Disclaimer: This is self explanatory but I still need to say it.
I do not own any of the songs used in these one-shots
I do not own any of the characters from the Avenger Movies (or any other Marvel Movie) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. If I did, Romanov and Banner wouldn't be a thing, and if they were, it would have been done much more realistically than in Agent of Ultron. I don't list characters in here because for all I know they may never be used in my writing.
Some of these chapters might be set in an AU setting. If that happens I'll try to give a warning. Each chapter is a one-shot. The pairings are bound to mix up, personally I'm a Clint/Tasha shipper but I might surprise you. Disclaimer: This is self explanatory but I still need to say it.
Jar of Hearts- By Christina Perri
Warning: AU.
I know I can't take one more step towards you
'Cause all that's waiting is regret
Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most
Strong arms wrapped protectively around her small waist, pulling her into a comforting embrace. She turned into the embrace of her boyfriend, arms wrapping around her love's strong neck as she buried her face into his chest. They sat curled up on the couch in his living room, the girl in his arms drawing strength from him.
"He's not going to touch you," Steve whispered, trying to comfort Skye as the love of his life rested against him with her eyes closed. Her breathing was carefully measured, her body slightly relaxing underneath his touch.
Skye merely hid her face further against his chest, trying to organize the scrambled, hysteric thoughts rampaging through her head. With each slow intake of air, her thoughts became a little clearer and a little more organized. It helped that the familiar scent that she defined as Steve washed over her like a calming wave, the fresh scent cooling mint. It wasn't sharp and invigorating, it was smooth and soothing.
Her thoughts began to line up, to take order as Steve rubbed little spirals along her spine. It was Grant Ward, the son of a bitch reaching out for her again.
Her ex-boyfriend, the man who she thought was her guardian angel but nearly destroyed her life. Skye had been so young and foolish, she was only fifteen and considered herself a nobody in the universe that was high school. But then Grant started to pay attention to her, started to look at her with a gaze she'd never seen anyone else hold. He was a line backer for their football team, everyone knew his name and knew that to mess with him was the high school version of a death sentence. Skye couldn't help but feel wonder struck when he had chosen to ask her out because in her mind he had the entire squad of cheerleaders to choose from instead. But she hadn't fully realized the trouble she was getting into before it was too late. Their first summer together Skye saw a side of Grant Ward only she would ever truly witness. A controlling, violent, manipulative side that would make her feel worse about herself and trick her into believing lies. He controlled the way she dressed, the way she thought of herself, the things she wanted to do, what she liked and disliked, even forced her to use her hacking and computer skills to keep his grades up so he could stay on the team.
It wasn't until senior year did she finally manage to get away from the monster she had called her boyfriend. She managed to escape from Massachusetts, she got an amazing opportunity to go to school in New York and she took it. Maybe it was cowardly to use college to run away from her problems but it was the only solution that she felt truly comfortable using. She felt safer that way. But Grant didn't want her to go to college, he didn't want her to go away to Pace University, enrolled in the Seidenburg School of Computer Science & Information Systems. He wanted her to stay home, to go to a community college and stay with him. She knew he didn't want her to go away, he'd been against her applying anywhere out of state. So she didn't tell him about Pace, she didn't tell him anything about it. The day after graduation she took a train to New York, she told the nuns that if Grant came looking for her they didn't know where she was.
Skye took every precaution she could think of. She changed her phone number, got a job for the summer in the city and slept in homeless shelters so she had more than enough money to survive college life. She had been 18 when she escaped, and six years later he was coming back to haunt her.
"How'd he get my number Steve?" She whispered scared, "He shouldn't know I'm in New York. How'd he find me?"
She had gotten a call from an unrecognizable number and as always Skye refused to pick up her cell unless she knew who it was. If it was important someone would leave a message. He left a message. He heard her voice mail and left her a message. He wanted her back. He was going to bring her back home. And god it scared her.
