SKYE POV
You've got to be kidding me! I shake my head. No, I must have heard him wrong. They wouldn't do this. They couldn't do this!
"With her?!" Grant Ward yells pointing at me with a disgusted look on his face.
My lip curls in anger and I turn back to Agent Blake. "There has to be a mistake. I can't do this. Not with him." I throw a look at Ward.
"Can it, sweetheart." Ward throws at me. "You'd be so lucky to be paired up with me for this."
I bite down on my tongue when I feel a frustrated growl coming from my throat. I can see Ward's narrowed look at me but I try not to look back at him.
"We can't stand to be in the same room together. How do you suppose we act like we're together?" I only half demand because Agent Blake is still my damned instructor and I need to show respect. I've never liked Blake but my mom will have my ass if I disrespect another Agent.
Agent Blake looks like he's about to lose it, so I fold my arms across my chest and take a deep breath. I wait for it and then, "That is precisely why I'm giving you both this assignment!" He bellows. "You are in your final year at the academy. You've both excelled in every class you've done! You are learning to be spies. That means undercover work. There are no two people in this school who hate each other more. Every student is being given a two-month assignment. This is yours." Blake comes out from behind his desk and stands in front of me and Ward. "I will have someone watch you. Your mission is to convince people you are enemies turned lovers."
Ugh. I'm going to throw up.
"Now, I've made sure neither of you is dating anyone as not to disrupt your personal lives." Blake's voice comes down in volume.
I throw a look at Ward. I thought he was dating Kara.
"You are not allowed to tell anyone," he looks at both of us with a warning, "anyone about your assignment. You are not allowed to HINT that this is an assignment. You have two months to convince this whole damn school that you're a happy couple. This assignment is from morning to night. Do you understand me? Nobody knows. Maybe you'll learn to get along. Now, get the hell out of my office." Blake turns and I know I can't say anything to get me out of this.
Frustrated, I turn to go out the door. Ward holds it open for me as I stalk through. I don't look at him and I don't thank him.
I want to yell in frustration but I hold it in. As I stalk out of the building and into the grounds, I close my eyes and focus on my breathing.
My mom would tell me to center myself and not let this get to me.
I feel Ward a fraction of a second before he speaks to me. "Are you done with your tantrum, Princess?"
I take another breath and open my eyes to find him standing about a foot to my right. I hate when he calls me Princess.
"Stop calling me that." I say through gritted teeth.
He rolls his eyes at me. He's always hated me. He thinks I'm spoiled and that I don't deserve to be here. He's told me and anyone who would listen often enough.
He doesn't know what I've gone through to get here. We're out of SHIELD Academy at the end of this year but it's only my second in Operations after two years in Communications.
"Not gonna happen, Princess." He pushes but after a moment he rolls his eyes again. He sighs and says, "We have to meet tonight and figure out some sort of plan. Let's do dinner."
Dammit! I'm not getting out of this. I groan. I know there's no use in throwing a fit. This is my reality. This is what I want to do with my life so I have to be a big girl and do it. "Fine." I say defeated.
"Look, Princess, I've worked my ass off for four years at this Academy and for years before that. I'm not going to let one damn assignment with you ruin what I've done. Mommy and Daddy might help you with all your troubles but you're not ruining this for me." He hurls at me.
I want to hit him. "You don't know me. Stop acting as if you have any idea. You might be at the top of our class but we all work hard, myself included." He always flings my parents in my face.
Egotistical jerk! So, what if he's hot as hell and made to look like a God! He's an asshole. He takes every opportunity to talk shit and he needs to shut up about it.
Ward steps back from me. "I'll text you with dinner info." And just like that, he's done with me. He turns and walks away.
I hold my urge to stomp my foot like a child. "You don't even have my number!" I yell at him.
"I'll get it from Trip!" He calls back without turning around.
I grumble as I stalk across campus to the gym. I'm done with classes today but I'm sure I'm late for training.
I'm two years behind everyone else when it comes to Operations. Switching halfway through the Academy should have landed me in the first year of Operations after leaving Communications but Director Fury had let me transfer as a third year because of my languages and quick learning skills.
