Thank you to Harliquinn for beta reading and editing

/\/\/\

Skye got to school the next day and went inside and to her locker. She noticed she was being stared at as she went and met her friends waiting at her locker.

"Okay, what did I miss?" Skye asked.

"Um, what exactly did you say to Carly?" Ivy asked.

"She got in my way as I was leaving the school yesterday and wouldn't move. I asked her if her coming to my place Sunday was just to piss me off more. I admittedly was going to punch her, but Happy showed up and kind of got in the way before I could," Skye said.

"You must have said something else," Anna said.

"Why?" Skye asked.

"She sent a text, I think intended to just her friends, but it was sent to her entire contacts list. I got it," Anna said, showing her the text.

The text said that Skye was going to have her ass beat. That she was done playing nice, and that she had messed with her family for the last time.

Skye let out a breath. "I conceded to letting Tucker talk to her and her parents. I think he did it faster than I expected. Has the dean or anyone been informed?"

"No idea," Lily said.

"Anna, you should come with me since it's your phone. I need to tell the dean before this gets any further," Skye said.

Anna nodded. "Okay."

Skye and Anna went to go to the dean's office, but their path was blocked by Carly and her friends.

Skye took a breath. "Are you sure you want to do this here? At school? Because you lay a hand on me here, and you will be suspended."

Slowly a crowd grew around them, and Lily ran to find the dean or a teacher.

"I don't fucking care. I am fucking done with you being in my school," Carly said.

"You can beat the crap out of me, but that doesn't mean I'm leaving the school. You will not win," Skye said.

"Unless I get you to fight me, too," Carly said.

Skye shook her head. "I'm not going to lay a hand on you. You are not worth my energy."

Carly was just getting angrier, and she pushed Skye.

It wasn't hard, and Skye was expecting it, so she didn't move much.

Carly pushed her again a little harder, and Skye still didn't move back much.

Skye stood her ground. Standing there with her arms crossed.

Mr. Fields and a few teachers were breaking up the crowd getting to the two girls in the middle just as Carly punched Skye in her stomach with all her strength, which knocked the wind out of Skye.

"Miss Nelson! That's enough!" Mr. Fields said.

Skye was coughing trying to get the air back into her lungs.

"She hit me first," Carly said.

Skye shook her head and managed to get out. "I didn't touch her."

"She is lying!" Carly's friend said.

"No, she is not!" Ivy said.

"Enough, all of you, Miss Nelson, Miss Rogers my office now," Mr. Fields said.

Skye and Carly went with Mr. Fields behind them.

They sat on opposite sides of the office, and Mr. Fields sat at his desk and pulled up the security footage from the area where the fight was.

Skye was handed an ice pack by the office receptionist and told to hold it on her stomach.

"Call both their parents, please, Mrs. Spears," Mr. Fields asked the receptionist before she left his office.

"I'm not sure if you two are aware, but there are cameras all over this school. including in the area where the fight was," Mr. Fields said.

Skye let out a breath of relief, there would be video evidence that showed she didn't touch Carly. She put the ice where she needed it.

"I know," Carly said.

Mr. Fields nodded. "And I also am aware of the text that you sent out last night, Miss Nelson."

"That was a private conversation between me and my friends," Carly said.

"Really, because I don't think Anna is your friend, and she got the text," Skye said.

Mr. Fields looked at Skye. "You know?"

"Yes, sir, Anna and I were on our way here to talk to you about it. I was planning on trying to get another mediation between Carly and myself after there was a confrontation after school yesterday," Skye said.

"What happened yesterday?" Mr. Fields asked.

"I was outside looking for my ride, and Carly stepped in front of me and refused to move. There were a few words said by both of us," Skye said.

"Nothing physical?" Mr. Fields asked.

"No, sir," Skye said.

"You were going to punch me if your babysitter hadn't stepped in," Carly said condescendingly.

Skye shook her head.

"Is she right, Miss Rogers?" Mr. Fields asked.

Skye didn't know what to say, she didn't want to lie. But she also knew that telling the truth could end badly for her. "Well, not about having a babysitter, but yes, sir," she said.

"Thank you for being honest," Mr. Fields said as he found the footage from the fight. "So, either of you want to change your story before I press play on this recording?"

Skye shook her head.

Carly shook her head as well.

