Skye would be lying if she said she didn't immediately like Fitz and Simmons. Where Ward was closed off and reserved, they were warm and talkative, seemingly without a filter between they mouths and incredible brains. If was refreshing and not at all what she had expected from the S.H.I.E.L.D. super scientists. If she was being honest, Skye thought she would be in for long days of being poked and proded by old, dry scientists who hadn't left the lab in years. She was glad to be utterly wrong this time.

"Coulson filled us in on what happened to you last night." Jemma said conversationally, as though it was the most normal thing in the world. "We are just going to run a few simple tests and simulations to see how far these new abilities go and how much control you have over them. Sound okay?"

Skye couldn't help but laugh softly to herself about how Simmons had made this all seem like nothing more than a routine checkup with a GP. Oh, the stories these guys must have...

"First I'm going to take just a little bit of blood and Fitz is going to attach some electrodes to you forehead to monitor and record your brain waves." Simmons said and Skye sighed when she realised she wasn't going to get off completely prod free.

"And here I was thinking I could avoid needles my whole life." Skye grumbled.

"Wait, you have never had a jab...ever?" Ward asked, suddenly very interested. "Not a single vaccination or blood test?"

"Nope." Skye answered. "I guess my stellar record ends now."

"But that is impossible. Every child has to have routine vaccinations." Fitz said, his mind following the same path as Ward's.

"Someone knew about you." Ward said softly, more to himself than to me. Skye let her mind drift back to all the times when the other children at St Agnes had been taken to the doctor, coming back with a bandaid on their arm and red-rimmed eyes. She had never really wondered why she never went, thinking only that she had dodged a bullet.

"Odd indeed." Jemma muttered. "No matter. We will get this all figured out in no time."

Skye couldn't help but think to herself that she loved Jemma's shiny outlook and confidence. She didn't share it but hey, it was a refeshing change from Ward's doom and gloom approach.

She winced as Jemma drew her blood, wishing she had continued her needle free run.

"Alrighty then. I'm just going to stick these on and we can see what is happening under that bonnet." Fitz said in his thick scottish accent that still made Skye smile. He held up two little nodes before sticking them to her temples.

"What is this, the 1800's?" Skye asked, confused. "I'm not wearing a petticoat and I'm sure as hell not wearing a bonnet."

An uncharacteristic snort of laughter came from Ward's direction and Skye couldn't help but smile at the mirth on his face. It was nice to see him at ease, even if it did seem somehow unnatural.

"He meant 'hood'. Like on a car. Look under the hood?" Ward explained still laughing. "You get used to their weird names for stuff after a while."

"That'll be quite enough from the colonies, thank you." Fitz joked, exchanging a smile with Jemma over his joke.

Skye watched their conspirital exchange closely and couldn't help but smile as she felt their friendship and love radiating from them. Fitz and Simmons had obviously been more than lab partners for a very long time.

Just as Skye was watching them, trying to figure out if theirs was sibling-like love or the far more crazy and consuming kind, she got her answer in an entirely unexpected way. It was like she was seeing Simmons through a weird kind of perscription lenses. The kind that shrouded Simmons a soft glow and made the whole world fade out so that only could her smile and the small dimple that appeared in her right cheek remained. It was like she was shrouded in rose light, but more than that. Like it was radiating from her alone. Like she was the only source of light in the room. Skye knew immediately who's lenses she was seeing Jemma through, and she felt guilty for accidently stealing a glimpse.

"Woah." Skye mumbeld to herself, blinking rapidly to block the thoughts out. It felt like she had invaded Fitz's privacy in the worst possible way without ever meaning to.

"You okay?" Ward asked, walking closer to Skye with a worried expression.

"Uhhh, yeah I'm fine." Skye answered, trying to sound casual. "Just a bit of a headache. Maybe from the flight. I'm fine."

"Right, of course." Jemma said with a sympathetic smile. "We have enough to be getting on with for now, don't we Fitz? Why don't you show her upstairs to her room, Ward? We will call when I have the blood test results and Fitz has analysed the brain activity he just recorded. The more strenuous test can wait until tomorrow."

"Thanks." Skye said, jumping off the exam table and pulling Fitz's weird little stick antennae off as she went. She picked up the small duffle bag that held all of her worldly belongings and hurried to the elevator. "Come on, Ward."

Without saying a word, Ward walked with her to the elevator but as soon as the doors closed Ward began his interrogation.

"What happened?" Ward asked, looking her over for any physical hints for her odd reaction in the lab.

"Fitz and Simmons... Are they together?" Skye asked hurriedly, ignoring Ward's question.

"What? They are always together. They went through University, the Academy, S.H.I.E.L.D.. They're never apart." Ward explained, still thoroughly confused.

"But are they together?" Skye asked, stressing the last word and making her meaning clear.