Being fluent in three languages and learning another two helped. Doesn't hurt that I know Director Fury personally or that my dad is basically his right-hand man or that my mom is known as the Calvary. I could see why people like Ward would think I got in because of who I know but dammit, I'd worked my ass off to prove I deserved to be here.
I trained on the weekends with my mom. Sometimes, I'd have help from Nat and Clint. But at school, I had Trip and Bobbi that helped me.
I was meeting Trip today and I was late. I ran to the locker room once inside the building and quickly changed.
I found Trip jumping rope.
"It's about time, girl." Trip's bright smile, always lifted up my spirits.
Out of everyone in Operations, I was closest to Trip. He came from big names too. He and I understood each other on a level others didn't. We felt the pressure of being related to names that were respected.
"Sorry. I ran into your boy." I confess.
He laughs. "Any bloodshed today?" He asks as he slows his jumping and then stops altogether.
I laugh. "Not today." I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm not supposed to tell anyone this is an assignment.
"What?" Trip gives me a side glance. "Come on, girl. Spill. I know you're not telling me something." He walks toward me, giving me a look.
"Ugh." I let my shoulders fall and I drop my head back. "I'm kind of having dinner with him."
Trip starts laughing. "No, seriously. Tell me what happened?" He waits to look at me and he stops laughing. "Skye, stop playing with me. Come on."
I raise my eyebrows and shrug.
"You and Ward are going to dinner?" He looks shocked.
"Can you give him my number? We kind of agreed to go out tonight and he said he'd text but he didn't get my number." I admit as I walk toward the boxing ring.
When I reach it, I look back and Trip is standing in the exact spot I left him in.
"What?" I ask, knowing full well Trip is going to ask a million questions.
His mouth is hanging open as I climb in the ring. Maybe if I ignore him, he'll recover. I go to the corner and grab the tape that Trip has already set up for me. I behind to bandage my hands.
Slowly, out of the corner of my eye, I see him approach the ring. "You mean to tell me that you were late—which you never are—because you were agreeing to go on a date with Ward? With Grant Ward?"
I roll my eyes. "Can you please get in here? I really need to train." I complain.
He laughs but climbs into the ring.
"You're going on a date with Grant Ward? My roommate? Top SHIELD agent at the Academy? Is that what you're telling me?" He asks, taking the tape from me.
I turn with a frustrated groan and grab my gloves. "Yes. Ok. I'm going to dinner with him."
Trip is laughing at me. His hands are already bandaged. So, he reaches for his gloves.
"Stop laughing, dammit!" I warn.
"I'm sorry, baby girl. You and Ward are just always at each other's throats." He shakes his head and I can tell he's trying not to laugh again. "I mean the heat has always been there but both of you were set of pretending it was hate."
I roll my eyes. I was sick of hearing about this. Trip always insisted that Ward and I had pent up sexual tension. I don't know why that always bothered me but it did.
Yea, so Ward was hot as hell. And I had more than once thought about eating and licking ice cream off of him. But every time he opened his mouth, all I want to do is beat him. He hated me from day one. He'd gone out of his way to talk trash about me and belittle me in front of everyone. I shake my head trying to stop the memories from coming.
Grant Ward was strong, smart, caring and hated injustice. I hated myself for falling for him so quickly. Even though he hates me. Even though he makes me feel awful. Even though he had everyone laughing at me and convinced most I'd only gotten in because of my dad.
I'd cried over Grant Ward last year too many times to count. This year it would be different. I hated him for making me feel like crap. I hated him for being an asshole to me. I hated him for making me cry. I hated him for being so good looking. I hated him for being gorgeous.
I focus on Trip's instructions and get lost in the rhythm of the punches and my footwork. Trip never goes easy on me. He pushes me and I'm glad because it doesn't take long before I forget about Grant Ward.
"Alright, baby girl. I think that's enough for today. Come on, let's do some weights." Trip backs up and drops his arms.
I nod and look at the wall clock. We've been at it for a little over an hour. But I'm nowhere near being done. I need to hit the weights before I do my nightly five-mile run.
