Thank you to Harliquinn for beta reading and editing
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A few weeks had passed. Skye was sitting in one of the empty offices on the lower floor of the compound. She was hiding from everyone. It was Halloween, and the day had gone from bad to worse
The day had started off when she woke up with a bad headache. She went into the kitchen to get herself some water.
The only person in the kitchen was Bucky.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning," she said grumpily.
"Did you not sleep well?" Bucky asked.
"Headache," Skye said.
"Is it your sugar?" Bucky asked.
"My sugar is fine," Skye snapped before going back to her room with a bottle of water.
Bucky was taken aback.
Skye went back to her room and flopped on her bed.
Steve went into the kitchen and saw Bucky sitting there with a confused look on his face.
"Buck," Steve said.
"Hi Steve," he said.
"What's wrong?" Steve asked.
Bucky let out a breath and shook his head. "Nothing."
Steve tilted his head. "You sure?"
"Mhm," Bucky said. "Oh, your daughter was out here, says she has a headache."
Steve nodded. "Okay, know where she is?"
"I'm guessing back in her bedroom," Bucky said.
"Thanks," Steve said before he went and knocked on her door.
"Yeah?" she said.
Steve went in. "Not feeling well?"
"Headache," Skye said. "And it's not my sugar levels."
Steve nodded. "Do you want to take something for it?"
"Sure," Skye said.
"I'll be right back," Steve said. He went to his own bathroom and found a bottle of ibuprofen and brought it back to her.
Skye sat up and took the two pills offered to her with water. "I'm sorry," she said.
"Sorry for having a headache?" He asked confused.
Skye looked at him. "Did Bucky not. . . Nevermind," she said quickly realizing he didn't know.
"No, tell me," Steve said, crossing his arms.
Skye laid back down and pulled the blanket over her head.
"You have two options, tell me, or I go ask Bucky, and if I have to ask Bucky you are not going to the Halloween dance at school tonight," he said.
Skye sighed. "I kind of snapped at him."
"Why?" Steve asked.
"I told him I had a headache, and he asked if it was my sugar. I got annoyed and snapped that it wasn't my sugar," she said.
Steve gently pulled the blanket off her head. "Why did that annoy you? He was showing concern."
"I'm just tired of that being the first thing people assume," Skye said.
"Headaches are pretty common if your sugar is low. Bucky knows that," Steve said.
"I realize he knows a lot about it because of how close you two have always been, but that doesn't mean that I like it when it's the first thing he jumps to. And it's not just him," Skye said.
"No, I assumed the same until you told me otherwise," Steve said.
"And Dr. Banner, Pepper, Nat, Clint as well, always assume that is the problem whenever something is wrong," Skye said.
Steve smiled. "Because they care."
"Well, it's annoying," Skye said.
"Okay, I understand that. And you can ask people to stop. Politely. But that doesn't excuse snapping at someone who is just looking out for you," Steve said.
"I know, I'm sorry," Skye said.
"When your headache is gone I expect you'll be saying that to him," Steve said.
"I will," Skye said.
"I will let you rest," Steve said as he got up and left her room and went back to the kitchen and raised an eyebrow at Bucky.
Bucky shook his head. "How long did it take you to get her to tell you?"
"Not long, she felt bad, and when she feels guilty things come out," Steve said.
"I would have spoken to her once she calmed down," Bucky said.
Steve nodded. "You still told me nothing was wrong when clearly it got to you."
"I should have been straight with you, sorry. But I'm fine," Bucky said.
"If you say so," Steve said.
Wanda came into the kitchen.
"Good morning," Wanda said.
"Morning," they both said.
It wasn't much longer until the kitchen was full. Breakfast was being made and had. Skye came out of her room looking for breakfast.
"Hey, hungry?" Pepper asked the girl.
"A little," Skye said.
"There is lots of food left," Wanda said, handing her an empty plate.
"Thanks," Skye said taking it. The two had talked, and Skye was working on forgiving her. She got some eggs and a hashbrown from the food on the stove and some fruit from a large bowl on the counter before she sat down.
"How's your headache?" Steve asked.
"Comes and goes," she said.
"Eating will probably help," Steve said.
Skye nodded and ate slowly.
The kitchen slowly emptied until just Bucky and Steve were left with Skye.
"I'm going to go meet Sam for training," Steve said before leaving Bucky and Skye alone.
Skye poked at her half-eaten food.
Bucky noticed. "You okay?"
"I'm sorry," she said.
Bucky nodded.
"I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm just frustrated with everyone always assuming every little thing is connected to my sugar being low," Skye said.
Bucky nodded again. "I can understand that. But it's only because I was concerned."
"I understand that. Again, I'm sorry for being disrespectful," Skye said.
"It's forgiven," Bucky said.
"If I tell you that you don't need to worry about it, will you not question if it's an issue every time I have a headache or something?" Skye asked.