"No. I mean, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure they would have told me." Ward answered. Their conversation halted as the elevator doors opened on what looked like the floor of a hotel with plush carpet and a series of mumbered doors. They both got out but didn't move down the long corridor.

"Oh boy..." Skye sighed, freezing just outside the elevator. "This might get awkward."

"What will get awkward, Skye? I don't understand." Ward was becoming increasingly agitated and Skye knew she would have to spill the beans. Sorry Fitz.

"I think we can add another dotpoint to my list of weirdo powers." Skye began. "I felt something downstairs. Something that came from Fitz."

"What kind of something?" Ward asked, even though he had a fair idea of where this might have been going.

"It was like I saw Simmons as he does. I can't explain how I knew it was coming from Fitz, I just did. You know how they say when you're in love with a person you see them through rose coloured glasses? Well it's kind of true."

Ward sighed but couldn't help but see the irony in the situation. For years he, May and Coulson had wondered if there was more than friendship between Fitzsimmons. I guess now he knew. Also, May owed him $100.

"I felt everything he did when he looks at her." Skye couldn't help but smile as she remembered, even if she felt bad for gatecrashing Fitz's heart. "He loves her, Ward. Like crazy in love, the only light in the darkness kind of love. I know they are meant to be finding out what is going on with me but I couldn't oust him in front of her like that."

"It's okay, Skye. I'll take care of it." Ward said with a reassuring smile. "I'll show you to your room."

Ward began walking down the corridor and Skye jogged after him. Stupid tall person with stupid long legs.

"Wait what do you mean, 'you'll take care of it'. You aren't going to tell Simmons, are you. I mean she probably feels the same way but isn't their some sort of bro code that says you can't throw the poor guy under a bus like that."

Skye's outburst even earned a soft laugh from Ward as he came to a stop infron of a door bearing the number 306.

"What is this place? Hotel up top, secret lab in the basement?" Skye asked becoming momentarily distracted.

"It was a S.H.I.E.L.D. safehouse for all agents until they moved their base of operations underground. When our team broke up, Fitzsimmons demanded their own lab so they could continue their independent projects. They are the best so they gave them thisdecommissioned base and an unlimited, no questions budget. You don't have to worry. No one comes here. It isn't even on S.H.I.E.L.D. records anymore."

"It's okay, I trust you G-man." Skye said. "And you still haven't told me how you are going to 'handle' it."

"I've been meaning to tell Fitz to man up for years." Ward said with a smile that bordered on devious. "Now that I know I'm right I'm going to have a little chat with him."

Ward the matchmaker? Who would have thought? Skye never ceased to be amazed by him.

"Okay then cupid." Skye scoffed as she opened her door taking in the beautiful pre-war room filled with hard wood furniture. It was simple but beautiful. Everything looked old but not in a delapitaded way. More of an antiquite, frozen in time kind of way.

"Wow... When did you say this place was decommissioned?" Skye asked Ward as he stood in the doorway behind her.

"During WWII. They moved operations underground for safety during the bombings." Ward answered. "S.H.I.E.L.D. gave Fitzsimmons a huge renovation budget when they moved in but I guess they liked the history. I can see why."

"Me too." Skye smiled, looking over at the tall wrought iron bed longingly.

"Bathroom is through that door on the left and their is a kitchen at the end of the hall on the right. Fitzsimmons live on this floor so they keep it fully stocked, help yourself. Once I've spoken to Fitz I'll come and get you. We can go out if you want." Ward said.

"Really?" Skye squealed. She had always wanted to see London but she hadn't held much hope during this visit.

"Yeah, really." Ward answered with the hint of a soft smile. "I saw you gazing out the window on our way here. We have no reason to suspect anyone knows you are here and I'm here to protect you, not keep you prisoner. I'll see if Fitzsimmons want to join us."

"Sounds great." Skye answered, genuinely excited.

"See you soon." Ward said, closing her door behind him.

Skye looked up at the clock to see it was just after 3pm. As she heard her tummy grumble, she decided that her first stop would be the kitchen. She deposited her bag on the bed and followed Ward's directions down the hall where she found a large kitchen and dining room. After a quick sandwich, Skye made her way back to her room and decided on a shower. She knew it was probably irrational but even two hours on a plane in recycled air shared with another 200 people, she felt gross. Maybe it wasn't so irrational at all.

It was just before 6 when Ward knocked on Skye's door again.

"Hey, are we heading out?" Skye asked when she answered, carrying her jacket over her arm.

"Yeah. Simmons is waiting for the test results and Fitz is still running a whole bunch of things on his computer that I don't understand so they are going to come with us."

"Great. How was your chat." Skye asked, curious to know how things had gone with Fitz.

