Chapter 26: No Place Like A Guarded Castle For Home
Notes- This is unbeta-ed any mistakes are my own. Feel free to point them out and I'll fix them ASAP.
I'm so sorry this has taken so long this last month has been from hell and I don't see it easing up anytime soon. I didn't want to make you wait any longer since I promised I'd get this up just after my birthday so if there are any mistakes I apologise again. I really enjoyed the banter in this chapter but i have to say May and Coulson at the end cracked me up. Is it weird that my own story cracks me up? Any way here it is finally. I hope you like it.
Grant's POV- Status: The Bus. Whereabouts: "On route to unknown location."
"Briefing in 5 minute." His eyes snapped open at the sound of Coulson's voice over the loud speaker. He noticed Tommy was awake as his brother sat up rubbing his eyes with a grumpy scowl on his face. He automatically tighten his hold on Skye as she grumbled unhappily, her brows furrowed in annoyance, feeling his arms tighten around her she settled down and went back to sleep.
He stretched as best he could with Skye still in his arms and got to his feet. "We better move. Coulson won't be happy if we're late." He told his brother, who still looked half asleep. "Come on, Tommy. You can have coffee after the briefing." He stretched a hand out to help his grumbling little brother up.
He walked into the briefing with Skye still asleep in his arms and Tommy lagging behind him yawning. He went ridged seeing who was on the screen in the briefing room. He was suddenly very aware that his hair was sticking up all over the place, his t-shirt was wrinkled and he was in his sweat pants from training last night. He wished he had thought to at least put a clean t-shirt on. He cleared his throat and tightened his hold on Skye.
Fury's POV
He looked up as Agent Ward entered the briefing room. One of the most buttoned up Agents in the history of S.H.I.E.L.D and he was clutching a blanket like it was some kind of life line.
What the hell is he doing with a blanket? Fury thought exasperated.
Then it clicked as he notices a little foot dangling out of the bottom of the bundle. The little rug rat must be in the bundle he realised. His eyes fell on the guy half obscured behind Ward, he didn't look much better then Ward did, obviously not a morning person this one.
"Nice of you to join us Agent Ward. How is Skye this morning? I assume it's her foot sticking out of that bundle of blankets you've decided to bring to briefing this morning and not that you've gone soft. Who's the kid?" His eyes flicked once again over to the newbie.
Grant's POV
He readjusted Skye feeling a bit self-conscious; he quickly tucked her little foot back under the blanket. "Skye's…" He trailed off, not sure how to categorise how Skye was into words that accurately described how she was doing. "This is…" He turned towards Tommy. "My little brother Thomas and over there…" He gestured to Gramsy, who was standing near Fitzsimmons. "Is my Grandmother Elizabeth. They were both extracted with Skye and myself." He stated, not sure what else to say or how much Fury already knew.
"I'm aware of the situation Agent Ward. Coulson has brought me up to speed." Fury informed him.
He nodded.
Coulson stepped forward. "HYDRA have discovered Elizabeth's house and now have prioritised Skye's value." He informed the room at large.
He knew it would happen but he still held Skye tighter like that would somehow keep her safe.
"They will try again. We've come up with a plan." Coulson gestured to himself and Fury on the screen. "Since we now know that the key to turning Skye back into her adult self lies with her facing her inner torments. Director Fury and I think it's better to put the team into a safe house so that we're not flying around aimlessly while trying to turn Skye back. This way we're safe from HYDRA and can take some down time to refocus." Coulson informed them all, glancing back at Fury on the screen, who nodded his confirmation.
He wasn't sure this was the best plan. "HYDRA's found us before in a safe house and we still don't know how they were able to find our location." He pointed out.
Coulson nodded. "That's true, but this time you're not the only one assessing the threats and potential risks while keeping Skye safe. We all have our parts to play in pulling this off. Fitzsimmons will be handling the 0-8-4. Agent May and I will assist you in guarding and keeping Skye safe. Elizabeth and Thomas can search for a new living arrangement, seeing as HYDRA blow there's up." He explained.
He still wasn't convinced this was the best course of action. While having the whole team there to watch his back while he kept Skye safe and helped her deal with her past was obviously a good thing. He still wasn't sure that being in one spot for any length of time was a good idea even with the back-up. "Sir, are we sure staying in one place for any length of time is safer than just staying on The Bus doing what we're doing?" He asked sceptically.
