Author's Note: Eek. Thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed and reached out to me about this story. It truly means a lot. Every time I try to step away or think I can't write because I'm tired, reviews and messages fuel me to continue writing. I really want to finish this story but I still have some more chapters to write and some of those won't be easy. I hope you all continue to read and comment.

WARD'S POV

I find Coulson once I get control of myself. He looks like he's putting a team together and I'm confused as to what's going on. I must have taken longer to get myself together than I originally thought.

"Great." He says relieved when he sees me. "Ward, how's you arm? Are you ok to go on a mission?" He eyes me carefully.

"Sir? What's going on?" I look around and everyone is in a flurry. All are in tactical gear and ready to go. Fitz is by Coulson's side giving me sad eyes.

"The Inhumans have taken over our ship. I'm putting a team together to go get it back but it won't be easy." Coulson explains.

"Sir…" I'm torn. Do I go help Skye or go recover Kara? "I wanted to go pick Kara and the other agents up," I explain.

He looks relieved once again and nods with understanding. "It's done. The recovery team left about 10 minutes ago. We didn't know where you were."

"I'll just get my bag." I tell him as I turn and they all head into the jet.

I run into Simmons on the way back. She's crying. I have no time but I stop anyway, "Jemma, are you ok?"

"You're going with Coulson?" She asks as she wipes tears from her eyes.

I nod.

"Take care of Fitz for me, will you?" She looks frightened.

"I will."

"Go. Go. They're probably waiting for you."

I give her one last look before I run out.

I'm surprised to see Cal on the jet when I arrive. I look at him confused and sit next to Fitz.

"Um…what's Cal doing here?" I ask Fitz.

Cal looks like he's humming to himself. He's having the time of his life. If I didn't know him any better, I'd be frightened by his actions.

"Oh. Right." Fitz says turning to me. "You weren't here. So, Cal came to try to kill us by orders of Jiaying and now he's going to "help us" stop her." Fitz used air quotes as he spoke. "I still don't trust him. He was mad and destroyed the lab. He almost died and he's acting like he nothing happened."

I watch Cal as he watches Coulson and May.

Fitz is playing with a computer and starts to ignore me. After a while, Fitz calls for Coulson.

He explains to Coulson how there's a code in the SOS signal. Our eyes meet and I know we're thinking the same thing; it's Skye.

"What does the code say?"

"It's a trap." Fitz looks from Coulson to me and back to Coulson. "What do we do, Sir?"

Coulson contacts the other teams and orders for them to fall back.

We're going in alone. No back up.

As soon as we land, we're getting our orders. Save the crew and free them. May is to head to Operations.

Skye sends another message about the crystals and Cal wants a go at Jiaying. He assures Coulson that it's a family matter and he'll take care of his wife.

Coulson doesn't fully trust him. "Agent Ward." He calls and I step forward. "Accompany Cal and help him get to Jiaying. Make sure those crystals don't get released."

"Yes, Sir." I look at Cal and he smiles and slaps my back, right behind my bad shoulder. I curse under my breath and give him an angry look.

"Good to see you again, Ward. I can use him, Phil. Thanks."

He leads me off the jet and we set off to find the crystals and Jiaying.

We walk through a lot of empty halls and rooms. It takes us a while before we encounter anyone and when we do it's Jiaying and one of her little drones.

I smile because this will be easy.

"Don't let her get her hands on you." Cal whispers to me.

I look from her to him and he gives me another warning. "Not even for a second."

I nod.

She's angry and knows instantly that Cal came with SHIELD. She gives me a disgusted look. "Who's he?"

Cal smiles and slaps my shoulder again. "I thought you'd like to meet your future son in law."

I throw Cal a look and roll my eyes. Yea. I wish.

I keep quiet as he warns her repeatedly about what she's doing. He begs her to stop but she's not hearing any of it. It's her turn to warn him.

He tries one more time, this time bringing up Skye but he calls her "Daisy" and what her actions are going to do to Skye. Jiaying throws in his face that she's doing what he couldn't and that's protecting her.

