Previously: Skye and Lincoln had managed to escape into the woods, but Lincoln got caught in a trap. Skye decided the best plan of action was to wait for someone to come try and take them back, stealing their coms to contact the team.

Two-ish Weeks Ago

Skye didn't know who was going to come to gather up herself and Lincoln for the return. But whoever the lucky winner of the job was had certainly been taking their sweet old time.

A good few hours had passed since Skye had dutifully took place behind the cover of a tree. Lincoln sat in pain a few meters away. They were making him wait to just suffer through it, most likely aware of his predicament.

Lincoln tried a couple half-hearted shocks to get the trap off, but after even his super-boosted power didn't work on Skye's cuffs, he didn't have much hope. After his attempts he noted his powers to be extremely doused anyhow, the metal inhibiting him somehow.

Meanwhile, Skye just poked some leaves with a stick just to watch them bounce back and forth. It reminded her of how, at the beginning of her training, she was trying very hard to shadow her SO. To observe and study everything like he did. Once when trying to appear involved, she'd poked the specimen with a stick.

God, Ward had probably laughed his ass off to Garrett about his hapless rookie.

Something Skye tried to keep out of her mind because she really just couldn't puzzle it out, was Ward. Why had he tried to rescue them at the fights? Even after hurting Bobbi, losing Kara, taking out SHIELD teams purposefully since then, did he really just want to win Brownie points with her?

Well, she certainly didn't expect him to show up and rescue her from here.

Hell, Skye wasn't even sure where 'here' was. A jungle, a rainforest… maybe. Even if she was right, the exact location wasn't exactly a short list.

She needed a phone. A weapon first, perhaps, to keep them in line while she used said phone. Them, being a gracious word. Could be one guy. Could be a thousand. Could be dogs coming to herd them back, or robots.

She really hoped it wasn't dogs or robots. That would kind of ruin her plan, considering she didn't know how to use a robot to make calls and dogs were generally technology deficient.

A quiet rustling had Skye's ears perked, her head training to listen. Sounds of boots on the forest floor hurried forward. She focused on her keeping her heartbeat even as she compartmentalized.

"What the hell…" she heard Lincoln mutter in bewilderment. "You?"

The rustling stopped. "Well, look what we have here. I figured it wouldn't take very long for one of you to run into the traps."

Skye's heart nearly stopped beating.

It was Kane.

Why was he there? She thought one of the few good things about being… sold had been that they were rid of that psycho.

"So…" Kane started conversationally. "I'm honestly curious, what was going through your itty bitty brains when you attempted to escape?"

"We didn't attempt," Lincoln huffed. "We succeeded."

Kane made a small noise lace with amusement, and Skye just knew he was grinning. "No, you didn't. You've never left our radar. The museum owns this entire area, and if you had been anywhere near a border the sensors would have picked it up. Not that you could have gotten there without a few more days… and dear boy, I do think you'd be dead by then."

Skye heard more rustling, maybe Lincoln being pulled from the ground since he then grunted. There were other people with Kane. Skye didn't know why he was here in the first place, but clearly he didn't like being absent of his lackeys at any time.

She needed to make a move, soon.

"Are you going to take me back to your fights?" asked Lincoln.

Kane hesitated. "Your little stunt assured there will not be any fights, for the time being. We have to recollect our specimen," he said, grumbling. "Meanwhile, I've been forced to work for this godforsaken museum. Which isn't horrific, I suppose, given that-" He stopped.

Skye heard a sound she knew overly well as a SHIELD agent: a fist hitting flesh.

And the sound appallingly becoming increasingly familiar, a pained moan from Lincoln.

"You clever animal!" Kane chirped happily. "Got me chatting when I should be the one asking questions. Speaking of which… where is your little girlfriend?"

Skye tried to not allow the fact that the lowlife had just hit her chained up friend compromise her, remaining silent.

"She's not my girlfriend, no matter what you people want," Lincoln spat. "But I'm sure Skye is long gone by now."

"While I'm sure she isn't." Kane snapped his fingers. "And I am a betting man."

Skye heard the footsteps again as the guards began their search. With a lucky start, they were clearly heading in her direction.

Better give them something to find, she thought.

Skye hopped out into only one guard's view as the man turned, delivering a quick jab to the throat to immediately keep him quiet. Another to the groin and he was on the ground; would be howling if she hadn't taken his voice.

She threw balled fists at his face until he was out and reached for his gun. Curiously, a feather stuck out from the barrel of such… a tranquilizer, she promptly realized.

After grabbing the practically harmless gun she searched the man for a mobile or walkie or- yes, a cell phone!

Skye punched in Coulson's number in a flash.

In the back of her mind, Skye registered Kane saying something about the other guard getting off Lincoln's cuff so they could transport the Inhuman back. With scary realization, Skye noted that she wasn't really sure whether that entailed detaching it from the forest or from the man.

"Ian," Kane called out. "Why don't I hear searching?"

Skye threw the phone as far as possible.

It only seemed logical. She had no idea where she was. The only way it would be of any use was if they traced the technology, and at that point she hadn't connected so much as to hear any ringing.

"Sounds like he's way out there," said another guard, gesturing towards the phone's landing plot.

"Hmm."

"Ah!" Lincoln gasped in pain.

"Contain the bleeding," Kane ordered. "I want him able to stand for the guests."

"So you are in charge here," Lincoln guessed presumptively.

"More like manager," Kane said without thinking. "And no more questions! If you know what's good for you…"

Skye continued to wait behind her tree. If anything, Coulson would look into the odd call. Even if he didn't hear Lincoln's voice. Even if he didn't hear anything. Please Coulson, you have to try to trace it...

