Awakening Quake
By Misha

Disclaimer in Chapter One.

A.N- This is it, the final chapter of "Awakening Quake". As I was writing the last few chapters it occurred to me how it should end. I know there are a few things left open and I'm sorry to any Bucky and Jemma fans for not going into more detail, but if the right plot bunny hatches I am willing to go back to this world and write a sequel. However, this was the right place to end Skye's journey, which is what this story was all about. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story, I really appreciate it. This is a great fandom and I'm so happy to be part of it.

Chapter Forty-Six: Happily Ever After

"Marry me." Steve said later when they were curled up together in their bed after a very satisfying reunion. Skye was happy to just soak in the feel of him, of just being with him like this.

"You already asked me that remember," Skye teased, "And I said yes."

"I want you to marry me now." Steve told her, taking her hand in his. "Tomorrow, as soon as Tony can arrange it."

"Ok." Skye said without hesitation. She didn't want a big wedding and since the S.H.I.E.L.D team was still at the Tower, everyone she loved would be there. That was all she needed.

Steve grinned and pulled her towards him for a passionate kiss. Skye responded eagerly. She had spent weeks dreaming about him and it felt so wonderful to be in his arms again.

To Skye's surprise, Steve broke the kiss before it go any further. "The next time we make love, I want you to be my wife." He told her sincerely.

Skye groaned a little, out of frustration, but at the same time, she was touched by the sentiment.

"I guess, if we're going to get married as soon as possible, we should let the others know and start organizing it." She said after a moment, knowing that while she could succeed in keeping the guest list intimate, there was no way she would be able to convince Tony to keep it simple.

She was right. After they joined the others and announced their intention to get married immediately, Tony and Pepper jumped into action.

"Just because we're doing this quickly, doesn't mean we can't do it right." Pepper told her. "You'll be amazed by how fast money can makes things happen."

At that point, Skye found herself dragged off towards Pepper and Tony's apartment, with the other women following along.

The next few hours were a blur. Pepper had ordered several dresses to be delivered immediately and Skye tried them on, finally settling on a simple, but classic, gown. Pepper had also ordered dresses for Jemma to try on, since she would be Skye's Maid of Honor and they quickly picked a lovely blue one.

Tony was taking care of the rest of the details, which was both reassuring and terrifying. Skye tried not to imagine what he would come up with, instead she focused on the fact that the next day she would be marrying Steve. That was all that mattered.

Plus, apparently she was having a last-minute bachelorette party, which would also help keep her mind off the details.

"We'll just stay in and drink," Natasha assured her.

Skye was relieved. She felt more secure with Ward dead, but at the same time the last time they'd gone out to girl's night, she'd ended up being held hostage by a super-villain. It was enough to make a girl nervous.

"You'll sleep here tonight," Pepper told her, "That way Steve doesn't see you until you walk down the aisle."

Skye smiled. It seemed old-fashioned, but then so was her groom, and it was actually sweet. Besides, with the lives they all lived, it was okay to be a little superstitious.

"Are you ready?" Coulson asked Skye the next day, just before the ceremony was about to start. He had happily agreed to walk her down the aisle. Jemma had stepped away to give them a moment of privacy.

"I am." Skye told him.

"Good." Coulson smiled. "He's a good man, Skye, I couldn't have picked better if I tried."

"I know." Skye said with a laugh, thinking about how Coulson had once hero-worshipped Steve. "Though I'm sure this wasn't you had it mind when you sent me here."

"No," Coulson agreed, "All I was thinking about was getting you the help you needed."

"And you did," Skye told him softly. "As much as I loved being part of your team, it wasn't what I needed anymore. This was. This is the life I needed and I'm so grateful that you made it possible. You gave me my first real home and then when I needed something, you found it for me."

Coulson looked suspiciously teary-eyed, but before he could say anything else, Jemma stepped forward.

"I think if we don't go out there, Steve's going to start worrying that you changed your mind," She said gently.

Skye nodded and a moment later, she and Coulson were walking down the make-shift aisle.

Tony had gone all out, just like Skye expected. Decorators had worked all night creating the perfect space for the ceremony and for the small reception to follow. There might have only been a total of 20 guests, including the bride and groom, but it still had all the traditional wedding trappings.

As they walked down the aisle, Skye took in the sight of her family and friends, both S.H.I.E.L.D and Avengers and smiled. It felt right to seem them all together and she had hope that the future would bring more collaboration between the two teams. She took note of the way Bucky, the best man, of course, was watching Jemma, and knew that she wasn't the only who would enjoy having the S.H.I.E.L.D team around more.

After a moment they reached the end of the alter and suddenly Skye wasn't think about anything but Steve. He looked devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo and a part of her still couldn't believe that he was waiting for her.

"Take care of her," Coulson told Steve as he placed Skye's hand in Steve's and there was a definite threat behind his words.

"I will," Steve promised and then he turned to look at Skye and the look in his eyes took her breath away. In his eyes she could see a promise of love and devotion and the wonderful future that they would have. This was what she had been searching for her entire life.

This was her happy ending.

The End