I follow Trip down the ring and through some doors where they keep all the gym equipment. "Let's just do five sets before calling it a night." Trip suggests.
I shake my head. "No. I have to make up for being late."
Trip sighs. "Skye, it was ten minutes. Come on, I gotta practice my Portuguese and Russian. I'm taking an oral evaluation tomorrow."
"And I need to work on this." I tell him as I pick up some weights and do some crunches.
"Skye, you don't need this. You're at our level. You've worked your ass off all last year to be in the condition you should be at. You gotta give yourself a break." He urges me. This is Trip's favorite pastime, to tell me to give myself a break.
"I'm behind two years." I remind him. I know because Ward won't let me forget.
"You've done everything, Skye. You've taken every class. You come to the gym every day after classes. You work every weekend. Chill. You're there." He's begging me with his face and then gives me puppy dog eyes.
I sigh. "Fine. Six sets." I propose. We usually do ten.
He shakes his head before agreeing. After we're done, we go our own separate ways. He doesn't know I run five miles after training with him. He'd kill me.
I'm on my last lap when my phone rings. I check who's on the phone before I hit the Bluetooth to answer. Hmm. Who is this?
"Hello?" I don't drop my pace, as I answer.
"Princess, are you ready?" Ward's harsh voice makes me stop in my tracks.
Damn, I'd lost all track of time. "No." I say as I focus on my breathing. I turn and walk off the track.
"I don't care. I'm picking you up." Ward sounds irritated at me. "Thanks for telling Trip we were going to dinner by the way. You should give me a heads-up next time."
I grit my teeth as I make my way to the lockers. "You're top spy, remember? I'm sure you improvised. Besides, how the hell was I supposed to tell you when I don't have your number?"
"Where are you?" He demands, changing the subject.
I reach the gym.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why? We're going to dinner. Where are you so I can pick you up?" I don't know why but I imagine him pinching the bridge of his nose. He does that a lot.
"Why can't I just meet you?" I groan as I open my locker.
"Because as we plan, we can make it look like a damn date and kill two birds with one stone. Jeezus, you want to be a spy and can't think ahead to simple things like this?" He scoffs.
I close my eyes and grip my clothes tight. "I have to shower. I'll be in my room in half an hour." I say before hanging up and throwing my Bluetooth in my locker, along with my phone.
I take a fast shower and rush to my room without breaking a sweat. I throw on the first dress I find and put some mousse in my hair. As I put on some heels, there's a knock on my door.
"Great." I can't help but moan once more.
I open the door and stop myself before I gasp at the sight of Grant Ward. He looks handsome in black jeans, a black Henley and a leather jacket. He's shaven and his hair gelled back but not greasy looking.
I take a deep breath. Jeez, how long have I been looking at him? Wait, why hasn't a smart-ass remark left his mouth yet?
"You look…nice." He says as he frowns. He steps forward and places a kiss on my temple. It takes me by surprise. I try to ignore the feel of his lips on my skin.
We're supposed to be on a date. Act like it. I remind myself.
I smile and place a kiss on his cheek, near the corner of his lips.
"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." I can play this game too, Ward. I'm going to make you believe we're on a real date by the end of the night.
He clears his throat. "Ready to go?" He asks.
I nod and prepare myself. I can do this. I can do this.
He laces our hands together and leads me out of the building. When we arrive at his jeep, he opens the door for me and waits until I'm inside before he walks around.
Damn. Is he really a gentleman or is he this good at acting?
"So, where are we going?" I ask him in my most pleasant voice. There's no way I'm dropping the act, even if we're alone. From this point on, we're on assignment and there is no way I'm not going to pass.
He looks over to me and smiles, clearly going along like I am. "I thought we'd try the Italian place on Edison. I heard you like pasta."
My breath catches for a moment. How does he know?
His eyes twinkle as he looks at me. He winks and starts the car. Damn him! He's been doing homework while I was working out. His resources are limited. Trip is the most obvious choice for this but he could have also called Bobbi.
"Sounds great. It's new so I haven't tried it yet." I answer honestly.
