Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners and I am not making any profit from this.
AN: After doing a re-watch of Season 2 in preparation for season 3 and the season 3 premier I wanted to get back to this universe but at the same time there were things I wasn't happy with. So this is an edited/revised version of the story I had already posted but there will be a lot of similarities, but also a lot of differences. Thing WILL be added and changed. I have chosen to do this as I wanted to change something, make them better and put myself in the position to be able to incorporate Age of Ultron, AOS season 2 and AOS season 3.
AN2: So I've had a lot of this re-written but I wanted to wait until the new ep to get details of May's Dad right. Also, how awesome in he! I love him.
April 17th 1986
As the daughter of a spy, for as long as she can remember Melinda has been taught to control her emotions. She has been taught to always keep her emotions in check and to never let on what she is feeling, but as she holds a sleeping one-year-old baby, a baby who happens to be the daughter of two of her closest, oldest friends, in her arms, Melinda forgets all that. She allows herself to show how she feels, she allows a tear to roll down her face, not caring that someone is witnessing it.
"What's going to happen to her?" Melinda asks looking up at her boss and close friend, Commander Nick Fury.
"Neither Susan or Benjamin had any other family so she'll go into the system." Fury informs Melinda.
"No. She can't."
"I don't like it either." Fury says and Melinda knows that he is telling the truth as Susan and Benjamin mattered to him too, "But there is nowhere else that she could go." Fury points out.
"Yes, there is." Melinda says coming to a decision, "I'll take her." She informs Fury.
"Melinda…" Fury starts to say but Melinda cuts him off.
"I know that I'm only twenty-one, and I know that doing this job makes being a parent difficult, my mother showed me that; but I also know that I can't let her go into the system, I won't." Melinda informs Fury, there being no room for questioning in her voice.
"I'm not going to be able to talk you out of this, am I?" Fury asks as he recognizes the tone Melinda is using well, it's a tone that tells him that Melinda won't be talked out of what she is going to do.
"No, you're not." Melinda informs him as she looks down at the sleeping girl in her arms.
"Okay. Then I'll help." Fury says and Melinda looks at him surprised, "I'll help you file the paperwork and I will also make it as classified as I can so that both of you are safe, but you should ask your Mother for help. Considering all the enemies she has, all the enemies you have, I think it might be best if there is nothing electronic about this and she has more connections to make sure of that." He says and Melinda nods.
"Thank you, Nick." Melinda says, grateful as Susan and Benjamin were two of her closest friends she couldn't imagine letting their little girl go into the system.
"So before we get started there is one thing that you should think about." Fury tells Melinda, "Is she going to be Bobbi May or Bobbi Morse?" he asks curious.
"Bobbi Morse." Melinda answers, not even needing to think about it, "She deserves to know where she came from." Melinda says and Fury nods.
Two days later
Ever since Melinda's first conversation with Fury about Bobbi Melinda's life has been a rollercoaster, so much so that she has taken a short leave from S.H.I.E.L.D to make sure that she gets everything ready for Bobbi.
Just like Fury suggested Melinda has called her mother, but because of safety fears Melinda hasn't explained what is going on, which is why she has invited her both parents over so that she can talk to them about what is going on.
It is about lunch time on a Saturday and because she is expecting her parents any minute Melinda is walking through her apartment while holding Bobbi, checking to make sure everything is where it should be.
"I promise Bobbi, soon we'll move and you'll have your own room and more space, maybe even a garden. I always liked houses with a garden." Melinda informs Bobbi as they are currently living in her one bed room apartment. A few days ago Melinda would have found talking to a one-year-old completely odd but now she finds it natural, she finds it easy to do.
As she is holding Bobbi in one arm while she straightens the blanket on the couch Melinda hears a knock on the door, "Here we go." Melinda says to Bobbi before walking over to the door, admittedly she is a little nervous about how her parents are going to react, but she hopes they understand why she had to take Bobbi.
When Melinda gets to the door she turns her body sidewise, shielding Bobbi, before checking through the peep hole to make she it is her parents. When she is sure that it is Melinda unlocks the door and removes the chain, something which she has only started doing since Bobbi came to live with her.
"You're locking your doors now?" Lian May asks as he daughter let's her into the apartment, Lian being surprised by that as Melinda doesn't often lock her door as she doesn't see reason to.
"Yes, I have reason too." Melinda explains, "Hi Dad." Melinda greats with a smile, slightly surprised that her parents arrived together considering they have been divorced for three years, but she knows better than to mention it.
"Milly." Her father William says with a grin, it being clear that he is very happy to see her, as he places a kiss on her cheek, "And who is this?" He asks, confused about why Melinda is holing a Baby.
"Why do you have a child?" Lian asks her daughter as Melinda closes and locks the door behind her parents.