"I don't know," Steve murmured, trying to console his frantic and terrified girlfriend. But he was just as scared and worried for her, "But I promise, if he tries to touch you, Bucky and I will kick his ass."
"I love you," She choked out, trying to pull herself together but a few tears were pricking around the edge of her eyes. Steve just pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time
"Skye, I know you're there baby. Baby call me back I missed you, it's been a really long time since I saw you babe. Call me back."
"Come on babe, you can't ignore me forever. You have to call me back eventually. You know you miss me."
"Skye, I'm losing my patience. If you don't start picking up you're going to regret it."
Skye whimpered as the phone rang, the familiar line of numbers appearing against the black background. She drew her knees to her chest, waiting for the phone's vibrating to seize and for another voice message to be left by the psychopath. She only tore her gaze away when she heard the familiar pattering of footsteps.
"Is that little bitch still trying to call you?" Skye merely nodded as she took the dark red mug from Natasha.
At the beginning of Skye's sophomore year, her original roommate had gotten a town house with some friends and almost left the girl with her own room. But then Natasha came in, the red head a refreshing change of pace for the girl who was just getting her life back together. Natasha was actually the one to introduce Skye to Steve, who she had known ever since the eighth grade. The red head was like an older, protective sister to Skye.
"He won't stop," Skye whispered as she took a sip of coffee. The hot liquid scalded her throat but was nonetheless an instant comfort for her in the situation.
Natasha scowled deeply, seeing the lively Skye closing off from everything and taking on this burden. The red head sighed softly through her nose and pulled the girl into an embrace, running her fingers through the girls short hair. Skye had spent so much time being told what to think and what to like, being controlled that Natasha had to remind her that her opinions matter. It was almost like she had been nursing a baby bird back to health, preparing it to embrace the world with confidence and independence. Skye had come so far since then, from being this quiet and secretive roommate to a lively, expressive young woman, and this bastard was destroying it. Natasha wanted to kill Grant Ward as revenge for the pain he put her through.
"He's not going to touch you, you know I would never let that happen."
"You and Steve," Skye murmured softly, looking into the green eyes of her friend. She randomly reminded herself that Steve was with Clint, Natasha's friend and roommate, and Sam at a baseball game. Natasha had come over to hang out with Skye and, although they didn't verbally say it, protect her incase something bad happened.
"Because we love you," Natasha reminded, reaching out to take another sip of her coffee, gulping it down a bit.
Skye stared up at Natasha, about to ask the girl how her date two nights ago had went. Skye wasn't quite sure what to make about Natasha's love life, and always took careful measures when addressing it. Natasha was living in a two bedroom apartment with Clint, a rather good friend of hers, and Barbara "Bobbi" Morse, Clint's girlfriend of three years. But the problem was, Natasha had feelings for Clint. The key word is had, but Natasha was an amazing liar and no one knew for certain if she had gotten over him or not. Natasha was very supportive of the relationship though, and had tried to find someone to love in the same way Skye loved Steve. Skye was about to ask, curious if Natasha had found her other half, but the phone rang again and shocked her out of her thoughts.
A shriek erupted from her, a cry of frustration and emotional distress, and Natasha pulled her friend close. The red head rubbed her back, trying to sooth Skye and calm her down. Skye cried a bit against her friend, whimpering as the vibrations rung through the room and reminded her of the horrific man trying to steal her back like she was property.
"You're stronger than this," Skye whispered to herself, clinging to Natasha for strength. She didn't look back at her phone as it continued to vibrate, "You are stronger than this."
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?
"What a bastard!"
Under any normal circumstances, Steve would try very hard to reinforce Tony on using less vulgar language. However, given that his girlfriend was in possible danger from her abusive and angry ex, Steve made the exception just this once.
All around them, the customers cheered excitedly as they watched the bar televisions with rapt attention. But Steve wasn't really concerned about the game, he was more worried about Skye. He was worried she would need him. He was worried this was a bad idea.
