Ward held the bag tight, watching as Skye's eyes filled with determination and her fists punished the hurt that she had been through. Coulson had been right. Letting her see him as a person had worked. And he was never going to let her know about the truth serum.
One punch slipped off the bag, throwing her off balance. In an instant, Ward caught her in his arms. She curled her fingers in his shirt. "Whoops," she whispered.
"We all slip up a little. Just have to keep our eyes on the prize." And right now, his eyes were on her. She had held her own in the field. Shakily, but she did it. And she trusted him. Slowly, he helped her stand up straight, his hands still on her waist.
"What's the prize?" she grinned.
"It's different for each of us." He still didn't take his eyes, or his hands, off of her.
"What's your prize?" she clarified.
"It's…" Ward trailed off as May descended the stairs nearby. It was enough of a sound to cause him to break free of Skye.
"We're heading out. Flight in ten," May informed them.
Skye began unwrapping her fists. "I think I'm going to shower up."
He couldn't help but think about that image. "Yeah, you should do that." He watched as she bounded up the stairs. He was going to need a shower too.
()
Ward didn't even bother turning on the hot water. He knew, only a couple of doors down, Sky was lathering up that soft skin. He let the cold water run over him, trying to settle down. It had to be the plane. That was it. He was just in close proximity to her and that's what was doing this. But he didn't feel that way about May or Simmons. Grumbling, he got out, wrapping a towel around himself and heading for his bunk.
He gasped as Sky ran right into him, forcing him to lose hold of his towel. Her eyes widened in surprise and immediately ventured south. "Uh… huh…" she trailed off.
He quickly gathered up his towel around his waist. "Excuse you."
She smiled. "My pleasure." She was in a tiny cami and shorts, her hair still damp from her own shower.
Neither moved. "I should go to my room."
"Should you?" she mused.
He swallowed thickly. "What other options do I have?"
Her smile reached her eyes. "There are other bunks on the plane." Turning, she winked and sashayed back to her room, leaving the door open.
Oh, this was bad. This was so bad. And he wanted to be bad. So badly. His mind churned with probable scenarios. What if he really did just go for it? His feet began to head towards the open door.
"Ward?" Coulson stepped up behind him. "Did you get your earpiece turned in?"
Ward paused and slowly reached to his ear. Coulson had been listening the whole time. Turning red, Ward cleared his throat and scurried to his room.