Chapter 41: Guess Who Is BackNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Hill's POV
I had been informed that Skye had somehow gained powers and that they had something to do with vibrations. But seeing them in person was completely different, especially when they were directed against me. Natasha, who had clearly seen the work fist-hand before, pushed me out of the way just as a quake was shot towards me. The wall behind where I just stood cracking from the sheer power of it and I honestly didn't want to think what would happen, were I to be hit by the invisible force. So, when the assassin basically ordered me to stay there, I didn't argue with her.
I wondered how she was going to approach the student that I had lost many years ago. She didn't seem to recognise me when I moved closer. She didn't seem to recognise anyone for that matter. I had my fair share of experience in the field to know that look.
Natasha dodged a wave send her way and slowly started making her way to Skye once again. I noticed the medical staff that was looming by the door, watching in awe as Natasha approached the girl. As quietly and slowly as I could, I got up and moved to the door and ordered them out. I knew that Natasha wouldn't be able to keep the straight face that she usually held in the current state that her sister was in and I knew that she would appreciate the privacy. As much privacy as I could offer anyway.
Fury had joined the party, carefully watching as Natasha grabbed Skye's hand. The door was now shut, the window sills closed and just the four of us in the room.
I was happy to notice the recognition shine through Skye's eyes and her whispering Natasha's name. The moment Natasha wrapped her arms around her, the younger one broke down and soon passed out, probably from exhaustion. She must have strained her injuries quite a lot and from what I gathered, her use of powers didn't practically help the healing process. I turned my head and looked at the director. He had the slightest hints of concern on his face, which he covered quickly.
"Do you need any help?" I asked when I was sure that Skye was indeed asleep.
"No, no I've got it" came Natasha's quick reply. I watched as she carefully repositioned her arms around Skye's form, easily avoiding all the registered injuries. She must have read the doctor's notes.
The room remained quiet as Natasha picked her sister up and placed her back on the bed. The IV was back in her forearm and the blankets were thrown gently over her. It was obvious that she was not going to leave this room again anytime soon, at least until the next time that Skye came to. So whatever we needed to discuss would be in here. "What do you think happened?" Fury eventually initiated the talk.
"I came in the room moments before you did," Natasha told him. Then her eyes travelled to mine and she added, "But you were here". Her tone was enough to hear the accusation in her voice. Though our relationship had improved the last couple of years, since Skye was here and she basically went into a flashback in my presence I could totally understand where the redhead was coming from.
I quickly went through the events in my head before speaking. "Honestly the situation escalated fast. She woke up, quickly ripped the IV off and made a move to stand up. Her vitals were high, as you saw yourselves, and the doctors were alerted but as soon as they came into the room she looked up and that was when I saw the fear in her eyes. She blasted them and then curled up in the corner, just before you came in. I think it was more of a survival instinct kicking in than anything else really" I concluded and gave the other two a few moments to digest what I had just said.
"I am not going to leave her side" Natasha spoke, a final tone in her voice.
"Of course you are not" it was Fury's turn. "You are the most familiar face that she has around at the moment. We don't want something similar happening, both for our and her safety". His eyes then darted to the sleeping girl and softened a little bit. "Any idea what caused the flashback or what it was about?" We didn't even need to discuss if it was a flashback or not since we all knew it was definitely one.
The attention was back on Natasha, who was most likely to answer the second question. "I have, honestly, no idea. Don't forget that I only met her after Monaco. We did talk about the years apart but even so she didn't mention anything traumatic enough to justify such a reaction" she had yet to take her eyes from Skye's face. She looked so peaceful and relaxed, completely opposite to how she was before.
The gravity of the room shifted to me and I knew it was my turn to speak. "My best guess for the cause would be the doctors. She was disoriented from the moment she woke up, which is normal. Her head injury justifies that and probably the fight or flight mode kicked in and she wanted to flee. But then the doctors came in and this was when it all went to shit, basically"
"We wouldn't want her waking up with a doctor over here and have the same reaction" Fury declared. "Any ideas? Do you know if there is anyone she would trust enough with medical training that she would allow to approach her?"
I didn't know Skye that well. I had only really met her in the Academy and even then I was her instructor, not her friend. True, I did give Melinda a few updates as to what was happening so I knew a bit more about the girl than a simple instructor would have. Also, almost becoming her S.O. had allowed me access to more information about her and I could only think of one person that Skye might allow close to her and who would fill the requirements for the job. I looked up to Natasha and all she needed to do was nod so that I knew she was thinking the same thing as me. "There might be. But I'll need to make a phone call and use your name"
"Anything," he said and walked towards the exit, opening the door. Before walking off he stopped and turned his head to look back. "Keep me posted"
"Yes, sir" I replied and with that, he left. I went back to the seat that I was occupying before Skye woke up.
I found my phone, which was laying on the ground after being thrown when the girl vibrated the doctors to a wall and pressed a few buttons before putting it against my ear. I didn't have to wait long before my call was answered. "Anne Weaver" the head of the SciTech Academy answered and I smiled at the sound of my friend.
"Hey Anne, it's Maria"
"Oh, hey Maria. How are you?" Came the instant reply.
"I've been better" I sighed and the long pause from the other side of the line let me know she picked up on my stress. While in the Academy we would usually talk to one another about our worries, and the habit had yet to leave us when we found time to call each other. "It's complicated," I said, instead of 'classified'. "I actually call because I need a favour. It actually comes from the director"
There was another pause from the line before I heard her again. "What do you need?"
"I'm gonna have to borrow one of your students…"
Skye's POV
When I woke up this time, my head was a lot clearer than it had been before. My vision was now swimming and the pain was not as evident. Slowly I opened my eyes, to find the room less bright and actually quite dark, it must have been nighttime.
I felt a slight weight on my right hand and turned my head, only to see Natasha's hand on mine while she had fallen asleep on a chair next to my bed. She looked really peaceful and I didn't want to disrupt her rest, but I really didn't want to go to sleep again. So I tried to sit up, which turned out to be a terrible idea because I had momentarily forgotten the injury on my ribs. So, of course, when I hissed, Natasha woke up and looked up at me with worry in her eyes.
"Hey," she said. If I hadn't seen her sleeping then I wouldn't have guessed that she just woke up. "Take it easy," she said and pushed me gently back on the bed. I didn't even try to put up a fight since I knew I was going to lose. "How're you feeling? Are you in any pain?"
