Coulson sat silently with Agent Triplett as the clouds shot past them as they made their way back towards Providence. Though it had been a bad day overall, he felt very calm about it. One good thing that had come out of it was the success of taking out Daniels, the hostile gifted...saving Audrey. He could have stayed...stayed for when she woke up… Expose himself back into her life. But he knew it wouldn't have been fair. Not to her. Not when she had finally healed from his death. One day...he could. When Audrey could understand why he never came back… He could only hope that if he did, she could forgive him for it.

Now...it did give some insight. Insight on how tied May had been on him. Doing it to protect him… just like he was protecting Audrey. Even if the circumstances were mildly different. So he knew what he'd had to do when he got back. He needed to apologise. That he owed her at the least.

Coulson barely saw them land, taking the lead from the plane to come to an abrupt stop as he noticed what was missing. The Bus. Coulson looked to the other three then took the lead out into the base but came across nothing. No Koenig, No Team...No May.

He dumped his bag down as Fitz headed to the computer. Something that would hopefully shed light on why it was so empty. Coulson knew something had happened, something that didn't sit right with him

"Found anything?" Coulson asked after a moment, folding his arms.

Fitz shook his head, "No. All security cameras have been erased as well as the hanger's motion sensor camera." He said, typing softly. "Though...we have an entry log of May leaving the base a couple hours after we left. I'm assuming she's alone but with no cameras we don't know if Skye or Ward went with her and forget to log themselves out as well."

"Koenig?" Trip asked this time.

"Likely he left with the bus. But we have nothing to go on now, sir." Fitz sighed resting back in his chair.

"Not strictly true. If the base's security had been wiped then there's foul play involved. We should search the base...maybe some clues were left." Tripp suggested.

Coulson nodded in agreement. "Good place to start. Fitz search the bunks and lockers, Simmons the corridors and other rooms, Trip can help. I'll look through the toilets." He directed, taking the lead out himself to start at the far end of the base.

It only took a few minutes in each of the few toilets he passed, some weren't even used and were spotless. As he neared the next one, he paused to listen out. A strange noise like a jammed motor So he peaked in cautiously, eyes scanning the room before falling onto the false window. Coulson glanced behind him to the corridors one to see that was day while the other was….Night?

Frowning he approached the window though it was clear to see what was causing the jam. A screwdriver had been lodged straight into its corner, preventing the window to change from picture to picture.

Coulson inhaled deeply for a moment. He didn't know what to expect but he knew he needed to be prepared to what would happen when he removed it. His fingers curled around the handle before he gently tugged. Almost immediately the new picture began to move up. His stomach turned to ice as it stopped as he read the three words engraved into the surface.

May is Hydra

It felt like someone had punched in straight in his stomach. His heart hammering in his chest. Each of those words felt like that had been imprinted into his brain. He barely heard Simmons's sudden scream.

He almost didn't want to believe those written words...not when he had been so close to forgiving her...to apologise to her… But...had she really just stayed as a sleeper? To regain his trust...their friendship...make him feel bad about his behaviour?

"Sir, We found Koenig.." Trip shouted, but he stopped in the doorway of the bathroom, his breath pausing as he saw the words. But he felt the other agent grasp his arm, jerking him to moving, to get away from those words.

"Where? What happened?" Coulson demanded, his voice hard. His hands clenched tightly.

"He's dead, We've taken him to the kitchen. Simmons is going over...should narrow down on who killed him."

Coulson nodded curtly as they walked into the kitchen. His eyes went straight to Koenig's body. He could see the red lacerations around his neck so the cause of death was easy to tell.

Could May have really done this? Killed Koenig? Taken Skye or threatened Ward to leave as well. He didn't doubt her skills unless Ward was found but it had been his handwriting, meaning he had been quick to escape the base. What did May stay for if she really had been hydra? Maybe to infiltrate this group, take them all out. To end SHIELD altogether? If it had been May….What was he to do now?

Simmons straightened up as she pulled the cloth over Koenig's head, inhaling deeply. "He was killed around 10 hours ago. A small thing wire was used and the depth shows it was done in a hurry. At the angle...of the lacerations...shows the killer had to be around 5'6 or potentially taller…"

His breath caught. Agent May...in her boots she touched 5'6. He knew Skye was also taller but he doubted Skye knew how to kill someone like that. It only left two options. May and Ward. But Ward had scribbled those words into the window...quickly. The evidence now...it pointed to her.

A slow hot surge of anger washed through him, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists tightly. May was Hydra….

"If May has done this…." Coulson started, his voice a deadly whisper. "We need to know why she stayed."

"Sir?" Simmons asked with a wide expression.

