It had been two weeks since Skye was taken. The Avengers had been using every resource they had and could not find her. SHIELD was now also involved and every Avenger and young Avenger had been brought in to help follow leads.
Tension in the compound was high. Everyone wanted Skye found and Steve was having a hard time believing everyone was doing all they could when his little girl was still out there in Hydra's grasp. Bucky was doing everything to keep his husband from completely losing it while also doing what he could to find their daughter.
Tony knocked on the door of the library when Steve and Bucky were sitting.
"Hey, Barnes. Can I talk to you?" Tony said.
Bucky got up and left the room with Tony.
"We might know where they have her," Tony said.
"Okay. Let's go," Bucky said.
"The rest of the team is getting ready to go. But we both know Steve is not going to be able to handle this," Tony said. "Can you?"
"Have I not been handling it?" Bucky asked.
"If we have to hurt Skye to get her back. Are you going to be able to even watch us do it?" Tony asked.
Bucky took a breath and let it out slowly. "I'm coming with you."
"So am I," Steve said stepping out of the library.
"Steve," Bucky said.
"I'm not sitting here if there is a chance my daughter is there," Steve said.
"Our daughter," Bucky said. "And can you handle it?"
"If hurting her is the only option to get her back here alive I can handle it," Steve said. "But that won't be our first action."
"No. It won't be," Tony agreed.
Everyone got ready before heading to the location they thought she might be.
When they got there they all split up into different teams and started to move towards the building.
Steve, Bucky, Nat, and Wanda went into a room where they found Russel Kramer and two other men. One Bucky recognized from when he was being brainwashed by Hydra. And they had Skye tied up to a chair and she looked asleep. She was covered in bruises.
"Skye," Steve said softly going towards her but Bucky took his arm and stopped him.
Skye's eyes opened and she looked at her dads, Nat and Wanda. All they could see in her eyes was darkness.
"What have you done to her?" Steve asked angrily.
"Just showed her a different life," Russel said with a smirk. He nodded to the other two men who untied her. "Skyler, do what you have been trained to do."
Skye stood up and started to grow a fireball in her hand. Growing it bigger than anyone had ever seen.
"Skyler. This isn't you," Steve said.
"It is who she is now," Russell said.
"Skyler, fight this," Bucky said loudly
"Do you know the harder the mind is to control the harder it is to break that control?" Russel said with a smirk.
"You had a weak brain. That's why someone was able to get into it and undo all the work that Hydra had done," the man that Bucky recognized said.
"Wanda, do what you can," Steve said.
Wanda used her abilities to try and get into Skye's mind but Skye saw her coming and threw the fireball at her. Wanda switched her focus and caused the ball of fire to stop midair and shot it back at one of the men who it hit causing him to fall to the ground screaming.
"Skyler. Let me help you," Wanda said trying again to get into her brain.
Skyler shot a blast of wind at Wanda knocking her on her ass. Wanda grunted but quickly got back up.
"Skyler Sarah Rogers. This isn't you," Steve said. "Stop it."
Bucky reached his arm out extending it towards a machine in the room before he could destroy it Skye moved to the arm, grabbed it, and squeezed it between both hands causing it to bend a little.
Bucky pulled his arm back pulling Skye with him. When she was close enough she punched Bucky in the face and moved away from him.
Bucky grunted but it didn't stop him. "She bent my arm," Bucky said in shock.
"You clearly didn't spend enough time working with her to harness the abilities she has," Russell said as Skye walked back over to stand in front of him.
"Skyler, listen to me," Steve said. "You have to stop. You are stronger than this. Fight it."
"Skyler. You want to stay here right?" Russel asked.
Skye nodded.
"She is staying here. You can continue to fight her. But she has proven she is stronger than you," Russel said.
Steve having noticed earlier she did not have her suit or her bracelet on decided to throw his shield at her she caught it in one hand, took it in both hands, and snapped it in half.
"Steve. We have to get out of here. We are not matched for her right now," Nat said.
The four of them left the room and went and joined the others. "We found her," Nat said.
"Don't tell me she's. . ." Tony said.
"She's alive. And showing strength I don't think any of us knew she had," Nat said. "She. . ."
"Unstoppable," Dr. Strange said.
"Did this happen in another universe?" Steve asked angrily.
"Not this," Strange said quickly.
"Steve," Bucky said.
"She can't be stopped. She bent your arm. She snapped my shield. She can break vibranium," Steve said.
"She did what?" Shuri asked in surprise. Vibranium was supposed to be unbreakable.