"Well, your radar is spot on. He caved as soon as I asked him straight out." Ward said, remembering the stricken panic on Fitz's face just before all his deepest darkest secrets had come spilling out of his mouth almost too quickly for Ward to follow. "We will see whether he tells Simmons."

"I give it two days... max." Ward said with a sly smile as Skye shut her door behind her snd followed him down the hall.

"You didn't feel what I did. I give it less than a day before he caves." Skye threw back at him.

"You're on."

Once Fitz and Simmons had met them in the bare lobby they made their way to the nearest underground station. Skye couldn't help but giggle at the robotic woman who reminded her to "mind the gap" as the doors closed. Ward rolled his eyes at her but she didn't care if it was cheesy or touristy, she was going to enjoy it while she could.

They only stayed on the train for a 10 minutes, going through all the stations straight off a Monopoly board, before getting off at Piccadilly Circus. They followed the stream of people moving towards the exit and Skye couldn't help but notice Ward's eyes darting around and the firm hand on her back as he guided her through the crowd. It was obvious he didn't like the crowds and that he was letting them go out tonight for her, to keep her sane. She was incredibly thankful and made a mental note to let him know the next time the got a quiet minute.

They all followed Simmons as she led the way and Skye couldn't help but watch the way Fitz gazed at Simmons as she bounced along in front of us. How had no body else seen it? She knew that they had suspected but it was written clearly all over his face. More to the point, how had Simmons not noticed?

Skye's thoughts were cut short as they surfaced up on the street and she couldn't contain a soft gasp. There were people bustling around her; street performers, excited tourists and locals that seemed bored with the whole affair. All around them, huge LED billboards towered above them and though Skye had never been to Times Square she couldn't help but draw a comparison. She smiled as she saw a huge road sign pointing to Trafalgar Square. She couldn't help but look up at Ward with the biggest smile she had worn in days. It was so bright and infectious Ward couldn't help but return it.

"Come on, Skye. You have to see this." Simmons said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards a store right near the exit of the station. It was a huge, branded with the name "Cool Britannia" in giant letters. Between the heads of the crowd that had gathered at the entrance, Skye spotted a man dressed in a gaudy Union Jack suit who was working the crowd and taking pictures with tourists. It was so unashamedly cheesy. Skye loved it.

Jemma dragged her inside while Fitz and Ward followed and Skye laughed at the Mini parked right inside the store, painted completely with a Union Jack. After 20 minutes of looking through all the tacky souveniers Skye exited with a tiny double decker bus figurine and an I heart London hoodie that Simmons has insisted she buy for her.

"Can we eat now? I'm bloody starving." Fitz grumbled.

"Oh Fitz, don't be so grumpy. I remember the first time I brought you here." Simmons laughed grabbing on to Fitz arm and leaning in to him.

Skye expected him to tense at her touch, knowing how he felt about Simmons. She was surprised though when the tension he had been holding in his posture melted away as he leaned into her as well. This wasn't a pupply love infatuation, Skye noted to herself. It was the kind of deep, companionable love he had held on to for years. And watching how comfortable Jemma was in return made Skye sure that it wasn't entirely one sided.

After a long stop at a noisy but homely pub that served the best meals and pints (according to Simmons) they walked to Trafalgar Square. Skye ran around the fountains and giant bronze lions like a child on a sugar high and Ward couldn't help but be infected by her enthusiasm.

"This is fantastic!" Skye beamed, her eyes wide and her hair a mess, as she ran up to Ward.

"I'm glad you like it." Ward answered with a wide smile. Before he realised what he was doing he reached up to tuck her windswept hair behind her ear.

"You know, I used to think you were a robot." Skye said softly, well aware of the electricity crackling in the air around them. "Now I'm not so sure."

"Well I guess I feel relaxed around you. Which is weird because I'm usually anything but." Ward answered, pausing to consider just how profound that realisation was.

"Oh my god. I'm sorry. Are my freak powers doing something to you. I swear I'm not doing it on purpose." Skye rambled.

"Skye relax." Ward soothed though he couldn't hold back a smile at her reaction. "I said you make me feel relaxed, not your powers."

"Oh." Skye mumbled softly, becoming acutely aware of how close they had become. She was also aware that they were standing beside a beautiful fountain in the moonlight, mere inches apart. Her eyes flickered down to Ward's lips and she could have sworn she saw Ward's to the same to hers.

All of a sudden, Skye was jolted from behind as someone ran into her in the busy square. She was sent crashing into Ward's chest which ordinarily wouldn't have been a bad thing except the moment was broken. Slowly she pulled herself (regretfully) out of Ward's arms and regained her balance.

Instead they were left to watch Fitzsimmons having a moment of their own as Simmon's chatted at a million miles an hour, pointing things out to him as he murmered in agreement, his eyes never once leaving her. Ward and Skye exchanged knowing looks, as though they knew every secret of the universe.

