Author's Note: Hi yall, I'm back with another update. So far so good with the posting and hopefully it won't be long before this entire fic is finished. I'm already written 13 chapters and still have a few more to go. My goal, at least 15 chapters and maybe an epilogue so fingers crossed. Hope you guys are happy with the update. To my wonderful readers thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I know most authors reply to reviews and I sometimes do but not most times because I sound so cheesy and repetitive but I take all the reviews to heart and I appreciate every single one of them. I totally do. You readers are amazing. I would like to mention once again that this fic is not beta'd so all mistakes are my own. If there is someone out there that wants to beta this story let me know. Now, on to the disclaimer:
Disclaimer: I do not own this show.
My Brother's Keeper
Chapter Seven
Skye couldn't take her eyes off the man standing in front of her. They hadn't seen or heard from Ward since the whole Bobbi incident. There were whispers that he was trying to rebuild Hydra but after months of no contact the rumors faded. Now she believe the rumors to be true. "Let them go Ward."
Grant scowled at them. Of course they believed he kidnapped them. "This isn't what it looks like," he said, taking a tentative step backwards. "I'm not holding them against their will."
"He's really not," Rose replied, shaking her head as she moved closer to Grant. She could feel their hatred flowing through her causing her body to tremble and her head to ache.
"So you're willing following this psychopath?" hissed Hunter angrily. He wanted nothing more than to put a bullet right in Grant's heart and would take the shot if the opportunity presented itself.
"He's not a psychopath," snapped Rose as the emotions continued to build inside her. If she didn't calm down would cause another storm to occur, this time with them trapped outside.
"How did you find me?" asked Grant curiously.
"Honestly, we weren't looking for you," answered Coulson. "We're here because we believe an Inhuman is in this area."
"Yeah finding you here is just an added bonus," Skye replied bitterly.
Thomas, who had remained quiet reached over and grabbed Rose's hand. Looking at her he could tell that the onslaught of emotions were causing her body to shake.
"Which one of you is responsible the storms?" asked Coulson, looking back and forth between the man and woman standing behind Ward. "Don't be afraid. We're not gonna hurt you."
Rose breath hitched when she realized they were there because of her. "Grant-"
Grant could see fear in his sister's eyes and shook his head. "Don't worry, everything's gonna be fine," he said, squeezing her shoulder gently. "I won't let them hurt you," he promised.
"Us hurting her. What bull did he feed you honey because he's the murderous bastard not us?"
"And you're a bitch," snapped Rose as a lightening bolt illuminated the sky.
Grant growled. "Rose."
"Well she is," mumbled Rose as Thomas snickered beside her.
"What do you want?" Grant asked Skye.
"Obviously you locked in a deep dark abyss for the rest of your life but we're here for the Inhuman," she spat. "We want to help them."
Rose pulled away from Thomas and stepped closer to Grant. The fear that her eyes once held was replaced with anger. "Well I don't want your help!" she shouted, eyes blazing. Thunder began to rumble in the sky.
"Rose-"
"No Thomas, I don't want anything to do with S.H.I.E.L.D. Not after what they did to Grant."
"What we did to him?" Skye growled as she glared at them. "What did he tell you?"
"The truth. How a S.H.I.E.L.D agent kidnapped and abused him for five years," yelled Rose infuriatingly. "How S.H.I.E.L.D tortured him for information and kept him locked in a cell for months? How S.H.I.E.L.D handed him over to his abusive brother on a silver platter all so they could save face? Need I continue."
"Grant made his choice," Coulson said.
"He was brainwashed but you didn't care," cried Rose. "After three suicide attempts you didn't even try to help him when it was obvious he was in desperate need of it."
The sky began to darken, thunder roared louder, and lighting filled the sky. Both Thomas and Grant knew what would happen next if she continued letting her emotions get to her. "Rose calm down," they both pleaded.
"I-"
Grant pulled her into a hug. "I know you're mad but if you don't calm down they will try to hurt you. And you know what I will do if that happens." He pulled away, pushing her behind him once more as he turned to face his former team. "Look," he began. "I know why you're here but you can't have her. I don't want her working for S.H.I.E.L.D or put in the Index where she could be found by Hydra. So I'll turn myself in but only if you let her go."
Thomas grabbed Grant's wrist. He, like Rose, didn't want to watch Grant get taken away. "Grant no-"
"They don't know about you so you take her and you go," he whispered softly, eyes pleading for his brother to follow along. He turned back to Coulson. "Do we have a deal?"