"I'm fine" I tried, but my attempt to sit up had jolted my torso and it was painful when I breathed. So, I guessed my lie didn't come out as convincing as I would have liked it to be.
"Let me get the doctor," she said and got up to leave. I didn't know why, but hearing her say, "the doctor" almost brought me back to the white room with the guy that called me Daisy. I didn't mean to, but my heart rate sped up a little bit and it showed on the heart monitor that was placed beside me. Nat was back and next to me in an instant. "Hey, hey Skye. It's okay. You're safe" she said in a reassuring voice. "I promise you, she is going to take care of you," she said after I had calmed down a little bit.
"She?" I asked and my sister nodded. The mention of gender going against the Doctor's one from my dream-like memory, helped me relax a bit more.
"I'll be just outside," she said and got up to leave, glancing at me just to make sure that I was fine. I tried to muster my best smile, but I was not sure whether it looked like an actual one or more of a grimace. As soon as Nat exited the room I looked around, taking in the closed window sills and the damage that I had caused in the room what I could guess was hours ago.
The squeak of the door opening brought me out of my thoughts as the doctor came in. "Hello Skye," she said smiling, the accent bringing a nostalgic feeling to my chest.
"Jemma?"
Notes:I mean, she had to come back sooner rather than later ^^'.
Chapter 42: Peace OfferingsNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
"Jemma?" The girl walked further into the room, a slightly sad smile on her face. She was wearing one of those medical gowns that the doctors usually wore and that was when I made the connection. "You are my doctor?" The disbelief was clear in my voice, but I received a nod from the girl. "But you are a biochem expert" I countered.
This made her stop dead in her tracks. "Though these are my two PhDs, I am on the top of my class and have been trained as a doctor in case I need to go into the field. My expertise in biology and chemistry even provide an advantage when it comes to treating people whose biology is quite different than that of a normal person" she replied and it was as if she was reading it from a text, her face blank. Then she moved in closer to the IV and checked the medical equipment. I thought she wasn't going to say anything else, but apparently, I was wrong. "Seriously?" She asked, laughing a little bit almost bitterly. Her eyes darted from the IV to mine and I could see the pain behind them. She didn't even try to hide it or lie about it, she was a terrible liar after all. "After all these years and this was what you chose to say?"
My mouth hung open, getting stung a little bit from the roughness and honestly, as well as all the feeling that she poured into that one question. "Are you in any pain?" She asked and I shook my head trying to get a grip on my raging mind. The movement was a bad choice because it suddenly felt like my head was going to explode. My good hand found its way to my forehead and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to get the pain under control.
"You silly" I heard Jemma say approaching my bed. I felt her remove my hand and placing her own under my chin. "Can you open your eyes for me?" She asked with a soft tone.
I did as instructed, though with a bit of difficulty. Soon there was a light shined to my eyes and then I was asked to follow a pen which she waved in front of my face. "You have a heavy head trauma from when you crushed with the wall after the explosion" she spoke while examining me. "So, no sudden movements" she didn't yell, but she didn't have to, to make it clear that I better not disobey her. "Anywhere else?" She asked when she moved a little bit away, writing something on her notepad.
"My ribs" was all I said but was enough for her to understand.
She backed up a little bit, her hands moving to touch the part that I had just mentioned. As soon as her fingers brushed over my skin I flinched away, not really meaning to. I had to re-get accustomed to people touching me, and my years away had made my flinching reflex reappear.
I saw the pained expression on Jemma's face as she retracted her hand. "Sorry" I whispered and turned my gaze away, not being able to meet her eyes.
"May I?" She asked for permission and all I could do was nod, slowly this time.
She gently placed her fingers back on my chest and she poked in a few places. I may have been facing away but I had no doubt she was registering my reaction every time she pressed a more sensitive spot.
The poking was finished quickly and she moved a few feet further away. From the corner of my eye, I could see that she was writing some other stuff down in her notepad before she closed again and grabbed the IV. She was about to let the morphine, or whatever drug they gave me flow in my blood but in the last second, she stopped. She turned in my direction and caught me looking at her in secret. "Are you even gonna try to explain yourself?" She asked, voice breaking a little bit, and with her voice, my heart broke slightly as well.
It was as if we had a mini staring contest which eventually led me to sigh. "Natasha?" I spoke up, loud enough for my sister to hear me from outside. Though I had a feeling that even if I just whispered her name she would have heard me as well.
"Yes, Skye?" She immediately came in and stood by my side, looking questionably at Jemma.
I smiled a bit at her. "I am guessing you brought my bag from Pepper?" I asked and received a nod. "Could you please bring it over?" I requested. I could see the curiosity flashing in Nat's face but she left the room, closing the door on her way, and let the two of us alone once again.
"I am guessing we are doing this now then?" I asked Jemma, who was still looking at the door where Natasha had disappeared off to. Her attention was back on me and she crossed her arms over her chest, a pouting grimace on her face which made her so damn cute. Maybe it was the bits of morphine running through my veins, or maybe it was the years that I had to physically see Jemma and not through a picture. But I just realised that I had missed her almost as much as I had Natasha.
"You left…" she broke the silence with a small voice. "You said you would keep in touch, yet you did not. I can't say that you left without saying goodbye because you did, but a letter doesn't even compensate for what I felt like when I found out that you had vanished" she spoke so quietly.
I knew she was not going to yell at me. It was not in her character to do so unless she had changed that much in the five-year span that I had to see her. So her soft reprimanding was expected.
"I did not" I verified. "I did not keep in touch" Ι added matter-of-factly. "I did however look after you as I promised. Checking into the S.H.I.E.L.D. servers to see how you were doing" She gave me a pointed look that I remembered all too well and I raised my good arm in a surrendering manner. "I don't say that as an excuse" I smirked and a small laugh actually escaped my lips. This was the Jemma I remembered.
"Why?"
I took a deep breath and prepared myself. "You know I can't lie to you?" I asked and got a raised eyebrow in return as if she was telling me 'seriously?'. "True, I could if I wanted to. But I vowed, long ago, that I would never lie to you". I looked at her dead in the eyes as I spoke, "You are here" I stated and she rolled her eyes. "This means that you were briefed into the whole situation and know about my… powers"
I heard a knock on the door and Natasha peaked from the entrance, showing me the bag. "Thank you," I told her as she placed it on the chair next to the bed. "Can you give us a moment?" I asked when I saw her a bit reluctant to leave.
