Skye was sitting at the kitchen table, papers scattered all over its surface. She was reviewing everything for her final exam the next day. She had already had a couple of exams; the following day was her last exam in math, and math was her worst subject.
The compound was pretty quiet, with everyone being gone for Avenger business. The only two people who were there with her were Pepper and Morgan.
Pepper entered the kitchen after putting her daughter to bed and saw the teenage girl looking frustrated. "Do you need help?"
"I just can not grasp these formulas," Skye said. "I can do the problems if I can see the formula but can not figure out how to remember them."
Pepper nodded and sat with the girl. "Common struggle," she told her before she taught her how she remembered them.
Skye welcomed the help, knowing at this point she needed to figure this out that evening if she had any hope of passing her exam the following day. Once it was explained well enough for Skye's brain, she tried to do the review her teacher had given her without looking at her notes to see if she could remember the formulas.
Pepper got up and let the girl study, knowing she had done all she could to help her for now.
Skye worked through the worksheet and finished it before checking to make sure she had the formulas right. She got frustrated when she hadn't and got up from the table.
"I'm going to run on a treadmill for half an hour," Skye told Pepper.
"The memorizing working?" Pepper asked.
"No, I'm hoping stepping away for half an hour might help," Skye said before she went down to the gym.
When she wasn't upstairs forty-five minutes later Pepper went down and found her still running on the treadmill with earphones in.
She got into her view and Skye, slowed the machine down and took off one of the earbuds "Yeah?"
"It's been over half an hour, and it's getting pretty late. You need to get back to studying," Pepper said.
"If I don't know it by now I won't before tomorrow," Skye said defeatedly.
"You should give it another shot for half an hour," Pepper said.
"No," Skye said.
Pepper was a little surprised by the girl's answer. She had never told her no before.
"Not an option, upstairs now," Pepper said with a little firmness in her voice.
"No," Skye said again before putting her earbud back in and speeding the machine back up.
Pepper went over and turned off the machine and took out one of her buds. "You have until I count to three to be moving upstairs."
"One," Pepper said.
Skye rolled her eyes and regretted it the second she saw Pepper's face going from mildly annoyed to angry.
"Two," she said, anger clear in her voice.
Skye whimpered and quickly went towards the door of the gym and upstairs.
Pepper took a breath and followed a few seconds later. When she got upstairs she found the girl at the table. She set the earbud that she was still holding on the table next to Skye. "Study for another half hour then go to bed."
"Yes, ma'am," Skye said softly. She reviewed everything again and was able to get some more clarity on the formulas. About forty-five minutes later Pepper came back into the kitchen. "It's been over half an hour. Time to get some sleep."
"Okay," Skye said picking up her stuff. "Sorry for earlier."
Pepper opened her arms, and Skye went over and they hugged.
"It's forgiven, but it better not happen again," Pepper said.
"It won't," Skye said before she went to her room.
"Good night," Pepper called out.
"Good night," Skye said.
The next morning Skye got up and got dressed to head to school for her exam. She went to the kitchen where Pepper was making her some breakfast.
"Morning," Skye said.
"Good morning, breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes," Pepper said. "You sleep well?"
"Um, yeah," Skye said as she sat down.
"I know I had a hard time sleeping the night before exams when I was a teenager," Pepper said. She knew the girl was lying about sleeping well. She could see the bags under her eyes.
"Oh, yeah. I guess some people worry about it so much they can't sleep," Skye said.
"Not you?" Pepper asked.
"I guess a little," Skye said.
Pepper plated up some eggs with some toast and cut-up strawberries and set the plate in front of the girl.
"It's normal to be a little anxious. But I think you will do well," Pepper said.
"Math is my worst subject. I'm just barely passing. If I don't do well on the exam, I won't pass the class," Skye said.
"Okay, if you don't pass the class, it's not great, but you will just have to redo it. It's not ideal, but is it the end of the world?" Pepper asked.
"Well, no," Skye said.
"So don't worry, just do your best," Pepper said.
"I just don't want to disappoint my dad," Skye said.
"I think as long as you do your best he won't be disappointed," Pepper said.
Skye nodded and finished her breakfast as Morgan came into the kitchen rubbing at her eyes.