I hear a noise behind me but before I can turn, I feel someone's arms on me and I'm inside a room looking at Cal and Jiaying though a small window. A moment later, Cal is in the room with me.

The damn guy with no eyes is quick.

It takes us a while to get out of the room, all the while, Cal is telling me exactly what Jiaying can do with her power.

After we're out, we encounter more of Jiaying's followers but not all of them have powers so it's easy to take them out. We head to the main deck as that's where it looked like she was going.

I hope she's not gone.

The sight we see stops us in our tracks. Jiaying is "draining" Skye as Cal called it. I feel pure panic and red-hot anger fills my body.

"Get to Daisy!" He calls to me as he runs to them and I'm right on his heels.

For a second, it looks like Skye is fighting it and might get away. But she instead uses her powers not to push Jiaying from her but to push Jiaying's jet off the deck and into the ocean.

Skye's powerful enough that the push she gave the jet also pushes Jiaying away. Her mother screams for her jet and cargo. She turns to Skye. She's quick and out for vengeance.

Jiaying puts her hands back on Skye and I'm close enough now that I see Skye's skin turn a greyish purple.

Cal yanks Jiaying from Skye as I catch her before she falls.

"You're ok, Skye. You're ok." I hold her.

We both watch as Cal apologizes to his wife, tells her he loves her and crushes her body.

Skye is crying. I shush her and caress her hair. "Don't look, sweetheart. Don't look."

She buries her face into my neck and lets her pain out. Skye's hands grip and my shirt and she moves closer to me as she cries.

Cal looks lost as he holds Jiaying's lifeless body in his arms.

I sit and marvel at Skye in my arms. I've waited so long to hold her like this. I wish it was under different circumstances but I'm happy she hasn't pushed me away.

"I searched for them all my life, Ward." She cries into me and I hold her tighter.

I can't even imagine the pain she's going through right now. Cal isn't the sanest person but he means well…even after all the death and destruction. Jiaying…well, I can't imagine what it must be like to have your mother manipulate you and then try to kill you.

And then there's me. A mole—a killer, falling in love with her. Skye deserves so much better. But I'm going to sit here and hold her for as long as she'll let me.

Eventually, the rest of the teams comes up. Coulson is bleeding heavily. He's missing his left hand and May is escorting him into our jet as fast as she can.

Skye looks up with all the commotion and moves out of my arms. I stand and help her up. I look at it as a good sign when she lets me pull her to her feet.

We all run onto the jet and May calls ahead for medical.

Everyone is mostly silent.

Cal left Jiaying's body and joins us on the jet. I'm guessing he doesn't want to miss any more time with Skye. But I see him looking at his wife's body up until the doors close and we can no longer see the deck.

Nobody talks in the way back to base. I realize Skye is sitting away from everyone and I make a move to go to her but Cal catches my arm. "Let her be for now."

But I don't listen because I can't just leave her there.

I stop when I'm right by her side but I don't sit. "Skye? Can I sit here?"

At first, I don't think she heard me but she finally looks up at me. She shakes her head. "What did I do, Ward?"

I stay quiet because I don't know what she's asking.

"Everyone who I've ever trusted has lied to me. Why?" She might be demanding but there's no power behind her words, just brokenness.

"Skye—"

"Miles." She gives an empty laugh. "You." She gives me a hard look. "My mom." A tear falls and she wipes it out of the way. "Coulson. You…again."

"I'm sorry, Skye." I'm lost at what to say. I've gone over in my head a million ways this conversation would go but I never thought of this one.

"I just want to be alone for now. Ok? I just—I just can't trust anything anybody says right now. Please—please leave me alone." She begs me.

"I promised I would never lie to you." I remind her.

"But you did." She's crying again as she looks up to me. "And I was stupid enough to believe you. You lied about what you were really doing by omitting the truth, Ward. You don't get a pass for that. You don't get to draw the line. A lie is a lie. Leave me alone."