"Honestly I couldn't agree more," Steve grumbled as he sipped patiently from his beer, nursing the drink.
"You guys should really get the cops involved," From Steve's left, Sam joined in the conversation and forgot about the juicy burger sitting in front of him. He stared at Steve rather serious, "If he's harassing Skye then maybe you should get some sort of restraining order on him. Anything to keep him from bothering you both."
Clint scoffed, reaching out to steal some of Sam's curly fries, "Yeah, that'll keep him away," Steve scowled at his heavy use of sarcasm, "It's not like a piece of paper has any force behind it. And if it does keep him away it'll only be until the damn thing expires."
Sam scowled, smacking at Clint's hands when he noticed the other's thievery. But Clint merely smirked and happily ate up the stolen food. He ignored the glare he was receiving and continued to look at Steve, "The bastard isn't gonna be stopped that easily."
"What are you suggesting he do Clint? Kill him?"
"Well," At Steve's horrified expression Clint quickly explained, "In a means of self defense! Usually in those cases it's understandable. I'm not saying do it but if it actually does come down to it where you gotta hurt the guy self defense and Skye's defense will look good in front of a court room."
"Plus," Tony interjected, "I can easily get you a top notch lawyer."
Steve stared blankly at all his friends, unable to fully believe that were having this kind of conversation. He couldn't believe that they were discussing the probability of killing Grant and how it could best be justified. Even as the entire bar erupted again, roaring like lions, he sat frozen. Tony seemed more fixed on the tv at the moment, not aware of Steve's perplexed and slightly horrified state of being. He was far more interested in the game, a game he may or may not have made a bet in.
"Calm down Steve."
The blonde turned to look at Clint, who was staring at him with a dead serious expression, "That isn't going to happen. Because that little bitch is gonna need to go through you and Natasha and me. He isn't going to touch her ok?"
Steve dumbly nodded, feeling a bit numb. And it wasn't from the alcohol. The entire situation was scaring Steve, making him constantly worry for his girlfriends safety. Usually he was never so protective. Steve had full faith in her, he knew she could take care of herself and was a strong independent girl. He loved her too much to treat her like she couldn't do anything without him. He was scared what would happen if Grant tried to take her back. Scared that he would hurt Skye and, no matter how much she resisted, she wouldn't be able to completely protect herself.
Clint sighed, staring at Steve in complete understanding. He knew how worried Steve was for Skye, for her safety. He felt the same thing whenever Natasha failed to show up at the apartment at night from whatever date or late night adventure she disappeared on. There was always that scary sensation of something horrible happening, like Natasha was somewhere she didn't want to be or deserved to be. And sometimes those feelings had a way of making the other guys suspicious that Clint was feeling something other than normal protective over Natasha.
"He isn't going to hurt her Steve," Clint stressed stubbornly. It snapped the other man out of his thoughts and he nodded silently.
The sidewalks weren't as crowded as they usually were, barren in spots where they never were in the morning. There weren't that many people wandering the streets at this hour, but not all of them were the stereotypical shady characters people imagine to be traversing under the night sky.
Grant Ward reached back and pulled his sweatshirt hood over his head, glancing around at the people who were seemingly walking aimlessly. He sported some sexy stubble along his jaw, the major difference between him and his younger, high school self. He had cut his hair shorter, and looked relaxed. But that was just a front, a layer to hide his true purpose in being New York. He wanted to see Skye again and bring her back home.
And he didn't plan to leave until he did.
I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms
Skye made her way down to the lobby, her dark hair all mussed up on top from her previous nights sleep. A few stray strands stood completely apart from the majority of her hair, giving her a slight frizzy look. She was wearing one of Steve dark grey Dodger t-shirts and some green plaided flannel pants. On her feet were her fuzzy baby blue slippers and around her body, drawn further around her to keep her warm, was her yellow bathrobe with little lollipops on them. With a smile to the man at the front desk, Skye made her way over to the postal boxes and scanned for their cubby hole. As she did so, the pounding ruckus of a down pour caught her attention and drew her to look out the windows.
