Title: Favor
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
Skye cringed as she saw where the elevated plume of water had landed. She and Clint stood on the right side of the lake about thirty feet from the cabin. It was mid-morning and they'd been testing her powers since daybreak. A giggle threatened to break free as she looked at a soaking wet Hawkeye. To his credit Clint merely pushed wet hair out of his eyes and nodded.
"That was good."Barton commented. "Let's just try to get it the other direction."
"Sorry."Skye apologized.
"Stop apologizing."Clint advised with a grin. "You're learning to control something that humans weren't meant to have. Let's try again."
Clint tossed the medium sized metal ring into the air over the lake. Skye concentrated and felt the wind around her. She used the wind to catch the ring and it hovered over the center of the lake. Pulling more on her power Skye reached out to the water and formed a small spout. No matter how much energy she poured into it this time she couldn't get the ring to balance on the water. The spout collapsed and the ring hit the water with a splash sinking to the bottom.
"Damn it."Skye swore.
"Leo should be here soon."Clint stated as he walked towards Skye. "Let's take a break and have lunch. You did really well this morning."
"You're soaking wet."Skye pointed out as they turned and headed to the cabin.
"Yes but I stayed on dry land. You didn't put me in the lake."Clint said with a grin.
"Guess we take progress where we can get it."Skye muttered earning a laugh from Clint.
The helicopter touched down in the front yard of the cabin that was Skye's second safe house. Leo gathered his backpack and jacket and tossed off the headphones. He opened the door and hopped out glad to be on solid ground again. Skye was the first out the door of the cabin a wide smile on her face hair blowing in the wind kicked up by the helicopter. Leo smiled back happy to see that she looked better than the last video message he'd received. As soon as he reached the cabin Leo found himself enveloped in a hug.
"It's good to see you."Skye said with a smile.
"You too."Leo replied as he stepped back breaking the hug. "Things going okay?"
"That's a matter of opinion."Skye said as she reached for Leo's backpack.
"She's doing good."Clint interjected as he joined them. "Good to see you Leo. Anything else in the copter?":
"Generator and a case of supplies."Leo replied turning back to the helicopter.
"The pilot and I will get them inside. Skye show Leo around."Hawkeye instructed as he headed down the sidewalk.
"Come on."Skye said as they reached the porch and stepped inside. "You can help me come up with a nickname for this place. After being at Fury's Retreat old campground just doesn't have the same ring to it."
Leo smiled and followed Skye through the cabin. He was glad Coulson had approved the switch and let him come instead of Jemma. He was anxious to see if Skye had progressed as far as Clint had hinted. If she had it would be thrilling to see her accomplish more as she learned and grew with her powers.
Grant parked his car on the far side of the lake and began walking towards the one Skye and Hawkeye occupied. It was late afternoon and the sun was his ally as shadows danced and criss-crossed through the pine trees. He reached the second to last cabin and broke in through the back door. It wasn't hard the lock was as old as the rest of the place. Stepping inside Grant closed the door behind him. He dusted off the kitchen table and sat down pulling out his laptop.
Knowing the power supply would be limited or non-existent Grant had brought a small portable one. He attached his laptop cord to that and let the machine boot up. He stood and made his way through the rest of the cabin making sure there were no dead or alive animals that had made the cabin their home. Finding none Grant returned to the kitchen and sat down in front of the computer. Using the internet he'd put out a few false leads hoping that Hydra now split and without a leader would not be as picky. Checking the software Grant found there were no hits on his false leads. Time to try something else. He ran another program than shut down the computer. Grant stood and took his small bag into the bedroom. Time to shower, eat and then get some rest. Then he'd check on Skye.
Leo sat on the edge of the cabin's front porch. It was early evening and a warm one for that time of year. There was a cool breeze off the lake which helped. Leo found himself having a hard time concentrating on his computer. He kept watching Skye train with Hawkeye. Leo had only seen a fraction of her powers before. Seeing the full range in action was just incredible. He'd set up his computer to monitor and record various things. Leo had wireless electrodes placed on Skye to keep tabs on her vitals. Another program was recording what Skye's powers were doing on levels that the human eye couldn't see. Then a third was simply recording video.
"Nice one!"Clint shouted as Skye used the wind to bust a metal target he'd shot into the air over the lake.
Leo smiled as he watched the interaction between the avenger and former hacker. He'd noticed the beginning of a friendship from the moment he'd arrived. It'd been a good call on Coulson's part to involve Hawkeye in Skye's readjustment. With what Clint had endured under Loki's control he more than understood what she was going through. He'd ended up on top after a tough few months and Leo was more certain than ever that Skye would do the same.
"Good job, Skye."Leo cheered.
Skye flashed him a brief smile before returning her attention to the next target Clint launched. This target was pulverized as same as the other. Leo shook his head in amazement she was getting better and better at control. May would be impressed with Skye's precision on the targets.
