Skye woke with a splitting headache, not understanding why till the events of the night before came rushing back to her.

'Ohh, no. Oh, God no,' Skye groaned to herself, before rolling back over to bury her face in her pillow. She reckoned a few more minutes were allowed, given the circumstances.

'Today's gonna be a shitstorm,' she mumbled, her words muffled by the pillow, before drifting back to sleep.

As it turned out, a few more minutes were not allowed, as not 30 seconds later, Jarvis' voice rang around the room.

'Skye, everyone is requesting your presence at breakfast.' If Skye didn't know better, she would have thought she sensed a slight tone of pity in his voice... Actually, knowing Tony, he probably programmed Jarvis to do that.

Skye rolled back over, throwing an arm over her face. 'Just a few minutes longer.'

'I must insist, Skye. Mrs Romanov tells me that it is important...and that if you do not come, they will all be coming to you.'

Skye groaned again, before slowly sitting up. 'Okay, I'm coming. Tell them I'll be down in ten minutes.'

'Certainly.'

Skye sighed and rubbed her eyes before pulling herself out of bed. She trudged her way to the bathroom, went to the toilet, then stared in the mirror at herself. She saw Skye, an anonymous hacker that lived in a van, but she wasn't her any more. No, she was Skye, daughter of Hawkeye and the Black Widow, living in Stark Tower and now- Now, a face plastered all over the media. Oh, how the times had changed.

Deciding not to put it off any longer, Skye went back to the room and out of her apartment, not bothering to change out of her pyjamas. She made her way to the elevator and let Jarvis take her to the communal Kitchen/dining area. The doors dinged and slid open. Skye walked in, not looking anyone in the eye as she headed towards the kitchen. In her avoidance, she didn't notice everyone pause what they were doing to watch her.

'Skye-' Clint began before Skye cut him off with a shake of her head.

'Coffee first.'

Clint shut his mouth and let Skye grab a mug before filling it to the brim with coffee. Usually, she took it with sugar and creamer, but it was one of those days where only black would do the trick. She took a sip, grimacing at the heat, before moving to join everyone at the table. Skye quickly busied herself with blowing on her drink and taking sips, refusing to look up at everyone.

They all watched her for a moment, before Tony cleared his throat and resumed eating his eggs. Everyone seemed to busy themselves then, Bruce to his book and tea, Steve to doodling in a notebook and taking a bite every once in a while, Pepper was reading her newspaper with interest. Clint and Tasha were muttering rapidly to each other, shooting furtive glances at Skye. They remained like this for a few minutes, as Skye slowly drank her coffee and began to fully wake up. Finally, Skye drained the last few dregs and placed the cup down on the table with an audible thump. Everyone immediately set their eyes on Skye, who in response let out a sigh.

'Alright, lets get this over with. How bad is it?'

'Well, everyone now knows. It hit the internet early in the night, and the papers had a front cover spread on pretty much every newspaper in the city. It also was shown on many news outlets nationally, and some internationally,' Pepper explained, with sympathy. Almost as an afterthought, she added, 'You're also trending on twitter.'

Skye sucked in a breath, and motioned to the paper that Pepper was holding. 'What are they saying exactly?'

Pepper handed the paper to her and began reading. About half way through, she tensed.

Sensing her discomfort, Tasha spoke. 'It seems that Miles didn't just send the footage to the media, he also divulged a lot of...personal information about your childhood and growing up in the system.'

Skye clenched her hands around the edges of the paper. 'I- I told him that in confidence. He had no right!'

'Skye.. Why didn't you tell us it was that bad?' Clint asked, his voice soft with sadness.

'It's in the past, I got over it, I made it out.' Skye spoke through gritted teeth. 'You were already blaming yourself over leaving me, what good would it do to tell you I was abused and raped by my foster families?' Her voice cracked at the end as she sounded out the harsh truth, much to Skye's annoyance at showing a weakness. She saw everyone throwing her pitying looks and was flattered by Bruce clenching his fists, jaw tense in anger at what had happened to her. Quickly changing the subject, she asked, 'What's going to happen to Miles?'

Clint sighed at Skye's attempt to brush off the nightmare she went through, and gestured to Tony to explain.

