AN: Heya! Have a good weekend everyone. A thank you to MegaDiary123 for being great. This is a slightly smaller chapter but still hope you all enjoy it.

All rights go to Marvel

Skye's POV

"Don't get me wrong!" Coulson yelled at Jemma as she and I were at his office after being picked up from the middle of the Atlantic. "I'm happy you're both alive… truly. And I realise you were trying to save the team, but what you did today" he shook his head, "that was not your call. Just getting you out of the water, do you have any idea what a pain it is dealing with the Moroccan office? Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again!" And then his eyes and voice softened, as Jemma has taken to keeping her eyes on the floor. "We'd hate to lose you, Jemma"

Still hesitant, she lifted her head. "Thank you, sir"

Satisfied with that, Coulson moved behind his desk and sat heavily on his chair. I tugged at her arm, which I hadn't let go since we were picked up from the ocean. Better yet, since I grabbed her midair. Thankfully she took the cue and we left the office and made our way downstairs to the main area.

We were just standing there, next to each other, neither of us saying anything. My thumb was absentmindedly rubbing the back of her hand. "Wanna talk about it?" I asked tentatively. When she still said nothing I continued, more lighthearted trying to ease the tension in her shoulders. "You know, if you wanted to go skydiving so much all you had to do was ask and I would have taken you"

She smiled, though it was strained. "Honestly, I would rather not think about it anymore".

"Please don't do anything so stupid again? Brave, but utterly stupid" I said as I wrapped my arms around her and pressed her hard on my chest.

I felt her grab a handful of my shirt and holding it tight. Her head leaning on my shoulder. I felt her, more than heard her, whisper something and I released her to see what was happening. Only she was looking over my shoulder and I turned to see where her attention was. I saw Fitz standing there who, as soon as I had a minimal distance from Jemma, rushed and gathered her in his arms. His embrace just as powerful as mine had been.

He needed her right now more than I did. So I smiled gently at the scene in front of me and walked down to the cargo hold where I put up the punching back.

The events of the last few hours replaying in my head as I let my fists and kicks connect to the material, taking extra care not to release any of my vibrations, in fear of breaking the equipment.

"Wouldn't you prefer to try and punch something that can fight back?" Ward was heard from the ramp over the Lab.

I stopped my assault just for a second before resuming. "As tempting as this offer sounds, I'll pass". Honestly, I wanted nothing more than to take up to his suggestion. But I didn't trust myself to not beat him to a pulp and hold back like I normally did. And that would be without even using my powers.

"Come on, it will make you feel better," he said and made his way downstairs.

That made me stop and he took that as an indication that I agreed with him. I saw him make his way to where the rest of the equipment was. Quickly I made my way to him and grabbed his wrist, hard, before he reached the training gloves. I put more force than necessary in my grip, but I couldn't care less.

"Don't you dare tell me what will make me feel better, Ward" I say in a low, deadly serious voice.

His initial shock was quickly replaced with nervous laughter. "Oh, come on Sk—"

"No" I interrupted him. "I'm tired of your know-it-all ass always talking to me like I don't know what I'm doing" I released his wrist and he rubbed it with his other hand. "I've been trying to be on good terms with you but you make it harder and harder every time you talk. You hold grudges against me every time I say something that doesn't agree with you, or when I call you out on your bullshit. You treat me like I am not an Agent just as much as you are. Like I don't know protocol, procedures. Like, for some freaking reason, you are on a higher ground looking down on me. You act like you know what's best for me all the damn time. You tell me to 'get ready' when one of the few friends that I have has contracted an alien virus and is about to die!" I pointed my finger on his chest, pushing him back with it and making stumble. "I've been trying almost since the beginning with you but I'm done. I'm done, Ward. You better get your head out of your ass, it's not a hat" I finished and with one last push, that dropped him on the floor, I made my way upstairs.

I made my way to Coulson's office and saw May exit it. She threw me a look and I knew that she would want to talk later, but for now, she retreated to her cockpit and would probably stay there until we reached the Sandbox.

I knocked on the door and pushed it open when I got the okay from Coulson.

"What can I do for you, Skye?", he asked from behind his desk.

"I want to request some days off when we reach US soil again, sir". The title escaping my lips without me realising it. I had only used it a couple of times when I wanted to make a point.

I noticed his brow furrowing but he didn't comment on it. "I would address the whole team when I had it confirmed, but I'm still waiting for confirmation from the HQ for a week off for the whole team. I understand that the last couple of days have been hard on all of us and you all deserve a break"

"Thank you" I honestly replied and made a move to leave.

Coulson, however, called my name and I stopped short, turning to look at him. "Ever since you came in this team, it's been clear that you and Simons are… close. And I can understand that what happened couldn't have been easy on you. Just know that if you need to talk to someone, you can always find me" he genuinely said.

All I could do was nod before exiting and heading to my bunk. As soon as I laid my head on my pillow, I took my phone out and sent a message to a few different people.

- I'm coming home

I knocked on the door of the cockpit and looked at the camera overhead, knowing that May would look to see who it was. When her voice was heard from inside I opened the door and shut it behind me, before taking my normal seat next to the pilot.

We were already at the Sandbox, so all I saw in front of us was desert. There was something calming about this vast, empty landscape and I, once again, understood why she prefers to stay there.

"Did Coulson tell you about the week off?" I asked, neither of us looking at each other, gazes trained upfront.

"He did" I could see her turning in my direction. "I am guessing you'll go to New York?"

I nodded absentmindedly. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about" I eased even more on the seat, feeling comfortable around her. "I texted the others and Clint and Nat are gonna make it there as well. Natasha might stay less because of her missions with Captain in Washington, but she and Steve will come even for a bit. I was wondering if you'd like to spend that week with us? I can only guess they will be happy to see you. When was the last time you met?"

"Back when I was in Admin. They sometimes visited, but it's been a while and I wasn't the most pleasant company, to begin with" she said. "We don't keep as much in touch anymore"

That had me intrigued. "For some reason, I find that hard to believe" I challenged. "They're not the kind of people to lose contact, especially if they care about someone". We both knew that what she really meant was that she had withdrawn from them. Just like she did with everyone after Bahrain. "I haven't told them if you were wondering. That we're working together again, or that you know I'm back"

"I know you haven't" she replied and at the question written on my face, she explained. "If they knew my phone wouldn't have stopped ringing"

I shook my head as I chuckled. That was so true. Then I sobered up a thought passed my mind. "Are you not talking with them because they didn't tell you I was back?"

May wasn't expecting such a question, the fact that her non-expression flattered for less than a second before resuming was indicative enough. I would have missed it, had I not known her so well. "I can't say that I wasn't hurt when you first told me, but after a while, I understood why they did it" was all she was going to give me and I was content with it.

"Great, then it's settled" I smiled brightly at her. The first time I had smiled for the past few days. "You're gonna meet the Avengers"