The Surveillance Room
They had three weeks of peace before Fury called. Phil and Mel had spent most of that time doing everything in their power to prove to Skye that they would never hurt her, never send her back. When the phone rang, Skye jumped in her seat, knocking her glass of water all over the floor and table. She instantly burst into tears, and Mel rushed to comfort her. Phil took the call.
“We need you back.” Fury announced abruptly. Phil sighed and moved into his and Mel’s shared office, where Skye wouldn’t be able to listen in and make her own wrong assumptions about the call.
“You said a month, minimum.” He pointed out half-heartedly. Neither had actually expected Fury to stick to his offer, but it was still worth pushing the point. The extra week could be beneficial to Skye.
“I said, a month unless something comes up. Something came up. I need you back.”
Phil closed his eyes briefly.
“Just me, or Mel too?” He asked reluctantly.
“May in field; You working back end.” There was a pause and then, “You took her on, Phil. I need you here picking up the pieces. You’re her SO now.”
Phil glanced back at the file on his desk. The one labelled ‘classified’, with the picture of a young red-headed teen clipped to the front. Natasha Romanoff.
“I can come in tomorrow. We need to find arrangements for Skye.” Phil offered.
“Phil, she took down three of my best agents because they startled her. I need you back, now. Bring the girl with you for all I care.”
There went their afternoon plans. Phil didn’t bother waiting for Fury to say goodbye. The man hated them, and much preferred to hang up with the words unsaid. He headed back into the kitchen, where Mel had managed to calm Skye enough that she could clean up the mess. Skye peered up at him, her face red and swollen from crying.
“Are you sending me back? Was that the orphanage?”
Phil immediately shook his head, running a hand through his daughter’s hair.
“Definitely not. It was mine and Mel’s boss. He wants us to go back to work.”
Skye shifted, her demeanour changing as she instantly brightened. Phil wasn’t sure if it had been his insistence that she wasn’t going anywhere, or the mention of their jobs as agents, but he was glad to see her so cheerful again. Mel finished up and came over, looking slightly concerned.
“Something wrong?”
“Nah,” Phil shook his head, keeping his tone carefully bright, “Just a little incident I need to sort out. He mentioned he has a mission for you though. Not sure what. Ah, he wants us in ASAP, so Skye, you’ll have to come with us if that’s okay?”
Skye beamed at him.
“Awesome.” She pronounced and ran to get her shoes on.
In the end, May took Skye. They’d discussed it at length in the car, whilst Skye bobbed along to whatever trashy kids’ music she’d selected for her headphones. Natasha was a known flight risk, and she’d reacted badly to grown agents who could, to some extent, deal with her. There was no telling what she’d do with Skye there. It was a risk neither of them was willing to take.
May led Skye quickly through the corridors, taking detours where she could to avoid other agents. Skye didn’t seem to mind, chatting happily away, though May had long since lost the thread of the conversation.
“Where are we going?” Skye asked suddenly. They stopped in front of a security door, and May reached for her ID, suddenly wondering what exactly Skye was going to be exposed to once inside. She had no idea what this mission entailed, and briefings could sometimes be gory in detail.
“I’m going to a mission briefing,” May explained, looking around for an agent she recognised and trusted. Ah, Dr Laura Mitchell. Perfect.
“Ah, Laura!” She called. Skye perked up as she recognised the doctor from her first visit here. Laura hurried over, looking surprised but pleased to see them.
“Agent May. Skye! Hello again. Are you feeling better?” Laura asked, as Skye nodded eagerly
May shifted.
“Laura, I know it’s short notice, but would you mind taking Skye for a little bit? I’m supposed to be in a briefing but- “
Laura smiled genuinely, though her eyes showed May that she had understood her meaning.
“I’d love to hang out with Skye for a bit. That okay with you sweetie? You can help me with my own mission.”
Skye’s mouth fell open.
“I can go on a mission?” She asked, bouncing on her toes. May smiled and slipped away. She was quite certain that Laura and Skye would be just fine.
Laura led Skye to one of the smaller surveillance rooms. She was technically supposed to be doing inventory for the medical ward, but it wasn’t essential work, and she knew Skye would have found it dull. The look on Skye’s face when she saw all of the computers was definitely worth the extra hours she’d have to do later.
“They’re so shiny, Laura.” Skye stage whispered. A couple of agents glanced over, but they didn’t seem especially bothered by Skye’s presence, so Laura figured it was probably okay. She spotted a spare computer in the corner and smiled.
“Hey, you want a go?”
Skye shifted nervously, looking at the computer with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
“I never used a computer before. We aren’t allowed technology at the orphanage.”
Laura blinked, making a mental note to let May and Coulson know about this as soon as she saw them again. What eight-year-old child had never used a computer before?
“What about in your foster homes?” She asked carefully. There was no telling how Skye might react to mentions of her previous carers. It was obvious that few, if any, had been kind to the girl. Skye shrugged, looking uncomfortable.
“Dunno.” She answered stiffly.
“Okay, well let’s get you set up then.” Laura said, forcing herself to sound cheerful, instead of like she might cry. The poor girl. She was lucky to have May and Coulson now. They would make sure she got the life she deserved. She led Skye over to the computer, scanning her own ID so the system would let Skye use it. Her own clearance was low, so she had no worries about Skye accidentally seeing something she shouldn’t.
Skye clicked a couple of buttons experimentally, looking delighted when something happened on the screen. She grabbed the mouse from Laura and began messing around, giggling quietly as she did so. Laura smiled softly and checked her phone. She needed to be aware of when May was finished and wanted her daughter back.
“Hey! Kid! Cut it out.” Someone yelled, and Laura glanced up, frowning at Skye’s computer screen. She had managed to change the background image to that of two animated deer chasing a butterfly. It was adorable, but Laura wasn’t sure why everyone else seemed so frustrated. Then she glanced up at the main screen and her mouth fell open. Skye hadn’t just changed her own background. She’d changed all of them. Every screen in the whole room was now showing an animation of two deer and a butterfly. Skye merely giggled. It was obvious that she hadn’t realised what was wrong, although she seemed to be at least somewhat aware of why the guy was yelling. Laura frowned.
“I thought you said you’d never used a computer before?” She asked, wondering why Skye would have lied about it. The little girl looked confused.
“I haven’t. It’s just really easy.”
Laura stared at Skye, gobsmacked. She had heard of kids being generally better at technology because they were young, but nobody was this good.
“Could you change it back sweetie? I think these agents need to get on with their work.”
Skye nodded slowly and clicked a couple of keys, releasing the screens. Laura let out a sigh of relief and hoped that nobody would murder her for letting Skye near a computer. Her phone buzzed and she got up, logging Skye out before the kid could do any more damage. She pretended not to notice the glares of the other agents.
“C’mon sweetie. Your- May is finished. It’s time for you to go.”
Skye looked disappointed.
“D’you think Mel and Phil will let me use their computer at home?” She asked. Laura shrugged. She was sure May and Coulson would be perfectly willing… right up until Skye actually got her hands on technology and they realised how dangerous that was.
It would be entertaining to see.