Author's Note: Updates are going to be slower. I am getting married in a few months, and between the planning of that and other life stuff going on, I don't have the same amount of time to write.

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Skye was laying on her back looking up at the clouds in the Skye in her favorite spot. Harley was snuggled up against her, his head on her chest. She had her arm around him and was feeling very content. She was laying out there for about an hour just soaking in the heat and enjoying the peaceful silence when her phone started to ring.

She sighed and took her phone out of her pocket to see the caller ID, which told her it was security at the front door.

"Hello," she said, answering it.

"Miss Rogers, I have Renée Chambers at the door. She would like to see you," the security officer told her.

"Oh. Yeah. She can come up," Skye said.

"She is pretty instant; she doesn't want to come up. And would like you to come meet her at the door," the man told Skye.

"What? Why?" Skye asked, confused.

"My guess is she does not want everyone to see her covered in bruises," the man told her.

Skye let out a slow breath. It didn't take a high IQ to figure out that meant Renée had not stopped fighting. "I will be there shortly," she said before she hung up and got up. Harley followed her inside, where Renée was waiting.

Skye shook her head when she saw Renée.

"This was not from that," Renée said in tears. "I promised you, and I did stop."

"Okay," Skye said. "How did this happen?"

"I can't explain it right now. But my shoulder is dislocated, and I know this isn't an Avenger's related injury, but I can't afford the hospital bill," Renée said.

"Don't you have health insurance through NYU?" Skye asked

"It doesn't cover the full thing," Renée said.

"I can ask Dr. Banner, but he might not. And he won't be as willing to not push for how this happened," Skye said. "And you're not telling me. It makes me think you are lying and have continued to fight."

"I promise you I'm not. But the guy who got me the introduction to the underground fighting world. . . he doesn't know that I stopped," Renée said.

"You need to report this," Skye said.

"I can't afford the possible charges that will land me with," Renée said. "And also, I don't want Cooper to find out about this."

"You honestly think if Dr. Banner gets involved, he won't tell someone?. Whether it be my dad or Clint. Maybe Nat," Skye said.

Renée let out a slow breath.

"You might be able to come up with some sort of lie about how this happened, but either way, Cooper is likely to find out you're hurt if Dr. Banner is involved," Skye said.

Renée nodded.

Skye looked up when she saw someone coming through the door and let out a breath.

"Hey, Skye. What are you doing down here?" Tony asked.

"You remember Renée?" Skye asked.

Tony looked at the other girl to say hello. "What happened to you?" he asked.

"Um. Long story," Renée said.

"She thinks she has a dislocated shoulder and can't really afford the medical bill. I told her I don't know if Dr. Banner will help since it's not an Avenger's related injury," Skye said.

"I don't think he'd have an issue helping her, regardless. Do I need to notify the police about this, though?" Tony asked.

"No!" Renée said quickly.

Tony looked at Skye, who wouldn't look at him.

"Okay. I won't call the police. But I think it goes without saying. I will be calling Barton," Tony said.

Renée let out a breath.

"Get her down to Dr. Banner," Tony told Skye.

Skye nodded and led her inside to the elevator and pushed the down button. "Time to come up with that story that you are willing for everyone to know."

"Um. I don't know," Renée said. "Anything I can come up with, Cooper is going to insist I report. And I can't report something untrue."

"What if you tell Cooper and everyone something but tell the police the truth? I know an officer or two. If you tell the truth and maybe help bring down the fight club, they will let you go with a warning or maybe community service," Skye said.

The door opened, and Skye led her to Dr. Banner's lab. "Hey, Dr. Banner. Renée. Got hurt and thinks she dislocated her shoulder. I know it's not Avenger-related. But could you please take a look? She can't afford the hospital bill."

Dr. Banner looked up at Renée. "Looks like it might be more than just your shoulder."

"I think the rest are superficial injuries," Renée said.

"I don't mind taking a look at your shoulder and setting it back in place," Dr. Banner said.

Renée got up on the table. "I really appreciate it."

Dr. Banner started the X-ray machine. "How did this happen?"

Renée let out a breath.

Dr. Banner looked at Skye. "Do you know?"

Skye knew lying was pointless. "I do."

"You going to tell me?" Dr. Banner asked.

"No," Skye said.

Dr. Banner shook his head. "I'm going to be telling your father about this."

"Tony already took care of that," Steve said, coming into the room with Bucky.

Steve looked at Renée. "And is calling Clint, whom I'm sure will inform his son."

Renée let out a breath.

"So what happened?" Steve asked.

"Long story," Renée said.