"Okay. We need to get back to the compound and regroup," Tony said.
"I am not leaving her with my daughter in there," Steve said.
"Steve. She broke your shield. She can kill you. You dying won't help Skye. I hate this as much as you do. But we are going," Bucky said.
Steve let out a breath of defeat and they went back to the compound.
Loki looked at America and nodded to her to follow him.
The two went to another room where they could be alone.
"I can think of one person who might be able to take her down," Loki said.
"Oh?" America asked.
"Her variant," Loki said.
"From your world? The one that hates you?" America asked.
"She does. But she doesn't hate Skye," Loki said.
"You want me to go and tell her what is going on and get her to come here?" America asked. "Without telling anyone?"
"I don't know if anyone will agree with it," Loki said.
America left the room and went and found the group. "Loki just came to me with an idea. A variant of Skye's might be able to stop her."
Thor looked at Loki. "Why did you say this to everyone?"
"Because no one ever listens to my ideas," Loki said.
"That's not true," Thor said.
"It's actually not a bad idea," Tony said.
"Were you thinking from your universe?" Bucky asked. "Last I heard she hates you."
"She doesn't hate Skye," Loki said.
"She doesn't hate me. I don't think," America said. "I can go talk to her?"
Everyone agreed it was a good idea.
"I'll go with her Dr. Strange said.
"I can go alone," America said. "This is what I'm here for."
"I know you can. But you don't have to," Dr. Strange said. "And Skye might agree to it but her dad might feel more comfortable if an adult is backing this."
"Fine," America said.
The two traveled into the other universe.
"Miss Chavez, Dr. Stange," Steve said when he saw them.
"Steve, where is your daughter?" America asked.
"Skye," Steve called out.
Skye came out with a little girl following close behind.
"Hi," Skye said.
"Um. The universe where the Skye who helped you a few months back. Skye is in trouble," America said.
"Oh?" Skye asked.
"Hydra got her, and has used what we assume is some programming on her similar to the Winter Soldier program," America said.
"Damn," Steve said.
"We found her but she showed some strength no one realized she had. She destroyed Steve's shield," America said.
"Is the shield not made of vibranium in that universe?" Steve asked.
"It is," Strange said.
"She bent Bucky's arm too," America said.
Steve looked at Skye.
"Yeah. I can do that," Skye said.
"So you can destroy my shield and never thought to mention that to me?" Steve asked.
"Dad. Now is so not the time," Skye said. "Yeah. We have fought before. I don't know how much help I will be. But I can try."
"I don't know how I feel about this," Steve said.
"She will not be on her own," Dr. Strange assured him.
"Dad. Come on. She saved me and my daughter. I have to help," Skye said.
"Okay," Steve said slowly. "Could you use any other help?"
"I don't know. But I don't think anyone will have an issue with you coming as well," Dr. Stange said.
"Dad. You don't have to," Skye said.
"Oh if you're going so am I," Steve said.
"I can go with her," Tucker said.
"No. Tucker. You have to stay here. For her," Skye said nodding to their daughter.
Tucker let out a breath.
"If we are doing this we should go," Skye said.
"Warning for you. Loki will be around," America said.
"I'll ignore him," Skye said shaking her head.
The four traveled back to the universe America and Dr. Strange came from.
"I'm here to help," variant Skye said. "And he insisted on coming too." She said nodding to her father.
"Don't blame him. He wants to make sure his kid is okay," Bucky said.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get her," variant Skye said.
"So. We have worked out a plan if you can't do it on your own," Wanda said.
"I'm going with you and so are a few others. If you can at the very least keep her busy so she doesn't sense me coming. I can maybe get in her brain and help her fight against whatever is controlling her," Wanda said.
Variant Skye nodded. "Okay. I'll do everything I can."
"Who else is going?" Variant Steve asked.
"I am," Tony said.
"I'd go. But she damaged my arm," Bucky said.
"Your arm too? I heard about the shield," variant Steve said.
"I think the only reason she didn't completely break my arm in half is because she is still in there and was worried about hurting me," Bucky said.
"Yet she broke my shield in half," Steve said coming into the room.
"Yeah. But your shield is not attached to you the way my arm is," Bucky said.
"You're right," Steve said. "And I'm going too."
"Steve," Bucky said.
"My shield. Is not my abilities. You know this," Steve said.
"And my arm isn't all of my abilities," Bucky said.
"Yeah. But you have one working arm," Steve said.
"I will fix both once Skye is safe," Shuri promised them both. "And I will also be going with."
