Chapter 25

She felt completely drained, adrenaline no longer aiding her. Her body didn't want to move, everything ached with exhaustion. Her eyes hurt without her even trying to open them. Everything just wanted to shut down and put her back to sleep. The pain of her body was nothing compared to the feelings of her heart though. The unknown making her feel alone and empty inside.

What had happened to him? Was her hydra spy still alive? Was he still in Vault D? What had happened when she blacked out? Did Coulson do something to him? Please God, Thor, whoever was listening, please have him be alive.

She heard what sounded like a moan, realizing only seconds later the noise had come from her. Her muscles refused to obey her. Her eyelids too heavy to pull back. She felt hung over, or like she'd just come down from an intense sugar high. If only she could tell someone to put some sugar in her bloodstream, then maybe she'd feel better.

She couldn't hear anyone in the room though, and now that she thought about it, she wasn't sure her voice box was up for talking. How long had she been sleeping? How purple had the bruises, she knew littered her throat, become?

Once again, her thoughts went to the man responsible for those marks. How was he? She wanted to see him, no scratch that, she wanted to touch him. Have him hold her in his arms and assure her that everything was okay.

'Hey. We are gonna be okay.'

Her hands twitched at the thought, the tendons screaming in protest. She couldn't wait any longer, she had to know that he was alive and well. See it with her own two eyes.

Protests rang all throughout her body as she tensed her back, trying to raise her head at the same time, while opening her eyes. A very stupid thing to do, in her opinion, and probably Simmons' if she saw. Light blinded her gaze, making her head drop back. Her vocal cords burned from the quiet yelp she made upon impact, silently demanding what she had been thinking.

She didn't think much on how bad an idea it had been though, when a voice called out her name. It sounded surprised and possibly a little weary, but she would know it anywhere. He was there, somewhere. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, goosebumps running over her skin, without her consent. This was Ward, not Hive, why was her body reacting this way.

Her lips parted to respond, only a small gasp managing to come out, as she once again attempted to lift her stubborn eyelids. She just had to see him, the real him. Then she would relax, when she could see his beautiful brown eyes, untouched by the inhuman's greed. Was it too much to ask to see him?

"Daisy."

She heard his voice again, stronger this time, but this time she wasn't even a little relieved by it. Her body shuddered at the tone. Ward did not know Daisy. He knew Skye. How did he know what to call her? Dread filled her now cold veins.

Had she failed? Had that alien parasite in the monolith chamber been an allusion to her oxygen deprived mind? She felt tears well up inside her at the very thought of such things. That was not her Ward then, it must be Hive, and if he was in the room, that must mean he'd once again taken her from S.H.I.E.L.D.

She wanted to scream, how could this have happened? He'd called her Skye, his hands had loosened! He'd called her Skye. Hive wouldn't have made that mistake again. There was nothing wrong here, everything was fine. He was here, with her, not dead or controlled. Coulson must have told him while she was out. She was freaking out over nothing.

Her lips wanted to tug up into a smile, but her body refused, still weary of the man's presence. Open your eyes, dammit. Open your eyes! He's waiting for you, Grant Ward is waiting for you! Not Hive, it's safe! Don't keep him waiting! She screamed at herself, breathing a sigh as her muscles released. If this torture was because of some drug Simmons had given her, she'd never forgive the biochemist.

"Daisy?" He didn't sound any closer, she wondered why? Why wouldn't he come hold her hand, let her know he was there? Then she noticed it, under the caution, there it was. Displeasure, disgust, he wasn't happy to be there, he wasn't happy to see her, not like she would be if she could open her eyes. Ouch.

She tried to say his name, but her voice cracked before she'd even reached the vowel. Her eyelids finally fluttered, showing the blinding white of what she knew to be the ceiling of an inhuman containment room. Her room must be collecting dust and cobwebs. The field agent struggled to turn her head, trying to find the specialist in the room.

'Where are you?'

"So you are awake."

His voice brought her vision to the wall in front of her. She hissed at the pain that coursed through her neck, at the gesture, pushing it aside so she could focus on him. He wasn't in the room, a little part of her relaxed upon discovering he was just on the monitor, that's why he wasn't closer.

