Skye was packing for the Barton's. She had managed to get all but one of her summer reading list books read and her dad had said she could go.

She put the last things in her bag and zipped it up before picking it up from her bed and going out to find her dad waiting for her.

"You ready?" Steve asked.

"I am," Skye said.

Steve and Skye went to where the Quinjet was kept and Steve flew her to Iowa. When they got there Skye got out and hugged Nate who was the first out of the house when he saw the Quinjet.

"Hey Nate," Skye said with a smile.

Steve got off the jet as well and said hello to Laura who was out of the house only a few seconds after Nate.

Lila was out next and said hello to Skye and Steve.

Skye hugged Laura and Lila as well before Steve hugged her.

"Stay out of trouble," Steve told her before he handed her bag to her.

Skye smiled and hugged her dad. "I will," she took the bag.

"Tell Clint I say hello," Steve said before he headed off.

Clint was out on the farm with Cooper doing some work.

Skye went inside to Lila's room where she dropped her bag before she and Lila headed outside to walk the grounds.

Skye loved the Barton's land more than the compound at this point. She figured it probably had to do with the fact she was always at the compound but rarely at the Barton's.

When they saw Clint and Cooper, Skye waved and got waves back before she and Lila went to where they had a tire swing. Both girls climbed on standing up on either side holding the rope and forced it to start swinging.

"So, how are things with Tucker?" Lila asked.

"Good, he is currently doing an engineering summer program for high school seniors at NYU," Skye said.

"That's awesome," Lila said.

"You two taken any steps to further your relationship?" Lila asked with a smirk.

Skye chuckled, "Yes because that would be possible at the compound where my door has to be opened if he is in my room."

"There are dozens of places you could find to hide away with him at the compound," Lila said still smirking.

"Probably. But no. I'm not ready for that step anyway," Skye said.

"Fair enough," Lila said.

"You seeing anyone?" Skye asked.

"Been on a couple of dates with a guy. He's cool. But not sure if it's going to go anywhere. Not sure we have similar goals in mind," Lila said.

"I'm sorry. You will find someone perfect. I'm sure of it," Skye said.

"You fully recovered from the Hydra things?" Lila asked.

"Physically yeah," Skye said, "I went and visited Sasha at the SHIELD prison."

"Oh shit. How did that go?" Lila asked

Skye signaled that she wanted to sit and both girls sat on the swing their legs hanging in the hole in the middle.

"You were kinda right. She knew I was her half-sister at the mall. I guess Victoria. That's my mother's name. I guess she had convinced Sasha to get close to you before she knew our relation and Sasha only found out around the mall time and Victora basically decided she didn't care about Sasha anymore with me being closer. Sasha was jealous and set me up hoping it would make Victoria not want anything to do with me. But Victoria found out what happened and was furious with Sasha. Sasha only stayed with Hydra in hopes of getting in Victoria's good books again," Skye said. "Sasha didn't get any of the abilities I have from Victoria."

"Wow," Lila said.

"I'm sorry you and your family were caught in the middle of this," Skye said.

"I already told you I don't blame you and neither do my parents or Cooper. Nate doesn't know anything but I'm sure he wouldn't blame you if he did," Lila said

Skye nodded.

"I mean it," Lila said.

Skye let out a breath. "Okay."

"Good," Lila said.

The two girls stood back up and kept swinging.

Cooper came over to them about an hour later. "Lila. Your boyfriend showed up. You might want to move before Dad scares him off."

"I don't have a boyfriend," Lila said.

"He said he's your boyfriend," Cooper said.

Lila got down and ran towards the house.

"Did he actually say he was her boyfriend?" Skye asked as she sat down on the swing.

"Nope," Cooper said with a smirk.

Skye laughed and took out her phone. "She is going to kick your ass."

"Yeah. Probably," Cooper said before he grabbed her phone. "Come on let me have my fun."

Skye sighed, "How is Renee?"

"She's good. I mentioned you were coming to visit she told me that she wants to see you. She thinks you are pretty cool," Cooper said

Skye chuckled, "Am I cool or is it Heir America that is cool?"

"She thought you were cool before she knew that about you," Cooper said.

"Okay," Skye said.

"So, my friend and I are going bowling in a few days. I have already invited Lila and you are invited too," Cooper said.

Skye smiled, "Okay. Thank you."

Cooper's phone went off with a text and he looked and smirked.

"Lila?" Skye asked with a smirk.

"No. My dad. But I'm getting told off," Cooper said chuckling. "And told to come back to the house and bring you."

Skye chuckled and jumped off the swing and the two walked back to the house.

When he got inside Lila narrowed her eyes at Cooper.

"Where is the boyfriend?" Cooper asked with a smirk and got rewarded with a smack upside the head from his father.

Cooper squawked and moved away out of his father's reach.

Skye covered her mouth to hide the smirk.

"Do you know what he did?" Lila asked.

"Yeah, he mentioned it after you left," Skye said.

"You could have texted me and warned me!" Lila said

"I tried," Skye said.

"Oh yeah," Cooper said with a smirk. He took Skye's phone out of his pocket and handed it back to her.

Lila got up and went and punched Cooper in the arm. "Ass."

Skye took her phone and moved out of the way.

"Cooper that wasn't nice. Now all of you sit," Laura said.

They all sat down to eat.

After they ate and the table was cleared Skye went with Lila to her room.

"How bad was it?" Skye asked

"I got back here and asked him why he told my brother he was my boyfriend. And he looked equal parts confused and embarrassed," Lila said. "My mom quickly came in and said that he didn't that Cooper was messing with me,"

Skye let out a chuckle and shook her head.

"So not funny," Lila said.

"I agree it wasn't really funny," Skye said. "Did it end okay with the guy?"

