Chapter One: How hard can it be?
"Grant... are you sure you wanna do this? Its not too late to back out."
"Will you relax John? I said i'd do it, and i'll do it." Grant Ward replied with a slightly annoyed tone in his voice as he cleaned out his pistol. While he was cleaning out the gun, sitting on his bunk bed in his small S.H.I.E.L.D apartment, his SO John Garret sat on a nearby chair close to the door, a bottle of Jim Beam in his hand.
Garret put his free hand out in a gesture of surrender, and replied "Kid, i know you said you'd do it... but... after what happened in Moscow-" Garret didn't finish his sentence as a look of anger and resentment crossed Ward's face. A look which clearly said We are not talking about this. Sighing, Garret instead said " Look son, i aint doubting your skills, or your resolve. I know if i put you on this operation you'll get it done, and get it done right. Its just... I know how much this type of work can put a toll on you, especially when your in as deep as you'll have to be."
Sighing, Ward said "John, I've been doing this a long time. This wont be a problem for me. It never has been."
Raising his eyebrows slightly, Garret was about to open his mouth when Ward put his hand up and said "The Moscow operation was one mistake. I wont make it again."
For a moment, Garret merely starred at Ward, before saying "Alright kid, i trust you. All im saying is if you give me some more time, i might be able to turn Trip to the cause and he can handle this himself. I'd hate to lose you, your my best guy "
Hiding the look of satisfaction which crossed his face at Garret's words, Ward merely rolled his eyes, and replied "Really John? You really think the grand kid of a Howling Commando will turn on S.H.I.E.L.D for HYDRA?"
Smirking, Garret replied "Hey im a charming guy. I was able to convince you, didn't i?"
Grant's face hardened slightly, and he said "Thats different, and you know it. I was broken, and you helped get me back together. I owe you for that. Trip aint broken. He wont turn on them."
Garret merely said "We'll see kid. Every man has a breaking point, a limit to their loyalty. I'm the living embodiment of that." Looking down to his watch, he said " You better get going Grant, your meeting with Hill is in 15 minutes. We wouldn't want you to be late now would we?" he finished with a smile.
Grant smirked in response.
After exiting the room with Garret in tow, they moved through the Triskelion to the interview room where Ward would be meeting with Deputy Commander Maria Hill. 10 minutes later they arrived outside the door to the interview room. Ward turned to Garret.
"You sure Coulson will try and recruit me for this little team of his?"
"I know the guy. We were both on Fury's team, remember? I know how the man thinks, how he works." Smirking, he said "Phil likes to fix things, people. He likes to save people from themselves. I think he was going to try and get you anyway, knowing your record. All i did was give the man a little push in the right direction."
Keeping his face clear at the words 'your record', Ward merely replied "Hmm... A guy who likes to save people. Remind you of anyone?"
Garret smiled and gave Ward a light punch to the shoulder, before replying in a serious tone "Kid, i might have taken you out of jail, but YOUR the one who saved yourself. Everything you've done, everything you've achieved. Thats all you." He then gave Ward a small pat on the shoulder, and another smile.
Ward disagreed. Ward knew in his heart who was responsible for what he was, the man he was. Garret had saved him from a fate, in Ward's mind, worse then death. He had helped him become something more, something better. And for that, Ward would do anything for him. His loyalty was to Garret, and Garret alone. Nothing would change that.
Taking his hand off Ward's shoulder, he said "You better get in their kid. Hill aint especially renowned for her patience." Chuckling, he then said "Son, seriously... You sure you wanna do this? "
Ward gave his SO another annoyed look, and said "For the last time, yes i wanna do this. Besides..." Turning away from Garret he moved to the door which would lead to the interview room. " How hard can it be?" With that, Grant opened the door.
Chapter 2: Introductions
"What does S.H.I.E.L.D stand for Agent Ward?"
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Ward replied, in a cold and emotionless tone, "Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division".
"And what does that mean to you?"
