clocked ya huh" Maria said.

"Yeah...thanks for keeping Harry busy" Fury said rolling his one good eye.

"Oh, I'll throw myself on THAT sword anytime" Maria said with a big smile.

"Your sacrifice is appreciated" Fury said desert dry.

"I hate to say it sir, you were warned. We all warned you, even me, even He warned you." she said seriously.

Fury sighed, "He's my one good eye Maria, the people I can trust are the fingers of one hand."

"And you're not afraid of cutting off fingers" Maria quoted him.

"But Phil..."he stalled, "He's special" he said simply. "It was designed for if an Avenger fell, and one did"

"Did you say that to him? Because I doubt it made him feel better, when it comes out he shut down that program himself...you're going to need to rewire your jaw"

"I told him plenty for now, it also looks like we've got a fox in the hen house. Harry figured this clairvoyant they've been dealing with is no such thing, it's someone with access to high level intel."

"I'll start a sweep" Maria said, "Sometimes a bad seed slips through the net"

"Not normally to the level Harry is talking, level eight Phil said Harry suspects."

"Ouch" Maria said with a wince. "That's not a big number though, and gives me somewhere to look."

"Discrete" Fury cautioned, "I want to catch this fox and keep him trapped so he can't slip away even if he lost his tail."

"I think we've stretched that metaphor to death now Sir."

"You don't let me have ANY fun Commander"

Maria smiled slightly, "Harry's different too."

"I was happy he joined Coulson's team, it's time he stood tall"

"Well from a woman's perspective he is even more charming than he used to be, which...isn't .." she wafted herself, "Easy to take"

"Get" Fury growled, chuckling slightly.

Maria smiled, "I think it's about time I called Nat" she commented, "I hear he's visited the tower, heard tell they took Steve clubbing!" she noted.

"They did what now?" Fury said looking shocked, which Maria enjoyed since it was such a rare thing to see.

Ops, The Bus
Later

"And it's our old friend Ian Quinn" Phil said, "Garret forwarded us intel that he's going to be shifting something via train in Italy tomorrow and it's for Cybertek, there is an outside chance if we track and tag that package it will lead us to Quinn" Phil told them, "But we're going to need boots on the ground to cover and entire train" he added. "In theory this is a simple tag mission and observe, but now I've said that.." he made a face, "We're arranging covers and we're meeting the train in the morning. You all know what to do, its in your data packets if you need reminding, get a good nights sleep and with luck this time tomorrow we'll have Quinn"

Nearly 24 Hours Later

A grim Coulson and visibly shaken Melinda May looked at the blue hued statue of Harry with concern. They'd been hit by some form of aerosol version of an icer, they had come around in an hour, but Harry still hadn't. But his form blurred every so often and then the entire plane shook.

Neither wanted him to actually wake up, and yet needed him to too. They'd already called in Loki who had taken one look at the injured Skye called down the Bi-Frost and personally taken her to the medical halls. Phil hoped to God they could do what their best doctors had failed to do. They had gotten separated, Skye had trailed Quinn to a vineyard manor and leaving Fitz to disable and confuse Quinn guards and getaway she'd gone in to secure the man herself. Only it turned out Quinn was far more craven than they had given him credit for. He seemed to have a Centipede soldier on ice who had disabled Skye and then when she was defenseless Quinn had put two in her gut. The best S.H.I.E.L.D. had to offer had done nothing more than somewhat stabilize her, and told them as the closest thing she had to a family that it was basically only the machines keeping her alive.

"All throughout this, Harry had been literally on ice, and they'd brought him back to Bus and quite frankly given how it was basically obvious to anybody who had seen the pair together, Harry was going to get VERY angry. There was a little surprise at Quinn's door, as they HAD gotten the bastard, but honestly Phil wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen.

Harry's blue hued form blurred again the wings waggled the deck plates shifted under their feet and there was a tremendous feeling of potential in the air, arches of lightning crawled across the form of Harry and Ward was standing watching with the whites of his eyes showing currently while the only two brave enough to be this close were Phil and May.

"We should have made an antidote" Fitz said to his ever present lab partner.

"We never thought the effects would be able to persist this long, his physiology isn't human and with the changes made by those hacks we don't even know if an antidote would've worked anyway" Simmons reasoned.

Another shake, this much worse, blue lifted off his form his veins visibly cleared and a light entered his eyes, a literal Emerald glow in his unique eyes and then a HUGE burst of energy that set the lights and electronics dancing to a tune of their own and Harry finally stood. "Ouch" he said calmly. He looked at Phil, then at the woman that only He got away with calling Mel. "What?" he said shortly. "You look like your dog died," he said flatly, "I am not in a good mood Phil don't piss me about. When I find who made that freaking grenade I'm going to pull their stomach out their mouths."

"Harry, I need you to stay calm when I tell you this." Phil said slowly.

Harry looked around, "Where's Skye?" he asked, "I've been out nearly.." he paused, "A day, she would likely be here if she could. What's happened to Skye?" he said his eyes getting brighter.

"She was shot" May said, "We've done what we can, Loki took her to Asgard and the facilities there"

"How many times and where?" he said calmly.

"Twice, in the stomach." May said, forcing herself to remain calm even though she could FEEL his anger in the air.

Harry nodded, "They can heal that." he said slowly. "Who?"

"Quinn" May said, "And we have him, here, but...you can't have him. He's our key to centipede and the clairvoyant Harry, don't...shit" she said as Harry just disappeared, "That teleporting is So unfair"

Harry appeared in front of the cell and actually laughed, "Let me guess Kid, Loki called you in." he said to the guard a the door, Thor himself.

"It is as you say Uncle Harry. I am to refuse you entry, I do not like doing that, and want to fight you less."

"Oh I know I can't beat you Thor," Harry said, "Loki is a bright bunny, we don't even know if you HAVE a top end, you are by far the strongest in Asgard, the only one I think COULD beat you at least fight each other to a stand still is Hela, I know I can't, fighting you would be futile, fuck up the plane, risk the marvellous people here and for selfish reasons."

"I am...glad to hear you talking sense Uncle Harry but I fear I do not trust it either" Thor said lifting his hammer.

"Night Kid" Harry said as Thor just slumped to the floor. He shifted him into a more comfortable position and then literally stepped through the door, not even opening it.

Quinn jerked awake, his face looked like tenderized meat.

Harry put a look of concern on his face as he cast with a negligent motion to secure the room and pulled a Med kit from nowhere, not that Quinn could see very well to notice that. "I am so Sorry Mr Quinn, this is not how we treat prisoners, you have rights and who ever did that will get what they deserve I assure you" he said in a polite even tone. "This is the start of the official investigation but first let me see to your wounds"

Quinn looked at him, then saw the caring look in his eyes and relaxed, obviously having the danger sense of a lemming. "That's more like it" he said, "And some pain relief would be...welcome"

Harry smiled, flicking his palm and two capsules appeared and he turned and turned back with a glass of water. "This will help a lot, I can't give you anything strong until you see a doctor, now while I'm dressing those wounds, I need for you to tell me" he paused as Quinn tossed the capsules and knocked back some water, a brief dangerous smile appeared on his face, "In your own words the circumstances that led to agent Skye being shot."

"I did it" Quinn said, "I freely admit to that, but I think I am due some due process."

"Of course, we are a civilized organization Mr Quinn, the dreadful treatment you've had will be met with harsh response I assure you I will personally see to giving who did this what they deserve, perhaps multiple times to make sure it sinks in, who was that by the way."

"A woman, Chinese I think, hit hard!" he said.

"Ahh, I believe that was Agent May, yes I will definitely see to her shortly." Harry said with a straight face, "So you seem pretty open to admitting your guilt, you are aware that this room is being monitored and the recording are admissible in court."

"That seems fine" Quinn said, shaking his head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you sir, I'm sure your head is ringing."

"Actually that's some good aspirin" Quinn said, "I feel much better"

"Good, good, so explain to me what happened, did you fear for your life sir?"

"No, my man had already disarmed and cuffed Skye to a radiator"

Harry smiled tightly, "So...she was cuffed, and at your mercy and you still shot her, in what way was she a threat at that point."

"In part it was revenge for making me into a fool at our previous meeting she lost me something very valuable and put me on the run, S.H.I.E.L.D. then froze most of the public assets and I didn't like how that felt. But also I did it on orders"

Harry nodded, "You were coerced then"

"Not...exactly but I have learned not to ignore what the clairvoyant tells me to do, that proved...costly and painful." Quinn said, "Really what was in those tablets, I hardly feel any pain."

"Special S.H.I.E.L.D. formula but just aspirin at the main" Harry said smiling, "So then you had this twenty four year old agent cuffed, helpless and defenseless and then you...calmly put two shots into one of the most painful ways to die"

"And slow" Quinn said, "I was told not to kill her outright, to make it last, I believe the Clairvoyant is trying to make Agent Coulson do something, show him something, and used me killing Skye to prompt him into doing it."

"My...what an enterprising fellow" Harry said his tone turning dark, "And was Skye an arbitrary choice"

"Somewhat, but I was told she was also an ideal choice, she seems to be the darling of the team, and Agent Coulson seems to have a special place for her, she is rather attractive rather a waste really."

Harry's eyes flared, he swallowed, "Thank you for your time, bear with me one second this is a tricky place to stitch"

Quinn held still and Harry looked him deep in the eye. Then as Harry pulled back he looked absolutely horrified and slumped forward. Harry was shaking, and waved a hand at the door and May rushed in, "How the HELL did you get passed THOR!" she asked.

Harry strode up to her, took her by the waste and REALLY laid one on her, she went rather limp after a moment, "That's from me, and I think a little bit from Skye" he said letting her stumble back.

"I was sure you'd kill him."

"No...we need him, but he's not gotten off scot-free and before he testifies let's say I'm going to need to counter what I just did."

"And that was?" May said patting her hair in place.

"I'd rather not say." Harry said with a carefully blank expression, "Right now I need to grab Thor and get up to Asgard."

"Okay then." May said still a little out of it, but not enough to miss Harry walking over and hauling Thor up onto his shoulder with no real apparent effort.

Healing Halls, Asgard
Later

Loki lifted a brow as Harry gently set Thor onto an adjacent bed to one that Skye was resting in.

"I am not even going to ask how the hell you did that" Loki said, "I'm a little shocked, sort of impressed but you, yourself said you wouldn't be able to best Thor in combat."

Harry walked to the end of Skye's bed, his eyes drinking in her still pale but obviously not dying self. "I didn't fight him, obviously"

"He's all but impervious to direct magic" Loki noted.

"Didn't use magic, just a TK strike at a nerve cluster, he'll wake up shortly with a sore head but none the worse for wear. I wouldn't hurt him"

"I know that, which made it all that much more impressive Uncle Harry." Loki said, "Did you kill Quinn"

"Death is too good for him. I got him to spill his guts with a truth serum on camera, and put him in his own personal hell until I let him out again to testify against whoever the fuck this clairvoyant turns out to be."

"Will he be capable."

"I'll bury the memory until I'm done with him and then, put him right back into it." Harry said eyes not leaving Skye's face a single moment, "I wasn't there, it was my entire purpose to protect that girl."

"You were waylaid by an unexpected reaction to something you couldn't possibly have seen coming, I know you tested yourself against their Icers, and they didn't even make you drowsy, whatever was done to what you were hit with affected you unique biology in a way that was likewise unique"

"Leaving her WIDE open, STUPID"

"Uncle Harry.."

"No...not me her, what the FUCK was she thinking going in there."

"I don't know for sure, but I know her well enough to say she was doing what you or the Son of Coul would've done." Loki said evenly.

"Dirty pool Kiddo" Harry winced.

"She admires you both, and seeks to emulate her heroes, especially you uncle Harry. It is really past time you stop denying how you feel about each other."

"I do not deny it" Harry said, "I'm head over heels Kiddo, but me acting on that would be VERY selfish"

"Is not love the epitome of selfish, but in a usually rather positive way." Loki said confused.

Harry looked at him steadily, "I don't mean that. I mean one day she will be a great hero, able to aspire to such as the Avengers," Harry said, "There's a greatness sleeping inside of her Kiddo, I felt it the fist time I met her, and everything I've seen since has convinced me that she is...wonderful. I am actually starting to doubt that S.H.I.E.L.D. will properly nurture what she could be, but at least there I can help her the best way I can. To admit to her the love I feel and to act on that would mean by my own ethics and our agreed rules we have talked about together I would have to STOP being her mentor and I believe honestly that it should be me that is that for her. Teach her to be far more than I ever was, find with her agreement the trigger to what sleeps inside of her and teach her to use that the way I have taught many MANY thousands to use their gifts the best way they could. No matter if that was magical, or intellect, another way she apparently shines. Tony was quite loquacious about her test results."

"I think that is the most stupid thing I've heard." Loki said, "Why can't you do that and be man and woman together, there is NO denying she returns your feelings."

Harry looked at him a moment, he smiled, "Life is rarely that straight forward, I've not had a relationship in about... God ten thousand years." Harry said seriously.

"I thought there was something with my oldest sibling"

"That wasn't entirely healthy let alone a relationship" Harry said slowly. "Since it's you yes...I loved her, but let's just say your father has actually improved his parenting skills, take a moment there and think."

Loki shivered.

"In fairness his father was a fucking nightmare, he's done well not to commit the sins of the father onto his own children."

"Bor"

"Nasty piece of work, barely knew him, was at the tail end of his reign when I arrived, not a good person Loki, Odin is a fucking saint, and earned his title of the wise, I've said it before he is a Sky Father and that...that means he has a lot on his plate."

"You still make excuses for him, you must care for him greatly."

"Your father and I were brothers without blood between us. I would die for him and I follow his command, which isn't something I do easily. Most of the time I barely pay lip service to the orders I get, and only if they suit my purpose but I would kill on Odin's word."

"Anyone"

"No...I wouldn't kill anyone, not you or your brother.." he gazed a moment, "Her, I have limits, things I won't do for anyone including myself."

"And we are all thankful for that Uncle Harry, or you would be unstoppable"

"I'm not really all powerful kiddo I just like to give that impression."

Loki laughed, "I saw that memory, the one that you showed me when you returned, You made a Sky Father...perturbed Harry, if anyone knows what you're capable of, it's my father, I think that's fairly indicative of your power level."

Harry smiled, "An Easy win is no win at all Kiddo."

Skye suddenly groaned, shifting, "God I hate that phrase" she said groggily. She opened her eyes looking right at Harry, "Thank god you're alright"

"You stole my line!" Harry said, "What the hell, why are you worried about me, you're the one that got SHOT woman, what the FUCK were you thinking!"

"Oh shut up and give me a hug already, I feel like crap, and I was worried about you." Skye said rolling her eyes, but held her arms up. Harry shot to her and pulled her into his arms, sitting and near lifting her into his lap.

Loki smiled softly to himself, then walked to his brother and smiled wickedly, "I'm never letting you live this down The Mighty Thor!" he said with humour.

"Old age and treachery kiddo" Harry said not missing that.

"Allow me to tease my brother at LEAST uncle Harry. Skye I am very pleased to see you smiling. You gave us all quite the scare."

"I think I have you to thank there Loki, I was mostly out of it, but I remember being in your arms at one point, and I felt like I was dying and now.."

"Yes, he's a good kid" Harry said eyes bright as he looked from Skye to Loki. "Of course I have to make him pay for setting his brother on me"

Skye frowned, then realized who was in the bed next to her, "What the HELL" she said, "What'd you to do him?"

"Nothing...much, he'll have a headache, he was... guarding something I needed to get at."

Skye looked at him sternly, "Tell me Quinn is still alive or I will END you"

"Alive and well, I even fixed him up after May worked him over"

Skye looked at him very suspiciously, "Really?"

"Seriously he was resting last time I saw him and certainly alive."

Loki looked away, his eyes full of humour.

Coulson's Office, 616
The Next Day

"What did you do to him Harry?" Phil asked, "Simmons can find nothing wrong his brain waves seem to indicate he's sleeping?"

"That's about the size of it," Harry said, "I'll go wake him up at his trial and certainly when we nail this ass hat pretending to be a psychic, I'm half tempted to sic a real one on him."

"You know one,...no never mind, of COURSE you do," Phil said, "When you got passed Thor we all thought he would die a grisly death, especially when he spilled his guts like that, I'm guessing you helped that along somehow."

"You might not have a truth serum...I do" Harry smirked.

"Fine, fine, I'm done with him, it was all really dependent on how Skye was."

"She is good, and already being fussed over by Jemma"

"She's back...already" Phil said.

"She wanted to tell you herself but Jemma is a little scary when she gets all Hippocratic oath-y" Harry said.

May called down, they were being backed by F16's and a S.H.I.E.L.D plane was docking. Harry looked at Coulson.

"We disobeyed an order to keep Quinn on board." he filled in.

A heavy deep felt thunk showed the plane had docked. "If they scratch my paintwork I'm gonna be PISSED" Phil noted wryly.

"Garret" Phil said as John Garret and his operative Trip appeared.

"Phil, you've been naughty, and I'm here to collect your prisoner."

"Okay.." Phil said with an easy smile.

"Wait...what?" Trip balked as John just blinked.

"He's all yours, turns out he's a crappy shot, missed all the major organs, through and through, she's shaky but will be back on her feet soon, so I don't so much need him." Phil said, Harry watching with no sign of the fact he knew Phil had just lied his ass off.

"I am going to need to talk to the girl then" Garret said.

"No" Harry said firmly.

"Excuse me.." Garret said, "I think you'll find I'm giving an order."

"Ahh you didn't want to go there John." Phil said, "He outranks us both actually"

"Who ARE you?" Garret asked seriously.

"You know I don't think we did meet face to face, but I've worked a couple of your ops" Harry said, "I'm called Harry."

"And your surname"

"He doesn't really have one," Phil said, "But you would know him as The Specialist."

Garret took two steps back, "And you're on Phil's team...I did not know that, I don't think there's a record of that anywhere." he chuckled, "Well...there's a thing. So you're giving ME an order"

"He's level nine John" Phil said seriously, "Basically he really only answered direct to Fury himself. Though he'd been randomly obedient to Maria Hill too."

Garret looked seriously rattled, then looked at his Specialist, "Got get Quinn"

"You're going to need a stretcher, but don't worry we have a taped confession, though I have to put up Agent May for a disciplinary" Phil said with another of his easy smiles.

