Chapter 9

"So how does it feel to have sixteen consecutive wins in scrabble under your belt?"

Daisy smiled, straightening out their sleeping bags. "I tried to warn you, I've lived with Fitz-Simmons too long to lose to a kid."

The teen scowled as he brought pillows over from the closet. It was late, and they were both tired. Who knew board games could be so draining. They had only played a few games of scrabble before abandoning it for would-you-rather and battleship. Though after dinner they returned to the game where the older inhuman came back with a vengeance from her ten consecutive losses in battleship.

"At least I'll always have battleship to rely on."

She stifled her laugh with a yawn as she drew back the zipper of his sleeping bag. "Come on lets just go to bed already." He grunted, slipping into the bag.

She would have very much liked to ruffle his feather like 'hair,' but knew he probably wouldn't like that, it was a miracle he hadn't pulled his hood back on after showing her.

"Goodnight Daisy."

"Night Caleb."

She flicked off the light leaving them in a gentle golden glow from the small flames still alive in the fireplace. The female inhuman placed one more log on the fire, just in case one of them needed to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, so they wouldn't trip over anything.

Ensuring there was nothing on the floor that could possibly lead to them falling, Daisy climbed into her own sleeping bag. It had been a while since she'd last used one, she couldn't even remember the last time. It was way more comfortable than she thought, but maybe that had to do with them being standard issue S.H.I.E.L.D. Sleeping bags. They probably had some crazy special material that adjusted to their bodies in them.

Though she was tired, the quake inhuman had trouble suppressing her laugh at such thoughts. Everything is made from 'special' material in S.H.I.E.L.D. Nothing is just normal stuff you get at a store, at least now days.

Daisy sighed, forcing her mind to clear, she needed to get some sleep. So stop thinking of all the weird thing S.H.I.E.L.D. Has specially made. She had to wake up before Caleb tomorrow, which required she fall asleep before him. Though from the gentle breathing behind her, it was pretty obvious that she wouldn't be falling asleep before him.

She looked to the window, where she could just make out the tree line under the light of the moon. The wind was blowing, making the temperature outside colder than usual for this time of year, she wouldn't be surprised if they got snow while they were there. It was supposed to snow at least once more before it got too warm, but when had the weather men ever been right?

Branches rattled against the cabin as the wind drove around it, reminding of the weird noised she'd heard the last time she'd been there. Right before Gordon had showed up.

At that moment everything fell silent, leaving only the crackling of fire eating the wood in the chimney., even the wind had come to an abrupt halt. The shadows grew more ominous and she found herself reaching for the fire poker, once again.

'Oh Fitz, why did you make me watch "Paranormal Activity"?'

Careful not to wake Caleb with her overly paranoid response, Daisy climbed out of her sleeping bag and went to the window by the door. Using the curtain as a cover, she peeked out into the darkness. She couldn't see anything to call for alarm, but the foreboding did not cease. Just because she couldn't see anything didn't mean something wasn't there.

The inhuman nearly screamed when a hand touched her shoulder, going to hit them with the poker, but froze when she recognized the amber gaze and scaly hand. Looks like Caleb had woken regardless of how quiet she'd been.

"You should be sleeping." She said, raising her free hand to caress the one he kept on her shoulder. Even with the claws his hand was oddly comforting..

Caleb rolled his eyes, a frown set firm on his lips. She wasn't sure if that was because she'd woken him or if t was possible he felt uneasy too. "Maybe, but he would know I was faking."

She opened her mouth to ask who, but couldn't when she followed his gaze outside. A dark figure now stood a few steps from the door, she didn't have to be a genius to know who it was. Who else would show up outside their cabin in the middle of the night?

Not wanting to end up meeting the man's gaze, she closed the shades. She didn't need to ask how he found them, cause there was no way she wanted to know. Instead she tried to reassure her inhuman companion that they were going to be okay. "It's fine, we're safe as lone as we don't open the door, he can't get in."

Daisy nearly bit through her bottom lip as three gentle knocks echoed into the small structure. Did he seriously think they would open the door to someone like him?

'I'll be seeing you soon. I promise.'

Her gaze went to the teen inhuman standing beside her. She couldn't let It get anywhere near him. "Caleb, get on the computer and contact the base, tell them we need reinforcements." She whispered, gently pushing him towards the desktop across the room.

He nodded, turning it on. His frown deepened and he looked back at her. "He's cut the connection."

