AN.1: Heya! First off, many thanks to MegaDiary123. Now, as some of you might have guessed, this story just became two years old! I can't believe it. Thank you all for the support, for even reading this story! It wouldn't have been possible without you guys! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! So, until Saturday...

All rights go to Marvel

Skye's POV

After we went back on the Bus everything was running smoothly. If running smoothly meant that Ward and I were practically not talking to each other except when it was needed for a mission. But after everything that the robot told me before Jemma jumped off the plane, and how I called him out on his behaviour it was understandable.

And that was how we found ourselves, 3-4 missions later on our way to the Hub. We had just acquired some intel from a covered operative in Siberia. We were all waiting in the main area until Jemma finished with the paranasal extraction where agent Shaw had hidden the information he had gathered.

As soon as Coulson walked up in the main area Fitz jumped up from his seat. "Great. Now that that is done, do you need me to analyse the data?", he hopefully asked.

Coulson just shook his head. "That won't be necessary"

"If it's encrypted, I can always work on it" I supplied but I had a feeling he was going to turn me down as well.

He gently smiled, but it was the kind of smile that was intended to turn someone down. "I'm afraid this mission's classified. Clearance Level 8"

Several 'ah's' and 'uh's' were heard from everyone and everyone scattered. Coulson going to the holocom, FitzSimmons down to their lab and Ward probably to train or just get ready for the Hub. My eyes caught May's and I smirked mischievously. "Level 8" I mouthed to her and lifted my eyebrows. May just rolled her eyes and retreated to the cockpit.

Oh, I was so gonna find out what this mission was about.

Almost no-one at S.H.I.E.L.D. had any information on me or my status as a Level 9 agent. The only people who knew were Natasha, Clint, May, Maria and Nick.

My information had been shield away as soon as I was found again after the events in the Stark Expo, and then they were practically erased when I became an Avenger. Especially after the Battle and how certain people wanted to know who we were and everything. Which is one more reason why Tony's and Bruce's present was a blessing.

But yeah, almost no-one in the organisation knew who I was. Which was why I couldn't just walk in with Coulson and flash my Level 9 Clearance card to him. No. I had a badge that just indicated that I was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and a separate Clearance Card for that specific reason. When Coulson and Ward picked me up, all I had to do was show them my badge. But when I had to redirect the plane to Triskelion after the Amador mission, the use of both a code that Fury had provided me and my Clearance Card was required to show that I was actually outranking May.

Also, there were people in the Hub that I didn't really want to show my face to, and even if I had to, I didn't want them to learn anything about me. Two of them being agent Hand and agent Sitwell. The main reason is that both of them were Level 8 and were under investigation, among several other agents, for the holes in the agency's firewalls. Especially the former.

So, when we went there and everyone got their little badge with their name and Level, mine just said 'Skye'. I noticed Ward check out my card, but I didn't call him out on it, instead, storing that little bit of information for later.

While agent Sitwell came to pick up Coulson and said that his Level 7's could join them in the briefing, I looked at Coulson waiting to see if he'd say that I should go with Ward and May. He caught me looking at him and titled his head. His eyes landed on the badge hanging around my neck and noticed that it only had my name. It was clear that he was intrigued but he refrained from saying anything. "I'm gonna go and play with a computer," I said and he nodded. For some reason, I knew that he'd want to discuss this later. But at the same time, I was really glad that he didn't say anything.

Actually, instead of going to the computer lab in the Hub, I went back to the Bus. It was completely empty and I had never seen it and felt it so quiet, with always picking up people moving around. I could still sense people moving about around the airplane, but none of them actually walked in. So I just laid on my bunk, laptop open on my lap relaxing. I minimised how much I could sense around me so that I would only pick up movement should someone board the plane, and I relaxed back on my mat. It might be nothing compared to the bed that I have on the Avengers Tower, but it was growing on me.

I logged into my account through the Hub's servers and went digging. And by digging, I meant that I accessed the cameras in the situation room that Coulson and Hand were in to see what was happening there.

After a small introduction between Coulson and Hand, Ward and May walked in and were in turn introduced to the senior agent. And Hand being Hand, or at least from what I had heard about her, she dived right into it, not beating around the bush. "Well, now that we've gotten that over with, here's what you can know". She turned around to the massive computer screen that was previously on her back and changed the file there. I pressed a few keyboards in my laptop and pulled up the same file so that I could have a better look at it, not through the CCTV. "The intel that you recovered from agent Shaw tells us that a separatist group from South Ossetia had built a weapon called "ezbiitomet".

I chuckled at the name and Ward actually spoke my thoughts. "The overkill device?"