"She kicked his ass huh"

"I fixed him up and gave him some pain killers he won't wake for some time" Harry said, "I wasn't about to let Simmons in there after he shot a defenseless woman not far off her age, perhaps he's got himself a profile" Harry said, "But I'm qualified if not licensed"

"You're a medic" Garret asked, seemingly very interested in Harry.

"MD" Phil filled in, "Say you want to come get a drink...we've got a sweet bar, we could catch up I'm sure Harry would love to hear one of your war stories."

"Brass wants me back and Quinn interrogated" Garret said with a big smile, "Wouldn't mind saying hi to Ward though."

"He's down stairs, he's not stepping far from the Med bay right now either, we're all pretty protective of Skye"

"Ward too...Good I think, I send him to you to knock off the rough edges, seems like maybe you did that." Garret said. Harry waved him ahead and met Phil's eyes, a look passing between them.

Coulson's Office,
Not Much Later

Phil looked at Harry the moment they felt Garrets cruiser lifting off the docking clamp. "WAS that suspiciously timed or has this made me ultra paranoid"

"No, no...it's him" Harry said, "I told you I don't like using my abilities in the area, but I couldn't resist the irony."

"You read him?"

"Body language which was impressively cloaked and yeah I scanned his mind." he paused, "I know he's your pet project but.."

"Ward is guilty by association" Phil said, then let out a sigh, "Maybe Reyes was right, I'm having a mid life, or well after life crises and lost my edge."

"Its your belief in people that makes you such a damned good agent, but yes...it's also a weakness, but that's why you have May, you have me, to be the nasty suspicious bastards and to watch ya back boss man."

"You're sure"

Harry nodded solemnly.

"I trained with him, me and him with Fury as our SO," Phil said looking pissed.

"He has his reasons but his selfish desires have over ridden his better judgement and now he's a long way past the point of no return. I didn't get very deep, just a couple of days of memories, what I do...it's not MIND reading as such I can't read his thoughts, it's memories and it takes time to trawl through indexed data as I'm sure Skye would preach, but I saw enough." Harry said. "I don't like doing that much, and I am out of practice too, but I still have enough skill to tell you that he's had no contact with Ward any time recently so if Ward is a bad seed, then he's a deep cover plant, but as I've said many times, he is GOOD at that."

"Yeah...I thought you were being nice...I have a feeling you don't really consider it a compliment." Phil noted.

"Nah...no so much"

"I don't really know our next step."

"Pull in the circle of trust. That's this plane, minus Ward he needs to go on a mission, get him OFF the bus, he might not be a plant, so don't make it horrible, but I'm sorry right now with the obsession we know he has for Skye if anyone so much as gives her a hard look I'll fucking end them Phil. So partially for his own safety send him away, then when it's JUST us, we sit down TOGETHER and talk this shit out." Harry said, "We are pretty damned certain of all the people on this bus, and honestly I would've included Ward myself had it not been for him being Garrets golden boy."

"Who else do we trust?"

"Fury, Hill, the Avengers, for now that's it." Harry said, "It's not a great way to live, but right now it'll keep us alive"

Phil nodded, then he looked at Harry a long moment, "You do take my orders...you're higher ranked and you follow my orders...why?"

"You give good orders" Harry said honestly, "I trust you, and I trust your spirit, you are one of the few people I admire and trust Phil and really I don't pull rank EVER that's basically the first time I've done it."

"To protect Skye"

"Yeah...but let's not tell her that, huh"

Triskellion, DC
A Little Later

"Hey beautiful"

Maria started HARD her side arm clearing leather, her papers strewn about and she damned near pulled the trigger before she recognized the accent voice and method of address. "Harry...what the HELL!"

"I'm really sorry, for once I didn't want to make you jump, or I'd do my usual and say Boo." Harry said a gentle smile on his face. "I'm here as a messenger, right now we're not trusting of proper channels."

"I suppose I understand that until we find out WHO..."she stopped, "Harry...who is it?" she said reading his face.

"John Garret. I can't tell you how I know, it's not legal, but it is for sure him. We're treating Ward Guilty by association and we would consider it a huge favour if orders came from on high requesting him on something moderately long lasting to get him OFF our plane, just in case."

"I'll handle it" Maria said, then holstered her side arm, "But don't Do that. I nearly crossed you off."

"I'd be very impressed if you could"

"I wouldn't!" Maria said with feeling, then smirked, "I do like looking at you."

"Saucy, well I've done my UPS bit, watch that arse Maria it is so sweet after all" Harry said disappearing as suddenly as he appeared.

"One of these days" she said to herself, "I'm going to make him pay up on all the flirting, oh well Maria back to your top drawer friend tonight"

Ops, 616
The Next Afternoon

"Okay this is from on high, don't get much higher" Phil said, "I'm sorry Ward this is direct from Maria Hill she's got a mission she says is in your wheel house. I tried to tell her you're my guy, but she outranks me by a nose bleed."

Ward smiled slightly, "It's okay sir, orders are orders, what's the mission?"

"Something you're familiar with, Russian Attache in Belgrade, potentially deep cover op for maybe a month, which just pissed me off more. Right now we could really use you."

"I'll do what I can do complete the mission as quickly as I'm able without screwing the op sir" Ward said.

"I know you will Grant" Phil said, "But watch your six okay, there's odd traffic coming out of Russia apparently and that's what you need to get on. We're on the way to the Hub and that's where you'll split off"

"Aww that sucks" Jemma said, "God speed Ward" She said with her usual smile that turned her from slightly geeky to knock out.

Ward smiled slightly, "Thanks" he said, "We'll be there in an hour, then we have our own marching orders after we run a records search, Skye you're on that."

"Don't I need clearance for that."

Phil smiled, "Funny you should say that," he said then held out a distinctive black wallet.

Jemma smiled another knock out and even Ward cracked more than the usual smile. "You earned this take that badge and you're officially a level one agent." Phil said with a proud smile.

Skye searched his eyes and then looked at Harry.

"Go on...you earned it, you bled for us, you made bleed for us and you've proven yourself again and again," Harry said with a warm smile, "And this is backed on high" Harry said.

Skye took the badge, opening it and tracing the round S.H.I.E.L.D. logo with her finger.

"Welcome to the family" Phil said proudly.

"Well done Skye" Ward said, and he was quickly echoed. Fairly predictable she ended up in a hug from Harry who was whispering into her hair and she was beaming at whatever it was he was saying, for her ears alone.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 13: Chapter 12 - Commander

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Maria Hills Office, Triskellion, DC
Two Days Later

"GOD DAMN It HARRY!" Maria said looking up to see Harry plus one just there suddenly.

"At least you didn't nearly shoot me this time" he remarked, "And besides I'm just following your orders here Commander"

Maria smirked, then looked at the casually attired woman at his side. "Thank you, that'll be all for now I want a word with Skye"

Harry paused.

Maria lifted a brow, "I said...that'll be all,"

Skye shot him a hard look too and he backed out of the office, closing it behind him.

"Well now, THAT was telling" Maria said, then walked to Skye with her hand out, "Good to finally meet you Agent Skye, you know you should pick a last name it's a little unusual to use just a first name in this sort of situation, we can back you whatever you choose"

"Urh...I'll give that some thought."

"Take a seat Skye" Maria said, "You might not know this, but I'm the one that set the Farm Mission and asked for you personally. I am also the one that rubber stamped your joining the agency."

"Urh..thanks I think" Skye said carefully.

Maria smiled slightly, "You've drawn the interest of some interesting Players Skye. Coulson is a very good judge of character even if he tends to see the best in people and that little display with Harry just then is a little shocking. I've known Harry for quite a few years now, and I'm one of the few people in the entire agency he trusts, but...apparently not with you right now." She crossed long legs and folded her hands into her lap, "Do you know how many times Harry has been an SO?"

"Given how long he's been an agent I would think lots" Skye said.

"NEVER, in the what forty years combined he's been a Specialist not counting when he was...sequestered he has never done more than a few seminar's I well...I didn't HATE paying the price to get him to do that." Maria said looking at Skye steadily.

"Can I be candid Commander" Skye said.

"I'd prefer it" Maria said seriously.

"You said that to elicit a response, what are you hoping for there I wonder?"

"I have never had Harry so much as blink when I gave him an order after I finally bought fair and square his trust and loyalty, that was ten years ago. He dithered, clearly he has a special place for you."

"And me him, but we have mutually agreed not to pursue any type of that relationship when he Is my SO, we flirt, I tease, and God sometimes I am tempted to jump those bones, but we haven't yet broken that Commander, and honestly as soon as I saw you I was fairly sure that you and Harry had been together. He does like beautiful and Commander...you are VERY beautiful."

Maria's lips quirked, "Charming...and I agree he does...clearly."

"Are you flirting now Commander."

She laughed, "No, I don't swing that way, but I'm not blind either." she said, "I wanted to get your measure personally and admit a few things to you that I'd like you to keep somewhat to yourself."

"If you order that, then I will."

"No...no I don't think I'm making it an order, I'm asking that of you Skye. I won't lie at the start I, even Fury felt you were a risk and I felt you were in this for your own reasons, this doesn't seem to be the case."

"Actually...at one time it was, and perhaps even still is a little. I'm actually very happy right now, they both promised me they wouldn't tell anyone, and clearly I was right to put my trust in those two." Skye said, "But in the interests of honesty going forward at first I infiltrated with the aim of finding information on I hope my parents, all I've found after a life time of searching is a document redacted by THIS agency."

"Get me a copy of the redaction and I'll return one that isn't" Maria said immediately.

"That easily." Skye said surprised.

"They earned your trust...I'm looking to do the same. Both have spoke on your behalf, Harry frankly adores you and Phil is VERY impressed. They pushed to get you as an Agent, but ultimately it is I who stamped that to go ahead and it is I who have a reason for that. I set that mission knowing that Harry would basically insist on going with you so that minimalized the risk but I wanted to test your mettle and yes...we wanted the intel, and yes we didn't have anyone better to carry out the mission and that was the test. You did it, now as it turns out Centipede didn't park their data there, that's rather a black hole actually as to where they do, on the other hand as I'm sure you're aware your exploit is spilling the beans on a multitude of criminal and terrorist activity and funds, comms reports and, more. It's a damned gold mine. You did that, you MADE an exploit Skye. Our comms people couldn't have done that."

"Fitz had a big part in that Commander"

"Yes, he did he turned your invention into a reality, that's what he does, and he has no shortage of inventiveness himself, he and Jemma Simmons are quite the pair, but you proved that you are not without your own inventive genius, and Stark is raving about the intelligence test he forced you to do."

"He told me he wouldn't tell anyone"

"He told Pepper, Pepper is a friend of mine" Maria said, "And if you expected him to keep that from Pepper...you're a fool" she said flatly.

"No, I know who has his reigns" Skye chuckled, "It's almost cute."

Maria laughed, "And there is another admittance per Stark I need to make. You had a conversation with Loki after the mission."

Skye blanched, "Jarvis wasn't in privacy mode, that's very specific until Tony was piped that conversation Loki didn't have permission to use it. In part you are to thank for buying Tony's trust and full support of Loki and his redemption, so while I'm aware that was a horrible invasion of privacy and I do NOT know the contents of the talk, I just know whatever Loki said to you did something VERY hard to do and bought Stark's trust. He trusts sparingly outside of Pepper, Natasha lost his trust by working undercover and despite being his team mate, she has yet to earn it back...for instance."

Skye let out a breath, "I needed Loki to tell me the difference"

Maria nodded, "I think I know what you wanted to know. Given your obvious feelings for Harry you were worried you protected him for the...wrong reasons, though personally speaking I would kill without remorse for love." she said honestly. "So, I've been oddly honest with you, I'm sure you're curious as to why."

"And why it seems you're sponsoring my Commander."

"I think you can call me Maria right now Skye Because you are now a fully paid up member of S.H.I.E.L.D legit, totally real. But you are not like any other agent either. You aren't going to ops, or sci-ops from what Tony was saying you COULD earn a PHD to get in, and Comms...you'd be wasted there. You'll never go to any of them, I don't WANT you to be trained as just another agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. For the most part we turn out highly trained, very capable agents who can get the job done, think for themselves and survive doing it. Sometimes we either are lucky enough to get or find something a bit special. The Clint Barton's, the Harry's, the Natasha Romanov's or... you Skye. Agent's who are a breed apart. You're unique mind set and quite frankly ingenuous out of the box thinking is what has personally attracted me to backing you. So, this is for me to TELL you that despite what I'm SURE Harry has already told you, you will not in fact be going to any academy, you will likely work with him and people like him a lot in point of fact where-as well...that's a rare honour for most. As Fury would say...I've got my eye on you, and I expect great things."

"Great.. no pressure"

Maria laughed, "Oh...lot's of pressure, Because like so few are capable of Skye, you flourish under pressure and yes I'll get you that document, hell I will find out exactly your connection to S.H.I.E.L.D as a personal project direct to you from me Because that just adds to my interest quite frankly it's almost like you were fated to be one of us." Maria said seriously. "And Skye...I can't say I blame you for dropping Poots"

Skye laughed, "I think I like your style Commander Hill."

"And I assure you...I'm impressed by yours, and again I ask you don't tell Harry this. I might well blackmail him to get another ride...he is rather excellent at that."

"That was just mean" Skye said laughing.

Maria smiled, "One last thing as per your conversation with Loki, who I hoped gave you the answer you needed. It is NEVER easy to cross someone off, and God it shouldn't be."

"Agent Coulson said that, and I'm glad he did, apparently he fought to give me that speech."

"I am sure he did, Harry is a good man, but Phil was probably the better person to tell you that."

"Maybe, I do adore him"

"Good, Phil is one of life's rare good men" Maria said with a smile.

"I'm guessing we're done, you want for me to send Harry in, you could have a quick go on the desk?" Skye said teasingly, "Commander" she added at the end with a grin.

Maria laughed, "You are Not the jealous type huh."

"It's well I'm not, it's not like Harry has lived like a monk. Me, I'm left with a vision of those eyes and my hand for relief, him he picked up a university student in Italy without even trying, after a night out for Captain America he was VERY relaxed the next day and I am aware that Agent Romanov was there that night and it's HARRY, he just has to look interested and women are there too." Skye said, "Right now during Training, I'm good with that. I'm also not after just a fuck Commander, when I am done, when I'm trained I want something from Harry he RARELY gives, and from what Loki messages me this morning it's been longer than I realized since he last gave that part of himself than you know...civilization. So I'm going to need to come up with something unconventional and given the look in your eye Commander, me cutting out the other women he sees somewhat casually but more than once wouldn't be good for my continued health."

Maria actually colored slightly, "I'm not hardly a conventional girl in the first place, not with my life." Skye admitted, "But...right now, I am...well I won't lie I want him like oxygen, but being a friend isn't a horrible thing and he does treat me a special way, as you noted and right now he is SUPER protective, so please don't be insulted by his pause."

"You're a sharp woman" Maria smiled, "Go...send him in I want a word with him before he whisks you back to 616" Maria said with a smile.

"Or maybe something..." Skye said, walking far too easily for a woman that'd been shot two days beforehand.

Maria followed her listening at the door, just out of sight.

Skye walked up to see Harry working the tablet that Tony had gifted to him, "Permutations again," Skye said seeing him running a SIM of the particle accelerator accident that had revealed Helheim."

"About ten thousand so far. Finding the EXACT circumstances that opened that tear...not an easy task." Harry noted.

"I still don't get why you can't just teleport there."

"I told you I can just about reach another planet, but a dimension I'm just not that powerful Luv"

Skye rolled her eyes with a put upon sigh, "You took out Thor to get to Quinn, right"

"Okay segue much, but yes"

"And to do that, did you over power him."

"Thor...are you joking?"

"Right so he's more powerful physically speaking I'd guess."

"Honestly I'm not sure he has much of a top end at all," Harry said, "So...no I can't match him like that."

"So, you still beat him and thus the answer was obviously NOT MORE POWER!" she said mockingly, "You found a way, you made a solution and it wasn't just pouring on more power, who is to say moving dimensionally is about distance anyway, Fitz was babbling about your teleportation and talking about using Hyper space, or something, an apparent faster moving dimension along side our own. Now that's maybe not how you do it, but that dimension you are just assuming it's further away than a planet, it might be far less. But Phil said something to me once, he said you might try and fail but you will always fail if you don't try."

Harry smiled.

"Don't smile at me like that, I want to kiss you stupid when you give me that look, Go...the Commander is waiting on you...and I think...waiting on you" she said with a smirk.

Harry walked into the room shaking his head, "Hey beautiful," he said still shaking his head in wonder.

"I LIKE that girl Harry"

"She gets that a lot Maria, she's very special...so what's your angle you were in here a lot longer than it takes to say...welcome to the family." Harry said seriously.

"That is none of your business, but I do have a special request to do with her."

"Name it"

"Throw out the regs, ignore the rule book. Teach her the skills but ignore the attitude and thought pattern, give her the tools but let her use them HER way." Maria said.

Harry studied her a long time, "You're making a special"

"Damn It Harry you are literally the only person in the world that reads me that way, I even asked her to not tell you this but she's never going NEAR the academy."

"That could hurt her chances at advancement."

"Not as long as I'm chairing this position it won't I swear that to you personally."

"And your word is gold to me Beautiful," Harry said seriously, "But you have a boss too."

"Director Fury trusts my opinion you know that, and I've talked this over with him, but right now he's a little distracted by something...no he won't say what." Maria said, "And at the end of the day...you're going no where either, I mean ESPECIALLY you. She's got us watching her back and I truly believe she's going to prove us all right, in fact I think she's going to make it look like we underestimated her, and I know her original reasons Harry and I promised to help with that. So stop hiding that from me and we'll work together to open that door for her."

"You're being positively Passionate Maria" Harry said a small smile on his face.

"Shut the door and I'll show you how passionate I am" Maria grinned, "You know...never mind" she said kneeling, "She's knows anyway."

Harry corked a brow, "Okay then"

Ops, 616
Later

Harry watched Skye working the console he'd given her, the Ops table and her laptop all working towards finding out this Raina, she'd found traces so far but nothing to create a trail as yet but even that was impressive.

Harry watched her working what had been an entirely alien operating interface with skill and flair like she'd designed it personally with a small smile on her face, "I knew you'd work that better than I can and a lot quicker. And you can stop shooting me those smug little smiles too." he added as she smirked at him. "I am at least aware you SOMEHOW engineered that."