I turn and take my original seat. I curse myself for not listening to Cal.

"Have you ever lied to Skye?" I ask Cal.

"I never hid who I was from her. I tried to change when I saw how much I scared her but I am who I am." He gives me a sad smile.

"She shouldn't be alone." I tell him. "You don't have to talk to her. Just sit with her."

He looks at me for a long time. I don't know what he's searching for and I don't know what he sees but after a moment, he gets up and sits with Skye.

She looks at him for a second but she doesn't tell him to go.

I look at her with a sad smile and turn my attention away.

The next couple of days pass in a blur. There's so many things going on. Bobbi made it out of surgery but has a couple more to go. The doctors haven't even started working on her leg yet. Hunter hasn't left her side.

Coulson has a surgery to deal with his hand. He puts Mack in charge of all the alien artifacts. He also has some of the Inhumans come to base to talk to them.

The guy we rescued, Lincoln, had talked to them before coming to meet Coulson. Word has it that he helped May out while on the ship. Apparently most Inhumans didn't know what Jiaying was up to.

Skye convinces Coulson to give them another chance because they aren't bad people. Coulson of course agrees. I think he does it more because Skye is talking to him again.

I think she might have forgave him for lying after she saw his hand and heard what happened. She thinks Coulson was the hero and her mother was the bad guy. I don't think she and Coulson are back to normal but it's a start.

I watch her from afar. I don't want to be the one to approach her. I want her to have time to think things through. If she wants to talk to me then it should be entirely up to her.

I take responsibility for calling Kara's family and letting them know she passed. I don't tell them what happened. I just tell them it was a mission gone bad. Kara's mother cries on the phone with me and thanks me for loving her daughter.

Kara had been in contact with her mother for months and had told her all about me. I feel awful but I ask Coulson if I can deliver her body to her family and he agrees.

I'm only gone for 3 days. Her mother arranged the funeral. I sit with her mom as Kara's laid to rest and I say my goodbyes.

When I make it back to base, May is gone. Fitz tells me that she requested time off. He's a little too chipper for what's been going on so I ask him about it. He informs me that he's going to ask Simmons to dinner and by the look on his face, I know it's meant as a date. Before I go, he tells me Coulson wants to see me.

As I walk the halls, I find out Cal is going through the Tahiti program. Skye and Coulson decided on it and I think that's best. I think I'll see him off, so I turn their way. He's leaving in a couple of minutes so I just made it back in time.

Skye is with him and I hesitate but he sees me and waves me forward.

"Grant Ward." He extends his hand and I shake it. "It was nice meeting you. Thank you for all of your help."

"See you around, Cal."

"Watch her for me, won't you?" He requests.

"Always." Although I don't know if she'll even give me the chance.

I leave them and head to find Coulson. He's talking to Andrew.

"Ward, come in." Coulson is looking over some plans.

"How are you, Grant?" Andrew asks, eyeing me for a tell.

"I'm ok I think." I look back to Coulson. "Sir, Fitz said to come find you."

"I have an assignment for you but I want to know how good your cover still is." Coulson sits and I take a seat next to Andrew.

"I want to move in on Gideon Malick. Do you think you're still safe to go undercover?"

I shrug. "I think the only people who know I switched are all dead." I answer honestly.

"I'll send Hunter to help you as soon as I can get him to leave Bobbi's side. Depending with how it goes with the Inhumans, I might send one to help you as well. I just want you to gather intel to begin with. If you have to move up ranks, do it."

I eye him. He knows very well how Agents move up the ranks at Hydra. "You sure?"

"We all trust you Ward. I want the whole body cut off this time. Nobody with power. We can't just cut the head this time around, we need to dispose of the body. Use your best judgement when you're undercover."

I nod. "Yes, Sir. I'll gather my things."

Andrew shakes my hand. "Don't forget to call."

I say goodbye to Fitz first and then go to Simmons. Although I have to look for her for a while. She's holed up in a room with that damn rock again.

