Title: Decode
Chapter 07: Ward
Author: snarkysweetness
Rating: R
Pairing: Skye/Ward with the rest of Coulson's new team & Garrett's Hydra team
Summary: Ward's mission had been simple: infiltrate Coulson's team and report back to Hydra. He never intended to fall in love any more than Skye expected that the guys in suits would become her family. Torn apart by Ward's betrayal, Ward struggles with his loyalties and desires to keep Skye safe while Skye pays the price for their indiscretions. When Hydra discovers Skye's origins, her life is placed in danger once more but she carries a secret that may cement Ward's loyalty to Hydra for good.
Warnings: Super heavy on the angst, mild sexual content in some chapters, language, & violence.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Notes: This fandom is so amazing, I just [feeds you all cookies].
"Look what we have here, darlin', Romeo & Juliet reunited."
Grant felt Skye go still in his arms and panic set in. If he was caught, if Garrett realized he'd turned sides and had been playing him, then it was Skye who would pay the price. "Play along," he whispered, "and shove me away."
Skye was a great actress, he'd learned that when she'd conned the team in the beginning. They were both good liars, quite the pair. She shoved him away and slapped him. "Don't you ever touch me again! And you," she spat as she sent Garrett a death glare before looking around the room. The horror on her face was genuine. "Where the hell am I?"
Grant closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them he was in full Hydra mode.
"Sorry, sir, I woke up and found her, I couldn't help myself."
"I get it, kid. Don't worry, you can have some alone time with your girl later, though, but the looks of it, you've already had plenty. And here I thought I'd taught you better." Ward blinked in confusion before turning to Skye. She shook her head, her face filled with panic.
"Grant…"
His eyes moved to the machines still wired to her. Two heart monitors. Why would…Skye's hands moved to cover her mouth and she looked ready to be sick. Fear, guilt, and shame covered her features and he shoved her shirt up, exposing a very pregnant belly.
The floor opened up beneath him as he stood, the world whirling around him.
Skye was pregnant.
"How…"
She was crying now and Garrett gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"Don't worry, kid, pretty thing like her, might not even be yours." A hint of doubt played through his mind as he remembered Trip's protectiveness. Was the baby his? Then Ward realized how ridiculous that was; of course it was his baby. That was why May was so protective, he realized; the team was trying to keep the baby safe.
"It's mine," Ward replied angrily. How could she not-no, she couldn't tell him. She had no reason to trust him. This was why she'd been so insistent on interrogating him, she'd needed the truth and he'd needed to protect her. He'd made one hell of a mess of things, but he was going to fix it.
"I need to be alone with her, we have things to discuss."
"I know you're mad, kid, but Raina here needs the girl for tests. We're going to find out why she's special."
Grant felt sick to his stomach. What had they done to her while he'd been unconscious? He already knew they'd drugged her, that couldn't be good for the baby, not to mention the stress-
"She's carrying my kid, John! Can't you wait a few months to run your damn tests?"
They were almost nose to nose and Garrett shrugged.
"Kid, that fetus is probably a freak like she is. We need to study both of them. I know it sucks, but you'll find another cute girl to knock up someday."
He couldn't hide his horror. The man in front of him was a monster.
"Grant, please!" Skye begged.
"I won't hurt them-much," Raina insisted. "And we'll be keeping the girl alive, if things go south, you can just have your fun with her again and hope for the best."
His gun was pointed against her temple less than a second later. He could hear Skye crying, but he didn't care.
"Kid, stand down."
"No," Grant said darkly. Garrett wanted to threaten the woman he loved and his child, fine, but Grant would make sure to take out his science pawn and lover in the process. "That's my kid, the girl stays safe until she gives birth, and then you can do whatever you want with her." He couldn't drop his cover, not now. They wouldn't get out of here safely. He'd missed their window and would have to find a new one within the next few hours, Garrett wouldn't hold off on experimenting on her for long. He was a sick, twisted bastard that way.
Garrett chuckled and Ward turned to find he had his gun on Skye and it was pointed right where the scars from her first shooting were. If he shot her, he'd kill the baby. He met Skye's eyes and she gave him a small nod. He lowered his weapon and Garrett threw an arm around him.
"I like your balls, kid. I respect you want to protect your family, but remember your mission."
"Right," Grant replied numbly.
He allowed Garrett to lead him out of the room and he looked back, meeting Skye's terrified face. The thought of what she and the baby were about to go through left him sick with guilt, but he had no choice, it was this or she'd die, though he wondered if she'd prefer the latter.
Grant spent the rest of the day pacing, waiting until Garrett was too busy to notice his absence. He had to get Skye out of here. He didn't know how and he knew the moment he went back to S.H.I.E.L.D. it was the Fridge for him, but he didn't care. She needed to be safe, their child needed to be safe. He'd pay for his crimes. All that mattered was making sure they'd be okay.
Once Raina was securely back in her lab and Garrett telling another one of his stories, Grant slipped out and made a break for the Infirmary. He ducked in and drew the blinds. Skye sat in the bed, unrestrained, no longer on machines. She was pale and stared at him as though he was the worst person in the world.
"What happened to the team?" She whispered.
"What?"
"I remember, before they took me, they had a gun on Jemma. Is she dead? Did they kill the team?" Tears were in her eyes and he moved to her side quickly.
