Chapter III

Out of Time

Daisy cradled the unconscious Skye in her arms, still reeling from their daring escape from the Triskelion. Sirens wailed in the distance as Daisy hastily carried Skye into a nearby alleyway, away from the gawking crowds.

Gently, she laid Skye down, checking her vitals. Skye's pulse was steady but she showed no signs of stirring. Daisy bit her lip anxiously. This younger version of herself had been through so much in such a short time. The revelation about their true origins, the chaotic escape...it was no wonder Skye's mind had shut down from the trauma.

Daisy brushed a strand of hair from Skye's face, a wave of protectiveness washing over her. No matter the timeline, she was still her, and Daisy refused to let any harm come to her.

Footsteps at the alley's entrance snapped Daisy from her thoughts. Spinning around, she lifted her hands defensively, quake energy rippling. But she froze at the familiar face before her.

"Robbie?" Daisy breathed in disbelief.

Robbie Reyes stood there, confusion creasing his brows. But it was unmistakably him, the leather jacket, the soulful eyes...Daisy's heart constricted painfully.

"Do I know you?" Robbie asked warily.

Daisy swallowed hard, lowering her shaking hands. "It's me, Daisy."

Robbie's frown deepened. "Look, I don't know any Daisy, but you clearly need help." His gaze flickered to Skye's unconscious form. "What happened to her?"

Daisy hesitated, torn between longing and uncertainty. How could she possibly explain?

Taking her silence as fear, Robbie softened his tone. "Hey, it's okay. I want to help." He offered a tentative smile. "Just tell me what you need."

At that familiar kindness, Daisy felt the dam inside her break. Tears blurred her vision as she fell into Robbie's arms. Finally, something made sense again.

"I'll explain everything," she whispered through her tears. "But first we need to get somewhere safe."

Robbie nodded, gently guiding Daisy to his car, Skye cradled protectively between them. No matter how impossible, they were together again. And for now, that was enough.

Daisy stared out the car window, watching the city lights stream by in a blur. In the backseat, Skye was still passed out, her head resting in Daisy's lap. Up front, Robbie drove in silence, his eyes occasionally flicking up to gaze at Daisy in the rearview mirror.

After a long stretch of quiet, Robbie finally spoke. "So...you gonna tell me what's going on? Last I checked, I didn't know any Daisy or...Skye, was it?"

Daisy took a deep breath. "It's complicated. Skye and I...we're the same person. Just from different times."

Robbie's grip on the wheel tightened. "Wait...so you're saying she's you, from the past? How is that possible?"

"Like I said, it's complicated," Daisy sighed. "The how doesn't really matter. What matters is keeping her...keeping me...safe." Daisy gently brushed a lock of hair from Skye's face.

"And what about you?" Robbie asked softly. "Who's keeping you safe?"

Daisy swallowed hard. Even now, after everything, Robbie was still looking out for her.

"I'll be okay," she whispered. "As long as I can get Skye back to her own place in the timeline, where she belongs."

Robbie nodded slowly. "Well, for what it's worth...I'm glad I met you, Daisy Johnson. Even if I don't remember it." He gave her a gentle smile in the rearview mirror.

Daisy managed a small smile in return, even as her heart ached. "Yeah. Me too."

She turned her gaze back out the window. Back to the blur of time and space she no longer recognized. All that mattered now was keeping Skye safe. Even if that meant sacrificing her only chance to get back home.

The Charger pulled up outside an abandoned warehouse, its windows dark. Robbie cut the engine and glanced back at Daisy.

"We should be safe here for now," he said. "Let's get her inside."

Daisy nodded, gently lifting the still-unconscious Skye into her arms. Robbie led the way as they entered the warehouse, flicking on a single overhead light.

Daisy carefully laid Skye down on a worn couch along the wall. Kneeling beside her, Daisy lightly tapped Skye's cheek. "Skye? Can you hear me?"

Skye's head lolled to the side, her breathing faint. Daisy's anxiety spiked. Something was wrong. She turned desperately to Robbie.

"We need to get her to a doctor. I think the time jump, my inhuman powers...it was too much for her."