I stop by and say goodbye to Hunter. Bobbi is asleep. He's forgiven me but I think that's mostly because Bobbi made it out of surgery. I hope we can get back to how our friendship used to be but it'll be a while.

I gather my things and head out. Skye is sitting in a chair near the exit. She probably hasn't moved since they took Cal.

I slow my walk but don't stop. I want to say goodbye but I know she's still not talking to me.

I stop and hold my breath when I hear her call out, "Going somewhere?"

I try to keep myself in control. I cannot lose it just because she's talking to me. I turn slowly, telling myself to memorize as much as I can of her because it'll be a while before I see her again.

"I've got do to some things for Coulson." Is all I answer.

"Are you coming back?" She's not giving anything away. She's got her May eyes on.

"Yea. Just gotta do some recon." I keep it light.

She gives me a small nod and a tight smile. "See you around."

"Yea…see you."

She turns to go and turns back. "Good luck out there."

I'm speechless as I walk out. I shed my skin and turn myself back into Hydra Ward. The skin feels itchy but I'm a master at deception. I can do this. I pull from my memory everything John ever taught me and I form a plan.

It only takes me a day or so to find a Hydra bar and some lackies. I remember Kebo well. I met him when I was younger. He always put me at ease but I know what kind of man he is. He's exactly what I need to start making trouble.

I start barking orders. He's the first to step up and challenge me. "I heard you worked with SHIELD not too far back. Want to explain?"

I give him my most bored look. I roll my eyes. "Not really. The Director caught me and my partner in a bad corner. Didn't give us much of a choice. I slipped out of his grasp as soon as I saw an opening. Any other questions?" I bark the last part, really losing patience with these men.

"Yea." Kebo challenges again. "Where's your partner?"

The jaw clenches and my hands ball into fists. "Dead." I look him straight in the eye.

"At who's hands?" He asks curious.

"SHIELD's." I answer. I'm not lying.

After a second, he asks, "What do you need?"

I ask me to find me men because I need a team around me. He nods and gestures for the men to follow him.

3rd PERSON POV

"Jemma is gone and Fitz is losing it!" Daisy argues with Coulson for the 3rd time that day.

"I'm aware Skye—"

"It's Daisy." She reminds him with irritation in her voice. "My name is Daisy."

"I'm sorry—Daisy." Coulson corrects himself. They're both in the hanger with Mack and Hunter. Daisy, Hunter and Mack had just come back from a mission. "What exactly are you arguing with me about this time?"

"This is no time to have us split up. Fitz is going insane trying to find Simmons. May is still gone. Bobbi isn't back to 100%. We need more bodies. Why is Ward still out there?" She points to nowhere in particular.

Mack gives Hunter the 'here we go again' look.

Hunter looks bored.

"We're arguing about Ward now?" Coulson tries not to smile.

"Don't." Daisy warns him. "This is not about me. He's been gone for 2 months, Coulson. Why isn't he here? We need bodies. All of you have gone on and on about how we can trust him. If you trust him then why isn't he here?"

"I have told you that he's on assignment." Coulson doesn't know that he should tell her that Ward is back undercover with Hydra.

Daisy narrows her eyes at him. She sees guilt in Coulson's eyes and her jaw drops. "You wouldn't—" She cuts herself off and turns to Hunter. "You."

Hunter looks dodgy. "What in the hell did I do?" His hands are up like he's been caught.

"Where do you go when you aren't out there with me looking for Inhumans?" Daisy steps closer to Hunter and searches his eyes. "You're helping him, aren't you? You're helping him because nobody knows you as SHIELD." Daisy turns from Hunter to Coulson.

"Sk—Daisy," Coulson catches himself from calling her the wrong name again, "listen, I—"

"He's back at Hydra?! Why? I thought they were all but finished." The three men take a step back from Daisy. She looks more hard core now that May is gone and she's comfortable with her powers.

