Skye was just getting back from a walk with Harley. A few days had passed since the tree lighting. Lila and Cooper had gone back to Iowa. Skye let Harley off his leash and hung it by the door before going into the living room.
"Hey Morgan, where are your parents?" Skye asked.
"In the kitchen," Morgan said
"So, you are in here alone with your brother?" Skye asked a little annoyed.
"They are in the kitchen," Morgan said a little confused.
Skye went into the kitchen, "What the hell is wrong with you? Morgan alone in the other room with her newborn brother?"
The three adults in the kitchen, Pepper, Nat, and Tony looked up at Skye in shock.
"First off change your tone right quick," Tony said.
"Skye, we are just in the next room," Pepper said.
"I don't care! Anything can happen in just three seconds! She is eight years old!" Skye said in tears her attitude not being changed.
"Skyler, what exactly do you think will happen?" Tony asked.
"Anything! I thought you were different," she said before she went into the living room to sit with Morgan and James.
Tony, Pepper, and Nat looked at each other in pure confusion.
Tony went into the living room. "Skyler, a word. Now."
"No," Skye said. She was not leaving the living room.
"I wasn't asking. I was telling. Get up and come with me. Now," Tony said.
"No," Skye said.
"One," Tony said.
Skye didn't move.
"Two," Tony said
"You can count until you're blue in the face I'm not leaving the eight-year-old alone with her newborn baby brother," Skye said.
"Nat, can you come in here please," Tony said.
Nat came in.
"Can you hang out with Morgan and James please?" Tony asked.
"Sure," Nat said smiling and sitting with the two.
Skye got up and went with Tony who led her into the office.
"You have one minute to explain why you think it was okay to speak to Pepper and I like that," Tony said crossing his arms.
"I'm sorry I was making sure your son didn't get hurt," Skye said sarcastically.
"Skyler, you are on a very thin line right now. Change the attitude or your butt will be meeting with my hand," Tony said.
Skye didn't say anything but sat on the couch in the room. Harley had been following her and jumped up on the couch with her putting his head in her lap.
"Morgan was with him. She would call out for help if anything was wrong," Tony said.
"She is eight, she might not know something is wrong before it is too late," Skye said.
"Is there a reason you feel this way?" Tony asked.
"Fredrick Norton," she said softly looking down at her hands.
"Who is that?" Tony asked.
"Was the son of my last foster parents," Skye said.
"Was?" Tony asked.
"He died," Skye said softly.
"How did he die?" Tony asked.
"I don't know," Skye said softly.
"You don't know?" Tony asked.
"They left me alone with him while they napped. When they woke up he had passed away," Skye said.
"How old were you?" Tony asked.
"Nine," Skye said. "Literally nine on that day."
"You were never told exactly how he died?" Tony asked.
Skye shook her head, "I was removed from their home that very day and didn't see either of them again until the mall. And the tree lighting the other night," Skye said.
Tony texted Steve and told him that he and Bucky should come to the office.
"Is this why you barely go near James?" Tony asked.
Skye nodded a little.
"Okay. I understand why you freaked out like you did. And I will talk to Pepper, we will try not to leave Morgan alone with him in any room. Okay?" Tony said.
"Thank you," Skye said softly as the door to the office opened and Steve and Bucky came in.
"But in return, you need to tell them about this," Tony said.
Skye let out a breath and nodded.
"Tell us what?" Steve asked
"Skye came into the kitchen and completely lost it on Pepper and me because we left Morgan and James alone in the living room with us in the kitchen," Tony said.
Steve and Bucky looked at Skye.
"Explain yourself," Steve said.
"She is eight, anything can happen in just a few seconds," Skye said.
"Seems something happened to a newborn of her last foster family," Tony said.
"I was just eight when I entered that home," Skye started.
Steve and Bucky sat down on either side of Skye and looked at her as she spoke.
"Just nine when I was removed. Within just two weeks of being there they were already talking about adopting me," Skye said. "Just after they started talking about adopting me they found out she was pregnant. They were excited and I was too. They promised me that it didn't change anything they still wanted to adopt me. I was calling them Mom and Dad. They were my parents. I was involved in the entire process of her pregnancy. She was calling me the baby's big sister. After everything I had been through I finally had a family," Skye said her eyes filling with tears again. "When the baby was born things changed. They weren't bad to me but the baby took priority for a few months. Which I understood. I admit I was a little jealous but I still loved him. He was my baby brother.