"No, that wasn't what I thought would happen, and she really did it to herself. I can't quite make up my mind if you're just DAMNED good or really big, but she was positively drooling when she was trying to elicit a response from me."

Harry looked at her with a half smile, "I can't be both?" he asked innocently. "I will allow the Italian girl when the opportunity presented itself I was testing you somewhat."

"That much was obvious," Skye rolled her eyes. "You were pretty angry, but then I realized it was Because she'd hurt me. Not that I really worry when that happens, and it happens a lot." Harry said, "I consider it a badge of honour really."

"Jeez you like to tempt fate huh" Skye said a little flush, "Women generally only claw when out of their minds. OR they like to hurt"

"And which are you?"

"The one making my partner out of their minds" Skye shot back.

"I honestly don't think you're bragging there," Harry said with a grin. "I am more impressed by the fact you read Maria actually. That's a hell of a brain whirring behind those movie star looks of hers."

"It was pretty obvious when I saw her and realized she had your respect she's the real deal, but looking like that at her age in the position she's in, I would think most think she fucked her way into that position. To counter that she almost certainly has to be an ice queen. Now she wasn't showing me that, she was literally buying my trust and perhaps with less pure reasoning than when you did the same thing. But to do that I saw the woman beneath the icy facade she almost HAS to show anyone else to stop at least some of the naysayers."

"Oh a lot of the rabble are convinced Fury is fucking her" Harry said, "Well anyone that hasn't worked with her in the field, or done one of her ops direct." Harry said, "That stops when they realize how GOOD she really is. There is a brain of a grandmaster chess ace behind those beautiful eyes and a cool calm collected ability to send men out to die when necessary. Fury is many things, but he's not stupid and wouldn't put her in second in command of the most advanced and powerful agency in the world just Because she is good looking and he was fucking her."

"No...that is something she can only allow herself to do with ONE man" Skye said, "You give her an outlet she doesn't trust ANYONE else to provide Harry. As you said she's too sharp to be taken in by your charm or those eyes of yours though I'm sure they didn't hurt. She said she earned your trust for you to follow her orders direct, but you earned perhaps something more precious than that along the line, you earned a place in her life she desperately needs and probably didn't think she'd ever have and yet...you give that to her and she lets you do it."

Harry smiled, "You are a smart cookie aren't you."

"I'm starting to wonder" Skye said, "You and Tony both tell me repeatedly I have a good brain, but honestly when I was at school I wasn't so much hitting the books."

"We'll fill that gap as part of your training...if you're willing to put in the work. This is something I'd like to do, hell I would LOVE to do, but it's not compulsory either Luv."

"I think...I think I actually would Harry, thank you." Skye said smiling, "Maybe I'll show you what I DID learn at school, it involved bleachers and my knees and early on bracers but later well I got DAMNED good at it."

"Be nice"

"I was trying to be," she chuckled. "But I'm fairly aware what happened in that room, frankly I hoped you would rail that poor woman over her desk, but it seemed she was more intent on...you time."

"You really aren't jealous." Harry said.

"Funny, she said something similar." Skye said, "No.. I'm not, firstly we have an agreement and I have no hold over you, secondly I'm not that sort of woman anyway, and thirdly you are certainly not that man at this point. How long has it been since you ran a monogamous relationship," she said seriously, she actually knew this, but she was curious as to what he'd tell her.

"About ten thousand years I realized the other night" Harry said, she smiled internally that he continued to be honest with her. "See...if you and I do go anywhere I don't think I'd WANT you in THAT relationship, I don't think I'd trust it was real."

"That's a weird thing to say."

"Ten Thousand Years" she said with feeling, "By this point its not in your nature to be in that sort of relationship. What I would demand, and expect is something FAR more important to me than your monogamy."

"Colour me curious, I never quite know what you're going to say at times."

"Your love, unconditional, utter love that matched mine for you, you prove that to me in your actions and the way you treat me and obviously show me common decency not to you know fuck a woman bent over me...That'd be more than any other man gave me."

"I think that is both a low and high expectation."

Skye chuckled, "But that being said...I also think I'd have the life expectancy of a may fly if I took you away from Maria's special part of her life labelled Harry Time. Which...you should do more, she's a very stressed woman, I don't think as much as she obviously is of a like mind to me and LOVES doing it, a blow job really helped HER."

"You are a wonderfully odd girl." Harry said with a smile. "You go from telling me you'd expect my soul to telling me to go fuck another woman and both with the same level of seriousness."

Skye shrugged, "I've never been remotely normal...sound familiar" she smirked. "Alright this is KILLING me though. What are these things, not holograms, I FEEL these." she said changing the subject.

Harry chuckled, "Human terms you'd call it Hard Light. Same idea, different photonic weave matrix"

"Remember that part where I dropped out of school, I am starting to wonder, maybe hope you and Tony are right an I'm not the bimbo I thought maybe I might be...but I didn't learn a damned thing."

"Photon...basically light particle, VERY simplistic." he drew the tablet Tony had given him and flicked it projecting an image, "This very weak loosely made matrix of light particles, do you at least know how light is a wave and a particle?"

"And handsome man say...what?"

"Right, so basics and up then, no problem, but essentially a Photon is touchable light, now this thing height of Earth tech uses visual sensors and gestural recognition to make it look like you're touching and manipulating the hologram. Clever UI, not much more than that. THAT, what you're working like an expert actually reacts to your touch direct onto the projections, you feel them Because it Is solid...thus the rather dodgy term...hard light, it's not terribly accurate actually but for the sake of argument we'll go with that. It's not so terribly far ahead of what Tony has working on my favorite toy here, but I'm thinking about at least showing him HOW hard light tech works. What do you think? It would be a serious advancement in technology but it's not a huge leap either. Should I trust him with it?" Harry said looking at her with casual curiosity.

"Tony has a mind that frankly isn't like any person I've met, it's almost random appearing but a positive well spring of ideas and thoughts and I'm surprised he ever follows any single thought to its conclusion with all that going on. So you show him.." she shoved a display being projected moving it up into the air above the console, "THIS he will improve, enhance and innovate it. Pepper will market it and they would perhaps once again make as much money as they did dealing death." she said seriously, "But Tony is a much changed man, he had one of those what did you call it?"

"Defining moments"

"Yes, that, and it changed him from what was a rather self absorbed dick into one of the worlds most stalwart protectors and a damned big hero. He would first use what he made from this tech to helping the Avengers protect the world better, then protection on a more general sense and yes...they would make money hand over fist Because Pepper is so sharp you need to watch your fingers after shaking her hand, impressive woman that, but a lot of that would go back into the Avengers and some of his other ideas. Has he shown you some of that? Ideas for crops, potentially energy solves that are clean, improvements on the arc reactor really but so much more."

Harry smiled, "No...I think don't think he shows just anyone that stuff Skye."

She smiled a little shyly, "The point is, I dunno a few years ago I would've said no way in hell. Now I say what the HELL are you waiting for."

Harry smiled, "Okay...I'll do it."

She went wide eyed, "What?"

"I just asked your opinion you ditz did you think I wouldn't listen to it?"

"Oh one moment you say I'm smart the next you call me a ditz...that's so clear thanks for muddying that up for me Harry!" she said with a grin.

Harry looked at her, THAT way again.

"One of these days I'm going to react to that smile...blow jobs don't count you know"

Harry smiled wider.

Ops, 616, The Next Day

Skye and the others looked at the screen it hadn't really sunk in yet. They watched news reels of hyper modern Helicarriers crashed into the Potomac and the Triskellion itself, as Cap of all people took them down.

"It's semantic" Skye said working her console, the only one that seemed able to work. She looked at the screen, snorting to herself. "Decrypting won't take long on this"

"Skye...are you okay" Phil said carefully.

"Just my luck AC, I stopped railing at the injustice of it all before I left my teens."

Harry laughed, "No" he said firmly. "This is not that."

"Oh God," Skye said cutting off what he had to say next, then put it up on the big board.

"Out of the Shadows...Into the Light.", it was a massively overpowered signal that was washing out the S.H.I.E.L.D frequencies and obviously some form of call to arms. Then the next line appeared, "Hydra"

"No" Harry said firmer.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 14: Chapter 13 - Out of the Shadows

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

AN: Isn't it oddly fitting that I hit Chapter 13 as S.H.I.E.L.D Falls.

Ops, 616 over the Atlantic
A Moment After the Last Chapter

"No, this isn't the end Skye" Harry continued, "This isn't your bad luck kicking in, or the end of the good thing to finally happen to you. This is just a cry to war. It's pretty clear what we're fighting for, the exact details aren't in yet, but Hydra is obviously somehow embedded into S.H.I.E.L.D, they wouldn't be using OUR frequencies otherwise, which means there are very few people we can trust. Right now, that is every single person on this plane, but...I'll be back" he said disappearing.

Phil straightened his shoulders, "He's right." he said rallying his people, "We are S.H.I.E.L.D, there will be others, and as long as a single agent who is true to oath we took is still standing, S.H.I.E.L.D. is alive. We're going into a war for the Soul of S.H.I.E.L.D. now, Right now, we are the soul." he said, "We took a hit, we're all punch drunk. But if I know Harry we're going to see allies appearing."

A Bloody Maria Hill appeared looking a little startled at the change in venue, "Harry...oh God Harry...Hydra!"

"Shh. Shh," Harry said gently wiping some of the blood off her brow, "We saw, and...there's that"

Maria looked at the big board, "Shit"

He pulled her into his arms, "I'm calling out the Clan, everyone I trust will be on this bird in minutes, what's Fury's status"

"Dark, gone to ground as far as the world is concerned he's dead." Maria said seriously, looking around, "You trust these people?"

"With my soul...just like you."

Maria smiled, "Then all is not lost" she kissed him, "Go...find help"

He popped away, Maria looked around finding Skye she made a bee line, "Coulson, May, Fitz Simmons," she introduced herself.

"Commander Hill" Simmons said a little star struck.

Maria smiled slightly, "I think right now rank is somewhat meaningless I'm a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, You are a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, so I'm Maria and you are Jemma, yes?"

Jemma nodded, "Right you are...Maria"

Maria turned to Skye, "My timing sucks huh" she said.

Skye laughed, "Could be better, but as Harry pointed out, we're not out yet and as AC just told us, as long as one of us is standing so is S.H.I.E.L.D.."

"Well said Phil" Maria said.

"With Fury gone you're the highest ranking agent," Phil pointed out.

"Right and my first command, Harry is in charge" Maria said, "Until we're off a war footing we need a warrior. I'm not a warrior I'm an agent, I'm a planner, and I can lead men, but Harry...and you...you can inspire men."

"Well said Commander" Skye said with a slight smile.

"And you, especially call me Maria" Maria said rolling her eyes.

Skye smiled, "I'm working to get some clarity through Hydra's theme song there" she said, "It's over charged and wiping out most anything else" she said. "So right now we have no HQ feed, and its powerful enough that sat comms is a little flaky." Skye cut off, "And we just got a signal to remote control the Buss back to the Hub. But I'm spoofing the signal with this thing to make our bird ignore their commands. I am not in the mood to be controlled by outside forces."

Phil smiled, "Well done."

Just then Harry appeared Natasha Romanov in arm and Clint holding his shoulder.

"Clint, Nat" Maria said, "Welcome to the party"

Harry went to put Natasha down, but it seemed she didn't want to go.

"Nat, kind of trying to put you down here sexy" Harry smirked.

"Ahh but I like it in your arms Harry" Nat said with a very sexy smile.

"I don't hate holding you Red, but a legacy is about to make a big mistake, so...off you pop I'll come give you a cuddle later" Harry said.

"I'm holding you to that" Natasha said letting him put her on her feet. He disappeared and she said, "Well...that all went to shit"

"Where's Cap, I'm fairly sure we can trust him." Phil said.

"Ahh, well Harry is leaving him to last" Natasha said, "He's...a little pissed" she said in a masterful understatement. "It isn't so safe to put a pissed off super soldier in a pressurized container."

"Right...of course, Peggy Carter MADE S.H.I.E.L.D" Phil said.

"Ahh then he's no more pissed than Harry." Skye said.

Phil smiled, "Yes, you got that too"

"I know she personally invited him to join up" Skye said.

"You know I know he's older than he looks, cuz so am I" Romanov said dryly, "But I didn't realize THAT old."

Skye laughed, and Phil looked highly amused.

"Oh...it's like THAT" Nat said with amusement, "Right well I'll be having words with Harry on that subject later, where we at Maria?"

"Right now, Skye is the only one actually doing anything useful" Maria noted, "And as far as I'm concerned I just made Harry the Head of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Something I whole heartedly support" Phil said.

"You won't hear me complaining."

Harry reappeared with a hissing and spitting blonde, "Put me down you ingrate"

"Shut it Shaz" Harry said, "What the fuck woman, you're aunt would be SO pissed."

"What else was I going to do, we're all members of a terrorist organization, I was going to turn myself in." Sharon said, otherwise known as the Nurse across the hall from Steve Rogers and to a select few, Sharon Carter, Niece to Peggy Carter.

"Ahh, right" Skye said, "I was wondering if he liked blondes too."

"Oh no it's not like that" Maria laughed

Sharon glared, "Me...and Harry? EWWW"

Skye looked at her like she was off her Meds.. Then looked at the other women in the room that were looking at her the same way, "He used to baby sit me, read me bedtime stories, EWWW I wish I had brain bleach"

"Ohhhh" the rest of the women in the room finally nodded in realization. "So...what the hell then," Sharon said.

"Sit tight, I'm not done." Harry said disappearing.

"I hate it when he does that, but it's so much worse when he appears" Sharon said with a wry smile, "Right well I basically know all of the major players, but who is the apple of my uncles eye and the science team?"

"Agent Carter" Phil said making Jemma and Fitz straighten up, "Fitz and Simmons, Engineering and Bio, and proven as field agents, the only one doing anything right now is Skye, she's.."

"Just Uncle Harry's speed" Sharon said dryly. Then turned to the legendary Natasha Romanov, "Last I heard he was straightening your spine though."

"He can't do both?" Natasha shot back.

Skye chuckled.

Sharon rolled her eyes, "I don't so much feel it myself, but I am aware my beloved uncle is rather popular with my gender." she said dryly, "So sure...why not he's older than dirt anyway. But what is the purpose of this."

"Until we find out otherwise" Maria said, "This Is S.H.I.E.L.D"

Sharon looked around the room, a slow smile building up on her face, "Well alright, why didn't you just say so."

Harry reappeared with a tallish woman with red highlights in her hair. She spotted Coulson and hissed like an angry Cat, "Hydra!" she spat going for Phil only for Harry to manhandle her away.

"What are you off your gourd Vic?" he asked her holding her immobile, "We uncovered evidence that Garret is, and they are litter mates after all." she said angrily, then looked around, "And I recalled the plane to the hub, how are we not there?"

"Yeah...that's me" Skye said, "Right now this bird doesn't go anywhere but where I tell it to."

"We could be circling a spot of the Atlantic" May said.

"Urh...yeah when I blocked the remote recall I had to take control, so actually we're just sort of floating,"

"You're flying my bird" May asked.

"Yeah, with everything happening I didn't like to pull you away."

"I'm heading for the Cockpit, Phil fill me in later. This isn't a computer game Skye flying a VTOL capable globetrotter not that easy." May admonished her striding off.

Skye gave a wicked little smile, "Actually you know it's surprisingly like a computer game"

Harry laughed, "Right well, that happened. Look Vic, I am vouching for Phil and Maria is the highest ranking agent right now so you're following HER orders, so sit your sexy ass down and behave, that holier than thou attitude might be one of the reasons I'm sure of you but it is not the time or place."

The fiery Victoria Hand sat.

"Ahh yes, Harry about that" Maria said with a beautiful and beguiling smile.

"I love your smile Maria but you weaponize it, so I know there's an ulterior motive behind it when I see it."

"Yes, I urh...put you in charge actually."

"You bitch, what did I ever do to you?" Harry said gape mouthed.

"Oh let me see, ignoring the supremely good sex, how about the fact you are the only living potentially unique example of honourable man, that I actually trust totally and utterly. I damn near idolized Fury you know that, he was my idol for real but I was always very aware that he was working an angle...and I was potentially disposable"

Harry winced, "Heavy is the head Maria" he said softly.

"Alright fine, who here disagrees with what I did?"

Not a single hand was raised not even the newly arrived and gently steaming to herself Victoria Hand.

"I hate you all" Harry said disappearing.

"Right...that happened" Nat laughed, "So...Vic huh" she said looking at Victoria Hand known as rather an ice queen.

"No...I'm not fucking him and never have," Victoria rolled his eyes, "But I'm rather like Maria, minus the...orgasms" she said blushing lightly, "Harry bought my trust years ago and hasn't ever given me a reason to doubt him, Maria made a good decision, but only while we're in a state of emergency he's TOO honest to run an organization like S.H.I.E.L.D. Love him or hate him, Fury was perfect in his role"

Harry reappeared with none other than Steve Rogers, "Oh hey there Steve." Nat said nervously.

The usually mild mannered Captain America well his blue eyes were damn near glowing currently and his strong jaw line looked like you could smash a boulder on it. "Natasha, Clint," he looked around, "Everyone...Neighbor" he added the last a little witheringly as he spotted Sharon.

"Oh hey Steve" Sharon said, "I'm still really sorry."

"Nick's Orders" he said tightly.

"Yeah...but its not the only thing I hid and since its kind of why I'm here perhaps I should reveal that."

"That is a Nuke about to go off Sharon, shut the fuck up" Nat said with a happy smile on her face.

Steve looked at her, "Harry basically told me to stop being an infant, I am quite controlled Natasha" he said with a worrying smile.

"I'm Sharon, Sharon Carter"

Steve's eyes bored into her, then looked her over in away he never usually would dare, "I actually see it" he said, eyes mostly below her hem line before he went back to glaring straight ahead.

Harry reappeared with a short statured man none of them knew, "This is Agent Koenig, and I found him some place we can make use of," he keyed the comms, "Mel set course for Alaska would you please"

"Fine, fine Harry Fury always said if the shit is hitting the fan do anything you said." Eric said, "Call me Eric, we're going to a secret off book base, it was being held for Agent Coulson but it appears there is more of the S.H.I.E.L.D hierarchy than I think the Director realized there would be."

