The Others
The next three days pass in much the same way. Skye is still sleeping the majority of the time, her body has a lot of healing to do, but when she is awake she is never alone. May and Coulson or Fitz and Simmons are always with her in some variation. Occasionally Bruce will come in to check on her himself and he has examined her injuries a couple more times, each time getting just a bit easier for Skye.
May and Coulson have also been doing a better job of taking care of themselves. They have started to take turns every day leaving Skye’s room to go take a shower and get a real meal while the other person stays with Skye. May leaves around lunch time and Coulson around dinner. This way they each get to socialize with some of the other members of their family. The others have all noticed the pattern and so they are making it a point to eat together whenever possible. Most days at least half of the tower’s occupants are having lunch together and almost all of them are at dinner. It has been good for May and Coulson, getting to talk with the others and put all their worries to the back of their minds for a while.
Every time they are out the others ask about Skye and May and Coulson are getting tired of giving the same update. Physically she is healing incredibly well, her surgery sites are getting better every day. Her ribs are no longer causing her searing pain on every breath. Her arms will take longer but none of them expected otherwise. But mentally they don’t know what to tell people. Skye doesn’t talk about anything that happened while Hydra had her. When she wakes up gasping from a nightmare she won’t tell them what it was about and they are afraid to bring it up. Skye doesn’t ask to see anyone other than the people who already visit her. She doesn’t even ask to go out of her room. Quite frankly, May and Coulson are getting worried. They know that they can’t just let Skye stay in the same place refusing to move forward but they are terrified that pushing her before she is ready will make her shut down.
Bobbi, Hunter, Tripp, and Mack are clearly getting desperate to see Skye too. Every time May and Coulson step into the kitchen the four of them swoop down to ask about Skye’s condition. They would find it incredibly touching how concerned the four of them are if it weren’t getting annoying. They try not to let the annoyance show though since they know they are just desperate to see Skye for themselves. With that in mind May and Coulson decide that it’s time to see if Skye is ready for more visitors.
They talked about it while Skye was asleep and decided that the next time she was awake and they were alone with her they would broach the subject and gauge her response. If she panics then they will drop it for another time but if she seems even a little bit open then they will try to push her towards letting them come visit, even if it’s just one or two of them at first. With this in mind the two share a resolute nod when they see Skye’s eyes blink open as she tries to gently pull herself into a seated position.
“Hey Skye, how’d you sleep?” Coulson asks as he helps her sit up while May props the pillows up behind her, the two of them having become a well-oiled machine in the last few days when it comes to anticipating Skye’s needs. The noncommittal shrug of her shoulders is pretty much the answer that they were expecting so neither are surprised when that is all they get in response. They wait a few minutes before continuing.
“Skye, you know that us and Fitzsimmons aren’t the only ones who have been worried about you right?” May starts. Skye gives her a strange look in response so May presses on.
“Bobbi and Hunter, Tripp, even Mack, they have all been worried about you too. They worked so hard to help us find you and bring you home. And now that you’re back, if you’re ok with it, they would really like to see you.” May says. So many emotions pass over Skye’s face in a matter of seconds. Confusion, happiness, concern, excitement, anxiety, until all that is left is a sort of dazed uncertainty. May reaches out and takes Skye’s hand.
“There is no pressure or expectation from any of them. They don’t expect anything from you. I think they would just really like to see you with their own eyes, to know that you are ok. If it’s too much you can stop and they will leave, just like with Bruce, you can take breaks or be done whenever you want. If you don’t want to see them all at once that’s ok too.” May speaks slowly and firmly, trying to make sure Skye hears every word she says. The most important part of her recovery is making sure Skye knows she is in control of her body and her environment, things like this are a huge part of that. If Skye says no, it is no. If Skye needs a break, they take a break. But at the same time May is really hoping she will say yes to at least letting Bobbi or Tripp come in.
“I… think I want to see them. I have missed them. But… are you sure they will be ok with me like this?” Skye asks, refusing to look May or Coulson in the eyes. She hates the idea of people seeing her so weak and pathetic. With her parents and Fitzsimmons it’s ok because she knows they love her and won’t judge her for it but with others, even people she knows like them, it’s just hard to trust that they won’t use it against her.
“Skye, look at me.” Coulson waits until Skye’s eyes finally find his after several moments before he continues.
“They love you, just as we do. Like May said, they have no expectations of you, you can be however you need to be in order to feel safe and they will be ok with it. May and I can stay the whole time and if it gets to be too much they will leave, no problem. Ok?” Skye’s eyes are shining but after a few moments of hesitation she nods at him, giving a slight smile at his assurances.
“Alright, do you think you want to see them all at once or just one or two at first?” May asks.
“I think all of them.” Skye says and May and Coulson just beam at her.
“Perfect! Well, I will go get them if you’re ready.” Coulson waits for Skye to nod before leaving the room to find the foursome.