Pepper got her set up with breakfast as well. After Morgan ate, the three of them left to get Skye to school for her exam. Skye was reviewing some note cards she had written the formulas as they drove, making sure she remembered them.
"You don't get motion sick?" Pepper asked.
"I don't know if I actually could," Skye said with a chuckle. "Super serum and all."
Pepper chuckled. "Good point."
When they got to the school Pepper parked and looked at Skye. "You know the formulas?"
"I think so," Skye said.
"You will do great," Pepper said. "Call me if I'm not back when the exam is done."
"Okay," Skye said, getting out of the car and grabbing her bag. She said bye to Morgan and Pepper before she went into the school. She found her friends sitting outside the classroom where their exam was being held.
"Hey," she said.
"Hi," all three girls said back.
A few minutes later the teacher unlocked the door, and everyone went in. They were all told to grab what they needed to take the test out of their bags and put their bags at the front of the class. Skye took out her pencil case and calculator before she sat down in a seat. Her friends were all sitting in the closest seats, but the desks were spread far apart.
Once everyone was checked in and in their seats, the teacher handed out the exams facing down. And once everyone had their exams the teacher told them they could start.
Skye turned her test over and took a breath. She picked up her pencil and started her test. She worked through the test.
Two hours later the tests were collected. She had just been able to finish it, but she didn't think she had done very well. She grabbed the couple of things she had on her desk, grabbed her bag from the front of the classroom, and left the room, her friends close behind. The three talked about how they thought they did, but Skye was silent.
"Skye, you okay?" Anna asked after they had been talking for a few minutes.
Skye looked at Anna. "Yeah. I'm fine."
"How do you think you did?" Ivy asked.
"Oh, I dunno. I think I did okay," Skye said.
They headed outside.
"So when do you head home for the summer?" Skye asked Anna.
"Tonight," Anna said. "And I'll be back a week before school starts up again."
The four all hugged and promised to video chat with Anna all the time over the summer before they heard a car honking and Anna went to get into the waiting car.
The twins said bye to Skye and went to the car waiting for them. Skye would see them over the summer. She looked around and found Pepper's car. She went over and climbed into the passenger seat.
"How did it go?" Pepper asked.
"I don't know. I don't think I did very well," Skye said.
"Well, there is no use worrying about it now. It's done and you'll get the results when you do," Pepper said.
Skye nodded and buckled up her seatbelt. Skye looked in the back, and Morgan was asleep in her car seat.
"She got tired out from grocery shopping," Pepper said with a smile.
Skye chuckled and Pepper started for home. When they got home Pepper parked, and they got out.
Pepper woke up Morgan, who whined that she was tired but got out of the car. Pepper and Skye carried in the groceries, went inside, and put the food away.
Afterward, Skye went to her room and changed out of her uniform for the last time that year.
The next day Skye was in the kitchen making herself some oatmeal for breakfast when Pepper came into the kitchen. "I have a favor to ask you."
Skye looked at her. "Yes?"
"Can you watch Morgan for an hour or two? I have an appointment and was hoping the others would be back in time. They should be back before me, but if not it will be probably three hours," Pepper asked the girl.
"Of course," Skye said with a smile.
"Thank you, she should be awake soon," Pepper said before she headed out.
Skye finished making her breakfast and sat and ate. After she put her dishes in the dishwasher she went to check on Morgan.
She gently knocked on her door and went in when she heard a whine.
"Hey Tiny, your mom had to go to an appointment. and we're gonna hang out until she gets home," Skye said.
Morgan nodded a little. "Kay."
"You okay?" Skye asked.
"Head hurts, throat hurts, and I'm thirsty," Morgan said.
Skye went over and felt her forehead. She was warm. Skye panicked a little internally. What was she supposed to do? She could call Pepper, and she might come home sooner. But Skye figured whatever the appointment was, it was important. She took a breath. "Okay, well, let's get you some water. Come on."
Morgan sat up and whimpered. "Carry me!"
Skye smiled a little and picked up the young girl, who leaned her head on Skye's shoulder. Skye carried her to the kitchen and grabbed some water and a cup with a straw and lid. She filled up the cup and secured the lid before giving it to Morgan.
Morgan took the cup of water and drank it.