"Yeah. I guess. Like I said I didn't see it going anywhere anyway so when he was evidently embarrassed away it's not the end of the world," Lila said

"I'm sorry," Skye said. "But if a joke scares him away not worth it in my opinion."

"Yeah you're right," Lila said.

"You are eighteen now. You could try online dating if you wanted to," Skye said.

Lila shrugged, "I have signed up for a couple of the apps."

"The kind you swipe right for?" Skye asked.

"Yes," Lila said. "And no I'm not letting you look at it. My parents would kill me if I let you."

Skye chuckled. "fair enough."

A couple of days later Skye, Lila, and Cooper were heading out to go bowling with his friends.

"I'm going to tell Renee what you did to me," Lila told her brother sticking her tongue out at him as they got into his car.

Cooper chuckled, "Go ahead."

Skye stayed quiet smirking in the back of the car as they drove to the bowling alley. When they got there and went inside and met with Cooper's friends. After they all got their shoes and were given a lane they started to bowl. It was decided that it would be boys versus girls playing since it evened out with Skye there.

"So, I hear you have a boyfriend now," Renee said to Skye.

"I do," Skye said with a smile pulling out her phone and pulling up a picture of the two of them.

"Oh my gosh, he is a cutie," Renee said.

"I'm standing right here you know," Cooper said.

Renee looked up at him and smiled, "Yes. I can see you there."

Cooper smiled and shook his head.

Skye laughed.

"It's your turn to bowl," Lila told her brother with a smirk.

"I know. And you can tell her I really don't care," Cooper said before he went and picked up a ball.

"Tell me what?" Renee asked.

Lila informed Cooper's girlfriend what he had done to her.

Renee shook her head. "Don't worry. I'll get him back for you."

Lila smiled, "thank you."

Cooper came over after he bowled and Lila got up to take her turn.

Renee raised her eyebrow at Cooper. "That wasn't nice."

"Come on. It was hilarious. Right, Skye?" Cooper asked

Skye chuckled, "I tried to warn Lila. You took my phone so I couldn't."

"I saw the smirk on your face when we got back to the house," Cooper said.

"Yeah. Because you got what was coming to you," Skye said.

Cooper sighed.

"Skye like me is a girls girl. I will always take her side," Renee said with a smirk.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Cooper said to Lila.

Lila smirked, "good."

Skye chuckled and went to take her turn getting a strike.

"Damn, beginners luck?" Cooper asked.

Skye shrugged, "I guess."

Lila was biting her tongue to not laugh. She had remembered how well Skye had played on her birthday which is why she didn't argue guys against girls.

Cooper tilted his head. "You're not part of some bowling league or something are you?"

"Nope," Skye said with a smile. "I have played before but not in any leagues or on any bowling team."

"Okay," Cooper said before the game continued.

Skye sat back down next to Renee.

"Are you just really good at bowling?" Renee asked quietly.

Skye chuckled and responded quietly with a yes.

"We went bowling for her birthday last year she kicked everyone else's ass," Lila said quietly. "Why do you think I didn't argue guys against girls? They think they are all big shots and better than us. They don't know about our secret weapon."

Renee laughed. "They have no idea what they have done."

"Right?" Lila said.

Skye smirked.

They kept playing and with every round of Skye getting all strikes and spares the girl's smirks grew and the guys' faces got more annoyed.

"Cooper, did you know she could play so well?" one of the guys Kevin asked.

"I didn't. But I get the feeling Lila did," Cooper said looking at his sister.

"Did I forget to mention that? Oops," Lila said with a smirk.

"She's probably using some superhuman ability," the other guy Freddy mumbled

"What?" Cooper asked.

"Nothing, don't worry about it. Let's just keep playing," Freddy said.

Skye had heard him and it stung.

They kept playing and Skye's mood was affecting her focus on the game leading to her not doing as well, which caused Freddy to smirk.

Skye sat down after she got three gutter balls.

"You okay?" Lila asked.

"Yeah. Just off suddenly," Skye said.

"Not the pressure to beat the guys getting to you, is it? It really doesn't matter," Lila said.

Skye smiled and shook her head, "No."

"And you're sure nothing is wrong?" Lila asked

"Yeah I'm sure," Skye said

When it came to the last round and everyone but Skye and Freddy had played the score was pretty even.

Both teams cheered on their player and both players went up. Skye took a breath. She needed to not let Freddy's opinion get to her. They both threw and got a strike on their first throw.

Skye picked up the next ball and noticed Freddy not getting ready for his next throw. Skye looked back at him, "You know there is another throw for us."

"I know how to bowl," Freddy said.

"Okay," Skye said.

"He is just trying to psych you out," Renne called out to her.

Skye snorted and rolled her eyes.

She threw her next ball and got a strike.

"How are you doing it?" He mumbled

"The same way you are," Skye answered before picking up her last ball and waiting for the pins to reset.

Freddy picked up his second ball and threw it getting a strike also.

"The difference is I have bowled on teams and leagues since I was six," Freddy said.

"Guess I just have a natural talent for it. I have bowled before," Skye said.

"Mhm," he said.

"I heard what you accused me of. And I'm going to tell you that I would never cheat. That completely defeats the purpose of having fun. And clearly, I don't need to cheat, because I'm winning," Skye said before bowling her final ball missing two pins. She sighed and went and sat back down.

Freddy had a smirk on his face. He could win this with a strike. He threw the ball ending up missing four pins. "Damn it." He said

Lila and Renee cheered. Skye smiled a little.

"We won!" Lila said.

"I know," Skye said smiling a little more and celebrating with the other two.

"Okay winners, milkshakes on me," Cooper said smiling and leading the group to the snack bar and getting milkshakes for the three.

On the drive home, Skye was quiet in the back.