Her heart leapt right up into her throat as she spied him, crossing the length of the window towards the door. He was masked beneath a dark green rain slicked and red umbrella, but she could see it was him. She knew him when she saw him, no matter the angle or attire he was wearing.
She turned, darting right behind the desk and shoving the man, Francis, slightly aside as she crawled beneath the little indent of his desk area where his feet went under. She said very quietly, knowing her time was limited, "Francis, no matter what, I do not live here."
"Pardon?" Francis stared down at Skye confused eyebrow raised at her as if she lost her marbles. And perhaps she had but this was extremely important and she couldn't let Ward find her. She couldn't let him know she lived here, couldn't have him find her.
"Please Francis, I'll explain later. But I do not live here."
He would have demanded a further explanation, she saw it in his eyes, but then the little jingling bell went off over the door to signal someone had come in and he turned his attention towards the door. Skye scooted further beneath the desk, ignoring the ache in her knees and back as she heard Grant's footsteps stop beside her. Only a sleet of wood separated them. She chewed on her lip and forced herself to not make a single noise.
"Can I help you sir?" Francis spoke, staring at the man in front of him with a rather normal expression. He leaned back in his seat.
"I'm looking for a Skye Johnson."
Skye's heart thumped loudly in her chest, beating hard and fast. Her stomach twisted with a terrible knot and her eyes started to burn with tears. She resisted any whimper that might burst from her vocal chords and listened intently to Francis as he answered. Her heart thumped in her chest and she felt goosebumps appear along her arms.
"I'm sorry sir but I don't believe we have an occupant here with that name."
Skye closed her eyes, silently thanking Francis for doing as she asked. She knew what she told herself, that she was stronger than this, but fear was a crippling thing. Skye wasn't so much afraid for herself if Grant knew where she lived, although it was a scary thought, but she didn't want him to know where she and Steve lived. She couldn't let him hurt Steve, Steve didn't deserve that. Neither of them did honestly. But Skye, while she didn't know what Grant would do to her, knew that he would severely hurt if not kill Steve.
"Skye Johnson, I'm sure if you just look..."
"I apologize sir but I know everyone who lives in this building and I can assure you that this Skye Johnson is not one of them. I have a Joseph Johnson in 4D."
"Why don't you just check," Skye heard the very faint ruffle of papers and could only suspect what Grant was doing. She kept her eyes closed for a moment and listened with bated breath.
Francis took the five dollar bill and slipped it into his inner breast coat pocket before answering Grant, "There is no Skye Johnson here sir, if there is anyone else you wish to see I can help you with but there is no one, man or woman, named Skye Johnson here. I apologize, but you may simply be at the wrong apartment complex."
The woman beneath the desk heard an unsatisfied grunt and footsteps retreating from the desk. Very silently, Skye waited until she heard the little bell above the door jingle and even then refused to move. Francis glanced down very quietly at Skye and held his hand out for her, "He's gone Miss Johnson."
"Thank you," Skye whispered as she crawled out from behind the desk and moved to stand, "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"Anytime Miss Johnson," To her surprise, Francis didn't even ask why she hid beneath his desk. Honestly, Francis had found himself loathing Ward the more and more he pressed for his answer. Francis had found Grant somewhat dark and suspicious, unnerving. He wouldn't let that man know if Skye was here or not because if the nice young lady who always asked him how his day was when she came in didn't want Ward here, than he wouldn't let the bastard in.
With a quiet little smile, eyes shining in gratitude, she turned to go collect her mail like she intended to do.
The welcoming scent of delicious, blueberry waffles greeted Skye as she entered the apartment again, sorting the mail as she went. Steve's back was to her, focused on watching the waffle iron. Skye heard him humming just slightly, and couldn't help but smile.