"Call me if you need anything," she said and exited the room, giving us some privacy to finish the conversation.
"Is that the protection that you referred to? You were afraid that you would hurt me with your powers?" Jemma put the pieces together quite quickly. God, I had missed that about her. So, when I didn't reply and averted my eyes from her, she understood. "Oh, Skye" she came and sat on the chair, moving the bag on the floor. "You know that's utter nuisance" she playfully nudged my right shoulder to lighten up the mood. "You would never hurt me," she said with such confidence that it made me turn my face to meet hers.
"You don't know that Jemma. You were not there when I lost control. Hell, I still have no idea how I got the powers in the first place. What if, let's just speculate, I didn't indeed run and stayed in the Academy. How long would it be until I lost control again? And based on the experience that I got once I left, it wouldn't have been that long. It took me years, years Jemma, to get a glimpse of control and I have yet to fully understand how the whole thing works. You getting hurt would have been inevitable had I stayed"
I didn't get to say any more because I was practically interrupted by the scientist. "And you think that you leaving hurt me less? That this letter" she emphasised as she took her hand off the pocket of her medical gown and threw the letter that I had written all those years ago on my lap. "This letter, hurt me less than you would if you had stayed?"
I was too stunned to reply immediately.
My eyes still glued on the piece of paper that had gone a little bit yellow, stained by time. The photograph that I had taken of her sleeping was printed and pinned on it as well. My hand carefully reached and picked it up, as if it was a fragile treasure. "You kept it?" I asked almost as if speaking to myself, but the room was all too quiet for Jemma not to pick up on it.
"Of course I did" I could hear the smile in her voice. When I didn't say anything in a while she continued. "You have yet to answer my question though…"
Out of habit, I shook my head a bit to clear it and was rewarded by the usual pain. I heard Jemma scoff next to me and laugh a little bit at my antics. "I know that the letter and my disappearance hurt you, but I'm going to tell you what I told my sister a few days ago. I am not regretting any decision that I made, no matter the consequences, since it meant that I would keep you safe"
"Come on, Skye. This is just–"
"Just what, Jemma? Bullshit? That it would all be better had I stayed? No. I know it would not be because, as I said before, you have no idea what I went through to gain the little control that I have right now. You all act as if I had been on vacation these last five years when in truth you have absolutely no idea what was going on in my life. How much I struggled to…" I clenched my fist, not being able to finish that sentence. I knew that snapping at Jemma wouldn't help but I was reaching my limit with people accusing me, lately, for my actions.
The sad smile returned to Jemma's face. "And whose fault is that?" She asked and we both knew the answer. "You know that I would have been there for you, even lie for you, for crying out loud, had you asked for it"
She placed her hand on top of my fist and I slowly unfolded my fingers to wrap them around hers just as a smile played on my lips. "But you were there," I said.
Jemma straightened her back at this and tilted her head a little bit to the side. She looked so much like a puppy not understanding what its owner was saying that I wanted to laugh so hard, but thought of my ribs and ended up just giggling. With my chin, I pointed to the bag on the floor and Jemma put it on the bed so that I could reach it. I carefully unzipped it and searched inside for the item of interest. The moment that it appeared out of the bag Jemma's face lit up.
"She was always there. So, I kind of felt like you were there as well" I extended my hand and offered the peace offering to Jemma.
She took the hula girl as if it was the most precious item she had ever held and she looked at it in awe and wonder. She examined every single side of it and when she looked back at me I could see the tears shining in her eyes. "You kept her?", her voice properly breaking.
"Of course I did" I honestly replied. "You gave her to me, how could I not? Truth, she did almost break a few times from my quakes, but she is a strong girl. Just like you"
Obviously, without thinking much about it, she threw herself at me and wrapped her arms around me. I was shocked at the beginning and fought the urge to escape the grip, instead trying to ease into it. I held on as much as I could before my side couldn't take it anymore. "Ribs, ribs, ribs," I said quickly.
It was Jemma's turn to flinch away and look at me in horror. "I am so sorry Skye," she said as she got up and moved to the IV and allowed the morphine to run in the liquid connected to my forearm. "I am such an idiot," she said, her British accent becoming more apparent when she was upset.
I felt the drugs kick in almost immediately and I laid my head on the pillow.
Jemma must have noticed that because she went back to her seat, after dropping the bag back on the floor and placing the hula girl on the nightstand. "You never mentioned that your sister is the freaking Black Widow," she said with a mischievous smile on her face. " I wonder who the rest of your family is" she added.
"Jemma…" I complained, turning my head to the side to look at her and trying to keep my eyes open. It was getting a bit hard if I were honest. "Not fair" I mumbled.
The girl laughed at that and once more grabbed my hand with hers. "Go to sleep Skye. I'll be here when you wake up". I didn't need to be told twice.
Chapter 43: Getting Back On TrackNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
Jemma did keep her promise and the next time I opened my eyes she was still in the room. "Hey there, sleepyhead" she smiled as she got up from her chair and came closer to where I was lying.
"Hey" I replied back and soon we repeated the same drill as last night, with Jemma shining a light in my eyes, then pocking gently at my ribs and writing some notes down on her pad. "Where is Natasha?" I asked when I noticed the absence of my sister. I would expect her to be looming over me for a good few days and that I would have to persuade her to get out of the room and go get some proper sleep.
"Oh, you mean agent Romanoff?" She inclined. "The director came and asked to see her. She was really reluctant in leaving you alone but I promised that I would be here at all times and she would be the first person to call if anything were to happen. Also, the fact that agent Hill is right outside, keeping watch, must have helped ease her concerns". I let out a sigh at that. "Do you want me to call her?" She asked, misinterpreting my sigh.
"No, no it's okay" I rushed to say. She raised an eyebrow at that, a sign that she clearly didn't believe me. "Honestly, I was just thinking of Hill. You know, I haven't seen her since…" I trailed off, knowing that Jemma put the pieces together. It wasn't that hard to do so in any case. The scientist soon had to leave and I was left alone in the room. She asked if I wanted Hill to come in, but I hadn't really been alone with my thoughts since the mansion was destroyed and I missed the quiet.
So, when the girl exited the door, after sending me a small smile, the room was left with the monotone sound of the heart monitor.