"Inhuman?" Robbie crouched beside them, his brow furrowed with concern. Gently, he placed two fingers against Skye's neck, checking her pulse. His eyes widened.

"Her pulse is weak. She's slipping." Robbie straightened. "I know someone who can help. An Inhuman healer named Jiaying."

Daisy froze. "Did you say...Jiaying?" Her heart seized.

Robbie nodded. "I met her a while back when my uncle was hurt. She saved his life." His eyes softened. "I think she's our only shot at saving Skye."

Daisy's mind reeled. Her mother...alive? Here? Robbie knew about her? This was not her past? She glanced down at Skye's pale face, reality settling over her. She had to do this. For Skye.

Slowly, Daisy met Robbie's gaze and nodded. "Okay. Let's find Jiaying."

Robbie squeezed her shoulder. "Hold on, Skye," he murmured before moving toward the Charger.

Daisy clutched Skye's limp hand in hers. "Please," she whispered. "Don't give up on me now."

The Charger sped through the night, its headlights cutting through the darkness. In the backseat, Daisy held Skye close as the younger girl drifted in and out of consciousness.

"Stay with me, Skye," Daisy murmured, brushing damp hair from Skye's forehead. "We're going to get you help."

Skye's eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain and confusion. "D-Daisy? Wha...what's happening?"

"Shh, save your strength," Daisy soothed. "We're taking you to someone who can help make you better."

Skye gave a faint nod before her eyes slid shut once more. Daisy anxiously looked to Robbie. "How much farther?"

"We're close," Robbie replied, his jaw tight with tension. Minutes later, he pulled the Charger down a secluded dirt road leading to a small cottage.

Robbie killed the engine and turned to Daisy. "Wait here. I'll bring Jiaying out."

Daisy nodded, clutching Skye tighter as Robbie approached the cottage door. Her mother was here in Washington? Why? A moment later, it opened, revealing a petite Chinese woman - Jiaying. Daisy's breath caught.

Jiaying and Robbie spoke briefly before he gestured to the Charger. Nodding, Jiaying followed Robbie to the car.

"This is Daisy and Skye," Robbie explained as Jiaying's gaze fell upon them. "Something happened, and now Skye is fading fast."

Jiaying assessed Skye with sharp, knowing eyes. "Bring her inside, quickly."

Relief rushed through Daisy. Skye had a chance. As Robbie carried Skye into the cottage, Daisy met her mother's gaze.

"Thank you," Daisy said softly.

Jiaying gave a small smile. "Of course, child. Now let us help your sister."

As she turned away, Daisy wiped a stray tear from her cheek. Despite everything, her mother was still in there, ready to help. And right now, that was enough.

Inside the cottage, Robbie gently laid Skye down on a bed as Jiaying gathered supplies. Daisy hovered anxiously at Skye's side, gripping her hand.

Jiaying returned to the bed with herbs, ointments and bandages. She assessed Skye with a critical eye.

"Her body has undergone tremendous stress," Jiaying murmured. "I can heal her, but it will take time."

Daisy nodded. "Anything you can do. Please."

Jiaying mixed herbs into a steaming cup. "Drink this," she instructed Skye. "It will strengthen you."

Skye grimaced at the bitter taste but managed to drink it down. Jiaying then began applying ointments to Skye's skin, massaging lightly as she administered her healing gift.

Daisy watched closely, marveling at her mother's power and patience. Bit by bit, Skye's color improved until she finally drifted into a peaceful, natural sleep.

Jiaying stepped back, wiping her brow. "The worst is past. She is stable now."

Overcome with gratitude, Daisy embraced Jiaying tightly. "Thank you," she whispered.

Jiaying returned the hug after a moment's hesitation. As she held her mother close, Daisy was flooded by memories of Afterlife, of Jiaying's last words to her: "I always believed in you."

Blinking back tears, Daisy slowly pulled back to look Jiaying in the eyes.

"I won't forget this," she said thickly. Jiaying gave a small nod.

For now, Skye was safe. Thanks to her mother's gift, they had a second chance to make things right.