Chapter Text
Hong Kong, The Bus, Fall 2013, Skye:
Skye had to do this quick, while Coulson was still dealing with her asshole of an ex.
I thought about staying, they don't seem that terrible, well, Ward is kind of a jerk, and May is silent and scary, but Coulson seems kind of alright, and FitzSimmons are great, kind of naive, but smart and nice. But they're all still S.H.I.E.L.D., and they still put me in a bunch of danger, both when I was willing and not. They gave up on me right after getting me in their plane, which isn't new, but still. Better get what I need and get out before all this government bullshit drags me down or worse.
She made her way up to his office on the way out, and set her duffle down to use his computer. He had left it open and it was easy to unlock. After that, a level 8 agent's computer made getting the unredacted file about her easy, along with where her van is, and a few other files as long as she was here. She added them onto their respective SD cards, hid those away again, and made her way back off the Bus. She did leave something for FitzSimmons, a USB with a note for them and a program she’d written for data sorting that should be helpful.
Miles can find his own way home. I’ve got someone I hope I can call. If not, I can make my way back to New York and figure things out from there. Then maybe make a plan to get my van back from S.H.I.E.L.D..
And with that, she disappeared into the streets of Hong Kong, bags in hand, hoping for a friend.
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London, Lara’s Flat, Fall 2013, Lara Croft:
Lara was going through some of her father's research on Yamatai when her phone rang. She picked up.
“Hello?”
A voice she’d last heard in that Shield plane came over the line
“Hey Lara? It's Skye, the-”
“I remember who you are Skye, you don't have to reintroduce yourself. Is everything alright?”
There's a tone to her voice, I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it makes me nervous for her.
“Well… I’m not on the team anymore, and I remember, you had said that, I have you. So, I was wondering if maybe you needed someone good with computers for your expedition-y thing, or in general, or just someone to help, I could maybe… meet you somewhere and be that person? It's ok if not, I get it. You were probably just helping keep me going down there. I can figure something out if you don't want-”
“Skye. Breathe. It's ok, I’d be happy to have you over, even if you aren't up for coming with me on my journey.”
Plus, I’m not entirely sure what someone good at computers could help with on a sea voyage to find Yamatai, but I’m sure we could think of something. It’d be nice to have her along.
Lara continues “I’d be happy to have you around. My roommate and I’s apartment has extra space enough for someone to sleep and stay, assuming you're alright with a sleeping bag or airbed. Maybe that's presumptuous, you probably have somewhere to stay when you aren't on plane journeys, but I’d appreciate an extra hand in the data sorting of the records for the expedition, since you have some knowledge and experience in that area. Where are you located at the moment?”
She could practically hear Skye wince over the phone.
“Um, I’m kinda in Hong Kong right now?” She said cautiously
Could be worse I suppose.
“That works out brilliantly. I have to be in the area to set up a resupply for our vessel anyway in a couple of days. I can arrange a stopover and purchase an extra ticket with the money saved on a direct flight. Assuming you’d be alright accompanying Roth and I to a few meetings? Or you could stay in the lodgings we’d have while we do so, or explore the area? However you’d like to approach it, I believe I could meet you in the next few days. Do you have somewhere to stay in the meantime?”
“Really? I mean, sure, yeah, I’d be happy to help out. I can find something for the next few days, just let me know where and when to meet you.”
“Of course.”
“And Lara? Thanks.”
I suppose I’d better tell Roth.
Lara sat back down at her small kitchen table and called him up.
“Roth? I have news, remember what I told you about that expedition in Peru?....”