Daisy didn't stop training because May was gone. She'd hit the gym twice, sometimes three times a day. SHIELD had lost May and Bobbi and they needed some muscle. Mack would count as the muscle only he hates hitting people.

"I don't know why I'm surprised. He's just a damn coward." Daisy curses under her breath. She turns to Coulson before she leaves the hanger, "It's about time you use him for something else other than under cover at Hydra. He won't be able to forgive himself if he keeps surrounding himself with those people. He's in a constant state of reminder of what he did to us. Pull him out, Coulson."

To that, Coulson could say nothing. He'd never looked at it from that point of view. He retreated to his office and called Andrew.

"So, how's it going with Ward?" Mack waited until both Coulson and Daisy to leave before he turned to Hunter.

"He's moving up. He's got a group of men working for him but Malick is holding back, not really acknowledging him. Ward calls me when Hydra needs someone to disappear. They don't know I'm bringing them to SHIELD to go into our witness protection. At least I get some action from time to time. I hate getting calls about these Inhumans and having those damn men in black getting to them first." Hunter responds as he gathers his bags. "I'm gonna go look in on Bob."

WARD's POV

"It's hard keeping up with your girl sometimes, mate. She has no patience for anyone unless they're bloody Inhuman." Hunter stalks in banging his bag around.

I look around to make sure nobody heard him. "Be more careful with the things you say around here." I remind him under my breath.

Hunter just rolls his eyes and throws himself on a chair. "Whatever you say, oh mighty Hydra Lord." He gives a salute and a sarcastic grin.

Only Hunter can give people sarcastic looks so spot on.

I snap my fingers and my men look up. I motion for them to exit the room.

When all the men had exited, I turn back to Hunter. "What did she do now?" I try to look bored, like it doesn't matter but I crave information. Coulson and I are strictly on emergency contact. The only information I get is now from Hunter.

"Nothing really. She gets annoyed when we don't get to an Inhuman in time. Have you found out who these people are? We keep coming up blank."

I shake my head. "They're not Hydra. They're not with any group my men could find. I think they're with the government. I'm still sending out moles. We should know something soon. How many Inhumans have you found?"

"Three." Hunter is digging dirt out of his nail and I look at him in disgust.

"How many has Andrew approved?"

"None. Which is another reason she's so moody. She had yet another argument with Coulson. Four months she's been arguing with him about you being here. Fitz is usually gone. Simmons has been gone for 4 months and he won't give up. You'd think Daisy would ease up now that May is back." I listen as Hunter rambles on about the going ons of SHIELD.

I'm grateful that May is back. I worry about Fitz with Jemma being gone. I've tried to dig up as much as I can on that damn rock but I've come up empty. I worry she might be dead.

I hear a big commotion outside and look up to Kebo barging into the room. Hunter is on his feet by my side.

"Sir, we have someone here. He made it past most of the guards. He's a known SHIELD agent. Says he's here to talk to you." Kebo gives me a hard look and drags a body through the door.

Dammit Fitz. What the hell are you doing here?!

Hunter curses under his breath behind me.

"Who's this?" Fitz points at Hunter.

Kebo punches Fitz in the gut. "We ask the questions."

I take a minute to look Fitz over. He's matured in the last four months. He doesn't look scrawny and more but doesn't seem to have gained any weight either. It's his clothes. The way he's carrying himself.

Fitz stands after he catches his breath. "What do you say I talk to your boss for a moment. Yea?" He turns to me.

"Fitz." I take a few steps towards him. I look to Kebo and the other men. "Was he alone?"

"Yes, Sir." Kebo pushes Fitz forward. "You want us to take care of him, Sir? Or do you want to have some fun first?"

"Check the perimeter. Make sure he is indeed alone." The men behind Kebo empty out but Kebo stays in place. I smile and turn back to Fitz. "I'm surprised you're here Fitz. What is SHIELD up to?"

"You think they'd send me in if they wanted you? I've been on my own for a while. I'm desperate and need some intel so I came to you." Fitz's working is careful and has some strength behind it. He's a man on a mission and won't be deterred.