Mr. Fields pressed play and realized that the way the students were standing at almost every angle blocked the cameras but there was one camera that wasn't blocked, and it showed exactly what happened.

"Miss Nelson, was it your goal to have your friends block all the cameras?" Mr. Fields asked.

"No, it was probably her who arranged the cameras blocked," Carly said.

"Why would she do that?" Mr. Fields asked.

"So she could punch me and claim she didn't," Carly said.

Mr. Fields turned his computer screen. "You missed a camera."

Carly's eyes went big when she realized that the entire thing was seen and she was busted. "I- I was just stopping her before she could hit me. She admitted that she was going to yesterday."

"But I wasn't going to today, I was on my way here to stop this from happening," Skye said.

"That's bullshit," Carly said.

"I don't think it is, Miss Nelson," Mr. Fields said. "I received an email from her father this morning informing me that she would be coming to me about something."

Carly huffed.

"I do not understand. I thought there was an agreement last year to end this and be civil," Mr. Fields said.

"I thought so, too," Skye said.

"You fucking told my cousin and got me in trouble with my parents!" Carly said.

"You showed up at my home! You tried to put a wedge between me and one of my best friends. You pretended to call a truce just to screw with me," Skye said. "You have been screwing with me all year. You never actually planned to be civil."

"My cousin went to jail because of you!" Carly said.

Skye shook her head, taking a breath trying to keep herself from losing her mind. "I. Did. Not. Give. Tucker's. Name. That. Night. I have never given him up."

"Then why didn't you go to jail, too?" Carly said.

"I am not having this fight with you again," Skye said.

"Yeah, I don't care what happened with you two in the past. Miss Nelson, there is a no violence policy at this school," Mr. Fields said.

"She was going to hit me yesterday, too!" Carly said.

"But she didn't," Mr. Fields said. "Miss Rogers, go wait with Mrs. Spears."

Skye got up and left his office. She sat down in one of the chairs in the front office.

Steve came in and saw her holding the ice pack to her stomach. "What happened?"

"I was coming to the office to talk to Mr. Fields. Carly and her friends got in the way. The crowd gathered. Carly punched me," Skye said.

"Did you hit her back?" Steve asked.

"No," Skye said. "I wasn't going to, but it was at that moment that the crowd was broken up and Mr. Fields stopped things from going any further."

Steve nodded.

"There was also a text you will probably hear about that was sent by Carly to her entire contacts list. I think that part was an accident because Anna got the text. Carly was planning to beat me up. You know how I mentioned that Tucker was going to talk to her and his uncle and aunt? He did it last night, and I guess she got in trouble," Skye said.

"Are you okay? Physically?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I don't think I actually need the ice pack, but I was handed it and decided not to argue it," Skye said.

"Oh, I think you needed it," Mr. Fields said, coming out of the office with Carly.

Carly smirked. She had hurt her at least.

"Miss Nelson, have a seat and wait. Mr. Rogers and Skyler, you can come into my office," Mr. Fields said.

Skye and Steve got up and went into his office and the door was closed.

"Skyler, did you tell your dad what happened?" Mr. Fields asked.

"Yes," Skye said.

"And I take it he knows about what happened yesterday, hence he knew about the fact that you planned to come speak to me this morning?" Mr. Fields asked.

"Yes," Skye said.

"So, Skye didn't actually put her hands on anyone. She isn't in trouble," Mr. Fields said.

Steve nodded, "I hear there was a text?"

Mr. Fields nodded, pulled it up on his computer, and showed Steve.

Steve read it. "When did you hear about this, Skye?"

"This morning, I got to school and went to my locker. Everyone was watching me, like they knew. My friends were waiting for me at my locker. Anna received it, too, and she showed me. I was on my way here with Anna to show him the text and talk to him about yesterday and mediation, and Carly and her friends stopped me. And as I said, the crowd gathered, and Carly was trying to egg me on to hit her. But I wasn't going to. She shoved me a couple of times, and when that didn't do much, she punched me in the stomach," Skye said.

Mr. Fields nodded, "you handled this exactly right. I know she has been giving you a hard time, and it's done. She will not get away with putting her hands on you. And she will be informed that she is to leave you alone. If she bothers you at all in the future, you come to me immediately. Do not try and handle it on your own. Do not simply just ignore it. I need to know. And I know you haven't exactly done anything to her, but I want you to just steer clear of her. I will ensure you two aren't put in any classes together, and the rest of the staff will know you two are not to interact at all."

