a/n: forgive my lack of activeness – work has been somewhat busy since being the Christmas period. What a joy, working in a dental practice that is staying open til 8.30pm every night until Christmas Eve. Without further ado, please do read on. Again, unbeta-ed, by all means if you're willing please do PM me. Thank-you to everyone who has reviewed followed and favourite it means a lot – there's so many that I'd need more space to acknowledge y'all separately.

Set during EP10.

Word count: 672

Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada - zilch. Just merely playing in Marvel/ABC's sandbox and not sinking the ship. Pun intended.

3. Constant

There was never a constant in Skye's life, never someone who was always there- for her to lean on when she needed it. No, she had to grow up and learn the hard ways of life all by herself and in moments like this she needed someone to lean on. She understood why May had snapped at her, for her lack of professionalism but she didn't understand the frustration Skye felt- of course she wouldn't. It bothered her more than it should of, the hurt in her chocolate orbs as she stood frozen like a statue before the higher ranking Agent before her – speechless.

The young hacker's eyebrows furrowed and her forehead creased before storming towards her bunk with quick steps before grasping the paper records she had been looking through and shredding them to pieces. Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to get hold of herself, May's comment had hurt her deep – how could anyone understand how she felt about her parents? Skye had never once told anyone about the rough time she had in the orphanage, how the loneliness had become as transparent as the empty bed she once shared with other children. The fact she only got respite occasionally from the shelter she had called home for so long. Only it wasn't home, she never once felt welcomed and whilst Skye appreciated and was grateful for the help they provided not once did she feel as if she belonged. And not once did that feeling leave her due to no foster carers wanted a technology addicted teenager.

No-one ever did and she loathed the feeling completely, she didn't want pity nor sympathy – she wanted help, someone who was willing to find a little more information than what she had to ease her thoughts. She managed to shut the sliding door to her bunk quickly before allowing the harsh tears escape, sliding down the wall sobs escaped Skye's mouth. It wasn't until she heard a timid knock and the vibration on her back that she sucked in a large breath before shakily standing. No doubt mascara had run causing panda eyes but she opened the door slightly, just a small gap allowing her to see who was there – only she wasn't expecting the agent that stood opposing her.

Ward, typical.

She didn't want to deal with him now, things hadn't been the same between them for a while now and it was taking its toll on her. "Hey," The SHIELD specialist whispered as if everyone in the bus were deep in their slumber – only the truth was, it was barely ten o'clock in the evening. "What do you want, Ward?" Skye snapped, the words escaping her lips a little harsher than intended but the underlying emotions made her tone waver the slightest bit. It wasn't until he pulled the door open further that he embraced her tightly, his rather muscular arms wrapping around her waist pulled her forward into his rock hard chest – firm yet not as masculine as she had presumed. It was only then, that the warmth seeped into her through their clothes that the tears escaped once more before she buried her face into the crook of his neck and shoulder blade.

It was in that moment, Skye found her constant. Whether she stayed or left SHIELD, she knew that there'd always be someone to lean on when she needed it and that person just so happened to be her S.O, the Grant Ward.