"Hey baby," Skye set the mail down on the counter and went to stand behind him, arms wrapping around his torso. She had to get on the tip of her toes to peak over his shoulders and smiled as she saw the delicious waffles before them. Crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Steve smiled as he felt his beloved girlfriend leaning into him and said, "Breakfast is ready."
Skye hummed in acknowledgement, rubbing her hands over his shoulders in a soothing fashion. Steve turned his head slightly to get a better look at Skye and saw that she was staring downward at the small of his back and not upwards to his face. He could see her eyes cloudy in thought and turned the waffle iron off.
Skye reached around him to take the plates, bringing them over to their small little kitchen table. She placed them down, glancing up to see him bringing over the butter and maple syrup. She smiled very quietly when the metallic glint of utensils caught her eyes. He always knew what they needed before she did. Silently, they sat together at the table and started to quietly cut into their breakfast. Steve glanced up at Skye, seeing her eyes still clouded over in thought and wondered if he should bring it up. He wanted to hope that she was ok.
"Grant came around while I was getting the mail," She spoke without emotion, but from the way her shoulders were shaking he knew she was scared. He opened his mouth to ask a question but she was continuing, "I hid under Francis's desk and he told him I don't live here. But it seems a matter of time before Francis can't say no."
"He's not going to hurt you. I'll talk to building security and everyone," Steve reassured her, trying to remain calm as well. He couldn't bare to think of what might happen to Skye if this guy got his hands on her again.
Skye nods, eyes on her food very silently. She was thinking deeply to herself before she spoke again, "Let's just enjoy breakfast please."
"Of course," Steve agreed hastily, "Of course."
And I've learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time
The apartment complex was extremely silent, no nosey neighbors around to see him as he wandered silently through the hallways. It had taken some bribing, a nice crisp $20 bill, but Grant finally got the room number. He smirked as he thought back to the foolish little brat that was likely going to lose his job should they find out about it. But he couldn't bring himself to care. All he cared about was Skye.
He had to admit, the building was very nice. It be a nice place to raise a family, to have a little kid or two roaming around that wanted to be just like them. What he wouldn't do to have a child that looked just like him and Skye, looking up to him like he was the king of the world. He wondered if Skye felt the same way about having children, wondered if she wanted to start her own family. They would need to discuss this.
Grant watched the room numbers, watching as they started to get closer and closer to the room he was looking for. He was silent, watching as the numbers got higher and higher and then smirked, stopping in front of the door. He tested the doorknob very cautiously, listening intently for any activity inside and smiled when he heard some shuffling from inside. They were light footsteps by the sound of it and knocked on the doorknob.
He smiled as he heard the footsteps coming towards the door, and waited at the ready. But as they got closer he realized that they were heavier than he initially believed and stood with his fists coiled.
As the door started to open, Grant gripped the door knob and pulled it the rest of the way. This threw the tall, blonde man off guard as he stared at Grant in confusion. Anger, as well as not jealousy, rose in Grant as he shoved the man back through the doorway and into the apartment, shutting the door closed behind him. This bastard was sleeping with his girl! This bastard was sleeping with his girl.
"Whoa!" The blonde started but Grant threw his fist right into the guy's jaw, sending him stumbling backwards.
Grant swung another fist at him again, watching at the blonde stumble some more. He caught this guy completely off guard and quickly began to wrap his arm across the idiots neck. The man struggled against him, squirming as he tried to get a flow of oxygen in through his lungs and out. But Grant tightened his hold and could see the mans face going red.
He felt Steve start to slump against him, going limp. When the man's blue eyes finally closed Grant waited for a few seconds before setting the man down and waited. Seeing he was unconscious, still breathing but knocked out, he quickly went to work restraining the man so when he did wake up no one else would intervene.
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?
"Steve," Skye greeted as she entered, the dork closing behind her. She frowns seeing the entire apartment dark, with the lights off and the window blinds shut tight. She frowns, feeling her heart beat start to accelerate. Immediately, she starts to search for the light switch, "Steve?"
