It was past 5 pm when Coulson asked his former team to join him in the common area of the Bus. He also invited Lance Hunter, given the fact that he became part of the team and spend a great deal of time with the others and Mack, who seemed to be like a big brother overlooking the kids.

"So, anyone know why we are here?" Lance asked curious.

"I guess some mission" Trip muttered.

"Maybe Couls…Coulson has some new tech for… us" Fitz stuttered.

"Maybe we should just wait for Coulson and then we'll find out" Mack suggested.

Coulson entered the common area followed closely by May and a woman they knew was a therapist.

"Good afternoon everyone" he greeted them. They all nodded. "Please sit down. What I have to tell you is very important." They all took a seat and waited for him to continue. "First of all, I want to officially welcome you back on the team, Jemma. You risked a lot to give us valuable intel on our enemy. And even though some of us are still upset" he looked at Skye who wanted to say something, but stopped when she saw May glaring at her "we are really happy you are back."

"Thank you, Sir" Jemma said shyly, unable to look at the others.

"The reason why I called this meeting is the intel Jemma brought us. It contained valuable information on Hydra operatives, bases, missions – the whole package. But it also contained a very interesting file. I read it and I have to say it made my blood run cold. We know that Hydra doesn't stop from brainwashing their recruits. But there are a lot more horrible things going on there. One of their top agents trained, and I will deliberately use the word weapon, a lethal human weapon. What horrified me was the way this weapon was trained – the physical and mental torture this individual had to endure. I won't disclose the file, because it is my opinion and of his therapist that the individual has the right to some privacy. If he ever wants to talk to you about it then so shall it be. But otherwise, no chance."

"Hang on. Are you saying this lethal human weapon is here?" Lance asked incredulous.

"Yes."

"And when were you going to tell us that some psycho is here, putting all our lives in danger" Skye asked furiously.

"He is not putting anyone in danger. He is restrained" Coulson answered.

"It's…Wa…Ward. Isn't it?" Fitz asked, already knowing the truth.

Coulson only nodded.

"What?" Skye shouted.

"Calm down, all of you" May said, never raising her voice.

"There is more" Mack stated. "Otherwise you wouldn't have told us."

"Yes, there is. This is Dr. Cynthia Monroe. She had a long therapy session with Ward just this morning. It is her and my opinion that Ward was manipulated and forced to do many of the things he did. While none of us excuse his actions, we can't but acknowledge that Ward deserves a second chance." The others wanted to protest, Skye especially, but Coulson raised his hand to order them to shut up and listen. "Now, while I know that some of you are against giving Ward a second chance I will do it nevertheless. But it comes with conditions."

Coulson spend the next hour explaining what his intentions with Ward were and what he expected from them. He assured them that they would be safe at all times and he wasn't going to ask them to forgive or forget what their former team mate did, only to accept that it was his decision as director and they should suck it up. He also asked the therapist to say a few things to them, without breaking doctor-patient confidentiality.

"We don't have a say in this, do we?" Skye asked.

"No. One more thing. I would do this for all of you. I even did at some point – Skye, Hunter, even you May. But I think you should know that I did this for someone who had far more red on her ledger. You may know her as the Black Widow." With that he left the common area of the Bus, motioning May and Monroe to follow him, leaving the younger agents alone to think of what they just heard.

Coulson was sure that they would argue a lot over the next few days, ok, make it weeks, but he was sure it was the right thing to do. He went to his office to retrieve a small box and a key and headed towards Ward's holding cell, where both May and Monroe waited. He opened the door and entered the cell, followed closely by the two women.

"Good afternoon, Ward" Coulson greeted.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

"Good afternoon, Grant" the therapist greeted.

"Good afternoon, Cynthia."

"Ward" May simply said.

"May."

"Good, now that we all greeted each other let's get down to business" Coulson said, approaching the barrier. "An hour ago I've informed the team about my intentions. Of course, they weren't happy about it. The fact that you spend five hours talking to Dr. Monroe out of your own free will is proof that you want to change, become a better man. I'm willing to give you this second chance. But be warned, if you screw up, I will personally lock you up again and throw the key away. Are we understood?" Coulson asked.

"Yes, Sir."

"Next. You will go to therapy at least three times a week, but if you like to go more often you can discuss this with Dr. Monroe. You will be transferred to a secure room and you will wear this" Coulson said and opened the box he was holding, revealing a black bracelet. "The bracelet will not only work as a tracking device, but it will also monitor your heart rate, brain activity and other body functions Dr. Monroe will tell you later about. It will also restrict your access to the armory, the lab, certain areas of the base, as well as personnel quarters. If you need something you will talk to me, Dr. Monroe or Agent May. I've assigned Agent May to be your supervising officer, at the end of each day you will report to either her, me or Dr. Monroe. You will be assigned small tasks, such as repair or maintenance. Do you understand so far?" Ward nodded.

"I want a written report every day on what you did that day and who you talked to" Agent May told him sternly. Ward nodded again.

"Every month the four of us and sometimes some additional people will talk about your progress, if there is any, and assess if you earned a reward. A reward can be gaining access to a certain area you weren't allowed before or some time outside, of course under supervision and you might be allowed to work out again. You can also receive books to read or a laptop, highly secured of course where you can watch a movie every once in a while" Coulson explained further.

"The first month you will be locked in your room at the end of the day. If we see fit that you earned our trust to not lock you in anymore you might get a key" May told him.

"And while others may enter your room, you won't be allowed to enter there's, unless they grant you access. The bracelet is programmed to send an electric current through your body enough to knock you unconscious" Dr. Monroe explained further.

"This is the last time I will ask you if you want this or not" Coulson looked serious.

"I want this. I will do whatever it takes to do better. I will follow every order, do whatever you tell me to do, I will write reports, whatever it takes to help you. You won't regret this" Ward vowed.

"I know we won't. Coulson might wanna put you in a cell and throw the key away, but accidents happen" May said, smirking for the first time.

Ward swallowed hard.