It could have been minutes or even a couple of hours when the door opened and the director walked in with Natasha trailing behind him. I saw her looking around, probably for Jemma who had assured her she would be here. "I wanted to be alone for a bit. It's not her fault" I assured her, though her gaze didn't relax at all. I would address the matter of Jemma later on when it was just the two of us, but for now, there were more important matters of immediate attention. Or people, to be more precise. I turned my gaze and sat up a bit straighter, "Director" I said with an incline of my head.
"Please, Skye, don't force yourself," he said trying to make me lay back down, only for my determination to stay seated to grow bigger. He chuckled a little bit and turned to look at my sister. "I can see where she gets that from" and then turned back at me, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you".
"Likewise," I said, but sounded more like a question. But when my eye caught Natasha looking straight at me I knew the answer to my question. Most people, when feeling uncomfortable or like a secret of theirs is on the light would gaze away, but Nat was the direct opposite. She would stare so hard that you would feel like you had grown a second head. "Since when?"
There was no need for further elaboration on my question. "Monaco" Fury said.
"That explains a lot," I said. Finally the gaps I had begun filling in and pieces clicking into place. Because, not only no news pursued to find out who I was, but Stark had not mentioned the whole 'powers' thing almost at all. "Thank you" I genuinely continued, nodding my head a bit and then stopping, remembering the injury that I didn't want to make even worse, "for keeping me safe"
Fury inclined his head a little bit and raised an eyebrow. The eyebrow of his good eye. Funny, I thought and then wondered whether I would be able to see it if he raised the one under the pirate eye patch or not. "You are not mad?" His question was well satisfied and, to be honest, I was surprised with myself that I wasn't. Maybe it was the drugs running through my veins. I could see the same puzzling expression taking over Natasha's features.
I kindly smiled at him. "No, how could I be?" Still, my answer did nothing to diminish their query. "Look, director, we have an understanding with Natasha. We take care of each other, whatever it takes. I know it must have taken her courage to come to you about my whereabouts. I mean, even if she did tell you, I know that she wouldn't allow you to tell anyone else, director or not. And… as she must have already informed you, I would have come in sooner than later. The events in Stark Expo only accelerated my coming in. And, to be fair, it was a good thing that she did tell you because look what happened. So, no. I am not mad"
It was clear as day that Nat relaxed after I said my piece. I could also tell that she wanted to come and hug me, or take my hand in hers, but she restrained herself and didn't move an inch, giving me only a light upwards title of her mouth tips.
"So…" I said as Fury had yet to speak up. "What is going to happen now?"
"What do you know of the Avengers Initiative?" Fury asked with a serious voice
It was a good week before I was allowed to leave the medical facility. I was so happy that I was not "restrained" to a bed, that the watch that I had to wear for monitoring didn't mind me at all.
It was a watch with quite high technology. Since no one really knew how my powers worked or how they affected me while using them, it was deemed necessary to wear them at all times. It was monitoring my heart rate, as well as registering when my powers came to the surface and how they affected my system. I couldn't possibly be held inside a lab 24/7, for two reasons really. The first one, was because this was the reason why I ran from S.H.I.E.L.D. all those years ago and Natasha would have none of it. The second reason would be because I was to be trained as an agent. So, we needed to see how my powers reacted in real-life situations and not just simulations. As a result, the watch ended up being the best alternative, at least for now.
Jemma had officially moved to the same training facility as the one that I was going to attend, the location of which was of course classified. Though I could easily hack into the system and find out, I wanted to make a good first impression.
So, back to Jemma. She did move in with me, just like when we were at the Academy. It was way too soon for her to graduate SciTech, given the many years that people study there to make it out, but from what I gathered she was at the top of her class and way ahead of the rest. Like, three years ahead, which really meant that she could graduate anytime in the near future. So when the director, or Pirate as I like to call him behind his back, contacted the head of Jemma's Academy she was relieved from her study duties.
I could tell that it had taken a small toll on her, given that she had to leave Fitz behind and for him to graduate on time, but she tried really had to hide it. It wasn't very hard to look right through her facade though, her being a terrible liar and all.
"You okay?" The two of us were in the room we shared and I could tell that Jemma's mind was somewhere else.
Her gaze turned to me for just a moment and then she resumed her position of looking at the wall across from her. Her eyebrows closed so much that they almost touched each other, and a puzzling look took over her face. "Why did I come here?" She finally asked after a few long minutes.
"What?" I replied completely at loss.
Her back crunched a bit and she supported it at the wall behind her, as she bent her knees closer to her chest. "One moment I am at the Academy, and the next I get called to Ms. Weaver's office. I get informed that the director himself has requested my presence at a classified operation and when I get briefed I discover that I am to be your doctor" she paused and took a deep breath. Her eyes were moving from side to side, not looking at anything in particular, but letting me know of the speed that her mind was working. "From your reaction when I walked into the room the first day it was clear you were not expecting me. I got debriefed on all the aspects of your powers and how they might affect your recovery, but no one really told me why I had to come and treat you. I mean… there are so many more skilled and expert doctors in the organisation, but instead, they picked up a student who has yet to really finish the Academy" and like that she turned to look at me. "So, why me?" I could see the gears turning in her brains, trying to make sense of the situation.
"I was informed that you had the grades needed from the Academy to graduate" I countered immediately.
"You are avoiding my question, which means you know the answer," she said.
Damn. I had forgotten how easy it had become for her to read me and all the years apart didn't seem to have broken this ability of hers. And, truth be told, I had replied way too quickly so it was really my bad for making it easy for Jemma to read me.
"What's going on?" She asked, concern leaking into her voice as she stood up and came to sit next to me.
We hadn't really addressed the elephant in the room. Apart from the first day, we hadn't really spoken much about where we stood with each other and there was some invisible barrier that seemed to separate us. There would be these long moments of silence when neither would speak and the awkwardness would sometimes become unbearable. So when Jemma positioned herself next to me, silently offering her support, I couldn't help but smile and feel somewhat relieved.
"I might or might not have been thrown all over the place lately by people, explosions… you get the memo" I could see Jemma scoffing and shaking her head at that. "Well, I am guessing that it was because of the many times my head ended up bumping onto walls but after I was knocked out at the Expo I had this… dream". Jemma's puzzling face returned and so I explained everything that I remembered from the dream.
After I finished narrating what had occurred I waited for Jemma to digest all the information. "Still, it doesn't explain why I am here" she finally said.
