Title: World So Cold
Author: Darley1101
Rating: PG (smidgeon of language)
Characters: Skye, Ward
Premise: Takes place at the end of 1x12 "Seeds". Skye makes a promise to the agent who died protecting her. (Small Skye-Ward moment)
Author's Note: This is my first attempt at writing for Agents of Shield. Any and all feed-back is greatly appreciated. This idea is something I am considering expanding upon so if you would like to read more just let me know...
The ache started small. Just a pinch in her stomach. As Skye stood before the wall, staring at the names of agents who gave their life, the ache grew. The pinch in her stomach became the squeezing of her heart. She blinked as the names before her started to blur. Reaching up, she swiped at the tear that trickled down her cheek. Her hand started to fall toward her side, only to pause as one name came into focus. Agent L. Avery. The tips of her fingers sought out the black etching, gently tracing the name of the woman who had given her life. Linda Avery might not have been her mother but she had made sure Skye had a chance. Her thoughts hadn't been of herself, of the fact that she was being hunted and would be killed if caught. No, her thoughts had been of a baby she didn't even know. A sob caught in Skye's throat. "I'm sorry," she whispered, pressing her palm over L. Avery. "I'm sorry they killed you because of me. I wish I could thank you. I wish I could tell you that...that I..." her voice trailed off. She squeezed her eyes shut. "I wish I could tell you that I will never forget what you did. And I won't let you down. I'm going to be someone you would be proud of."
Behind her something creaked. Taking a shaking breath, she slowly turned to find Grant standing a few feet away. In typical fashion, he had his hands shoved in the pants pocket of a dark suit. "You okay," he asked quietly. She gave a half shrug. Did she have any choice but to be okay? People had died for her. They had given their lives protecting her. She wasn't going to waste their blood by crying over the fact that she didn't know her parents name. Or that she didn't have a last name. Those were minor details, really, in the grand scheme of things. "It's alright if you're not."
"I am. I just needed a moment, you know?" She glanced back at L. Avery. She reached out and traced the name once more. Again her thoughts strayed to the fact that Agent Avery had given her the opportunity to live a normal life. Maybe not normal in the American Dream sense, but normal in the sense Skye hadn't been forced to grow up as some lab rat. It still didn't make sense that she was 'special.' She didn't feel special. Other than her hacking skills she didn't possess any special abilities. All in all, she was normal. Boring even. Which made the whole thing even more tragic.
"I know."
Taking another deep breath, she pushed away from the wall. She raised her chin a bit, straightened her shoulders and met Grant's worried gaze. "I want you to make me the best agent ever." That was how she would honor Agent Avery. That was how she would make sure those who died for her hadn't shed their blood in vain. She would become the best agent Shield ever seen.