'I dropped him off at the police station last night. He's being charged with multiple counts of credit card fraud, along with the charges he'll face for hacking into government organisations and releasing confidential information. He's looking at 20 years time minimum. It could be more depending on the damage the released files caused. We know at least 2 Shield agents have died from their covers being blown and that's just Shield.' Tony couldn't help sounding a little smug at listing his punishment.

Skye mirrored the sentiment. 'Good. Let the asshole rot.'

Steve gave her a little frown at her words, but didn't voice his discomfort at her words, instead, he added, 'Fury called us all in for a debrief. He sounded... Well, furious.' He gave her a small, apologetic smile, and Skye only nodded.

'Okay, it's not so bad. Everything will be fine.' She couldn't help but worry that Fury would move her again. It was too soon. She hadn't had enough time to build a relationship with her parents. Maybe it was her fault for being too distant, but it was still too soon. 'I'll go get changed and then we can go to the Helicarrier.'

Skye went to stand up, but was stopped by Tasha's voice.

'Wait, Skye. That's not everything.' Her voice was flat, the same one she heard from Coulson when she did something stupid. Tasha slid a tablet over to her and Skye saw an online media page. She quickly read the headline and froze.

'Oh... I was going to tell you... I just forgot after everything with Miles,' Skye awkwardly tried to excuse herself. The article in question was describing the events at the grocery shop yesterday.

'Skye, what were you thinking?! Taking on a random man with a gun! You could have gotten hurt,' Tasha began to reprimand.

'But I didn't! Look, I couldn't just do nothing. What's the point of training to fight and defend myself if I don't use it to help people. There were children in that store. I wasn't going to just let innocent people get hurt,' Skye defended herself.

'Skye, we're just worried about you. That was incredibly dangerous,' Clint tried to reason.

'And I had it handled! No one got hurt and everything was resolved, I don't see what the problem is!'

'The problem is you could have died!' Tasha all but shouted with frustration. 'We're teaching you to defend yourself for your protection, not to run head first into danger! If you think I'm going to let you just-'

Skye's eyes narrowed at her words. 'Excuse me, you're not going to let me?' Skye's words her cold and hard. 'I don't need you to let me do anything. I survived more than you know, without you, for twenty three years. Just because you're in my life now does not mean you get to tell me how to live it. I'm not a child who needs her mommy to look after her.'

Everyone shifted awkwardly where they sat as Skye and Tasha stared each other down with dark eyes. No one spoke as they waited for someone to do something. Finally, Skye scraped back her chair and stormed out of the room, throwing back, 'I'll be ready to leave in an hour,' over her shoulder as she left.

Eyes turned to Tasha, who said nothing as clenched her fists in anger. After a moment, she sighed, 'Well, what are you doing just sitting there? We have a meeting with Fury to get to.' She swept out of the room in much the same fashion as her daughter had done moments ago, leaving everyone sitting there confused and wondering what the hell had just happened.

Skye fiddled with the bracelet around her wrist nervously as she strode down the Helicarrier's halls amongst the Avengers.

'Is it me or are people definitely staring?' Skye muttered, to herself more than to anyone else. Steve chuckled next to her.

'You get used to it after a while. For a spy organisation, they're really not used to surprises like you,' Steve quietly replied.

'Well they better get used to it. I can feel their eyes on my skin. It's creepy.' Steve's only reply was to chuckle again.

They made their way swiftly to Fury's office, where the receptionist quickly let them in.

Fury sat behind his desk, watching them with an passive look.

Once everyone was in, he stood.

'Five days. Five god damn days! You didn't even last a week before everyone found out! What the hell happened?'

Skye winced at Fury's tone and wasn't the only one who shifted uncomfortably where they sat.

'Well, it wasn't really our fault,' Clint tried to reason, but was silenced with a glare.

'What happened?' Fury repeated.

Tasha quickly explained the situation. As much as Skye was annoyed with her, she had to grudgingly admit that it was impressive when Tasha didn't cower under Fury's gaze.

'This is a real fuck up,' Fury sighed before sinking in his chair and rubbing his face in annoyance. 'What are you planning on doing?'

Clint and Tasha shared a look, before Clint spoke up. 'well, I think we all know that the danger on Skye has increased now its known who she is. Me and Tasha think it would be best if we spent the next few months focusing on Skye's training, so she can defend herself.'

Fury nodded, ' I agree. That is now a priority. However, without Shields protection, I fear it wont be enough. I propose that after 6 months, Skye undergoes Agent Evaluations and becomes an agent. Then she will be under our jurisdiction and will have legal protection.'