I didn't want to relieve what had happened in the medical room or how scared I had felt, or helpless. But Jemma had a right to know, give that any plans she might had made turned upside down because she was rushed here for my sake. My voice shook a little bit the next time I opened my mouth. "When I woke up in the medical room I kind of threw the doctors on a wall. I–I was disoriented and they reminded me of the Doctor from the dream. My mind was so confused as to what was real and what was not and I kept seeing him and hear his voice" I paused a little, taking a deep breath. "Natasha… she didn't push me into talking about it, but she said that it looked like I was having a flashback from where she stood"
I had tightly closed my eyes, trying to get the voice of the man out of my head. I hadn't expected it to happen, so it took me by surprise when Jemma placed a hand on my shoulder and I flinched at her touch as if burnt. It was the second time that I had the same reaction with Jemma around and I silently cursed myself. "Sorry" I whispered just as I did the last time.
Jemma's gaze was not as hurt as it was a week before, so she must have expected my reaction. The reaction though didn't stand in her way of eventually placing her palm on my knee.
"It's okay," she said genuinely. "I am sorry I pushed you" she continued with a regretful voice.
She must have picked up on me saying that Nat didn't push me into saying what the dream was about. "No, no" I hurried to say back. "You didn't push… really. I–I wanted to tell you. You've already heard so many weird stories from me that this memory probably wouldn't freak you out"
Her eyes flicker for only a moment before they met mine. I was about to ask what was wrong but she interrupted my thoughts before I got a chance to voice them. "Memory?", and so I understood the reason for her bafflement. "You previously referred to it as a dream, yet just now you said 'memory'… Was that something that happened to you after you left the Academy?" Her back was more straight than before. Her scientific and verso-observant side of her coming to the surface when unanswered questions were hanging in the air. "If you want to answer, of course" she quickly added when I didn't speak for a good few minutes. "I don't want you to feel pressured into answering anything you don't want to, or feel uncomfortable to, or–"
Her rambling was completely and abruptly interrupted by my laugh. I couldn't help it and it felt so nice to be smiling, feeling happy, for a few consecutive days without ending up being blasted off the ground.
"No, it was not something that happened while I was away" I reassured her and my laughter eventually died when my mind travelled back to those days. "There were a lot of things that happened but this was not one of those" I elaborated a little bit and took a deep breath, calming my nerves. "Where were we? Oh, memory… right. Well, you see, I first thought that it was a dream but then Natasha said that I looked as if in a flashback and it got me thinking. It was pretty realistic, what I felt, what I was thinking, and none of the details escaped my grasp once I woke up. I know that you can have really life-like dreams, but this feels different. I can't explain it any better"
"But…" Jemma spoke and it was obvious that she was deeply lost in her thoughts, the way her eyes darted from side to side or the way her forehead was pushed because of her concentration being a few indications. "…if it is a memory and not from the past few years, then from when?"
This was the million-dollar question that I would love to have the answer to.
But all I could do at the moment was raise one shoulder, shrugging. I would normally raise both but my right one had yet to be 100% healed and I didn't want to get a scold from the doctor sitting next to me. "What about before?" I made the assumption that had been in my mind the past couple of days.
"Before when?" Jemma was starting to put the pieces together and there was a spark, evident even in her voice.
"Before Natasha and the others found me" I declared.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Jemma nodding, somewhat agreeing on what she had just heard. "It would make sense" followed to emphasise her previous movement. "Have you remembered anything else ever since?" Her voice was small, almost afraid to really ask, but curious enough for the words to form and escape her lips.
I knew that the whole question-thing was coming to an end, or I would end it shortly, and so I relaxed a bit in my seat. "Nope, nothing new. And don't forget that all this is just hypothetical, we can't know for sure". I knew the direction in which this was going, so I took the lead to make it easier for Jemma who must have been quite uncomfortable with what she was asked to do. "I don't think it will affect me in the field though, and if it does I will report it in. True, it will take me some time to get used to being around doctors who aren't you, but I'll get there eventually. And no, we are not talking about the years that I was off the radar" I patted her knee affectionately. "Want me to sign any papers or is this all enough for the report you are giving the Pirate?" I asked with a smirk.
For being someone so smart it took Jemma a good six seconds before her mind processed what I had just said, her jaw hanging open all the while. "What–What do you–No, no Skye–I didn't…" she was struggling so much that it was cute and I had to take her out of her misery.
"There is no problem Jemma. The psych evaluation was inevitable and I do have to give you credit for trying to be subtle. You've come a long way in lying more convincingly than you had before"
I made a move to get up, but Jemma's fingers wrapped around my hand, not allowing me to move any further. "Please, Skye" she kind of pleading. "I don't want you to think that I said what I said and made you open up just for the sake of an assignment from the director. I want you to know that if you need to talk about anything, anything, I am here to listen. Off the record of course," her eyes were conveying so much emotion that I couldn't be mad at her. Not that I was mad at her in the first place.
"It's okay Jemma, I understand" I squeezed her fingers so that she knew I spoke the truth. "And you know that the offer stands for you as well, right? If you ever need a listening ear, I'll gladly be there"
She got up and looked at me. "I know Skye" she softly said, her eyes on mine and it was a moment when I felt as if the rest of the word had gone silent.
I felt as if she wanted to say something more.
But as the seconds stretched by and she had yet to speak I had to tell her something that I just saw. "You know what I just noticed?" I asked with a playful tone that she picked up on quickly and raised an eyebrow. "Now I'm taller than you" I patted her head and my smile broadened on my face.
She made a face and pushed my hand off her head. "Only for a few centimetres, don't get any big ideas" she rolled her eyes and gently pushed on my good shoulder. And just like that, we were back to talking about nothing in particular.
Chapter 44: Like The Old TimesNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
That same evening I found myself in the pirate's office. He was sitting behind his chair, his eye moving from side to side as he read the lines of the report that Jemma gave him earlier in the day. His glance would, more often than not, lift from behind the papers and observe me before continuing his meticulous reading. When I heard him sigh I knew he had finished reading and was processing all the new information.
"What's the verdict judge?" I asked, feeling braver in front of the pirate than most would.
"You should respect me more Skye, I am the director after all. Not to mention the head of a huge organisation" his tone was his classic carefree one.
"I can't help it" I admitted. "It's not that I don't respect you, you just give those… vibes. A feeling that I can get away with calling you names. So, what do you have to say, pirate?"