"He isn't here I don't know what he's planning or thinking Eric, but right now as the next highest at the time I stepped aside so...Harry is the Director." Maria said. "And good to see you by the way how are your brothers...and your sister?"

"Oh fine, fine" Eric smiled, "And I am good with that Commander, Fury basically told me outside of you Harry was always next in line anyway."

Maria snorted, "I'm sure Harry would LOVE hearing that, Because I think I'm cut off for sometime to come" she said dryly.

Skye snorted, "Yeah...maybe, but you know there's always a way to change a mans mind about THAT"

Natasha laughed, "I like this girl."

"Yeah...she apparently gets that a lot." Maria said. "And hands off...I saw her first"

Natasha grinned.

Harry reappeared with a rather beaten man, he took in the room, whites of his eye showing then said, "Hail Hy.." already starting to bite down before Skye struck, knocking him out clean and following him down and reaching into his mouth.

"Oh I wonder who taught HER to fight" Natasha said dryly, "Good thinking"

"Poison tooth," Skye said tossing it to Simmons, "Any idea what it actually is?"

"Likely something fast acting, obviously I'll analyze it and try to come up with an antidote."

"He's really getting some mileage on his teleportation today" Skye said dryly.

"Ahh you know he loves doing it" Phil said dryly.

"I have a question" Fitz said as Harry reappeared though this time with a bag in hand, "Where's Ward?"

"Ahh I will admit that me and Phil clocked that Garret was dirty and just in case we had to label Ward as Guilty by association." Harry said gently.

"And yet you have filled this ops with people you consider trustworthy, do we not get to vouch" Simmons said, "Ward has put his life on the line, hell he jumped out of this very air plane to administer a cure and save my life, he's bought our trust plenty. We are aware that you and Skye didn't like him and he is NOT a people person but we," she said indicating herself and Fitz, "Trust him."

Harry looked at them a long moment, then looked at Phil who considered a moment then nodded. "And one more then" Harry said disappearing.

"I hope that wasn't a mistake," Hand said, "He's Garrets pup, followed him side by side for many years."

"I don't think Ward could do more to prove himself, and he never could to Skye and Harry, but us...he did and right now as has been said We ARE S.H.I.E.L.D." Simmons said passionately.

Hand nodded, "Passionately spoken, and well said. But if you're wrong you could've just ended this before it begun."

"Lay off Vic" Maria said, "They have a say too, there are no levels right now, it's Harry and us filing under him, including you, me and even Nat who was basically unranked." Maria said, "They are S.H.I.E.L.D agents, just like us and that...right now is good enough to have them heard."

Vic pursed rather kissable lips and nodded softly.

"Thank you...Maria" Jemma said.

"I like her too" Natasha said, "Clint you're unusually silent."

"Still trying to wrap my head around this. If it wasn't Harry that came for me I'd've put an arrow in any other agents eye socket."

Nat nodded, "Yeah...I know what you mean."

Harry and Ward appeared, Ward looking PISSED and shocked, "I took a moment to explain the situation, he was on mission ass end of an embassy and likely hadn't seen daylight let alone the news in a while." Harry said, "But...he was right where he was supposed to be"

Ward looked at Fitz and Simmons, "I was told you two vouched for me. Thank you" Ward said seriously, "I won't let you down."

"If you do..." Maria said, "I'll kill you myself"

"Understood, I know that Garret was my SO and I was his Specialist for years, but...I swear I didn't know he was dirty...do I believe he's Hydra...not really he doesn't seem like a Nazi to me, he's too...HIM"

Hand snorted, "I actually see your stand point, but if Harry opens communications I can contact the Hub which was secure before I was kidnapped and show you evidence."

"Right now, I'll just take you saying it" Ward said, "This is a pretty select room," he noted, "S.H.I.E.L.D. Legends and a whole lot of bad ass." he told them, "I'm willing to trust but I WILL Verify."

"Sensible" Maria said, "Right now you should know Harry is essentially the Director."

"Oh boy" Ward said with a slight smile. He looked at Skye, "We got a problem" he asked.

"Nope, FitzSimmons have vouched strongly for you Ward so I have your back."

He nodded his shoulders relaxing slightly, "And from there I can make sure I know where you hands are too."

He winced "I told you that was an accident" he said flushing slightly.

"Uh huh" Skye said a bright smile on her face, "I don't have to like you to work with you, that's the Gods honest truth and their impassioned plea has bought some trust," she said more normally, "so...no we don't have a problem, ya creepy bastard" she muttered the last to herself and only really Maria heard her and only years in the industry kept her face straight.

"Good, good, I won't let you down, especially you two" Ward said with the biggest display of emotion any of them had seen him show.

Providence Base,
Later

"Providence" Eric said leading them into a cafeteria "I call it, only it doesn't really have a name Because it doesn't exist." he smiled, "Director...hell Harry, what is your last name?"

"Go With Jameson," Harry said

"Director Jameson will be issued a lanyard, others will be issued on a case by case basis" Koenig said giving them the stink eye. "For now, take a moment, it's safe here it totally off the books no way Hydra knows Because S.H.I.E.L.D didn't."

"Nor did I" Maria said dryly.

"You Know Fury" Eric said sweeping away.

Maria smiled wanly. Harry slung an arm around her, "How you holding up beautiful?"

Maria took a heavy breath, "Not too sure yet. Grateful to Cap and Nat for forcing this all into the open, it makes my skin crawl to think that I've been working for Hydra, Peirce was Hydra and I took orders from him. Some of those orders might have gotten innocent people killed, the ones we were supposed to protect."

"It was bloody ingenuous" Harry said, "I almost admire them."

Maria glared at him.

"I've been in S.H.I.E.L.D since before it was S.H.I.E.L.D., I had no fucking idea. I seriously doubt it sprouted while I was learning card tricks in prison, something like this...it's been around since the EARLY days beautiful. So don't think of what ifs okay...they fooled us ALL, every single person in this room is a good guy and hell we're TRAINED to spot evil shits, and we STILL Missed it." he said now making sure the whole room could hear him. "We could play the blame game all the live long day, wallow in recriminations and doubts or, like I told Steve...we can take that, not waste it on ourselves we feed on it, let it fuel us, focus us and then unleash that on the bastards who deserve it."

Skye smiled,, slipping in the other side of Maria, "He's not wrong"

"You know he's so pretty its hard to notice there is a working brain there" Maria said with a grin. A rustle of laughter filled the room.

"Thank you so much my own PERSONAL ego popping squad. But Eric is right, we're all pooped, we just stepped out of a freaking intense situation, it was only yesterday for Nat and Steve and you Maria that you shut down insight, and thank FUCK you did. That has to be the most dangerous weapon I've heard of, honestly had I caught wind of that I think I'd've shut it down just Because of that. Let alone the idea of Hydra with their finger on the trigger, that's the wrong sort of shivers, so..."Well done" Harry said pointedly at Nat and Steve, as the rag tag team of S.H.I.E.L.D soul chimed in their agreement.

"What do we do next?" May asked.

"Now that's a million dollar question." Harry said, "Vic secured the Hub. That's a good start and a good idea but it's also completely pointless."

Vi bristled, "Good men died to do that Harry, I'll thank you to honour that."

"And I do, and I'm taking a tally you sassy bitch, but the world HAS to reply. They won't differentiate between S.H.I.E.L.D. or HYDRA, and how can they we wore the same colours for crying out loud, they are going to hit everything they know about and HARD likely they will lead with Bunker busters and not diplomacy."

Vic paled, "I have to warn them Harry."

"No outside comms, but I already sent out odyssey protocol Vic, I am not about to leave them to their fate."

Hand relaxed, "Thank you" she said with feeling.

"What is that?" Skye asked.

"Essentially scram!" Harry said with feeling. "Agents are going to ground, a lot will take the option of turning themselves in and honestly you all have that option still. Though Clint, Nat you should go to the Avengers, Well Clint first. I need Cap right now and Natasha just splashed all her exploits covers and dirty laundry across the Internet, so...she's not leaving my site anytime soon. But you can make a path Clint. Just so you know there is NO record. Not a single one I wouldn't let him do it."

Clint breathed out, "Thank YOU Harry."

"You are most welcome Clint I told you that at the time." Harry said mystifying all but the chosen few in that room.

"Excuse me" Natasha said eyes dangerous, "I'm not some china doll you have to coddle, I've been protecting myself against the harsh realities of real life since before anyone but you was born."

"Oh shut up" He said with feeling, "Do you really think I doubt your strength?" he asked looking ticked off, "I care...so I protect you. Get over it, and right now you need to go to ground Because out of ANY agents of S.H.I.E.L.D they want you most of all." Harry said glaring into her Jade eyes. "God" he said with feeling "It's women lib gone mental"

Skye giggled, then slapped a hand over her mouth, "That didn't happen...it was the wind."

"Yeah...right" NAT said trying not to smile.

"I kind of like the protectiveness, I must just be old fashioned" Skye said, "and since the first time I really realized what he'd do when he killed a man for trying to coerce me into giving out head, I figured...I didn't hate it." she waved down at herself, "This...this is mine, it's mine to give. I'd've nailed that creep myself if he hadn't happened along, likely would've had the tar beaten out of me, but...it's the point of the thing"

Nat looked at Harry rolling his eyes, "I told you Skye that was the WHAT, not the who."

"And I believed that until firstly I got Jemma to get me a book on biology after Pep looked at me like I was simple for not knowing you had killed him in the first place."

Harry looked at Jemma, "Grey's anatomy."

"Oh Jeeze Jemma that's college level book, not high-school."

"She's a smart girl" Jemma said, "And I told her just the death you grant to that man is what she's leading up to...not a good one."

"Normally I would agree" Harry said, "And I do like to make a point, which has gone so horrible wrong, but I knocked the fucker out by that point"

"Oh" Jemma said.

"Whatever" Skye said, "It was the realization for me, it's not a horrible feeling Nat."

The redhead smile a trademark sexual smile, "Still I can look after myself."

"Never doubted that, but right now I am the director and it's my JOB and DUTY to do that." Harry said. He looked at Phil and Ward, "Isn't it just my luck the people I trust are women?"

"No, Harry you're just a smart guy" Ward shot at him.

"Zinged by the least expected place" Harry said dryly. As the room laughed, "Good, good, laugh, laugh with me or at me. But it's good to laugh. Once the dust clears we need to do the hard part."

"And what is that?" Phil asked. "Try to find out what is what?"

"No...that is like trying to look for a specific needle in a stack of needles" Harry said, "Right of this moment THIS the people in THIS room are S.H.I.E.L.D. Now Cap, Clint and eventually Nat, I think you have a higher calling and you can Trust Tony to protect you, but Nat...not just yet, even his army of lawyers can't stop a tank, and its' Tony he'd meet that tank in his suit and then.."

"The Avengers fall" Natasha said, "Why didn't you say THAT in the first place."

"Urh...honestly I only just came up with it," Harry said with a big smile.

"Bastard"

"But honest" Victoria Hand laughed.

"Yes, got to give him that." Natasha agreed.

"And there-in he proves I made the right choice"

Phil laughed, "Yes, I agree so what you're basically saying we start from US and build from there."

"Basically but that's not so bad. We design an interview process, keep out the sociopathic Nazi based organizations this time. We've got a rich backer with VERY deep pockets and hey...we even have this sweet base" Harry said.

"Urh...what backer or are you just assuming Tony will do that" Natasha said, a little of her hair colouring's temper flaring.

"Oh nice," Harry said, "You assume I'd use him like that, and without asking first...thanks"

Nat winced, "I fail to know who you mean then."

"Him" Skye said rolling her eyes, "Everyone in this room has at least SOME idea how old he is, he's probably got more money than Tony anyway."

"Oh god...so much more, you know it takes a while to really get going but compound interest with my lifetime...sweet, and Tony and I thanks to Skye actually are about to have a cash injection, a BIG one"

"You invent something else" Fitz said, "You promised you'd show me first" he said rather indignant.

"No, no, I will stick to that and have something actually Leo, not that he asked me of all people advice on releasing something to Tony."

"She gave it the go."

"What?" Maria asked.

"True Hard Light" Skye said

"I don't know what that is" Maria admitted.

"Oh thank god, he explained but serious I still have no idea" Skye said looking relieved, "That said I HAVE used it, and it makes the Bus' holotable look STONE AGED"

"Oh, we know what that is...please Director sir do we get to play with that" Jemma said with a winning smile, "I'm not sure why I'm the one asking since I'm Bio but Fitz insisted I did while smiling, can I stop now my face is aching"

"I think that's darling, she has NO idea" Nat said with a smirk. "So...deep pockets, good, check need a lot of money for this, but we need a lot of people too."

"No...no not a lot Nat, we need the RIGHT people" Harry corrected her, "We HAD numbers and Hydra used that to swell our ranks with Nazi thugs. I'm not letting that happen again. But I am saying this right now, you want me in charge right now, to nurse us though while we're so vulnerable and I will honour that but I am GOING to assign a replacement once we're past the worst of it. I am not good director material, right now you need a guardian a protector to shield the soul while it's exposed like a nerve...that I can and hell I will do."

"And then..."

Harry nodded at Phil "Then we go with a good man"

Coulson went wide eyed, "ME"

"I like it" Clint said.

"Me too" Nat said.

"Show of hands" Harry said with a grin. Not a single abstain.

"I hate you all" Phil said with feeling, "But if you step down Harry...are you going to step OUT"

"Not a chance in hell mate, you know I do have other responsibilities two boys I swore to look after, and a woman to potentially rescue from you know hell, but I'm not bowing out, I actually ask I go back to what I always have done."

"No" Phil said, "Not a chance in hell"

"Why?" Harry said stunned.

"I've seen you in the light, it's where you belong, not in the shadows and if you want me to pre-emptively ask for a show of hands.." All hands shot in the air.

"You're all fired"

Office, Providence
Later

"Come on in and pull up a director Agent Skye" Harry said in bemusement as Skye just invited herself in and plopped down on his lap.

"Oh shut up Harry it's been a horrible couple of days and Natasha isn't the only one that likes the feeling of being in your arms, it's JUST a hug" she said looking at him through her lashes.

He folded like a high card at a high stakes poker game putting his arms around her and she rested her head on his shoulder sat side on to him, "God...intense."

"Life hands ya lemons" Harry said with a grin.

"I am not afraid of hurting you Director!" she said with a laugh in her voice.

He chuckled.

"This is good, of course a good hard fuck over the desk wouldn't go amiss either"

"Behave" Harry laughed.

She affected a slutty school girl voice, "Maybe you should punish the naughty little agent...director" she said looking at him with a LOT of invite.

"Gah!" he said with feeling, "Oh SCORE a prEview" she said her eyes alight and shifting in his lap.

"You keep wriggling like that and we might get to third base"

She stopped, "One day...one day."

"I have a question though, how did you manage to befriend the top woman in the agency in the space of a single thirty minute conversation to the point she's more relaxed around you than anyone I've seen her with even Nat who is at least somewhat of a friend with." Harry said smiling at her.

"Oh that was pretty simple really she had some official things to tell me but after your little waver when she dismissed you there was really only one thing Maria wanted to know from me."

Harry looked at her with a quirked eyebrow.

"So I was happy to inform her I wouldn't get in the way of HER relationship."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Not even Married yet and you're already controlling my life."

Skye was frozen, Harry ran that over in his head and blurted, "SHIT, Skye I'm..." he cut off with a finger on his lip and a VERY intense looking Skye.

"Don't take that back, please...we made a deal and we're going to stick to it Harry but damn, that's going to keep me going for however long this lasts." she said her eyes showing everything they both knew and didn't say aloud. "So please...don't take it back"

He smiled, moving out of her fingers range, "I wasn't going to, but stop begging it just turns me on." he said shooting her a big smile.

"I hate you long time" she laughed, then wriggled, "SO...you ARE Big huh"

"Right" he said lifting her and plopping her onto the desk, where she poised in a way if that she'd been wearing a skirt would've shown a lot of leg, and since she favoured very tight jeans the view was almost as good.

"Ohh, was I naughty" she said in breathy voice.

"You are a little cock tease"

"No, I am no such thing." she said indignant, "I much prefer the term...Whore" she said her eyes alight with PURE sex as she stared him down.

"If you don't leave I'm going to sack your arse and nail you to that desk."

"And maybe I can showcase how to me, deep throat is just how oral is done."

Harry smiled, "You're playing with fire"

She sat back, "No...I'm not. You wouldn't do that, you actually have a code and you stick to it, you know you are the best, perhaps only person that can teach me to be all you see in me, and until the day I'm out of training you won't fuck me like I'm pretty much drooling at the pussy right now dreaming about."

"GAH!"

She smiled wickedly, "But Harry.." she said suddenly serious, "I am going to spend my life with you, I know that already...but unlike you my darling man that is a finite resource, so please...for the love of any God you care to mention, don't keep me in training a SECOND longer than you absolutely have to." she said sliding off the chair, planting a lingering kiss on his cheek and swaying her hips as she walked off.

"She's going to prove me wrong and kill me with a heart attack" he said to himself then looked into his lap, "Down boy"

Natasha walked laughing into the office, "Yeah...so that relationship is about what I thought it actually was...what's this about waiting?"

"I don't sleep with my students" Harry said tightly.

Nat perched on the edge of the desk looking into his lap, "You wanna HAND with that, or a mouth, I'm good either way."

"She's proven herself to be a remarkably open minded woman Nat, but that..,me doing that with the cock SHE made hard the second she leaves the room. Bridge too far I think."

Nat shrugged, "You know me handsome I don't really HAVE morals, but...I will trust yours to lead me here" she said settling into a less provocative position, "That said darling man you're keeping me under house arrest I do expect you to...attend to my needs while I'm trapped here, and since essentially you are NOT currently in a relationship, that isn't a moral issue...right, I really don't care but you seem to."

"No, Nat that isn't a thing, and you and me are known to be so good at keeping our hands off each other in close proximity, I do ask you don't rub her face in that."

"Depends on how catty I'm feeling that minute"

"Or I could just go get you a dildo" he said with a smirk.

"Go get one, I'll use it here and now...that's not a moral issue...is it?"

"I think you know very well it is you scarlet woman you." Harry said with a fond smile.

She slung a leg over the other and leaned on her knee nailing him with a look, "It's love then?" she asked suddenly serious.

Harry smiled, "What happens if I say yes?"

