A/N: I'm so glad you guys liked the previous chapter. I hope I did justice on this next one. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Chapter 3:
Jemma
I dialed Fitz's number as soon as I was out of earshot. After three rings, Fitz answered.
"Hello?"
"Fitz?"
"Oh, hey Jem."
"Have you landed yet?"
"Yeah, we did about ten minutes ago. I'm still getting something from my bunk, but I'll be coming there in a while."
"Where is Ward?" I tried to keep my voice from shaking.
"I think he left as soon as the Bus landed. Why?"
"He needs to hear something." I said.
"Well I don't know if he's staying in the same building as us, but I'm sure you can contact him if you need to talk to him."
"Yes, I'll try that. Thank you, Fitz."
"I'll see you soon, Jem."
"See you." I pressed the End button and dialed Ward's number.
Ward
As soon as the Bus touched the ground, I stormed out of there. I was in no mood to hear them try to convince me to stay in the same building as them.
Like hell.
Why should I? So I could continue watching Skye's happy life play in front of me as it destroyed me inside?
I quickly ran towards the old building where I used to stay whenever I went here. I was about to enter the glass doors when I heard my phone ring.
These people never stop.
I sighed then placed the phone to my ear.
"Agent Ward," I said.
"Ward! Oh, I'm so glad I reached you!"
"Simmons, for the last time, I'm not staying there."
"No, listen to me, Ward. Something's happened between Skye and Agent Adams. You have to help her."
"Why?" I asked. "What happens between them is none of my concern. Whatever it is, they can handle it."
Simmons grumbled on the other end, which was something new. "I don't have time for your mood swings now, Agent Ward! Skye needs you!"
"To do what?" I asked bitterly. "To help her and her future husband kiss and make up?"
"Ward, you're being a complete ass right now, you know that? I'm only asking you to come here and see for yourself."
"I don't want to and I don't care about their stupid life!" And with that, I hung up the phone. I turned it off and proceeded to the elevators.
Why should I go there and help? I'm done watching them live happily. It wasn't fair and I knew that, but I also knew that I never stopped it. I never turned things around and I knew I wouldn't start now. I let this happen and I deserved all that pain I got, but I didn't want to stick around and ask for more.
I angrily set foot in my room and threw my duffel bag on the bed. I flopped down the small couch and grabbed the remote control. I tried watching the television for a good half hour, but I couldn't distract myself.
It isn't any of your business, Ward!
Sighing in defeat, I stood up and went over to my bag. I pulled out workout clothes and changed. There was only one other thing that relaxed me whenever I was tense. I grabbed a bottle of water and a towel before I headed out.
The gym was at the other building just across from Special Ops. I went to the lobby, walked outside and towards my destination. When I got to the gym, however, I was greeted by a sight that made me stop in my tracks.
There she was.
I froze in my spot. She couldn't see me because I was still standing in the doorway, and her left side was facing me.
I watched her for a minute as she punched the hanging bag. After that, I couldn't take it anymore. It was heartbreaking to watch as tears fell down from her bloodshot eyes. Her cheeks were puffy and she was obviously worn out from all the crying.
My chest tightened at the sight. Every fiber in my body was willing for me to go to her at this second, but I didn't take a step forward.
How will she react if she sees me? We haven't seen each other in months and I haven't spoken to her for so long!
The truth was, it was me who was afraid. I was afraid to look stupid in front of her when she would just push me away and go back to her fiancée. I was afraid to get hurt again. That's why I stayed away, but should I keep doing that? Even when there was obviously something wrong? Do I step forward and go to her, find out what's wrong? Or do I head back and let her be?
As thoughts ran in my head, my eyes remained on her. She kept punching the bag as she cried, until she finally stopped punching and just stood there. Afterwards, she went to the table–back facing me–and she started unwrapping her hands. Then, she turned around, making me step sideways instinctively, though my eyes kept glued to her. I saw her pull out a towel and wipe her face. While she did this, she was walking towards the benches, but because she failed to see the gym equipment on the ground, she tripped on one of the small barbells and fell.
I gasped as I saw her break her fall using her hands. I immediately stepped forward, but didn't walk yet. Skye didn't stand up. Instead she brought her knees to her chest and buried her head between them. She started to shake again.
I couldn't take it anymore. I let this happen. I let her get hurt just because I didn't have the courage to tell her how I felt. I let her go and I didn't stop it.
Not this time.
I walked the distance between us in four big steps. Suddenly, I was now standing in front of her speechless.
Then, I whispered. "Skye?"
She gasped and lifted her head. "Grant?"
I kneeled down beside her and took my place on the same rubber mat.
"What are you doing here?" She asked me, wiping her tears away.
"I came because–because I need to tell you something."
She looked at me and said, "What is it?"
Okay. You have to tell her now, Ward. You can't go back anymore.
"I–I love you, Skye."
Her eyes widened.
"I have loved you for a long, long time and letting you go was the biggest mistake of my life. When you left, I was devastated. I thought I'd get over it and move on, but I never did. I tried. Believe me, I did. But it never changed how I felt about you. Everything that happened in the past few months only made me think about you and miss you and wish that you were beside me again. I'm sorry, Skye. I wish I told you a long time ago, when it was just the two of us. When you were still back with us on the Bus."
She kept her shining eyes on mine as I spoke.
"I know I'm a little too late because you're with Adams now and–"
"I'm not." She interjected, shaking her head.
"–you're getting mar–wait, what?" I eyed her disbelievingly. "What do you mean you're not?"
She took a deep breath before speaking. "The wedding's off."
I leaned back and looked at her with a slightly hanging mouth.
"Why?" I was beyond shocked. I knew there was a problem, but I didn't expect that it would actually cancel the wedding.
