The Quake Before the Storm
pairing: daisy johnson x female reader
warnings: kidnapping, fluff
The sound of Daisy's fists colliding with the reinforced punching bag echoed through the base like distant thunder. Her knuckles bled through the tape, but she didn't stop. Couldn't stop.
Because every time she closed her eyes, she saw you.
You: terrified, taken, gone.
"Daisy." Coulson's voice broke through the noise, calm but firm. "You need to rest."
She didn't turn around. Her shoulders trembled, and the tremor rippled through the floor, shaking the walls just enough to make the lights flicker. "Don't tell me to rest, Phil. She's out there. They have her.”
He sighed. "And you won't find her if you collapse from exhaustion."
That did it, the dam broke. She spun, eyes glassy and jaw tight. "I can't rest knowing she's scared and alone! I can feel her!" Her voice cracked, "I can feel it in my chest, Coulson. She's everything to me."
Across the room, May and Simmons exchanged a glance. May crossed her arms, watching the monitors flicker with satellite feeds and camera footage. Simmons typed furiously, her eyes darting across screens of facial recognition matches.
"Daisy," May said softly, "we're going to find her. But you need to channel that energy into something useful. Shake the world if you have to, just not this base."
Daisy forced herself to breathe. One, two, three. The hum in her bones subsided. Barely.
It had been twenty-seven hours since you were taken.
An ambush. A mission gone sideways. You'd pushed Daisy out of the way of an energy blast, and before she could recover, you were gone, dragged into the Quinjet by masked men working under an unknown symbol.
The footage was grainy, but Daisy had memorized every frame, every sound. She knew your scream by heart now, and it haunted her.
"Found something!" Simmons exclaimed, startling everyone.
Daisy was at her side in an instant. "What is it?"
"Encrypted communication between two Hydra outposts, they're moving something big near the Baltic coast. Could be tech... could be a person."
Daisy's heart jumped. "Send the coordinates. Now."
"Daisy, we don't even know-" Coulson began.
But Daisy was already grabbing her gauntlets. "Then I'll find out."
The ride in the Zephyr felt longer than it should have. Daisy stood near the ramp, fists clenched, eyes locked on the clouds below. May piloted with precision, while Mack checked weapons and Simmons tried not to look at the map Daisy had practically burned into her mind.
When they landed, the night was quiet. Too quiet. The air was sharp, biting at her skin, but Daisy barely noticed. Her entire body buzzed with restrained power.
"Thermal scan shows six heat signatures inside." Mack murmured, adjusting his scope. "Could be guards."
"Or could be her." Daisy whispered.
"Remember," May said, "We go in clean. No earthquakes until it's absolutely necessary."
Daisy gave a short nod, but everyone knew the rules wouldn't hold if something happened to you.
They breached in formation, weapons drawn. Daisy led, heart hammering in rhythm with her steps. The hallways were cold steel, illuminated by flickering red lights. Hydra insignia painted across every wall.
Two guards turned a corner. Daisy lifted her hand, sending a shockwave that slammed them into the ceiling before they hit the floor unconscious.
"Clear." She hissed, already moving.
The team spread out, each checking rooms and corners, but Daisy's instincts pulled her down one specific corridor.
Something inside told her, this way.
Her hand trembled as she pushed open the final door.
Tied to a chair, bruised, trembling, but alive.
"Y/N..." The word escaped her like a prayer.
Your head lifted weakly. The moment your eyes met hers, everything inside her snapped. Daisy rushed forward, tearing off the restraints with a strength that was almost reckless. She cradled your face between her shaking hands.
"Hey, hey, look at me." She whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "It's me. I've got you. You're safe now."
You tried to smile, your voice hoarse. "Took you long enough, Agent Johnson."
That little smirk. Even bruised and exhausted, you still teased her. Daisy let out a choked laugh before pressing her forehead to yours. "Don't ever do that again. I swear, Y/N, I'll quake the whole planet if you disappear like that."
"Promise?" You rasped, weak but playful.
Her breath hitched. "You have no idea how scared I was."
"Then kiss me and make it better." You mumbled, your usual confidence softened by fatigue.
Daisy froze, then leaned in, pressing the gentlest kiss to your lips. It was brief, trembling, full of everything she hadn't said.
When she pulled back, her voice was barely a whisper, "Let's get you home."
Minutes later, the team regrouped outside, having cleared the base. You were wrapped in Daisy's jacket, her arm tight around you. The wind whipped through the trees, carrying away the smell of gunpowder and fear.
"Mission complete." May reported, watching Daisy with a faint, approving smirk.
Coulson's voice came through the comms. "Good work, team. Bring them back safe."
Mack turned to Daisy. "You alright?”
She didn't look away from you. "I am now."
Back on the Zephyr, you rested in the med bay, your head on Daisy's shoulder. She ran her fingers through your hair, still shaking slightly.
"You know," You murmured sleepily. "You look kinda hot when you're in rescue mode."
Daisy let out a quiet laugh, brushing a thumb over your cheek. "Don't make me blush right now. You've already caused enough chaos for one week."
You smiled faintly. "Worth it... if it means you'd tear down the world for me."
Her chest ached. "I would." She said simply. "Every time."
You drifted off to sleep soon after, your breathing soft and steady against her chest. Daisy stayed awake, watching you like she might lose you again if she blinked.
For once, the tremor beneath her skin eased. The storm inside her quieted.
And that was all that mattered.