"Me? Why me?" I chuckle and walk away. Hunter stands between us.

"Talk your guard dog off, will you? Does he bite?" Fitz points at Hunter and I want to laugh.

"I do more than bite." Hunter spits in what I can tell is fake anger.

"You owe me, Ward." Fitz throws out.

I look at Kebo and signal for him to leave. He nods and steps out.

As soon as the door is closed, Hunter drops his guard. "What the hell are you doing here Fitz? You about gave me a heart attack."

"I don't have time. Ward I need you to give me a case of splinter bombs." Fitz waves off Hunter's question.

I look from Fitz to Hunter. I'm missing something here. "Fitz what are you doing here? And why on earth would I give you splinter bombs?"

"Look I got a lead on what the Monolith is and the guy who I have to get the information from would take it as payment."

"Woah. Woah. I'm not giving you splinter bombs to put out there in the hands of some nut. Who is this guy and where? I can get my guys there and get the information for you." I look to Fitz and see if I'm reaching him.

I'm not. His mind is set. "I'm not about to give splinter bombs to some damn terrorist, Ward. I know what I'm doing. I wouldn't actually give them to him. I'm not an idiot."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and bring my hands together. "Fitz, just give me the information. It's too dangerous for you. I can get the intel and bring it back to you. Shouldn't you be on base?"

I see the tell in his eyes. Nobody knows he's here.

"Bloody hell, Fitz. Are you telling me nobody knows where you went? Do you have any back up?" Hunter looks as frustrated as I feel.

I shake my head.

"Bobbi started covering for me. OK? Are you happy? I just know this intel can lead me to Jemma. I have to try." Fitz explains.

"Where are you going?" I ask again.

"Morocco." He answers like it's no big deal.

"Morocco? Fitz." I feel like laughing.

Kebo barges in. "Nobody from SHIELD, boss. He came alone."

"Good." I step up and punch Fitz in the stomach. "Get off my base. Come back in two weeks. I should have what you need. But this is a trade. Bring me back something of worth. If I like it, you leave with what you want. Kebo, show him out."

"But—" Fitz starts to say over his shoulder.

"It's my only deal. You either take it or you leave in a body bag." I use my harshest tone.

"I'll be back in two weeks." Fitz doesn't hide the anger behind his words and Kebo finally gets him out the door.

I turn to Hunter. "Make sure he makes it out and none of these guys get any ideas."

Hunter shakes his head as he starts walking out. "What the bloody hell is he getting himself into?"

"I don't know but we're going to have to watch his back. I'm afraid if Coulson knows, Fitz will only get more desperate. I don't need you for now. Stay with Fitz back on base."

Hunter salutes on his way out and I just roll my eyes.

I send Hunter a message to tell Fitz to bring something that looks lethal but is on the safe side. Hydra has enough lethal weapons.

Two weeks later, Kebo is arguing with me about why we shouldn't be trading with Fitz.

"Just bring him in." I bark at him.

I make the exchange with Fitz once he shows me what he has. "After this, we're even. I don't owe you anything. If you come onto my base again, I'll make sure you regret it." I warn.

Fitz takes his splinter bombs and leaves.

"Kebo, send some men after him. He saved my life twice while in SHIELD. Make sure he doesn't die. Give him some backup."

Kebo looks confused and angry. "You want us to give SHIELD backup?"

"That's not SHIELD. That is a man who lost the woman that he loves. Now, I owe him for saving my life. After this is done, we're even. I have a debt to pay. I don't like being questioned. Make sure the men you send don't hurt him or I will kill them. Do I make myself clear?" I threaten.

Kebo's demeanor changes. He nods. "Yes, boss." He looks to some men and gestures for them to follow him. "Come on."

I take a deep breath, hoping I haven't made a big mistake. If Fitz doesn't want SHIELD to have his back then I'm going to do my damnedest to protect him.

Good luck, Fitz.