"It means someone really wanted our initials to spell S.H.I.E.L.D" He replied with just a little bit of snark in his voice. He knew she would get annoyed, but he didn't care. He'd been through stuff like this before, this type of routine, with S.H.I.E.L.D, and to be perfectly honest he was starting to get slightly pissed off that he was still having to deal with it. He was a level 6 for god's sake. True, he was an agent of HYDRA, but still.
Seeing that Hill wasn't going to say anything else, and slightly scared of the look she was now giving him [he would never admit it to anyone, but Hill honestly made him uneasy. She seemed perceptive. Too perceptive. For a man like Ward, that was something to be weary of. Some people would call it fear, but that wasn't it. That definitely wasn't it. Ward didn't feel fear. Or at least that's what he told himself.] he said "It means we're the line between the world and the much weirder world. We protect people from news they aren't ready to hear. When we can't do that, we keep them safe." Pulling out a small object from his coat pocket and sliding it to Hill, who was sitting on the opposite end of the table that they were doing their debrief on, he added "Something turns up like this Chitauri neural link, we get to it before someone bad does."
Nodding slightly, Hill picked up the aforementioned neural link and said "Any idea who Vanchat was planning to sell it to?"
"I'm more interested in how this Rising Tide group found out about it. I thought they were just hackers. What changed?" Ward replied, a shred of annoyance entering his usually composed voice. Ward had dealt with the Rising Tide before. The Paris Operation had been one of a few that had almost been compromised by the so called "hacktivists".
Standing up, Hill leaned on the nearby wall and said "Everything's changing. A little while ago, most people went to bed thinking that the craziest thing in the world was a billionaire in a flying metal suit. Then aliens invaded New York and were beaten back by, among others, a giant green monster, a costumed hero from the '40's, and a god."
"I don't think Thor's technically a God." Ward pointed out.
With a small, wistful almost smile, Hill said. "Well, you haven't been near his arms." Straightening up, she then said "The battle of New York was the end of the world. This now is the new world. People are different. They have access to tech, to formulas, secrets they're not ready for."
Resisting the urge to smile at Hill's comments about the Thunder Gods arms, he merely said "Why was I pulled out of Paris?"
Smirking slightly she simply said "That, you'll have to ask Agent Coulson."
Ward already knew this of course, but being only a Level 6 operative meant he couldn't, so he gave Hill a look of disbelieve, mingled with some annoyance, and replied " Yeah. I'm clearance level six. I know that Agent Coulson was killed in action, before the battle of New York. Got the full report."
As he spoke, a man in a dark corner of the small interview room got up from his chair [Ward had noticed him there, but had decided not to bring it up.] and walked into the light. The man was of medium height, medium build, with short brown hair, slightly thinning, with a handsome, rounded, friendly face. Though Ward had never met the man personally, he recognized him from photo's John had shown his from his old days as a member of Nick Fury's S.H.I.E.L.D Team. Standing in front of him was none other then Phil Coulson.
Ward had to admit, after finally seeing the man in the flesh, he was decidedly... unimpressed. After hearing all the stories about Coulson, he was expecting a person a lot like Captain America: Big, strong, and very Intimidating, but Coulson looked more like a well groomed accountant then anything.
Knowing he had to be shocked, he gave Hill a look of bemusement, then gave Coulson the same look, then looked between them a few times. He knew he was overacting it a bit, but quite honestly, he was still tired from the Paris mission, so he didn't really care.
Coulson finally spoke. "Welcome to level seven." Then he smiled, and said "Sorry that corner was really dark, and I couldn't help myself. I think there's a bulb out." With that, Coulson walked out of the interview room, Hill following closely behind. Ward waited a few seconds before following them out.
As he followed Hill and Coulson down through the Triskelion for a couple minutes in silence, not knowing were they would be going, he finally said, in a slow voice "Your... Your meant to be..."
"Dead?" Coulson guessed. Ward nodded.
When neither of the senior agents spoke again, Ward said "So Director Fury faked your death. To motivate the Avengers." Smart move Ward thought.
"Well, the death of a common ally is a particularly effective team builder." Hill replied. As she talked, she placed her hand on a special Security Panel. A female voice said "Cheese", and the door to one of the sealed off S.H.I.E.L.D Comms areas opened up. She and Coulson entered, followed by Ward.
