If you want a terrifying look into my psyche and an in depth background of this series of oneshots you should read (the admittedly long and rambly) author's note on my profile page.

The TL;DR version is as follows: this is a serious of tentatively connected oneshots based in the same AU. They happen in a vague time period leading up to the Avengers movie (Skye is about 6) but are not necessarily in chronological order. For more info on this characterisation of Skye head on over to my other fic 'Plug it in and change the world (You are my electric girl)'.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the majesty that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe or any of its awesome affiliations. Just saying.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Undisclosed Location

Skye peered down through the air vent at the man Uncle Nicky had called 'Hawkeye'. He was standing on the top level of the Helicarrier looking down into the atrium-like area where many of the techs were working whilst under the supervision of Agent Maria Hill. From his vantage point you could see the walkways of all the levels that exited out into the open area, all those working down below and out the front windows onto the landing area filled with quinjets, helicopters and the people attending them. He was unaware however that he himself was under observation.

A sneaky little girl had been exploring the air ducts when she happened to look down through a vent to see Barton demonstrating why they called him 'Hawkeye'. Clint started to feel a prickling on the back of his neck accompanied by the sensation that he was being watched. He scanned his surroundings trying to find the perpetrator whilst she stifled her giggles behind her cupped hands above him.

Eventually, Skye gave in to her desire to cause mischief. "Psst, Mr. Birdman!"

Clint swung around to stare at the solid wall behind him in confusion.

In an eerie voice she called out, "I see you Mr. Birdman."

Skye couldn't hold in her giggles this time and gave herself away. Clint looked up and saw an air vent and behind it a small cherubic face, eyes alight with impishness. To say he was confused would be an understatement. Deciding to investigate, he unscrewed the vent and pried it down to reveal a little dark-haired girl with big brown eyes staring down at him curiously.

"Whatcha doin' up here?" she inquired of him.

Clint was at a loss. There was a kid on the Helicarrier. There was a kid in the air ducts of the Helicarrier. How on earth did she get in there?

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

"AC said I shouldn't tell strangers my name," she informed him pertinently.

"Yeah? I'm pretty sure he told you not to talk to them too."

She seemed to think about this for a second before shrugging in agreement. "Well, I know your name so I guess you're not really a stranger," He wasn't sure he followed her logic but he was more interested in how she knew who he was.

"How do you know my name? And what are you doing up there anyway?"

"I read your story, silly," she told him as if it was obvious.

Clint almost seemed hesitant to ask, "My story?"

"Sure, yous got a book with your picture in it and everything!"

This was not clearing the situation up at all.

"Well, if you know my name can I know yours?"

"I'm Skye. You should ask Uncle Nicky to lets you read my story. It's got lots of pretty pictures in there, I bet it's a really good bedtime story. What's your favourite bedtime story? I like Goldilocks and the Three Bears but I don't really like porridge, so… hey! Do you wanna play hide and seek with me? I'm really good! Aunty Maria says it's cos I'm small and I can squish in lots of places I shouldn't. You don't look so squishy, or small, but yous was reeeaaal quite for a long time so I bet you could be pretty good if you practice."

Sometime during this explosion of chatter he managed to discern that she had some connection to whom he presumed was Hill and *snicker* Fury. You can bet he was never going to let him live that down - 'Uncle Nicky' indeed.

"You know, we should probably find your parents before they get worried."

"Oh I don't gots none silly!"

She seemed remarkably blasé about informing him she was an orphan. If he didn't already know it, he was pretty sure this kid was on the weird side.

"Well, how about you come down from there and we can go find your Aunty Maria?"

Skye seemed to consider this option, "Do you promise to play hide and seek with me later?" she bargained.

Clint couldn't help but be charmed by her effervescent personality. "Sure kid, we can play hide and seek later if you promise to come down now."

With the grave seriousness of a six year old she leaned her arm through the vent with a crooked pinky extended, "Do you pinky swear?"

Clint laughed slightly before completing the pact all the while thinking that Nat would never believe this if she saw it.

Almost before he could brace himself Skye dropped herself through the hatch crying, "Catch!"

He caught her about a millimetre from the ground and felt as if his heart had dropped even further. "Jesus kid!" he scolded, "Give us some warning next time!"

Skye just giggled like he'd said something hilarious and patted his cheek. She took his calloused hand in her small one and started to drag him down to the atrium, excited to show him all the 'pooters', which he took to mean 'computers'.

Once they got down there he spotted Maria standing straight and tall in front of a bank of computers calling out instructions to her minions. Skye put her index finger against her lips and made a shushing sound whilst hiding behind Clint.

He grinned slightly before addressing the agent with her back towards him. He cleared his throat to get her attention and when she turned around he informed her, "I believe I found something of yours."

The look of confusion on her face cleared when Skye burst from out behind him with a shouted, "Boo!"

Maria smiled fondly down at the girl who pointed at her and cried, "I gotcha! Almost as good as scaring Mr. Birdman, here."

Maria looked at Barton and raised her eyebrow mockingly.

He spluttered out a denial, "I was not scared! Not that anyone could blame me, finding her in the air ducts! It's not like there's an over-abundance of kids on the Helicarrier."

Skye let out a soft, "Uh oh" when she saw the expression on her Aunt's face.

She looked down at her toes with her shoulders hunched, scuffing her shoe against the floor as she listened to her Aunt scold her.

"How many times have I told you not to climb around in those things? They're dirty and unsafe and you could be seriously hurt!"

Skye looked up at her with big, tear-filled eyes, "I just wanted to play. No one here wants to play with me. But Mr. Birdman, he wasn't doin' nothing and he said he'd play hide and seek with me. Please," she begged plaintively.

Maria looked at Barton and mouthed the word 'Birdman?' in question. Clint shrugged, nonplussed at the origin of the name although he thought it probably had to do with her seeing the word hawk in his 'story'.

Before the conversation could continue Director Fury entered with a barked, "What's the status report?" This was all he could get out however, before a flying whirlwind of long, dark hair and enthusiasm launched herself at him with a squealed, "Uncle Nicky!"

Clint snorted and covered his grin with his hand trying to document everything about this moment to recount to Nat later.

Fury glared at Barton, almost daring him to say something. His menacing look turned slightly softer when he looked down at Skye. "Why aren't you in lessons, young lady?"

Skye shrugged and looked down at her toes again contritely. "I was bored," she admitted softly, "So I escaped through the air ducks."

Fury's face softened further in amusement before he sighed and held his hand out to the little girl. "Come on, you know you have to finish your lessons before you play games."

Skye turned her cherubic little face upwards, eyes widening in beseechment, "Can't I stay here and help you? I'll be really quiet," she whispered the last part.

Fury looked amused but unbudging, "Nope, you had your chance last time but you drew pictures all over my files."

"Well, you shouldn't have left them all over your desk. And you should make them other colours. White is boring. I was making them pretty for you," her tone turned imploring, "didn't you like them?"

"I know what you're doing and it won't work," Fury informed the little girl before pointing his finger towards the door and directing her, "Out."

"Oh man!" Skye huffed before trudging out the door and down the corridor.

Clint grinned in amusement. "Cute kid you got there."

Fury muttered something about her being, "… a pain in my backside, looking all cute and innocent," while he stormed from the room in the direction of his office.