"You okay?" Lila asked

Skye didn't hear her.

"Skye?" Lila said.

Skye was surprised out of her thoughts, "Sorry, what?"

"Are you okay?" Lila asked

"Yeah," Skye said with a fake smile.

"You played really well," Cooper said.

"Thanks," Skye said.

"Can't believe you two managed to get past me that you could bowl so well," Cooper said.

Lila smirked. "Not my fault you agreed to guys vs girls when Freddy suggested it."

"Fair enough," Cooper said with a chuckle.

"It's good he lost, takes him down a couple of pegs," Lila said.

"Lila, that is my friend you are talking about," Cooper said.

"I know, but it's true. He has such a big ego," Lila said

"Yeah. Sometimes, Skye what was he saying to you by the way?" Cooper asked Skye.

"Hrm? When?" Skye asked.

"When you were bowling the last frame," Cooper said.

"Just trying to psych me out," Skye said.

"Okay yeah. He has a hard time with losing," Cooper said.

"He didn't lose by much," Skye said shrugging.

"Yeah. Because you were off for half the game," Lila said.

Skye shrugged again.

"You sure you're okay?" Cooper asked looking in the rearview mirror at her.

"Yeah," Skye said with a small smile.

The next day when Lila woke up at six she saw Skye was already up. She got up and went downstairs but couldn't find her. She looked outside but couldn't see her. She tried calling her phone and she heard it ring inside. She followed the sound and found Skye's phone was still plugged in, in her bedroom. Lila shook her head and thought to herself that Skye better show up before either of her parents woke up.

When Skye had gone to bed the night before she hadn't been able to fall asleep so at around three she had quietly left the house and went for a run and had ended up getting turned around and was kind of lost. She knew she was in trouble when the sun was coming up and she was not back yet but she had left her phone at the house and she didn't know what to do.

When Clint got up he found Lila in the kitchen starting to make pancakes.

"Good Morning Kiddo," Clint said.

"Morning Dad," Lila said.

"Your brothers and Skye not up yet?" Clint asked.

"I assume Cooper and Nate aren't up yet. Haven't seen them," Lila said. "And I'm not sure where Skye is."

"What do you mean?" Clint asked concern in his voice.

"I woke up. She wasn't in bed. She's not anywhere I have seen in the house. I looked outside and couldn't see her. Her phone is still plugged in, in my room. I don't know where she is," Lila said.

"What time did you get up? Why didn't you wake me and your mother up?" Clint asked as he went and looked outside to see a police car pulling into the driveway. He let out a breath of relief when he saw Skye sitting in the back.

"Morning Mr. Barton I believe I have someone that belongs to you," the officer said as he got out of the car and opened the back door to let Skye out.

"Morning Officer Palmer," Clint said. It was only a few years ago that Cooper had been brought home by the same officer. "Temporarily in my care yes."

Skye walked towards the house slowly.

"Where were you, Skyler?" Clint asked

"Got a little lost on a run," she mumbled.

"She was about nine kilometers away when I drove by and she flagged me down and told me where she was staying," Officer Palmer said.

"Nine kilometers, Skyler?" Clint said surprised.

"I ran for about an hour and I got kinda turned around," Skye said softly looking down.

Clint sighed and looked at the Officer. "Thank you."

"Of course. Happy to get her back to you in one piece. Next time Miss Rogers don't forget your phone."

"Yes, officer. Thank you," Skye said.

Clint waited until she was within his reach and landed a hard smack to her butt. "Inside. Now," Clint said.

Skye whimpered and went inside.

"What time were you up Lila?" Clint asked.

"Six," Lila said.

"What time did you leave Skyler?" Clint asked.

Skye mumbled an answer while looking at her feet.

"Look at me," Clint said his voice low and stony.

Skye looked up.

"What time?" He asked again.

"Three," she said softly.

"Oh shit," Lila said. She had intended that to stay in her head but it came out and she cringed.

"Skyler, go upstairs now," Clint said.

Skye went quickly.

Clint looked at Lila. "Did you know she left that early?"

"No," Lila said. "I would have stopped her or told you and Mom."

"Okay, why didn't you wake me up when you found she wasn't here at six?" Clint asked.

"I wanted to give her a chance to get back," Lila admitted.

"She could have been hurt or dead on the side of the road," Clint said.

"Come on Dad, she has her suit with her all the time at this point, like nothing can touch her," Lila said.

"I don't care," Clint said. "She is your mother and my responsibility."

Lila nodded.

"I expect better from you Lila Barton," Clint said.

"I'm sorry," Lila said

Laura came downstairs, "What are you sorry for?"

"I got up at seven and found out that Skye wasn't here and hadn't been when Lila got up at six. She also left her phone behind. When I looked outside to see if I could see her somewhere on the land. Officer Palmer was pulling up. Skye had waved him down nine kilometers from here and told him who she was and that she was staying here. He brought her home. Thankfully in one piece. When I asked her when she left the house she told me. Three," Clint said.

"Why didn't you wake us up, Lila?" Laura asked.

"Wanted to give her a chance to get home before you woke up," Lila admitted.

"I'm disappointed in you Lila," Laura said. "You know better."

Lila nodded.

"Skye in Lila's room?" Laura asked.

"Yes," Clint said.

"Breakfast is almost ready," Lila said.

"Alright, thank you, Lila," Laura said.

Cooper and Nate came downstairs just as breakfast was being put on the table.

Laura went upstairs and got Skye who came down and they all sat down to eat.

Cooper could tell that Skye and Lila were being very quiet so he gave Lila a questioning look.

Lila just shook her head telling him he didn't want to know.

After breakfast, Clint took a breath "Cooper and Nate please clear up the table and deal with the dishes. Lila go to your room. Skye go wait in the office please."