"Plus, it wasn't that much of a stretch. I stopped breathing for about 40 seconds." Coulson said as they moved through the Comms room.
Hill rolled her eyes slightly, and said "Eight. It gets longer every time you say it.
"Yeah, well, you get shanked by the Asgardian Mussolini, you can tell it your way." Coulson retorted. " I was looking at the big white light, and it felt like a lot longer than eight seconds."
Hill rolled her eyes again, while Ward asked "Do they know? The Avengers, that Fury played them?"
Hill turned to him, a slightly smug expression on her face, and said "They're not level 7."
As they continued to walk through the Comms Area, Coulson started to talk about his recuperation period following his 'death'. "I got out of the I.C.U. ,Fury stuck me in a grass shack in Tahiti" Coulson said with a small smirk.
"Rough gig. Mai tais, Travis McGee novels, and a physical therapist whose command of english was Irrelevant." Ward couldn't help a small smile escape his lips as he imagined Coulson, on a beach in Tahiti, sipping Mai tais. That would be a sight indeed he thought.
Ward then said, as they entered a smaller room adjacent to the Comms Area, "But something put you back in the game?" Before Coulson could reply, Ward noticed something on one of the wireless Widescreen displays. "What is that?" he asked, genuinely surprised.
"A superhero, Agent Ward" Coulson replied.
"An unregistered gifted, identity unknown." Hill added.
"How we getting this? Does S.H.I.E.L.D have someone on the ground?"
Coulson shook his head. "Nope. Another little present from The Rising Tide."
Ward gave an annoyed sigh, and said "How are they getting this stuff before us?" He was really starting to hate the Rising Tide.
Coulson gave a small shrug of his shoulders. "Same way they cracked our RSA implementation. They're good. So I need better."
Hill took a folder from a nearby agent, and said "Agent Coulson has requisitioned a mobile command unit, to which you are assigned."
Ward gave her a surprised look, while once again marveling at how Garret had predicted exactly how Coulson would act. The man seemed to know everything.
Turning to Ward, Coulson continued "Rising Tide is trying to draw us out. I think it's time they succeeded."
With an impassive look, Ward replied "You want me to cross them off." He knew that's not what he wanted, but the Grant Ward S.H.I.E.L.D knew was exactly the type of person who would think that's what someone would want done. Taken care of. Crossed off. He was specialist. This is what he did.
Coulson gave him a slightly shocked look, and replied "Wow. No." While Hill rolled her eyes again, not surprised by what Ward had said. Moving on, Coulson said "I want to use them to get to him. This man's world is about to get very weird. He's gonna need some help."
Seeing the very pointed looks both Coulson and Hill were giving him, he shook his head slightly, and said "I'm sorry. I was trained from day one as a specialist. I go in alone. I get it done. Defusing a nuclear bomb, I'm your guy. A welcoming committee? not my speed." That part at least was true. Ward was never the warm and fluffy kind. He could be charming and sociable when he needed to, if the job asked for it, but it didn't come to him naturally. He was a solitary person at heart, preferring the company of a good book to a party. That part of his personality he didn't have to act out.
Coulson nodded. " I know it's not what you want." He took the folder from Hill, and continued. "Agent Hill did a very detailed assessment of your last three missions. Combat: top grades. Espionage : She gave you the highest marks since Romanoff."he said, impressed. Ward turned and gave a slight nod in acknowledgement to Hill, which she returned.
"Under "people skills," she drew I think it's a little poop with knives sticking out of it." Ward turned to the file. "What?" he said, slightly offended. It did look a little like a poop with knifes in it. He turned to Hill, who seemed to be trying to avoid his eye. Seriously? Ward knew he wasn't the easiest guy to deal with, but ... a poop with knifes in it? Really?
"Thats bad right?" Coulson added, trying to keep a straight face."And given your family history, i'm surprised it's not worse."
Ward tried to hide the small scowl that suddenly appeared on his face. The mention of his family always put him on edge. No matter how well he could act as the loyal S.H.I.E.L.D Agent, the mention of his family could always bring an involuntary reaction out of him.