"Susan and Benjamin were killed on a mission two days ago." Melinda explains, "Because they had no family Bobbi was going to go into the system and I couldn't allow that." Melinda explains as she walks over to the couch.
"You're adopting her." William realises.
"Yes, I am." Melinda confirms.
"Are you sure that this is something you want to do?" Lian asks her daughter, "It will change everything, your life will never be the same"
"I know that, I'm sure." Melinda says, it being perfectly clear that she completely means that, "And before you ask, I'm not leaving S.H.I.E.L.D." Melinda tells her parents, knowing that that will be what they are going to ask next.
"It won't be easy to do the job and raise a child." Lian tells her daughter.
"I know that." Melinda confirms, "But I'm still going to do it. I'll make it work, I'll figure out a way." Melinda says, even though she isn't entirely sure of the way she knows that she'll figure out one.
"We'll help you Melinda, whatever you need." William assures his daughter.
"Thank you Dad." Melinda says, "I actually need your help." Melinda says looking at her mother, "Nick suggested that we don't put anything about the adoption electronic, but he also said that you are have more connections than him to do that."
"I'll handle it." Lian says, "I'll make sure the adoption is legal, but that you're both safe." Lian promises her daughter.
"Thank you Mom." Melinda says being glad for her mother, "Dad, would you like to hold your granddaughter?"
"I would very much like that." William says with a smile and Melinda carefully hands her daughter over to her father, "Hi, Bobbi, I'm your grandfather, I'm very happy to meet you." William informs the one-year-old and as he holds her William smiles, a smile which seems to be contagious.
October 21st 1986
In the six months since Melinda's adoption of Bobbi Morse became legal her life has changed so much and she wouldn't have it any other way. Even though it was difficult at first Melinda and Bobbi have gotten in a routine together and things are very good; though Melinda is sure that if it wasn't for the help she gets from her parents, her father especially, and surprisingly Nick Fury, it would be another matter altogether.
Melinda has just returned to S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters after a three-day mission and all she can think of is getting home to her daughter, who she desperately wants to see, which is while she is glad that her debrief went quick.
After hurriedly getting change Melinda leaves the changing room only to walk directly into Phil Coulson, one of her closest friends, someone who she has known since they were both seventeen and starting at S.H.I.E.L.D, someone who has been on assignment for the last nine months and because of that he doesn't know about Bobbi.
"I'm so sorry." Phil quickly says, "May." Phil says with a grin when he sees who it is that she walked into.
"Hey, Phil." Melinda says glad to see him.
"I've missed you." Phil says hugging her.
"Missed you too." Melinda responds as they break apart, actually meaning that.
"So you're clearly on your way out. Would you like to go for a drink?" Phil asks curious as they quiet often get drinks together.
"I can't." Melinda says. "I've got to get home to my daughter." She informs Phil, deciding against beating around the bush.
"You're what?" Phil asks shocked, "Since when do you have a daughter?" He asks surprised and very confused.
"Since six months ago." Melinda answers, "Her parents died and I adopted her." Melinda explains, not wanting to explain more until she and Phil are alone.
"Um, wow, that's, wow." Phil says shocked, not really sure what to say as he never imagined Melinda being a mother, though he is sure that she will be a great one.
"Would you like to meet her?" Melinda asks as Phil is one of the few people she trusts to be around her daughter.
"Of course." Phil answers quickly before he realises something, "I shouldn't." he says and Melinda gives him a surprised look, "This life is dangerous, and neither of us know if we're going to make it through tomorrow without being killed or captured. I would like to meet your daughter, I truly would, but I can't help but think that as soon as I do I'll be someone who could cause her harm, someone who could bring danger and horror into her life and I don't want to be that person, so it's better if I don't meet her." Phil says, and Melinda can tell by the look on his face that there is no talking him out of it that he has made up his mind. Even though everything he just said was true the main reason why Phil is so hesitant about meeting Melinda's daughter is because he lost his father a nine and that almost destroyed him so he doesn't want to get to know Melinda's daughter, be someone in her life which both he and Melinda know he will be if he meets her, when there is a good chance he could suddenly disappear on her.
"I respect that." Melinda says, she doesn't agree but she respects it, "If you change your mind let me know." She requests, honestly part of her is hoping that he does change his mind.
"I will." Phil responds, "So, I guess I should let you go, see you tomorrow?" he asks hopefully.
"See you tomorrow." Melinda confirms and the two of them go their separate ways.
After leaving HQ Melinda heads home, after first making sure that she isn't being followed. As soon as she enters her house Melinda realises that Bobbi is still awake as she can hear her talking to Rachel a young, though older than Melinda, woman. Rachel is the Nanny slash body guard that Melinda hired who had vetting from both her mother and Fury before she was allowed to meet Bobbi. This was done because for Melinda there is nothing more important than he daughters safety, so she wanted to make sure that the person who is around Bobbi when she isn't can be trusted.
