Skye was in the city with Morgan a few weeks after her birthday. It was the day to buy Morgan some new earrings. Tony had dropped the two off and told Skye to call him when they were done. Skye took her into a mid-ranged jewelry boutique.
"I can get any earrings I want?" Morgan asked.
"Anything that makes sense for someone your age yes," Skye said. "And has to be either real gold or surgical steel. Ears can be really sensitive to other materials and can irritate your ears. It wouldn't be fun. I don't know if you would have that problem. But I don't want to find out."
"Okay," Morgan said.
Skye smiled at the employee. "Hello. Looking for earrings for this young lady."
"Well, that's exciting. How long have you had your ears pierced?" the woman asked with a smile.
"Um," Morgan said.
"Two months," Skye said with a smile.
"Okay, well let's see what you like," the woman said with a smile.
Skye picked her up and let her look in the display case and she pointed out a few she liked and the employee took them out so they could get a better look. Her eyes lit up when she saw a pair of bunny earrings. "Ooh, the bunnies."
The woman took them out.
Skye looked. "Um. No. Not those ones."
"Why not?" Morgan asked
"Just trust me they are not appropriate," Skye said
"So sorry," the woman said. "I was not paying attention. "I have other bunny ones," the woman said grabbing them and showing them to Morgan.
"I like the other ones better," Morgan said.
"Morgan. Those are not an option," Skye said.
"Why not? They are bunnies," Morgan said.
Skye put Morgan down and got down to her level. "Those are for a very specific brand. And it is not a brand that is appropriate for you. Or for me for that matter. You have to believe me. If I let you get those your parents would kick my butt. Before my parents have a go at me."
Morgan sighed, "Fine."
Skye stood up and picked her back up. "So which ones do you like other than those?"
Morgan pointed out a pair of little butterflies.
"Those are my favorite too," Skye said with a smile. "We will take them."
"Perfect," the woman said with a smile.
Skye set Morgan down and went to pay for them.
"I am so sorry about that," the woman said as she put the earrings in a box and handed them to Skye once they were paid for.
"It's okay," Skye said taking the box. "Just glad she didn't throw a fit."
She looked back and smiled at Morgan. "Do you want to hold them?"
"Yes!" Morgan said.
Skye handed them to her, "Okay. Do you want to go get lunch before we call your Dad? We can get burgers."
"Yes, please," Morgan said.
They went to leave the store and the alarm went off and the doors locked as a preventative measure.
Skye looked confused.
The woman was putting away the earrings they had looked at and the "bunnies" were missing. She went over.
"So I am missing the "bunnies." I need to see your purse," the woman said to Skye,
"Of course," Skye said handing it over.
The woman opened it and found them and took them out. "You two need to come and have a seat in the office," the woman said shaking her head.
Skye swallowed hard and went gently pulling Morgan along.
Skye sat down and didn't say a word to Morgan.
Morgan sat down.
"What do I need to do so you don't call the police?" Skye asked.
"Oh I'm calling the police," the woman said as she dialed.
This was bad. With her record, she was in big trouble.
About half an hour later Officer Robbins came in.
Skye groaned internally.
"Skyler Rogers. Wow. I really thought you had changed," Officer Robbins said.
"I'm not speaking to you without a parent or guardian. And neither is she," Skye said.
"Well then I guess we can take a ride down to the station," Officer Robbins said.
"Fine," Skye said.
The three left and went to the station. Morgan was terrified.
Skye was put in an interrogation room and Morgan went to a different room with someone who was going to keep an eye on her.
"Call your parents," Officer Robbins said.
Skye called Tony knowing her dads were out of town for a work thing.
"Hey Skye, you two ready?" Tony asked.
"Uncle Tony. I need you to stay calm. Neither Morgan nor I are hurt," she quickly added
"Okay. What happened?" Tony asked.
"I have been arrested," Skye said. "For shoplifting."
"Skyler Sarah Rogers," Tony said, "With my daughter with you?!"
"I'm sorry," Skye said. "We are at the station."
"I will be there shortly, I am so disappointed in you," Tony said.
"Yes, Sir," she said softly.
Tony made his way there and when he got there he first asked to see Morgan and was shown to the room where she was playing with another officer.
"Come here squirt," Tony said opening his arms.
Morgan went over and Tony picked her up "Are you okay?"
Morgan nodded.
"Are you sure?" Tony asked.
"Yes Daddy," she said softly. "Where is Skye?"
"I'm going to go talk to her and the officers. See what happened," Tony said
"O- okay," Morgan said.
Tony set Morgan down and was led to the room where Skye was sitting doing everything to hold back the tears.
"What did she supposedly steal?" Tony asked
The officer held up the earrings.