Everyone got up and did as they were told. Clint looked at Laura. "Which one do you want to deal with?" he asked softly.

"I'll take Lila," Laura said.

"Okay," Clint said and both of them got up.

Laura went upstairs and knocked on Lila's door.

"Come in," Lila said softly.

Laura went in and closed the door. "Skye could have been seriously hurt. Some bad person could have picked her up and could have been hurting her."

"As I pointed out to Dad she has her suit with her all the time now. People wouldn't have gotten very far," Lila said.

"You don't know that. They could have knocked her out before she even knew what was happening, and either way, you still should have woken us up. And I know you know that," Laura said

"I do. I messed up. I'm sorry," Lila said.

Laura sat on Lila's bed.

Lila sighed and moved so she was standing next to her mother. It had been a long time since she had been spanked by either of her parents.

Laura pushed down the girl's pajama shorts and underwear before helping the girl across her lap and started to spank her. After she had delivered a dozen swats she started to lecture, "You are not a little girl anymore. You are smart and know better."

"Yes Ma'am," Lila whimpered out.

Laura continued to bring down swats in no particular pattern meaning the teenager didn't know where the next swat would land.

Lila's whimpers turned into tears soon after and that was when Laura started to focus her attention on the lowest part of her butt and upper thigh. After a dozen there Lila was sobbing out that she was sorry and wouldn't do it again. Laura gave her six more before fixing her clothes and helped her up wrapping her in a hug.

Lila sobbed into her mom's shoulder while Laura rubbed her back and let her know it was forgiven.

Before Clint went into the office he had gone up to his and Laura's room and grabbed Laura's hairbrush. He knew Laura wouldn't mind.

When Clint came into the room Skye cringed a little when she saw the hairbrush. She knew this was going to hurt.

Clint pulled up the desk chair and sat it across from where Skye was sitting on the loveseat in the office.

"Do you understand why I was worried when I woke up to find out you weren't here?" Clint asked.

Skye nodded.

"Why?" Clint asked.

"Because you were worried something bad had happened to me," Skye said.

"Right. And when I found out your phone had been left behind. Not the first time you have left your phone in this house when you left," Clint said.

Skye nodded.

"Why did you leave it behind?" Clint asked.

"I didn't want you or anyone to be able to find me if you woke up while I was out. I didn't intend on getting lost," Skye said.

"I know getting lost wasn't part of the plan. But the plan if we had woken up at let's say four was to worry us until you got back," Clint said.

"Well. I was hoping to be back before anyone woke up," Skye said.

"Okay but you still knew we would worry if we woke up," Clint said.

Skye nodded.

"And onto the next point. Since when do you think it's okay to sneak out at three in the morning? For any reason," Clint asked.

"I knew it wouldn't be okay," Skye said looking down at her hands. "It's part of the reason I intended to be back before anyone woke up."

"You do know that Hydra knows where we live now right? And if someone is trying to get to you and is waiting until you are alone to grab you, you gave them the perfect opportunity," Clint said.

"I didn't think that through," Skye said.

"Skyler I know you are smarter than you are acting. What's going on?" Clint asked

Skye shrugged.

"Look at me," Clint said.

Skye looked up her eyes filled with tears.

"I can't help you if you don't talk to me," Clint said.

Skye shook her head.

"Okay, well I can't make you talk but either way you knew what you were doing was wrong and I know you know that if something was wrong you could come and talk to me or Laura. Or called about a dozen other people who would gladly help you through whatever it is," Clint said.

Skye nodded.

"Come here," Clint said as he set the brush down on the ground next to him.

Skye got up and went over to stand next to him, he pulled her over his lap and pushed her leggings and underwear down to just below her thigh.

"Why am I spanking you?" Clint asked.

"I snuck out at three, and didn't take my phone with me," Skye said.

"Right and why isn't that okay?" Clint asked.

"Because it put me in danger and was lying to you and Laura," Skye said.

"Good," Clint said before he wrapped his right arm around her back and started to spank her. He didn't need to lecture. They had discussed everything she knew what she did wrong so for the next couple minutes all that was heard was the sound of his left hand meeting skin and whimpers from Skye. When those whimpers turned to cries as he smacked her sit spots Clint reached his hand down. "Hand me the brush."

Skye had been forced to stare at the brush during the spanking. "Do you really have to use it," she whined.

"Yes, now hand it to me," Clint said.

Skye grabbed it and handed it to him.

"You think I don't know that you heal faster than average? And that if I don't really get the message through you won't feel it in just a few minutes?" Clint asked

"My dad gets the message through without a brush," she mumbled.

That got rewarded with a sharp smack with the brush. "You think sassing me right now is wise? And your dad is a superhuman which I am not."

Skye yelped. "No sir, sorry."

"Okay," he said before he started in with the brush focusing on one spot for a few smacks before moving on to elsewhere.

When Skye started to sob he moved the swats with the brush down to her sit spot and upper thighs. Skye had been pretty still through the punishment but when he started on the lower parts of her butt she started to squirm. Clint wrapped his arm around her back a little tighter and continued.

Skye sobbed, saying that she was sorry over and over again.

When Clint knew he had gotten the message across he fixed her clothes and sat her up wrapping her in a tight hug.

Skye sobbed into him. Repeating that she was sorry.

"It's forgiven Skye," Clint said as he rubbed her back.

When she calmed down she pulled away a little and Clint released his arms from around her.

Skye stood up and Clint looked at her. "You look exhausted did you get any sleep at all?"

"No, it's why I wanted to go for a run. I couldn't relax for some reason," Skye said

"Well why don't you try and get some sleep now," Clint said.

"Okay," Skye said before she went upstairs and showered and climbed onto the air mattress.

Lila was already back downstairs playing a video game with Nate.