The door opened again, and another S.H.I.E.L.D employee, an elderly black man with small, wispy gray hair and beard entered. His badge named him as Dr Streiten. "We have a meeting."
Coulson gave the doctor a small nod, before turning back to Ward. "If I'm wrong, you go straight back to your bombs."
Dr Streiten cleared his throat, and said "Team's approved. Physicals are all fine. Fitz-Simmons is not cleared for combat, I'm told that won't be an issue." Great Ward thought resentfully. I'm gonna be stuck with some rookie who doesn't know how to fire a gun. This just keeps getting better and better.
Dr Streiten turned to Ward, and said, with a slight tone of approval "Agent Ward here is almost too healthy."
"Thats an issue." Ward said immediately. Although he had no intention of leaving Coulson's team [although he was starting to regret not making sure that Garret had recommended Coulson have at least some more combat trained specialists on-team] he knew he had to act like he wanted too. It was funny how often someone was invited to a party when they weren't looking for an invite."That should be an issue. Maybe I can't join the team-"
"Your dismissed." Hill said, in a tone which invited no argument. Sighing as if he was angry that he was stuck on Coulson's team [which, now that he thought about, he sort of was] Ward left the room.
5 minutes later, Ward was sitting outside the main Triskelion building, sitting on one of the metal chairs facing the Potomac, eating his lunch [a tuna sandwich with mayo]. He had been thinking about his mission, the one for Garret, and was starting to wonder whether or not he'd bitten off more then he could chew.
The mission had sounded simple enough to begin with: Infiltrate the team, find out how Coulson survived, or, more accurately, revived, from his wound at the battle of New York. Garret needed to know why. And Ward would find out. That was the job Ward did. He was good at it. Maybe even the best [after Romanov] But now that he had finally started his assignment... He wasn't sure if it was so simple anymore. He had finally met Coulson, who was the opposite of what he had expecting: From what Garret, Romanov, from what every S.H.I.E.L.D Agent had told him, Ward had expected a man a lot like himself; Remote, emotionless, committed to the job at hand. Focused. He was committed to the job, yes. No-one took an early rain check from a holiday in Tahiti if they weren't committed. Focused? Yeah, he was that too. But remote? Emotionless? He had been in the room a mere 5 minutes and could tell this guy was about as cold as a Texas summer. And that frightened Ward. Coulson had become a variable. An unforeseen one at that. Ward didn't like variables. He was trained to eliminate them. And more then that, Ward would be going into the field with an untrained, non-combat ready rookie. That was another variable that Ward didn't like. And it was a variable which could put him at an unnecessary risk out in the field.
As Ward silently contemplated his situation as he ate through his sandwich, the Potomac shining bright by the sun, he heard a set of footsteps moving towards him from a couple meters away. Ignoring them, he continued to eat the sandwich while staring over the river, until a familiar voice said "Mind if i sit with you?"
Turning around, Ward gave a look of genuine surprise. Smiling, he said "Don't mind at all."
The young redhead smiled and took the chair opposite him.
Natasha Romanov, known as Nat to her friends [whom Ward was counted among], better known as the Black Widow, was perhaps the single greatest spy in S.H.I.E.L.D's history, perhaps even the world. Though little was known about her life outside of work, Ward knew, from what she had told him, that she was originally from Russia. After serving as the premier spy and assassin for the FSB [Russian Intelligence Agency, the successor to the KGB] for years, during which her reputation [and success] had led to S.H.I.E.L.D placing a kill order on her, the man sent to take her out, Clint Barton [another friend of Ward's] known as "The Hawk", had instead recruited her into the agency. She was now, along with Cap and Barton one of S.H.I.E.L.D's greatest assets.
Their was reason Ward had become so good at being a spy. Garret had taught him how to fight, how to shot, and had taught him enough to lie his way into S.H.I.E.L.D, but it was Nat who really taught him the finer points of the arts of spying, lying, and seduction. He was one of the few agents [if not the only] whom she had personally trained. Their was a reason he had gotten the best espionage marks since Romanov. Romanov was the one who trained him in the first place.