Just as she finds it, she feels a hand right over hers and screams as the lights flicker on. She starts to jerk her hand out from beneath Grant's fingers before the closed around her wrist. Her heart started to pick up the pace, her breathing hitching as she dropped the bag that was over her shoulder.
"Hey baby," Grant whispered, "I've been looking for you."
"Get the hell away from me!" Skye shouted, "Get out! Get out get out get out!"
"Is that any way to talk to your boyfriend?"
"You aren't my boyfriend!" As those words left her mouth, she started to worry about Steve. Steve had the day off today and was, to her knowledge, home all day. Where was he right now? What did Grant do to Steve? Where was he? What happened? "What did you do to Steve?"
"Is that his name?" Grant asked with mock curiosity, "He didn't say anything as I held him in a choke hold."
"WHERE IS HE?"
Suddenly, Grant's easy going expression darkened and he stepped closer to Skye. An air of anger and jealousy radiated off of him and made Skye very hesitant and worried, moving backwards away from him, "Forget about him. He's gone, you won't see him again baby. You're mine! You are my girl and that blonde hair Boy Scout isn't going to keep you from me. You are mine! You are my girl!"
"No I'm not!" Skye felt her body shake, "You don't own me! You don't own me at all! I love Steve and nothing is ever going to-"
A sharp crack echoed in the air as Grant stood, having slapped Skye in the face for saying such words. Skye fell backwards, disoriented from the fall and pain blooming from her cheek. It was bright red and stinging from the impact.
Meanwhile, trapped in the bathroom, Steve struggled with duct tape bounding his mouth shut, his wrists together, and his ankles together. He was restraint hog tie style, making it impossible to sit up and get off of his side. He could hear Skye's voice and Grant's through the closed bathroom door and struggled to move. He tugged at the duct tape, not caring if nothing had changed from four or something hours ago when he woke up. Skye was in trouble, she needed his help. He had to get free and help her before Grant did something he'd regret.
And it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
'Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back
Skye stared upwards at Grant with a mixture of fear and apprehension, moving farther back from him. It wasn't until she brushed the wall did she stop, aware that she was crawling into a corner and would trap herself. Her heart was beating faster and faster, it felt like she couldn't breath the way it was coming in and out, shorter and faster.
"Skye baby," He was speaking softly to her again, "Skye baby we're going to go home ok? We're gonna go home and be happy."
"Get away from me!" She hissed, trying to gain control of herself. But it glittered away as her heart started to beat painfully faster and she looked very close to hyperventilating. With each step forward it merely got worse, and Skye was scared. What if he hurt Steve? What if Steve was dead?
"Skye," His voice got stern, "Skye you are coming home with me."
"No!" Skye argued, voice wobbling just a tad, "This is my home now!"
Skye closed her eyes and brought her arms up quickly to protect herself before he had the chance to hit her again. But then, when no hit came, she opened her eyes and her guard started to drop in confusion. Seeing this, Grant swatted her arms aside and pulled her face closer to his and brought his lips down on hers.
"Whoa!" Skye gripped Grant tightly by the arm as she started to lose her balance, her legs sliding out in opposite directions beneath her. The fifteen year old held on to him and struggled to regain her balance, but then they both fell on to the ice, the cold seeping in through their thick layers.
"Oh god I'm so sorry," Skye profusely apologized, struggling to get to her feet but falling on her knees and butt constantly. Her face turned crimson. But Grant was smiling as he easily climbed to his feet, not at all troubled by the sudden fall. He merely reached down and took her hand to help her.
"I got you," He reassured, steadying her as children and adults ice skated around them. He held her up firmly and smiled at her, taking her hand and guiding her forward along the ice. Skye tried to glide gracefully but she felt extremely self conscious and was afraid of falling forward into the ice surface again. Her hand squeezed his tightly as she felt her body buckle and lose it's balance.
