Skye's Turn
“Please state your name, age, and favorite color.”
“Skye,” She hesitated, “I think I’m twenty five, and my favorite color is purple.”
“I never considered that you don’t know your exact age.” Simmons frowned.
The monitor beeped as Skye shrugged, her movement setting off the sensors. It was hard to take her vitals. Simmons had to keep scolding her to keep still. The hacker seemed determined to be a spaz no matter the situation.
“‘Tis the life of a sad orphan.”
Ward crossed his arms. There was something that had always bugged him.
“What’s your real name?” He asked.
She gave him a rueful smile.
“Legally? Still Skye.”
“You’ve always been named Skye?” Fitz clarified.
“Well, the nuns wanted to call me Mary Sue Poots so,” She shrugged and the monitor went off again.
A ghost of a smile appeared on Ward’s face. He shared an amused look with his coworkers.
“Oh that’s not too bad!” Amended Simmons.
And yet, she was holding back a grin as well.
“I think it’s bloody ridiculous,” Fitz didn’t bother looking up from the lie detector, “Also, quit moving.”
“So, Mary Sue—.”
“Don’t call me that, robot.”
“Do you think the name Skye is a little too on the nose?” His lips twitched, “Considering your personality, I mean.”
“Oh, shut it.”
“You have to answer the question.” Simmons added.
Ward nodded at her, appreciating the help. Skye gave him an exasperated look as she bit her lip. It was hard not to stare at her cute little teeth (can teeth even be cute?) making her bottom lip turn white under the pressure. God, he loved her lips.
“I gave myself a fitting name.”
She quirked an eyebrow at him and bit her lip again for (he assumed) his benefit. Caught, he quickly changed the subject.
“In your opinion, who is the most annoying to travel with on the bus?”
She knit her eyebrows.
“What makes someone annoying to travel with?”
“Leaving dishes in the sink,” He began casually, “Forgetting to restock toilet paper; Singing loudly in the shower—.”
“This feels very targeted.”
Fitzsimmons snickered.
“Do you think you’re easy to travel with?” He pressed.
Her mouth opened comically.
“You know, I am delightful to be around, Ward.”
He grinned.
“I’m sure that you tell yourself that.”
“I actually think you’re the most annoying to travel with.” She countered.
The machine indicated that she was telling the truth. He scoffed.
“Enlighten me.”
“You left your socks in the lounge once!” The monitor beeped as she pointed an accusatory finger at him.
It lacked an effect because said finger was covered with a sensor. Really, it was hard for her to point in general because of how the wires tied her fingers together. Nonetheless, Ward was completely charmed.
“Stop moving, Skye.” Fitz whined.
“I’m sorry, that must have been so awful to go through.” Ward mocked hurt.
“Are you guys flirting?” Simmons cut in.
The biochemist fixed Ward with a fascinated gaze. His mouth quickly shut and he stared at the wall behind Skye’s head. He prayed that his ears didn’t turn red. His pale skin gave him away on occasion, despite him having the utmost control on his facial expressions. The brit turned towards Skye and smiled warmly at her.
“What do you think?”
“I guess?” She seemed uncomfortable, “Sometimes we flirt.”
“Why is that? Wouldn’t that be inappropriate considering his position?”
He saw her visibly having to stop herself from shrugging again.
“We are both attractive,” She shot Ward a look, “Moderately attractive in his case.”
The machine beeped. Her first official lie. And it was about how attractive she found him. Ward couldn’t help but let a small smirk grace his features.
“That’s sweet.” Fitz commented.
Ignoring his smug smile, she continued on.
“We are both attractive adults who live together. Harmless flirting is fine.”
“Yes, I guess flirting can be harmless.”
There was a slight lilt to Jemma’s voice. It sounded a bit too close to when she lies. Ward saw Fitz look up and exchange a quick but knowing glance with her.
“Are you sure there is nothing going on between you guys?”
“Okay.” Ward interrupted. “One, there’s nothing going on. Two, that’s none of your business. Three, that’s an inappropriate—.”
“Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.” He retorted.
“That’s not the quote. Have you even read Hamlet?”
“Changing the subject? Bit obvious much. I expected better, Agent Ward.”
He puffed up his chest.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to pry a younger female coworker about her romantic or sexual relations when she is unable to defend herself. Some might call that sexual harassment.”
“That’s rich, isn’t it?” Simmons laughed. “Coming from a man! Have you been practicing that?”
“Oh, he’s just trying to distract us,” Fitz leveled his gaze at Skye, “Is there anything going on between you and Ward?”
She gave Ward a look.
“'Sexual harassment,' really?”
He shrugged. His helpless expression made Skye laugh.
“You’re an idiot.”
He was more than a bit offended that the monitor didn’t go off.
“I asked you a question.” Fitz folded his arms, trying (and failing) to smother the smile on his face.
She pursed her lips.
“There’s nothing officially going on. Our lives just fell apart.” She nodded at Ward, “His entire world just shattered. You think I’d put any emotional pressure on him?”
Grant couldn’t believe it.
“Is that why you’ve been keeping your distance?” He asked.
“You’re going through a lot.”
His chest panged. That upset him and he couldn’t quite place a finger on why. The feelings clouding her eyes were hard to decipher.
“I’m fine.” He meant to sound firm but it just came out as frustrated.
Everybody gave him a skeptical glance. Sure, his father figure turned out to be a Nazi and he had to kill him. Yeah, his entire life was devoted to an organization that ultimately failed. Okay, he had gone from being a “good guy” to a fugitive running from the law. That still wasn’t anybody else’s business. He could cope. He’s always coped. Instead of voicing that, he changed tactics.
“What… happened… in that janitors closet wasn’t just a fluke, Skye.”
“Hold on,” Fitz was suddenly incredulous, “Did you two have sex when we were risking our lives at the hub?”
“No!” Skye huffed, “Dude. Also, you already asked Ward that. Do you seriously think we’d do that to you guys?”
Nobody responded. She sighed.
“Do you think Ward would do that to you guys?”
“Fair enough.” Fitz piped in.
“That does make sense.” Simmons added.
“It’s true, I would never.”
“Unbelievable.”
Ward held up his hands in defense.
“Hey, you asked!”
“Okay,” Skye rolled her eyes, “I’m over this 'Dr. Phil' shit. Ward and I can figure this out on our own time. Do you have anything else you want to ask me before it’s your turn, Fitz-y?”
He thought for a second before his face lit up. He snapped his fingers at his apparently brilliant idea.
“What is the hardest drug you’ve ever taken?”
Skye snorted.
“Seriously?”
“Ooh! I want to know about your bad girl shenanigans.” Simmons nodded eagerly.
“Molly, probably. I’d say ecstasy but I can’t guarantee that the molly wasn’t cut with meth.”
Simmons fell silent. Fitz looked vaguely horrified.
“What?” She frowned, “I said I couldn’t guarantee it. I don’t know for sure. It could’ve been normal molly."
Nobody responded.
"What did you even expect me to say?"
"I don't know," Fitz shrugged. "Marijuana?"
"That's not even a hard—." She cut herself off, "Jesus, you guys are sheltered."
“Okay.” Simmons sounded a bit awkward. “So... Who’s next?”
“I can’t believe you’re judging me when you literally asked.”
“It’s okay, Skye. We aren't judging.”
“Oh, don’t give me that tone, Ward. I hate your tones.”
“Whatever, Methhead.” He pointed at the engineer. “Fitz, it’s your turn.”