Clint went and found his wife reading in their bedroom.

"How did it go with Skye?" Laura asked.

"It went, I don't know. Something is going on with her," Clint said. "But she wouldn't talk to me about it. Said she went on the run to try and relax because she couldn't sleep. I made her go rest now because she is exhausted."

Laura sighed, "She is a hard one to get to open up."

"Yes she is," Clint said. "Lila dealt with too?"

"Yes," Laura said.

Skye texted Loki

"Another reason to add to the list of reasons why having abilities suck. When you are good at something… like bowling people will automatically think you are cheating," Skye sent. The two of them had been discussing it a few days before when they were bored.

Loki texted back "I mean I would be the one using my abilities to cheat."

Skye chuckled, "Not helping my case here," she sent

"Do I need to come and help you kick someone's ass?" Loki asked

"No, I know I didn't cheat and I still beat the jerk so it's fine," Skye sent.

She fell asleep soon after she was exhausted. She woke up a few hours later and went downstairs.

"Hey, how did you sleep?" Laura asked.

"Okay," Skye said.

"Hey Skye, come play Mario cart with Nate and me," Lila called from the living room.

Skye looked at Laura.

"Go ahead," Laura said with a smile.

Skye went and sat down next to Lila and took the controller she was handed that had already been connected to the system and a race was started.

The next day Skye and Lila were hanging out on the tire swing again. When Freddy came walking over.

"What are you doing here? Cooper's working," Lila said.

"I know, I'm here to talk to Skye. Alone," Freddy said.

"Anything you say to me I will tell her anyway," Skye said.

Freddy let out a breath. "Please, Skye."

"You know she is only fifteen right?" Lila asked with a confused look on her face.

"I knew she was a few years younger than you yeah. What does that have to do with anything?" Freddy asked

"So you're not asking her out?" Lila said.

"Oh. No! Come on Lila. That's not at all what I was thinking," Freddy said.

"Well, I don't know. Maybe you figured I said no she might say yes," Lila said.

Skye's mouth dropped open, "He asked you out and Cooper is still his friend?"

"Cooper doesn't know," Lila said.

"You were already eighteen when I asked you out. And Cooper wouldn't care," Freddy said.

Lila snorted a laugh, "Yeah. He would."

"What do you want to say to me?" Skye asked.

Freddy let out another breath. "I wanted to apologize."

"For what?" Lila asked when Skye didn't say anything.

"Skye knows for what," Freddy said.

"Generally a proper apology includes why you are sorry. And why are you apologizing anyway?" Skye asked.

"Because I was a dick," Freddy said.

"Someone else there overheard what you said?" Skye asked.

Freddy sighed.

"What the fuck did he say?" Lila asked.

"He accused me of using an ability to win at bowling," Skye said. "More than once."

"That's what he was saying to you?" Lila asked

"Yup. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to cause a scene," Skye said.

"Yeah, Cooper would have lost it on him," Lila said.

"Yeah. Kevin made that point very clear," Freddy said.

"Oh?" Skye asked. "He is the one who overheard?"

"Yeah. He mentioned that if Cooper had heard what I said to someone he sees as a sister he would lose it," Freddy said.

"So you're not sorry. You just want to keep from losing your friend or having your ass kicked," Skye said.

"No. I mean yes. But no. I was an ass. I don't do well with losing to anyone. And someone who has nothing compared to the experience I have comes in and beats me. I didn't handle it well. And I'm sorry," Freddy said.

"Fine. It's forgiven. And Cooper doesn't see me as a sister," Skye said.

"Maybe more like a cousin but would have the same effect," Lila said.

Skye nodded a little

Lila looked at Freddy. "You had to know she didn't tell him or me about it. By coming here you risked me telling him."

"I wanted to talk to her alone about it," Freddy said.

"Didn't work out for you did it?" Lila asked

"No," Freddy said.

"You ever accuse Skye of using her abilities for anything outside of what she actually uses them for I will be the one kicking your ass," Lila said.

"Noted," Freddy said

Skye let out a breath.

Freddy left and Lila looked at Skye. "That's why your game was off?"

"Yes," Skye said. "Don't tell Cooper."

"Skye I-" Lila started.

"Lila. Come on. He apologized. Why does Cooper need to know?" Skye asked.

"Why don't you want him to know?" Lila asked.

"Because I don't want to be the reason he loses a friend," Skye said getting off the swing and walking towards the house.

Lila groaned and got off and went after her. "He might be pissed but he will get over it. And Freddy did apologize."

"He apologized because he didn't want to get his ass kicked," Skye said.

"Well yeah, that's part of it. But he also realized he was an ass," Lila said.

"Why are you defending him?" Skye asked.

"I'm not. I just don't like the idea of Cooper not being told. And if we don't tell him and Kevin does or he finds out another way he will be pissed at me," Lila said.

"If you tell him about this I will tell him Freddy asked you out," Skye said before she walked the rest of the way back to the house and went and grabbed her earbuds and book from her bag, and flopped on the air mattress pretending to be reading with music on her phone.

Lila came into the house after her and flopped on the couch.

Laura could tell Skye was upset when she came in and then saw her daughter coming in looking upset too. She went to her daughter.

"What's going on?" Laura asked

Lila let out a breath. "When we were bowling the other night. Freddy was annoyed that Skye was beating him. She is just naturally good a bowling. But Freddy made some comments that neither Cooper, Renee or I heard. Accusing her of using her abilities to cheat. Freddy showed up just now to apologize I guess Kevin overheard and made Freddy realize he was a. being an ass. And b. if Cooper found out he said that about Skye he would be pissed. Skye didn't say anything that night because she didn't want to cause a scene. Now I think Cooper needs to know but Skye doesn't want me to tell him because she thinks it will cause a rift in the friendship between Cooper and Freddy. Which yeah it might but if Kevin ends up telling Cooper he is going to be pissed at me."