"Possibility of gore, light showers of blood" Nat said.

"Mine or hers"

"Well you know weather patterns are so changeable" she said her eyes oddly dangerous.

"I think right now in interests of not doing a rain dance around sociopathic redheads I decline to answer"

"And that is all the answer I need darling man, but never fear...I don't do that any more"

"I know, and.." he wobbled his head from side to side, "I know you can. Same as me my favorite red head."

"You're just saying that to soften me up" Nat chuckled.

Harry chuckled, "Actually its true. After my first wife betrayed me and everything she could, I only ever used redheads, you...I think you and I are a bit more than that."

Nat looked at him a long intense moment, then smiled slowly. "Interesting. The emotions that girl is causing are bring a host of openness Harry, it's a damned good job you've not been an active asset in the spy game since the early nineties"

"It was never my favorite thing anyway."

"I know" Nat said, "You were damned good, but you are an honest man at your soul."

"I'm not sure how much soul I've got left at this point, but I do try to protect what tattered shred I have"

Nat leaned in her hand on his heart, "More soul, more heart more everything than any man should have." she said, then leaned back, "Anyway, mop up your tears buttercup." she smiled sexily, "I'm here to ask you for a spar."

"Now that sounds like just what I'm in the mood for."

"When I walked in clearly you had something else in mind" Nat said dryly.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 15: Chapter 14 - Shake, Rattle, Raina

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Ops, Providence Base
The Next Day

Harry walked in to find Skye working the Raina search and a very obvious bit of observation on the main screen. "You do NOT trust him at ALL do you" he said to where she was half an eye on FitzSimmons and Ward in the Lab on the Bus.

"Not even as far as I could throw him."

"We're getting close to 'properly' tapping what I sense, that might be a long way soon." Harry said.

"You know what I mean!" Skye said rolling her eyes.

"I have to say once again my dear that you are very good, just very-very good."

"Explain that," Skye said shooting him a stern look.

"Oh he's Hydra" Harry said seriously, "The details were good enough to fool most, but he wasn't really on mission when I picked him up, there was dust UNDER the file he was so diligently reading, the light was dim and he was supposedly reading for hours by that point and no sign of bloodshot eyes, not a single paper cut and you know a host of minutiae that told me he'd been planted to await someone making contact. I don't think they expected me to pluck him up, so I didn't give him anytime to leave a message, or pack up or anything I told him the news he clearly already knew and then straight to the Bus."

"You LET a fox into the hen house, he's with JEMMA Harry!" she thundered, "He shouldn't be trusted around women"

He narrowed his eyes at her, "What?"

"I handled it myself, I don't need you to deal with a handsey creep. But Jemma she has no idea she's beautiful," Skye chuckled, "Like she has no idea Fitz is head over heels in love and has led a rather sheltered life full of science and safe labs away from men like...THAT"

"If I disappeared him it would be rather obvious who did it, don't you think."

"I almost don't care"

"I don't think you truly mean that darling."

"Oh...hell you had to call me that." Skye said not looking at him, "Do you think you could make it less obvious that you care for me."

"You don't seem worried if anyone knows you care for me."

"Oh Harry there wasn't a person in the Triskellion at full manpower that wasn't aware I'm head over heels in love with you." Skye said sounding amused.

Harry leaned in, bracketing her, "That was very brave"

"Shut up"

"No...Because I reply...Likewise...but that doesn't change the rules...or does it?"

"Damn it now I want to kiss your brains out your face and I can't Because no it doesn't" Skye said, "You HAD to say that, now I'm melting into girly goo"

"Ahh don't get sappy" Harry chuckled kissing her head and moving back, "I have trackers, monitoring and a vague physic connection to our fox," he said, "He makes a move I'll know and if he touches a hair on Jemma's beautiful head and Fitz somehow doesn't take him apart by the seams with some sort of hellish gadget or robot of whirling death, I will make him pay...but I want that fucker to lead me to Garret."

"I thought we were laying low. Not active"

"This isn't about S.H.I.E.L.D. with Garret any more, it stopped being business the moment he ordered you shot."

"Some days its harder than others"

"And today?"

"Loving you is always easy, but resisting you...today is the worst yet"

The Lab, The Bus, Providence Base
Later

A rather cryptic sign Jemma had held to the camera had led Skye to meet with her friend who clearly wanted to talk privately, and she walked into the lab and looked around, cocking her head...reaching out with her senses the way Harry had been teaching her.

"I should've known" Skye said, "Come out you creepy bastard" she said sounding pissed.

Ward walked out from hiding with Jemma in a choke hold a knife to her neck, "Kill the feeds Fitz your girlfriend won't survive this"

Skye's eyes flicked around the room as he carefully regulated her breathing, purposefully forcing her body to relax and welcoming the surge of adrenaline, not letting it overwhelm her into stupidity but using it as a fuel for the rage she was feeling.

"Skye...you were right I'm SO sorry" Jemma said looking scared stiff and very upset.

"It's okay Jemma, it's not your fault it's what he does, it's what he's TRAINED to do." she said perfectly calm. "So...you want some alone time with me Ward. Going to feel up my ass again then say whoops my hands slipped."

"Wait...that wasn't an accident" Jemma said looking sick.

"Oh..." Skye said now really pissed, "That's going to hurt you" she said her eyes holding death.

"Oh no you smug bitch, I've got all the cards and have cut you away from your guardian angel. You're going to walk in here and we're going to fly right out of here and if you want your pets to live you will do exactly what I tell you to do."

Skye seemed to considering this, "Nope"

Ward blinked, "What?"

"Not making that deal, here's my counter offer. I will freely walk in and sit down all peaceful and not make your life hard if you let Jemma and Leo Go and walking off this plane. Or I make you kill all three of us, and...give me a second only got this working the other day." she said focusing, reaching deep...there, the constant thrum of the air around her, the air that connected her to everything around her with its own unique vibration barely a tickle really but as Harry had shown her if she pushed right...there.

Ward spooked as the entire Globetrotter shook around him, the wings flapping the various items being vibrated off onto the floor glass breaking, the electronics fizzing in and out of working order, then...it suddenly stopped. "I do far more than that, I will shake this entire plan apart including the mainframe with all our research on it that I'm sure you master sent you to fetch. Here's a catch for you Ward...when it all went to hell, I encrypted that entire mainframe, only basic user access is possible without the code key and I'm not telling you if you don't do what I want."

"How do I know I'm telling the truth?"

"I'm not the lying sack of shit Ward." she glared at him. His arm loosened, Skye beckoned Jemma to her and pulled her into a hug, seemingly giving her a heart felt hug, but she was whispering instructions into the other woman's ear.

She looked up pushing Jemma behind her, "Fitz too. They're a package deal, you know that."

Fitz appeared glaring hate at Ward, "I trusted you...how could you?"

"Oh shut up you spineless shit" Ward snapped, "You don't even have the guts to tell her how you feel, at least I'm not afraid of myself"

"You are a real work of art" Skye said, "But thank you...you just did them a real favor you piece of shit and you don't even realize WHY you did" she chuckled, "Fitz take Jemma, Harry is in the canteen, tell him to stand the fuck down until the bus is clear of the hanger or Ward WILL kill me"

Fitz eyes lit up in unholy glee, he grabbed Jemma by the hand and legged it.

"Take a seat" Ward said smugly.

"I'll come sit with you in the cockpit" Skye said eyes intent, "I want to keep an eye on you, after all I'm not the one that just proved himself untrustworthy in the worst way possible"

He let her pass then surged into action forcing her against the wall a gun to her neck, his hands all over her. She forced herself facing him and glared into his eyes, "Get your filthy hands off me."

"Why should I, seems I'm the one in control right now you little bitch"

"You think so. You keep touching me I will MAKE you kill me or I'll kill you, either way your boss won't get what he wants, I told you in the canteen you creepy shit. This...this is mine I choose who has access and that gun won't stop me, death is far preferable to letting you think you are ALLOWED to touch me at all, let alone like that. SO get your fucking hands OFF" she growled glaring into his eyes, he looked into them and then balked back. She smiled slowly, "Now who's the bitch"

"Just keep moving" Ward said, this was a rather odd feeling, he had the gun and somehow she'd been in control. That wasn't how it was supposed to work.

Canteen, Providence
Same Time

"Shh, shh" Harry said holding Jemma as she cried herself raw.

"Its my fault he's got her Harry, My fault!"

"No...it's not" Harry said, "It's his, he's the bastard that betrayed your trust and he's going to pay for that, probably already is" Harry said.

Jemma pulled back, "She was amazing, you'd have been SO proud" she said with feeling.

"In control, calm?"

"Totally, made Ward do her bidding and got us out of there" Fitz said. "But I don't like that she's alone with him, now I realize that he's NOT the man I thought I realize that you and Skye were right all along."

"And clearly his wandering hands aren't accidental" Jemma said with an all over body shiver.

"Oh boy, and my girl she knows he did that to YOU?" Harry said.

"Yes"

"I almost feel sorry for him at this point."

"Harry I can't help but notice that the girl you quite clearly are hopelessly in love with has been kidnapped and the world hasn't been ripped in half." Maria said seriously.

He looked at her weirdly, "You are all impressed by that girl. You see her potential and Phil right at the start told me to protect her." he said, "Now what's the best way for me to do that, do I fight ALL her battles or do I teach her how to protect herself. Or do you seriously think we spend all the time we do together flirting."

"Urr...got to admit, kind of thought you did" Phil said nervously.

"Oh Phil!" Harry said, "No...I'm not worried right now, almost amused actually Ward is a very good agent, but he has no idea how to face Skye."

"He's one of the most highly scored agents in the agency. I mean...he was."

"Yes, and knows the procedures back to front and inside out. Even before your instruction to throw out the manual do you think I didn't already see that she's special?"

Maria smiled, "He can't innovate is what you're saying."

"And he's faced with a girl lives outside any box." Harry smiled nastily, "And she's also got a tracker on her, but I don't think that negates what I said all the same. Oh By the way, seems Ward is a classic sociopath, only right this moment has his heart beat even raised even a bit. It's very hard to track intent, and I will admit I was...a bit befuddled and distracted and seriously out of practice with the physic tracker I had on him. But luckily My girl has this in hand, but I am curious to her end game right now."

"You don't know?" Natasha asked, "I would think you know her better than anyone."

Harry looked at her steadily, "I just told you she has no concept of THE box, let alone thinks outside of it, she is way smarter than me, I have no idea what she intends and honestly she can take that bird out the sky any time she pleases."

"I did wonder how she made the Bus shake." Jemma said.

"Little thing we've been working on since Greece" Harry said, "Right now, I'll wait and then activate the tracker remotely if she doesn't do it herself. If I had to guess, I think she intends to have a chat with The Clairvoyant himself."

"Garret is much more dangerous and experienced than Ward." Phil pointed out.

"Yes, but I'm confident she can handle it. You all see she's special but you're not Trusting it."

"She's painfully green Harry." Natasha said.

"Yes...it was Maria that sent her on a mission before I even started field ops actually." Harry said shooting a dark look at the beautiful planner.

Maria smiled, "She handled it"

"And had to kill for the first time" Harry groused.

"I am sure Phil saw her through that and I know that Loki had some hand in it, I don't know what was said, but I know she went to see him." Maria said.

"That I did not know." Harry admitted, "I did teleport her to the Avengers Tower but she told me it was to talk to Tony." Harry said shaking his head with a grudging admiration.

"And that's telling" Natasha said.

"That she got away with lying to me. She's pretty good at it naturally Nat, that's not my weakness that's her skill. Yes, I admit I love her, and one day I'm gonna marry that girl but I am not a fucking teenager either."

They all looked at him in shock. "What...you're shocked by that. From what she told me that won't change any of the other relationships I have. But either way that is years in the future" Harry said, "Let's get her through today," He said.

"I dunno if she's in more danger from Garret...or me" Natasha said with an easy smile.

En-Route
Three Hours Later

Skye chuckled throatily, "That's it, keep glaring and maybe magically I'll be over come by your intense gaze and my legs will fly apart and my head will fall into your lap." she said with withering amusement.

"I'm NOT checking you out," Ward said, "On the other hand your foot which you are resting on a damn instrument panel of a PLANE is just about a control that could depressurize the plane and send us spinning out of the sky. So I would suggest you stop trying to look oh so cool and in control and put your damn feet on the floor before you accidentally kill us both." he said mockingly.

"Oh you're a tool, for one when I sat here you should've locked out all these controls, and frankly I could take over piloting at this point thanks to you spilling that. And, I'm not TRYING to do anything you tool. I am cool, calm and in control Ward. I proved to myself fairly conclusively a few hours ago that you will NOT kill me, so...really since I made YOU back off when YOU have the gun, who Is in control in this cockpit exactly. Also I can take this bird out of the sky any old time I want without so much as lifting a finger and I don't like your chances."

"You here too Skye, and you call me dumb"

"Can You fly?"

"Mores to the point.. can you?" he shot back.

"You know the fact I asked the question rather indicates that YES I can. At first vibrations they don't seem very interesting and you know I can sort of tell intent from them, almost the emotions of objects using it but Harry has taught a lot of people to handle their gifts and not look at things with limitations" she said, then focused and lifted out of her chair. "Its ALL about vibrations, so at this point you should realize my creepy little friend, I am holding all the cards and you are in fact under my control."

"And if knock your sweet ass out and trust me I can, what then?"

"I'm currently sat on a dead mans trigger, literally I've spent the last three hours setting up a cascade vibe in the exoskeleton of this entire plane. Knock me out and I stop holding it back, and you die, maybe me too but it seems after he taught me to tap into this a lot is really about subconscious control. SO I'm quite confident that my gifts will act to save me without conscious thought. Do you have that in your corner. From the moment I got Fitz and Simmons out of here, you were in my control Ward."

"Well perhaps you should go control the encryption, you're big on keeping your word and we're less than an hour out. Are you a liar like me"

"Oh yes, I've lied, cheated, stole and more in my life. From what I hear your childhood was no bed of roses, but you're not the only child to face abuse in the home, let me tell you the Foster system, isn't the safest place for a somewhat attractive girl to be. Not that it ever lasted long I was never in the same place for more than a month. But while you had to face off against what sounds like a real SHIT of a bully, and I won't deny that. You were also a member of a rich, powerful family who gave you everything, particularly to hold up the normalcy that holds to this day. I on the other hand had to lie, cheat, BEG and steal for every of my meagre possessions and HOLD them against other kids no better off than myself all trying to survive too. And I didn't turn out a sociopathic douchebag who thinks his childhood trauma is an excuse to be less than human."

"I really want to hurt you right now."

"Go right ahead you whiny little bitch," Skye said, "Pain fades eventually and sure you can just keep on causing it. One, I wouldn't even let you touch me, I nearly took the plane apart with a flex, imagine what I can do to you. And two...eventually the body stops feeling pain. Obviously, you have never been to that oddly seductive edge."

Ward blinked first...again. "What are you, what the hell has Harry done to you?"

Skye smiled a soft smile, "Given me power, and I'm not talking about my gift, you're too scared to even give me a lustful look now, that was all me and not my gifts, THAT is what Harry did to me."

"You made a promise, and you say you'll keep it, when then?"

"I won't unlock the system until your master is in front of me, and I talk to him, then I'll unlock that, and I won't fight."

"Why"

"Oh...let me detail my plan," Skye said mockingly. "That's it...reach for the gun. I see from the readings we're heading for Cuba, I've flown this bird before and while I'm a little dodgy on putting her down I am sure you'll have people waiting who will lead me to Garret. So maybe you should be thinking why do I need you?"

Ward took his hand away from the gun.

Havana Cuba
Two Hours Later

John Garret was less than impressed to be called to the plane and away from his secret lair, but Ward had sounded...almost worried, this was not an emotion Garret knew his protege to exhibit so he of course went.

He found Ward almost shying away from a girl half his size who was standing with total confidence and a tiny smirk on her face. He knew right away he had to break that, so he strode up and backhanded her before saying a single word. He expected her to at least show fear, or pain, what he got was.

"Please sir...can I have another" said in a smirking tone.

"John!" Ward said his tone alarmed, "She's...powerful, and only she can unlock the data on this plane, she's somehow ended up holding all the fucking cards, and while I would love to watch you break her you can't."

Garret looked at him steadily, yep...he saw FEAR in Wards eyes, and that was alien enough for him to back up. "Alright honey then." he said with a big smile, "What do you want?"

"This is the condition I set, I will go now and unlock the data" Skye said, "Unlike you douche bags I keep my word."

John tilted his head, "Right.." he said carefully, but she turned on a heeled combat boot and strode into the lab, her fingers worked a keyboard with a lot of hours behind a computer and the main board lit up with a display of all that Coulson and his team had studied. At this point John had to admit he as slightly wrong footed. "Thank you" he said slowly, "And what's to stop me killing you just as a matter of interest."

"Well, you have to get to me" Skye said, the air craft giving an ominous shake, "And really I'm here Because I want to meet someone I think works for you."

John smiled, "You have me intrigued I won't lie." he said laughing slightly, "Okay who."

"Her name is Raina"

"I don't think you have ever been face to face with my flower girl."

"Oh, but I feel like I know her already. For weeks now I've been tracking her movements across the entire planet, I know her every stop, the corners of the world she has looked into and I think I know WHAT she's looking for."

"She did have a question she wanted answered when she believed I was really a Clairvoyant, she was rather pissed to find I wasn't."

"I have to admit, that was a smart cover." Skye said.

"Did you just pay me a compliment, you are a very odd girl, but I think I like you."

"Honestly all my life choice have led to that affirmation." Skye said sarcastically.

"Ohh she's quippy too. SO why shouldn't I tear that smart tongue out your pretty head."

"I guarantee you won't lay a hand on me before I tear you apart by the atoms Mr Garret." Skye said. "You have no idea what I can do, I merely showed Your dog a cheap trick, and he's scared to even look at me now. And really all I want is a private conversation with Raina. You honestly don't interest me at ALL. My man, he will deal with you. I gave you what you wanted, I fulfilled the promise I made to Ward for old times sake and Because I want him to know I KEEP my promises."

"I like you" John said with feeling, "Alright I'll take you too her, I don't think I can stop you leaving when you're done either."

"I would back up the data from the mainframe, Because I am taking my plane when I leave."

"You are amazing, honestly I'm half in love with you myself. But watch just how far I put it, I doubt you can stop a bullet."