The trip is fast and quiet but surprisingly not awkward. I'm also shockingly excited. I'm an idiot. This is an assignment. I got to get my shit together. I would not be here if it weren't for it and Ward would certainly not be taking me out. He hates me. He thinks I'm talentless and the only reason I'm here is because of mom and dad.
He valets the car and again takes my hand in his once outside the restaurant. He gives the greater our name and to my surprise, he's asked for a table near the back. It's more secluded than the rest. It looks romantic.
Immediately when we sit, we are brought some water and told a waiter will be right with us. I settle in my seat and look across the small table to Ward.
"Ok, look." He starts as I knew he would. He likes being in control. "We're in deep cover for two months. This isn't going to be a normal op. Typically, we have a cover but for this, we have to be ourselves. So, I suggest we get to know each other. We have to make our friends believe we're actually dating. Tonight, let's do that."
I don't try to hide my surprise. I thought he was going to be an asshole. I hate that he surprises me and shocked that I find it attractive.
"Works for me." I smile. I'm going to do my part in making this situation bearable.
"Don't get me wrong, I'll still probably hate you after this." He lifts his water like he's saying cheers and takes a drink.
Grr. Why is he always an asshole? "I don't care what you think about me." I throw at him showing him my anger. "I don't know what I've done to you but from day one, you made sure to judge me. No matter what I do, no matter what I say or what I accomplish, you will hate me. I'll do my part to pass this assignment but you can learn to be less of an ass."
"Why should I take it easy on you?" He asks. "Everything you have has been handed to you—because of who your parents are. There are dozens—maybe hundreds of people trying to get into this program. People who gave their blood, sweat and tears to get here and you bypassed them all because of who you are."
If I had the power to burn him, I would. "You know nothing about me or my life. You don't know the work I put in to get into the Academy. I've had to work extra hard for what I have. If anything, who my parents are, only works against me, not for me. I have earned everything I have!" I yell in a low voice, looking around. I want to make sure nobody is looking at us. I'm clenching my teeth.
He doesn't know. He doesn't know the shit I went through. He doesn't know the pain I endured. He doesn't know the actual torture I was in while held captive by the man I considered my uncle. Only Fitzsimmons, my parents and Director Fury know. He doesn't see me. None of them do.
Ward watches me and after a moment, he must see something in me because he drops his shoulders in defeat. "I apologize. You're right. I don't know you and you don't know me. So, let's get to know each other."
It takes me a minute to calm myself down before I nod.
The waitress comes over and takes our drink order. She leaves menus and walks away. I don't miss the looks and smiles she's giving Ward.
Bitch. She doesn't know this isn't a real date. Who eye fucks a guy when he's out on a date? It's infuriating and I push her out of my mind.
"What made you switch from Communications to Operations?" He asks. His tone is softer and he's leaning back. I don't know if he's at ease or trying to convey that he is.
I sigh. Ok, let's do this. I can tell him the basics. Would I tell a real boyfriend what happened to me? I try to imagine that. No. I don't like talking about it in therapy much less a guy I was trying to date.
GRANT POV
I watch her as she debates what to tell me. I force my eyes to stay on her face. Anytime I let my eyes fall they go straight to her breasts and dammit if she doesn't have a nice rack. She's wearing a pink dress that hugs her curves just right and stops just above mid-thigh. The neckline isn't low but it gives just enough view of her tits to tease me.
I've never really paid much attention to her body and this was why. I've learned not to look on purpose. She's hot. The moment I saw her, I wanted her but I knew who she was before she stepped foot in the Academy. She'd transferred straight into the second year like she'd earned a spot like the rest of us.
I'd gone through so much before even being accepted to the Academy and she just walked right in. Of course, being the daughter of Phil Coulson and Melinda May had given her every opportunity in life there was. She had the perfect little family. She grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth.
It pissed me off how smart she was. She picked things up quickly. Her chocolate brown eyes called to me. So did her luscious lips and I hated myself for being attracted to her. She was everything I hated and everything I would have wanted for myself. My damn body craved for her. I've only ever seen her in classes. She never wore dresses. But this one looked damn good on her.