One afternoon he wasabout three months old they were exhausted. He cried a lot. Kept them up. They got him down for a nap in the bassinet in the living room and asked me if I would keep an eye on him for a coupleof hours while he napped so they could nap. I had already been helping keep an eye on him while Mrs. Norton was in the other room or what have you so I didn't have an issue with it. He woke up once. I picked him up and rocked him like I had been taught and he fell back asleep pretty quickly. I put him back in the bassinet. When they woke up an hour or so later. They went to check on him. He was. . . . gone."
"Gone like not in the bassinet?" Steve asked
"Gone, like dead," Skye said the tears starting to fall.
"What happened?" Bucky asked concerned.
"I was never told," Skye said. "They called 911, paramedics, police, showed up. He was declared dead. The Norton's freaked out on me, asking what I did. I don't know what happened. Police spoke to me. I told them what exactly happened while they were asleep and I was never charged with anything. But I did hear the police tell the Norton's that they couldn't charge me with anything because I was nine and just to have me removed from their home. I was removed within minutes of that." The tears were continually falling.
Steve wrapped her in a tight hug.
Skye broke down and sobbed into her dad's shoulder. Skye sobbed for a good ten minutes while Steve just held her. Once she calmed down enough she pulled away gently and Steve let her go.
"I don't know exactly what happened. I wasn't there. But I believe what you said happened is what happened. It doesn't sound to me like you did anything wrong. And I have seen your police record. If you were accused of something like that regardless of age I think something would be mentioned," Steve said.
Skye nodded a little.
"Do you know the name of the officers who spoke to you?" Steve asked.
"Officer Robbins was one of them," Skye said.
"Ah, and you don't like him," Steve said.
"Not because of this situation. But no I don't," Skye said.
"Should I know the name?" Bucky asked.
"He was the one who came here after Tucker was arrested trying to claim I was involved," Skye said. "But he has a mad hate for all foster kids. He will say he knows you did something that you didn't do and push until you break and admit to whatever it is you did do," Skye said.
"He tried to claim Tucker had said she was involved that night which she wasn't and she knew what he trying to do. She called him out on it," Steve said.
Bucky nodded.
"Do you want me to talk to the police and see if I can find out what happened? What that little boy died from?" Steve asked.
Skye shook her head.
"You're scared that something you did caused it?" Bucky asked.
"I don't know what happened. But yeah. I'm scared maybe I did accidentally do something that hurt him," Skye said softly.
"Is this why you won't hold James?" Steve asked.
Skye nodded.
"Let's say whatever caused his death was something you did accidently do. Would knowing that make you feel more guilty than you already do?" Bucky asked.
Skye shook her head.
"Remember what the date was?" Bucky asked
"February 3rd, 2020," Skye said.
"Your birthday," Steve and Bucky both said at the same time.
Skye nodded a little.
"That's why you don't like your birthday," Steve said.
"That was the final straw in the why I hate my birthday," Skye said
Steve found a number in his phone and called it and put it on speaker.
"Captain Branch," the man said answering the phone
"Hello, this is Steve Rogers calling and I have a question about something that happened six years ago when my daughter was in foster care. You are on speaker, she is here as well as my husband and Tony Stark," Steve said.
"Okay, what is it?" He asked.
"She was in the Norton home and their newborn son died, and my daughter was blamed. I have seen her police record it's not on there. But she says thepolice came and talked to her about it. And the Norton's blame her for it," Steve said.
The Captain let out a breath, "Yeah I was one of the officers who took that call."
"I knew there were two officers. One being Officer Robbins, I didn't remember your name," Skye said.
"So why was Skye blamed?" Steve asked.
"The Norton's. Assumed she did something. We didn't know either way. Until after the autopsy was done," Captain Branch said.
"And can you tell us what the cause was?" Steve asked
"SIDS," Captain Branch said.
"SIDS?" Skye asked.