Skye smiled, "You'd be surprised just what I can do with something as simple sounding as Vibrations, and yes...I can stop a bullet. Hell I can feel it coming now. My Man doesn't skimp when he teaches you to harness your gifts."

"I don't suppose for a minute you'd consider working for me?" Garret said.

"I'm afraid our ideologies don't match up. I'm of a mixed race, not sure what...but I don't think a raciest Nazi thug would like me for that alone."

"Oh wow, you're got balls"

"No...eww" Skye said with feeling. "You at Hydra took my family from me Mr Garret, it's taking most of my self control not to rip you apart."

"I'm not what you'd call a true believer."

"I think that might even be worse, shall we I'm quite keen to meet the lynch pin." Skye said, "Or maybe the better phrase is Key log. I've spent my life seeing patterns, it's quite an experience to find one that leads to a human and not a hole in a firewall."

John looked at Ward, "You...suck" he said, then offered his arm, "Please...allow me"

To his shock she offered a smile and damned well took his arm.

Garrets Underground Lair
Later

Raina smiled slightly as a very attractive woman strode with utter self confidence into her lab and shot her a bright smile. "You are not an easy woman to find" she said.

"Do I know you?"

"No, but I feel like I know you by this Point Raina. It's all down to the man that gave you THAT flower" she said pointing to where one of her few prized possessions was unassumingly sat in a vase of water it didn't so much need. "He literally had seconds, two times he's seen you wearing a dress with flowers on it, and he was in the middle of fucking your plan right up the ass and he still took time, made the connection and since he thought you were very attractive if on the wrong side, he charmed you silly." Skye said, "It's really no wonder I lost my soul to that man, and don't worry I've not come all this way to warn you off."

Raina smiled, "Oh...and considering no one should have ANY clue where I am ever, how did you find me?"

"I basically am good at finding exploits, it's what I do. I am of late learning to apply that to things other than other peoples firewalls, its turning out to be all sorts of rewarding, but Harry...the man with the ability to give undying roses, realized you're far more important than you really appear."

"Interesting, that doesn't explain how. I have taken care to not be easily tracked."

"Oh and you did that wonderfully Raina. At first I thought you had a full highly priced Hacker wipe by someone as good as me." Skye said, "Then eventually I realized you were NEVER on the grid in the first place. I had a single picture, only half your face showing so I had to make a facial match template mostly by hand and a little artistic license that I have to say...I didn't do you justice, you're very pretty."

Raina leaned a hip and settled in, as Skye did the same, Ward shooting her furtive glances as Garret was honestly fascinated. Skye didn't seem to CARE they were eavesdropping. Or that she had her back to them.

"You have my interest, but I am in no government database to track. As you pointed out I have never ever been in a system to track."

"You're in one Raina, the big one. The one that no one can escape. It's a lot of luck and a WHOLE lot of processing power but I used social media instead."

Raina went wide eyed, "That's...not possible"

"Well clearly it is" Skye said, "at first I was just hoping for a lucky break, but the man whose eyes I'm sure help you some nights has access to some very OLD technology."

"That's nonsensical." Raina said smiling widely and enjoying this a lot and her.

"Not when that old technology is from a culture that was travelling the stars when we were in mud huts" Skye said, "He gave me my favorite new toy Because it's so old I had a hope of understanding it. He's saying he'll move me up soon though since I have learned the HELL out of it but it had the power, and the speed to run my template on every image on the entire Internet."

Raina was wide eyed.

"I've been tracking you movements now for many years of archived selfies, family shots and the occasional dodgy landscape"

Raina laughed, "I didn't stand a chance" she said rather delighted.

"I saw the pattern Raina and I realized you and I have a lot in common. We were both searching for something. I spent a life time, learned to hack just to find a document that led me to S.H.I.E.L.D. I was just about to get that document without all the black marker when the bag of dicks that Douche belongs to fucked that up for me. But in some ways I think my life time of searching actually found me Harry and honestly...I'm good with how that turned out, you are searching to something else, you know you're special but you've never known it for sure, it was just a weird feeling of not being quite like everyone else. I know, you don't have to look so shocked, I felt it too, I was just obsessed with finding my family. I did in a round about way and a man I will HAVE a family with, now you know...it's not exactly a fairy tale but it's real life. But that same man, he's connected us Raina him spotting you put me on your trail to come here and I think I can answer the question I believe you had for the phony psychic back there thinking about putting a bullet in my head."

Raina smiled, "I LIKE you"

"I thank you, that seems a new thing since I met Harry, I...came into myself, but he saw something in me, and starting with a really old tree he slowly teased me into at first accepting that I am special and then he gave me the ability to not overly care if he does try to shoot me since I'll feel the bullet coming before it leaves the barrel, the same way I feel absolutely EVERYTHING around me now...it's wonderful and it's the same thing that lets me say...yes, you ARE gifted Raina, I feel it in you, Because I feel the same in me. Harry says it was waiting for a catalyst, he then told me to forget that limitation, he can do the same for you. Now I can walk you out of here and they can't stop me doing it. But you're not going to do that. You stick to your promises while working an angle I know that Because you like me grew up hard. You must ALWAYS look out for yourself Because no other bastard will do it. But Raina...I will, I feel like I was destined to find you, I didn't believe in all that once I will admit, you don't either, That Bully back there cowering away, he thought he grew up hard Because his brother was an evil dick. And it wasn't a great way to grow up I'll give him that, but he should try being an orphan...right"

Raina smiled, "How far BACK did you manage to track me."

"Africa, throughout most of your journey then you dropped even off that grid and then you were back...the flower dresses were a thing and you held yourself differently, Harry calls that a defining moment, I won't even ask, but I know you had one and it changed you."

Raina laughed, "I met a man.." she tailed off, "Oh My Gods" she said, "You're right, I met a father, trying to put his family back together when his wife was killed and his child was taken." Raina looked at her intent, "We WERE Fated to meet Skye, Because I think from what little he told me that was S.H.I.E.L.D, or more likely Hydra and you have that connection...and you're the right age, I would guess those looks are from him and your Chinese mother, he is a rather handsome man, and I've seen a picture of your mother who was quite the beauty."

Skye smiled, "See...We are linked you and I."

"When you are ready, I will lead you to him. He's a good man, he took me off the streets and taught me self worth and how to be unforgivably myself, he Is dangerous and he has often scared me but he's also oddly gentle at times losing you and your mother...it made him angry that carries to this day, he is VERY dangerous Skye but I do know he would calm the hell down when he finds you and I want to help that happen. Right now, you're not leaving your promises any more than you know I am. We can obviously help each other. So.." she smiled, "let's exchange numbers shall we?"

Skye smiled winningly, "Lets Dah-ling" she hammed it up.

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Last Updated: 29/07/2023

Chapter 16: Chapter 15 - Underground

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. Crossovers included in this story are also covered by the above disclaimer.

Providence
Several Hours Later

The massive Globetrotter touched down with a rather nasty thunk that made Harry wince, but all told since she had never actually flown a real plane it was remarkably rather good.

A minute later Skye appeared at the cargo bay and walked down the ramp looking around. "Where's the hive of activity and my Search Party." she asked casually.

"Ahh, what, you're kidding; you had that, right?" Harry said casually as he looked her from the top of than amazing hair to the slightly heeled combats she basically lived in. The bruise on her face and split lip sent a shock of white hot anger through him, but he didn't let it show. He'd actually caused worse himself in fight training. "I mean Ward...he stood zero chance against you and from what Jemma your new cheer squad said you had him owned the minute you walked into the lab."

"Obviously, Garret as a little bit harder" she said indicating her face, "He saw I had Ward Dominated, and straight way went to break that."

"So I see" Harry said with a carefully controlled voice, "I take it you didn't let him."

"No, I told him to do it again while a very scared Ward told him why it wasn't a good idea. Really I didn't show them much of anything I gave the plane a good shake at the start to prove I could and demonstrated to Ward that if I took the plane out around him I would survive with my little flying trick I do love that trick." she smiled winningly.

"And the sum total of your side mission was what, outside of obviously knowing I had you tracked so I know where he is"

"Oh...they long gone, now I doubt Wards intelligence, like you said he can't innovate Garret is significantly more dangerous but my girl Raina, she almost certainly has them out of there by now. Which is just as well, because I didn't want you using that location to go...TALK to Garret."

"I do think I am due a small discussion."

She walked up to him reaching up to cup his face, "Don't, please. After I killed that Merc I had the speech that apparently Phil begged you to let him give. It helped, but it was pretty obviously also the company line, and while I trust, hell love him like a father I wish you were the one to talk to me, but I reconsigned that I had to do it, then after some reflection I wondered if I did it for the right reason."

"I heard you spoke to Loki"

"Maria?"

"She didn't know what was said."

"That's a hell of a man you have there he was passionately telling me of his darkest moments, and the very obvious differences of emotion behind the types of killing and I think he saved a bit of my soul. It's sometimes impossible to equate THAT man, with the one that committed the acts in the first place."

"Here' something I couldn't tell anyone, but to a human that was a full on psychic break," Harry said "With his life span he wasn't much more than a very destructive brain fart really."

Skye laughed, Yeah I don't think that would've gone down well" she chuckled, "But I do see it." she smiled, "But my big take away is that Intent is what matter, what's in your heart when you pull that trigger. Mine was to stop the man from killing my man, and later Maria said something that really crystallised it all for me, she didn't think killing for love was wrong. And that's what I did, and yeah I was ALSO protecting you and watching your back and a flood of other reasons but my intent was protection, stopping him from hurting you. I think that is somewhat clean."

Harry smiled, "Go on say it. Smug bitch"

"Do I really have to, I don't' think revenge is clean, in fact I think it's about as dirty as it gets. As the one you are seeking to avenge I'm asking you not to go there and do what's in your beautiful eyes, it will be HORRIBLE, and DIRTY and WRONG. Now if that evil douchebag is dead in the line of duty even if you're the one that ends him I won't shed a tear, but that intent is back to protection, and as Phil said that's what we do here, you would be killing to protect it's the sad part of our job that we HAVE to do that sometimes but killing for personal satisfaction.."

"Alright, alright" Harry said, "You're making me into such a fucking metro pussy."

She smiled, "No, I'm not you my green eyed man are an old fashioned man and that's just the way I like it. So damned smooth you charmed Raina silly in less than a second. She's still got that rose you know. Now you HURT my girl I will cut your dick off and feed it to you. She is IMPORTANT to me Harry."

"So that's why you let him take you. What'd it cost you to do that?"

"Nothing, I 'unlocked' the junk fake data I got FitzSimmons to mock up as the first line of defence if the system was cracked. Then I told them when I left I was taking my plane so download it. All the while the REAL data was sat behind another GPS locked encryption wall and they didn't' even know it was there."

"You..what are you...bloody marvellous, that's what you are!" he said, "I really want to lay one you right now, so show me that soft cheek"

She smiled turning her head and he kissed it lingeringly, "That'll tide me over a minute or two. So I really had a feeling that Raina was a key log. And I was RIGHT Harry. Guess what she knew."

"At this point I have no idea"

"She knows my father...personally."

Harry went wide eyed, "No Shit!"

"It took her a moment to connect the dots and I've told her in turn I can unlock her gift, I felt it on her Harry it feels a lot like what I have inside...the DNA that Simmons has no idea about. I sensed it on her. You know at first when I was feeling scared olive tree's less than enthused, but I love the vibes now"

"That sounds oddly dirty."

"You want to see mine sometime come knocking, if you don't touch we're not breaking any rule now are we."

"if I see you doing that, we'll be breaking a bed" Harry said with feeling, "Now get back to the story."

"Not much else to say, we exchanged numbers and I walked out, flew the Bus back with May on the line the entire way talking me through it. Don't tell her but it really ain't so hard."

"You didn't' see the pavement crack at your landing" Harry said dryly.

Skye looked, "Oops, bit of spatter will cover that .. right?"

Ops, Providence
The Next Day

They watched General Talbot explain how he was single handedly cleaning up after S.H.I.E.L.D. as he show boated for the camera's and as the section finished Harry said, "Do you think he stands at this washbasin every night with a teeny tiny ruler and a pair of scissors and makes sure that freakishly neat lip ferret of his is regulation length, or is it me?"

Skye giggled, then frowned, "Stop making me do THAT"

"It's bloody adorable, but seriously I'm loving this guy right now, he's a dick for sure but he's following due process and not leading with a bunker buster so our ex-comrades are at least getting a fair shake. He's basically doing to main stay of the tidy up work that Phil would have had to do, while shining a light on Hydra, but sadly he doesn't seem to realize that there are roaches and you shine a light on a roach it scurry back into the darkness, so I think we need to load up our informant again and get some information on how they used to operate before their big day."

Skye looked thoughtful, "Actually no need to pick on toothless and Bald" she said shooting him the fish eye.

"That was for security, he hit one thing in a tooth he could have had anything and I myself at times have hidden a fine garrotte in my hair that has been quite useful for escaping."

"That's the last time I run my hand through your hair" Maria said with amusement. "But Skye what's in that head, you see the hack, its what we love about you now you've learned to apply that outside of a computer system...show us what you saw."

"I first noticed this on their marching orders, they filled the Q-Net with noise, but I also noticed that there is a HUGE area of basically wasted white noise bandwidth. Didn't think much of it, but you know...see the exploit so if I was going to hide a signal in a signal, that's where.." she smiled her fingers dancing over her tablet. "Put it" she said with a triumphant grin, "There not much space for proper encryption but Audio Visual feeds, yeah...I'm sending an echo request we can likely pin point a few agents, maybe bases using their own hack against them."

"I love it when you do this shit" Maria said, "It makes me feel VERY smug"

"Hey...that's My girl Maria" Harry smirked.

"Actually" Phil said, "I'm the one that invited her."

Skye laughed, "No need to fight over me, plenty to go around...you know I think I've said that before in my wilder years."

Victoria, a quite presence smirked shaking her distinctive hair around her face.

"What's up Vic, you don't seem to be so het on rules these days." Harry noted.

"For one Skye is a bright little bulb, she's quite capable of bantering, flirting and make all our old analysts look bad," Vic said, "And for another the playful relaxed atmosphere we have here is...oddly relaxing. And seems to HELP productivity and keep us positive in these dark times."

"Couldn't have said it better myself Vic" Harry shot her a charming smile. They all turned as the big board turned into a world map at Skye's guidance and then a lot of winces were apparent as there appeared a lot of red dots"

"I do like a challenge" Phil said, "Or do we leak this to general lip ferret."

"If we can do that in a way he trusts, without revealing that we even exist, SKYE cough, SKYE, then that's exactly what we do. Right now we've got a dog, no point in barking ourselves. Now sure he doesn't KNOW he's our dog, but the principle is sound." Harry said.

"Actually if I leak this to the Rising Tide and get THEM to flag it, he will get that information via a source he really doesn't trust but knows is accurate." Skye said seriously, "Of late I've been accruing a few favours as Harry has been teaching me about asset management."

Maria smiled, "And you are already putting it into practice"

"I've been told that the real world is the only true test bed for learning new skills" Skye said.

"You" Maria asked Harry.

Harry shook his head, "Nope, Tony, she set up a secure comm to him to continue her education. He is a big proponent of education, but I think actually while Tony is the teacher, the look she go from Pepper is the motivator"

Skye shot him a look, "She looked at me like I was simple...my friend and somewhat of a personal heroine, you bet I had motivation."

"I'm sure she didn't mean hard" Maria said, "She's rather sweet."

"I know that Maria, she's good people but it was a rather sobering thing to see"

Harry smirked, "Humiliation is often a strong motivator"

"Shut up" Skye said with an easy smile, "Right this for shame is still receiving reply to the ping, a lot of these are likely individual agents, and repeatedly pinging thanks to the nature of their own white noise based method of hiding the signal means I can do that and their system won't flag it. The Internet flags repeated Pings, but these ass hats are too clever for their own good." Skye said her eyes hard.

"Not as clever as you darling" Harry said squeezing her shoulder, "Now...next on the ever growing list my fellow members of the soul?"

Ops, Providence Base,
A Week Later

Skye stood up as the brass assembled, "I'm sorry I know it's not up to me to call on you, it's more the other way around but I've made a few discoveries I think you need to see, and know about as a group." she said looking unusually serious. "First the fun part." Skye said, "I realized a little belatedly just what I said about the super hidden network in a network. It's got crappy encryption I didn't even need the monolith to crack, very little redundancy and basically no real protection. It's almost like they were so proud of themselves to using our network against us they never realized we might in turn use that against them."

"Make me smile Skye" Maria said.

Skye hit a button on the tablet she was using. "So Grant did you raid the Fridge"

"Oh boy he thinks he's funny doesn'the" Skye said dryly.

"I take it they can't hear us" Harry said.

"Oh yeah...I'm that stupid that I'd blow our cover is someone sneezed, you want to break in I can do that, but this is just monitoring right now, no live feed from us." Skye said.

"I did," Wards' voice came back, "Really got all the candy too."

"Oh god" Skye said rolling her eyes, "But from the looks on your faces I'd guessing puns aside we tuned in on something bad"

"You could say that, The Fridge is a special place for me, given that I'm not in it after it used to be called the COOLER, and was modernised and is where they put all the nastiest and most dangerous people and objects."

"Except things like that 0-8-4" Skye said, "That's what sling shot was for."

"I never for a moment believed that Fury wasted resources like that, firing off a rocket that's pretty cheap these days but actually putting something as powerful as that plasma ray powered by Tesseract energy. I don't think Fury would REALLY do that, I strongly suspect it's buried in the Fridge and worse I suspect if anyone shard that opinion it would be someone that trained under him like Garret"

Maria cleared her throat, "He's right it was a fake out."

"Love that guy at times I really do" Harry said, "I owe him for not ending up in that Fridge but honestly" he said shaking his head.

"I can drop a Nuke on that, give me five minutes I can steal a bird and.." Skye was already turning to her tablet.

"I think a certain someone stopped me with this impassioned speech about intent and how revenge is a shitty one."

"That really sucks, you know using my own words against me." She said her eyes glowing with emotion.

"Not much point there is no way Garret and Ward didn't just look the place to bedrock and let out all the prisoners to destabilise and distract" Phil said. "And we still can't act."

"Oh...Garret is our mess to clear up for sure and Skye just gave us the keys to his back door" Harry said with a big grin, "But we need to be SUPER covert about it, smart not loud and.." he shot her a smile, "With the intent of protection."