"I got you," Grant promises, "I'm not gonna let you get hurt. I promise you that you are safe with me."
Skye smiled and relaxed a bit, trusting him to hold her up. He slowly guided her so that her back was to everyone else and she was looking at him. One hand confined to hold her up as the other cupped her face, bringing her closer until their lips pressed together.
Skye shoved Grant back the moment he tried to kiss her, slapping him. Then she started to shake out her hand because her palm was stinging from the impact of it and it hurt. Is this how his hand felt when he hit her? If it hurt this badly why did he always hit her? Was it worth the pain he inflicted on her?
Grant stared at her, shocked by the stinging across his face. His shock quickly turned to anger though as he grabbed her by her hair and forced her up to her feet. She screamed out in pain and started to hit him wildly with her fists, trying to get him to let go. He just held her tightly, ignoring her attacks. He merely tightened his grip on her hair and made it a bit worse.
"What happened to not letting me get hurt?" Skye accused in pain, resorted to just using her words and shouting. She hurting herself more than she was hurting him with her little fists, "I left you because you broke that promise! Good boyfriends don't hit their girlfriends. Good boyfriends don't control and manipulate and make them feel like shit!"
He slammed her into the wall angrily, but Skye just continued, "I hate you! I hate you because you hurt me and lie to me and use me! You're an awful person! But I love Steve! And you will never change that! Do you know why? Because Steve would never hurt me!"
Grant slammed her into the wall again angrily, "Forget about him!" He shouted, "Forget about him Skye, you're my girl! You're my girl and no one is going to change that!"
"No I'm not!"
Skye's could be heard from the bathroom, where Steve continued to struggle in the duct tape. He could hear Skye and Grant yelling at each other and his heart started to beat painfully in his chest as he thought of all the bad things that could happen. Suddenly, his hands went flying backwards and smacking him in the forehead as his legs and arms came apart. He groaned beneath the duct tape gag and started to try and remove it from his lips. It took a few tries, given that he couldn't swivel his wrists very well while they were stuck together but managed. He groaned and started to try and sit up as best as possible. And then he heard Skye scream, a blood curdling sound that had him screaming her name.
"SKYE!" Steve struggled with his duct tape restraint.
He heard footsteps and shouting, but the actual words surrounding the noise was lost to him. Steve suddenly heard something shatter and held his breath, thinking one bad scenario after another. He struggled furiously as the door creaked open.
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
Skye shoved the bathroom door open and knelt down in front of Steve, tearing at the duct tape around the man's ankles. She was breathing fast and shallow, looking at him in a mixture of fear and relief. She was so happy to see he was here, safe. And it took Steve too realize that instead of the psychopath who locked him in here it was his girlfriend trying to to free him.
"Skye!" He tugged at the tape around his wrists as she started to rip the duct tape, but with extremely small progress. He saw where Grant hit her, the skin red and starting to faintly bruise. Something hot and hard settled in his gut.
He stared at the doorway, waiting and watching for the jackass to appear and frowns, "Skye? What was that shattering sound?"
"I threw a vase at his head," She admitted softly, "It was that really nice one Bobbi got when she and Clint went to Iowa for Easter."
For a brief moment, he gazed at her with tender eyes. She sounded so guilty about destroying the present from their friends and had to resist getting them both distracted by insisting that it was ok. He didn't know how long it would be until Grant re awoken and he didn't want the bastard taking advantage of them if they were both distracted. As Skye continued to tear at the tape around his legs, Steve tried to pull his ankles apart and assist his girlfriend. If only they had a pair of scissors or a sharp blade.
"Skye!"
The woman in question tensed against Steve and bit down on her lip in fear. They both heard the slightest creak in the floorboards as someone rose to their feet and Steve struggled to keep himself decently composed as Skye struggled to free her boyfriend faster. But it didn't take very long until Steve saw the man's frame in the bathroom threshold. Steve took Skye by the wrists very gently and tried to pull her closer to him in warning, but Grant had already snatched her by her hair and was yanking her backwards across the tile floor.