"I get why you want Cooper to know. I think he should know too. However. This is something that happened to Skye. It's up to Skye to tell Cooper. And if Cooper finds out some other way you will just have to explain to him why you didn't tell him," Laura said.

"I'm letting you know first but I do think I need to tell Cooper about something else to do with Freddy," Lila said.

"Oh?" Laura asked.

"A few months ago Freddy asked me out. I turned him down. He was disappointed but didn't try to push anything. Never told Cooper," Lila said.

"Oh," Laura said.

"Yeah. I should have told Cooper," Lila said.

Laura shrugged, "If you want to tell him that's your choice. But you and Cooper are fairly close in age. Meaning his friends are going to be close to your age too. You can't blame them and neither can Cooper if they like you. You declined the date and that's the end of it. Tell Cooper if you want but he really can't get upset about it."

"They have been his friend since they were like six," Lila said.

"Yes. Meaning he has been around all those years to develop feelings for you," Laura said.

Lila sighed.

"You didn't turn him down because you thought Cooper would be upset did you?" Laura asked.

"No. I don't like him like that. He had a big ego and can be a real dick sometimes," Lila said.

"Okay," Laura said.

"Anyway yeah, Skye is upset because I think Cooper should be told about what was said when we were bowling, she doesn't want to tell him and threatened to tell him about Freddy asking me out if I did. Which at this point I don't care I plan to tell him myself," Lila said.

"Okay," Laura said. "Go talk to her. Fix this."

Lila sighed.

"You are the older one. Go fix it," Laura said again.

Lila groaned. "Is that why Cooper is the one to always come to me when we have a fight or something?"

Laura chuckled, "Yes. But you are the older one in this situation so go."

Lila got up and went upstairs to her room where Skye was lying on the air mattress with her back to the door. And her earbuds in.

Lila flicked the light off and then back on to get her attention. Skye looked and saw it was Lila and turned back to her book.

Lila went into the room and closed the door. She got into Skye's eyesight and signaled for her to take the earbuds off.

Skye turned so her back was to Lila again.

Lila sighed. "Skye. Come on," she said loudly.

Skye put the bookmark in her book and put it in her bag before she got up and went downstairs.

"I'm going to go for a walk. Just on the property," Skye said to Laura having taken out one of her earbuds

"Did you and Lila talk?" Laura asked.

Skye let out a breath, "how much did she tell you?"

"I think everything," Laura said. "And you two need to talk."

"Can I go for a walk or?" Skye asked.

"No. Not until you talk to Lila about this," Laura said.

Skye mumbled something as she went to go back upstairs.

"What was that?" Laura asked.

"Nothing," Skye said before she went upstairs, flopped on the air mattress, and turned her music up putting the earbud back in.

Cooper came in the door about an hour later. "Hi, mom."

"Hey Coop, work was good?" Laura asked

"It was work," Cooper said.

Laura smiled, "Not your dream job?"

"If it was do you think I'd be wasting money on university?" Cooper asked with a chuckle. He was only on summer break from his university program at the University of Iowa where he was studying Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Laura chuckled.

Lila came downstairs.

"You and Skye work it out?" Laura asked.

"Nope, she still won't talk to me," Lila said.

"What are you two fighting about?" Cooper asked.

"It's her arguing. I want to talk to her she won't talk to me. And well I can't tell you why," Lila said.

Cooper looked confused.

"Something to do with Skye for her to tell you if she wants to," Laura said.

"Ah," Cooper said. "I'm going to go shower," he said before he went off.

Laura looked at her daughter. "Try talking to her again later?"

"I will," Lila said before she went and sat in the living room with Nate who was playing video games.

Clint came inside from having been working in the field.

"Hi," Laura said with a smile.

Clint went over and kissed her. "Hi."

"Got everything done?" Laura asked.

"Everything I could do on my own. Will need some help to finish," Clint said.

"I can help you tomorrow Dad," Lila said from the living room.

Clint smiled, "that would be great. Maybe Skye will want to help too."

"Well that depends if she will ever talk to me again," Lila said.

Clint tilted his head.

Laura shook her head. "They had a disagreement."

"And now she has her earbuds in her ears and won't even look at me," Lila said.

"What was the disagreement about?" Clint asked.

"Long story," Lila said.

Clint looked at Laura.

"I'll explain later," Laura said quietly.

Clint nodded before he went off to shower when he heard Cooper finish.

Cooper went and knocked on Lila's bedroom door.

"Yeah?" Skye said. She had taken her earbuds out and was just curled up

Cooper went in. "I hear you and Lila are fighting?"

"She tell you why?" Skye asked

"No. Was told it was something you would need to decide to tell me," Cooper said.

Skye nodded.

"I have to ask. Anything to do with me?" Cooper asked.

Skye shook her head.

"You sure?" Cooper asked.

Skye nodded.

"Okay," Cooper said. "Anything I can help with?"

Skye shook her head.

"Okay," Cooper said before leaving her alone again and going downstairs and sitting next to Lila. "She took her earbuds out so you might have your chance."

Lila got up and went upstairs and before Skye could put her earbuds back in Lila spoke quietly, "I won't tell him about what happened."

Skye looked at her.

"It's your thing you can decide if you want to," Lila said.

"Thanks," Skye said.

"I will be telling him about the part to do with me," Lila said.

Skye nodded.

"Are we okay?" Lila asked.

"Yeah," Skye said.

After dinner that evening Lila knocked on Cooper's door.

"Yup?" He said.

Lila went in. "So. I have something to tell you. Really not a big deal but I don't want you to end up finding out some other way."

"Okay," Cooper said.