That wasn't the reason Ward liked her and considered her a friend though [other then Trip, Barton and Garret, Ward wasn't very friendly with many people. Cordial, sure. But not friendly]. The reason he took to her so well, and her to him, was because they had both faced darkness, despair, hatred, violence. Things that most people were lucky enough to avoid in the early part of their lives. They had faced it, survived it, and had become better as a result of it. They had defeated the darkness, him admittedly with a little help. But it wasn't just that that made them friends; She was a good teacher. Strict, but fair. She was kind, loyal, funny and fearless. She wasn't afraid to get in someones face if they weren't working up to scratch. She was friendly with people, something Ward struggled with; She was in many ways, the big sister he never had.
Looking at her, he could tell she had just come off mission; Her hair was in a mess, her bottom lip was cut, and though her couldn't see it, he was willing to wager his [albeit meager] savings that she had a bruise or two under the black Kevlar suit she wore. An ordinary day for the Black Widow.
Smirking, Ward said "So, how was North Korea?"
Chuckling [though she tried to hide it, Ward noticed the slight wince she did when she laughed. She had probably suffered some lung damage, possibly a puncture. He suppressed a sigh. She never gets it checked out until someone makes her he thought gruffly.] she replied "Oh, it was super. Just a couple of bruises, a cut lip. Nothing major. Pretty quiet actually."
"And a possibly punctured lung?" Ward pointed out, slightly annoyed.
Smirking, Romanov replied "Nothing gets past you." Seeing his expression hadn't changed, she chuckled again, wincing more openly now, and said "Come on Ward, I've been through worse. Hell we both have."
Though not completely satisfied, Ward nodded none the less, knowing an argument with Romanov would get him nothing.
Still smiling, Romanov said "So, what put you in such a happy mood?"
"What are you talking about?"
Sighing, Romanov gave him a are-you-really-trying-to-do-this look, and said "Ward, remember who trained you. I can tell when your pissed."
Rolling his eyes, Ward replied "I'm not pissed, it's just... I've been put on an assignment, and its not exactly what I've been trained for, you know? Its...complicated."
Giving him a curious look, [though Ward never knew what went through Romanov's head. She could know exactly what had him down, and he wouldn't be able to tell.] Romanov said "How complicated?"
You have no idea. "Really Complicated."
Turning around in her seat so she could be more comfortable, Romanov said " I'll give you a little bit of free advice ребено[Kid]. Expect to do the unexpected. The world has gone crazy since New York. We're dealing with monsters, aliens, gods, superhero's. Things we were never trained for. You just have to go with the flow."
Ward gave her a look of mock amazement, and said "Wow, the worlds changed. You know i didn't notice that at all, thanks for the heads up."
Romanov gave him a look of mock hurt in return, and replied "Ну кто-то не получил положил вчера вечером." [Well someone didn't get laid last night.]
"Я почти был ввернут на себя прилива. Это считается?" [I almost got screwed over by the Rising Tide. That count?] he retorted.
Before they could continue, a voice yelled "Agent Romanov!" and they turned their heads to see another agent, also in tactical gear, walking towards them. Ward recognized him as Brock Rumlow, a member of S.H.I.E.L.D's special combat unit, STRIKE. Ward had never really liked Rumlow. After he had made a crack about Ward's 'family history', Ward had retaliated by putting him in the med bay for a week.
Ignoring Ward, Rumlow said "The Director wants to debrief you on the NK Op. He wants to talk to you. Now." With that, Rumlow turned around and walked back to the Main Building.
Sighing, Romanov got up from the chair, wincing slightly as she did, gave Ward a mock salute, and said "See you later kid." before turning around and walking back into the Triskelion.
Still smiling, Ward turned around and started to stare at the Potomac again. Though he had joked around, her advice actually didn't sound too bad. Go with the flow. Maybe she was right; expect the unexpected. Maybe this whole Coulson thing would turn out fine in the end.
Or maybe it'l blow up in my face he thought to himself. He pushed those thoughts aside. He couldn't afford to lose his nerve. Not now. This was important. He knew that much. Garret needed this. If he didn't succeed he could... Ward didn't let himself finish that thought.
He just went back to eating his lunch and watching the river glow.