"Are you hungry at all?" Skye asked.
"No," Morgan said sadly. She leaned her head back on Skye's shoulder when she was done with the water.
Skye took the cup and set it on the counter before she went and sat on the couch with the girl in her lap.
Morgan closed her eyes and stayed snuggled up to Skye.
Skye took her phone out of her pocket and texted her dad.
"I hear you are all on your way back?" she sent.
Steve got the message and smiled. He called her.
"Hi," Skye said answering.
"Hi, Skye. Yes, we are on the Quinjet on the way back. Should be home in a couple of hours," Steve said.
"Okay," Skye said.
"Everything okay? You sound upset," Steve said.
"No, I'm fine," Skye said.
"How were your exams?" Steve asked
"First two I think I did well, math I don't know," Skye said.
"I'm sure you did better than you think. What are you doing this morning?" Steve asked.
"Babysitting Morgan. Pepper had an appointment," Skye said.
Steve smiled. "What are you two currently doing?"
"Well, Tony can't hear this, can he? I'm not on speaker am I?" Skye asked.
"No," Steve said slowly. "Should he?"
"No," Skye said quickly.
"Skye, what's going on?" Steve asked.
"Morgan woke up with a headache, a sore throat, and she has a fever. I think it's pretty mild, but she woke up after Pepper left," Skye said. "But she is very clingy. Which is fine, I don't mind. But currently, we are sitting on the couch. She is in my lap and half asleep," Skye said.
"Have you checked her temperature with a thermometer?" Steve asked.
"No, I don't know where there would be one," Skye said.
"I'm sure Pepper and Tony have one," Steve said looking at Tony.
Tony at this point was watching the other man intently. "We do have a thermometer. What's going on?"
"Skye is watching Morgan. Pepper went to an appointment, but when Morgan woke up after Pepper left she complained of a headache and sore throat. Skye thinks she has a mild fever," Steve said putting the phone on speaker.
Skye sighed. "I didn't want Tony to worry."
"Skye, I'm only slightly worried, but I'm sure whatever it is it's nothing too serious," Tony said.
"Okay," Skye said.
"So yes, we do have a thermometer. You can go into mine and Pepper's bathroom and get it," he said before telling her where it was in the bathroom.
Skye got up and carried the girl into the bathroom, set her down on the counter, and found the thermometer. She checked Morgan's temperature.
"It's 100.2," Skye said when it beeped.
"Okay, it's a little high, but not worryingly so," Tony said. "In the medicine cabinet, there is a bottle of children's Motrin."
Skye looked for it and found it. "Found it."
"Okay, they are chewable tablets. She needs two," Tony said. "And make sure she is drinking lots of water or juice."
"Okay, I can do that," Skye said.
"Good," Tony said. "If she gets any warmer or starts to feel worse you call me. Okay?"
"Okay," Skye said.
"Thank you for taking care of her, Skye," Tony said.
"Of course," Skye said before they hung up.
Skye put her phone in her pocket and picked up Morgan again as well as the bottle of Motrin and the thermometer. She went into the kitchen and filled up the cup from before with some apple juice. She gave Morgan two of the chewable tablets with the apple juice.
Morgan took the tablets and drank some of the juice.
"You hold onto the cup of juice," Skye said before carrying her back to the living room and sitting down on the couch again.
Morgan set the cup down and cuddled with Skye again.
Skye relaxed a little and just let the girl sleep on her, covering them both with a blanket that was hanging on the back of the couch.
A couple of hours later everyone started to make their way into the living quarters of the compound. Tony went over to Skye and Morgan first thing.
"She feeling any better?" Tony asked.
"She has been asleep since soon after I gave her the Motrin. She still feels warm, but that could just be because she's been right up against me the whole time.
Tony smiled and felt Morgan's forehead. "She does always want to be attached to someone when she doesn't feel well."
Skye nodded a little.
"I'll take her from here," Tony said and went to pick her up.
Morgan whined when Tony went to pick her up.
Skye smirked.
"I'm not sure how I feel about her picking you over me," Tony said.
Skye chuckled, "She is probably just comfortable. I don't mind. It's not like I have anything else to do."
"You're sure?" Tony asked
"Yes," Skye said with a smile.