Following the voices Melinda walks into the lounge room where she finds Bobbi playing with blocks and building things while talking to Rachel.
"That looks like fun." Melinda says when she sees what Bobbi is doing.
"MOMMY!" Bobbi says excitedly and she gets up and runs into Melinda, who is squatting, waiting arms and mother and daughter hug tightly, "I miss you."
"I missed you too, so much." Melinda tells her daughter.
"I'll go. Normal time tomorrow?" Rachel asks.
"Yes, thank you Rachel." Melinda says as she stands up, "Bobbi do you want to say bye to Rachel?"
"Bye, bye, Rachel." Bobbi says as she snuggles into her mother's arms.
"Were you a good girl for Rachel?" Melinda asks as she walks over to the couch while holding Bobbi.
"A, huh." Bobbi answers with a nod, "You going away again?" Bobbi asks and as she does Melinda smiles proudly as for her age Bobbi's language development is pretty advanced.
"Not for a little while."
"Good. I don't like it when you not here." Bobbi informs her mother.
"I don't like it when I'm not here either." Melinda tells her daughter, actually meaning that, "But my job is important and sometimes that means I am not here, but that doesn't mean that I don't love you or that I won't be here when you need me." Melinda tells her daughter, telling the complete truth as both her daughter and the job she does is important to her and she won't let either suffer.
"I know." Bobbi responds, "Love you, Mommy."
"I love you too." Melinda says to her daughter as she holds her.
August 12th 1988
It has been two years since Melinda adopted Bobbi, who is now three years old and even though it has been difficult to balance her life as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent and a single mother Melinda has loved every second of it.
After being on a mission together for the past three days Melinda and Phil are in Fury's office at the base they are stationed at being debriefed.
"Good work, Agents." Fury tells Melinda and Phil, "Now get yourselves to medical so that they can check you out." He instructs as both Melinda and Phil were hurt during the mission.
"I can't. I've got to get home." Melinda says as after the last few days all she wants to do is get home to Bobbi.
"You were shot." Phil reminds Melinda.
"I was, but you kindly patched me up, I'm fine." Melinda says as the wound was only a through a through to her arm and the only other wounds she has are some cuts and bruises, "And I want to get home to my daughter."
"I'll drive you." Fury offers, realising that there is no way of talking Melinda out of this so the least he can do is make sure that Melinda doesn't drive as according to the de-brief Melinda hasn't slept.
"Thank you, Nick." Melinda says gratefully, "I'll see you Phil."
"Yeah, see you later, May." Phil says in response as Melinda and Fury leave.
Twenty minutes later Melinda and Fury arrive at Melinda's house where they let themselves in and find Bobbi sitting on the couch with Melinda's father, William. William is reading a book to his granddaughter while Bobbi listens intensely.
"MOMMY." Bobbi says happily when she sees her mother, jumping down from the couch and over to her mother.
"Hey, Sweetie." Melinda tells her daughter as she squats down so that she can hug her, "I've missed you so much." Melinda says as Nick walks over to William.
"Missed you too." Bobbi says and after about a minute they break apart, as they do Bobbi frowns when she sees a cut on her mother's head, "You're hurt."
"I'm okay. I promise." Melinda assures her daughter.
"You need a doctor." Bobbi tells her mother, "I can be a doctor." Bobbi says before running in the direction of the stairs.
"DON'T RUN ON THE STAIRS." Melinda tells her daughter as she stands up, "Hi Dad, thanks for staying, Rachel was sick."
"It's fine, I always love spending time with Bobbi." William assures her daughter, "Are you really okay?" he asks, there being concern in his voice.
"I'm fine." Melinda says with a forced smile, "So, have you heard from Mom lately?" Melinda asks curious.
"Not for a while." William admits, knowing a change of subject when he hears it as his ex-wife always used to do it, "I honestly have no idea where she is."
"Have you ever?" Nick asks curious.
"No, I'm pretty sure you know where she is more often than I do." William admits, that was something he accepted early into his and Lian's marriage that he would never truly know where she was or what she was doing, it was one of the reasons that lead to their divorce.
"Probably." Nick admits.
"Are you staying for dinner?" William asks Nick curious.
"I haven't been invited."
"Consider that your invitation." Melinda says as she sits on the ground and everyone hears Bobbi's footsteps.
"I'll fix you Mommy." Bobbi says as she comes back in the room holding a toy doctor's kit, "I'll make you all better."
"Okay, Doctor Bobbi." Melinda says.
"Yes, I'm Doctor Bobbi and you'll be better really soon, Mommy." Bobbi says as she opens the doctor's kit.