"Another hour and then we'll fix dinner."Clint suggested.
"I'm starved."Skye replied as another target bit the dust.
"Let's see how many you can hit in an hour."Hawkeye challenged.
"Deal."Skye agreed with a grin.
Grant lowered the binoculars his eyes wide. From their last encounter he'd felt her power personally when she'd thrown him out the window. To be able to control the elements around you was an edge. She was in more danger from Hydra than ever before. If they had an inkling of what Skye was capable of they'd stop at nothing to bring her in. Not just bring her in but break her; make her one of their puppets. Coulson may think Hawkeye was enough to keep Skye safe but Grant wasn't so sure. Barton was only human after all.
Ward watched the rest of Skye's practice before returning to his temporary home. He had decided to use the cover of darkness to approach Skye's cabin. Especially with the arrival of Leo. People under estimated Fitz. Grant knew he'd have to be extra cautious to avoid the scientist. A confrontation with Leo now would not be a good thing. Grant knew Fitz was still recovering from being dropped from the plane. Grant understood Jemma and Leo would never see that he had been trying to give them a fighting chance to survive. Shaking off the memories Grant began to fix a meal from some of the rations he'd brought. Rations in hand he returned to his laptop and turned the machine on. After it booted up Grant busied himself with checking various alerts he'd set up. Another couple of hours and he'd make his way to the other side of the lake. Hopefully this time Grant wouldn't end up picking glass out of his clothes and skin.
After dinner Clint and Leo went out to the front porch while Skye stayed in the living room. Clint saw her turn the desktop computer on and boot it up. He looked back at Leo and frowned. The younger man looked stressed and worried. He tried to hide it but Fitz had never had a good poker face. Clint walked down the steps towards the lake and Leo followed.
"Skye told me you were doing better with your recovery."Clint began quietly. "I was glad to hear it.'
"Thanks, still not a hundred percent."Leo replied. "Hard to get my thoughts together. To get them into words."
"Healing takes time. Sometimes longer than people realize."Hawkeye stated as they walked.
"Yeah."Fitz agreed. "You know Jemma went undercover?"
"I heard; was brave of her not having as much field experience as you do."Clint commented.
When Fitz remained silent Clint stopped and turned to face his friend.
"Things okay with you and Simmons?"Hawkeye asked with concern.
"Better than they were."Leo hedged and continued walking.
Clint caught up to the scientist but was silent. He knew Leo would talk when he was ready and only when he wanted to. What Ward did to Coulson's team and especially to FitzSimmons was more than enough to test any team. To see cracks in the strong relationship of FitzSimmons was troubling and something that made Clint want to punish Ward for. Correct that something to be added to the long list that Clint wanted Ward to be punished for.
The vibration under his feet was the first warning that Clint received that something was wrong. He glanced at Leo and saw that the younger man sensed it too. The scientist's eyes were wide as he looked back at the cabin now fifteen feet away. Clint hadn't felt the ground tremble for most of the day Skye had been doing so well with her control. Leo immediately started back towards the cabin but Clint caught his right arm.
"Something's wrong."Leo insisted just as the wind began to pick up.
Clint nodded and motioned towards the back of the cabin. Both men quickly moved around the cabin. Hawkeye hoped they were overreacting but he also knew there were only a couple things that got Skye that upset. Grant Ward was on the top of that list.
"You really are an idiot."Skye stated angrily as Grant picked himself up off the floor she'd tossed him onto with her powers. "This place has plenty of windows I can throw you out of again. Or I can just drown you in the lake."
"I don't think you'll do either."Ward commented holding his hands out in a palms out manner. "Part of you still trusts me."
"That part died when you dumped Fitz and Simmons in the ocean."Skye snapped.
"I came here just to make sure you were alright."Grant said as he rose to his full height.
"You want to hand me over to Hydra."Skye accused as she raised her hands and the cabin shook more violently.
"That's not true. I want to protect you from them."Grant replied with a shake of his head.
"Everything you say is a lie."Skye protested.
"We were friends once."Grant commented as he took a tentative step closer. "I think part of you still wants to be."
"Get away from her!"Fitz shouted coming in through the back door.
"Fitz, it's alright."Skye stated. "Ward was just leaving."
"No, I wasn't."Ward replied as he reached out and placed modified shackles on Skye drawing her to him."You're not safe here."
"She's not safe with you, ever."Fitz shouted as he rushed forward.
An arrow whizzed through the air pinning Ward neatly to the wall by the back of his shirt. Skye stumbled free and Fitz took the shackles off of her. Just as Hawkeye advanced from the left of the cabin bow armed and raised Ward once again reached for Skye. She raised her hands and power surged. Grant grasped Skye's right arm just as she released the power both went flying. Ward hit the wall with such force that it brought part of the roof crashing down on all of them.