"Just tell me. Don't lie. We have to know things like these. People will know if we lie to each other." I reminded her.
She nodded. "I've always been good with computers—with technology. I like to plan and think ahead but I've never been strong like my mom. Both my parents taught me to get out of a jam with my brain, not with my fists. I always wanted to do Operations but my dad got cancer." She looks at me with fear in her eyes.
I'm shocked. Coulson has cancer. Fuck. I feel like shit. "I'm sorry, Skye. Damn. I didn't know."
She has tears in her eyes and she gives me a small smile. "He's in remission but for a while there, we thought we were going to lose him. I didn't want to add extra pressure, so when it came down to deciding what I wanted to do, I chose Communications." She stops suddenly and I watch her carefully. "Once he was in remission, he saw my heart wasn't into it and we spoke. I applied for Operations and was allowed to transfer."
That isn't it. I can tell she's hiding something but I'm not going to push it now. This answer feels rehearsed. This is what she tells everyone. I'll find out eventually what she's hiding. We still have a lot to talk about.
She looks me dead in the eye and straightens up. "I didn't jump to the front of the line. I got interviewed and did all the testing to be approved. The only reason I started as third year and not as a first is because I've already had field training. I am good under pressure. I learn quickly and speak three different languages fluently. It's hard enough being the daughter of legends. I have to prove my worth daily, Ward. I don't have the luxury of slaking off because if I do, then people use it as an example of why I shouldn't be where I am."
Damn. Having her talk to me like this makes me want her more. What the hell is wrong with me? This girl turns me on even when she's stern with me.
I look at her for a bit, feeling like I'm seeing her for the first time. I never thought about it that way. She'd proven herself time and time again and I refused to give her credit for that but I'd never thought about how people would see her if she failed at something.
"I can see that. Can you see how it looks like to me and everyone else? I worked my ass off to get to where I am. I had to convince Director Fury that I was made for this program and even then, I had Agent Hand fighting in my corner." I don't want to argue but she has to see why I want to hate her—why I act like I do.
Vic was my savior. She'd done everything for me when she didn't know who I was but she saw something in me and I was going to do everything in my power to prove her right. Everything I do is for her. I want to make her proud.
"I heard you and Agent Hand knew each other." She looks like she's treading lightly. I've gone off on people who've asked me about Vic before so I get why she's watching me carefully. I sigh.
"I came from a shitty household." I told her. I don't know how much to say but if we need to answer some questions about each other, she'll have to know some of this. "My parents were negligent. My mother was an alcoholic and my father abusive. My older brother took his anger out on me and my younger brother—but mostly my younger brother." I hesitate, feeling my chest tightening. I swallow and continue, "my younger brother died. I got sent to military school. One night, I escaped and made my way home. I set fire to the whole damn place and got caught. I was sent to juvenile hall where Victoria found me. She was able to get me out and mentored me through my remaining high school years. She continued to work with me. Our goal was to get me into SHIELD. It took Fury a while to accept me because he thought I had anger and control issues." I feel uneasy. Nobody really knows any of this. Bobbi knows some and so does Trip but I feel like Skye knows more than she should.
She's watching me with careful eyes. I lean back into my seat feeling uncomfortable. It feels like I'm naked and I don't like it.
"He made me see a therapist before he'd accept me into Operations." Skye tells me and the tone of her voice reminds me of how I feel. She's being completely honest, I can tell.
Why do I get the feeling nobody knows this about her? Why would she have to see a therapist? I study her and see the moment she puts her walls back up.
"We all have stuff, Ward. He wants us to be ok before he sends us out into the field. He wouldn't want us to be in over our heads." She gives me a small smile. "I'm sorry about your asshole parents and brother. I'm sorry you lost someone but I'm happy you had Agent Hand. If she saw something in you, then you're where you're supposed to be."
"Thanks." I say and we focus on dinner for a while.
Before we're almost finished with our food, I ask her about her dad. "So, I heard a rumor about your dad."
She raises one eyebrow. "Rumor? I didn't think Grant Ward had time for rumors." She smiles and takes another bite of her dinner.