Variant Skye tilted her head at Shuri.
"I take it you do not know who I am," Shuri said.
"I do not," variant Skye said before looking at her dad who shook his head.
"My name is Shuri. I am from Wakanda," Shuri said.
"Ah. We have Wakanda but deal with King T'challa," variant Steve said.
"Oh. Yes. That does make sense," Shuri said.
"Okay. Let's go get her before they get even more control over her," Tony said.
Variant Skye, Tony, Wanda, Shuri, and Steve went.
When they got there everyone but variant Skye and Wanda went inside and back to the room where Skye had been being held. She was tied up again and had some fresh marks on her face.
Steve took a breath. "If she is under your control why are you hurting her?"
"Sometimes we all need a little motivation," Russel said with a smirk.
"Last chance to let her go," Steve said
"Skye can make that choice herself. Skye you want to leave?" Russel asked.
Skye shook her head.
"Okay. Come in," Tony called out.
Variant Skye and Wanda came in.
"Who the hell is this?" Russel asked.
"Your worst nightmare," Steve said.
Tony shot a sonic blast from his suit aimed at Russel but Skye stopped it mid-air and shot it back at Tony aiming right for his arc reactor knocking him to the ground.
"Do it," Steve told the variant.
Variant Skye started the fight between the two counterparts.
Steve looked at Wanda and nodded before he went over to Tony, dragged him out of the room, and called for backup. "Damn it, Tony. Stay with me."
"I'm fine," Tony groaned out.
"Like hell you are. She hit the exact wrong spot," Steve said.
"Or right spot," Tony mumbled.
"Tony. If you die from this when we get her back she will never forgive herself," Steve said. "Not to mention you will be leaving your wife to raise two children without their father."
Meanwhile inside the room.
The two Skye's were fighting each other but variant Skye wasn't able to do as much as she normally would not being in her own world. Wanda used her abilities while Skye was distracted and was able for the first time to get into Skye's brain.
"Skye. Fight this," she said to her.
Wanda could see in her head that Skye hated herself and deserved all the pain she was getting because of her past choices. Her brain was filled with just everything she hated about herself.
While they were all distracted Shuri went over to Russel and knocked him out before going to the machine that was used to torture Skye and destroyed it so it couldn't hurt anyone else before she went over and grabbed Skye from behind.
Skye fought against Shuri.
Wanda told the Variant to stop before going over to Skye as well and taking her hands. "Skyler you are not your past choices. Doing this and hurting more people isn't going to change anything."
Skye continued to fight Shuri and Wanda.
Backup came and got Tony out of there before Steve went into the room where Skye was being restrained by the three others.
"She is stronger than all of us," Wanda said as she continued to help keep her down.
"Get anything out of her head?" Steve asked.
"She's angry. I thought she was working through her past traumas in therapy. I don't think she is," Wanda said.
"Let her up. And go wait outside the room," Steve said.
"Steve she could kill you, you saw what she did to Tony," Wanda said.
"Since when do you overrule me in the field? Get him," Steve said nodding to Russel "and leave the room. That is an order," he said sharply.
The three young women got off of Skye and dragged Russel out of the room.
Skye got up and looked at Steve.
"Okay, You're angry. You're allowed to be. But you are done hurting anyone else. So you want to work that anger out. I'm right here. Use me," Steve said.
Skye started to form a fireball in her hands but her anger was being overpowered by the fear she could feel in the room which was causing water to spurt from her hands putting out the fire. She quickly realized the fear was coming from her dad which snapped something in her brain. She was barely able to keep herself standing with the anger inside her so when she felt all the anger dissipate as she came out of the control she was under by the programming her entire body went limp and she fell to the floor hard.
Steve went over to her, immediately and knelt by her. "Hey. Open your eyes," he said sharply.
Skye shook her head.
"That is an order from your Captain," he said sharply
Skye forced her eyes open.
"Are you out of it?" He asked.
"Yes Cap," Skye said. "I'm sorry."
"Nope. You don't get to apologize right now," Cap said
"Is Tony okay?" Skye asked.
"I don't know," Cap said.
Skye's eyes filled with tears.
Steve stood up, picked her up, and carried her out of the room.
"She okay?" Shuri asked
"I don't know. We have to get her to Banner," Steve said.
They all headed back to the compound and Skye was brought down to Banner's lab where Tony was being worked on.
"Is she okay?" Banner asked.
"She's back in her own mind that's all I know," Steve said. "She did hit the ground pretty hard and fought a lot. Covered in bruises and bumps. I don't think anything is life-threatening."