Line Break
As it’s midmorning Coulson finds the four in the kitchen as he expected. He knows the schedules of his agents. Bobbi and Tripp get up early and go to the gym to work out and then spar before hitting the showers and then heading to the kitchen for breakfast where they are joined by Hunter who is just getting up around then and Mack who has been up for a couple hours playing video games. Coulson smiles at them all as he comes in. He knows he is about to make their day.
“Sir, how’s Skye.” Tripp asks the second he sees Coulson enter.
“She’s good. If you guys are up for it, she is ready to see you.” Coulson says and watches the smiles light up his agents’ faces.
“Yes!” Bobbi says as she turns off the burner she was cooking at and pulls her pan off the stove, completely forgetting about her hunger at the prospect of getting to see Skye. She quickly moves around the island and joins the three men now crowded in front of Coulson.
“Alright, just a couple things to be mindful of. We have been avoiding bringing up her powers or pretty much anything that happened when she was with Hydra, she doesn’t react well. She might not want you to touch her, she has been either more clingy than usual or completely averse to touch just depending on the circumstances. And most importantly, everything happens on her terms, if she says stop, stop. If she gets overwhelmed and needs to take a break or for you guys to leave we are going to respect that.” Coulson says with the same tone he would use if they were headed into a mission.
“Of course, sir.” Tripp says.
“Whatever she needs.” Bobbi adds on as the other two nod.
Coulson nods back before turning to lead the way down the hall. The excitement and energy from before is pushed down as the group walk, everyone wanting to portray calm so as not to spook Skye. At the door to the room the group pauses, Coulson giving them all a look before turning the knob and slowly moving inside.
Line Break
As soon as they get into the room Coulson steps over to the far side of the room where May is sitting in one of two chairs which she had pulled aside so the four agents could have room. Skye is clearly trying to put on a brave face, forcing a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Bobbi is the first to step closer.
“Hey rockstar.” Bobbi says with a huge smile. Skye gives her a quizzical look.
“Rockstar?” Skye asks, amusement clear.
“Yeah, you got taken by Hydra, held for over a month, and came out the other side. I’d say that makes you a rockstar.” Bobbi says stepping closer and sitting gently on the bed. May and Coulson hold their breath as they wait for Skye’s reaction to Bobbi’s words, both worried that she will panic at the reminder of her captivity. Instead, after a moment of staring into Bobbi’s eyes and seeing nothing but sincerity staring back at her, Skye’s face begins to blush and this time her smile fills her eyes.
“Thanks.” Skye mutters under her breath but the whole room sees the effect the praise has had on her. She already looks so much better than she did when they first entered the room. Taking Bobbi’s cue the others move in too, Hunter sitting in a chair on the same side of the bed as Bobbi and Tripp and Mack pulling up two chairs on the other side.
“I always knew you had skills.” Hunter adds as he takes his seat causing Skye’s blush to deepen.
“Seriously, if I really had skills I think maybe I would’ve been able to escape sooner.” Skye says, she’s clearly not sure what to do with all the praise the others are giving.
“C’mon girl. You stayed alive until help could get there, sometimes that’s the best you can do. I’m just so happy you’re safe now.” Tripp says, his trademark smile wider than Skye has ever seen it.
“I second that. I think we’re all just so happy to see you now Skye.” Mack says, he hadn’t spent much time with the young agent before she was taken but it hadn’t stopped him from worrying about her, especially after having to watch the video of her being tortured.
“Yeah, you look so much better now than you did on our way out of the facility.” Hunter says as Bobbi and May both shoot him glares. He balks under their gazes unsure of what he did wrong. No one speaks for a several moments while Skye seems to be confused by Hunter’s words.
“You guys were there when I was rescued?” Skye asks, receiving nods from all four of them.
“Yeah, we went in to help take down Hydra and get you out Skye.” Bobbi says.
“Yeah… I remember seeing you… and I… oh god Bobbi. I hurt you. I used my powers on you oh my god.” Skye is starting to panic. She pulls her legs up to her chest. Her eyes that had been locked on Bobbi’s are now staring down at the bed and starting to get a glazed look that May and Coulson instantly recognize as a sign that she is falling into a flashback. They both jump from their chairs and rush towards the bed to try and stop Skye’s spiral before it gets too bad but Bobbi beats them to it, grabbing Skye’s shoulders as firmly as she can without hurting the girl and forcing her eyes to snap up and lock onto her own once again.
“Skye, you did NOT hurt me.” Bobbi says emphatically.
“Yes I did! I remember it. You were trying to help me and I shot you back against the wall. Then I attacked Captain America. Oh my god what did I do?” Skye’s whole body is trembling but Bobbi doesn’t let go of her shoulders.
“That wasn’t you Skye, you weren’t making those decisions. It was the staff. You did not choose to hurt me or Steve. You are not responsible for any of it do you hear me?” Bobbi doesn’t stop staring into Skye’s eyes the whole time she speaks. She doesn’t let go of her shoulders as the trembling turns into shaking sobs, she just uses her grip to pull the girl into her chest, holding her close as she cries.