Skye rolled her eyes. "Listen Ward-"
"No, I'm done talking. Do we have a deal or not?"
Suddenly Rose threw her arms around Grant and clutched him tightly. "You can't leave me," she cried as tears began to fall. "Please don't do this."
"It's the only way Rose."
"But we just got you back and now you want to leave again. It's not fair."
Grant shook his head and smiled softly. "I know but I have to make sure you and Tommy stay safe and this is the only way I know how."
"They'll kill you," murmured Thomas sadly.
"Maybe," shrugged Grant. "But if it's choice between you and Rose, I'm always gonna chose you two because that's what brother's do," he said as he pulled Thomas into a hug. He kissed both their foreheads before letting them go. "Do we have a deal Coulson?"
Coulson watched the exchange. There was something about the three of them together that caused Coulson to wonder just how long they had known each other. At first he thought that they had meet during Ward's time on the run but the way the young woman was holding on to Grant he knew otherwise. It was if she didn't want to ever let him go. And the man, who barely spoke during the whole ordeal, looked the same. In fact, the longer he studied them the more he began to realize that these three were not just random strangers. They were closer than that. Much closer. So, after a long silence, Coulson finally answered the question. "No."
Grant felt all the air leave his lungs as his heart sank. "Coulson-" he started to plead but the man shook his head.
"We're leaving."
All eyes turned to the director, some in awe but all in shock. "What?"
Coulson shrugged. "Go Ward."
"What game are you playing?" Grant asked interrogatively, not really sure he had heard correctly.
"None," Coulson said with a small smile. "I realize there are bigger monsters out there than you and right now we should be focusing on them. You're free to go."
Skye, completely baffled, shook her head. "Coulson you can't be serious?"
"I'm the Director and I said we're leaving," he replied authoritatively. His eyes narrowed as if daring anyone to argue with his direct order.
Skye started to argue but the sharp gaze of her boss caused her to immediately shut her mouth. She hadn't expected Coulson to just let Ward go, not after all the damage and pain he had caused but he had. She didn't know why but as soon as they were back on the plane she was going to ask. And she was going to make her opinion of his terrible idea known. "Let's go guys," she mumbled, as she tucked her ICER away. Lincoln was the first obey followed by Fitz then Hunter.
They began to walk away when suddenly Hunter stopped moving.
What happened next no one could predict. Hunter turned back, gun in hand, and fired in Grant's direction. Grant hadn't noticed, too busy hugging the red headed woman, but she had and pushed Grant out of the way. The bullet managed to miss him but it struck the woman's arm. Both Grant and the other man cried out as she fell backwards onto the ground.
"Hunter what have you done?" yelled Coulson as the team rushed to his side, desperate for an answer but one never came.
Instead they turned to see what had Hunter so speechless. Their mouths fell open as their eyes focused on Grant who eyes were blazing with anger and his hands flaming.
"You're dead," he growled maniacally.
They couldn't believe it. Ward was now Inhuman with the ability to light himself on fire.
Skye and Lincoln rushed to the front of the group. "Ward calm down-" Skye began but was immediately cut off by Ward.
"Calm down," he hissed as the flames became brighter. "He tried to kill me."
"It's nothing you don't deserve!" yelled Hunter angrily from behind Skye. "You almost killed Bobbi."
Grant chuckled darkly. "Of course this is about her. She deserved it. It's her fault Kara was captured and she didn't care."
Skye shook her head. "She didn't have a choice."
"She had a choice," cried Grant, the flames moving from his hands and up his arms. "She could have blown her cover or gave them a safe-house she knew wasn't occupied. But she didn't and because of her choice Kara was captured by Hydra, tortured, and brainwashed and Bobbi didn't care."
He took a step forward.
"Do you know I helped her discover her identity by stealing Whitehall's notes? Do you know the things he made her do while she was under his control? To other S.H.I.E.L.D agents...to him?" he continued, his voice dripping with venom. "Bobbi's actions destroyed Kara's life and she acted like she was the victim but she wasn't. She owed Kara an apology. That's all she wanted. It's what she deserved!"
As Ward took another step forward the motel sign suddenly exploded. The team looked up to find it burning, flames flicking high in the sky. "But no one cared," he spat, the fire now covering his chest and creeping up to his next. "No one ever cares about people like us. We aren't good for anything except following orders. We're useful until we're not and then what are we. Trash left on the side of the road. You don't care. Nobody cares!" he yelled as flames shot from hands and exploded next to the SUV.