Skye stared upwards at the furious man, thinking he was just about to murder her. She did the only thing she could think of and screamed, raising her hands to protect herself for whatever blow he decided to deal. The sound of Skye screaming set something off in Steve and he gave one big tug at the duct tape around his legs, freeing his ankles. He hopped onto the heels of his feet and charged like a bull.
The two men spilled from the doorway, one falling flat on his back and the other on his side. Steve quickly tried to scramble to his feet, staring at Grant as he blinked slightly dazed. But the man quickly gained his senses and rose from the floor, kicking Steve in the lower abdomen before he could fully get up. Steve groaned, his breath hitching as another sharp kick caught him in the ribs.
Skye rolled over and scampered to her feet, watching as her ex continued to kick at her boyfriend. She launched herself quickly onto Grant's back and started to pull at his hair and keep him distracted. Her fingers dug painfully into his skin and she tried to use her weight to throw him backwards.
"Get off me!" Grant reached back to grab at Skye, trying to throw her off. But Skye dug her heels sharply below his ribs and held on like he was a tree and she was a monkey.
"GET OFF ME BITCH!"
Skye screamed as his hands gripped her tightly and she was hurled right over his head into the floor. She gasped, more in shock than in pain at the turn of events. Her breathing came out roughly for a moment, uneven as she stared up at him. She moved backwards, finding herself wanting to hold on protectively to Steve but Grant pressed his foot down on her left ankle. He pressed down very hard on it, preventing her from going very far.
Skye took a shaky breath as she stared at him, jumping when the front door suddenly slammed into the wall. Voices barked from behind her, but Skye wasn't paying attention to them as Grant's eyes flitted to the people entering the apartment in iconic blue uniforms. Skye didn't look back at the police officers, knowing that if she did it could do more harm being distracted. Especially if Grant tried to do anything really desperate. She watched as his hands rose up behind his head and an officer yanked him off of her ankle.
The moment she was free, Skye turned and practically crawled to Steve. She hugged him tightly watching as another officer helped free her boyfriends wrists from the duct tape and listen to him explain what happened. Skye was shaking as he wrapped an arm around her and asked how the cops knew they were in trouble. The woman almost cried in relief when she was told one of their neighbors heard her screaming and odd ruckus like noise.
"Please," Skye pleaded as she rested her head in the crook of Steve's neck, "Please take him far away from me! I never wanna see that ass again!"
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
Tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
Curled up on her side in bed, Skye listened very quietly to the sound of Steve's deep breathing. She glanced now and then at the clock, unable to believe that is was just yesterday, nearly two months from the attack, that Grant was tried as guilty and locked up in jail. Between jail and the serious restraining order against him, the authorities had guaranteed to them that the bastard was never going to get near them again. And if he did, he'd be right back where he started.
Steve murmured something unintelligible, but Skye couldn't help but smile very quietly at him and nestle further into him. It didn't feel like she could get close enough to him, that at times like this she just needed him to hold her to his heart. But she knew that wasn't necessary, she knew she was safe and that he was safe and no one was coming to hurt them anymore.
At least, for now. But she could worry more about that in the next couple of years.
"Skye," Steve slurred, "Go back to sleep."
"I am," Skye whispered, "I am. You don't worry."
Skye closed her eyes and slowly fell back asleep, the monsters from her past no longer taunting her.
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Ok, I swear to god I may make a one shot based on a A Thousand Years but I was listening to it and trying to plan and the most tragic, heartbreaking BlackHawk/ClintTasha fanfic came to me and I was literally ready to bawl. So... Christina Perri's songs are really good for emotional fanfics.
Finished Chapter :D Oh what to do next... A T. Swift song? A Disney song? Another Christina Perri song (don't recommend honestly. Don't wanna cry.)? Is there any song I said I wanted to do but haven't yet. Any suggestions?