I waited for her explanation. She pulled her head back, wiped her tears and shrugged.
"He used me," she said in a barely audible whisper. "He faked it all. He didn't love me."
"We fought this afternoon. He was mad at me because I invited you to the wedding. I stormed out of there and when I came back, it was already dark. And, when Jemma and I came back there, we overheard him talking to someone. I found out that he was only marrying me so that he could gain his status as a top-level agent. He faked everything and he used me."
Tears cascaded from her eyes but she kept her gaze straight.
"Oh Skye." I quickly pulled her in my lap and wrapped my arms around her. I placed my chin on top of her head and said, "I didn't know. I'm so sorry."
She sobbed against my chest. "I'm so stupid."
"Shh…it's not your fault. The only one to blame here is that dirt bag."
"I let this happen to me. I chose him, Grant. I chose this."
"It'll be okay. Don't worry. It'll be okay." I rocked her back and forth as I tried to calm her down. "Just breathe, Skye. Breathe."
When she managed to stop crying, I stood up and pulled her with me.
"Come on," I said. "I'll take you with me, alright?"
She nodded and I gave her one more hug. I wrapped my arm on her waist while the other held the back of her head. She buried her head on my chest.
"Skye!"
We pulled apart and I turned around. My jaw immediately clenched.
"I've been looking everywhere for you, babe!" Charlie said while walking towards us. I turned to face him completely but didn't move from my spot. When he was about two feet away, he yelled.
"What the hell, Ward? What did you do to her? Why is she crying!?" Then, he looked at Skye. "Honey, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Skye was currently standing behind me. I stood right in front of her so that I was shielding her.
"Save it, Adams. Your wedding's off." I told him coldly.
"My wedding? You have nothing to do with my wedding, Ward. She's marrying me! She left you and she's marrying me! So get the hell away from her!"
"Shut the hell up for a minute, will you?"
His eyes narrowed at me.
"She knows about your entire charade, Adams. You just wanted her to help you get to the top. You didn't love her at all."
I felt Skye cringe behind me.
"He's lying! Skye, baby, please just go with me and we can forget all about this."
"She's not going anywhere."
Charlie looked like he was about to burst. "Excuse me?"
"She's not leaving with you, Adams."
"She's my fiancée in case you forgot, Ward."
"Not anymore." I told him. "She's not yours anymore, Adams. So just leave her alone!"
Charlie chuckled darkly. "I don't think so, Agent Ward. I'm marrying Skye and there's nothing you can do about it."
He advanced forward and I instinctively stepped towards him, ready to take him on. No way in hell will I let this bastard take Skye again.
"Skye's mine," he said. "She chose me over you, Agent Ward. She chose me."
"I don't care who she chose before. I'm not letting her go this time. I didn't stop this before but now I will. "
"You're saying that as if you're so sure that she'll just go with you."
"Can't you understand, Adams? You're never getting Skye again. You've already done enough to hurt her!"
"Fine!" He threw up his hands. "I don't need her! I will climb my way to the top without her stupid help. Why did I even consider being with someone as stupid and as useless as this bitch–"
I wasn't aware that my own feet moved, but the next thing I knew, I was punching the hell out Adams's face. He was pinned under me while I took my anger out on him.
"Don't ever. Call. Her. That.!" I shouted in between punches. "She's the greatest person I know and frankly, she doesn't deserve to be treated like this, especially not by some worthless dirt bag like you!"
"Agent Ward! Stop this right now!" I looked up to see Agent Coulson and Agent May in the doorway. I got off of Adams and stepped back until I was beside Skye again.
"Simmons?" May spoke on the phone. "We found them. We're at the gym." She hung up and the two of them proceeded towards Agent Adams.
"You," Coulson began as he tried to help Adams to his feet. "Are lucky that Agent Ward didn't kill you. I know how protective he is of his rookie." Coulson stood up straight and gave me a small smile. I returned it and directed my attention back to Skye.
She still kept her head down. I wiped off the blood that was smeared on my fists. FitzSimmons arrived next.
"Oh Skye!" Simmons hurried towards us. I stepped aside and Simmons gave her a hug. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Jemma." She smiled at the biochemist. "At least I am now."
"Oh, I'm so sorry this happened, Skye. I should've known he would–"
"There was nothing you could've done, Jem. If anything, it's my fault. I was the one who was so clueless."
"Everything will be okay. I promise." Simmons stepped back to let her partner do the same thing.
"Don't worry, Skye," the engineer said. "Everything will be back to normal now, okay?"
She nodded and Fitz let go of her.
"Agent Ward, a moment?" Coulson called me. I glanced at Skye before I followed Coulson outside.
"Yes sir?"
"Agent May and I will bring Agent Adams to the Infirmary. Do we need to come back to check on her?"
"No, sir. I'll handle it."
"Alright. Take care of her, Ward." Coulson said as May walked out with Adams
"Of course, sir. Good night."
"Good night."
May gave me a slight nod and a smile before they left. "Good work, Ward."
I chuckled before I went inside the gym again.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Jemma asked.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Do you want to stay with me tonight?"
Skye glanced at me. I gave her sad smile, and she answered Simmons.
"No, that's okay. I-I'll stay in my room." She said, though everyone knew it was a lie.
"If you're sure." Simmons said. Before Skye could answer, I spoke.
"I'll take care of her, Simmons. Don't worry."
Simmons smiled before she gave one hug for Skye. "Alright. Have a good night. Take care, Skye."
"Thank you, Jemma. For everything."
Then, FitzSimmons left the gym. I pulled Skye towards me and placed a kiss on the top of her head. She wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her head on my chest.
"Let's get you out of here."
A/N: Teehee. Don't forget to R and R! xx