He actually scoffed and a triumphant smile formed on my face. "I say… that you need training" he replied folding his hands in front of his face in a serious manner. "And I would really appreciate it if you stopped hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D. from now on" his voice let me know that this was more or less an order. I opened my mouth to talk back, but he lifted a finger to suss me. "You being here is still highly classified. It is not just for you anymore. You being here affects Romanoff and other people as well, so until further notice you are to remain in this facility. You will find that there is everything you need here. Now, for the hacking part, I have had enough of you getting into my servers. So, what do I have to do to keep you out?"
"Me being restrained in this facility also limits my contact with the outside world?" I asked and received a head title as a reply. "I don't mind being here, being somewhere so stable, let's say" I tried to elaborate. "But, will I be able to contact people outside of this facility. I am guessing that Natasha won't be bound here, having to go on missions and stuff. So if she is not here, will I be allowed to contact her? She, among others who aren't S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and keeping what's happening a secret given that it classified"
I saw him analyse what he had just heard, but only for a few seconds before he replied with confidence. He was sharp as a knife, and given his position in the organisation, I could totally see why. "I am guessing you are referring to Ms. Potts. Yes, you may contact her but Stark cannot know because we are all aware how big of a mouth he has"
It was my turn to scoff and a smile appear on his face. "That doesn't even come close". After that, I sat a little bit straighter in my chair getting more into a business mindset. "As for the hacking…" I started and Fury realised my change of sitting position. "I like to be kept in the light, knowing what's going on around me. It gives me a sense of security. Plus, your software is far too easy for me to bypass. I mean, if you had better software protection then it would be harder to get in there but…" I waved one of my hands in the air just to show the inevitability of me hacking into the system.
"What if you were to get a proper level clearance and help our team update our security walls?" He spoke so quickly after I finished that I knew he had this proposition in his mind since the beginning.
So that was his aim all along, wasn't it? "Taking a lesson from Tony, aren't we?" I playfully asked. The pirate just shrugged. "And what kind of level clearance would that be? I am most confident that I can get to pretty high level documents on my own. Your offer would have to suffice" I challenged, but I was speaking from experience, having read some of those highly classified documents before. Especially some of AC's missions. But the Avengers Initiative had escaped my grasp, so it made me wonder just how hidden this project truly was or how many more secrets did Fury have.
"Level appropriate to your level of training and capabilities" was his simple words.
I leaned back on the chair, thinking of the offer. Not that I was going to deny it on one hand, not that I really could on the other. But it gave me some satisfaction when I felt as if I had the upper hand, even if the was just an illusion. "Fair enough" I concluded and my eyebrows furrowed right after that. "You spoke about training a lot. Being here, and with these new powers… how, or rather who is going to train me?"
The smirk that appeared on Fury's face slightly confused me. "You know him pretty well and since he was the one to bring in Romanoff all these years ago, I saw it was only fitting that he would be your S.O." he nodded at the door. A cricking sound filled the silence, followed by someone's footsteps coming in.
I turned around, only to be met with the sight of Clint.
Without even thinking about it, I jumped off and bear-hugged him, ignoring my throbbing ribs. He quickly returned the gesture, being more considerate of my injuries than I was with them. "Hey there Kid" he whispered in my ear, and I could practically hear the smile that he must have been wearing.
I let out a small laugh. "Hey, Old Guy" I replied just as I used to years ago.
He gently pushed me away, his eyes going up and down my form taking in everything. "Gosh, how you've grown" he exclaimed and ruffed my hand with his hand. "And grown taller from what I see" his tone was still his characteristic teasing one.
"Stop it Clinton" I replied and brushed his palm away.
"Clinton, huh?" He stepped a bit further back and wrapped his fingers on his chin as if in thought. "Then, I guess, I can't let the other person who is dying to see you come in. Sorry" he said and made a move to walk out of the room. He hadn't even made a couple of steps before I playfully hit him on the bicep. "Fine, fine" he threw his hands in the air and made way for the other person to walk in the room.
"Hello, Skye" the guy who I had grown to see as a father walked in.
"AC," I softy said and our hug had a completely different feeling than the one that I shared with Legolas just moments ago.
"How have you been?" Coulson asked as he withdrew from the embrace.
"Could have been better, to be honest" I said back, smirking at the same time. "How about you?" I gently brushed his shoulder. "I read you've been all over the world"
He lifted his hand and brushed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, yeah. I've been to places" he started and lifted his gaze and met the stern one that Fury send him. So, he straightened his back and cleared his throat. I had a really hard time not rolling my eyes. "But, we can talk about this another time" he spoke and his tone was more professional than before.
"Right…" I said dragging the word and earned a small laugh coming from Clint's side. "So, Clint is going to be my S.O.?" I asked looking between the person of interest and the director. Once I got a nod from both of them I continued. "Where does that lead us?"
"Why, of course…" Fury replied and folded his fingers, placing his palms on the desk in front of him. "…you train," he said as if it was just as simple as that.
~ About 1 year later ~
"Are we done yet?" I asked after sending my vibrations to a building, making it collapse. I had lost account of the building that my powers had destroyed long ago. I straightened my back and rubbed my hands which had started itching from the extensive use of my powers.
Hill picked up on my discomfort and furrowed her eyebrows. "Are you in pain?" She questioned and came closer to examine my arms.
"Not really," I said while removing the gauntlets that S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists had created. "I started feeling it though".
The agent started looking at my hands and poking at various places while registering my reaction. Seeing that I was not, indeed, in any pain and that I was not just putting a strong front she took a few steps back and wrote down the progress on her tablet. "I think that this should be enough for now. We wouldn't want to risk it. Plus, making you reach your limit isn't the purpose of today's exercises". She then cleared her throat. She started walking away and waved her hand, signalling me to follow her.
"So… how did I do?" I asked with a playful note in my voice. I tried to peek at the tablet but she, immediately, switched it off. "Not fair. I know I did better than last time, at least I think I do, so what's the point of hiding my score?"
"Scores serve as a mental barrier. When you don't know your score and just push yourself to the maximum of your ability every time it's easier to get better faster" she simply replied.
We walked towards the car that we came here with and got in. I guessed this was the end of today's session then. Since my powers could be used on a destructive level, we would sometimes travel to secure locations where I would have buildings and buildings to bring down, testing my limits, control and other factors. But, even if the location was classified I knew that it had to be somewhere removed enough so that I wouldn't accidentally cause an earthquake to a city or even a town. And the long drive to get there was all the proof that I needed.
