Skye was in the gym after dinner a few days later punching at a speed bag. She was trying hard to keep from completely breaking down. Since things happened at Tucker's since they had come so close to making love for the first time the communication between them had been crickets. She knew he was working a few extra shifts this week so she was trying not to let it get to her head. She kept telling herself it was because he was busy, but too busy to send a single text? Tucker always made the time to text her. She had texted him a few times but he never responded. She could see he had read the texts but he hadn't responded.

She was punching for about an hour before the door to the gym opened.

"Hey! Where are the gloves," Sam said.

"I don't need them," Skye snipped. "I don't get hurt from just punching at a bag."

"You still need them," Sam said.

"My dad doesn't wear them," Skye said.

"He doesn't wear the gloves but uses the tape to protect his hands. I am not having this argument with you. Put the gloves on or you are done here," Sam said.

"No," Skye said as she went back to punching.

"One," Sam said starting to count. Normally he would call Steve or Bucky but they were away on some Avenger's business and they were usually hard to contact during that time.

Skye looked up at him, "really? Counting like I'm eight?"

"You are acting like a child so yes," Sam said. "Two." He continued.

Skye knew she was pushing her luck but she went back to punching.

"Three," Sam said as he walked over to her and picked her up throwing her over his shoulder.

"Hey!" Skye said.

"I gave you more chances than I should have," he said carrying her out of the room.

"Put me down!" Skye said.

"I will. When we get to your room," Sam said.

"No! Now," Skye said squirming and kicking.

"Knock it off Skyler," Sam said warningly.

"Or what? You'll send me to my room. You're doing that anyway," Skye said.

Sam landed a hard smack to her butt.

Skye yelped.

"Want to keep fighting me?" Sam asked

Skye stopped kicking and squirming but didn't say anything.

Sam landed another smack to her butt as he stepped into the elevator. Skye yelped again.

"I asked you a question, Skyler," Sam said. "Are you going to keep fighting me?"

"No," Skye grumbled.

"I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that," Sam said.

"I said no," she said before mumbling that he was a jerk.

He landed two more swats.

"Fuck! Sam what the hell I said no!" Skye said.

"Yeah and then you called me a jerk," Sam said.

"Oh so you do understand my mumbling," she snarked.

Sam sighed and landed a half dozen more swats.

"Fuck Sam! That hurts!" Skye said.

"It's supposed to. And you know you're not supposed to be swearing," Sam said.

"You have never called me on it before. I didn't think you cared," she said.

"Yeah well, that is when you are acting like a mature young lady. I wouldn't let Morgan swear so if you are going to act like an eight-year-old I'll treat you like one," Sam said

"I'm sorry," Skye said softly.

When the elevator opened on their floor he stepped out and set her down. "Go. To your room. Now," he said.

Skye went quickly.

Sam sighed and ran his hand across his face. He went into the kitchen.

"You okay?" Pepper asked when she saw him.

"Skye is pushing it today," Sam said.

"She does that often," Pepper, said.

"Not with me," Sam said.

"Have you ever had to call her on anything before?" Pepper asked.

"Once. For the same thing. Punching at a bag without protection on her hands. Last time she stopped as soon as I caught her and brought her to Steve and made her tell him," Sam said. "But with him being gone this time. And she didn't stop. I had to carry her out of the room."

"Yeah. She had been pushing her luck a lot the last few days," Pepper said.

"Yeah. I've noticed," Sam said.

"Usually in teenagers who are otherwise pretty well-behaved, that means something is going on," Pepper said.

"I can see that. But I doubt she will tell me anything," Sam said.

"You don't know if you don't try," Pepper pointed out.

"You're right," Sam said before going and knocking on Skye's door.

"Yes?" She said softly.

Sam went into the room.

"I'm really sorry," Skye said softly

Sam could tell she had been crying. "It's forgiven. Are you okay?"

Skye nodded.

"I know of all the adults around here I'm not one you have gotten that close to. But if there is something you want to talk about. I can listen and try and help," Sam said.

Skye let out a breath.

"I can't and don't want to force you to talk about whatever is on your mind. But it has been noticed that you have not been quite yourself the last few days. And if it's because you are holding on to something that is hurting you maybe talking about it will help you get through whatever it is and help you get back to the person you are," Sam said.

"So. I've been a bitch and everyone is tired of it. Got it," Skye snipped.

"That is not what I said," Sam said. "Everyone here knows that sometimes when we are going through hard things it makes us act differently. And people are concerned. No one thinks you are, or has called you that. And am I talking to you with that attitude or disrespect?"

Skye let out a breath, "No."

"Then I'd appreciate the same level of respect from you," Sam said.

"Sorry," Skye said.

"Okay," Sam said. "Do you want to talk to me about what is going on?"

Skye shook her head.

"Okay. But about earlier. I will be making sure everyone around here knows you were caught punching without protection for your hands. And if it happens again you will not be allowed in the gym without supervision again. Clear?"

"Yes Sir," Skye said.

"Okay," Sam said. "And if you change your mind about wanting someone to talk to I'm around."

Skye nodded.

Sam left her room closing the door behind him.

Skye tried to call Tucker.

"Hey," he said answering.

"So your phone does work," she said sarcastically.

"It does," Tucker said slowly.

"Because I have been texting you and calling you for three days and nothing," Skye said.

"I have texted you back," Tucker said.

"Really? Well, those texts didn't make it to me. Did they get lost in transit?" she asked still being sarcastic.

"Skye," Tucker said. "I don't know why you didn't get them but I have texted you."

"Whatever Tucker. We both know the truth. You don't like that I changed my mind about sex and you gave me the silent treatment as punishment," Skye said.

"Skye. No. I would never do that. And I'm not upset or angry you changed your mind. Skye. You know me. You know I'm not like that," Tucker said hurt in his voice.

"I thought I knew you. But apparently, I was wrong," Skye said.

"I'm sorry you didn't get my texts. I don't know why. It shows me they have been sent on my side. And I understand why the fact that you didn't get them would make you panic about how things ended when we were at my place last time. But I wasn't upset that day and I'm not upset or angry about it now. And I can understand why you would be upset when you thought I was ignoring you. But I wasn't so you can stop talking to me like that because I didn't do anything to deserve it," Tucker said.

"Or you realize you fucked up and now are trying to gaslight me into thinking that I'm the one who's is in the wrong. Because that is exactly what is going on here," she said.

Tucker took a breath. "No. It's not. I can't make you believe that. But I also know that I don't deserve the way you are talking to me. So unless you are willing to hear what I have to say I'm going to end this call and we can try talking tomorrow."

"Wow. Yeah. Just keep gaslighting me," Skye snapped.

"I love you. I'll talk to you tomorrow," Tucker said before he hung up.

Skye curled on her bed and sobbed herself to sleep.