"A couple of months ago a friend of yours asked me out I declined he was a little disappointed but he took the rejection well and he and I are cool," Lila said.

"Freddy?" Cooper asked.

"How did you know?" Lila asked.

"It's not hard to notice when someone you have known for many years has a crush on your sister," Cooper said.

"Oh," Lila said. "But as I said he and I are fine."

"Okay, Lila I don't have an issue with it," Cooper said. "You could have said yes."

"I don't like him that way. He can be a jerk," Lila said.

"Fair enough. And yeah I know," Cooper said. "I know he is working on it."

"Yeah I don't know if I agree with that but sure," Lila said.

"Any particular reason you think that?" Cooper asked.

"Um. Well. He was kinda a dick to Skye, at bowling the other night. His ego," Lila said.

"That's true," Cooper said. "He probably should apologize."

Lila nodded a little.

"Okay. What aren't you telling me?" Cooper asked.

Lila left the room not saying anything else. She went to her own room.

Cooper went and found Skye reading to Nate in the living room.

"Whatever you were arguing with Lila about anything to do with Freddy?" Cooper asked.

Skye opened her mouth to say something but just sighed instead.

"Nate, why don't you go look at the pictures yourself? I can finish reading it to you later if Skye doesn't want to," Cooper said.

Nate took the book and went off.

Cooper sat on the footstool in front of Skye, "what happened?"

"He came over earlier to apologize for letting his ego get the better of him at bowling," Skye said

"Okay, why did that lead to a fight with Lila?" Cooper asked

"I didn't say it did," Skye said.

"Not in words but your face and everything else does," Cooper said.

"Everything else?" Skye asked.

"Lila told me about Freddy asking her out. I assume you know about that but she told me that she turned him down in part because he could be a jerk. I said I agreed but he was working on that. She pointed out that he was a dick to you the other night at bowling. I said he really owed you an apology and she agreed but seemed a little off. I put two and two together and figured out there is more there than I know," Cooper said.

Skye looked down.

"What exactly did he say to you at bowling?" Cooper asked.

Skye fidgeted.

"Okay, why don't you want to tell me?" Cooper asked.

"For the same reason I didn't say much that night. Avoiding drama," Skye said.

"Please tell me," Cooper said.

Skye shook her head.

"If you don't and seems like Lila won't I will have to ask Freddy," Cooper said.

Skye sighed. "You're worse than your dad."

Cooper chuckled, "You mean I keep pushing the way he does?"

"Yup," Skye said.

"And he always gets me to talk when he does that," Cooper said.

Skye smiled a little.

"So what did he say?" Cooper asked.

"He accused me of using my abilities to beat him at bowling," Skye said.

Cooper took a breath and shook his head.

"I do not want to cause a rift between you two," Skye said.

"You said he came over to apologize. Unprompted?" Cooper asked

"Well," Skye said. "Kevin overheard what he said and told him that if you found out you'd be pissed."

"So he was saving his ass," Cooper said.

"Freddy did say he was sorry and that he knew he had been an ass. So a little bit of both," Skye said.

"So the argument with Lila was kind of about me," Cooper said.

Skye sighed and looked down.

"I'm not upset with you," Cooper said.

"I just didn't want to cause you a friendship," Skye said softly.

"Okay. I'm not happy with what Freddy said to you. But it won't cause the friendship to end. I'll be pissed at him for a little but I'll get over it," Cooper said. "Because he did apologize. And for the record, if the friendship ended because of this it would be because of him not you."

"Yeah. Just like the friendship Lila had with Sasha and Jessica wasn't about me," Skye said.

"Those two were using her," Cooper said.

"Yeah. To get to me," Skye said. "And putting your entire family in danger. Because of me."

"Is that what you really think?" Cooper asked.

"Yeah," Skye said.

"It's not your fault Skye. It's their fault. And well your mother's fault for sending them in," Cooper said.

Skye sighed.

"On the logic you are talking Lila was the one to become friends with them. She was the one who opened that up. She would be to blame too right? Not that I think she is," Cooper said.

"It's not Lila's fault," Skye said.

"And it's not your fault," Cooper said.

"Sorry, I told you it wasn't about you," Skye said.

"It's okay," Cooper said.

"Can I ask you something? Might seem like an odd question," Skye said.

"Go for it," Cooper said

"Freddy and Lila both seem to think you would react to this the same way as if it was Lila?" Skye asked.

"They're right. You are my family and I protect my family," Cooper said.

Skye nodded.

"You did know I see you as family right?" Cooper asked.

"Maybe, but not the same as your sister," Skye said.

"Family is family to me," Cooper said.

Skye smiled, "I feel the same way."

"I kind of figured you did," Cooper said with a smile.

Cooper's phone rang, he looked at it and his smile grew.

"Renee?" Skye asked with a smirk.

Cooper chuckled as he got up to go answer it in his room.

Skye went and found Nate and continued to read to him.

The next day Skye and Lila were out in the fields helping Clint with prepping the area and planting some fall crops.

Nate was in the tractor with Clint. He had insisted on helping too.

Skye and Lila were going behind the tractor and planting the corn plants. Lila having helped the last eight years knew what she was doing and showed Skye how to do it. After they had been working for a couple of hours Clint turned off the machine. He was finished with the machine. He climbed off the machine with Nate.

"I'm going to go back to the house for a few minutes are you two okay?" Clint asked the girl.

"Yes," Lila said.

"I want to stay too!" Nate said.

"I can keep an eye on him," Lila said.

"Okay, Nate. Listen to Lila," Clint said before he went to the house.

Lila showed Nate what they were doing and let him help too.

Lila's phone rang and she looked at it, and sighed, "I have to get this, Nate come on we need to go back to the house."

"No! I want to stay with Skye!" Nate said.

