A/N: Hey guys!

For those of you who follow my one-shot series, you've already seen a sneak peek of this story. However, if you haven't, no worries.

This is an AU where May never came back after 1x19.

I'm still not sure how this is gonna go, so bear with me. My writing schedule is crazy so have patience.

I don't own anything (otherwise I wouldn't have to pay off student loans). Enjoy!

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Five Months Ago

"STUPID STUPID STUPID. AND CRUEL. AND VERY STUPID."

"I think you've made your point." Fury held up a hand, trying to get Phil to calm down so he could explain.

"Why bring me back in the first place? Clearly I didn't think it was the best idea!" Coulson's voice rose just a bit higher. "I warned you about people losing their minds."

"Why do you think I asked May to keep an eye on you?" Fury replied, sitting forward, folding his hands in front of him. Her name sent a knife of guilt through Phil's heart.

"I sent her a-"

"I know, Phil." He interrupted quietly. Fury shook his head and leaned back. "She called Hill and Hill told me. What are you doing, sending a woman like that away, Phil?" Fury shook his head.

"Is she ok?" Phil questioned. The internal war that had thrived within him the last few days reignited.

"Yes." Fury stood from his seat, looking antsy. "We got her somewhere safe. But you need to mend that bridge yourself."

"I know, sir."

"Sir?" Fury looked at him with one raised eyebrow. "Don't call me sir. I'm not the director anymore."

"But what-"

"You are."

Phil froze at his words, not sure if he heard the man correctly. He was what?

"Look, Coulson," Fury continued, "you know how few people I trust. SHIELD is in shambles. It's broken." He sighed. "You're one of the few people I trust to put it back together again."

Phil was speechless. A mixture of gratitude and anxiety and a little bit of fear filled his chest. He stood there, wide eyed, not saying anything for a moment as Fury reached into his jacket.

"This tool box should get you started." Fury took his hand and placed the box into his palm. "I brought you back because I saw something in you, Phil. SHIELD isn't about the science or the policy. It's about the people. And you know people better than anyone."

"Go slow."

Phil nodded haltingly, marveling at the little cube.

"And remember," he lowered his sunglasses, gaze directed at Culson,"I'll be watching." He made to leave the room, but halted. "Oh, and for god sakes, call Melinda."

And then he was gone, leaving Phil's office in blanket of silence.

Coulson smiled, but dread filled his chest when he sat at his desk.

"You want orders to follow? Follow mine. Or find somewhere else to be."

He had been harsh, and cold. And sure, he was still angry, but he missed her presence. He felt unsteady without his shadow, unbalanced without his right hand. He knew he should call her, try to get her back, but he was still hurting.

He guessed she probably was too.

OoOoOoO

Five Months Later (during 2x1)

Skye jabbed hard at the punching bag. Then again. Then again.

Beads of sweat pooled on her forehead. A trickle of it rolled down her spine. Despite the shaking of her muscles and the ache in her feet, she kept going.

Left. Right.

"Skye," Tripp entered the weight room, "you're gonna tire yourself out if you keep going like that." He put his hands on his hips and raised his eyebrow. "Take a breather."

Skye paused, breaths coming in huffs, before deciding he was right. She pulled away from the bag and began undoing the wraps on her hands.

"Any word about the material from our mystery assassin?" She asked, grabbing her water.

He shook his head. "I don't know if the lab will have anything anytime soon." He replied with a shrug.

She nodded, felt the familiar sinking feeling in her chest. Fitz had been through a lot, but with Jemma gone...he wasn't able to help as much.

Through no fault of his own, of course.

Skye cursed herself mentally for letting Ward get away like that.

"Shes not gonna kill you. She had the chance to kill me before and she couldn't do it. And she hates me….a lot."

She should have known Garrett would send in Ward. Gun raised, dark gaze fixed on her, she felt a quicker of fear run through her bones. But she also felt anger, and betrayal, and irritation. She tried to let that show through, masking the fear he could probably already see. He was good at that...seeing through people.

"I feel sorry for you." She replied, fighting to keep her voice steady. "Betraying the only people who gave you the chance at being a decent human being. Fitz was a hero, because he still wanted to give you that chance after everything." She forced down the bile rising in her throat, the disgust showing on her face. But deep down, she really wished that she hadn't come in alone. "But some people are just born evil I guess."

"Yeah...maybe they are." He replied coldly, stepping forward. "I learned things Skye. History. Things you'll wanna know." Another step forward. "You and I aren't that different."

"Oh you're not the evil I was referring to." She replied sarcastically. Skye felt a glimmer of satisfaction at the flash of something in his eyes. "Garrett is evil. You're just….weak."

She knew as soon as she said it that she had crossed a line. A flash of anger flitted across his face.

"Doing anything you're told. I hope Garrett orders you to walk into traffic."

"You're right Skye. You woke up a weakness inside of me," He said, gaze softening. It caught her off guard...the genuineness of it, "and for the first time in a while, I wanted something for myself. Maybe i'll just take what I want, wake up an weakness inside you." She felt her stomach twist in disgust.

"I'm not afraid of you Ward."

"You're not gonna kill us with a bomb, you'd go too."

"You're right." She stepped forward, letting a coy smile flash across her face. They were only a few feet apart. He lowered his gun a bit. "I don't need a bomb for that."

There was a bang, a gun he hadn't seen. And now there was a bullet planted firmly in his abdomen.

"Let's talk about incentives." she grabbed the techie and shoved him forward, leaving Ward there in a pool of his own blood.

When she returned, he was gone.

"Skye." Tripp dragged her back to the present. "It wasn't your fault, you know."

She didn't reply, just sent him a glare and took a sip of her water.

"Go shower. Coulson wants to talk with you." He smiled at her good naturedly.

"Really?" She replied, eyes widening. She hadn't seen him in a few weeks.

He gestured to the door, and she jogged out of the gym, leaving him behind to shake his head.

OoOoOoO

A/N: I should have probs explained this, but phrases in italics are flashbacks.

Hope you enjoyed. I'm going to try and update once a week, but we'll see how long that lasts.