Dr. Strange came into the room. "I can take a look at her while he is working on Tony."
"Please," Banner said. "I'm fighting to keep him alive at the moment."
Skye sobbed upon hearing that. "I'm so sorry."
Dr. Strange went over to Skye. "You okay with me checking you over?"
"No. Go help Dr. Banner with Tony," Skye sobbed out.
"Don't need help at the moment Skyler. Let him," Dr. Banner said.
"But I'm okay, I'll heal," Skye said.
"Hey," Steve said sharply. "Stop arguing and cooperate."
Skye continued to fight.
Bucky came into the room. Skye saw he didn't have his arm and she sobbed harder.
"She is pretty distraught," Steve said.
Bucky went over. "Hey. If anyone understands how you are feeling right now. It's me. Right?"
Skye nodded as she sobbed.
"So. Stop. Fighting. And let him help you," Bucky said sternly.
Skye listened and stopped fighting.
"I'm sorry about your arm," Skye said.
"It's fixable," Bucky said.
Skye looked at her dad. "And I broke your shield didn't I?"
"You did," Steve said.
"Sorry," Skye said.
"We will talk about that later. Just rest," Steve said.
Skye looked up at Bucky and mouthed, "he hates me."
"No he does not Skyler," Bucky said before looking at Steve. "She thinks you hate her."
"Skyler I don't hate you," Steve said.
"You ordered me as Cap, not my dad," Skye mumbled.
"Do you think I would have been able to do anything to help you in the field if I went in as your dad?" Steve asked.
Skye shrugged.
"Ninety-nine percent of the time I'm your dad first. But sometimes I do have to be Captain America first," Steve said.
Skye nodded as her eyes filled with tears again. She let Dr. Strange check her over.
"You feel any pain anywhere?" Dr. Strange asked.
Skye shook her head.
"Why are you lying?" Dr. Strange asked.
"Cause you can't fix the place that hurts," Skye said.
Dr. Strange tilted his head.
"My heart," Skye said softly.
"Ah. Well, you have to be in some kind of pain. You're covered in bruises," Dr. Strange said.
"I just feel numb," she said.
"You've still got adrenaline running through your body," Dr. Strange said.
"I guess," Skye said with a shrug.
"Well lay here for a while and we will see how you are feeling in a little," Dr. Strange said.
They started to hear Tony and Bruce arguing.
"I'm fine. I need to get up," Tony said trying to sit up.
"You are not fine. You almost died lay down," Bruce said.
"But I didn't. I need to go help," Tony said.
"Stark lay down and stop fighting," Steve said.
Skye bit her lip to keep from chuckling. She was glad she wasn't the only one getting told off.
"Steve, come on. Wait you're here is Skye okay?" Tony asked.
"I'm here," Skye said softly.
Bruce moved out of the way so Tony could see her.
"I'm so sorry Uncle Tony," Skye said looking up at the ceiling.
"Hey. Did you consciously make that decision on your own?" Tony asked.
"I don't know. I mean no consciously I wouldn't hurt you. But I think knowing where I could hit to cause the most damage. . . " she admitted.
"We all know where to hit to cause the most damage for him," Steve pointed out. "You didn't choose to attack him. You were manipulated."
"Yes. But. I," Skye said.
"You feel guilty. You feel responsible," Bucky said.
Skye nodded.
"Hey, Kid. Look at me," Tony said.
Skye didn't know if she could.
"That wasn't a request. Look at me," he said.
Skye forced herself to look over at him.
"You are not responsible for what you were forced to do," Tony said.
"You could have died," she said softly. "How could anyone have explained to Morgan that I killed you?" she asked tears in her eyes.
"I'm not dead. And you did not hurt me. The monster that Hydra created did," Tony said.
"That monster was in me," Skye said. "How long did it even take for them to take control of me like that?"
"A couple of weeks," Steve said.
"It took them less than two weeks then. To have me in their control," Skye said in tears. "That is how easy it is to control me."
"You are young. Making it easier for your brain to be played with," Steve said.
"How long did it take them to take control of you?" Skye asked Bucky.
"I honestly don't know. But I was older. I was around twenty-three when I fell from the train," Bucky said.
Skye nodded a little.
"I'm going to be fine," Tony said. "I'm actually fine now but I'm not allowed to get up," he said with a smirk.
"Neither am I," Skye said with a slight chuckle.
"Yeah well, I suppose we should listen to the doctors huh?" Tony said.