"It's fine Lila I don't mind," Skye said.

"Okay. But stay where she can see you," Lila said hesitantly before she answered the call and walked away.

Skye kept working while keeping an eye on Nate.

After about fifteen minutes Nate was getting bored and decided to move a little out of Skye's view wondering if she would notice.

Skye noticed right away. "Nate. I can't see you anymore."

Nate whined he was bored.

Skye smiled, "come here and help me."

Nate sulked a little but did so.

Skye's phone was the next to go off with a text. She stood up and looked at her phone. She smiled and sent a quick text response and in the minute it took her Nate was able to get up on the tractor.

Skye was just putting her phone away and looking to see Nate when the tractor was turned on.

"Hey!" Skye said running over to the tractor, jumping on it, and trying to figure out how to turn it off.

Clint was on the way back to the field when he heard the tractor starting and he ran and was able to get up in the machine and turn it off.

"Both of you out now," he said. He was pissed.

Nate and Skye both got off.

Clint got off and looked at both of them "Are either of you hurt?"

They both said no.

"Where is Lila?" Clint asked Skye.

"She got a call she said she had to take and I thought she had gone back to the house. I said she could leave Nate with me and that I would watch him," Skye said.

"And how did you two end up on a very dangerous machine with it turned on?" Clint asked his arms crossed

"I got distracted for a minute and he got on the tractor and started it," Skye said. "I climbed up when I noticed but I didn't know how to turn it off."

Clint looked at Nate, "You know better than to get up there without me. And how do you know how to turn it on?"

Nate looked down, "I seen you do it lots. Sorry, Daddy."

"It's my fault I should have been watching him," Skye said softly.

Lila came back at that point.

"Why didn't you bring Nate back to the house with you if you needed to take a call?" Clint asked.

"I tried to, he was arguing and it was an important call. It was from the scholarship people," Lila said.

"I said she could leave him with me," Skye said.

"I told him to stay within her view," Lila said

Clint pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nathanial go back to the house. Lila take him please."

Lila and Nate went. And Clint looked at Skye.

"I'm so sorry," Skye said.

Clint climbed into the tractor. "Come up here."

Skye did so and Clint showed her how to start and turn it off. "So if this ever happens again you know what you're doing."

Skye listened and committed to memory what he taught her. When she had done it twice so Clint knew she knew what she was doing they both climbed down.

"What distracted you?" Clint asked.

"A text," Skye admitted.

"How long were you distracted for?" Clint asked.

"A minute maybe a minute and a half," Skye said. "I'm really sorry."

"I know. He was told to stay within your view but you shouldn't have taken your eyes off him. You are both at fault here," Clint said.

Skye nodded a little.

"Was that the only time he got out of your view?" Clint asked.

"No, the first time I noticed right away," Skye said.

"Okay," Clint said. "You ever going to take your eyes off him or any kid you are looking after again?"

"No, promise," Skye said.

"Go back to the house please," Clint said.

Skye went and Clint wasn't too far behind.

When he got back Laura was sitting and talking to Skye in the kitchen.

"Skye, go find something to do," Laura said and Skye got up and went upstairs.

Laura looked at Clint, "How does our five-year-old know how to turn the tractor on?"

"He said he has watched me do it before and he picked it up," Clint said. "I was unaware."

Laura nodded a little.

"I will talk to him. He won't do it again before he is old enough," Clint said.

"I'm just glad no one got hurt," Laura said

"Me too," Clint said.

"I feel bad for Skye. Yeah, she should have been watching him closer but she had no idea he knew how to do that and he was the one who snuck away from her. And I think she feels more guilty about it than Nate does," Laura said.

"I will talk to her again," Clint said.

"Okay," Laura said.

Clint went upstairs and found Nate in his room. He sat and had a conversation with him that ended in half a dozen swats landing on the little boy's butt. Afterward, Clint held him until he fell asleep. Clint tucked him into bed before going to Lila's room and knocked.

"Yes?" Lila said.

Clint went in, to find Skye and Lila sitting on Lila's bed. Skye was sobbing and Lila had her arms around her.

Clint sat on Skye's other side. "Skye. You're not in trouble."

Skye looked at him as the tears kept coming.

Clint pulled her into a hug. "I promise. I know you didn't do it on purpose and you handled it the best you could. Both Nate and you are fine that's all that matters. And I know you won't let it happen again."

Skye slowly calmed down.

"Look at me Skye," Clint said.

Clint looked at him.

"You do not need to feel guilty about this. Everyone is okay. No one is upset with you. Okay?" Clint said.

"Okay," Skye said as she wiped away the few tears still on her face.

Clint gave her another tight hug before he looked at Lila. "Scholarship people called?"

"Yeah. I got the tuition scholarship," Lila said.

Clint smiled. "Congrats! I knew you would."

Lila smiled and nodded.

Skye left the room for them to talk and Clint hugged his daughter.

"Did you tell your mom?" Clint asked

"Yes," Lila said with a smile as she hugged her dad.

"Proud of you kiddo," Clint said.

Skye went downstairs and sat in the living room scrolling social media on the phone.

The next day during breakfast there was a knock on the door.

Clint went and opened it and let Nat in. "Hi Nat," Clint said hugging his friend.

Nat hugged him "Hi Clint."

"Auntie Nat!" Nate said running up to her.

Nat smiled and picked him up. "Hi, sweetie."

Hellos and hugs were given all around.

"Sit, and eat. There is plenty," Laura said setting an extra plate at the table.

Nat sat knowing arguing was pointless.

After they ate and talked for a while Nat looked at Skye, "You ready?"

"Yes," Skye said as she went and grabbed her bags and brought them to the door.

Goodbyes and hugs were shared all around before Skye and Nat got on the jet and headed home.