She cursed under her breath, looking back at the door as the bastard knocked again. Didn't he get that there was no way they were going to open the door to him? Her grip on the black iron tool tightened as she really wanted to slam it into the dark inhuman waiting on the other side of the door.

"Daisy, open the door."

'It's over. You can't win.'

She bit her lip as she looked between Caleb and the door. What would It do with him? This was supposed to be a retreat, a place to get away from base and relax. The teen took a step toward her, worry crossing his face. What would happen to him if Ward did get in?

She pushed him, away from the door. "Caleb, lock yourself in the bathroom."

"No, Daisy."

"It's fine, I can handle him." She assured, aiming him for the bathroom door.

'Can you? You haven't so far.'

"No. Th-"

"Caleb just go. I don't know what he'll do to you, but it's my job to protect you." The look he gave her, made her feel suddenly stupid. Was she missing something?

'Skye, listen to me..'

"That's not it. He doesn't care if I'm here. As far as he's concerned I'm just a pawn in his game of power. You, however, are a different matter. He knows you're the only one that poses a real threat to his plans, and because of your destructive gifts is convinced you're the perfect queen to his kingdom."

To say she was shocked, would have been the largest understatement of the year. She couldn't even form a sentence. Why oh why would It want her? Didn't It realize she was more determined to kill him than join his side?

"Wait.. How do you know that?" His eyes widened and he looked embarrassed. As though she'd caught him red handed. This feeling, why was it so familiar..? "Caleb... What's going on?"

'I can explain'

"I'm just saying he's only here for you." He said quietly, looking away from her. This was too familiar, her heart rate was skyrocketing.

'He's hydra..'

"Impressive, you can hear my thoughts." Daisy felt the world spinning around her. This evening had been going so well, like a normal sleepover, how did it get to this? "You know, with all the security measures, you'd think Coulson would have the chimney blocked."

Trying to steady her breathing, before she made this place the new grand canyon, the quake inhuman turned to the dark inhuman. The fire was out, leaving them in almost complete blackness, she had to assume Ward had poured water on it. Adding to the hope that fire was the parasite's weakness.

"Calm down Daisy." She accepted Caleb's hand, thankfully. His cool scaled and taloned hands were very calming in this insane situation.

"So... you're a mind reader then?"

'Clairvoyant'

"Yeah.. and I didn't tell you cause of how everyone reacted to that fake clairvoyant."

That was understandable, though now knowing she was in the presence of someone who was telepathic, she felt very embarrassed for everything she'd ever thought while in the same room as him. This was suddenly nothing like the beginning of Ward's betrayal and suddenly everything like the usual daily stuff she'd come to know through S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Well I know why you rock at battleship now." He stifled a laugh, which in turn made her feel a lot better. "Since it's not stabbing in the dark for you."

"Not that this isn't amusing, but I didn't come here to watch a lowly inhuman steal Daisy's attention." Just like that, the attention was back on Ward, who had moved to flip on a light.

"Well you're not getting what you came for, so why don't you leave?"

She should have been shocked by the teen's tone, but really she couldn't be prouder. Jemma would scold her for it later, but she couldn't help the smile that spilled on her lips as Caleb stepped between her and the dark inhuman. He was becoming more confident, not the quiet self conscious little boy.

"I make you."

Mental conversations, it was obvious, she was going to start hating them. If all she heard was Caleb's side of the conversation how was she supposed to know what was going on?

"Hey, mind letting me in on whatever he's thinking and you're saying? It's kinda weird just having him glare while you talk..."

The smirk that appeared on Ward's face should have told her she absolutely didn't want to know what he was thinking, or what they were talking about for that matter. Yeah she definitely didn't want to know, especially if it had anything to do with the last time she saw him.

"Forgive me, Daisy. I didn't mean to ignore you." The parasite made him look genuinely guilty, as he moved to her, shoving Caleb aside as though he were nothing but a stack of cards.

'I'm gonna throw up'

"I was telling this boy that I wasn't going anywhere without you. Foolish child thinks he can stand against me."

She grimaced, taking a step back from him. Just breath, as long as he doesn't touch you you're fine. "He may not be able to, but I sure as hell can. All I had to do last time was cause a little earthquake and you were running for the hills." Perhaps that wasn't the best way to go, she could already feel the sting of whatever response the man would have.

"That was a one time thing, but do remember what caused that tremble." He stepped closer, ensuring he'd corner her at the couch.

'Daisy. I like that better than Skye.'