Skye nodded. "I can do that."

"Good," Mr. Fields said. "Anything you'd like to ask or add?" he asked Steve.

"No, I believe this is being handled properly," Steve said.

"Do you want to take her home for the day?" Mr. Fields asked.

Steve looked at Skye. "What do you want to do?"

"I can stay," Skye said.

"You promise me you're not more hurt than you are letting on?" Steve asked.

"Yes," Skye said.

"I can have her checked out by the nurse if you are concerned," Mr. Fields said.

"I'm really okay," Skye said.

Steve nodded. "If that changes, you go to the nurse."

"I will," Skye said.

"You can head to class, Skyler," Mr. Fields said.

Skye got up and left his office. She went to her class and sat down next to Lily, ignoring the looks from the people around her.

When class was over Skye handed Lily back her notes from the day before. "Thanks."

"No problem, do you need what you missed from today before you got here?" Lily asked.

"That would be great, thank you," Skye said.

Lily smiled and handed her the new notes. "What are friends for?"

The two got up and left the class.

"So, how much trouble is she in?" Ivy asked when they met in the hall.

"I don't know exactly. Mr. Fields assured my dad and me she was being dealt with, but nothing specific," Skye said.

"Suspended for three days," Anna said, joining them.

"How do you know?" Skye asked.

"I was sent to the office to get something my teacher needed from Mrs. Spears, and I heard her coming out with her parents who were telling her off. They were saying a three-day suspension is going to affect her future and such," Anna said.

"Good," Ivy said.

"It's about time she is taken down a peg," Lily said.

"Agreed," Anna said. "Especially since she tried to put a wedge between us."

Skye nodded. "I'm just glad this has reached the end. I was told that she and I are not allowed to interact at all at school anymore. I have been told that if she gives me any trouble to go to Dean Fields right away. He is not going to have this be an issue anymore."

"Good," Lily said.

"And you being the one believed is good, too," Ivy said.

"There were cameras. She had her little friends blocking them, but they missed one. The whole thing is on video," Skye said.

Ivy laughed. "Karma's a bitch."

Skye chuckled and nodded. They all went their way to their separate classes.

At lunch, Skye sat down with her friends. She took out her phone and texted Tucker.

"Well, things got worse. She confronted me and punched me. I'm okay. I did not touch her," Skye sent.

Tucker texted her back. "Yeah, I heard. Except I got a slightly different story. She says you cornered her and punched her first."

"If that was the case I would be suspended, too. I'm not. Everything was on camera," Skye sent.

"Okay, I believe you," Tucker sent.

"Carly got to Tucker first, said I punched her first," Skye told her friends.

"Shit, does he believe her or you?" Ivy asked.

"No, I told him I wasn't suspended, and everything was on camera, and he believes me," Skye said.

"Good," Anna said.

"Would you have been upset with me if I did?" Skye texted Tucker.

"If you instigated it, yes. But if she cornered you, and you simply had to defend yourself, no," Tucker sent.

"Fair enough," Skye sent.

"Because I know you are better than that," Tucker said.

Skye smiled at her phone.

"You two flirting?" Ivy asked.

Skye chuckled and put her phone away. "No."

The four ate their lunches and went to their afternoon classes.

Ivy and Lily got to science and sat down.

"So, you two weren't flirting, but you had a smile like you were," Ivy said.

Skye smiled and shook her head. "He just knows me really well. And it makes me happy."

Ivy smiled and nodded. "You two are planning on dating when you can, right?"

"I think so," Skye said. "Assuming he doesn't find someone else between then and now."

"He better not," Ivy said.

Skye chuckled.

Class started, and the rest of the day was uneventful.

Skye went to her locker at the end of the day and grabbed her stuff. She went outside and saw her dad waiting for her.

Skye went over and got in.

"Hey, Dad," Skye said.

"Hey, Peanut," he said.

He started to drive once her seatbelt was done up.

"How are you feeling?" Steve asked.

"Fine, doesn't even hurt anymore," Skye said.

"I had a conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Nelson," Steve said.

"Okay," Skye said hesitantly.

"Don't worry. It wasn't bad, exactly," Steve said.

