"I don't know, Tony," he sighed and sat back down again, frowning. "With Daisy, I expect." Nick shook his head and smiled ruefully. "I got all those kids together because I could see their potential. They'd make good warriors one day, good commanders. I never expected- you know, shit, I care about those kids. They just needed someone to give a fuck about them so they could succeed. Daisy got herself arrested when she was sixteen. I knew who she was and she didn't and I told her who her parents were. She was a hard kid, real distrustful. Didn't know what she wanted, what she could be. I did and I told her that today was the day she'd become a butterfly. The look on her face-" He grinned and shrugged. "I think I pretty much knew then I was gonna love that kid and I do. I love her like she's my daughter- hell, more than my daughter I'm ashamed to say, because my ex barely let me know my daughter." His eye took on that unfocused look again and he carried on, staring at the floor now.
"Got Daisy into S.H.I.E.L.D. training and you know what? She was phenomenal. I don't know if I've ever been as proud of anyone as I was of her when I granted her her clearance. She showed me what was possible, find someone with potential and make sure they reach it. She was the start of something great." When he glanced up at Tony now there was something like remorse in his expression and Nick realized he was coming to terms with shit he'd compartmentalized and hadn't bothered to face. He didn't know the last time he'd ever been so candid with anyone. "The day she ran off, fuck, man. I think that kid broke my fucking heart. Daisy Johnson was the best of everything I had to offer. She was gonna replace me someday."