"Playboy bunnies. Really? I need to talk to her alone and here is her lawyer," he said handing the officer Jennifer's card before he left the room.
"Skyler, have you completely lost your mind?!" Tony asked loudly.
Skye flinched. Tony had never yelled at her like that.
"Do you have any idea how terrified Morgan is right now?" Tony asked
"It's not my fault," Skye said tears falling.
"Not your fault? Not your fault? You stole while she was with you!" Tony said. "I know you have done stupid things before. I know you are going to make mistakes. But with my nine-year-old daughter?! What kind of example did you just set for her! Pepper and I have trusted you with her so many times. What else have you done with her around?"
Skye wiped at her eyes but didn't say anything.
"Oh no. You are going to explain yourself to me. Now," Tony said.
Skye shook her head.
Tony took a breath to calm himself. "I am not opposed to spanking you in this room."
"I'm sorry," Skye said.
"I'm not asking for an apology. I'm telling you to tell me what the hell you were thinking!" Tony said loudly.
"I'm not telling you anything until Jennifer gets here," Skye said.
Tony shook his head. "Every bit of trust I had in you. It's gone."
Skye started to sob. Her heart was breaking. She didn't trust no one was on the other side of the mirror and she didn't want to say what she needed to. She would tell him the truth when she was sure no police would hear her. It hurt her so much to hear the things Tony was saying. To be fair if she had done what she was accused of his anger would be valid so she couldn't blame him for saying it when he thought she had done it.
Jennifer came into the room fifteen minutes later.
"Thank you for coming Jen," Tony said.
"Of course," she looked at the officers who had shown her in. "I need to talk to my client alone. No recordings. No one in that room."
"Of course," the officer said
"I don't want Tony in the room either," Skye said.
"If you want my help I'm in the room," Tony said.
"I don't need your help," Skye said. "Take Morgan and go home."
"Like hell I am," Tony said.
"Tony, let me talk to her alone," Jennifer said.
Tony shook his head and left the room.
"Shoplifting? That's a new one for you isn't it?" Jennifer asked.
"You're sure no one is listening in?" Skye asked.
"They can't legally," Jennifer said.
"It wasn't me. It was Morgan. I don't want her to have a record," Skye said.
"How old is she again?" Jennifer asked.
"Nine," Skye said.
"Skye come on you know this. A nine-year-old isn't going to be charged with anything. Tony might have to pay for what she stole but you with your record, are going to juvie for this," Jennifer said.
"But I haven't been in trouble in so long," Skye said.
"Not long enough," Jennifer said. She left the room. "Tony get in here."
Tony went in and the door closed.
"Tell him," Jennifer said. "No one is listening. See what he thinks."
"I wasn't the one who stole it. Morgan did. She wanted those earrings. But I know what they are so I said no. I bought her other ones and she slipped those in my purse somehow when my back was turned. I don't want her to get a record for this," Skye said.
The color drained from Tony's face. He almost fell into the open chair and put his head in his hands. He had just gone at Skye and she hadn't done it. She was protecting his daughter and she had taken a real tongue lashing from him. When he had a second to wrap his mind around it he looked at Skye "Why didn't you tell me? Why did you sit there and let me go at you like I did and not tell me?"
"I didn't trust there was no one on the other side of the mirror," Skye said.
"Damn it, Skye. I can not protect you or my daughter without the full story," Tony said
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"Tony. I'm not sure you know. Morgan isn't going to have a record from this. You might have to pay for what she stole and she might be banned from that store but that would be the extent of it. Skye is going to Juvie if she is convicted," Jennifer said.
"Oh. I don't care if Morgan gets a record for this. I mean yes I do care but she's the one who did it. Skye is not taking the hit," Tony said.
"Tony. I can handle it," Skye said.
"Skyler Sarah Rogers. I will not hear another word about this. I am getting Morgan and she is telling Officer Robbins the truth," Tony said.
"But," Skye said.
"Skyler. No," Tony said getting up. "End of discussion."
He left the room and went to where Morgan was. He sat in a chair. "Come here," he said to her.
Morgan went over.
Tony put his hands on her arms. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Morgan shook her head.
"Morgan, Skye is going to go to jail for this. Are you sure?" Tony asked.
Morgan swallowed hard and nodded.
"Morgan Harriet. Stark. I have never been more disappointed in you," Tony said "Skye told me the truth. She told me that after she had been so kind to you and took you to get a pair of earrings, you put the only ones she told you that you could not have in her purse. You stole Morgan. And you are letting Skye take the blame."
"I don't want to go to jail," she sobbed out.
"Morgan. You won't be. You are in big trouble with me. But because of your age and the fact that you have never been in trouble before you aren't going to be going to jail," Tony said. "Skye is older. And in the past did some stupid things. And this would be what put her in jail."