"We can't just fly around the world forever Ward. It's not practical and Skye's going to have to come to terms with her past sooner or later. We'd just prefer sooner and in a safe environment, a safe house provides this." Coulson explained, sounding exasperated.
"It might not be 'practical' but it's working." He pointed out, taking a calming breath. He was annoyed that Coulson refused to see his point. "Skye's dealing with this at her own pass. I'm just worried that if we take her off The Bus and into another place she's unfamiliar with and not convinced she's safe in, we'll be back to square one all over again." He explained, trying not to get irritated that they were thinking so practically, when what Skye needed was the assurance of safety and security to open up and deal with her past.
Coulson's POV
He was frustrated. He and Ward weren't seeing eye-to-eye on how best to keep Skye safe. "That's a valid point Ward but what do you suggest we do? We can't just keep flying around until Skye's ready to come to terms with her past as much as I'd love to give her all the time she needs, that's unfortunately not possible with HYDRA trying to use her as a bargaining chip." He said bitterly.
Ward wasn't the only one who had Skye's best interests at heart, he wanted the best for her too and sometimes doing what's best for her wasn't necessarily what she or Ward thought it was.
Grant's POV
He was trying his best not to lose his patients. He didn't like Coulson insinuating he didn't know what was best for Skye. He knew what she needs and he wasn't convinced sticking everyone in a safe house was it.
Skye needed to feel safe or she wasn't going to open up anymore and heal. "You wanna know what I suggest?" He asked irritation practically dripping of his words. "I suggest that we don't stick her in a place she doesn't know and feel safe. I know Skye and what she needs to open up and deal with her past is a place she feels at home and comfortable in. She's not going to do that in an unfamiliar environment with the team looking over her shoulder." He told them, pointedly. "I suggest we see if my beach house has been compromised and if it hasn't, we take her there. It's the closest thing to a home apart from The Bus that Skye has. She knows she's safe there so she'll open up more easily there rather than an environment she's totally unfamiliar with." He said, returning Coulson's glare.
"Fine, give the coordinates to Fitz and we'll see if it's been compromised before we discuss this any further." Coulson said coolly.
He picked up a pen and wrote down the coordinates on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to Fitz, trying not to jostle Skye too much in the process.
Fitz's POV
He didn't like the tension between Ward and Coulson as he worked on checking the locations security status. The silence was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
They both thought they knew what was best for Skye and that was the problem.
They just couldn't except each had valid points. "Um…the address is secure sir." He informed Coulson. He quickly glanced over to catch Ward's reaction; Ward only nodded his acknowledgment and looked down at Skye, tucking her blankets more securely around her little body.
Grant's POV
Coulson turned towards Director Fury on the screen. "It looks like we have a secure location. I'll send you through the coordinates."
"So it would seem Coulson. I'll leave you to sort out the details, keep me informed." Fury instructed, terminating the video link.
It didn't take long to sort out the details once they knew the location was secure. They were landing an hour away from location in two and a half hours and they'd drive from there taking Lola, the SUV and his motorcycle.
"A word in my office Agent Ward. Skye can stay here." Coulson informed him, heading for the door. His tone left no room for discussion.
"Yes sir." He said, turning to Tommy. "Can you take her for me?" Tommy held out his arms. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and hurried off to Coulson's office in the hope that he could get this over with before she woke up.
Fitz's POV
"How much trouble do you think Ward's in for arguing with Coulson in front of Director Fury about what's best for Skye?" He wondered out loud.
Gramsy, Thomas and Jemma all looked up at him.
Simmons looked thoughtful for a moment. "Coulson seemed calm when he left." She pointed out.
He watched Thomas start doing the jig Ward normally did as Skye started to fuss and squirm in her blankets. "It's when there quiet that you know you're in trouble and need to shut the hell up." Thomas told them, glancing knowingly at Gramsy.
Grant's POV
Coulson was already seated at his desk by the time he knocked on the door. "Sir?" Coulson lifted his head from his paperwork and gestured for him to come in and sit down. He took a seat and waited for Coulson to start.
"I think we need to talk about a few things Ward." Coulson informed him. "Like how you plan to find a man you don't know the name of, let alone if he's even still alive." Coulson inquired, looking at him curiously.
