A Marvel Fiction
"Inspired by the love between Skye and Grant Douglas Ward. And also my twisted gut feeling telling me that Ward isn't going to stay HYDRA."
Ward's Redemption
Chapter 1: 'Second Chance' Shinedown
Playground, LOCATION: Classified
Ward really didn't know what to think at this moment, Garret was dead, Skye hated him, he had killed Simmons and Fitz, and now he was being held in the playground facility. His foot ached from May shooting it full of nails and also his jaw hurt from her punching him. He knew that he couldn't hide behind lies anymore; he had to tell the truth.
Grant sat down on the chair, his life falling apart before his eyes. What if they didn't want him? What if they reject him, beat him, throw him out? Ward knew he was afraid of abandonment, and his weakness, trust. But how could he trust them that they aren't going to kill him, if they don't trust him?
Ward knew from the shakiness from his hands and the cold sweat dripping from his brow that he was having a nervous breakdown. But he shut it away as the door unlocked and Agent Coulson stepped into the room.
He was dressed in his normal suit, white shirt, gray pants and coat, blue tie. His hair was neatly swept back, but there was something about his eyes that caught his attention, they were full of hate.
Ward suppressed his feelings and gazed directly into Coulson's eyes, not blinking or flinching when he slammed his fist on the table.
"How dare you do this to my team! We trusted you Ward and you broke that trust! I would have you shot if it wasn't for the knowledge in your head!" Coulson said, struggling to keep his voice under control.
Ward felt like saying something that would infuriate him, but if he was supposed to gain his trust, he rather not say anything. Grant then decided to remain silent, mouth shut, eyes staring steadily at the wall behind Coulson.
Coulson seemed to get irritated from that as well, but he didn't lash out. He sighed, and finding nothing to say or he just couldn't say what he came to say, he then just simply left the room.
Ward didn't know how long he sat there, almost losing the will to live. Each day they brought him food, but Ward wouldn't touch the water or food they brought to him. To pass the time he worked out, doing crunches, situps, planks, and all sorts of pushups like, diamond, military, tempo, and one handed.
A few days went by and Ward followed the routine. His beard was starting to get bushier each day and his energy level lowered each time he denied food. Every now and again he would have some water and a little bit of food, but it never settled well in his stomach.
The former SHIELD Agent felt dizziness overwhelm him as he finished up his diamond pushups that day. Ward stopped working out and sat upright. His head felt as light as a feather, and his body began to quiver from the lack of nutrients. But to be honest with himself, he really didn't feel thirsty or hungry; he knew this was because his mind was greatly disturbed and depressed.
What he could use was a nice drink to think the situation through. Drinking honestly was the solution for any problem he had. No wonder he was so messed up.
Ward sat there for about an hour, realizing that no one was coming in to help him with his situation. He slumped over his head hitting the cold floor. His brown eyes closed and he fell unconscious.
When Ward woke up, he was tightly strapped to a medical table, off to the distance two doctors where muttering in hushed tones to the man Eric, which he was quite sure he killed him back at Fury's secrete base. Maybe they brought him back from the dead too? Or he was just going crazy, which was an easier explanation.
Ward watched as Eric left and the two doctors approached him, they were Fitz and Simmons. Simmons had tears in her eyes while Fitz's expression was filled with hatred. Grant's heart pounded in his ears. They were dead! How could they be here? His mind raced at possibilities, but as they got closer, their faces changed into their real identities.
A gasp of breath escaped him as he realized it wasn't Fitz and Simmons but just two regular doctors. Ward realized he was going somewhat crazy and it had only been a few days. He wondered how he was supposed to last the rest of his life in a cell when he already had lost his sanity.
The former Agent of HYDRA and SHIELD watched as the doctors pulled out all different types of medical instruments. He thought about what they were going to do to him, but his thinking time was limited when a sedative was slipped into his arm. But surprisingly it took two sedatives to actually put him under.
Ward woke up to the silent beeping of the medical monitors. Everything from his mouth to his legs ached in pain. What did they do to him? He tried his best to exam his own body but he really couldn't see anything. He was dressed in a hospital gown and his wrists and ankles were secured tightly to the metal bars of the bed.
He waited for several hours before the guards and doctors emerged from the double doors of the room. The two same doctors sat back and watched as the guards retrieved Ward from the bed and dragged him out. Ward could've easily fought them off, but his body felt weak and useless.
The guards dragged him back to his cell and when they tossed him in, they shut the door loudly behind. Ward slowly got to his shaky legs and looked around. Food and water sat on the table along with his clothes.
Ward held back shaky breaths as he unfolded the clothes. His black belt, shirt, and pants were there, but it was the jacket that took him by surprise. He unraveled the jacket slowly, it wasn't his but he knew it was a gift from Coulson.
The jacket was all black with the SHIELD symbol on the shoulder. Was Coulson playing a sick game with him? Or was he inviting him back to the team? Were they giving him a second chance?
Ward felt the mixed emotions stirring within him. But he buried them deep down, not allowing himself to feel any of it. He grabbed the clothes, leaving the jacket though, and changed quickly and sat at the table.
He looked at the food they had given him; it was some nice steak with a side dish of vegetables. A tall glass of water sat on the tray as well, but he didn't feel the need to eat or drink. He simply sat at the metal table and watched the food steam.