Before too long, they all decided it was time to head back for the night and they retraced they way back through the underground to the old safe house. As they walked into the Lobby and got to the elevator, Simmons announced that she was going to the lab to check on her tests and Fitz muttered something about also checking a simulation though he didn't sound entirely convinced.

Skye smirked at Ward as they all go in the elevator and it stayed firmly in place as Fitzsimmons got out at the lab and they said their goodnights.

"I'm so gunna win this bet, Robot." Skye teased as soon as the elevator doors closed.

"You know we never actually decided on a wager for this bet." Ward replied.

"Bragging rights of course." Skye said, rolling her eyes.

"If you say so." Ward laughed as they exited the elevator and made their way to their rooms.

"Just you wait..." Skye said with that cocky, knowing tone that made Ward roll his eyes.

"Goodnight, Skye." Ward said as he opened his door.

"Night." Skye replied and shot him one last smile before she closed her door behind her.

Skye took a moment to rest her back on the closed door, remembering the amazing night and the way Ward had looked at her in that moment. She had always been able to read people with uncanny accuracy through Ward was something different entirely. She knew from the first moment she could trust him but she had entirely misjudged his character. He wasn't a robotic g-man just following orders. She knew now that he was loyal, feircely protective and even playful when he wanted to be. She had never met anyone with quite so many layers. So many hidden facets that he only let show when he felt comfortable. She had imagined why he kept so much of himself hidden but the more she thought about it the more she didn't want to. She knew his training could only be partly to blame.

She was in immesurable danger, thousands of miles from everything she knew but still Skye was utterly at peace. Who would have thought that flying half way around the world and knowing amazing people for mere days would give her the closest thing to home that she had ever had. She knew it was mostly because of Ward. Her whole life she had never had anyone who wanted to protect her. No one who's sole mission was to keep her safe. She used to think that was okay. Skye was no shrinking violet; she had taken care of herself just fine. Now that she had someone in her corner though, she knew it was always better to have someone looking out for you.

Before Skye could spend all night over analysing she quickly changed and got ready for bed. Just as she pulled her blankets back to climb into the bed she had been covetting all day she heard a dull thud coming from the hallway. Curious, she peeked a head out her door and grinned widely at what she saw. Apparently Fitlzsimmons had that talk.

Skye watched as they stumbled down the hallway, inexplicably attached at the lips. Apparently though, they were much too absorbed in their activities to notice Skye peeking through her door. Just when Skye is about to return to her own room to give them their privacy, Simmons roughly pushed Fitz against the door and kissed him even more forcefully. Woah feisty Simmons, Skye thought to herself. Fitz, you lucky, lucky man.

They quickly dissapeared into what Skye assumes is one of their bedrooms. Thankfully it is far enough down the hall that she couldn't hear anything else except for a soft chuckle from behind her. She turned and saw Ward peaking out of his door just as she was.

"I hate to say i told you so..." Skye trailed off with that same smirk she had worn when she made this very prediction. "Wait no i don't."

Ward just looked at her with the widest most geniune smile that lit up his whole face and stole Skye's breath.

"Night." Skye said again, moving to close her door.

"Goodnight." Ward replied. "Though not as good as theirs, apparently."

They both laughed softly when they heard what could only be a large peice of furniture falling over.

With one last smile they both returned to their rooms and shut their doors.

Yep, don't over analyse, Skye told herself, determined to finally go to bed. It took her a while to fall asleep, especially with the soft ghosts of giggles that she swore she head filtering down the hallway. Soon though, she was dreaming about bronze lions, fountains and deep brown eyes.

Just before sunrise Skye was woken by a shrill ringing from somewhere in her room. In her barely awake daze it took her a moment to realise it the desperately outdated phone she had been careful to keep fully charged since this whole saga began. The seemingly innocuous object continued to ring as Skye watched it with panicked eyes while her chest constricted so tight she could barely breath. She had only one frenzied thought as she watched it vibrate across the bedside table… Cuba.

Before she even had a chance to process what she is doing, Skye grabbed the phone and tears out of bed, sprinting down the hall to pound furiously on Ward's door. He opened in it in mere seconds, suddenly wide awake with a pistol clasped tightly in his right hand. Ward looked her over with the carefully controlled alarm of a trained operative, checking the hall outside before settling back on Skye. It then he noticed the object that Skye was squeezing so tightly in her small fist that her knuckles were turning as white as her terrified face. He immediately knew and his stomach dropped...

They're coming for her.

So there we go. Just so you know, Skye's reaction to London/Picadilly Circus is basically my own and I even did a tiny collage of pictures of things that I mention in the story using my own holiday snaps. Check it out on my Tumblr.

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Please leave a review to let me know what you thought.