Chapter 10 – Of Monsters and Men

Sitting in his gilded cage, Grant Ward was getting antsy. It had had been almost a week since he had found Raina, or at least what was left of her and all Ward wanted to do was run to Skye and make sure whatever had gotten Raina hadn't gotten her too. However Fury had told him to wait and like the good little solider he was, Ward had waited but he was reaching his limits. He'd spent the last two days taking out his frustration on the punching bag, the only problem with this was that this reminded Ward of when he'd taught Skye to punch which made him punch harder. This led to the bloody hands he was currently trying to clean and fix.

Watching the blood mix with the water Ward thought about the trail of blood in Raina's house. The blood, the blood had been going into the house, not just leaving it. Whoever had killed Raina had trailed blood into the house, most likely their own and Ward had collected samples just in case, they had the killer's DNA.

Stopping briefly to dry his hands Ward went in search of Fury. The former director wasn't that difficult to find, only he and Ward resided here permanently and Ward had quickly learned the layout of the base like the back of his hand. The one eyed man was currently occupying his time by using multiple screens to watch events unfold all around the world. Big brother indeed.

Fury turned around when Ward entered the small room, "Agent Ward?"

We have the killer's DNA, Ward signed quickly. Fury didn't look shocked, Ward immediately knew that the spy master had figured it out, probably days ago, But you've already run it, haven't you?

Fury nodded, "I have."

Ward looked at him expectantly, And?

"It's no one on our files." Fury shrugged.

Ward had been around Fury long enough to tell when he was holding something back, But you found something else.

It wasn't a question and part of Ward's deal was no lies, on either side. Fury sighed and nodded, "A couple of things actually."

Ward sat down in the only other seat in the room, Go on.

Fury raised an eyebrow, it wasn't everyday someone told him what to do, but continued anyway, "Whatever killed that girl wasn't human."

Alien? Ward asked.

Fury shook his head, "None we've come across and certain markers seem to indicate that whoever, whatever, it was has spent most, if not all, of its life on earth."

So not an alien, but not human, Ward almost sighed in frustration, What else is there?

"I believe you already know the answer to that, Agent Ward. Since you've been here you've had unrestricted access to the old SHIELD files," Fury looked directly at Ward, "And you've only ever read one."

I was checking on a story I heard, Ward paused, realizing the implications of Fury's words, Are you saying that whatever killed Raina is the same thing that attacked the village Skye was born in?

"I am." Fury crossed his arms, "I believe the report described them as monsters."

Ward sat forward, It's also rumoured that those monsters were Skye's parents.

Fury turned, pulling up a DNA profile on one of his screens, "DNA would confirm that rumour. Her father to be precise."

Ward sat back in shock, whoever had killed Raina was Skye's father. The same person who had killed an entire village in search of her. So Ward asked the only question that ran through his mind, Is Skye safe?

Fury sighed, "Honestly I don't know. Some of the pictures you found show the girl at the location I sent Romanoff to."

So he knows where she is. Now Ward was getting worried, The question is will he hurt her?

Fury shook his head again, "I don't think so. But I have no doubt he'll hurt anyone who gets in his way."

You need to warn Widow.

"I already have. She'll advise Coulson without telling him the entirety of what's going on." Fury replied.

She doesn't know what's coming for them, does she? Ward asked angrily.

"No she doesn't." Fury replied, "Romanoff knows that the Playground's been compromised, that's all she needs to know."

More secrets. You need someone there who knows what's coming. Ward signed.

"I need someone who can stop what's coming before it even reaches Coulson and his team." Fury stood up.

Ward stood, reading between Fury's lines, What do you want me to do?

"What are you prepared to do?"

Ward looked the former SHIELD director in the eye, To protect her? Anything.

"Exactly what I want to hear, Agent Ward." Fury nodded, "I've instructed Agent Romanoff to get Coulson and his team to London. That's where you're heading."

I doubt they will be happy to see me, Ward signed raising an eyebrow.

Fury crossed his arms, "Then I suggest you don't be seen."

My orders?

Fury gave one of his knowing smiles, "No orders. You don't need them. Do what you've always wanted to do. Protect the girl."

Author's Note: Spot the Avengers reference and I might update quicker. Please keep the reviews coming, I value your opinion and some reviews give my great ideas for future chapters.