[ That heavy pause is'nt exactly going to unnoticed but it's tajes impressive balls to point that out when the other neglected to follow the chain of command and inform HQ about a rogue agent.]
If you're going to say it. Say it.
[ Because hey, Maria would rather you be direct.]
You could have handled the situation with better support.
Agent Ward has his record of successful field missions. I have mine. Coulson — is Coulson.
[Is she still being indirect?]
We did handle it. If we were unqualified, I would have requested support.
[She's covering, making it sound like her decision. She's not taking the bullet for no good reason: she could have gone behind Coulson's back and didn't. She was complicit in something she knew to be unwise. Not quietly complicit, but complicit all the same, and breached procedure in her own way later.]
HEY. I LIKE YOUR CRAZY MULAN POWERS. DO YOU WANT TO USE YOUR CRAZY MULAN POWERS FOR YOUR COUNTRY?
[ Oh Yeah. Because that's really the subject at hand here. Hill's just going to take a step forward at that. Her eyes focused on the agent in front of her.]
That can be said for the entire organizing body of SHIELD. Not limited to when headquarters should be informed of certain situations.
[ There's a beat here. Because she's just letting that sink in.]
Information is a puzzle, Agent May. Just because you can't see entire picture does'nt mean it's not there.
[She stands her ground and accepts the dressing down, with a constructed neutral expression. There's nothing else to do. She's not a green recruit. She shouldn't have to verbally confirm that she understands.
She waits and listens. Agent Hill wouldn't use the term puzzle if she didn't expect it to be solved. She can read between the lines. It's above her level, she's not meant to be told, but whatever's going on with Coulson:]
[ True, she did dangle the situation above the others head but hey, if May knows. She might tell Coulson. It's the whole thing that SHIELD has secrets from SHIELD. ]
I'm saying that whatever you might hear, it's not something you should dig into, that includes what you're thinking about doing.
[ Talking to Coulson. Fury or her. About this subject. Or have Fitzsimmions do anything either. Just leave it the hell alone.]
[That wasn't a question, Agent Hill, no matter what better judgment and authority dictates.
It would be better in the long run if she did know. May mightn't wear it on her sleeve, but it means something to her that she was recruited by Coulson; that he afforded her one of his generous second chances. The gesture's in doubt, if and when the man is.]
I won't jeopardize unity on The Bus.
[That's all the reassurance Hill's going to get.
In her mind, stirring suspicions and causing dissent is sabotage. There's no reason and no possible excuse for undermining the trust and respect the team feels toward Coulson. It would be too risky, too potentially damaging to enlist FitzSimmons in a search for answers.
It's bad enough that the kids saw Mom and Dad fight.]
[ Those things fall the way the will. The team is'nt exactly unwatched as it was. An assert like...certain situations require a certain amount of attention. Even the juggling act that is being second in command. While it might be better in the long run, the risks tip the scale on this one. It's hard to...judge how exactly something like an LMD will react to the news. Any tip offs to particular scenario that is a bad idea.]
And I'll let your loose interpretation of SHIELD protocol slide and assume the next time the situation arises that you'll use your own judgement call be the right call.
[ Because you're Cavalry BITCH. If they need to bring her in. They will. For now, it's better let the chips fall where they were. The moment the situation becomes something they can't handle. Momma Hill and Daddy Fury will step in.]
[In the interests of accuracy (following Skye's analogy) Hill and Fury are more like the grandparents.
Coulson seems to expect some operational autonomy, and he's the one putting in the hard yards with the Director, but that doesn't mean May is unaware of pressure from HQ. This would be a good time to do something by the book, to improve the reputation they're making with command.]
Fully appreciated, Agent Hill.
[Hill's right to think that she could order May to do her best, but her current level of performance should be enough. They've talked obliquely about boundaries and comfort and the past.]
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no subject
If you're going to say it. Say it.
[ Because hey, Maria would rather you be direct.]
You could have handled the situation with better support.
no subject
[Is she still being indirect?]
We did handle it. If we were unqualified, I would have requested support.
[She's covering, making it sound like her decision. She's not taking the bullet for no good reason: she could have gone behind Coulson's back and didn't. She was complicit in something she knew to be unwise. Not quietly complicit, but complicit all the same, and breached procedure in her own way later.]
HEY. I LIKE YOUR CRAZY MULAN POWERS. DO YOU WANT TO USE YOUR CRAZY MULAN POWERS FOR YOUR COUNTRY?
[ Indirect is your middle name.]
Doesn't matter. The mission should have been lodged. It was'nt.
[ though, it's safe to say she knows where the blame on that lies. Still, she is'nt exactly thrilled with how everything turned out. Again.]
GHOSTS, YOU'RE OUT. TOYS, YOU'RE IN.
May clasps her hands behind her, with a dour set to her jaw. While they're on the subject of things that should've been done:]
I'm less effective if I don't have all the available intel.
Yeah. There are definitely to many people on this team
That can be said for the entire organizing body of SHIELD. Not limited to when headquarters should be informed of certain situations.
[ There's a beat here. Because she's just letting that sink in.]
Information is a puzzle, Agent May. Just because you can't see entire picture does'nt mean it's not there.
Some things are above your level for a reason.
no subject
She waits and listens. Agent Hill wouldn't use the term puzzle if she didn't expect it to be solved. She can read between the lines. It's above her level, she's not meant to be told, but whatever's going on with Coulson:]
You want me to know.
no subject
[ True, she did dangle the situation above the others head but hey, if May knows. She might tell Coulson. It's the whole thing that SHIELD has secrets from SHIELD. ]
I'm saying that whatever you might hear, it's not something you should dig into, that includes what you're thinking about doing.
[ Talking to Coulson. Fury or her. About this subject. Or have Fitzsimmions do anything either. Just leave it the hell alone.]
no subject
It would be better in the long run if she did know. May mightn't wear it on her sleeve, but it means something to her that she was recruited by Coulson; that he afforded her one of his generous second chances. The gesture's in doubt, if and when the man is.]
I won't jeopardize unity on The Bus.
[That's all the reassurance Hill's going to get.
In her mind, stirring suspicions and causing dissent is sabotage. There's no reason and no possible excuse for undermining the trust and respect the team feels toward Coulson. It would be too risky, too potentially damaging to enlist FitzSimmons in a search for answers.
It's bad enough that the kids saw Mom and Dad fight.]no subject
And I'll let your loose interpretation of SHIELD protocol slide and assume the next time the situation arises that you'll use your own judgement call be the right call.
[ Because you're Cavalry BITCH. If they need to bring her in. They will. For now, it's better let the chips fall where they were. The moment the situation becomes something they can't handle. Momma Hill and Daddy Fury will step in.]
no subject
Coulson seems to expect some operational autonomy, and he's the one putting in the hard yards with the Director, but that doesn't mean May is unaware of pressure from HQ. This would be a good time to do something by the book, to improve the reputation they're making with command.]
Fully appreciated, Agent Hill.
[Hill's right to think that she could order May to do her best, but her current level of performance should be enough. They've talked obliquely about boundaries and comfort and the past.]