Chapter 14: Not that Smart
He had always been known to be level-headed, smart even, and he knew that before he died, many see him as the poster boy of what a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent should be like. Being stupid is not one of those traits. People believe him to be professional, smart and dedicated to S.H.I.E.L.D.
He followed her down the tunnels, giving May some flimsy excuse about being curious about what he has been carving about. But it has nothing to do with that. From the look on May's face, she understands. It has everything to do with Skye.
Was that being smart? Of course not, he barely have any armaments on his person and no back-up. He also has a little chance of catching up to her before she gets to Raina, before this whole place collapses on top of them as the bomb detonates and not to mention, he'd probably die for good this time. He could barely stand-up as it is. This is not smart. May did not stop him from going down, she could if she wanted to. Without him, S.H.I.E.L.D. might fail, he had not even give May the keys to the operation. That does not show his dedication to the organization he's been with for most of his adult life. As for Skye? He tried, damn it, he really tried, but he couldn't be professional with anything that has to do with her.
He tried pushing her away. He tried pushing his feelings away, especially in case he becomes a homicidal psychopath like Garret. But he couldn't, she keeps drawing him to her. May cares for him, might even love him, but he does not return her affections like he does his little distraction. As he struggled to keep upright as the whole place shook, he finally acknowledged to himself that Skye is not just a distraction and that he might, just might, be in love with her.