She remembered only too well, the kiss that had broken quite a few things throughout the quarters on base. She felt heat rise to her cheeks as she remembered Caleb was still there. Ward had a way of making her forget everything around her.

"That's sick, using the body of her ex to make her uncomfortable and take advantage of her weakness." She wanted to tell the teen he was digging his own grave, but couldn't find the words as her gaze was locked with the darker inhuman's. Power and lust filled those amber orbs, making it impossible for her to look away. She was sure he responded to the young boy through his thoughts, but he didn't remove his gaze from hers as he moved ever closer.

'Maybe I'll just take what I want. Wake up something inside you.'

He was forced to look away from her before he got too close though. Caleb had taken hold of the back of his jacket.

"Leave her alone."

This must be what its like to have an overprotective brother. She didn't want to think about it, but she was reminded that the man Caleb was standing up to was not only twice his size but as heartless as they came. He would have no problem in killing the small inhuman, especially if he was only viewed as a pawn.

It would be because of her. If she hadn't brought Caleb to the Retreat, he wouldn't be in any danger, at least no more than usual. Ward would have come for her in the night like he did before.

'He killed Koenig because of me.'

And now he was gonna do the same with Caleb if she didn't do something. Not even fully thinking, Daisy forced Ward back with her gift at the same time while latching onto the scaled teen. She pulled him into a full embrace, taking a few steps back from the monster that had been thrown back into the fireplace.

"Please don't do something that might get you killed." By the slight smirk that was tugging at his lips, she was sure she looked every bit the protective mother in this situation. But honestly she didn't care, he was her charge and the little brother she always wanted, she wasn't about to let him get himself killed.

"It's too late for that." 'Ward' had picked himself up off the ground, soot now blotching his face and shirt. Any other time she would have though it made him look that much more sexy, but right now she could only think of how it made him look more dangerous.

Narrowing her eyes at the parasite infested spy, Daisy moved, putting herself between the monster and teenager. "You even try to touch him and I'll guarantee you never get what you want." Damn that sounded familiar, didn't it?

'And I will never ever give you what you want.'

This had the hydra spy pausing in his advance toward them, though he resumed his steps after only a moment's hesitation. She suddenly felt like prey in the hunter's scope, all over again. That overconfident gleam in his eyes and the hungry desire in his stance did nothing to sooth her. He had already come up with a counter attack.

"And if I do, leave the twerp alone." Daisy kept Caleb behind her as 'Ward' moved in on them, moving them back. "I'll get what I want?"

She cursed whatever deity that guided her life, this was not going well. Feeling as though she'd been shoved between a rock and a very hard place, the female inhuman wanted to scream with frustration. Instead she just bit the inside of her cheek.

"No, I didn't say that."

His lips curved into a sinister smile, amusement filling his eyes. "Then what does it matter, leaving him alone or not? If I don't get what I want either way?"

She nearly groaned out loud. If Caleb was listening to her thoughts right now, she wished with every fiber of her being that he would hunt through it's mind. Find out where Gideon Malick and the rest of hydra was hiding out, and where she might just end up by the end of the evening.

If he could find that out she'd feel a lot better knowing rescue would be on their way before she was taken. Problem was, what would Ward do after he had her, she shivered at the thought. No she wouldn't think of that now. It would hopefully respect her enough to leave her alone long enough for Coulson to dispatch a rescue.

Gulping down the bile rising in her throat, Daisy looked down at her bare feet. She had to hide her blush as she noticed she was only in her pj bottoms and a very loose T. It was slightly better than what she'd worn the last time Ward showed up, at least this time she was wearing pants.

"And if, you do get what you want, what happens to Caleb?" She didn't dare to see his reaction to this. She wouldn't be able to stand it. He'd already taken away what power she'd believed she had over him, and there was no way both she and Caleb could escape. Hydra was probably crawling all over the grounds.

'I just feel so...'

'helpless.'

-0-0-0-0-0-

That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed. And there's the appearance of It/Ward you were all waiting for. Though nothing really Skyeward worthy just yet, but we'll get there people.

I'm sorry for the wait, I've been trying to get my schedule worked out to where I could upload more often, or at least have a setup so you readers can always know when I'll be updating. Unfortunately life's been a little hectic at the moment, but maybe I'll have some kind of schedule set later this month?

Anyway, I don't own Marvel Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D., no matter how much I wish did.

Please follow, favorite, and/or review! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I tried to make this one longer than usual, to make up for the delay. I hope it met your expectations.

I thank you for your patience and hope to upload again soon.

Until then

Tootles.