"So, that's why you would never tell me my scores while in the Academy?" I resumed the conversation while we buckled our seatbelts. The scoff that I heard from the driver's seat was all the answer that I was looking for. "You didn't expect to reveal this to me, did you?" I asked and the smile that was on my face could clearly be heard in my voice.
"Shut it, rookie. Or I'll have you run laps when we get back" she replied half-serious, half-joking.
Or so I thought and didn't really want to risk it. "Yes ma'am. Why were you training with me again?" Clint was my official trainer and S.O. and, up to that day, every time that we trained together he was on the sidelines as well.
"Another important side of being an agent is to take orders by multiple people. Also, training with some of your commanding officers allows both to know each other better and this is very beneficial when it comes to going out in the field" she stopped talking and the only sound in the car was the radio playing. I guessed she wasn't going to say anything else because of the long pause, but I guess I was wrong. "It's also nice to catch up with you," she said softly and I turned to look at her face which was relaxed, albeit serious. A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. "I am really proud of how much you have improved this past year and comparing from my experience when we were at the Academy"
This brought a gentle smile to my face. "Thank you" I replied sincerely. "It means a lot".
Agents would often judge the 'Commander', as it was the name that Hill had earned for herself among the lower-level agents. True, she did everything by the book and would be strict about the rules. She also did not fear to say what was on her mind to everyone, including Fury, without caring much about the consequences if she thought that she was right. All these, along with the fact she got quite high in the ranks of the organisation in a short period of time, especially since she was an instructor at the Academy beforehand, had many people underestimating or not respecting her.
And, in the same terms, people would think of her as someone who acted almost robotically and had no feelings. But I knew better than most. And after getting praised like that only made me want to learn more about her. I would like to think that we had a good relationship while I was in the Academy and though we had never been too close, I did feel at ease when I was with her. After all the bumps that we had at the beginning, we had reached a point of mutual understanding. I wouldn't mind getting back into that mindset with her once again, and I truly believed that she could use a friend and I wouldn't mind being that person.
"Is there anything you want to talk about?" I asked.
My question was quite rough and I saw her turning her head slightly to look at me, before redirecting her eyes to the road ahead and making sure we wouldn't crash anywhere. A laugh escaped her lips and she shook her head.
I could feel the air lighten up in the car and I knew that the journey back at the base would not be a boring one.
Notes:Thank you so much guys for reading and supporting this story! I can't believe we reached 100 kudos and more than 4000 hits! Thank you!
Chapter 45: Welcome To S.H.I.E.L.D.Notes:
All rights go to Marvel
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Clint's POV
I had let Maria take Skye for that day's training as Fury asked to see me in his office.
I was just exiting the room, after getting debriefed by the director and received the best news that an S.O., and brother, could possibly receive. Though this unexpected and sudden announcement had me accelerate the plans that I had prepared months ago, just for this occasion. Suddenly I was really glad that Skye was not at our base and that I had hours to spare and prepare everything before she came back.
I had all personnel evacuate the floor that I was currently hiding in. It was the floor that Skye and Simmons lived on and I knew that the moment my student came back from training she would head straight to that room. It was a habit of hers, after all, to go and change and catch up with her friend. So I had informed the older girl of what was going on and I was patiently waiting and watching the video feed, on my phone, from the camera in the corridor of her room.
I had to suppress a giggle when I saw her walking towards the said destination, my excitement almost getting the better of me.
It took a few minutes before I saw her coming back out of the room and probably heading to the floor's living room. My assumptions were soon verified when I heard her coming through the corner.
"Clint?" She asked and looked around bewildered. I could see the confusion on her face as she continued, "Anyone?" Her eyebrows were furrowed and she raised a hand to rub her forehead trying really hard to understand what was going on.
She was right underneath the vent that I was currently hiding in and I repositioned myself to be ready for action. My movement however caused the slightest squeaking sound and I immediately stopped dead in my tracks. Normally, one would not be able to detect the almost inaudible noise, but in a large room that was filled with silence, I had no hopes that Skye would not pick up on it. I was the one to train her after all.
I saw her head snap in my direction and she stayed unmoving for a good few seconds, as she narrowed her eyes to the air duct. She eventually shook her head and started walking towards the sofas in the middle of the room. She was walking as if nothing was wrong, calling my name a handful of times as well.
"It's not like him to be late" she murmured and looked around.
Eventually, she must have given up on trying to find me, because she moved further towards the edge of the room and she turned the TV on. Perfect, I thought. She is not going to see this coming, I mentally smirked and carefully and silently finished repositioning myself.
With no warning, I jumped down from the pipe and raised the bow and arrow that I was holding, aiming it to the sofa's right, on the height where Skye's head should pop up from the cushions. The only problem was that Skye was nowhere to be found and only the television was playing in the background. Without letting my guard down, I scanned the room and began to slowly walk towards the controller, to turn the ABC Channel off. The moment my fingers let go of the bowstring, I heard something being thrown my way and rolling on the ground, closing in. My eyes quickly darted towards the origin of the sound and my mind filled with only one word.
Shit…
I jumped behind the sofa, taking cover, just in time before the grenade explodes. I quickly head to the side and tip over a table, making a barrier between me and the younger woman.
"You alive there Clint?" I hear Skye yell from the other side of the room. The smile that must have been on her face was evident even in her voice.
"Well played Skye" I yelled over to her and resumed to whisper to myself, "Well played, indeed".
There was a pause on her part and I took the time to calm down and lower my heart rate. I closed my eyes, and focused as if on a mission, taking in everything that was happening around me. The bow and two arrows were ready on my hands, while a case with a dozen more ammo was strapped to my back. I was waiting for the right moment until it came. "Did you expect Jemma to lie to me?" Skye asked.
I snapped my eyes open. I knew the direction where her voice was coming from, and that along with the volume of her voice gave me a pretty good indication as to where exactly in the room she was positioned. With it being second nature to me, I rose to my feet and threw the first arrow in her direction. I was satisfied to see her dodging just in time so that the arrow would not hit her chest. The second arrow was already pulled back as I stepped back towards the door. I knew she was about to unleash her darts in my direction so I let my arrow fly in her direction, knowing that she would not be hit, but buying myself enough time to exit the room.
I ran through the familiar corridors and heading to the director's office. More often than not I would have to take cover as Skye was closing in and she would fire some of her ammo in my direction. Soon I reached the large office that I wanted to and closed the door behind me, closing the window sills and not allowing my sister to know what was going on inside the room.