"Yeah that or Cap over there just glaring," Skye said.
Tony couldn't help but laugh at that cringing a little.
Pepper came into the room and went over to her husband. "What happened?"
"I'm okay Pep. Promise," Tony said.
"What happened? Wanda told me you were hurt but wouldn't tell me what happened," Pepper said.
"Just got hurt, getting Skye back," Tony said pointing over to her.
Pepper looked over at Skye and cringed. She could see a lot of bruises. "You're okay?"
"Physically I'm okay," she said softly. "Everything will heal."
Pepper nodded and looked back at Tony.
"And I will heal too," Tony said.
Pepper let out a breath and nodded.
"The kids okay?" Tony asked.
"Yeah. They don't know anything. Being distracted by all the teenagers around here right now," Pepper said with a chuckle.
Tony smiled. "good."
Skye shifted a little and whimpered.
"Starting to come down from the adrenaline?" Dr. Banner asked.
"Maybe a little," Skye said.
"Where is the pain?" Dr. Banner asked.
Skye pointed to a spot on the top of her leg.
"Can you turn to your other side?" Dr. Banner asked
Skye did so whimpering a little.
Bruce put gentle pressure on the area.
Skye yelped.
"Pain level?" Bruce asked.
"Ten," she said in tears. "Even the stab wound from Loki's knife didn't hurt like this."
"Oh wow. Okay. Let's get an x-ray," he said moving over to that machine and moving it where he needed it.
Bruce took the scan before looking at Skye. "Anywhere else starting to hurt?"
"I'm sore all over," she said softly.
"Yeah. That's not surprising," Bruce said sympathetically. "And I might be able to give you something to help with that soreness but right now my focus is on any major pain. So just your hip?"
"Yeah, I think so," Skye said.
"Okay," Bruce said. He looked over where Tony was sitting up. "No, you have not been cleared. Lay back down."
"Banner I'm fine," Tony said.
"So you have a medical degree?" Bruce asked.
"Tony lay down," Pepper said.
"Pep, I'm fine," Tony said.
Bruce got up and went over, crossing his arms at his friend.
"Banner," Tony said.
"Tony lay down or I promise you will not like what I do," Pepper said.
Tony let out a breath slowly but laid back down.
"You are worse than she is," Banner said indicating to Skye.
"Yeah well, she is in serious pain. I'm better. I heal quickly," Tony said.
"So does she," Bruce pointed out.
"Her injuries happened over two weeks," Tony said.
"And you took a hit to the one place that could mean instant death," Bruce said.
"You got hit in your arc reactor?" Pepper asked surprised.
"Pep. Look at me. I'm fine," Tony said taking her hands and trying to calm his wife's anxiety
"I want the name of the person who did this to you," Pepper said.
"It was Hydra," Tony said.
"A specific person from Hydra. If they aren't dead they will be," Pepper said.
"Pepper. Calm down," Tony said. "The man responsible is in SHIELD custody."
Pepper let out a breath and nodded.
Skye was glad her back was to them at the moment because she couldn't stop the tears.
Steve went over and pulled up a seat in front of Skye and took her hand. "Hey," he said softly.
Skye looked at him.
"This was not your fault," he whispered to her. "And if she knows she won't blame you," he continued to whisper.
Skye shook her head. She didn't believe that.
"Skye. The only person who blames you. Is you," Steve said softly.
"That's because everyone doesn't know," Skye said moving to lay on her back. She yelped out a sob.
"Hey, you really should be on your side," Bruce said.
Skye moved back to her side and Bruce pulled up the scan result.
"Okay. Yeah, that explains it. You dislocated your hip," Bruce said.
"Damn. That is the hardest bone to damage," Dr. Strange said.
Skye broke down sobbing.
"Hey, it's okay," Steve said gently pushing her hair out of her face. "You will heal."
"It hurts so much," she sobbed.
Bruce added some painkillers to her IV. "This will help." He said before he went into a locked cabinet and pulled out a vial. "And I will numb the area too." He said before he grabbed an empty syringe from a drawer and started to prep the needle.
"If it's dislocated does that mean you have to pop it back in?" Skye asked
"Yeah. The technical term is a hip reduction," Dr. Banner said before he injected her with the stuff to numb the area. "It's part of the reason I am numbing the area. I'm not going to lie to you. It's going to hurt."
"More than it already does?' Skye asked.
"For a few seconds yes. But it will help it feel better quicker," Dr. Banner said.
Skye nodded and mumbled something in French.