"You two make a good team" Maria said, "And Skye...my sponsorship is basically the best thing to happen lately." she said walking to Skye hugging her from behind and kissing the top of her head. Stepping back with no fuss.

Skye smiled a watery smile. "But that's where the fun stuff ends. I also realized that while their network is basically stupid, ours is super useful." Skye said, "It's almost uncrackable by anything BUT the monolith.."

"I wish you wouldn't' call it that" Harry said with an eye-roll and sigh.

"Most advanced computer on the planet, looks like the commandments were carved on it." Skye shot back, "But...this isn't flirty time this is a serious thing. I can take control of the Q-net, I can take it and make it ONLY ours again, it's mostly being wasted, but there is SOME activity there, noting I can actually monitor or track because our network is protected using switching channels paired encryption and all the tricks, if it wasn't for the monolith I wouldn't be able to do what I'm talking about. I've already primed this I could shift all the frequencies half a percent up or down and cut anyone else out. Now we don't know WHO is using it, there could be other souls out there ya know, other groups that think they are holding S.H.I.E.L.D. together, or just using the network to survive. We do this we could end life, cut off support or a lot of bad."

Harry nodded, "Do it"

"No" Skye said firmly, "This isn't something I will do on one persons say so. Lives of potentially true S.H.I.E.L.D Agents are on the line, I won't pull the trigger unless you ALL tell me to, and by all I mean Fitz and Simmons and all of you BUT me. Yes, Harry is the director but I am as you are all aware somewhat invested in his soul, so this is too big for one voice, this I hear a unified response."

"Well said" Vic said.

Natasha smiled laconically, "I'm actually quite glad I decided not to kill you now" she said.

"Likewise Nat" Skye smiled, "Because I know that wasn't a joke" she said losing the smile, "Either way I will do as I'm told, it's all ready but it's also locked to my personal access Harry and I think at this point I can honestly say that I'm better with the Monolith than you are, and that's where I've locked it. SO now too damned noble for you own good going behind my back either, because yes...I saw that coming a mile away."

"You're getting quite gobby" Harry said with a small smile.

"I do like hat girl" Victoria Hand said after a moment.

Two Days Later

Skye sat back, "The Network is ours and here's where I admit I did keep a secret, I found one thing on the network I purposefully kept on the network. I want this to be a true unified response with the realization of just what we were doing, but this I know damned well is true S.H.I.E.L.D. because I've been monitoring them, like I said the Monolith CAN crack that network."

"You devious little" Harry cut himself off, "What you got for us. And Skye...never do that again it is NOT your place."

"I'm sorry Harry"

"You will be when I make you do a hundred pull ups for this shit" he said his eyes flashing.

"Aww hell I HATE pull ups" Skye winced. "It's the Illiad, it's the only totally SHIELD controlled carrier left in the fleet, it's fully operational Gonzales is in command and from the chatter he has routed out any Hydra on board. Now the reason I didn't bring this to you is because he is of the opinion they are the TRUE shield, this didn't fill me with warm fuzzies, but I also couldn't cut them off either. They have no idea we own that network I wrote the script to basically put them in their own little bubble in the Q-net." Skye said, "You ask me to find exploits...that's what I did and I know damned well I overstepped my boundary, but I also knew you wouldn't make the hard call if you knew about them."

"Not your place, not alone" Harry said, "Pull ups. SO many Pull ups"

Skye was literally wincing.

"I support the decision, you're right it wasn't her call, but she made it" Hand said, "And I'm actually quite impressed she has the balls to do it."

"What is it with you people I don't have balls I don't' WANT balls, well not of my own." Skye said rolling her eyes, "To play with...sure, but out there almost asking for a well placed knee, I prefer my all important organs on the inside as per basic female superiority in design."

"I take it back" Vic laughed, "Obvious that's a thing"

"Sorry" Skye said blushing.

"Outside of amusing blurts and over reaching level ones who will not be able to hold anything upright for a while...what do you think we should do about the Illiad."

"Right now, given your directive nothing." Maria said. "They are dark, we're dark, until it safe to come out of hiding we stick to your plan boss"

"My thoughts too" Harry said, nodding.

Nat smiled, "I'm personally of the opinion we are a little more proactive than that. But I'm under HOUSE arrest" she said with a wicked smirk.

Harry quirked a grin, "What is your thought."

"We actively monitor them, record absolutely every fart on that boat until such a time as we use that information to control the situation. I agree mostly that we follow the plan, but that's not to say we can't monitor and analyse"

"Congratulations Skye you just volunteered" Harry said.

"Oh Boy"

Gym, Providence
Later

"That's your hundred" Harry said his voice firm.

Skye drooped to the floor and let out a groan of relief then finally turned and he saw the tears in her eyes, "I would've let you take a break" he said walking up to her.

"I deserved that I know I did, I was right over the red line" she said, "I can't even lift my arms right now."

"Sit" he said then kneeled in front of her and started to massage her arms.

"Ohh god that feels good but I don't deserve it Harry I did a bad thing and I knew I was doing a bad thing. Worse I'd do it again too."

He looked at her sternly, "I'm worried you just played on our relationship, or you are getting too big for your boots because we're all relying on you so much."

"I know you are, and I wouldn't betray that trust," she said, "But...how do I put this, I did use our relationship, and that was wrong. I know I can get away with things others can't and yes I did that. But I had to. I know for a fact we just cut off a lot of lone wolves howling at the moon, because I heard them. With the monolith I'm he goddess in THAT realm, so I know for a fact we just cut out a lot of potentially endangered shield agents and I didn't want you to bare that all by yourself."

"That's what I'm here for, to make the hard calls" Harry said.

"I know they put you in charge and they are hiding behind your strength trusting you to protect them, but...who protects you?"

"No-one, and definitely not Agent Skye Level 1" he said firmly.

"Yeah...fuck you" she said with fire. "We aren't going to act on anything but that doesn't change the fact I love you more than I knew I COULD love anything, if it's not My job to protect the soul of the man I love, who the fuck else would and more importantly I wouldn't love you properly if I didn't. Same way you would do that for me, and don't fucking DARE say you wouldn't"

"This is s sticky issue"

"You cold send me away" she said offering a solution, "Kick my beautiful ass out of SHIELD but I have a lot of ways of still doing what I feel is my god damned duty and honour to do...so it wouldn't stop me, and you have nothing that could keep me out of the system." she smirked, "I've encrypted the monolith to my personal signature now, just in case you tried. You, you do what they need you to do. But do not dare try to stop me doing what even those that seem to care are outright not doing. You are their rock, their shield to hide behind. Let me be yours, hell let nothing I AM that for you. Nothing on this Earth will stop me doing it, and hell you could reject me and we never get together, we never get married and you move on, I will STILL do that."

Harry's eyes were on FIRE. She looked at him definitely.

"I am no longer your SO" Harry said his tone tight, "I'm going to get May to do it" he said, then surged forward kissing her with all the fire in his heart for her, and she did the same.

Canteen, Providence
Two Days Later

Even in her heels shoes Natasha moved with no sound, she stalked her prey a particularly great hair covered head that she had to talk to.

"Are you here to finally kill me Nat"

Nat blinked, there was no way Skye heard her, no reflective surfaces...what the HELL.

She put a sexy smile on her face and moved slickly to sit the other side and looking at Skye, "Finally let you out did he?" she said purringly.

"Him!" Skye laughed, "More like the other way around. God damn I thought I'd had some good sex, he's a whole other level of YOWZER" She said with a big smile.

"You don't have to tell me" Nat pointed out.

"No...but I think I do have to tell you that as far as I'm concerned you could go find him now for your daily round of wild monkey sex against anything that can stay upright, you do most days. Nothing has changed. I don't control his relationships and I am very aware I'm not the only woman that has feelings for him."

"Pfft, he's just good sex...it's so hard to find."

"Oh, yea sure. And the reason you haven't just gone yet following Clint is what?"

"Orders" Nat said.

"You don't follow orders Nat, not now. You were not in the chain of command you reported direct to Fury you listened to Maria but the only person you would take a mission from was that ass that deserted us"

"Watch your damned mouth" Nat spat.

"You're thinking it too" Skye shot back.

"I suppose you think now you're in a relationship with Harry the rules don't apply."

"Oh no...that ass took me out of his chain of command and put me direct under Maria. Tell me she's your friend has she ever NOT sent you to dangerous situations, does she LACK the ability to separate state from church."

Nat smiled, "Oh dear"

"Yeah...that dick, he has rules and damn it he lives by them too. He's a real shit that way. I'm sure you hate that about him too" Skye said desert dry.

"He broke one for you." Nat said her eyes flaring.

"Nope, he dropped me as his trainee and I thought I'd lost him for good, then he kissed me and put my heart back into one piece. I'm under May now, though I wont lie it's not like I'm not going to be asking Harry certain tips and tricks and he is still teaching me to harness my gift. May can't do that, but that's not SHIELD that personal, so he's fine with that. He LIVES on his god damned rules"

"You sound so angry when you say that" Nat laughed, "But your eyes are GLOWING with love when you do."

"I've never hidden that I love him...couldn't even if I tried since I never have felt like this before, I have zero idea HOW to even go about hiding the intensity and depth and breadth and all that shit of what I feel for that man. But...maybe you could give me some pointers."

Nat's eyes sharpened, "I don't do entanglements"

"I want you to, I'm not posturing here, I would like it if you did, he would love it. I'm going to spend my entire life with him. But unlike Harry and you, that's a finite resource. You stop fooling yourself maybe you will still be there and he won't yet AGAIN have to go through all that pain alone."

"My GOD you love that man" Nat said actually awed.

"I am also not exactly from a conventional background Nat, and from what little I know form...looking around the files here you would know how that feels but I think even the hell I faced was preferable to the Red Room."

"Did Harry.."

Skye softened the glare that had actually cut off Natasha Romanov, "You know damn well he never would, I'm a damned HACKER, I don't give a damn for personal privacy when I want to know something and I'm in charge of the data security here"

"Right, clearly that was a good idea."

"no one is cracking those" she said, "I am likely still one of the top hackers in the world." she said with a shrug, "I like to keep my hand in so I run my own encryption at times."

"That's amusing, don't you know how to break it"

"No I design it so I can't break it...at least that's the idea, sadly I have yet to succeed. Anyway, Maria...she's pretty simple, most of the people here just admire or desire Harry, but her and you are more."

"You're seeing things"

"I'm not I am being trained to see weakness Nat, and I want you to do this remember, I'm not tripping you up I want to get you to admit it and then maybe you can stop playing keep away with a man you can't keep away enough to you know not get your hands on him. Respect enough to sit, and stay we he damn well told you to and let's face it, he is damned unique. There's hardly any shame in it."

"there is when it nearly gets you killed," Natasha said, "I will admit I fell for him the first time we met...which is not when we admit. In fact it was back in the sixties and I was SUPPOSED to seduce him for a diplomatic pouch. Men back then...it wasn't great, short disappointing and usually I didn't get the best looking playmates on my missions. Then Harry"

"Right, so...you got distracted."

"And failed, the one, the only time EVER either side of the line I have EVER failed a mission. I was...punished"

"That's not his fault."

"No, but I also learned a lesson, emotions are weakness."

"You don't have such cruel masters any more."

"You know what happened when Clint talked me over to this side of the line."

"I dunno."

"Not damned much changed. I have no official position because that lets me ignore the rules they abide by, admittedly I don't have to fuck fat, disgusting officials wearing poison lipstick so much, but other than that really the things I do didn't' change all that much."

"That was under Fury that while people seemed to respect...perhaps even fear him he wasn't exactly a Paragon. Do you see Phil sending you on that type of mission."

"He'll need someone to do it. Anyway, Harry has.." she smiled, "Fired my beautiful ass and told me to be an Avenger."

"If that doesn't show he cares for you a special way do you want for me to make you a diagram, do you die your hair?" Skye said ironically.

Nat threw up her hands, "Exactly what do you want. He's YOURS, maybe you are letting your cock still service his hens, but his soul is YOURS"

"Ten Thousand years" Skye said.

"What?" Nat snapped.

"That's how long since the last time he was willing to do this."

"There you go! Proves my point"

"To me it says he has a lot of love saved up just bursting to get out, that's what I think. I am not exactly a sentimental woman myself. You heard what I directed at Ward when we arrived, this is my gift to give." she said waving down herself, "Because a lot of my 'FATHERS' took it" she said, "I thought my ability to love was burned right out of me at the same time trust and empathy was stripped away. Harry thinks I was dropped at St Agnes to protect me I never lasted more than a month anywhere and he thinks that was done to keep me a moving target. What that actually did was limit the damage any single foster family did, because it is JUST as bad as people say and the fucking evil shrew nun bitches at St Agnes HATED children." Skye said, "So who ever did that FAILED to protect me so marvellously it's almost funny."

"I think maybe you and I are neck and neck for horrible childhoods" Nat said softly. "then as you said Harry"

Nat smiled, "Right so now you're all loved up and see the light."

"Are you being deliberately obtuse right now" Sky asked.

Nat smirked "I...need time but I HAVE heard you Skye...sorry that last snipe was just for fun. Right now you perhaps shouldn't be SO keen to share him, enjoy this have your personal time with him and I strongly suspect as soon as he releases the lock down, he will follow through on what he outright said he'd do when he wasn't training you any more."

"What was that, I don't think I was there for that."

"No that was when you were off schooling that creepy dick Ward," Nat said with a big smile, "He intends to Marry your beautiful ass and I don't think he intends a long engagement"

"He outright said that to you all" Skye said, "God damn"

"Yeah...so maybe just love that before you share" Nat said seriously.

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Chapter 17: Chapter 16 - Into the Light

Chapter Text

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Providence, Directors Office
Six Months Later

Skye looked up and smile, "So what's it to be today? We fuck all over the desk or I'm partial to you trying to drive me through a wall, or do you want me to act hard to get...I have to admit not my best role play or for a real change how about I chase you around the desk." she said with a sexy but very happy smile.

"Bring up the board you sassy bitch." Harry replied laughing slightly.

"You can make me pay for my smart mouth, but I have to warn you I'm fresh out of mascara that runs."

"You know when you said deep throat was just how its done I thought you were blagging me. I am very pleased that you're an honest woman, now...let's see do I have to reset AGAIN"

"What are you looking for? I could write a damned script."

"A lot, but really something NOT there"

"I can tell it do that, no wonder your toy is now My toy." she said rolling her eyes.

"You think that because I haven't taken it back yet" Harry said, "You're about three thousand years out of date right now, you're a smart cookie but I'm better educated in their tech." Harry said with a grin "And no one is chasing anyone around this god damned shitty little office."

He triggered the P.A., "Out of the fucking Shadows people and Into anything but Fake Lighting, Phil get your ass up here"

Skye looked at him, "Are you doing what I hope you're doing."

"Nothing to do with us for a month, isolated Hydra shit, but nothing that points to them looking for any of us. I am still wishing we didn't listen to you about Garret"

"What, I was right?"

"Yes, but you know what I say about easy wins and just not letting him find out what they used on Phil to finish the centipede program and thus save his own life was...anti-climatic."

"I think you're an idiot, I love you but I think it's just important that you win" Skye said.

"We'll have to agree to differ on that. Ahh Phil, finally this is me stepping down, you're in charge. I'm taking Skye on a little side trip then I'm heading to the Avengers tower and I don't CARE what their mission is I'm begging to join them just so I can HIT something, even if I have to pick a fight with the Hulk!" Harry said as Phil walked into the office looking interested and hopeful.

"Right I had to love the cave man!" Skye bemoaned.

"You're invited, you do need field time," Harry said.

"I'll come as far as the tower I've not talked to Maria since you embedded her there. Or Nat either."

"Fine fine, so girly chat"

"I will hurt you" Skye laughed.

"I can finally do something, but I'm stuck here all the same, because now...now I rebuild." Phil said smiling.

"Yes, talking of, me and Skye made you a box of tricks" Harry said reaching into his pocket and tossing a small cube, "That's DNA encoded to you, it contains everything Skye as sourced we can call an asset, an entire copy of the pieced together S.H.I.E.L.D Database and a few tricks I'm sure you're gonna love." Harry said. "Right, you with me" he said then grabbed Skye and for the first time in six months he disappeared.

They arrived in a rather famous and obvious city.

"We find freedom and your first thought is throw you money away." Skye said mockingly

"You snarky little bitch, look left."

"Right" she said seeing the wedding chapel, she grabbed his arm and nearly tore it off, "I don't care what magic you have to do...we go to the front of the line Harry!"

Nova Grad Castle, Secovia
Eight Hours and A Date Line Later

"Oh Tony you git, you found a secret passageway and didn't wait for me" Harry said wandering into the area right on Tony' ass. "These Hydra pussies aren't much of a fight got to be said" he spun, "Hold up there...shit on a stick you're beautiful"

"Way to have my back" Tony remarked, "And shall I tell your NEW bride you said that."

"My bride redacted her own wedding vows Tony. We basically said I do" He chuckled, "So who are you, and are there more where you came from or are you the unique beauty you look like to me."

"I am fairly sure I was doing something," she said her English good but with a sexy accent to go with the hole package she had going for her.

"I think I stopped that, he is a friend of mine, if he wasn't I think I'd help you do it"

"Gee thanks" Tony said cheerfully, "I'm taking this oddly shaped sex toy up to Thor who hungers his brothers rod"

"I'm going to make you pay for putting that in my head Tony" Harry said, "Mind you looking at you pretty banishes it rather well. You are SO beautiful, really now just a little problem...on what side are you fighting, cuz I'm over my falling for the sexy foreign spy phase." he paused, "And if I want to revisit it all I have to do is look out there since you know she's on my side now."

"I think in truth I am on only one side, my own and my brothers"

"That's not a bad start, so Strucker...you're the enhanced he didn't kill I take it, I had a quick download of his files on the way past after Tony, I think maybe it's a damned good job I did. What's your trick." there was a blur then a white haired man about the age of the goddess was on the floor.

"Does he do that often."

She looked down, "First time" she said slowly, "Usually when he hits something when he goes all super fast it goes down."