Bucky nodded. "I can do that, as long as it doesn't become a problem."
"Thank you," Skye said. She finished her food and put her plate in the dishwasher. "Anything else you wanted to say, or can I go?"
"You can go," Bucky said with a small smile.
Skye went back to her room, and Bucky went to join Sam and Steve in training.
Late that afternoon Skye was in her room putting the finishing touches on her makeup when there was a knock on her bedroom door.
"Yeah," she called out.
Steve came into the room and found her in her bathroom. "Feeling better?"
"Yes," Skye said. She still had a minor headache, but she wouldn't tell her dad that. She also wasn't telling him that she thought her headache might be connected to her emotions and the emotions of the others around her.
"You sure. You can take more painkillers before you go if you still have a headache," Steve said.
Skye looked up at him.
"I'm not going to stop you from going if it's just a headache," he said, holding up the pill bottle. "But if you need a couple before you go."
Skye took the bottle. "Thanks."
Steve reached out and felt her forehead.
Skye sighed. "I'm not sick."
"Okay, just checking," he said taking his hand back. She wasn't warm.
She finished applying the purple eyeshadow to her lids.
"You'll be ready in ten minutes to leave?" Steve asked.
"Yes, just need to put on the costume," Skye said.
Steve nodded and left her to do so.
Skye changed into her purple crayon dress. She and her friends were going dressed as four different crayon colors. She added the purple hat that went with the costume before slipping into purple ballet flats, leaving her bedroom, and going to the living room.
"That is a very cute costume," Nat said.
"Thank you," Skye said with a smile.
Morgan came running into the room and twirled around in her Ariel princess dress.
"You look very pretty," Skye said.
"Thank you!" Morgan said.
Pepper came into the room behind her.
"Going to get lots of candy tonight?" Nat asked Morgan.
"Yay!" Morgan said.
"First pictures," Pepper said taking her phone out of her pocket and taking a few pictures before looking at Skye. "I want some of you, too."
Skye opened her mouth to argue, but Morgan quickly wrapped her arms around Skye's waist and smiled big.
Skye wasn't going to argue with the girl, so she bent down, wrapped an arm around her, and smiled up at the camera.
Steve came in behind and smiled taking a few pictures on his own phone.
"Are you going trick or treating too?" Morgan asked Skye.
"No, I'm going to a dance at my school," Skye said. "But I'm sure there will be yummy treats there."
"She and her friends are all dressing up as different colored crayons," Steve said.
"I want to see theirs!" Morgan said.
"I'm sure someone will take a picture of us, and I will show you tomorrow," Skye said.
After the pictures were done Skye stood up and said bye, going with her dad out to his car and starting the drive to her school.
"You're pretty quiet," Steve said after a while.
"I'm just a little nervous. I've never been to a school function," Skye said.
"I'm sure you will have a good time," Steve said.
Skye nodded.
They got to the school shortly after. "I will be back at ten thirty to get you."
"Okay," Skye said. "Thank you."
"Stay out of trouble," Steve said.
Skye went into the school and found her friends in the function room.
"Hey!" Skye said.
"Hi!" All three of her friends said.
They all hugged and made their way onto the dance floor. They also took lots of photos together.
As the dance went on Skye's headache came back, and it was getting worse. Skye also started to realize she was getting overwhelmed with the emotions of the people around her. Someone there was really angry. Skye felt slight sparks in her fingers, and she knew things were about to get really bad if she didn't get out of there. She quickly made her way to the door and outside into the air.
Her friends had seen her go outside and could tell she wasn't okay. They went and followed her out.
"Are you okay?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, just need a minute," Skye said.
"Are you sure?" Ivy asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Skye flinched, and a small splash of water came from her fingers surprising her friends.
Skye took a breath and tears formed in her eyes. "Please don't come too close."
"Should we get a teacher?" Anna asked.
"No!" Skye said. "If a teacher sees I'm going to get kicked out."
"What can we do?" Lily asked.
"Just let me get this under control," Skye said. She was trying to shut out the emotions. "I know you want to help, but I feel you are all nervous, and it's not helping. Please back up."
Her three friends backed up.
Skye sank to the ground, sobbing. She was so overwhelmed, and she couldn't control what was happening. She felt herself lifting from the ground and looked around to realize she was levitating herself, and she was terrified.
Skye's friends all looked at each other. not sure what to do now.
"Skye, I- you need help. Give me your phone, and I will call your dad," Anna said.
Skye was shocked out of her head and fell to the ground. Thankfully she wasn't high, so it was a small fall. She handed her bag to Anna, who grabbed her phone from it. She was about to call when Carly came outside with a smirk.
"What do you want, Carly?" Ivy asked.
"Well, I just thought Skye would want to know that I saw her little we will call it 'magic show', and that I feel it's important to tell the Dean what I saw," Carly said with a smirk.