"You forget I know French?" Steve asked.
Skye sighed.
"What did she say?" Bruce asked
"She said she deserves the pain," Steve said.
"Why?" Dr. Banner asked.
"You know why," Skye said.
Steve shook his head.
"Do I deserve pain?" Bucky asked.
"No," Skye said.
"So why is it any different for you?" Bucky asked.
"Because you were at their hands for a lot longer than I was!" Skye said.
"And you didn't kill anyone while you were in their control did you?" Bucky asked.
"You know I almost did," she said softly.
"Almost doesn't mean you did. And even if you had. Compared to the amount I hurt and killed while under Hydra's control," Bucky said.
Skye reached up and wiped at her eyes.
"You are not responsible for what you were forced to do while under Hydra's control," Bucky said.
"He right Skye," Tony said.
Skye let out a breath and shook her head.
"Hey. You tried to stop the control. You told me about the nightmares. I just didn't realize why you were getting them," Steve said. "You didn't want Hydra to take control of your mind right?"
"Right," Skye said.
"So you can not blame yourself," Steve said.
"Who did she almost kill?" Pepper whispered asking Tony.
Tony let out a breath.
"Oh. . ." Pepper said. "Why didn't you stop me from saying what I said?" Pepper asked softly.
"I tried! You weren't listening," Tony whispered.
"You know I have enhanced hearing right?" Skye asked.
"You're not supposed to be using it on us," Tony said.
"You are ten feet from me. I'm not trying," Skye said.
"Skye. Are you worried about me blaming you?" Pepper asked.
Skye didn't say anything.
Pepper walked over so she could be in front of her. Steve got up and gave Pepper her seat.
Pepper sat down in Skye's view. "Skye. I don't blame you. When I said the person who did this should die. I meant the person responsible. And that is the Hydra agent who made you do it. Not you."
Skye nodded a little.
"Hey. No one here blames you. Okay?" Pepper asked.
"Okay," Skye said.
Pepper took her hand and squeezed it.
"So, the sooner we get this hip popped back in the sooner we can get you out of here," Bruce said.
"Just do it," Skye said.
Bruce helped her get her pants off.
Pepper got up and let Steve sit back down to take her hand.
"Squeeze if it hurts," Steve said.
Bruce got positioned behind her and took hold of her leg.
"You haven't asked about Tucker," Steve said trying to distract her.
"I assume he knows something," Skye said.
"Yeah. He kept calling your phone. I ended up answering it and telling him what happened," Steve said. "I had to forbid him from trying to get involved."
Skye smiled a little as Bruce popped her hip back in.
"Fuck," Skye screamed as she squeezed Steve's hand hard. She sobbed out a little.
"It's done," Bruce said.
Skye sobbed out she was sorry for swearing.
"It's okay," Steve said. "I'm not angry. I know that had to hurt."
Skye nodded as she calmed down a little.
"You are going to need to ice it. Often. And I know you hate it. But crutches at least a week," Bruce said.
"Yes Sir," Skye said.
"Any other pain?" Bruce asked as he tapped up her hip.
"No. Well, headache is starting," Skye said. "But I think that's because I'm hungry."
"Well, you can move upstairs. If you feel any more pain let me know," Bruce said.
Skye nodded and slowly stood up on her good leg. Bruce got her crutches and she took them.
Bruce went over to Tony. "Tell me your pain level."
"A three," Tony said.
"If I let you go upstairs will you let me know if that changes?" Bruce asked.
"Yes," Tony said.
"Fine, go. But take it easy. You are not on any missions for at least two weeks," Bruce said.
Tony got up and left the room with Pepper.
Bruce followed behind the last person out of the room.
Skye got upstairs and went into the living room where she saw Tucker sitting.
"Tucker," Skye said. "How did you know?"
"I called him," Loki said.
"Thank you," Skye said to Loki.
Harley saw her and ran to her and started to sniff her all over.
"Hey Harley," Skye said softly. "I'm okay."
Tucker got up and wrapped her in a tight hug. Skye dropped her crutches and hugged him tight.
"Am I hurting you?" he asked.
"No," Skye said. "Please don't let me go."
"I've got you," he said.
"I don't want to let you go but I need a shower," Skye said.
"Bath might be a better idea," Bruce said as he walked by.
Skye sighed and nodded.
"What happened to your hip?" Tucker asked.
"Dislocated it," Skye said softly.
"Ouch," Tucker said.
"Yeah. Hurt more to pop it back in," Skye said in tears.