"Okay, what was said?" Skye asked.

"They are concerned about Tucker. They think he is still involved in things, and spending time with people he shouldn't be. And assumed you were, too," Steve said.

"I don't think he is. We were just talking about it last night. We both have changed," Skye said.

"I assured them that if you were in any kind of trouble I would know, and that you and Tucker have spent very little time together. Most of the time has been at the compound, so I didn't know how you two could have gotten into trouble together," Steve said.

Skye nodded. "Well, no, we haven't been in any trouble together. And I don't even know if Tucker would have the time to get into trouble. Between school and work, he has like no time."

"Maybe you're right. You certainly know him better than I do. But is it possible he hasn't been honest with you?" Steve asked.

"No, Dad. I'd know if he was," Skye said.

"Okay, well I trust you. And if you find out he is. I'm trusting you will do the right thing," Steve said.

"If I'm wrong, which I truly don't think I am. I will do what I have to, to keep myself out of trouble," Skye said.

"Perfect," Steve said. "Mr. Fields told me how you were honest about what happened yesterday. And how respectful you were through the whole thing," Steve said.

Skye nodded.

"I'm proud of you, Skye," Steve said.

Skye smiled. "Thank you, Daddy."

Steve smiled and nodded.

They got home and went inside. Skye went into the kitchen where there were a few cherry cheesecakes on the counter. Skye's eyes lit up.

Pepper smiled. "For dessert after dinner."

"Okay," Skye said.

"If you're hungry, there are plenty of snacks though. I did the grocery shopping today," Pepper said.

Skye found some blackberries in the fridge, put some in a bowl, and sat at the table.

"How are you feeling?" Pepper asked.

"I take it everyone knows?" Skye asked.

Pepper nodded. "Yes."

"I'm okay," Skye said. "I hate that it came to an end the way it did, I'm but glad it's seemingly done."

"How much does your friend know about what his cousin has been doing?" Pepper asked.

"All of it," Skye said. "He's the only person I still have contact with from my past for a reason. I trust him. He trusts me. We are honest with each other."

"It's good to have friends we can be our true selves with," Pepper said.

Skye smiled and nodded. She finished her snack before she put her bowl in the dishwasher and went to her room. She took out her violin and sat on her bed, crossing her legs in front of her and practicing.

Steve smiled hearing his daughter playing the violin.

"Did you ever play any instrument?" Pepper asked. The two were in the kitchen prepping dinner.

"No," Steve said. "Her mom did, violin too."

"Does Skye know?" Pepper asked.

"Yes, she didn't before she brought home the violin for the first time. I knew she was taking music, but I didn't know what instrument she had picked until she brought it home," Steve said.

Pepper nodded. "She picked the same as her mother without knowing?"

"Yes," Steve said. "And when she found out she was happy."

Pepper smiled and nodded. "She is probably happy to find something that connects her to her mother, even if it's something small."

Steve nodded.

Morgan came skipping into the kitchen. "That music is so pretty."

Pepper smiled. "That's Skye playing the violin."

"Ooh! I wanna see," Morgan said, running toward Skye's room and knocking on the door.

Skye stopped playing. "Yes?"

Morgan went in. "You can play music?"

"Kind of. I'm learning," Skye said with a smile.

"It's so pretty," Morgan said.

"Thanks, but I still have a lot of room for improvement," Skye said.

"I think you are a natural," Pepper said from the door. "Morgan, you should leave her be. She is learning this to play at the Christmas concert her school is having soon."

"Can I come to the concert?" Morgan asked, her eyes lighting up.

"I am seeing how many extra tickets I can get," Skye said. "And I don't mind her hanging out while I practice."

"How many are you currently guaranteed?" Pepper asked.

"Two, and I already promised the second one to Wanda," Skye said. "Obviously, the first one is my dad's"

Pepper smiled and nodded. "I assumed your dad was getting the first one."

"Every student gets two tickets guaranteed. There are more tickets, but the older students get first pick. I'm on the list, but there are a lot of people who are ahead of me, so it depends if there are any left when they get to my name," Skye said.

Pepper nodded. "Makes sense."

"If I get a few more, I'll save one for you," Skye told Morgan. "If that's okay with you," she told Pepper.

"Of course. And if you get enough, I'd like to come too," Pepper said.