"Okay. I will go take a shower and come and check in again," Tony said before he went.
Steve looked at his daughter. "You don't need anything seeing as you are pretty stuck there?"
"No, I'm good. And I can get up if I need to," Skye said.
"Okay," Steve smiled. "Proud of how well you handled this."
"Thank you," Skye said. "Everything went well doing whatever you were doing?"
"Yes," Steve said. "It was just a bunch of meetings with government officials from all over."
"Glad I missed it," Skye said with a smirk.
"Pretty soon you will have to be part of them, too," Steve said. "It's all part of being an Avenger."
"I know," Skye said.
"I'm going to shower as well," Steve said before he left the room.
Skye closed her eyes as well.
Half an hour later Tony came back out to the living room.
Skye opened her eyes when she heard someone come into the room.
Tony sat next to Skye and Morgan.
"Morgan, I'd like to take your temperature again," Tony said.
Morgan opened her eyes. "Daddy," she said sadly.
"Hi, Squirt," Tony said.
She put her arms out to him.
Tony took his daughter from Skye and put the thermometer in her mouth.
Skye got up from the couch, went into the kitchen, and got herself some water.
Pepper came home soon after, and Tony told her what was going on but that he had it handled. Pepper went into the kitchen.
"Thank you for taking such good care of her," Pepper said.
Skye smiled, "Of course. Your appointment went okay?"
"Yes," Pepper said.
"You're not upset I didn't call you?" Skye asked.
"No, I know you spoke to Tony, and you handled it. You could have called and told me, but it was handled," Pepper said.
"Okay," Skye said. She filled up her water cup again before she went to her room with it and flopped on her bed with a book.
Steve knocked on her bedroom door soon after.
"Yes?" Skye said.
Steve went in and sat on the end of her bed. "I was just remembering. Do you have a reading list this summer?"
"Yeah," Skye said.
"When do you want to go look for the books?" Steve asked.
"Well, I wasn't planning to do it this summer," Skye said.
"Doesn't it count towards your grades next year?" Steve asked.
Skye sighed. "Yeah."
"You're okay with reading, you are reading now," Steve said.
"Yeah, but it's reading what I want to read. The reading list doesn't have this book," Skye said.
"It's six books, and it counts towards your grade," Steve said.
"Eight books, the amount goes up every year," Skye said.
"Okay, well still, eight books in ten weeks isn't a lot. And you found books you enjoyed last year. Look at the list and pick the books you are willing to read. It counts towards your grade, you are doing it," Steve said.
"No," Skye said.
"No isn't an option, Skyler," Steve said. "Where is the list?"
"Why?" Skye asked.
"Because either you pick the books you want to read, or I will do it for you," Steve said. "And you will be grounded until you have read the books if I have to do it for you."
Skye groaned. "Why do you care?"
"Because it's part of your grade," Steve said.
"Yeah, but it's English class. It's my best class. I don't need the extra credit," Skye said,
"How much is reading worth towards your grade?" Steve asked.
"Five present of the grade," Skye said.
"And what is your final grade for English class this year?" Steve asked.
"96 before the exam. Exam marks aren't up yet to know the final grade after the exam," Skye said.
"Well. That means if you didn't do it you would have a 91%," Steve said.
"Right, that's still an A," Skye said.
"Okay, yes. And it is an excellent grade, regardless. But there is a difference. And what if you struggle next year in English because it gets harder? You are doing it. End of the discussion," Steve said.
Skye sighed. "Fine, whatever."
"Books need to be decided by the end of the week," Steve said. "And I will take you to get them."
"Fine," Skye sniped.
"I know you don't like this. But you don't need to give me the attitude," Steve said.
"I don't like it. I don't like being forced to do something I don't want to. So if you are going to force me, this is the attitude you are going to get," Skye said.
Steve took her arm and pulled her over his lap in one quick movement and landed a hard smack to her butt.
Skye yelped.
"Do I need to continue or is the attitude done?" Steve asked.
"It's done. I'm sorry," Skye said quickly.
Steve helped her to sit back on her bed. "Decide on the eight books before the end of the week, and we will go get them. Okay?"
"Okay," Skye said.
"Thank you," Steve said. He kissed her head, got up, and left her room.