May and Coulson sit back down, Bobbi has the situation well in hand. They are both happy to see Skye allowing someone else to comfort her. Neither of them are surprised that Bobbi was able to help her so well, in fact now that Skye has let her in they are both hoping she will come around more. Maybe Skye will be more willing to talk to someone that isn’t one of her parental figures.
Hunter, Tripp, and Mack seem surprised by all the emotion that came out of Skye so suddenly, but after a moment they each settle into their chairs and wait for the proverbial storm to pass. None of them want to leave and make Skye think that she can’t show what she is feeling around them. They are going to be here once she calms down and assure her that they don’t think any less of her now that she has more demons to fight.
After several long minutes Skye sobs have turned to muffled cries and she is gingerly pulling back from Bobbi to lean against her pillows once again. Tripp grabs the tissue box from the side table and holds it out to her allowing her to pull several tissues before returning it to its place. Skye dabs at her eyes and nose as she stares at her hands in her lap.
“I’m sorry that you all had to see that. I’ve been kinda emotional I guess.” Skye mutters.
“Nothing to apologize for.” Mack says and Skye’s eyes are drawn to his warm brown ones. The sincere smile on his face causes Skye to cautiously look around at the others and she sees nothing but love and affection on all of their faces. Skye breathes deeply for a moment, reigning in the rest of her composure.
“Are you ok now Bobbi?” Skye asks, while Bobbi may not blame her for what happened Skye is struggling not to blame herself and it would help to know that she hadn’t done some kind of permanent damage to her friend.
“I’m perfectly fine Skye. Just a bit of a concussion, I have been back to normal for days now. And before you ask Steve is ok too. He was more concerned about not injuring you.” Bobbi responds and she watches as just a little bit of the tension in Skye’s shoulders eases.
“It’s still so strange to think about being rescued by the Avengers. I mean I guess I kinda remember seeing them there but it still doesn’t really feel real.” Skye says.
“Well, they’ve kinda become part of the team, as strange as that may sound. Ever since they helped us get Coulson back they have stuck around. And now we’re basically living with them. So yeah, I can see how that doesn’t feel real since I still don’t fully believe it myself.” Hunter grins at Skye.
“You’d like them though, whenever you are ready to meet more people that is. I mean Tony can be obnoxious and Agents Romanoff and Barton are hard to get a read on but Steve is great.” Tripp says and Skye gives him a quizzical look.
“Yeah, I told him about my granddad. It’s been really good. I’ve told him stories and he’s told me some. I think it’s been good for both of us.” Tripp adds and Skye gently reaches out and takes his hand.
“I’m happy to hear that.” Skye says with a smile as Tripp squeezes her hand and smiles back.
“It’s really great to have you back Skye.” Tripp says. He has missed his partner more than words could say. Seeing her here, in the flesh, and seeing that at least some of the old Skye is still in there has been all he has wanted for weeks.
The love fest is broken up by a yawn wrenching it’s way out of Skye’s throat, making everyone else laugh. She blushes a bit but then joins in the laughter after a moment.
“I guess that’s our cue to let sleeping beauty get some more rest.” Hunter quips.
“Sorry guys.” Skye says.
“C’mon girl. No more apologizing for stuff that’s not anyone’s fault.” Tripp says as he squeezes her hand one more time before letting go and moving towards the door. Mack gently pats Skye’s shoulder and follows Tripp out. Hunter leans down into an awkward side hug before shuffling off after the other two. The door slides closed behind Hunter leaving Bobbi alone on the bed with Skye while May and Coulson watch on from the side of the room.
“I know you may not want to talk about it, and you don’t have to, but if you do decide that you need someone to talk to, you can always call me, day or night. I’m just a few doors down. Got it?” Bobbi says, her face turning serious until Skye gives a firm nod in understanding. Bobbi allows a smile to cross her lips again.
“The boys and I are going to be taking a quinjet back to base in a couple hours just to grab a few personal items, some clothes, and check on things there. Is there anything you want me to get for you while I’m there?” Bobbi asks.
“My laptop.” Skye says immediately causing all three observers to laugh. After a moment Skye continues.
“If you don’t mind though there are a few things in my bunk that I wouldn’t mind having.” Skye adds.
“Just get me a list, Rockstar.” Bobbi says as she stands and turns toward the door.
“Bobbi?” Skye calls making Bobbi turn and look back at her.
“Thanks.” Skye says. Bobbi just smiles in return.
May and Coulson move to the chairs that Tripp and Mack had been sitting in as the door closes behind Bobbi. They watch happily as Skye sinks down into her pillows, a content smile on her face as her eyes blink heavily. May reaches out and takes her hand causing Skye’s head to roll over and look at her. Skye’s smile widens as May strokes her thumb back and forth across Skye’s knuckles and Skye slowly drifts off to a truly peaceful slumber.