"What will it take for you to keep your mouth shut?" Lily asked.
"Just a teeny-tiny favor from Skye," Carly said condescendingly.
"If it's got anything to do with your cousin you can just fuck off," Skye said.
"Okay, I'll just go inside and tell Mr. Fields," Carly said, going towards the door.
"Believe it or not, I could tell Tucker I don't want to see him anymore, and he wouldn't care. He would keep showing up because, like it or not, he is my friend," Skye said.
Carly narrowed her eyes at Skye.
"Why are you jealous of me?" Skye asked.
Carly scoffed.
"One of my abilities that I can not control is empathy. I can feel your jealousy," Skye said.
"Oh fuck off, don't use your shitty powers on me," Carly said.
"I can't control it. Do you think I want to feel what everyone else is feeling?" Skye said. "Look. Just go away. Tell Mr. Fields whatever the hell you want. I don't care anymore. Just get your feelings away from me."
"No," Carly said.
Skye took a breath. She was starting to get very angry, and sparks flew from her fingers.
"Carly, go away. You are just making things worse," Lily said.
Carly ran into the school and found Mr. Fields, who came outside to see Skye sitting on the ground, hugging her knees, and sobbing.
"Miss Rogers, are you alright?" Mr. Fields asked.
Skye shook her head.
Mr. Fields looked at her friends. "You three need to head back inside."
Anna handed Skye her bag, and the three went back inside.
Mr. Fields took out his phone and called Steve.
"Hello," Steve said, answering his phone.
"Hello, Mr. Rogers. This is Dean Fields. Skye's okay. But there has been a situation, and you need to come get her," the Dean said.
"I'm on my way," Steve said as he headed out the door and down to his car.
When the call ended Skye took a breath., "Am I getting kicked out?"
"Did you do something that would warrant that?" Mr. Fields asked.
"W- what did Carly tell you?" Skye asked.
"She told me she saw you using your abilities," Mr. Fields said. "Was it one you can control?"
Skye shook her head.
"I'm not going to kick you out for something you can't control, especially since I do not think anyone got physically harmed because of it," Mr. Fields said.
Skye looked up at him.
"I admittedly had my doubts about allowing you into this school, but you're a good kid. I know you wouldn't go out of your way to hurt anyone," Mr. Fields said.
Skye nodded.
"We should get inside and to the office," Mr. Fields said.
Skye got up, picked up her purse, and went with Mr. Fields to the office.
Steve showed up shortly after. He looked at his daughter and could tell she had been crying. He bent at the knee next to her chair.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
"I got overwhelmed, was feeling other people's emotions. . . things happened," Skye said.
Steve let out a breath.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," she said in tears.
"No one was hurt," Mr. Fields said.
Steve nodded, "Hey, I'm not angry, okay?"
"But you're disappointed," Skye said softly.
"Can you let me tell you my feelings?" he asked, smiling softly at her.
"I would if I could shut this off," Skye sniped.
Steve raised an eyebrow and gave her a disapproving look.
Skye sank into her chair and crossed her arms.
Steve stood up and looked at Mr. Fields. "If no one was hurt, is she suspended or expelled?"
"No," Mr. Fields said. "She says it's not something she can control?"
"Unfortunately, she can't. In time she probably will, but at the moment, no," Steve said.
"She's not in trouble. I just wanted to make sure she is okay. It's probably best she goes home for the evening," Mr. Fields said.
Steve nodded. "I agree, thank you for calling. Come on, Skye."
Skye got up from her chair and went with her dad out to his car.
They started the drive home.
"Skye, I have a question, and don't lie," Steve said.
"Okay," Skye said.
"You got overwhelmed. It happens. Were you already feeling like this before you went to the dance? Your headache, was it connected to this?" Steve asked.
"Yes," she said softly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Steve asked.
"I thought you wouldn't let me go to the dance," Skye said.
Steve didn't like that answer. "Skyler, I know this isn't fair, but yeah. I probably would have reconsidered. I know you didn't hurt anyone. And I know you would never have intentionally hurt anyone. But, Skye, tonight could have been so much worse."
"Yes, Sir," she said barely audible, tears streaming.
Steve felt the air around them drop in temperature.
"Hey, I need you to take a deep breath, okay?" Steve said.
Skye took a breath and settled her emotions enough to get control back.
"Just rest okay? We can talk about it later," Steve said.
"Great, so I just have to feel your annoyance and disappointment for longer," Skye said.
Steve just shook his head.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"I know," Steve said.
Skye looked out the window and was silent the rest of the way home. When they got home she went inside.
When Skye walked into the living room all eyes were on her. She could instantly feel the fact that they were all worried about her. She whimpered the intense emotions causing a sharp pain to her head. She turned around and ran and hid.
That was why she was hiding in the basement. She had wanted to get as far away from everyone as possible. The feelings of everyone else were too much for her to handle.