"Shh, no. May killed two of their agents and then got them out, but they got you in the struggle. They found me unconscious in the cage and brought me back." It was a good thing too: S.H.I.E.L.D. would never allow him to help in her rescue even if they did believe his intel.
"What did she do to you? How's the baby?" He wanted to reach out and comfort her but he wasn't sure she wanted him to touch her. She shook with silent sobs and reached for his hand. That was all the invitation he needed. He pulled her into his arms, thankful this and the lab were the only places Garrett didn't have cameras and mics everywhere: Raina claimed they 'interfered' with her process.
Skye buried her head against his chest. "She claims she's fine, but-"
"She?" They were going to have a daughter? He glanced down to find her looking up at him. He'd never seen her look so small and terrified. This was his fault. He traced her chin with his finger and she nodded.
He pressed his lips to her forehead and rocked her in his arms. "I'm sorry, I'm an idiot. I…I was a dumb kid when Garrett saved me and I let him brainwash me into all of this. But you, Skye, you made me realize how wrong it all was. And I knew, even if I killed him, they would keep coming for you. I didn't want to leave you, but I wanted to keep you safe. It worked, for a while, until he started getting suspicious, and then…I should have just turned myself in then."
"Is that why you let them arrest you?" She whispered as she lifted her head from his chest.
Grant ran a hand through her hair "I was causing more harm than good and…I was cracking, slipping up. I just wanted to go home, to you and the team."
"But you know they're going to-"
"I've made mistakes, Skye, killed innocent people, and I'm willing to pay for my crimes."
Skye took his face in her hands and pulled him in for a kiss. He wrapped both arms around her and pulled her closer. He'd have to leave her again in a moment, before they noticed he was missing, but he was going to enjoy the brief window he still had with her.
She was the one to pull away a moment later. "What are we going to do?"
"Garrett doesn't leave the compound often, he likes to have everyone do his dirty work for him, but when he does, he uses the time to entertain Raina." Skye made a face. "Tomorrow night they have a shipment of weapons coming in from the Treehouse. He'll be distracted and there will be less of a guard. I think…"
"What?"
"I think I should turn myself into S.H.I.E.L.D. and let them in the front door but-"
"You don't want more blood on your hands?"
"No, I don't want your blood. Getting S.H.I.E.L.D. involved means heavy gunfire; I want to slip you out. I'll need a day or two to really study the compound, find a weakness so we can escape. Can you hold out that long?"
Skye nodded. "Raina plans to put me in a cell once enough time has gone by for her to drain me of more blood. Apparently she needs more 'tools' to play with me."
Grant clenched his fist. Skye took his hands and met his eyes. "Hey, I'm fine, we're fine, see?" She placed his hand over her belly button. His heart began to pound and he was terrified. He'd never wanted to be a father, afraid to pass on his fucked up genetic material, but he could see how much Skye loved this baby and despite his fear it was hard not to want something that was theirs. She'd be a good enough parent for the both of them and with him imprisoned, their child would be better off.
"I'm sorry, Skye, if I had known-"
"I know that now. We're going to get out of here and you're going to do whatever it takes to gain S.H.I.E.L.D.'s trust again and then we're going to be a family."
He watched her sadly. "Sweetheart, I don't think it's going to be that-" Grant glanced down and flexed his hand before pressing his palm against her stomach once more. "Is she-"
"Kicking? Yeah, she does that whenever she thinks someone's being an idiot. Hasn't stopped since you entered the room, really," she teased.
"You're not-" Footsteps. Heels. Raina was coming and where Raina went, Garrett usually wasn't far behind. "Can you cry on cue?"
She nodded.
"Get against that wall."
"Why?"
"Just do it and turn on the water works."
Skye scrambled off the bed and did as she was told. Grant tossed a few things around the room before moving to her and pinning her arms behind her back gently. "He's got to think the worst, got it?" Skye nodded and he cupped her chin in his hands before kissing her harshly, then it was time to pull out the angry Ward act.
"Did you really think I wasn't going to find out?"
"Grant," she sobbed. Damn, she was good. He heard the door open and he squeezed her face and she flinched while struggling against him.
"I knew you were a conniving bitch, but this is a new low. I have rights, you know-"
"Kid, away from the girl."
"No, can't you see we're talking?"
Garrett chuckled and clapped him on the back.
"I'm glad you want the bitch dead, but we need her alive. Step away, son; get some air, take a walk." Grant made a show of moving his hand to her neck before releasing her. Skye fell to the floor and began to sob and he had to remind himself it was an act so he didn't break his cover to comfort her or shoot Garrett. There'd be agents shooting at them both in a heartbeat if he did.
"What are you going to do with her? I'm not done here."
Garrett whistled and led Grant out of the room. He took one final look to find Raina helping Skye to her feet. He'd rarely seen her look remorseful, but this was one of those times. Good, maybe Raina had a soul left in her after all. Hopefully Skye would be safe until he could find an excuse to be alone with her again.
"I'll tell you what, Grant, if you promise to behave, I'll let you have that alone time I promised. We're moving her to the ice box, to get her to…cooperate. Maybe you can help her submit, if you catch my drift."
Ward swallowed back bile.
"Whatever you need, sir."