Her body grimaced as she tried to prop herself up. He was watching her carefully, and she wondered who had talked Coulson into putting up a video chat between their cells. Not that she was complaining, it was good to see him, the real him. She'd kiss the person that thought of it, it took a lot off her mind seeing him there.

'Aren't you a sight for sore eye.'

She watched as he seemed to relax his shoulders a little, sitting down on the end of his bed. Had he

been laying down before she woke up? There were a million questions she wanted to ask him, and she hated not being able to voice even the most simple one.

'Hey, what's up?'

They sat there in silence, watching each other watch the other. One having so many words yet being unable to speak them. The other having no words he wanted to voice. Her skin prickled at the way his eyes watched her, searching for something, she wasn't sure what. But his gaze didn't let up, not for a moment. He must have looked her over ten times before he settled on her eyes, locking their gaze.

She wanted to look away, her body screaming for her to, before she's put under his spell again. This isn't Hive though, she reasoned. This is Ward. He didn't do that, can't do that. It would be up to her to give him that power.

She'd been right, she hadn't gotten better at reading people, Hive had just been bad at hiding his emotions. Ward was like a brick wall, she couldn't even figure out what he was feeling, aside from what his voice had revealed. She hated being right.

Daisy pushed herself backward, propping her back against the wall. He was easier to see from this position, even if it made her a little dizzy. He hadn't moved, if anything he'd become a statue again, sitting there watching her. It was very distracting, how could anyone think with someone looking at them so intensely?

Though if he wasn't going to talk, maybe she could force out a few syllables? She almost nodded to herself, but didn't. She could at least try to talk to him, even if he may not want to talk to her. With that in mind, she tried to clear her throat.

"There's a water bottle on your nightstand."

Always the observant one, knowing exactly what she needed before she knew it. Just as he said, the water was waiting for her. She did her best to give him a thankful smile. She wanted to thank him, but the words got caught in her throat. Forcing her to choke on the cough that followed.

"Just drink it."

And she did, the cool liquid felt amazing, she hadn't realized her throat was so dry until he'd pointed it out. She barely suppressed her moan at how good that made her esophagus feel.

"..Thanks..."

He just gave a slight nod, and it was about that time she actually looked at herself. Well tried to, pale arms, her hair was probably a disaster, but at least she wasn't in one of those ridiculous hospital gowns. Nope, just one of her long sleeve shirts and some sweat pants.

'I must look terrible.'

His lips quirked a little, as though he knew what she was thinking about. Then again, she probably wasn't that hard to read, especially when she was too tired to mask her emotions. She must be an open book to him.

'Hiding what I'm thinking and feeling, it doesn't come as easy for me as it does for you.'

She pursed her lips, just sitting here and staring at each other was a little weird, and really really awkward. Didn't he feel how tense it was? She certainly did, so he must too.

"Are you okay?" She felt stupid the moment she'd asked. Of course he wasn't okay, he was being held prisoner in his enemy's base. Sure he was free of Hive's control, but now he was back in S.H.I.E.L.D. Custody, exactly where he didn't want to be.

"I should be asking you that."

That definitely wasn't the response she was expecting. Though she didn't mind it at all, it was better than silently being glared at, and he didn't look angry or annoyed anymore. That was a good thing, right? She hoped so.

"I'm.. Good. Water helps.." She raised the bottle, only realizing after how dumb that must sound. Gosh someone duck tape her mouth. That was even worse than asking if he was okay! Just keep your mouth shut and stop making a fool of yourself.

His lips quivered and, if she didn't know any better, she'd think he was resisting a smile. Maybe even a chuckle from the way his shoulders shook. Well at least she could amuse him, that was the only good thing about this failure of a conversation.

"Sorry.. This is not how I planned... I meant to-..." She grimaced, staring down at her hands. "This is a disaster..."

"Could be worse." She looked up to find Ward watching with amusement as she struggled to form a proper sentence. When had that happened?

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That's all for now! So did you like it? Did you hate it? Please favorite follow and/or review! I'd love to know flames or love, reviews feed my inspiration!

Also am I the only one feeling Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D withdrawals? I seriously can not wait till season three comes to Netflix next week! If I can't have new episodes at least let me binge on those!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed! I don't own anything except Caleb!

I should be back again soon, if not with this fic then my other one. But hopefully I'll be able to update this one again before next weekend? So till then..

Tootles!