Thomas jumped up and called out to his brother. "Grant calm down."
Grant looked back and growled. "No Tommy he hurt Rose."
"I know but Rose is gonna be fine. You know she is."
"He deserves to pay."
Thomas shook his head and walked closer to Grant. "You don't want to do this, alright because you're better this Grant," he whispered wishing he could reach out and touch his brother. "You said you wanted to be better so be better. Don't let them win."
Grant's body shook as he tried to will the fire away but his emotions were too high. No matter how much he tried he couldn't control it. "Tommy I can't," he cried, the fire covering half of his face. "It hurts. I can't stop it."
Thomas had to act fast. Remembering what Grant had told him about the weapon he currently possessed, he lifted it and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Grant in the side and caused the agent to stumble for bit before he crumbled to the ground. The fire covering Grant's body dissipated but the sign was still burning. Lifting his hands, Thomas focused on his powers and willed them to work. Suddenly wind was flowing out of his hands and circling around the fire. The fire burned even harder. Concentrating as hard as he could, he shifted the focus of the air and it slowly began filtering out of the fire. Once he was finished the fire was out but it had left Thomas slightly drained.
Skye looked at him in awe. "How did you-"
He answered her question before she could finish. "I filtered all the oxygen out. Without it fire can't burn."
"You're such a nerd." Thomas turned around to find Rose sitting up, her hand covering her bleeding arm. Pushing herself up off the ground she stumbled over to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "And you shot Grant."
Thomas chuckled. "Didn't really have a choice. He was losing control. Are you okay?" he asked concerned.
Rose nodded. "Yeah, I think the bullet just grazed me but the impact of my head hitting the ground is what caused me to black out."
Suddenly Lincoln spoke out. "You're the Inhuman from the video."
"Guess I am," chuckled Thomas again.
Skye was still confused. "So all three of you, you have powers. Is that why Ward recruited you?"
Rose scowled at she glared at the S.H.I.E.L.D agents. "Recruited us...surely you can't be that thick. He didn't recruit us for anything," she declared adamantly
"Then why was he so adamant that we let you go?" asked Fitz speaking for the first time since they arrived at the motel.
Thomas and Rose shared a look, not knowing what they should say. "Because...because-" Rose began to stutter.
"Because that's what you do for family," Coulson said suddenly, moving closer towards them. "You protect them."
"Coulson," Skye began, trying to stop him from moving but he gently pushed her to the side.
He moved closer, unaffected by Thomas and Rose who were moving to stand in front of Grant as if he was going to cause the unconscious man more harm. "You're brother was just trying to protect you, just like he always had," he continued until he was standing right in front of them. They didn't need to answer him because he had already figured out the truth. Smirking, he turned back to his team and gestured between the two groups. "Agents Skye, Hunter, Fitz, and Campbell," he said. "I'd like you to meet Thomas and Rose Ward, Grant Ward's siblings."
"Hi," Rose waved with her free hand while Thomas nodded.
"How did you guess?" asked Thomas curiously.
"Simple really," shrugged Coulson causally. "He was willing to sacrifice himself to make sure you two were kept safe. Also you all have similar features. Same cheekbones," smirked Coulson as he eyed all three of them.
Rose smiled. "Good guess." She smiled even harder when the S.H.I.E.L.D agents continued staring wildly at them. "Well," she said quickly. "If you're done trying to shoot us I think it's time for us to head out."
Coulson began to frown. "About that-"
"No," snapped Thomas protectively. "No you can't change your mind. You said he was free to go and we're taking him."
"I did say that but it was before I knew what he was. I can't, with good conscious, let him leave."
"We won't let you take him."
"I'm not going to hurt him Rose, I just want to help him."
Rose eyed him suspiciously. "Help him how?"
Coulson sighed. "You were right," he admitted. "After everything that happened with Garrett and Hydra it was obvious that Ward needed help. But we didn't help him at all. Instead, we let our personal feelings dictate our actions and that's not what S.H.I.E.L.D is about."
"So what are you suggesting?" inquired Thomas, eyes narrowed.
"Well, with your permission I would like take Ward back with us and get him treatment he deserves. Personal help that will allow him to finally heal after years of abuse. Also we can offer him assistance on how to control his powers," Coulson replied.
