Skye finds him in the lounge, reading which was to be expected really. So she flops down on the couch next to him, hooking her chin over his shoulder.

"Victory in combat is like sex with a prostitute," Skye reads aloud, nose wrinkling. "Oh my God, Ward, are you reading porn? Granted, very weird – what is that war porn? Really, if you wanted to read porn, I could recommend you tons of non-war unless that's a weird kink you're into?"

"It is not porn."

"I beg to differ." Skye says, flipping to a different page. "He lay before God as a woman opens herself to a man, with legs apart, stomach exposed, arms open."

"Matterhorn. And those are metaphors." Ward says as he closes the book, placing it on the table. "One of the books my SO assigned."

"Ugh, Garrett needs to give you less weird and depressing stuff to read. You can read Hunger Games!"

"Yes because sending 24 kids into an arena to fight to the death and only one emerges victorious is plenty cheerful."

"Twilight?"

Ward turns to face her, expression incredulous. "I'd rather have Simmons scrape my brains out with a dull, rusted spoon without anaesthesia and perform a root canal whilst she's at it."

"Funny you should mention Jemma, I was talking to Fitzsimmons and we –"

"No."

"What? Ward, you don't even know what I was going to say."

"I don't care if Halloween is coming soon, I am not dressing up."

"Okay, you did know what I was going to say. But the fact that you did just makes it perfect and it is totally a sign that this was meant to be!"

"I am too old for that."

"You're not exactly Old Man River."

"Still a no, Skye."

"Will you at least hear the idea? Because it's pretty amazing."

Ward sighs, crossing his arms across his chest. "Talk."

"Well don't you look adorable?" Simmons comments.

Ward doesn't bother to respond, keeping his eyes and attention on the news article. He will not talk about it, it's happened and that was that. Skye had this way with words, capable of turning even the stupidest ideas into ones that would make Ward feel like he was missing out if he didn't at least attempt it once in his life.

He knows he can't avoid Simmons for long, can practically feel the beaming smile burning a hole through his head. So he decides to take the focus off himself. "Who are you today?"

xxx

"Why, Agent Ward, surely you must know."

Of course he does. And it didn't surprise him that this was what she'd gone with. "Where's your assistant, Ms Holmes?"

(It was either this or one of the Doctors.) Fitzsimmons were predictable that way.

"On his way. Which one are you?"

"Maybe you should check up on him? Those bowties can be tricky."

"Excellent point. Be right back!"

"Good morning people. And a Happy Halloween!" Skye announces with an exaggerated bow. "Oh my God, Jem, I love your costume."

"And I love yours." Jemma says before lowering her voice, "How did you convince him?"

"I have my ways."

"I'll say. Have you seen Fitz?"

"Nope. But I did hear him cursing it up in his room just now." Skye takes the opportunity to occupy the stool next to Ward's.

"Don't say anything." He warns.

"Thank you for not saying no."

"Count this as your Christmas present."

"Let me take a picture of this! For documentation purposes. It's not every day we get to see Ward dressed as –"

Fitz announces his arrival with a loud snort which transpired into a series of laughs that have him leaning against the counter. "Oh my God, Ward –" he wheezes, clutching his chest.

"About time, Dr. – Fitz!" Simmons trills.

He looks up and their mouths drop open, collectively yelling, "You're Holmes! You were supposed to be Watson!"

"We agreed on Holmes and Watson." Jemma argued.

"Yes, but I always pictured you as Watson."

Jemma makes a noise of indignation. "You have to change."

"No. You change."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Skye asks, poking Ward's arm.

"That I should have stopped this from happening because it was to be expected but I didn't because I knew this would happen and it's more hilarious than expected."

"No. But I am thinking that now."

Coulson doesn't even bat an eye when they turn up in the Command Centre, launching straight into their briefing. May is the first to leave though not without eyeing Ward from head to toe and Skye swears she saw her lips twitch.

"Hold up, where are you going?" She grabs the back of his shirt.

"To change." Ward says in a tone that says it should be obvious.

"Nuh uh. We agreed on costumes all day."

"Skye! I can't go into the field dressed like this!"

"It's just the welcome wagon. Plus its Halloween, everyone else will be in costume anyways."

"Sir, tell her she's being ridiculous. And that as an agent, I have to be in dressed in proper attire, to reflect SHIELD."

"Grant has a point." Ward's about to gloat when Coulson continues, "But we don't have time. It's an urgent matter. Just throw on a jacket. If things go well, you won't even have to leave the car."

"Dad –" Coulson gives him that 'look'. "Fine."

Skye's face was on the verge of splitting with how wide her smile was. Her hand digs through the pockets, pulling out a bright blue cap; she stands on her toes, hand outstretched as she places it on his head. She produces an identical one for herself, slipping her ponytail through the hole in the back.

"Now are you thinking what I'm thinking, B1?"

Ward groans, "It's mission time."

"Yes!" Skye fistpumps. "Fitz, did you get that?"

Fitz gives her a thumbs up.

(There was a 75% chance he was going to have to flash his badge in blue and white striped pyjamas.)