The life she should have had ~ Quake Protocol what if...

The offer

To be sitting behind a computer desk, with a computer that is running without a problem, to be able to lift once eye above the computer screen and she the rows of tables and chairs made Skye feel calmer than she ever thought possible. When Stark had first offered her a work within Stark Industries, she had laughed, not thinking the man in front of her had been serious.

When she realised, he was, she didn't know what to do or think. To be offer a job within Stark Industries is big, especially when he wants to put her in computer department, she didn't even know he had one, Natasha had informed her he doesn't and that she would be the first one alongside him and JARVIS. She had been a heartbeat away from saying yes to the offer, but that single heartbeat was enough to remind her that she is supposed to be hiding from S.H.I.E.L.D. If she starts working for Stark, openly in the large tower, Coulson and the others will learn soon enough that she is there.

She could see that Stark was disappointed that she declined his offer, but he quickly changed it when she explained her reason. Before she knew it, he had called Pepper to ask if they had a building that was empty, when that was fixed, he made her a deal she wouldn't be able to say no to.

She would be able to open her own school for computer science, her students were picked by herself, free range on anything, or at least as long as she made sure to teach some of the people working in Stark Industries how to use a computer and its system correctly. It was a deal she couldn't say no to, no one in their right mind would say no to it.

So, there she is, waiting to see who of her old students would turn up for their after-school class. After getting a message from Darcy, telling her that her talk with Jefferson went well, she made sure to check that he holds his end of the deal. There was only a notice that he showed up late for the lessons, which is good enough for her.

Hearing how her phone starts to vibrate on the table, she reaches out for it. Making sure to see who is calling her, she smiles. She had been wondering when the call would happen.

"Hello May, how's the life on the flying circus treating you?"

Skye greets the agent, smiling big as she leans back in her chair. She can hear how May let's out a sigh of annoyance, which makes Skye laugh. She can almost see how May tries holding back a smile at hearing her laughter.

"It's the same as always, except for Simmons asking more and more questions about your where abouts."

May informs her, which makes Skye roll her eyes. She should have known the biochemist would keep on asking questions.

"Well, I'm not surprised there."

She comments, wondering if she should be worried about them finding out about her where abouts or what she is up to.

"So, any reason as to why you are calling me this fine day?"

She asks, deciding that changing the subjects are probably for the best.

"Since you haven't contacted me, I decided I should check up on you. How did it go with the information Mr Stark wanted?"

May explains, making Skye smile once more. She had wanted to take this conversation face to face with the woman who she sees as her mother, just because she wishes to see May's reaction to the news. But since May asks, she guess she can't keep it silent.

"It went very well, so well that Mr Stark offered me a work offer I couldn't say no to."

She informs and hearing the silence on the other end of the line makes Skye smile bigger.

"He offered you a job in Stark Industries?"

"Well, yes, to work directly from the tower. I did turn that offer down however."

"You turned down an opportunity like that? Skye what were you thinking?"

"Oh, that if I work directly in the tower, it wouldn't take long before the rest of team were to find out about my where abouts. So, he made me another one I definitely said yes to."

Skye explains, hearing voices coming towards the classroom, she lifts her head. Turning her attention towards the clock on the wall, she smiles. Just like old times, her students are right on time.

"I need to end this now May, my students are about to enter the classroom."

She adds, hearing how May asks students before she ends the call. As she lowers her phone, she smiles brightly as she watches her favourite class step through the doors, each and every one of them smiling happily.

"And there we have them, my favourite group of students. Welcome!"

Skye greets them all, rising from her chair. Seeing the happy smiles on the teenager in front of her, she signals that they should take their seats. One after another follows her order, leaving Jefferson standing as the last person. Looking at him, Skye lifts one eyebrow.

"Yes, Mr Jefferson, what is it?"

She asks, falling back to the old tone she used to have when speaking to them all.

"It's good to have you back miss Mitchell."

He says, bowing his head in a greeting and the rest of the class does the same. Skye can however see the smile growing on the young man's face and she rolls her eyes.

"Or should we call you Skye? Which is it?"

He asks, looking up at her once more. Smiling back at him, she indicates with her head that he should take his seat.

"Oh, it is Skye and from this moment on, things will be a bit different. Now, shall we begin the class?"

She asks, happy to see how her students all look at one another, it being clear that they are not sure what to think or do at the sudden change, but one thing is clear. They are all there for it.