"Oh baby," he said holding her a little tighter.
Skye let herself sink a little into his arms. She felt safe there.
"Skye!" Morgan said excitedly when she saw her. She ran over to her and wrapped her arms around the place she could reach which happened to be close to her hips.
Skye cringed a little.
"Morgan, she's a little hurt, careful," Tony said seeing it.
"Daddy!" Morgan said running to him.
Tony picked her up and hugged her.
"Come on you. You will feel better after a bath," Tucker said.
"And you're not helping me with it," Skye said with a smirk.
Tucker chuckled "I can help you start it if you want. And I will leave the room before you need to get undressed."
"Okay, deal," Skye said.
"If you need help getting in or out I can," Nat said. She had been in the room and heard the conversation.
"I think getting in should be fine," Skye said. "I'll call for you if I need help getting out."
"Okay," Nat said.
Tucker let Skye go and picked up her crutches handing them to her. The two went to her bedroom and into her bathroom. Harley followed and laid by the bathroom door watching them.
Tucker started the bath for her.
"I think I have a few bath bombs under the sink. And maybe some Epson salts," Skye said.
Tucker looked and found both. He picked a bath bomb and put both it and some Epson salts in the running water.
"I will be in your bedroom. If you need help just call out to me and I can go get Nat?" Tucker asked.
"Okay," Skye said.
Skye waited for him to leave the room before she got undressed and carefully got herself into the bath. She sunk down into it so all of her but her head was in the water. Harley had snuck in and laid by the side of the bath.
Tucker sat on her bed with a sigh putting his head in his hands.
Steve noticed him sitting there when he walked by. "You okay?"
"She could have been killed," Tucker said.
"Yeah. She could have," Steve said nodding. "But she's okay. Physically anyway."
"Dislocating her hip? That's damn near impossible in a regular human. She is enhanced and that happened," Tucker said.
Steve nodded. "I know your brain goes to the fact that she was not treated nicely. But you can't go there. You'll go crazy. As hard as it is. Focus on the fact that she is here. And she is going to be okay."
Tucker nodded. "I just want to protect her."
"Yeah. I do too. But all we can do right now, is to be there for her. She is physically okay. But she went through something very traumatic and needs us all to get passed that. So you can help her by being there. And if she wants to talk about it. Don't judge her."
"Never would I judge her for doing what she had to, to survive," Tucker said.
"Also keep in mind they got into her brain and forced her basically against her will to do things. . ." Steve said.
"You don't mean like what they did to Bucky?" Tucker asked concerned.
"Exactly that. I assume not the same programing because that was destroyed but same idea, Steve said.
"Oh my god," Tucker said,
"The people responsible are either dead or in SHEILD custody," Steve assured him.
"I don't know how you can know what she went through and not be losing it," Tucker said.
"The first few times she was hurt I did. And while she was out there where we couldn't find her. I was losing it. But she's home now. And safe," Steve said.
"For now. What's the next thing that's going to happen to her?" Tucker asked.
Steve let out a breath. "I don't know. I don't know who the next person to get hurt will be. But I know she has told you. This is part of what she does. And if she ever decides she doesn't want to anymore. I will be there to support that decision. But we can't stop her from being who she is. And this is who she is. I think even before she knew she put everyone above herself. Am I right?" Steve asked.
Tucker let out a huffed laugh. "Yup."
"And now she can usually protect not only others but herself. But when she can't that's why she has the people here to back her up," Steve said.
"How did they get into her brain while she was in here?" Tucker asked.
"That I'm not sure about. But we have put in extra security so if they try it again she won't be able to get out," Steve said.
Tucker nodded a little. "Thank you for talking to me about this."
"Of course. I've been where you are. Worrying about my best friend because of what Hydra did to him," Steve said.
Tucker nodded.
"Where is she by the way?" Steve asked.
"Bath," Tucker said. "I'm here if she calls for help. I'll go get Nat."
Steve smiled and nodded.
They heard some shifting in the bathroom and the sound of the tub being drained before the shower was started.
"Didn't Dr. Banner tell her not to stand to shower?" Steve asked.
"He might have said a bath was a better idea," Tucker said shaking his head
Steve shook his head.
About ten minutes later Skye got out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. "I'm going to need to come in there to get dressed so need you both to leave."
"And I need you to stop using your enhanced hearing when you shouldn't," Steve called out before he left the room. Tucker followed him out.
Skye crutched into the bedroom and got dressed in her favorite sweatpants and hoodie. She slipped on her slippers that were by the bed before she went and crutched to the kitchen. Harley continued to follow her around the compound.