Steve looked at Skye.

"I do know. But I'd rather not be put in the position to have to be the one to tell you," Skye said.

"Well. Someone's going to have to tell someone what happened," Steve said.

Skye looked at Renée, who said nothing.

"From what I can see, it looks like someone assaulted her," Dr. Banner said.

"If someone hurt you. That is not your fault," Steve said.

Renée shrugged her good shoulder.

"Unless you were in a fight and you just lost," Steve said.

Renée let out a breath.

"No. She was assaulted. She might have tried to defend herself, but she wasn't willingly fighting anyone when this happened," Skye said.

Renée looked at Skye, narrowing her eyes.

"I'm sorry, but they are going to find out and I put my ass on the line for you. And you came to me for help. And I don't know how else to help you than make sure those who need to know, know. And that the person who did this is held accountable," Skye said.

"It is more complicated than you realize," Renée said.

"Well, then tell me how," Skye said.

"You won't get it," Renée said.

"Because I'm not smart enough?" Skye asked, a little insulted.

"That is not what I mean," Renée said.

"You need to sit up again so I can pop it into place," Dr. Banner said.

Renée sat up. "I can't explain it at the moment."

"One way or another, we are all going to find out," Dr. Banner pointed out as he took hold of her arm.

"Well. I guess the short version is my ex did this," Renée said.

Skye looked at her, confused.

"What I told you, Skye is true. I just left out how I knew the person," Renée said.

"This isn't the first time he hurt you, is it?" Skye asked.

"No," Renée said with a whimper as her shoulder was popped back into place..

"And that's why you don't want to tell Cooper. Because you'll have to explain how you came in contact with him again, right?" Skye asked.

"I mean, that's part of it. Think about what Tucker would do," Renée said.

"Yeah. Well, I wouldn't get in contact with an ex who abused me again," Skye said.

"Yeah, well you know the situation I was in," Renée said.

"Whatever this is you have been keeping secret awhile?" Steve asked Skye.

Skye nodded a little.

"Have you lied to us about anything to do with it?" Bucky asked

"Yes," Skye said.

Bucky shook his head.

"It's my fault. She was just trying to help me," Renée said.

"I don't doubt that she was trying to help you," Bucky said.

Loki came into the lab. "So. Cooper has called and asked if I could go and get him and bring him here. Thor is away, I figured I should ask someone who knows what's going on."

"Yeah, you should," Skye said.

"Skye," Renée said, annoyed.

"Renée, if someone doesn't go get him, he is going to be blowing up both our phones," Skye said.

"Yeah well he'd be shit out of luck for mine," Renée said. "It got broken in the assault," Renée said.

"Yeah, he did mention he tried calling yours," Loki said.

"You can go get him," Steve told Loki.

Loki went, and Bruce finished up taping her shoulder.

"Tony said you don't want law enforcement involved?" Steve asked.

"No. I'd probably end up in legal trouble too," Renée said.

Steve looked at Skye. "Would she?"

"Maybe. But I think she could just tell the whole story and give certain details and she would maybe get let off with a warning or community service or something," Skye said.

Steve nodded slowly.

Loki came in with Cooper.

"What the hell happened?" Cooper asked, going over to her.

"Coop," Renée said softly. "It's a long story."

Cooper looked at Skye. "Do you know?"

"I do," Skye said, letting out her breath slowly.

"That night you told Lila you didn't know anything?" Cooper asked.

"I lied," Skye said. "But I didn't know it would end like this."

Cooper nodded.

"Coop. It's not her fault. I backed her into a corner to keep it a secret," Renée said.

"And I didn't have all the information," Skye said.

"You would have told Lila if you did?" Renée asked.

"Yeah," Skye said. "Because had I known that, I would have seen this coming."

Cooper let out a breath and looked at Dr. Banner. "Is she okay?"

"Dislocated shoulder. The rest seems superficial," Dr. Banner said.

"Thank you for taking care of her," Cooper said.

"Of course," Dr. Banner said. "She's okay to move upstairs."

Renée got off the table.

"You're both welcome to stay," Steve told the took.

"Thank you," Cooper said before he led Renée up to the room he usually stayed in.

Steve looked at Skye. "Tell us what is going on."

Skye looked at Dr. Banner and Loki.

"I won't tell anyone," Loki said.

"And as long as those who need to know get told, I'm not going to say anything," Dr. Banner said.

"Since my birthday. Myself, Loki, Tucker, and Cooper knew something was going on with Renée. We didn't know what. But a few weeks ago, I told you I was going to the movies with Tucker. But I was really following Renée. I tracked her to an old, abandoned car garage, and she was part of a fight club," Skye said.