"Ahh well amusingly enough it's the first time that shield actually did what its supposed to today" Harry chuckled, "I came expecting bullets and fighting, only to find men flying around in powered suits and laser beam things that...well they kind of tickle. Not sure that's the intended affect, but my inertial based shield designed to stop fast moving objects totally no designed to stop a laser beam. Honestly it's been an odd day, as Tony noted I was married earlier and I wasn't joking my bride was particularly viscous about making sure I didn't utter the words forsaking all others since I tend to keep a promise and after all what a wedding vow if now a rather solemn one, then she was rather tired of waiting and hacked that down to I Do."

The wonderful redhead laughed.

"I'm itching for some action after protecting something important for the last 6 months and a position of authority which honestly not my vocation in life, but the best protection was hiding which meant I was in a single place for all that time and after willingly not escaping a prison for nearly thirty years I get itchy feet very fast and you know...I can teleport anywhere really so not really used to being tied to any single place. Now I was locked in with my new wife...so wasn't that horrible. But I was looking forward to a simple bit of violence, but clearly the Avengers have a life of oddities too." Harry said, "And I come face to face with a woman I would normally give my right arm to be with and.." he looked down, "Dear god you have spectacular legs too, but I digress it is literally my wedding night. My wife not the conventional sort and isn't looking to enforce monogamy but I do think it would be poor taste to have the smell of another woman on her wedding night."

"Clearly you are at least a man of some honour" she said, "And yet you protected the man that killed my family, and nearly killed my brother and I."

Harry paused, "Are you sure you have the right guy?" he said slowly.

"It had his name on the side hard not to know the one responsible." she said

"Urh...I think you need to back that up, Tony killed your family and you know that because you saw his name...on what?"

"The bomb" she said rolling beautiful eyes.

"Urh...I'm having a little trouble here, clearly your home was hit by a bomb, one took out your family that's clear enough I suppose and another did not go off and you saw Stark on the side and you somehow think He is at fault because it came from a factory he owned, and I was sold...not to those it should've been since he only ever wanted his weapons to protect HIS country and America hasn't been in an active conflict in this part of the world since Caps days...so not even a weapon He sold but the evil shit that tried to kill him, sold weapons on the black market and did this while pretending to be his friend and its' TONY you blame"

He waited a moment but she was nodding, "Its such a shame I'm going to have to kill you to stop all that STUPID escaping into the gene pool. Fuck until he made the suit he'd never so much as fired a weapon, let alone aimed a bomb at YOUR house in fucking country he has JUST this moment visited!" Harry snapped at her angrily. "He is not the one that sold it to whoever was sending bombs around civilians and when he found out what his weapons had done in the hands of Fucking STANE he shut down everything, and somehow didn't tank his company, his guilt complex over that drives him to be one of he biggest hero in the world for something that was never his to ow and oh my god you two got all empowered, were strong enough to get though something that killed everyone else and you did that to kill a man who is at no fucking FAULT for the deaths of your family. God damn it is really quite shocking how fucking STUPID that is." Harry said his eyes glowing with anger. "Clearly a lot went right on the outside and a lot is totally useless in your beautiful head."

"I should kill you where you stand." she said, "And I can't even though you shitty day is only matched by me being so fucking distracted I not get to turn his mind against himself and he take the sceptre because I think oh my god he's so beautiful and this..this is the man that now thinks I am an utter moron. Yes...you are having a bad day" she spat.

"That is the only smart thing I heard you say, no way you get through his suit...but turn that unique mind of his against itself. That'd do it. He's wonderful you know. My lady she fucking adores him. He took a high school drop out, and from a remote location educated her so fucking well that earlier she talked his brain child into disobeying Tony and Opening a door. Oh and he made a computer system capable of disobeying him in the first place." Harry said, "And he wasn't angry...he was so PROUD of the pair of them, and he was proven wrong...and has an ego the size of a mountain too...but he ignored that for two really big moments for the people in his life. He literally has created a sentient being...self determination is one of the basic tenants. I am sure you don't get how important that is."

"not so much, he had computer your wife tricked into not doing what it was told, this seems like a total fail of the purpose of a tool."

"And that's the thing, the moment Jarvis disobeyed Tony at Skye's reasoned speech he stopped being a tool and became a life. She didn't trick him she convinced him. Different, entirely. That man has a literally unique mind that is very important to the future of the human race.." Harry's eyes hardened, "So...its a damned waste but" he lifted his hand gathering his power her eyes went wide and she said, "WAIT"

"Oh don't tell me you've changed your mind."

"No.." she snapped her finger and Harry went wide eyed as her brother went wide eyed had shot to his feet awake. "I think you and me have something in common Mr beautiful man of honour who will kill to protect humanity against his own desire...literally." she said "Don't kill us, be a merciful god"

"I WILL kill you if you call me that again. You sense my core, Now I focus I sense yours, that's something only core magicals can do. This staff it gave you that core?"

"Yes" she said simply.

"There's only one thing I can think of powerful enough to grant a core as powerful as I sense yours is. You have absolutely no idea what you've got there and how fucking precious you are to me because of it."

"I give OUR word" she said glaring at her contused brother "We will not hurt Tony Stark. Hell I would protect him now."

"Wanda what the fuck are you saying. This isn't how it goes with men with you sister, you make them stupid, not the other way around." he said, jogging her like that would make her word properly.

"Pietro shut you mouth or I will silence you myself, we are really close to our death right now. And this god like beautiful creature things we are the most stupid thing he's seen for what kept us alive, made us strong while we saw others get weak and the fire that was inside of me that kept us both warm in the frozen nights it died the moment I met his eyes. We had the wrong man in the first place"

"You did listen" Harry said his tone soft. "Right now I have a more pressing issue. There is a being with a plan just about as stupid as you two, only he might yet pull it off. I need to go upset Thor and then I can save literally half the universe in a single spell. So...you two" he trigged a teleport and they found themselves in a lavish room that was very modern and there was a pair of very beautiful women, one shorter and more exotic and rolling her eyes. "Skye...watch these two there is a distinct likelihood they are so stupid they will swallow their own tongues or forget to breath, I have a more pressing issue, the boy is fast, the girl is like me"

This made the darker eyed of the two knock outs focus on Wanda, as noted by her brother Pietro. "Oh so she is" she sat forward as Harry just stopped being there.

"Was he serious, is he really going to save half the life in the universe, that's some claim."

"He's onto a stone?" Skye said now intent on the pair, "Talk, hold nothing back."

"He believes that the staff that Strucker used to empower us could only have created me specifically if its an Infinity stone, I have no idea what that is, but honestly if he thinks its important I hope he gets is." Wanda said.

Skye smirked, "Wow, that's a harder fall than usual."

"Please, I already feel very stupid, I am aware what I am feeling and I am likewise away you are his wife, I am unsure what redacted means, but I know you share. But he thinks I am pond scum so...not my day on the whole. I have failed my brother, met a man that made ME stupid and thank god I did fail because it seems fairly clear that he is not even to blame in the first place." Wanda said sounding incredibly sad.

"Wanda...are you seriously saying...we had the wrong man! Everything we survived and we aimed it in the wrong place!"

"It appears so Pietro I am SO sorry I have really failed us, I am now glad I was...distracted."

"Then who"

"He said a man called Stane" Wanda told him.

"Then we find him." Pietro said.

"Good luck, Tony dropped him into an arc reactor, if it means anything I am pretty sure he died screaming I can't imagine that much power tickled." Skye said seriously.

"I wish I had done it, but...fine he is at least dead I suppose, as Wanda said this is turning out not to be our day."

"You think so huh" Skye said, "You just met Harry." she said, "It's the best day you ever had...especially for Wanda. He is extremely good at teaching people to use their innate gifts and for Wanda there is literally no one else like her but Harry, and he's been im a staggeringly long time and that's just HERE, let alone before he arrived" Skye said, "Trust me you want to know bad days you should here what happened the day he arrived."

Maria sat forward, "You know how old he is"

"Obviously." Skye said, "He is my husband, he doesn't do it often but he is somewhat skilled at being married, and total disclosure was pretty much the first thing he did."

"I figure twenty thousand" Maria said.

Skye laughed, "You think I'm going to tell you I will say I think you're very funny Boss"

"You shouldn't have any secrets from you CO" Maria tried.

"That's it...keep trying, I'm sure you have some way of making me betray the man I love"

Maria sat back, "You are both rotten agents now you have each other, your first loyalty should be to the agency and now it is only ever to each other."

"That sounds good to me" Wanda said, "I am feeling like pond scum but I think you are perhaps playing if you do not think that is how it SHOULD be."

"I think I like this girl"

"Yes it is, and there is no doubt in my mind you are loyal to Harry and would do anything for him as proven by countering his counter and putting me in your pocket." Maria said with admiration.

"Oh...that threat has passed, he has proven you made the perfect choice he made the hard calls, he kept you all safe until it was time to start again and he put a damned good man in charge of building the agency the RIGHT way. He isn't putting his damned soul on the line any more, I totally retract that and I hope you know I would've done absolutely anything NOT to do it." Skye said, "I ADORE you Maria, you saw something in me and if it wasn't for the Hydra fuck up, I hope I would've proven you were right to back me like that,"

"That's the funny thing, you DID when you schooled me into your pocket, you made me VERY proud"

"You are a twisted woman if you are proud that I used your love against you." Skye said.

"Don't' you DARE apologize for doing exactly what I hope you'd be able to do. You and Harry were the heart and head of he soul of S.H.I.E.L.D., between you, you kept us alive in total lock down for a little over six months, you found exploits and used Hydras fucking own fuck you to S.H.I.E.L.D Against them, you got us back the most secure and advanced communications network ever invented and you locked them out of their own exploit when Harry had used Talbot's own arrogance to make him do most of the dirty work of shutting down Hydra that was only possible because you SAW the exploit and turned a hacking talent into a real world application that is fucking powerful and dangerous and WONDERFUL. Sure I came afoul of that, but I love you for WHY you did it."

"Our English we worked on it, but I am unsure of the use of exploit so much in this way, this is seeing the weakness and using it, yes?" Wanda asked as Pietro seemed content to let his sister lead here. Oddly he seemed rather at peace that the man he felt was responsible for his family dying was done.

"That's right, I'm a hacker it basically what I do I see a weakness and I use that to gain entry where I shouldn't." Skye informed her.

"You are a damned sit more than a damned Hacker now you have turned that to the real world, you are one of the most dangerous people on the face of the planet and that's before we even talk about the way you use something as innocent sounding as vibrations"

"Harry took me a short detour earlier before we headed here. He's been teaching me to use fine control, really exercise perfect fine control earlier he got me to .. let off the stops"

"And the planet it still in one peace for how."

"I did make a mountain shiver, when I caused a bit an avalanche I stopped."

"It is only fitting that a god, has a goddess" Wanda said with feeling.

"Yeah...don't call him that, he's real sensitive about that, I'm not overly happy you obviously have some idea of how powerful he really is."

"I sense it as he was about to smite me and my brother."

"If he reached for magic instead of the myriad of skills in doing that he's learned he really intended to wipe you off the face of the universe. You intended to hurt Tony...I see him killing you for that, how did you intend to do that."

"Until I walked into my idea of the perfect man, I was going to turn his own fears against him, one of the things I can do is shine a light on a persons worst fear. This in his arrogance would have made Tony destroy himself."

"That's pretty good exploit," Skye said, "He is a man with a positive plethora of exploits, and now I'm wondering how you are NOT dead."

"I showed him that I am like him. He said we are a special type of magical...core magical, and that made me precious. I do think he still intends to end me as he seems worried that the level of stupidity we displayed would..get into the gene-pool." Wanda said sadly, "I would give most anything to have the way he looked at me at first back, he said I was beautiful and It wasn't designed to get in my mouth of between my legs, he FELT it and I felt like the most beautiful woman in the entire world, and now he looks at me like I am also perhaps the most stupid." she said very sadly. "But I have made an oath, Pietro will back any I make, we will not only NOT hurt Tony Stark we will protect him."

"And I think you live on your word, so I won't just end you, I do rather adore him." Skye said.

"I am aware, he said very proud of his bride how you make his creation disobey him. I am a little unclear but he said you also proved that this Jarvis he talked of is alive because he COULD do that."

"Yes...its a little tricky but there are certain standards on a rather universal scale that must be met to be called truly sentient and self determination is one of the most important. Jarvis would lay down his vital circuits for Tony and Pepper but he would also act in self protection too...that's another and tricky to prove, but love is one too and the fact he WOULD protect either Tony or Pepper over his own life probably counts. I think he would kill for them, I've been watching the hidden canon twitching with quite a lot of amusement, but it is relaxed after your oath."

"It seems unkillable that I will survive this day I am closer to death than I have ever been and we sat under a bed and watched a bomb not go off somehow for the many hours it took them to dig us out."

"And that bomb had Stark on the side obviously. I'm sure Harry has pointed out a lot of reasons that was...not...smart move"

"He was much more vocal"

"It's hard to believe since I am a snarky bitch I am at least somewhat more diplomatic than my husband...sorry...I am still fucking loving saying that word." She said with a real knock out of a smile.

"Well tonight is your wedding night, I realized when he said that he wanted me and would not have me for that reason he was...special, generally if a man wants me they will do anything to have me. He denied himself."

"I'm not overly sure I wouldn't been upset, but I am loving that he did it all the same. I am sure you wish I was dead but you're be surprised what a near death experience it is being the one Harry loves."

"He did mention another love, I think what made you special is that you were chosen" Wanda said "And that's without any other knowledge. It was short conversation but I was quite intently listening to him bitching about how he was prepared for a gun fight and then got shot by lasers and I knew we were fucked when he described Strukers big bag Avenger burster lasers as tickling" Wanda paused, "I think the only thing Strucker do right is me and Pietro and I do wonder if that was by design, everything he built to face the Avengers failed miserably, I was tracking Tony the moment I felt him near, he just walked through took out the big bad energy shield without hardly stopping and Harry was pissed he was exploring a secret entrance without him. I do not think any of the Avengers were remotely tested by anything Strucker sent against them. He outright refused to use us, and when Pietro finally go anyway and clock a couple the one he really hit hardest fucking just landed back on his feet that really impressed him."

"He wore blue and had a shield" Pietro said, "I have always hit hard and I move so fast now and I don't think I actually did any good but cause the man with the bow to get tagged by a bunker which was then annihilated."

"Oh boy, you got Clint hurt" Maria said seriously.

"Yes, but then he was on the opposite side it was how do you say...my job"

"And Harry has put you in line to meet Nat too, I am thinking the only reason he brought you here is to have Skye guard you." Maria said. "And by happy coincidence the only person I know that has any control over Nat outside of Harry is Skye."

"My god I just want this day to END" Wanda cried to the heavens. "She wouldn't have once been a foreign agent to him would she?" she said pausing.

"Yep, he wouldn't have happened to have admitted FEELINGS," Skye said.

"Indeed he said was past the falling for foreign agents, and if he felt like revisiting it she was now on the same side and just outside." Wanda said.

"YES!"

"You are a very strange girl at time Skye" Maria said.

"I'm working an exploit one that will protect Harry not now, or anytime soon, but when I'm gone"

"You know" Maria said.

"You put a hacker in charge of digital security, did you honestly think I wouldn't read all of it"

Maria was wide eyed, "Fuck me"

"I thought that was rather amusing I'll admit, Harry outright told me never to go white hat, he said they lost their edge when they did."

"Son of a bitch" Maria growled, "And we basically gave a woman that we taught to use exploits ALL the personal information on the top brass of S.H.I.E.L.D. and didn't think she'd use that to make exploits for the JACK lot of us, I fucking ADORE you Skye"

"I think you're fucked up that you do, but.."

"You are everything she hoped you would be" Wanda said, "This is why you are loved."

"Clearly you're not as stupid as you vendetta made you look." Skye said with a smile.

Pietro said, "I am the brawn she is very much the brains and the really dangerous one, she protected ME more than I did her, and I am the older brother"

"By a minute, seriously" Wanda said rolling her eyes in an obvious in joke.

"And you had a hard early life, where you had to learn that you wouldn't get anything unless you took it for yourself." Skye said, "And he walked right out of your shamefully girlish dreams."

"I can't move, I am not sure what I did" Wanda said.

"You're pending a decision" Skye said.

"Intent Skye...intent"

"I know...but she is one of two things, she is competition or an ally, I will allow any other women into his life even other loves...but My place"

"She is under your protection" Maria said.

"It doesn't matter, I'm surprised I've last this long, I would never try to take him FROM you, but I won't even try to lie, I wouldn't mind sharing him."

Wanda suddenly had control back, "Ally" Skye said a bright smile on her face.

"That felt very odd, and that was your thing it didn't feel like magic, what the HELL was it, I couldn't move at ALL"

"Its really hard to explain without knowing exactly what I feel but basically to me everything is vibrating, all different speeds, forms and ways I can feel a sort of emotion, to apply it to feeling from an object, especially anything living and thanks Harry I can effect what I sense by adding or subtracting energy, I can make the vibrations do what I want, anyway I want it. I am now able to sense absolutely everything around me at ALL times, including the fact that I don't have fear bullets since I feel them coming and rip them apart just outside the barrel. If I want I can sort of STOP vibrations, this is what I did all around you, but I don't' mess with the vibrations I feel inside people, I think I could do real harm, I know I can basically rip anything apart, that include you or anything really it doesn't matter what its made out of and if I push I can emit blasts of what Harry thinks are gravimetric waves, but that's a rather blunt force tool. It's not magic, it's something in my genes, Harry has something running to track where its from."

"You are his goddess it is only fitting you re capable of standing at hi side, well, I'm not allowed to say how that isn't truly possible"

"I think you've had so many near death experiences today you're not actually scared any more" Skye said, "Hint, play tease...tell, dead"

Wanda smiled.

"Should I know that much even" Maria said.

"The fact you asked means I trust you with that" Skye said. "But he's an odd duck...my husband, I LOVE saying that. He doesn't use it, he doesn't think its fair, and he hates an easy win, I keep telling him all that matters is the WIN bit."

"God, he cannot be real he hampered himself to be fair." Wanda said, "This is thank god, a dream I will wake up in the cell soon" she said sounding sure.

"I know right" Skye said, "He has that affect" then she learned forwards and pinched Wanda's thigh, "I bet he fucking LOVES those,"

Wanda was furiously rubbing her thigh and looking almost shocked she WAS awake. "There that at least deals with the denial stage."

"I'm not sure that as a kind act or a wicked one" Wanda said.

"I'm a little of both on a good day," Skye said with beautiful smile.