I might have not expected the particular outcome to come to fruition, but I had prepared for every possible scenario, including this one. I turned around, nodded at the director, and moved on to execute the second part of my plan.
Skye's POV
I had to admit that I was a little surprised when I returned from training only to have Jemma inform me that Clint had prepared a surprise for me in the living room. I had to give it to her though, she had stored some ammo, to help me start my game, under one of the sofas which are where I found the grenade that started the war.
Clint managed to escape my grip and I was chasing him around the floor when he took a sharp turn left and I saw him disappear behind the pirate's door, closing any means that I could possibly have to look at what was happening in there. I would have been so grateful at the moment if Nick had put any kind of cameras in his office, but Mister Secretive had decided against it. So, since my hacking wouldn't get me any closer to the office, and I didn't have time to hack into the schematics of the building to find another way in, I decided to walk up the door.
"Director?" I asked when I closed in, my grip always firm on the gun in my hand, which I had recently reloaded just to be ready.
I was not expecting an answer, waiting for Clint to have gone into the room when the person in charge was absent, but I was completely wrong. "Come in," said the head of the organisation and I hesitantly twisted the doorknob.
I slightly opened the door, my eyes scanning the room before I went in, and closed the door behind me so that my brother wouldn't have any way to escape.
"Is there something I can help you with, agent?" Nick Fury asked, rising his one good eyebrow in a questioning manner. He acted and spoke as if Clint hadn't just burst into his office and seemingly disappeared into thin air. He was a really good actor and I had to give it to him.
"Have you seen Clint around?" I asked but was not surprised when I received a head shake.
"Why would you think that?", he replied as he folded his hands at his chest.
"I was informed that he wanted to speak with me". The gun, though it still had my fingers tightly wrapped around it, was hanging by my side. "I've been trying to find him ever since and the only place where I had yet to check was here. So, I wondered if you knew his location" I lied swiftly, not even hesitating to form the words. I looked at him dead in the eye with an expression as serious as I could possibly master. It was as if we had a mini staring contest before he broke it by moving his gaze at his desk.
"Well…" he started and unfolded an arm to open one of his desk drawers. My eyes were glued on his moving hand as he resumed speaking "…I might or might not have an idea as to where he is"
I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise and my pupils grow larger when the pirate's hand came into view and he pointed his NERF at me.
"Shit" was my turn to whisper just as Clint had done moments ago. I turned to the door and opened it, but couldn't find any room to escape from the office. AC and Maria were blocking my exit, as both of them had their NERF guns pointed at my chest. I slowly backed away, to where I was standing before attempting my escape, and raised my hands in a surrendering manner. It was just a couple of seconds before Clint appeared behind the two agents at the door with a triumphant smile marking his face.
"How did you–?"
"The vents" he interrupted. Of course, I mentally cursed and kicked myself. "The gun" he steadily said, never loosening his hold of the bow and arrow. He waited for me to do as instructed before he continued, "Kick it over". His chin pointed at the item of interest.
"Oh, come on! Don't you think that that's a bit–"
"Kick. It. Over" he repeated, emphasising each word on purpose.
I couldn't do anything other than sighing. I pushed the damn gun in his direction with my foot. "Happy now?" I asked and folded my arms at my chest.
"Very" he didn't hesitate to reply and he let his arrow fly in my direction, hitting me straight in the forehead.
I lost my balance because of the force that the plastic arrow held, and was thrown backwards to the ground just as a storm of NERF darts came my way from all directions. This meant that even Fury was participating in my ordeal and I groaned, trying to think of what I did wrong to deserve it. Finally, finally, when the storm of darts stopped coming my way I unfolded my arms that were hugging my head in a protective manner until that moment.
I let out a groan and rolled on my back, not even daring to move. They may have been foam bullets, but they hurt nonetheless. I heard Clint coming closer and laughing at the same time. "You good there, Skye?", he mockingly asked.
"Peachy" I replied just as sarcastically.
This made a new set of laughter appear in the room and I felt Clint grabbing me from the armpits. "Come on. Up you go" he emphasised and used all his strength to push me upright. And by all his strength, I mean all of it. I was literally flown off the ground and was in the air with no support for a solid second before safely landing on my feet.
"Does someone want to tell me whose idea that was? Or even better, why this happened in the first place?" I asked and my eyes darted around the room. I saw that Jemma had also joined the party, standing straight by the door. I raised a questioning eyebrow at her but she just shook her head, while a true smile played on her lips.
My attention snapped at Fury when he started explaining. "This, agent, was of course Barton's idea" he had gotten up from his desk and had his hands behind his back.
"But still it doesn't explain–" I started but stopped short when something that the director said, not only now but when I just entered his office as well, finally clicked in. "Wait," I said, shaking my head. "Agent?" I asked, not truly believing what was happening.
"Well… that would be the way this whole thing was organised" Fury walked a bit towards me. His right hand was extended to my direction, firmly holding a black case which I had a really good assumption as to what it was containing. "Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D., agent Skye"
"I–" I started but was at a loss of words as I stared at the silver badge with the eagle insignia on it. "I don't know what to say," I said looking around the room to the smiling faces of the others. "Thank you" I finally concluded, looking back at Fury.
"You have nothing to thank me for" he answered and placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me the slightest squeeze. "You worked really hard for this, you deserve it" he nodded and took a step back.
"Congratulation Kid" Clint was the next to speak and came rushing to my side and hugged me as if there was no tomorrow for us.
"Thanks, Old Guy," I said as I return the hug. "You know that Nat is going to be pissed that she missed this right?" I laughed at his shoulder. "Is she still at the mission on Georgi Luchkov?" I asked and moved a bit back to fully register his answer, which was a nod. "How come and you didn't postpone it then? The little 'graduating ritual' I mean. I'm sure you wouldn't mind me not becoming an agent yet if it meant that Natasha would be here to see it"
The smile that was on Clint's face disappeared as he looked at Fury and then back at me, probably asking for permission from the director. "We have a mission," he said, getting straight to the point and not going around it. "We leave first thing in the morning"
"Where are we off to?" I asked curiously.
"The Mojave Desert," he said and handed me a file with the word 'classified' in capital and red letters on its cover.
Notes:Sorry for posting this a few hours late! I had a busy morning. I hope you all enjoyed it regardless of that :)