"Illegal fight club?" Bucky asked.

"Yes," Skye said. "After the fighting, she caught me and told me she needed the money. I won't say for what because that's not my place, but I get why she needed it."

"Okay," Steve said.

"I didn't realize that she got into the fight club because of an abusive ex," Skye said

Steve nodded. "She was part of a fight club, and you didn't think it would end this way?"

"I convinced her to stop. I guess the guy didn't like it, and that's why he beat her up," Skye said.

"If she needed the money, how did you get her to stop?" Steve asked.

Skye let out a slow breath. "I don't want to say."

"Well, you lied to Papa and me, so if you want a chance at getting out of this without a punishment, you will tell me," Steve said.

"Can I tell you later?" Skye asked.

"Oh, come on, I'm not going to tell anyone," Loki said.

"I don't want anyone to know. Even Renée doesn't know the exact details," Skye said.

Steve took Skye's arm and led her up to her room. Bucky followed and closed the door behind them.

"Tell us," Steve said.

"Without going into too many details, she needed money for medical treatment for someone she cares about. I anonymously donated to the hospital, directing it to that patient," Skye said.

"How can you possibly afford something like that?" Steve asked, confused.

"I got the money from Fury," Skye said.

"You went to him behind my back and got the money?" Steve asked.

"Yes," Skye said.

"I can't even be upset with you about it. I would have done the exact same thing," Steve said, sitting on her bed.

"Renée doesn't know the money came from me. But she did ask me when she found out someone had donated if I had told anyone. I told her I didn't, which was true. But she also doesn't think I have access to that kind of money," Skye said.

"So I'm not upset with you for following her and helping her. Not upset with you for getting the money that's rightfully yours. I just don't like that you lied to me about where you were going," Steve said.

"I know this isn't going to help my case here but. I didn't know what I was walking into. I wanted to help her without breaking her trust. If I had told you. I'd have come home, you'd have asked if I figured out what was going on, I wouldn't have been able to lie to you," Skye said.

"You lied about where you were going," Steve said. "To both Papa and I."

"Yes. And I didn't like lying to you, but I think it was for a good reason," Skye said.

"There is never a good reason to lie to Papa and me," Steve said.

"What would either of you have done if I came and told you what I know?" Skye asked.

"I would have made sure she was safe," Steve said.

"I don't think you could have done anything I didn't do. Had I known the detail about the ex's involvement and that he was abusive before, I would have handled it differently," Skye said.

"That's the point. You didn't have all the information. If we knew, we would have made sure we had all the information. I know you are a responsible teenager. Most of the time. But you are a teenager. And although in some ways you are more mature than most your age. That does not mean you know how everything in this world works. And that doesn't mean you can handle adults' situations on your own," Bucky said.

"We know you didn't know it would end this way. And I'm in no way blaming you for how it ended. But if you had told us she was involved in an illegal fight club and was going to stop, I would have known this was a very real possibility to how this would end. Regardless of knowing her abusive ex was involved," Steve said.

Skye nodded a little. "I screwed up. I'm sorry."

"Anything you want to add, Buck?" Steve asked.

"No," Bucky said. He got up and left the room.

Skye whined. "Daddy. I'm sorry."

"I know you are," Steve said, standing up. "But anytime you lie to Papa and me, you will end up in the same situation," he said before he started to undo his belt.

Skye groaned. "Please, no."

"Skyler, this is not up for debate. Over the bed, or I will help you get there, and you don't want to add to what you have coming," Steve said.

Skye bent over the side of the bed and buried her face in the arms she had rested on the bed.

Steve folded the belt in half holding the buckle in his hand before he started to bring it down starting from the top of her butt.

"If you are mature enough to handle these situations. I expect you to be mature enough to tell me the truth in the beginning," Steve started as he continued to bring down his belt, moving each swat down slightly.

"Y – yes sir," she managed to get out between swats.

Once he reached the bottom of her butt he landed two swats to her upper thighs eliciting a yelp from her.

"And if you lie to me or Papa again about where you are and who you are with I will be following your every move when you are not in this compound until you are eighteen," he said before he started at the top of her butt again.

Skye let out a soft sob and nodded her understanding.

Once he had finished a third circuit on her butt finishing with two final swats to her upper thighs he put the belt back on before he sat on the bed and pulled the sobbing girl into his arms and held her as she sobbed into him.

Skye sobbed into him for a few minutes before she started to calm down a little and pulled away.

Steve took hold of her chin and made her maintain eye contact. "I love you, Skye. And as long as you are a minor, I need to know where you are."