Tasha made a noise in agreement. 'That's good. But it's not happening unless you promise you wont turn her into an assassin like us. We never wanted that for her.'

Skye let out a frustrated huff.

'Something to add, Skye?' Fury asked, with mirth.

'Are we going to keep talking about me like I'm not here? I can speak for myself.'

Fury gestured with his hand. 'Please, by all means...'

'Oh! Well, umm... I agree, I need to be able to protect myself, and I'm happy to become an agent and not an assassin... But I don't want to just ride a desk. I want to be a field agent. Like Coulson.'

'This is...doable. But it will increase the risk.' Fury answered diplomatically, sensing Tasha's discomfort at the idea.

'Life's not worth living if you don't take risks. I can do it. I want to help people.'

Fury sighed. 'Fine.' Tasha moved to protest, but was stopped by a raised hand from Fury.

'Tony, what's the situation with the towers security?'

'I've upgraded the firewalls and the encryptions on everything. It should be secure, but I think I'll have Skye look over it too,' Tony shot a questioning look to Skye and she nodded in acceptance.

'Good. You'll be expected to give a press release, contain the rumours. Standard protocol in regards to Shields involvement but otherwise you are free to give as much information as you wish.' This last statement was directed at Skye and she was grateful. Underneath all Fury's leather and domineering persona, there was a man who cared about his people, and for that Skye was glad. He was the kind of man who should be in charge, she could see where Coulson got it from.

'I expect reports on Skye's progress, and after six months we will decide whether to proceed to the Agent Evaluations.' Fury nodded, making it clear that he was finished.

'Well, get the hell out of my office.'

Skye sat in the corner of helicopter making its way back to the Avenger Tower, thinking, evaluating her time at the tower so far and what was to come. She now had a more clear time frame of how long to expect to be staying, six months of rigorous training from Tasha and Clint, and most likely Steve when he had the chance. To say she was dreading it was an understatement. She thought the past few days' training was hard but it was only going to get harder. Despite this, Skye also was excited to get started. She was going to become an Agent. Something that she had imagined, if only fancifully, for the past month since joining the bus.

It would also mean spending a lot more time with her parents. Clint's weaponry skills were parallel to none, part of her hoping he might teach her archery, and Tasha was downright scary at hand-to-hand combat. The thought of spending time with her parents sent a flutter of conflicting feelings to her gut. On one hand, she wanted to know them better, but on the other hand, Tasha had already displayed how overprotective she was, and she wasn't ready to live with that constant shadow over her shoulder. She didn't know how to do this. How was she supposed to know how to deal with this side of family when she had never had one to begin with. It was sure to be a learning experience for everyone. It was nice to know Tasha cared but did she have to do it in such an obstinate way? It just made her madly frustrated.

Skye was interrupted from her tangled thoughts by the approach of Clint, who hovered by her side.

'Hey, Kiddo. Can I sit?'

'Sure,' Skye acquiesced, gesturing to the seat beside her. Clint settled in the seat and gave her a smile.

'How you doing?' he asked, 'with everything that's going on?'

Skye shrugged. 'I don't know really. I'm feeling a lot of different things. Mostly dreading the pain the next few months are going to be. I have a feeling no one is going to go easy on me.'

Clint snorted, 'Yeah, don't count on it. Really, you'll thank us when its over. It could save your life one day.'

Skye hummed in agreement. 'You know, when I was a kid, pretty much everyone dreamed of growing up and becoming a spy. Now its actually happening and I don't know how to feel. It definitely wont be like I imagined back then. It was always about... I don't know, being important. Saving lives, being a hero, making an impact on the world. But now I know that its all secrets and confidential paper work. Kinda looses the whole glamour of the job. Still something I have to do, though. It just feels...right. Like its in my blood, a legacy. I suppose it is, what with you two being who you are. But its more than that. In a way, I think I've wanted this since I stepped onto that plane with a black bag over my head. Shields always felt like home, like I have family here. '

Clint let the words sink in, thinking about what she said. After a moment, he spoke.

'I think you'll make a great agent one day. And not because we're your parents, or because you'll become a great fighter. It's because of who you are. You care so deeply about helping people, its not about the glory. You are what every agent should aspire to be. I saw it in Coulson, and I see it in you.