"I don't want her to go to jail!" Morgan sobbed.
"We are going to go talk to the officers. You are going to tell them the truth," Tony said hugging her.
Morgan nodded. "I'm sorry Daddy."
Tony nodded, got up, and led her to the integration room.
Jennifer went and got Officer Robbins who came back in. "Oh. What is she doing in here?"
"Morgan tell him the truth," Tony said sternly.
"It wasn't Skye. It was me," she said softly looking down.
Officer Robbins looked at Skye.
"Of course, you think I'm making her say that," Skye mumbled.
"No. I was not thinking that," Officer Robbins said. "I was wondering why you did not tell me that."
"I'm not letting her get a record," Skye said.
Officer Robbins looked at Morgan "How old are you young lady?" he asked sternly.
"Nine," she said softly half hiding behind Tony's legs
"Skyler. The first time you were arrested. How old were you?" Officer Robbins asked.
"I don't know ten, eleven," Skye said.
"And did you get a record the first time?" Officer Robbins asked.
"I don't know," Skye said.
"You do know. Because I remember telling you that if you continued after you turned twelve you would start getting a record. And when I arrested you on your twelfth birthday I told you that your record was starting. Do you not remember that?" Officer Robbins said.
"I don't remember most of my birthdays from my time in care," Skye said.
Officer Robbins nodded. "She is nine. I'm sure she is in trouble with her dad and I don't know if the store is going to want some sort of monetary compensation but she is not going to have a record."
"Oh," Skye said.
"But with your record, you would be going to jail for this," Officer Robbins said.
Skye nodded a little.
"You were willing to go to jail to keep her from having a single mark on her record?" Officer Robbins asked.
Skye nodded.
"I don't know if that is more honorable or stupid," Officer Robbins said.
"Stupid," Tony said.
Officer Robbins looked at Morgan. "You young lady come here," he said pointing to the spot in front of him.
Morgan shook her head.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Come here," he said.
"Skye says you're one of the mean officers," Morgan said.
Tony looked at Skye.
"I never said that to her!" Skye said.
Tony pushed Morgan towards the man. "He's not going to hurt you."
Morgan went and stood in front of him.
"What you did was against the law. Now the law is very clear. All I can do is send you home with your dad. But if you keep doing things like this you will be in trouble when you are older," Officer Robbins said sternly.
Morgan nodded. "I won't do it again."
"Okay, good," he said. "You can go back to your dad." Morgan went back quickly.
"Both of them are free to go. But I do want to talk to Skye. Probably better without Morgan in the room," Officer Robbins said.
Tony took her out, "Skyler be respectful you are not in trouble with me but you will be if you are disrespectful."
Skye nodded.
"Do you really think I'm mean?" Officer Robbins asked Skye.
"Can you honestly tell me you never lied to get me to confess to things?" Skye asked
"Skyler," Jennifer said warningly.
"No. It's okay. Yes. I did. But that's because I knew you had done other things. And Skyler you needed to be held accountable for the things you were doing," Officer Robbins said.
"No I needed someone who just saw how much I needed someone to care," Skye mumbled.
"I'm sorry you had a shitty start to life. And I'm sorry you were in crappy foster homes. Had I known I would have helped you. I did everything I could knowing what I knew," Officer Robbins said. "I'm sorry that what I had to do as my job makes you think I'm a bad police officer but I was doing my job."
Skye nodded.
Officer Robbins looked at Jennifer. "What I say doesn't get repeated."
"I don't hear a thing," Jennifer said.
"Do you think I didn't know you left Tucker's name off that last night you got picked up?" Officer Robbins asked. "You really think I didn't know he left your name off lists?"
Skye opened her mouth to say something but she closed it.
"You two were always getting in trouble together. I knew. You know why I didn't call you or him on it?" Officer Robbins asked.
Skye shook her head.
"Because I wanted to make sure that no matter what you two always had each other," Officer Robbins said. "I could have been in big trouble for looking the other way but I did it."
"Thank you," Skye said. "You have no idea how much it means to know you did that. Because I would not have survived what I did without him."
"You two both have come so far. Don't let someone else's mistakes. No matter who they are ruin your future," Officer Robbins said.
"Yes, Sir," Skye said.
"I don't think you have ever called me Sir without a tone behind it," Officer Robbins said.
"I have never felt respected by you until this conversation," Skye said. "And when I am respected I respect that person back."
Officer Robbins nodded. "So in the future, you will be straight with me?"
"Yes," Skye said.
"Okay. Go," Officer Robbins said.
Skye got up and left the room with Jennifer behind.
"Everything go okay?" Tony asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
Jennifer nodded to Tony. "I think they have come to an understanding."
"Alright. Thank you for coming Jennifer. You two, let's go home," Tony said.