"Yes, Daddy," Skye said.

Steve kissed her head. "Tucker, know you were using him as a cover?"

"He does not," Skye said. "I'll tell him."

"Good. He give you the bracelet?" Steve asked, nodding to the new piece of jewelry on her wrist

"Yeah. Family heirloom," Skye said.

"Oh, wow," Steve said.

"Actually. Carly had it. It originally belonged to Tucker's dad's mom. It was supposed to go to the oldest daughter. But she only had two boys. When Tucker's parents got married, his grandmother gave it to Tucker's mother because his dad was the oldest son. The idea was that if the oldest son had a daughter. But when Tucker's parents passed away, his uncle's wife made it disappear, feeling it belonged to her and then to Carly. But it was willed to Tucker. Carly came here after the funeral to broker peace. She gave it to me. I gave it to Tucker. I understand Carly's reasoning, but I wanted it to come directly from Tucker if he wanted me to have it," Skye said.

"Oh, wow. You think Carly was sincere in apology?" Steve asked.

"Yeah. She left the school. And has moved to a boarding school. She explained a lot and apologized. I do think she is sorry," Skye said. "But Tucker gave me the bracelet a couple of days ago after I went and told him about what the guitar teacher did."

Steve nodded.

"Oh. I don't think it's been made public yet. But Carly told me the reason the Dean was so willing to kick me out," Skye said.

Steve tilted his head.

"Seems Carly caught him in a compromising position with another student. Carly has reported it at this point. The Dean is suspended pending investigation," Skye said.

Steve opened his mouth to say something but didn't know what to say.

"Yeah. I was pretty surprised, too. But I guess it makes sense," Skye said.

"Makes sense?" Steve asked, concern on his face.

"Oh. No! Dad. No. I just meant she had to have something major on him to get him to do what she wanted," Skye said.

Steve nodded slowly.

"Dad, I would have told you," Skye assured him.

"Okay. I believe you," Steve said.

"There will be a new Dean. Can I go back if the new Dean will let me?" Skye asked.

"Let me think about it," Steve said.

"You know I know that is you saying let me talk to Papa about it right?" Skye asked with a smirk.

Steve chuckled. "It is part of what that means, yes."

There was a knock on Skye's bedroom door.

"Yes?" Skye said,

Cooper went it. "So she won't tell me anything."

Skye sighed.

Steve got up. "Tell him. He needs to know."

Skye nodded, and Steve left the room, closing the door.

Skye sat on her bed, resisting the urge to whimper.

Cooper sat next to her, and Skye told him what she knew, leaving out the information about who was sick and where the money came from.

"What part didn't you know before today?" Cooper asked once he had a chance to take in all the information.

"That she had an abusive ex that was involved," Skye said.

Cooper nodded.

"I'm so sorry, Cooper. I should have told you," Skye said

"You just did," Cooper pointed out.

"I meant in the beginning," Skye said.

"Not your fault. Renée should not have put you in the position where you felt you had to lie," Cooper said. "Can you please tell me who the sick person in her life is?"

Skye let out a breath. "It really should come from her."

"All of this should have come from here, but she's refusing to tell me anything," Cooper said. "And I don't know why."

"She doesn't want to disappoint you," Skye said

"And the fact that I had to ask you to tell me disappoints me more," Cooper said.

Skye nodded.

"Who is it?" Cooper asked.

"Her dad," Skye said.

Cooper looked shocked. "How do my parents not know this?"

"What Renée told me is that only she and her mother and obviously her father know," Skye said. "Her father didn't want anyone else to know."

"Sick with what?" Cooper asked.

"Cancer. Nerve cancer of some sort," Skye said.

"Fuck. Do you know what stage?" Cooper asked.

"I don't," Skye said. "I do know someone anonymously donated the money needed for the treatment."

"How if no one else knew?" Cooper asked.

Skye shrugged.

"I hope her ex didn't find out somehow and donate it to feel like he has something on her," Cooper said.

"You knew about this ex?" Skye asked.

"Small town. Everyone knew. He almost killed her," Cooper said.

"Damn. Cooper, if I had any idea," Skye said.

"I know," Cooper said. " I'd be more concerned about when Lila finds out you lied to her."

"Yeah. I know she's gonna be pissed," Skye said.

"Yeah. Well. Thank you for telling me. I now need to go talk to Renée again," Cooper said as he got up and left Skye's room.

Skye laid back on her bed, looking at the ceiling. Harley climbed on the bed and laid his head on her chest. Skye pet him and sighed, thinking about how things ended.