"The next two have your names on them," Skye said with a smile.

"Bucky, doesn't want to go support you?" Pepper asked.

Skye tilted her head. "Why would he want to more than anyone else?"

Pepper smirked. "I know."

"Know what?" Skye asked with a smirk.

"They think they are better at hiding it than they are," Pepper said.

"Don't know what you're talking about," Skye said, unable to keep herself from chuckling.

"Okay," Pepper said.

"Bucky has not said anything about wanting to come," Skye said, shrugging.

Pepper nodded. "Well, if you can get those tickets I would love to come and support you."

Skye smiled and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

"Well, Morgan since Skye is okay with you staying you can, but you have to be quiet so she can practice," Pepper said. "If she becomes a distraction, you can send her out," Pepper told Skye.

Skye nodded.

Pepper left the room, closing the door behind her and going into the kitchen.

Skye quickly texted her dad, "I did not tell her but Pepper seems to know about you and Buck," before she went back to playing her violin.

Steve checked his phone and chuckled as Pepper came back into the kitchen.

"My daughter seems to think you have picked up on something," Steve said.

Pepper chuckled. "I know what you want me to know."

Steve nodded.

"But, Bucky isn't interested in going and seeing her play in her concert?" Pepper asked.

"He is, but she only gets two tickets and already promised the second one to Wanda," Steve said.

"She is trying to get more," Pepper said.

"Yes, but it doesn't sound like she will have much of a shot," Steve said.

"She thinks he isn't interested, and she didn't say it, but I think she is kind of bothered by it," Pepper said.

"Damn, I didn't think she cared," Bucky said from behind, having come into the kitchen at that moment.

Steve and Pepper looked behind them.

"Buck, I didn't think she did either," Steve said.

"You two are damn fools," Pepper said.

They both looked at her.

"She knows you two are involved. She knows you are important to her dad. Of course, she cares," Pepper said.

"How do you know we are involved?" Bucky asked.

"Because you two are not as secretive as you think you are," Pepper said.

"Who else knows?" Steve asked.

"Tony, other than that I don't know," Pepper said.

"I'll talk to Skye," Bucky said.

"We both will," Steve said.

Steve and Bucky both went, and Bucky knocked on Skye's door.

Skye stopped playing, "Yes?"

They went in.

"Morgan, we want to talk to Skye," Steve said.

Morgan got up and left the room. Steve closed the door behind her, and they both sat at the end of her bed.

"Skye, I absolutely want to support you," Bucky said.

Skye looked down.

"I didn't think you would be able to get more tickets, and you already promised the second one to Wanda. We didn't want you to think you needed to give one to Bucky because of our relationship," Steve said.

Skye nodded a little, not looking up.

"Hey, look at me," Bucky said.

Skye looked up.

"Kid, you are important to me. I want to support your things. If you can get more tickets, I want to be there," Bucky said.

"You're not just saying that because Pepper told you I wanted you to be there?" Skye asked.

"No," Bucky said. "I honestly didn't think you cared if I was there."

"I do," Skye said.

"Okay, well, I want to be there," Bucky said.

"Okay," Skye said. "I'll give you a ticket if I can get more."

"Good," Bucky said. "I know you and your dad are a package deal. I wouldn't have started dating him if I didn't want you in my life, too," he told her.

Skye smiled.

"Why didn't you tell me how you were feeling?" Steve asked.

"I didn't want anyone to feel bad," Skye said softly, looking down.

Steve lifted her chin. "So it's better for you to feel bad?"

Skye shrugged.

"You can always come talk to me," Steve said.

"Ditto for me," Bucky said.

"Okay," Skye said.

Steve opened his arms, and Skye went over and hugged him. When they broke the hug Skye looked at Bucky.

"Come here," Bucky said.

Skye smiled and went over hugging him, too.

"Now, I think I should let you know it is starting to come out that Bucky and I are involved. So don't be surprised if you hear anyone talking about it," Steve said.

Skye nodded. "I promise I didn't tell anyone."

"I know, Peanut," Steve said. "I didn't think you did."

"Apparently we are not as secretive as we thought," Bucky said with a smirk.

Skye giggled.

Steve smiled and shook his head. "Now, I think you have been interrupted enough."

Bucky and Steve got up and left her to her practice, closing the door behind them.