"I'm sure I will be." Melinda says and she just sits while her daughter puts Band-Aids and other things from her toy doctor's kit all over her, having to glare at Fury once when he looked like he was about to laugh, which was exactly what he was doing.
September 3rd 1990
It has been four years since Melinda adopted Bobbi, who is now five years old and doing amazingly well. Even though it is clear that neither Bobbi nor Melinda like to be apart they have both come to realise that it is necessary and have accepted that, Bobbi unsurprisingly finding that more difficult that Melinda.
It is about five am and Melinda is still in bed enjoying her last few minutes of rest before she gets up to do Tai-Chi.
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy." Bobbi's voice says loudly waking Melinda from her slumber.
"Bobbi, what's wrong?" Melinda asks worried, though she knows that nothing can be seriously wrong as Bobbi sounds excited rather than afraid.
"It's time for school! It's time for school! Get up!" Bobbi says excitedly as she moves her mother's blanket of her, wanting to do what she can to force her mother to get up.
"School doesn't start to eight fifty, it's only five am." Melinda informs her daughter, "It's not time yet."
"But we have to be there early." Bobbi argues, something which she is very good at even though she is only five.
"Not this early." Melinda says lifting Bobbi up and into the bed, "Try to get some more sleep, you've got a big day." She informs Bobbi, realising that if she wants Bobbi to rest then she isn't going to be able to get up and do Tai-Chi.
"I can't sleep. I'm too excited." Bobbi informs her mother.
"Well how about you just try lying down and relaxing, what do you think of that?" Melinda asks her daughter.
"I can try." Bobbi says.
"Good." Melinda says moving the blanket so that Bobbi can lay under it.
Three hours later Melinda is putting the breakfast dishes away ignoring the fact that she is late for a meeting, because Bobbi is more important, while Bobbi gets her bag.
"Mommy, I'm ready." Bobbi informs her mother as she walks back into the room.
"Have you got everything?" Melinda asks as she puts the last dish away.
"Yep." Bobbi answers.
"Are you sure?" Melinda asks, "Have you got your hat, books, pencils, crayons and paper?" Melinda asks and Bobbi nods, "Good." Melinda says walking over to the counter, "Here's your lunch." Melinda says handing Bobbi the Captain America Lunch box that Coulson gave Bobbi when he found out she was starting school. Even though Coulson hasn't met Bobbi he does what he can to offer support and help as well as getting Bobbi a little something for Christmas ever year.
"Can we go now?" Bobbi asks as she accepts the lunchbox from her mother.
"We can go." Melinda says as she picks up her keys, not needing anything else as she already has her purse and badge in her pocket and she doesn't have a gun around Bobbi.
"Yay." Bobbi says excitedly as she runs to the door and as she watches her daughter Melinda hopes that she never loses that enthusiasm.
Half an hour later Melinda is parking the car in the parking lot of the school that Bobbi will be going to. A school that has undergone security checks not just by Melinda herself but by her mother and Fury as well.
Once she parks her car Melinda walks to the back where she gets Bobbi out of her car seat.
"Hold My hand." Melinda requests and Bobbi does just that.
"You know where we are going, right?" Bobbi asks her mother as they walk.
"I do." Melinda confirms as they walk.
A few minutes later Melinda and Bobbi arrive at the door for the for the Kindergarten classroom.
"Who do we have here?" The teacher asks Bobbi.
"Barbara Morse." Bobbi answers proudly.
"Well, welcome Miss Morse." The teacher says after ticking off Bobbi's name on the list. "We ask that all parents say goodbye out here." The teacher tells Melinda.
"Of course. I understand." Melinda says and she leads Bobbi away so that they are several meters away from the teacher then Melinda squats down in front of her, "I want you to have a great day, to learn a lot and be good." Melinda tells Bobbi, "And I'm not sure if it will be myself or Rachel who picks you up, but one of us will. Don't leave with anyone other than one of us, no matter what they say." Melinda tells Bobbi.
"I won't, promise." Bobbi responds.
"Good. Have an amazing day." Melinda says as she gives Bobbi a hug.
"I love you, Mommy."
"Love you too." Melinda responds and once Bobbi lets go of her after a couple of minutes Melinda stands and she and Bobbi back over to the door.
"Bye, Mommy." Bobbi says before walking inside the classroom and Melinda is sure that it is only her years of being a spy that stop her from showing how she feeling about her daughter starting her first day of school.
"I assume we'll be seeing you at three." The teacher says to May.
"Myself or Bobbi's nanny Rachel, I am not sure which of us yet." Melinda informs the teacher.
"Of course. I have the information her right here. We won't let Barbara go home with anyone we don't have information on." The teacher informs Melinda who nods and with one last look at her daughter, who is now talking to several other children, Melinda forces herself to turn and walk away, it being one of the hardest things she has ever had to do.