I want to chuckle but hold it back. My lips twitch and I can see she sees it because her smile widens. "Wait. Are you about to smile?"
I roll my eyes and as I do, I let my smile slip. Damn. I like her teasing me.
"I hear things from time to time."
"And what have you heard?" She asks leaning forward.
"I heard Director Fury is naming him as Deputy Director on Friday night." I search her eyes for a tell. I've met Coulson a couple of times. He's a bit too relaxed for me but I can see he's respected. He's an expert strategist.
Skye sighs. "I have no idea. I heard the same thing going around." She answers and takes the final bite of her food. She can eat. I've got to remember that. "I honestly don't know what to tell you. My parents decided when he came back that he was going to take it easy. My dad hasn't seen much action for a while. Fury has him teaching and scouting. He's really good at spotting talent. His first two finds are my best friends. They're both in Science and Technology, so I don't get too see them as often as I'd like. I'm sure if he was scouting back then, he'd be fighting Agent Hand trying to get to you."
My eyes widen. That's a compliment. I hear a lot of good things about Coulson and for Skye to say that Coulson would have liked me, is a confidence booster. "I don't know what she saw in me but I'd like to prove her right. I want to make her proud."
Skye has this way of looking at me that makes me uncomfortable. It's like she's seeing me—really seeing me.
"You're the top of our class, Ward. I'm sure she's proud. Even if you weren't, you have a reputation. People admire you." Skye blushes which makes me smile.
"Reputation, huh. What kind of reputation?" I lean forward. I want to hear this.
She looks away and shrugs. I wait for her to answer. "You're honest, hardworking, charismatic, loyal…" she looks me in the eyes and her eyes warm, "you're always the first to stand up to defend someone or call someone out for their bullshit. People respect you. You're a leader, Ward."
The last part she says with such emotion that I'm having a hard time breathing. Has she noticed me like I've noticed her? Does she watch me from afar? Does she look for reasons to be in the same room with me? Fuck. What the hell is wrong with me?! This is an assignment.
SKYE POV
I notice the change in Ward almost immediately and my mood nosedives. I can feel the old—or real Grant Ward coming back.
"I think that's enough for tonight. We've given this plenty of time for tonight." He pulls some twenties out of his wallet and stands.
Well, that was abrupt.
He waits for me to stand and walks behind me. His hand is on the small of my back but I can feel the uneasiness wash from him to me.
He's being so cold. How the hell does he do that? And what the hell happened? We were having such a great time.
I try to process the night. Had he played me all night? Was anything he said to me tonight true?
I grip my purse, feeling sick to my stomach. I'm so fucking stupid. In one hour, I drop everything I know about Grant Ward and let him get to me. I know him and still, I let myself fall for him. Fuck. I just want to be over him. I close my eyes and remind myself that in order to keep my stupid feelings at bay, I must focus on hating him.
When he pulls over, he makes a move to unbuckle his seat belt but I'm already out the door and hurrying to my room.
I hear his door open. "Skye?" He calls me but I don't turn because I'm still so humiliated with myself. At some point during that dinner, I let myself believe we were on a real date. That's on me, not him. I growl at myself as I pull my keys out of my purse and open my door.
I can't do this for two months.
GRANT POV
What the fuck just happened? She just straight up jumped out of the car. I was going to walk her to her door. If anyone was watching they'd think this ended in disaster. Fuck.
I drive around for a while. I'm too antsy to go back to my room and get questioned by Trip. I want to go to Skye's room and find out why she ran. Liar. I want to go and kiss her. On the drive back to the dorms, I'd thought about nothing else. It was a date. A kiss at the end of the night was expected. We had to make this shit look real, right? So, I had to kiss her.
I shake my head. That's the excuse I'd make anyway.
"I hate her. I hate her." I say out loud hoping it'll make it true but after tonight, I can't hate Skye. But I do have to get her out of my mind. This is only an assignment.
It's become a routine. I pick up the phone and dial without thinking.
"Yea?" Kara answers in a sultry voice.
"I'm coming over." I say before I hang up. I need release. Kara helps clear my head. She knows how to please me. No strings attached. No feelings. Just release.