"Thanks, Jen," Skye said before she left with Tony and Morgan
"Where are the earrings I actually bought for you Morgan?" Skye asked.
"I have them," Tony said. "I will give them to you. But I don't think she deserves them after this."
"Yeah I was not going to let her keep them," Skye said.
"Okay," Tony said as they all got into the car.
When they got home Tony looked at Morgan "Your room. Now."
Morgan went quickly.
Tony looked at Skye. "I do want to have a conversation with you. I'm not angry but we do need to talk. Do you want to do that now or do you want to rest because you look exhausted."
"I want to rest," Skye said.
"Go. But when your dads get home you need to tell them what happened. All of it," Tony said.
"I will," Skye said.
Tony went and found Pepper in their bedroom nursing James.
"What's wrong?" Pepper asked as soon as she saw his face. "Morgan okay?"
"Yes. Everyone is okay," Tony said quickly.
James finished nursing and Pepper put him in the crib in their room. Once she was sat back down she looked at Tony who had sat on the end of their bed.
"I just picked up Skye and Morgan from the police station. Skye almost added shoplifting to her record. Which would have been a one-way ticket to jail. But wasn't her who stole. She was ready to jump in front of a bus so Morgan didn't end up with a record."
"Morgan stole?!" Pepper asked
"Yes. She noticed a pair of earrings she liked. Skye saw them and told her flat-out no. They were the Playboy symbol. Skye tried to explain to her the best she could about why she couldn't have them but Morgan didn't want to take no. So when Skye was buying her the ones she agreed to. Morgan put them in Skye's purse. Skye was blamed and to make matters worse it was the one officer that I'm pretty sure Skye would punch if she could who picked them up. Skye didn't tell me it wasn't her. Until after Jen got there. And after I told her off like I had never before. I scared her," Tony said.
"Tony, you can't be expected to know things when she doesn't tell you. And had she stolen with our daughter there I would have ripped her a new one too," Pepper said.
Tony nodded.
"Tony, do you want me to deal with Morgan?" Pepper asked
"No," Tony said. "But I'm going to need to borrow your hairbrush."
Pepper nodded.
"I just can't believe she did this, and she was willing to let Skye take the blame and Skye had just spent over a hundred dollars on the earrings she paid for," Tony said.
"Skye told you how much she spent?" Pepper asked.
"No. I have the bag with the receipt. Morgan is not getting them. I'll give them to Skye but Morgan is not getting rewarded. And Skye agrees," Tony said
"Okay," Pepper said.
Tony got up and took the hairbrush from Pepper's dresser, went to Morgan's room, and knocked.
"Yes?" Morgan said softly.
Tony went in and sat on the bed putting the hairbrush next to him.
"Come here," Tony said sternly,
Morgan went over to him. Tony held her chin so she had to look at him.
"Stealing today was not okay. It will never be okay. And I am disappointed in you for that. But I am more disappointed in you for letting Skye take the blame. And had she not told Jennifer and me she would be in a jail cell right now," Tony said.
Morgan nodded. "I'm sorry, Daddy."
"I hear you. But you are going to be punished. And it's going to hurt," Tony said.
"No Daddy. I'm sorry," she whined.
"As I said I hear you're sorry. But that is not going to be enough this time Morgan," Tony said. He pushed her pants and underwear down and put her over his lap. He started right away with his hand. Covering her backside in steady swats. He needed to do this. But he also did not want to prolong it. He wanted this done so they could move on.
Morgan squirmed and kicked, "Daddy no!"
"Morgan fighting this is only going to make me go harder," Tony said.
"But Daddy it hurts!" Morgan cried out.
"It's supposed to," Tony said.
When Morgan was opening sobbing Tony picked up the brush and steeled his heart before he gave her six with that. When he was done he could barely hear the sobs anymore.
He fixed her clothes and sat her up in his lap and held her tight. "It's all over. It's forgiven," he said softly.
Morgan sobbed into him for a long time until she sobbed herself to sleep. Tony tucked her in bed before he left her room and went back to his and Pepper's and sat on the bed.
He put his head in his hands. He thought they were teaching Morgan better than this. To steal and blame someone else did not seem like something his sweet nine-year-old daughter would do. Sure she had been pushing boundaries lately. He knew that was common, especially with the change of a new baby. But she hurt Skye by letting her take the blame. Someone who was always so good to Morgan.
Tony also felt like a pretty shit person for not verifying that Skye had stolen anything. He had just thought about her past. Which was completely unfair. If people only looked at his past he would never have become what he had. He had been so quick to defend Tucker when someone was talking down about him to him. And yes he would always do the same for Skye but he had only thought of her past and not who he knew her to be that day. He had a lot of work to do to make it up to Skye.
