I'm back with 2 more chapters! I'll post the next one tomorrow, then start writing the next couple too- it might take a while but I have been as quick as I can!

Chapter 10

As they landed on the island, Skye began to worry. She hadn't been in the field for at least a few weeks now and it worried her. Ward said it would be good to 'get back in at the deep end', but she wasn't convinced. At least she was just the extraction- but sometimes that was the worst part. Waiting, not knowing what was happening, not knowing if they would come back, or even if they were dead yet. She stopped her thoughts there, already terrified of losing him. Ward noticed she was stressed and went to stand behind her. She just stood stiff, beginning to tremble a little. He noticed this too and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms protectively around her. He wasn't one for cuddles but the familiarity comforted her. What she didn't know was Ward was glad for it too. He now couldn't imagine not having her around, or worse- her missing him. He knew she could get another guy, but still hated the idea of leaving her alone, defenceless. And although they weren't together, close was close enough for someone who spends his life, in and out of the field, on his own. He cared for her more than anyone, and he didn't want to go back to his old ways without her.

As they prepared to leave, Ward gave Skye a quick look that warned her to be safe, one she simply returned with equal force, surprising him at her care- he wasn't used to someone returning the favour. Then all too soon he began to move, nodding at May, before they grabbed their guns and sprinted off the ramp. Skye jumped in her van and reversed out to get to her position too. Coulson swept his eyes around the room for a final time, resting briefly on Fitzsimmons, before following out into the field as they headed to the cockpit to take off and monitor comms.

They entered the barn and began tracking the signal. It was coming from a barrel, tucked away behind hay bales by the walls. It looked old and worn, the bolts rusted and the wood was peeling away at the top, warped over years. May signalled Ward around the other side, and they wrenched the base off. But what they saw wasn't anything they expected.

Coulson began scoping out the north side of the island, searching the beaches- but before he got far, his comm crackled into life in his ear. May spoke.

"Coulson, we found the 0-8-4" She said, sounding tense. Coulson replied quickly,

"What is it?" Silence was all he heard. "May? What is it?" Ward had to respond instead.

"Umm, sir?" He too, sounded confused. "It's a child. Like, a baby." Coulson suddenly thought of Skye, but passed it off before it took over his priorities.

"Okay. Check around the rest of the barn. I'll be there in two. Skye- get ready for extraction." With that, he broke into a run and headed to the tip of the island.

Skye heard the conversation over the comms and began to move into position. Her heart raced, they still didn't know where Messana and Knox were, not to mention another 'her' in the world. She was already an anomaly in S.H.I.E.L.D. The one thing they knew nothing about- they didn't need another. She sighed and pulled up to the barn doors.

Coulson arrived at the barn, and saw Skye had not arrived. Still, he sprinted in, expecting a scene very different to what he found. May spoke begrudgingly through gritted teeth, held at gunpoint by the man they had seen a headshot of earlier that day.

"We found Messana and Knox." Was all she said, before her eyes widened. Coulson was at first confused before he heard the familiar click of a gun being loaded and tensed. He spun and saw the other man behind him- holding one gun to him and one to Ward, who was holding the child. At this point, the heard Skye crunch over the gravel outside. Ward shouted.

"Skye! Don't come in!"

"Who's Skye?" The man asked tauntingly. Ward pursed his lips and stayed silent, hoping she wouldn't reply, hoping he could lie his way out- claim mental illness, anything.

"Why?" She shouted back from outside. The men smirked and ordered them all towards her, muttering to each other. May heard them chuckle and say, "Four for the price of two!" And celebrate. She wanted nothing but to wipe that smirk off their faces. As they emerged, Skye put her hands up instantly, and joined the others in front of Messana and Knox. She demanded, "Let the baby go. And my team." Ward was surprised at her strong will at gunpoint, and missed his chance to talk before one of the men beat him to it.

"Okay, we'll make a deal." They were all taken aback, but knew too much to let it show. Skye, stony faced, replied curtly,

"What do you want?" The men smirked, again, before pointing to her and saying simply,

"You." Skye's face contorted, her stomach lurched. She stared at him, terrified.