The door swung open and Coulson stepped into the room, suspicion written over his face. He was wearing different clothes then last time he saw him. Ward hoped that he wasn't just going to say pointless things then leave the next moment.
Coulson adjusted his black pilot shades on his nose and sat down on the opposite side of the table. Ward found it hard to meet his eyes, but he managed it anyhow.
"Are you going to eat this food? You know the average person only lasts three days without water Mr. Ward." The name 'Ward' came harshly off of his tongue, but his face remained expressionless.
"Sorry about last time. I couldn't find the words to say." Coulson said, starting to eat Ward's food. Ward felt his stomach twist in pain, but he ignored it and continued to study Coulson's features.
He was wearing all black besides the normal white shirt underneath; he was trying to intimidate him, which wasn't working. His hair wasn't as nice as usual, probably stressed out. The constant drumming with his left hand was because he was anxious about something.
The room was silent for a moment as Coulson waited for Ward to say something, but the man remained silent, his own thoughts and emotions tangled up in guilt and frustration.
"Mr. Ward, I see you aren't wearing the lovely jacket we got you." He said coldly, not wanting to push Ward into accepting it. Ward held back a snappy reply, and focused on his aching head.
"I don't like this just as much as you do. But I'm willing to offer you a second chance." Coulson said, but Ward didn't flinch, actually he shook his head. Coulson bit his tongue. Ward refusing to accept? That was new. Why would he refuse such a great offer?
"This is a onetime deal. Just say yes and you can come back onto the bus. Only with certain agreements, but it could work out."
Ward felt sudden dayshavoo. This conversation felt similar to the one he had with Garret back in juvie. Grant contained his feelings and looked up at Coulson, who was quite content on eating all his food.
"No answer? Alright Mr. Ward, I guess this is farewell." Coulson said, wiping his lips with a napkin, and getting up from the table.
"Wait." Ward breathed, not wanting to let his one chance escape him. Coulson paused and turned around sharply, he could barely manage to hide his slight smile.
"I need you to know something."
Coulson felt the words penetrate his eardrums. He wasn't sure if he liked the sound of this, but he sat back down and listened closely to what the traitor had to say.
"Before you leave, I want you to know why I don't want to join." After Ward said this, Coulson relaxed a bit, knowing whatever came out of his mouth had a 50% chance of being a lie to earn pity.
"I can't go back, I've done too much harm. I've killed Simmons and Fitz, I've hurt Skye and May. I've lost all trust and I don't deserve a second chance. And even if I do, I won't take it. I just can't bare to see what I did to them or you . . ." He said, his voice on the verge of cracking.
Coulson's heart almost broke when he heard 'I've killed Simmons and Fitz,' come out of his mouth. He realized that no one told him that they were actually alive. The Director hesitated for one moment, not sure if he should tell him or not. But before he could make a decision, Ward put his face in his hands, not wanting to hear what Coulson had to say to him.
Ward pulled on his hair in frustration, not seeming to notice the worried glance Coulson gave him. Coulson straightened his face before Ward could see, and began to observe him closely.
Coulson saw the sharpness of his back and his ribs. The man was starving and he knew that the people here weren't treating him well enough. Ward probably didn't know, but he has been here for over a six weeks. When he slept they injected him full of nutrients to keep him from dying. Sometime he was out for days at a time, making everyone quite nervous about his condition.
"You're going to come back with me to the bus. And that's an order." Coulson said and then left the room, closing the door loudly on his way out.
Ward sat alone for quite some time, not knowing what to think or do. Was it true? Did they want him back? Ward knew this was too good to be true, there had to be a catch.
Guards entered the room and they pulled him out. They shoved him into a black van, and sandwiched him between two fairly large men who made him look like a little kid. When this happens he couldn't help but feel a little pride surge up, they feared him and they should.
The van started to rattle as it drove down the road, Ward thought about what he was going to say to everyone on the bus, but everyone in the van was thinking about how they could kill him if he tried to escape.
It took several hours before the van came to a complete stop, but when it did, they put a bag over his head and made sure that the cuffs were secured onto his wrists. The guards led him by grabbing the back of his shirt and shoving him forward. As he walked, his feet hit a metal platform, that seemed to ramp up in an angle.
He immediately recognized the sound his feet made; it was the bus' ramp up into the inside. The guard gave him one last good shove, making him crash onto the floor.
"There's no need for that." Coulson's voice could be heard from above his head. He was probably up on the stairs. The sound of his feet hitting the metal stairs confirmed this.
"Sorry sir, just under orders from Sam sir." Replied the guard, grabbing the bag and pulling it off, revealing Ward's sickly looking face.
Coulson thought that Ward looked better in the dim light of his cell then the direct daylight that hit his face now. His body was smaller than usual, and he noticed that his belt had more slack. Ward's hair was ragged and greasy, and his bloodshot eyes told him he wasn't sleeping well.
Coulson knew this was for his own good, but deep down knew he didn't like it, nor will he ever agree with this decision to let him back on the bus. What if he hurt them again? But how could a broken man break something again when he barely had the strength to stand? Coulson knew that if they took him in and fixed him, that he would no longer be this broken man.
He wasn't sure if he should do this, let alone even think about it, but second chance was second nature to him. He had to do it, and he actually felt bad for him. It wasn't completely his fault was it? He should have seen it coming. Why didn't he expect Ward to turn on them?
The Director sighed before approaching Ward. Coulson bent down and held out a hand.
"Welcome back Mr. Ward."