"A little dramatic for my taste. I imagine something was lost in translation," Hand said offhandedly. "We've intercepted chatter that tells us they plan to use the weapon in the next 24 hours to declare their independence from Russia and Georgia" and she pulled up a new file with a photograph of the weapon, but no schematics. Hm, that was interesting. "We believe it creates sonic vibrations powerful enough to trigger weapons from a great distance. Anything from the missiles on a helicopter to a nuclear warhead sitting in its silo"

Coulson caught up on the meaning really quickly, still very sharp. "So if we move on them, they could use our own weapons against us".

Hand nodded. "Exactly". Now that explained why it was a Level 8 mission. "That's why I need a two-man team to sneak across the disputed border undetected, break into the separatist stronghold, and disable the weapon in the next 24 hours. And you have two people who fit my bill"

Well that made sense. May and Ward could go in and deal with it all. But then Hand continued. "And you'll have to use them," speaking of Ward's contacts in South Ossetia border. "But we don't have specs on the device, so I need someone on the team who can identify and dismantle it on-site". To say that her statement took me by surprise would be an understatement.

They weren't seriously thinking of… No. There must have been a mistake. There was no way they were gonna send Fitz on the field, alone with Ward. Right?

When I zoned in back on the screen they had left the situation room and I flicked through the cameras to find them and soon I did. They were all gathered around Fitz, who was struggling with one of the doors. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, gathering strength.

My phone chimed and I saw that May had messaged me asking me where I was and that they were heading back on the Bus for the mission briefing. I let her know I was already there and logged out, waiting for them to return.

After they all came back to the Bus, I headed to the lab to grab him a full-sized mag pouch, which Fitz very specifically requested for some reason and after that, I went to the command centre (see: briefing room), were everyone apart from Jemma and Fitz had gathered.

I stood on the sidelines as the three other agents were discussing the plans for their infiltration.

"You need to disable the device by 0600 tomorrow in order to prevent the separatists attack" May provided, looking at the information in front of her at the holo-table.

Coulson continued straight were she left off. "Once you've signalled S.H.I.E.L.D., the extraction team will get you both out" Coulson then lifted his face and looked at Ward very seriously. "Take care of him"

Ward didn't miss a bit. "Of course, sir"

At that moment Fitz walked in, Jemma on his heels. The silence that was created when he stepped in was broken by him after a few second. "More moving, less talking, agent Ward. Time's not on our side" he patted the taller agent of the shoulder and they both left.

After the duo left, everyone else started going to their respective places. It was just Coulson and I left in the command centre. I really wanted to speak up, tell him how this wasn't right. But I knew better. For starters, a two-man team would be able to go in easier and stealthier than if the whole team was assigned this mission. And then there was another thing that I would like to avoid and so I started making my way out when Coulson spoke up.

"Skye" he just called and I stopped dead, turning to look at him. There were small hints of command in his voice. A tone that I had associated with him wanting answers.

Here we go, I thought and folded my hands behind my back. "Yes?"

"I've been thinking about something" he started, probably trying to ease into the topic. "When we 'collected' you from the van and after, you just showed me your badge, which verified you are an agent. And only today did I realise that I had no idea what your clearance was. But the fact that you didn't say anything when I mentioned the Level 8 documents, and then left when the Level 7 agents were to join in the briefing, would normally make me think you are a lower Level agent" he paused and slowly started walking aroid the table. "And yet, you were in deep cover with the Rising Tide, with only Fury and Hill knowing of your position, while Maria called you 'her agent'. Yet, you had said that you knew me and it makes me think that it was more than just meeting me in the Helicarrier before the Battle of New York. And I think that if I knew you before, I wouldn't forget you. Apart from the fact that I remember every agent I have interacted with, something I picked up as Deputy Director, you are pretty unforgettable". He stood right in front of me, towering me ever so slightly. Not too intimidating, however with a very strong presence. "I think you know where I'm heading with this"

I lifted my head to meet his gaze straight on, not backing out. I had met Nick head-on, Coulson was not phasing me in the slightest. At least not without his memories. Phil would be another story, but Coulson… no. He did nothing to me. "I do" I answered truthfully.

The lift of his eyebrow was the only indication that he was expecting more. "It's classified, I'm sorry" I continued. It was clear that he was irritated by this so I continued. "Look," I said softly. "You can take this up to the Director, but his answer would be the same. You've said you trust me and you've said you trust the system. I can't say I trust the system as much as you, some of my… experiences, making it hard. But the Director knows of this. I've been with you for a while now. Would it make such a difference if you knew my Level? Have I done anything to make you question my loyalty to you and to this team?"

This question seemed to give him a pause. He thought over my words for a while and then nodded his head. "You're right" he concluded and took a step back. "I apologise" he sincerely continued. "I shouldn't have asked. I should have trusted you and the system"

"That's okay" I reassured him. "As I said, I don't really trust the system, but I trust people within it. I don't think it's safe to put all of your faith in one place, you can get stabbed in the back if you're not careful"

He tilted his head as he processed my words. "How did S.H.I.E.L.D. stab you in the back?" He asked. Him using that phrase made my eyes travel to where I knew the hole in his chest had been. But I caught myself really quickly before my slip was noticed. When I remained quiet for a long time he chuckled. "Let me guess… classified?" The smile that I gave him in return was enough of an answer and he shook his head.