"I found three words written in the fake window….May's Hydra…" He said, jaw tightening at even saying those words now. Both scientists eyes widened, Fitz shaking his head like he didn't believe it. "Why would a hydra agent come with us? What does she want?" he asked again, leaning against the counter.

"Well…" Simmons started after a couple of minutes, uncomfortable to start off. "She could have been after the hard-drive, since Ward was gone she'd have to wait for him to come back with it…"

"Yes but it was encrypted… May's no hacker to get past…" Trip started but trailed off as it hit him

But Coulson was two steps ahead.

May took Skye.

May came back for the hard drive...Ward had the hard drive so she had to stay with them...for Ward to come back. To play the act… Coulson had known her since the academy...he knew she could act. She had to, especially undercover. But May wouldn't have been able to get past it...not without Skye. So she took her.

"We need to find them…" He hissed. His temper high now, just as much as he was worried for Skye. They had to find her, before May or hydra did something to her.

They all jumped slightly alarms suddenly went off, Fitz immediately began to figure out why, shutting them off. "Perimeter alarm. It's…" Fitz froze, staring at the screen then sapred Coulson a glance.

Frowning Coulson moved over and started at the screen, inhlaing deeply as he saw who was there. May. His blood boiled at the sight of her.

"Scanners show she's unarmed." Fitz said quickly, unsure what to do.

"She's the cavalry, if she needs a gun, she'll take one. Let her in." Coulson growled. Picking up his gun and Icer from his pocket and dropped them on the side.. No need to give her a weapon. He had to subdue her then question her.

He didn't feel anyone follow, storming towards the entrance now at a very brisk pace. He could hear her own quick steps as he got there.

Turning the corner, Coulson didn't stop. His anger rose to something much stronger as he saw her in person. The way she walked, her expression…. It looked like the act now. Playing innocent. She didn't even had bags or a coat. Meaning she'd probably came off a jet. It was too cold to walk without them.

May seemed to pause but it didn't stop him still. He could feel adrenaline seep into his system, not hesitating to throw the first punch as she spoke, sending her stumbling back in surprise. She probably didn't think he found her out.

He attacked again. Most of his attacks she blocked but he knew her. Knew how she fought. He twisted her arm and rammed his foot straight into her side.

"Phil, what the hell are you doing?" May wheezed from the blow, her arm around her but it didn't faze him. He didn't want her to plant thoughts in his head. To make him weak for her to get the jump on him. It pissed him off

Things started to become more tunneled in his vision in his rage fighting, landing a good few more blows. He was just fighting now to bring her down. He darted forwards and pushed her back. Pressing his body against her to keep her from fight back, his hand going around her neck tightly. To keep her from trying to fight back.

"No, May, You do not get to walk back here all innocent! You lied to us, to me again!" He snarled, unable to stop himself. His vision not seeing all to clearly now, if he had he could have seen her expression shift or her face redden from the pressure he had applied around her neck though barely felt her fingers clawing to loosen his grip around her windpipe

"Ph.."

"Where is she?!" he finally shouted at her..He had to know. Had to make sure Skye was okay… "May, tell me. Where are your lot keeping her! And Ward." Coulson shook her, to stir her into answering him. It pissed him off even more….she wasn't even listening to him. His breath came out in short angry breaths. Nothing she was saying was going to be the truth. SO he stepped back straight into a defensive position but she dropped like a stone onto her side, her hair covering her face.

He waited. "I won't fall for that, Melinda. I know your tricks." He growled. Watching and waiting for her to jump up and fight like she always did. It never changed from the academy and through shield, now would not be any different. Melinda May always got up.

Again, she still didn't move.

He stepped forwards towards her, nudging her slightly with the toe of his shoe but she still didn't move so slowly he bent down slowly in case she reacted then grasped her shoulders, pushing her onto her back. Some of his fury lessened so he met no resistance as he did that, pushing back her hair though her eyes were glazed over, he just managed to see her pupils contract with the light.

"May?" He questioned, his hand moving to her neck, looking for a pulse, More concern was leaking in now, seeing much clearly now. Her eyes were bloodshot now, and he could see blood on the inside of her lips. He knew why; too more pressure could cause blood vessels to pop in gums which would bleed in response.

Coulson knew he shouldn't but let his guard down now, even though she was a traitor. He wanted to hurt her...contrian her but not… but not kill her.

"May!" The anger had gone just as well as the adrenaline, leaving him feeling cold that settled right into his stomach. "Fitz! Simmons!" He shouted as he pulled he into his arms, hoping they'd hear him but he felt the slight pulse under his fingers stop, his head turning back to her dead expression but she was gone, the weight in his arms disappearing, left holding her empty clothes in the position she died in. Leaving him stunned and confused to what the hell just happened.