Skye smiled, and remained silent, glad you just spend the moment with Clint. It was like he was the opposite to Tasha. With her, they were constantly on edge, tension between them whilst there might not be anger, but with Clint, she just felt... at home.

Just as they began their decent to the tower, Skye piped up, 'Hey, I've been meaning to ask you. Who's the woman and the two kids in the picture in your wallet with you and Tasha?'

Clint smiled, pulling out his wallet and opening it to show the picture. 'That's Laura. The kids are Cooper and Lila. Laura's my sister in law. She married my brother, Barney.'

Skye's eyes widened, 'I... I have an aunt and uncle? And cousins?'

Clint smiled, 'Yep. Laura's the best, put up with my deadbeat brother. He's...not in the picture now. He lost his job a few years back, started drinking. I found out last year that he-' Clint clenched his fists at the memory. 'He was hitting her. Laura, bless her, Laura stayed strong for the kids, but when I found out-God, I nearly killed him. I did scare him off though, moved them and helped them start a new life. Barney may be blood but Laura and the kids are my family.'

Skye squeezed his hand, 'She sounds great. I'd like to meet them sometime.'

Clint smiled, 'I'm sure we can arrange that. Come on, we're landing. Let go.'

Skye watched from the door as Tasha wailed on the punching bag, it swaying from the force of the flurry of blows she was sending in. Skye almost thought she would send it flying. After a moment, Skye cleared her throat. Tasha stilled, wresting her fists against the bag, head against her fists as she caught her breath.

'Skye,' Tasha acknowledged.

'Mind if I join you?' Skye asked tentatively.

Tasha picked her head up and nodded. Upon that cue, Skye went and wrapped her hands like Ward taught her and reached the bag next to Tasha's. She soon found herself a rhythm, and Tasha resumed her attack on her bag, although at a slightly less intense rate. They worked for a few minutes, the only noises being the sound of their fists hitting the bags and the occasional grunt. The silence, however, was broken by Skye.

'Clint told me about Laura. And Barney. About being blood but Laura being his real family.'

Tasha seemed to tense at her words, and Skye cringed at what it seemed like she was implying.

'And I get that, family is what you make it... But I don't want to end up like Barney and Clint. You're my mother; you're something I've dreamed about having my whole life. I just... I just don't know how to be around you.' Skye admitted, before contemplating, 'Maybe it would be easier if I was younger, but it is what it is.'

Tasha had stopped punching now and turned towards Skye.

'I want to have a relationship with you, Tasha. I know it seems like I keep pushing you away, but I just don't know how to act around you. I'm not used to people caring about what I do, so when you became over protective of me... I lashed out. I'm sorry. Every time someone in my life cared about me, it went wrong, or they didn't really care or... Its just taking some time to adjust, but I do want this.'

Tasha watched at Skye as she finished her speech, before silently pulling her into a crushing hug. Skye tensed, before relaxing into the embrace. They stood like that, holding each other until finally Tasha pulled away and Skye saw silent tears roll down her face.

'I... I don't know how to do this, either. I thought I was protecting you when I gave you away, but it just fucked up, and that's on me. You've already gone through so much and I just want to protect you. I want you to be happy. I barely know you but I care about you so much and I don't know what to do with it.'

Tasha paused to think over her words, weighing each one before giving it. 'When I was younger, the Red Room taught me that Love is for children. That it is a weakness. Clint taught me that it was a lie. Love makes you strong. It's why I want to protect you so much... It's my way of saying I love you because I don't know any other way how.'

Skye looked at Tasha in surprise at her words, eyes brimming with tears. 'I... I don't think I can say it yet, but I care about you and Clint too. I think I can handle you wanting to protect me, but you need to trust that I can also take care of myself and make my own decisions. When I need help, I will go to you.'

Tasha nodded vehemently. 'I think I can handle that too.'

Skye sighed in relief and hugged Tasha again. 'I found out that I have cousins today; there's so much I don't know about you two. Can we have dinner, just you, Clint and me, and talk, maybe?'

'Absolutely. Nothing sounds better.'

Sorry for the massive wait, I know, im a massive asshole. Any way, this is unbeta'd and I'm super tired right now so there might be mistakes. If there's anything glaringly terrible, let me know.

I changed my name to DaisyRomanov because BlackQuake is life... which is kinda weird cus in this fic shes her mother... oh well

Send me a review of what you think :)