I took that as my cue to leave and went to the lab to see what Jemma was up to.

I was sitting with her, as she was sorting out some documents, while other agents were moving stuff in and out of the Lab, probably refilling supplies that we needed and such. At a small commotion I saw one guy accidentally push Fitz's treasured pistol off the table.

Jemma quickly stopped everything to grab it before it fell on the floor. "Oh, no. No no no. Please be careful" she started and then proceeded to safely tuck it in a bag. "Can you imagine what Fitz would do if the Night-Night pistol was broken when he came back? Surely he'll be okay out there… right?" She asked looking at my direction. The concern on her face… it was heartbreaking.

I was about to answer, but May shut me with a sharp look. "We know what we're supposed to. When we have more information, we react" she made it pretty clear that I wasn't to say anything. Satisfied that I wasn't going to open my mouth again, she looked down at her tablet and then said with an authoritative voice, "Alright, clear out. I need to run some diagnostics and reboot". When all the other agents left, but Jemma and I were still inside continued, never lifting her head from what she was reading. "That means you two. Off"

Jemma jumped a little bit and made her way out. "What, you don't want me here with you? You wound me" I joked and placed one hand over my heart as I followed the biochemist out and in the Hub.

She was fidgety ever since Fitz had left, I hadn't seen her so nervous since during and right after the mission in Hong Kong. Which reminded me. "Hey" I spoke and she jumped once again. I forced myself not to laugh and gently touched her shoulder, trying to ground her. "Wanna grab a coffee? Or tea, in your case? I'm sure the café must make something decent to have" I smiled.

I saw her eyes dart towards the situation room, but then she relented and smiled back. "That's a great idea" and so, without thinking I grabbed her hand and pushed her towards the crowded place.

It was weird to see how many people were having a coffee at the Hub of all places. I was half expecting it to be empty. But thankfully we found a table for two in a corner and Jemma went to keep the table while I ordered our drinks.

I picked up the tray with the beverages and walked towards Jemma. Out of habit I took two spoonfuls of sugar and put them in the tea before handing it to her. "Darjeeling?" She asked with a spark in her eyes.

"Of course," I said as if it was a stupid question. "It's the only tea that you drink—"

"When I'm stressed" she finished for me and took a sip. Her shoulders instantly dropped, relaxing and she let out a heavy sigh. "Thank you"

Silence engulfed our table, but it was not an uncomfortable one. We were just taking in each other's company and that was enough. "I'm sorry we didn't have much time to talk since our week-off" I was the first one to speak.

She did something in between a scoff and a chuckle. "There's nothing to apologise for, Skye. It was out of your control" she placed the tea on the table. "And to be fair, I haven't really sought you out either"

I let my coffee on the hard wood table as well, my fingers playing around with the mug. "How are you doing? After everything?"

She held a breath a bit longer than necessary, probably gathering herself. "I'm dealing. It's not too bad, as long as I don't find myself somewhere relatively high. I try to avoid looking out of the windows of the Bus while we travel, but it's getting better". She smiled, clearly proud of herself for admitting all that.

Instinctively I took her hand in mine, combing my fingers with hers. "I'm here to talk, or listen if you need anything. God knows you've been there for me so many times"

Her fingers wrapped more tightly around mine. It was almost as if she wanted me to lend her some strength, which I would do in any given day. She didn't say anything in reply, instead, taking another sip of her tea. Our hands never parting. I gulped looking at our hands. I knew what I wanted to say and yet just the simple thought of forming my words seemed so hard. I lifted my eyes and saw that Jemma was looking at me, and I felt bare under her gaze. As if she could see me, really see me, and everything I was thinking.

She shook her head ever so slightly but enough for me to catch. "Not now" she whispered and I knew. I retracted my hand, grabbed the colder-now mug and sat back on my seat. "I'm just—" she started explaining and I cut her off.

"Really worried about Fitz. I get it" I provided a smile to show that I wasn't mad. "Soon?" I asked with a small voice and she nodded. I smiled at that. After a while, I pushed my chair back and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm just gonna go and check in the mission. I think it will ease your mind if you knew what was happening with Fitz" I replied and made a move to leave but her hand on my wrist stopped me.

"Skye," she said with meaning. "What are you gonna do? Do you even have the Clearance?"

I smirked at her and with no harsh movement, removed her hand from mine. "Even if I don't I can always hack my way in" I supplied with playfulness, neither denying nor confirming anything and then left the cafe before she had the chance to follow me.

AN.2: Yes, I know... they'll talk soon. I promise :)