He wasn't sure what to say so he said the first thing that came to mind. "How'd you know I was going to look for him?" He asked curiously.
Coulson smiled at him. "You just told me. So how exactly do you expect to find this man without a name, age, date or address?" He inquired casually, shifting papers around on his desk into organised piles.
"I obviously need to gather more information because you're right so far I have nothing to go on. No name, Skye only calls him 'bad man.' It obviously happened then she was three because that's when the 0-8-4 turned her back too but I have no address, not that that's ever stopped me before." He said casually, stating the facts.
Coulson's POV
He nodded in agreement. He knew that such details were insignificant if Ward really wanted to find a person.
"I'll make a few calls and see what I can find out. Leave it with me." He said finding the file he was looking for; Skye's file, un-redacted.
Grant's POV
He wasn't sure whether that was meant to be a dismissal or not, so he just stayed for a moment processing this information.
"You're free to go Agent Ward." Coulson informed him, obviously surprised to find him still sitting here. "You're expecting me to chew you out for questioning me in the briefing room." Coulson stated.
He only nodded in confusion because by that statement he gathered Coulson had no intention of doing so.
"I'm not going to chew you out over questioning what's best for Skye, even if it annoys me. You had a point. We both just want what's best for her. We just go about it in different ways it seems."
His attention snapped towards the door as an unhappy crying filtered through, letting him know that Skye was awake and not happy to find him gone.
"You're dismissed." Coulson told him, gesturing towards the door.
He didn't need to be told twice, he exited the office at a brisk pace, fighting the urge to break into a full sprint until he got the end of the hall at least.
Coulson's POV
I wonder how far he got before he broke into a run. He mused.
On a whim he pulled up the security footage and started chuckling. "Only the end of the hall Ward, I didn't think it would take that long." He chuckled, switching the feed to the lounge. He watched Ward take Skye from a very grateful looking Thomas, who'd obviously been attempting to distract her with her Iron Man toy.
Skye seemed to calm as soon as she was back with Ward. She felt safest with Ward. He could see it on her face; she visibly relaxed upon seeing him walk into the room and was even calmer when he was holding her.
He observed the scene for a few more moments; his baby girl was going to be completely and utterly safe with Ward.
"You spying on Agent Ward again, Coulson?" May asked in a bored voice from where she leant against the door frame.
"I'm not spying." Coulson scoffed, offended by the accusation. "I'm keeping close watch on the actions Ward is taking to keep Skye safe and happy by private observation, secretly, without his knowledge." He told her, firmly.
"So you're spying." May stated.
"Ok, yeah, I'm spying. Close the door." He told her in a hushed whisper.
May's POV
She closed the door and walked around the desk to see what he was looking at. "Skye seems perfectly happy to me. What's the issue Coulson?" She asked, not seeing the problem. She didn't understand why he felt the need to check Ward was up to the task, he'd never fail yet.
"I'm just checking." He told her, defensively.
"Stop worrying, Skye couldn't be in better hands. Agent Ward's committed." She told him. She couldn't believe she was even having to say this.
Coulson only nodded and kept watching as Ward sat down with Skye on the couch. He was still in his sweat pants and the wrinkled t-shirt from yesterday's workout. If that wasn't commitment, she didn't know what was.
"COULSON!" May yelled, dragging his attention back to her. "Ward never goes anywhere dressed like that. He slept on the couch and had a meeting with the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D looking like an undercover fitness trainer who didn't get enough sleep." She exclaimed, incredulously. "The man's committed to Skye so give the spying a rest, you've got nothing to worry about. Ward's number one priority is obviously Skye's safety and happiness because his hygiene and punctuality are clearly taking a backseat." She told him, exasperated.
She'd never tell him she'd been doing her own checking to make sure though.
Coulson smiled. "I suppose your right. The Agent Grant Ward we knew before Skye wouldn't have been caught dead attending a meeting with Director Fury in clothes he'd slept on the couch in from yesterday's workout." He conceded. "He really is committed to our baby girl isn't he?" He asked in wonder.
She sighed, "Yes Coulson, that's what I've been telling you this whole time." She said, turning off the security feed as Coulson's eyes became unfocused while he pondered this revelation. She shook her head and headed for the cockpit, they'd be arriving in a few hours and he needed to be ready, they all did.