"Sudden infant death syndrome. There isn't really any known cause or symptoms, it would just happen. Babies have died in their parent's arms because of it," Captain Branch said.
"Why was I blamed?" Skye asked. "I remember Officer Robbins and I guess it was you talking to the Norton's. They were told the only reason I wasn't being charged was because I was nine. But to have me removed from that home."
"They really thought you did something and we didn't know. But regardless you probably wouldn't have been safe if left in that home," Captain Branch said.
"But they were told what really happened?" Skye asked.
"Yes," Captain Branch said
"Then why when I ran into them at the tree lighting in at Rockefeller Center they seem angry with me?" Skye asked.
"I don't know," Captain Branch said. "But I can contact them and tell them to leave you alone. Tell them if you happen to run into each other that they need to leave you alone. And the same goes for you."
"Okay," Skye said. "I can do that."
"Skyler, what happened wasn't your fault. I'm sure I spoke to your social worker and told her," Captain Branch said.
"Of course you did. Not surprised she didn't tell me. Not the worst thing she did, Skye said
"Oh?" Captain Branch asked
"Ruth Medina. She is currently in jail for covering up years of abuse in a foster home," Steve said.
"Yeah. I know the name," Captain Branch said
Skye put her head in her hands. She hadn't done anything wrong. She had been sitting with this guilt for six years when she hadn't done anything wrong.
"Thank you, Captain Branch," Steve said.
"Of course," Captain Branch said.
The call was hung up and Steve looked at Skye. "How are you feeling?"
"Angry, sad. Relieved," Skye said before she looked up at Tony. "I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you."
"It's forgiven. I understand where the fear came from for you," Tony said.
Skye nodded.
"Come here," Tony said opening his arms.
Skye got up and went over and they hugged.
"I think you owe Pepper an apology too," Tony said.
Skye nodded
"And Skye. You are not going to hurt James by spending time with him. I understand you are hesitant to hold him but don't let what happened in the past keep you from getting to know him," Tony said.
Skye nodded a little.
"Because even after you told me what happened. I trust you, Skye," Tony said. "And so does Pepper."
"Okay," Skye said before she looked at her parents.
"Go," Steve said.
Skye went and found Pepper. "I'm sorry."
Pepper looked at her, "for what?"
"For the way I spoke to you," Skye said.
"You want to tell me what that was about?" Pepper asked
"I- " Skye said. She didn't want to have to repeat it.
"I'll explain it," Tony said having come in behind. "Go, spend time with your cousins."
Skye nodded a little and went.
Tony explained to Pepper what had happened.
"Wow," Pepper said. "Explains so much."
"It does," Tony said. "I did promise her we would try to make sure Morgan isn't alone in a room with James while he is so young. I understand her fear and we don't need to make it worse for her."
"I completely agree. And given that I wouldn't want Morgan to ever end up in a situation where she feels to blame if something like that was to happen," Pepper said shaking her head. "She was just a little girl. How could anyone blame her for something like this?"
"I don't know. I agree it's not right," Tony said.
Pepper went into the living room and gently took the baby from Nat who held him out for her. Pepper took her son and held him close.
Tony came in behind and Skye got up and left the room and went to her own room and flopped on her bed. Harley jumped up on the bed with her and laid his head on her chest.
Skye smiled a little and scratched his head.
A few hours later there was a knock on her bedroom door.
"Yes?" Skye said.
Tony went in. "Captain Branch and Officer Robbins are here to speak to you."
Skye got up and went Harley following her. "Did you tell my parents?"
"Yes, they are all in the office waiting for you," Tony said.
Skye went in and sat down in between her Dad and Papa. Harley lying on her feet watching Officer Robbins.
"I thought we would come talk to you in person," Captain Branch said.
Skye nodded a little.
"We went and spoke to the Norton's," Captain Branch said.
"And?" Skye asked.
"They know you didn't do anything wrong. They didn't think they seemed angry with you at the tree lighting. Or when she saw you at the mall. They wanted to talk to you to explain things," Captain Branch said.
"I don't understand. They blamed me," Skye said.
"They didn't know what happened. They had just lost their son. And they didn't handle the grief right," Officer Robbins said.
"They wanted to talk and apologize," Captain Branch said.
