Chapter Twelve (There Wasn't a Chance)

Ward winced as he arrived in Coulson's office and was met with a scathing glare. He walked slowly over to the front of the Director's desk.

Coulson pointed to one of the chairs, "Sit." he stated firmly.

Ward nodded hesitantly and slid down into the chair.

Coulson crossed his arms, "Now, Ward, why did I call you in here?" he asked.

Ward looked away and didn't respond.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you." Coulson stated. "Now answer my question."

Ward looked at Coulson, "I don't know, you tell me. I was just trying to do what you asked me, protect."

"I didn't see that. All I saw was that Skye was gone."

Gritting his teeth, Ward responded, "Because an unknown alien being took her."

"Did you even try to stop him?" Coulson asked. "Because I don't think you did. You failed in my simple mission."

The chair slid back as Ward bolted to his feet, "That's because you didn't give me a damn chance!" he hissed. "I tried, Coulson, I tried!"

Coulson frowned, "I don't think you did."

"I swear I did!" Ward yelled. "How the hell do you expect me to take down a being that isn't even human?!" He started to circle around the desk to approach Coulson, and Coulson started to reach for the gun in his desk.

"Ward, don't come any further." Coulson stated.

"You didn't even give me a chance." Ward muttered. "I tried to protect Skye, I did. But I didn't know that the alien would be able to lift me clear off the ground, throw me against the wall, and teleport away with Skye. How was I supposed to know? Tell me? I've never even heard of a Kree, have you?" he asked.

"How are we supposed to protect others from something we don't even understand?" Ward asked. "And SHIELD has always been messing with things that they can't even begin to understand, let alone protect others from it. Remember the Tesseract? I think I remember that SHIELD didn't understand it, messed around with it, and that got Loki on Earth, and that got you killed."

Coulson flinched at the mention of his death, "Do not bring that up around me." he stated.

Ward stepped closer, "But it's true. We don't know what a Kree is, so how am I supposed to know how to deal with it?" he asked. "You didn't even give me a chance."

"I did! You took your only chance and that got Skye kidnapped!" Coulson exclaimed. "And now we don't even know where she is, and it's your fault."

"My fault?! My fault?!" Ward screamed. "Haven't you been listening to what I have been saying the whole entire damn time?! I told you that I tried to protect her, it's just that I can't freaking protect anybody from a damn alien that appears out of nowhere!"

"You know what, go back to your quarters." Coulson ordered.

"I don't have any quarters to go back to!" Ward exclaimed. "Because you never gave me a room!"

"Just go somewhere other than here!" Coulson exclaimed. "And get out of me sight!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Ward hissed as he stalked out of Coulson's office. "Because you're not the Coulson I used to know."


Sometime later as Ward was stalking the hallways of Headquarters, he ran into May. He froze as he saw May. "M-May." he stammered.

"That would be Deputy Director to you." May responded. "And what are you doing roaming the halls?" she asked. "I thought you were in Coulson's office."

"I was until he kicked me out." Ward replied. "He's blaming me for Skye's kidnapping event though I told him several times that I tried to protect her. It's just that I can't protect somebody from something unknown."

May sighed, "I saw the fight on the cameras. Believe it or not, I do believe you tried. That doesn't mean that I like you, I'm just saying that I think that you tried. That Ender being had the upperhand, that's all."

"Try telling that to Coulson."

"You can't get anything into his head these days." May said. "He's too stubborn. He goes his way and his way only."

Ward raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong with him anyway?" he asked. "He's not the Coulson I used to know, and I know he's not just acting that way towards me."

"I can't believe I'm telling you this, but you're right." May said. "Within the past year, his mind has been slipping. We don't know what exactly is causing it, but Simmons is thinking that it has something to do with the GH-325 running through his veins."

"Like the stuff that's in Skye?"

"Yes, that stuff. But Coulson is the only one showing any side effects. He's becoming more and more stubborn and hot headed, he's forgetting things. I don't even think he's suited to be Director. But bear with him through these episodes, they pass."

"How are you going to get Skye back?" Ward asked, trying to change the subject.

"We don't know, we're working something out. But in the meantime, you can't be roaming the halls of Headquarters, you're supposed to be under strict watch." May said.

"Where the hell am I supposed to go?" he asked.

"There is a room that Coulson had assigned you just before Ender attacked, you'll go straight there. And whatever things you had at that motel that was yours is there. Go straight there and don't come out, Coulson's orders."

"How are they even orders anymore when he's loosing his mind?"


Author's Note: I don't own AoS, Marvel does. Ward and Coulson get into an heated argument and Coulson sends Ward out. Later May reveals that Coulson's mind is slipping due to the GH-325. That's not good, right? Marvel's Agents of SHIELD will return in a chapter. Keep reading and PLEASE review! ~AwakeAndAliveSpartan.