Chapter 10

The team quickly got off the airplane only to be met by Jemma and May.

"We have something to tell you." Both groups said simultaneously.

"Whitehall is actually a Hydra agent from WWII who managed to find a way to rejuvenate himself." Jemma said

"We found the city, ran into Skye's father, and Ward has Bucky." Steve, Fitz and Coulson said.

"Also Trip got shot, we need to take him to the med lab immediately." Coulson looked at Jemma, who sprang into action. "I want updates on his condition every hour." He called after her. Turning to the others he took a deep breath. "We'll reconvene in the office in 1 hour for – " An alert rang out.

"What's that?" Coulson asked.

"That's the Ward phone." Skye said. "I've got an alert on my tablet which warns me when he calls. It's in the tech lab." Coulson and Steve followed her into the lab.

"Don't answer it." Steve said. Skye looked at him. "I mean he wants to talk to you, and we shouldn't give him what he wants."

Coulson answered the phone, putting it on speaker.

"Hello."

"Coulson, put Skye on the phone."

"I'm sorry, but she's busy in a mission debriefing. Can I take a message?" As Coulson talked Skye began to activate her tracking software. Steve listened to the tone of Ward's voice. He sounded angry, which was good; an angry Ward meant he was more likely to slip up and make a mistake.

"Put her on the phone, your mission debriefing can wait."

"She's busy".

"You must be overjoyed." Ward said bitterly. "Captain America at your beck and call, I bet you wet yourself. Put Skye on the phone."

"It's interesting that you would know that information, seeing as the only people outside the team who know Captain Rogers is working with us is Hydra. Falling back on old habits?" Coulson looked at Skye's screen. The signal was bouncing off cell towers all over the world. There was no fixed signal of origin.

"Put Skye on the phone, I want to talk to her about her father. I'm only working with Hydra to prove her that - "

"Skye's busy, whatever you want to say you can say to me."

Ward was seething "And how does Captain Rogers measure up?"

"This team's dynamics are no longer any of your concern Ward." Coulson said. "But I will say that we are all grateful to have Captain Rogers here."

"You tell Stars and Stripes to stay away from Skye."

"So that's what's brought on this lovely discussion." Coulson smiled. "Jealousy."

"He has no right to her." Ward said.

"Because you think you do?" Coulson asked. Skye looked at the phone in disgust. Steve crossed his arms.

"I know her, I understand her." Ward said "I can give her family back, let me talk to her."

Coulson sighed "as I said, she's not – "

"Ward?" Skye said tentatively. Steve's head snapped to face her "What are you doing?" He hissed in alarm.

"Skye." Ward's triumphant smile could be heard through the phone. "I know you'd come around eventually. I met your father. He's really looking forward to meeting you."

"Just like you promised." Skye said. "Ward I need you to help me with something."

"Anything." Ward said. "Just say the word."

"We're attempting to weaken Hydra and in order to do so we need to gain control of one of their more deadly assets." Skye paused. "Do you have any information on the Winter Soldier?"

"Why has Coulson gotten bored with Captain America already? Does he want a new toy to play with?" Ward said bitterly. "Or has the Star spangled man himself asked you to find his boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" Skye asked.

"Don't play innocent Skye," Ward growled. "If Rogers is there, you know that the Winter Soldier is Bucky Barnes."

"This is about taking down Hydra and freeing someone whose been robbed of their free will for half a century." Skye said. "It has nothing to do with Steve."

"So he's Steve now?" Ward said sarcastically. "Well tell Steve that if he knows what's good for him he'll back off. Otherwise things could get quite messy for Barnes. I wonder ifhe really does have ice in his veins, maybe I should test that theory."

"You have him?" Skye asked

"You already knew that." Ward said "This entire conversation was a ploy to try and get my location."

"You called us." Skye said.

"Because I didn't want Captain Perfect to mess with your head. I don't know what he told you Skye, but your father loves you, you can't trust Rogers."

Skye laughed "If I can't trust Cap who am I supposed to trust? You?"

"I swore to you that I would never lie to you again and I haven't." Ward said softly. "We'll see each other soon. Don't bother trying to trace this call, Hydra put software on this phone that makes it impossible for even you to find me. But I will find you, that much I can promise you."

"Stay away from her." Steve said

"Ah that must be the legendary Captain himself. Enjoy your time with her while you can Rogers, because I don't take too kindly with others messing with what's mine. Good bye Skye, don't worry, I'm not mad at you. In fact, I forgive you." The line went dead.

Silence fell. Coulson looked at Skye,

"We'll assemble the others for a meeting in about an hour."

Skye nodded and she and Steve left the office. They walked silently side by side towards the gym.

"What were you thinking?" Steve said when they got there.

"What were you thinking?" Skye retorted "Ward would have listened to me. I could have gotten more information out of him."

"He was spiraling before I interrupted and I think you're overestimating how much he cares for you. It's not love, it's infatuation, which is every bit as dangerous as it is strong." Steve turned and punched a new hole into one of the punching bags. He glared at the wall.

"I appreciate the concern." Skye said, irritated, "But I had it handled"

"He's crazy Skye." Steve turned to look at her. "Talking to him only increases his delusion that you care about him."

"Which helps us." Skye retorted, raising her voice and taking a step closer to Steve. "The more he believes I care about him, the less guarded he is, and the more of a chance he'll make a mistake."

"It could also get you killed." Steve pushed the bag away and moved closer to Skye. "He could see your attempt to get information as a betrayal. Then his feelings for you could turn and he would feel obligated to punish you. He's setting you up as some kind of untouchable icon, but what happens when the reality no longer lives up to the image?"

"Then we take him down." Skye shouted over him. "We take him down and lock him in the deepest cell we can find."

"He's a trained killer Skye," Steve said, raising his voice.

"I'm capable of taking care of myself." Skye glared. "I've been doing it my entire life. I can handle this."

The two glared at each other, Steve stood about a foot away from Skye, his eyes dark. He took a step forward and pushed her against the wall.

"Steve what are you – " he cut her off with a kiss. He tangled one of his hands in her hair moving forward and pushing her against the wall, while wrapping his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Skye responded with enthusiasm, digging her fingers into the back of his shirt.

Steve broke away. "I'm sorry, back in my day this would have been really inappropriate." He looked at the floor, "I should have asked first, I.." he began moving away.

Skye grabbed his shirt, "Steve" he met her eyes, and she kissed him. This time more gently.

"Don't interpret this as winning the argument." Skye murmured as they broke apart again. "I'm still pissed at you."

Steve smiled "I know."

"Not that I didn't enjoy it, just don't expect your pretty eyes to distract me when I'm mad at you."

Steve blushed "I'm not up to speed with dating customs but does this make you my girl?" he asked as he toyed with her hair. Skye was about to answer when Jemma rushed in.

"Trip's awake and we managed to catch sight of Ward on a street cam in New York. Coulson needs you to…" she stopped, realizing how close Steve and Skye were standing, "Sorry for interrupting."

Skye moved away from Steve. "We should go." She walked towards the door. "Oh and Cap." She said smirking, "This means I'll consider it."