Skye nodded.
"You didn't do anything wrong," Officer Robbins said.
Skye bit the inside of her cheek to keep her opinions of this officer being the one to say that.
"You have never been very good at hiding your feelings on your face," Officer Robbins said.
"Oh?" Skye asked.
"I know I'm not your favorite person," he said.
Skye took a breath and tried to keep her tone respectful, "No. You are not. And you know why."
"I have ideas yes. But regardless of the things you have in fact done that break the law. In this situation. I do believe that you didn't do anything," Officer Robbins said.
"And you couldn't have made sure I knew that then? Because you want to guess what event started my drug use?" Skye asked.
Officer Robbins nodded.
"Your social worker was told. We had no way of knowing she didn't tell you," Captain Branch said.
"You couldn't have verified one of the many times you dragged me into the station?" Skye asked Officer Robbins.
"Skye, stop," Steve said warningly.
"No, I want to know how they didn't connect it to that?" Skye asked.
"You were not brought into the station for the first time until two years after that situation," Officer Robbins said raising an eyebrow.
Skye sunk into her seat, she realized she had just revealed something that was not known by the police.
"Told you to stop talking," Steve said.
"We are not going to add anything to your record for what you were never actually caught for," Captain Branch said.
"But, what happened to Fredrick Norton was not your fault. It was no one's fault," Officer Robbins said.
Skye nodded a little.
"And I am sorry that you weren't informed of that at the time," Officer Robbins said.
Skye nodded again.
"Anyone have any more questions about that situation?" Captain Branch asked.
Skye shook her head.
"So, we did tell the Norton's to leave you alone if they see you. But they said if you see them and want to talk to them you can," Officer Robbins said.
Skye nodded a little.
"They ended up adopting another girl from foster care and having another son," Captain Branch said.
"Yeah, I know. Turns out the girl they adopted and my boyfriend were in a group home together at one point. She recognized him and came over and talked to us. Her little brother came over to drag her away and when I looked up I saw who her parents were," Skye said.
"You are dating someone from the system?" Officer Robbins asked.
"Tucker Nelson," Skye said.
"Oh," Officer Robbins said.
"Your attempts to put a rift in our friendship didn't work," Skye said
"Okay, anything else to talk about?" Steve asked knowing this was not going to end well if the conversation continued.
"Cause I can show you out if we are done," Bucky said helping his husband. He got up and showed them out when they said the conversation was done. Harley jumped up where Bucky had been and curled up against Skye.
Steve looked at Skye who was playing with her charm bracelet. "How are you feeling?"
"I- angry, sad," Skye said. "I did love that little boy like he was my brother."
"A loss like that is very sad. Because he was just a baby, and no one could do anything to prevent it," Steve said.
"It's scary, a baby can just die like that," Skye said. "How often does that happen?"
Steve took out his phone and looked up the stats.
"About 1 in 15 babies," Steve said. "Highest risk is in newborns to four months. But up to a year, it can happen."
Skye nodded a little.
"I am so sorry you went through that Skye. I can't imagine how that day was for you. But you can not let tragedy stop you from loving the babies that happen to be in your life. I have watched you with Morgan and yes she was already older when you came into our lives but you can be the same way with James and your sibling when he or she is born," Steve said.
"I'm just scared," Skye said softly.
"I understand that fear. It is something you should bring up to your therapist," Steve said. "Because I don't know what I can say to you to help you through this. Outside of it was not your fault. And I know you would never hurt any baby. In fact I think you would do everything within your power to prevent them from being hurt."
"I think I just need to come to terms with the fact that I was unfairly blamed," Skye said.
"I will help you any way I can," Steve said.
Skye smiled a little and leaned her head on his shoulder.
He put an arm around her, "Skye. Did you really have to poke the bear with that comment?"
Skye sighed, "He tried to turn me against Tucker."
"I know. But it didn't work," Steve said.
"Yeah. But he tried," Skye said.
"I don't disagree with that but you don't need to make things worse. And I think Tucker would agree with me," Steve said.
Skye sighed.
"You don't do that again. You leave it alone. That is the past," Steve said.
"Understood," she said softly.
Steve kissed the top of her head.