"Hungry?" Nat asked her.
"Starving," Skye said as she sat at the island.
Tucker came into the kitchen as well.
Nat grabbed some food from the fridge, heated it up, and put it in front of her.
"Thank you," Skye said as she started to eat.
"Tucker, you want anything?" Nat asked.
"No. I'm okay. Thanks," Tucker said
Skye ate and drank an entire bottle of water as she was finishing Dr. Banner came into the room. "Did I hear correctly that you ignored my warning and took a shower?"
"I just rinsed off after a bath," Skye said before she bit her lip.
"Your hip feels okay?" Bruce asked.
"Yes. Promise," Skye said.
"Take it easy. That is not a suggestion. That is an order," he said.
"Yes Sir, I will," Skye said.
Bruce left the room shaking his head.
"You know how hard it is to annoy him?" Nat asked.
"I know," Skye said sheepishly. "I'm sorry if that annoyance gets taken out on you."
"No. It won't. But that doesn't mean I want to see him annoyed because you ignored his medical advice," Nat said.
"I will apologize when I see him again," Skye said.
"Good," Nat said.
"I think for now though I'm going to lie down. Tucker, you can join me," she said looking at him.
"Of course," Tucker said.
Skye got out of her seat and picked up her crutches. She moved slowly towards her bedroom. Tucker followed.
Skye sat on her bed, put the crutches next to it, and laid down. Tucker laid down behind her and put his arms around her. Harley jumped up on the bed in front of her and curled up against her.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Tucker asked.
Skye let out a breath.
"You don't have to," Tucker said.
"I almost killed Tony," she said softly.
"When you were under someone else's control?" Tucker asked.
"Yes. But it was with the knowledge of how Tony's suit works and keeps him alive that I knew where to hit. And I only knew that because he trusted me," Skye said.
"And Hydra used the fact that everyone here trusts you to force you to do what you didn't want to do," Tucker said.
Skye nodded a little.
"Does Tony blame you?" Tucker asked.
"He says he doesn't," Skye said.
"Why would he lie and say he doesn't blame you if he did?" Tucker asked.
"I don't know," Skye said. "I don't know why everyone is saying this isn't my fault."
"Do you blame Bucky for what he did when under Hydra's control?" Tucker asked.
"How do you know about that?" Skye asked.
"You're not the only one who knows how to do research," Tucker said.
Skye nodded a little. "No. I don't blame Bucky. But they had him under their control for decades. It was only two weeks I was with them."
"And you didn't kill anyone. Did you?" Tucker asked.
"I would have if Tony hadn't gotten to Dr. Banner quick enough," Skye said.
"Okay. You might be right. But now that you're out of that control. Would you ever willingly hurt Tony or anyone here for that matter?" Tucker asked.
Skye shook her head.
"So you didn't choose to hurt him. Even if the knowledge of how to hurt him played a role in it. You wouldn't do that. It's because they were controlling you that you even considered that," Tucker said.
Skye nodded a little.
"And The Winter Soldier did kill people. So if you don't blame Bucky for what the winter soldier did. You don't get to blame yourself. Deal?" Tucker asked
"Okay," Skye said softly closing her eyes.
"Tired?" Tucker asked.
"Exhausted. And headache. A little dizzy," Skye said. "Damn it. I have a concussion. I need to let Dr. Banner know. He's probably going to want to get a scan of my head."
Tucker got up. "I'll go get him?"
"Please," Skye said.
Tucker went and found him and he came to Skye's room. "Something wrong?"
"I think I have a concussion. Headache, dizzy," Skye said.
"Did you hit your head that you can remember?" Bruce asked signalling for the dog to get off the bed.
Harley jumped down.
"Yeah I think I did," Skye said.
"Okay. Open your eyes please," he said as he knelt in front of her.
Skye opened her eyes and Bruce had her follow his finger with her eyes.
"Yeah. You do," Bruce said. "Rest. I'll be back in an hour to check on you. I might want to get a scan of your brain at that point."
"Okay," Skye said. "Thank you. And sorry I ignored your suggestion about the shower earlier."
"It's forgiven," Bruce said getting up. "Now rest."
Skye closed her eyes. Bruce looked at Tucker. "if she started slurring her words or seems to get worse let me know."
"I will," Tucker said.
Bruce left the room.
Tucker got back on the bed and wrapped her in a hug again.
Harley got back up too and snuggled into her side again.
Skye smiled a little before drifting off to sleep.