"He was doing just fine before you came along," snapped Rose.
"That may be true but it wouldn't hurt to gain a bit more experience," Coulson said, nodding his head. "If he doesn't get help who knows what will happen if he has another outburst. I should have treated Ward with compassion, especially after I found out what he went through with John all those years ago but I didn't and that's all on me. I will have to life with my decisions for the rest of my life," he said sadly. "But I would at least like the opportunity to right my wrongs and I believe I can do that with Ward. If you let me." He knew it would take more than words for the siblings to trust him but at the moment it was all he had.
Thomas gave the director an apprehensive stare. "How do we know you're telling the truth? How do we know that you won't kill him the first chance you get?" he questioned.
"You're sister can read emotions right. Read me."
Rose glanced at her brother and gave him a nod. She found that closing her eyes helped her concentrate better giving Rose the ability to focus solely on the director. Finally after a few moments she had expelled all other emotions expect Coulson's. "I feel sincerity and compassion. Guilt, a lot of guilt," she frowned and opened her eyes. "You feel guilty, that's why you want to help our brother. How, by sticking him in some dark hole and leaving him there to rot?"
Coulson shook his head. "You have my word that will not happen."
"Sorry, but I don't trust you," scoffed Thomas, crossing his arms.
"Then you both can come with him."
Skye turned to find Lincoln no longer standing behind her but beside Coulson. "What?" she said surprised by Lincoln's proposal.
But Lincoln ignored Skye and turned to Coulson. "If you are serious about helping Ward then he's going to need support right. What better support system is there than two loving and caring siblings. Plus they will need help controlling their abilities."
"Look Lincoln-" Skye tried again but was interrupted.
Lincoln turned around. "You don't want Ward around I get it," he said knowingly. "But I can't condemn him for what he's done. I know what it's like to feel you owe a debt to someone for saving your life."
Skye huffed defiantly. "That's not the same."
"Isn't it. The only difference between me and him is that I had someone pull me back and keep me from choosing the wrong side. Who knows what I would have done if it hadn't been for you. They're our people Skye and they need us," he stated unrelentingly.
"Fine," sighed Skye, throwing up her hands in defeat. "If D.C says it's alright then I guess there's not really nothing I can do to change his mind."
Smiling happily, Coulson look towards the siblings. "So Thomas, Rose, what do you say?"
Sighing Rose shook her head. "Grant won't like this," she frowned.
Thomas nodding in understanding. "No, he won't but he'll have to get used to it. Like you said, he needs us."
Looking down at her unconscious brother multiple thoughts filled her mind. She could turn down Coulson's offer and hope for the best. Or she could say yes and hopefully help Grant find the second chance he'd craved. "Okay," she sighed. "We agree to your terms but only if he agrees to them as well."
"That's fair enough," replied Coulson contently.
Rose gave Lincoln a smile. "Thank you."
Lincoln smiled back. "Don't thank me yet. Let's see how your brother's treatment goes and then I will accept your gratitude."
Thomas rolled her eyes at the interaction between his sister and the agent. His eyes landed on his fallen brother. "Um...quick question. Exactly how long does the effects of the ICER last?" he asked nervously.
"Between four and six hours but don't worry he'll be fine. He'll wake up a little sore but he'll be fine," Fitz answered casually, still trying to process what was happening. At least he was fairing better than Hunter who had yet said a word.
"Well that certainly won't help the bullet wound in his shoulder," winced Thomas.
"He was shot, when?"
Rose smirked. "Earlier today. Said he took some Hydra base not far from here, alone. You should probably find out where it's located before the Hydra agents escape," said Rose with a shrug.
All five S.H.I.E.L.D agents simultaneously cried out. "What!"
So what did you think. Honestly I thought about cutting this chapter short but finally decided against it. You readers deserve something nice to read. The Ward siblings are on their way to S.H.I.E.L.D. I hope my characters were to OCC, especially Coulson but I needed him to be more lenient for the flow of the story. Also it's really hard to to get the voices of multiple characters perfect. I will say that the Ward siblings are my favorite to write, especially Rose. Don't really know if Thomas's power could put out a fire but since powers don't really exist I can make them bend any way I want. Kinda like Kitty Pryde who went from walking through walls to the power of projection. Writer's prerogative. Keep reading to find out what happens next and if you liked this chapter let me know. Until next time,
Dance like no one is watching and if they are then give them a show. Jazz hands on three,
Ladycizzle.
