Out Of Time

sixty-eight

"I've done a night jump into a drop zone under heavy fire, sir," she heard Ward's voice coming closer. "I can handle it."

"That was a... joke," Coulson replied. "I'm not gonna tell it now."

"Mr. Serious here didn't get a joke?" Y/N chuckled, leaning in the doorway of her small room with her arms folded over her chest. "Hill was definitely right about those people skills."

"If you plan to unpack, make it quick," May stated, walking up to the threesome. "Wheels are up in five." She handed a file over to Coulson. "We may have a hit one one of the Rising Tide's routing points."

"Good," Coulson replied, flipping through the file, "we need to do some catching up." May nodded before walking away.

"Is that..." Ward started, "who I think it is?"

"She's just the pilot."

"Melinda May is 'just the pilot'? Come on, sir. You have the Calvary and Lady America on your team-"

"Please don't call me that," Y/N grumbled.

"-What game are you really playing?"

"You two better stow your gear," Coulson recommended before walking away.

~~~

It didn't take long for the plane to take flight and the team to arrive in California. Coulson and Ward left to retrieve their Rising Tide hacker, while Y/N, May, and Fitz-Simmons left to go check out the scene where the hooded hero saved a woman..

"I promise you, Tony," Y/N said, sitting in the back of the car whispering into the phone, "Fury has not kidnapped me. I'm with a team, here to help them."

"But you're refusing to tell me anything about the team or the mission you're on," Tony retorted. "And how am I suppose to know that you're save, when I don't know anything?"

"Tony. I love you. And I'm so glad that you care, but you know the rules. I can't give you information about my missions. I can promise to keep you updated as often as I can."

"I'm just going to spend all my time in the lab then. Working. Since I have nothing waiting for me when I go to bed."

"You don't go to bed anyway, Tony." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that they were reaching their destination. "I've actually got to go now. Duty calls. But I love you and I'll be in touch as soon as I can."

"Already? Babe, I-"

Y/N couldn't help but laugh as she hung up on her needy boyfriend. Leaving her phone in the car, she got out with the rest of them. Her and May immediately went to the crack in the road, clearly where the man had landed. The two women looked up at the building.

"That's one hell of a jump he took," Y/N stated.

"Come on," May motioned with her head towards the building. "Lets see what it's like inside."

The four of them headed inside and up to the blast site. They each begin looking around.

"This was a lab," Simmons stated. "Was this leased as a lab?"

"Self-empowerment center," May said. "With a top of the line motion sensor security system."

"Ah, so a secret lab."

"And a superheat, not a coincidence."

"So, was this explosion sabotage?" Y/N asked. "Was it meant for him? Or were they just in over their heads?"

"Yeah," Fitz headed over to the women, "working the problem. Ladies, if you'll just." He walked between them, setting down his case and opening it.