"There you are!"

The uppercut had hit her nose so quickly that Skye didn't have an ounce of time to react. The guard's words had in actuality been said after she'd been punched. It was just that somehow she'd registered the sentence before the hurt had set in.

As she stumbled, another guard yanked her arms behind her back. The cuffs melded together instantly and she was once again stuck.

Skye closed her eyes in pain. Shit, shit, shit.

At least she'd gotten the phone, and took out a guard…

One of the men hauled her out to where Kane sat holding a cloth to Lincoln. Her friend had a dart sticking out of his shoulder, which explained why he hadn't tried to warn her when the guards had gotten too close. The sight of him bleeding and unconscious had her rage building, but she was forced to fight to stifle it.

"Well, aren't you... menacing," Kane said lazily, looking over her with disdain. She wished she could fix the ripped outfit now draping over her body, leaving her more exposed than she'd ever care to be in his presence. She felt his eyes roaming, aware his mocking stemmed from her compromised image. "You could have at least attempted to make this difficult."

Skye hated that they had her again. But it was working. Her plan was working. SHIELD could find out where they were. This outcome was honestly the best she could have hoped for. Calling for help was their only option within these miles of wilderness.

That didn't mean she had to like being captured over and over.

Skye stood tall, letting her malice shine through. "When you rig the game, it's not actually all that fun to play," she countered.

"That's probably true." He grinned. "For you. Take her back," he instructed, waving his hand as though shooing a pesky wasp.

Skye was shoved, the sensation stirring memories of the last time she'd encountered these people. Unfortunately, other than Lincoln in the past day, the frequent pushes and beatings were the last remnants of human contact she'd had at all, and therefore her freshest memories of such.

Kane ordered a guard to bring Lincoln as well. Skye swiveled her head, expecting to see them lift Lincoln onto their shoulders or something. Why she'd presumed they'd treat their prisoner with an ounce of decency, Skye didn't know.

They began dragging him through the dirt; through the branches and bushes.

"Hey!" Skye bucked in the guard's grip. "Hey! You can't do that! I thought we-"

"Were artifacts of the museum?" Kane guessed. "That we don't want you hurt? Just in case you've forgotten your own anatomy, here's a reminder: you heal. If anything, a few bruises will remind him not to try this stunt again."

"He didn't do anything wrong!" Skye growled, thrashing heatedly. Snarling. The guard moved forwards so his body was pushed against her back as he gripped her cuffed hands tight. A solid wall.

Skye head-butted backwards.

Ok, ow.

It didn't matter that her head felt like it was split open because the move had distracted the guard long enough for her to run towards Lincoln. Kane was in front of them, but he didn't even attempt to get in the way of her rampage.

Coward.

Skye's hands were still cuffed and people were shouting at her to stand down, but she faced the man holding Lincoln head on. Right up until he promptly dropped her friend like a heap of dirty laundry.

That only fueled Skye's anger and she barreled forwards.

He held his hands out to catch her so she ducked, pivoting behind him. She flung a firm kick to his back and he stumbled forward. As he lost his footing, Skye jutted out her chest and thrust her body firmly onto him, sending the man flying to the ground.

"Idiots!" Kane shrieked. There was a glimmer of fear in his eyes, but the nervous orbs soon trailed down to her cuffs. The reassurance of her restriction allowed him to hide his anxiety once again.

Skye stood over Lincoln protectively. Like he was her cub and she was one pissed off lioness, her entire being daring anyone to come near them.

Unfortunately, they did dare. And more than one of them against a handless Skye was beyond enough to take her down.

One easily grabbed her and though she tried to kick, another stepped up and sent a jab to her abdomen that was so forceful she doubled over immediately. Then he did it again. She fell to her knees next to Lincoln.

Skye bit her lip, her eyes closing as she braced herself against the pain and disappointment. Mainly the latter, since she was becoming more and more accustomed to frequent physical suffering. She had to remind herself that her friends could come. Would come. That there was hope.

But the luxury of a warm hope was far off when you were lying beaten and cold on damp and unforgiving ground, reminded once again to be nothing more than a subdued prisoner.

Kane walked towards them until his booming form loomed over her. "And what, pray tell, was that meant to accomplish?"

Skye didn't respond. Mainly because she had nothing to say, but honestly, it was likely she had been talking too much throughout this whole experience. Snapping harsh remarks at them when the smart thing had been to stay quiet. That's what being a SHIELD agent had taught her.

But she wasn't a SHIELD agent here. She was just a gifted they were trying to exploit. And she'd wanted to defend herself. Defend her entire species, damn it!

Kane's hand wrapped harshly around her throat, forcing Skye onto her feet even as her body wanted to lean over, still yearning to guard her aching stomach.

"Nothing but rabid dogs," he commented, appraising her lightly. Squeezing her neck, but holding her far enough away where Skye couldn't head-butt or kick him easily. Though even as he choked her, he wasn't trying to kill her. Oh no. Only scare her, only trying to get her to cower like an abused creature terrified of her tormenter.

In that moment, the moment she realized that his power of them was directly linked to their obedience to the man, Skye made a decision.

She was done.

With everything. She was done being shocked, dressed, prodded, violated and ordered around for whatever scraps of comfort these people permitted her, only to be hurt again after following so many of their ridiculous orders.

She was done being a circus freak. A breeding mule, a doll. A field trip exhibit or an indentured servant.

She. Was. Done.

Skye jammed her teeth down on Kane's hand as hard as she could muster. Her canine's sank instantly deep passed his skin. The man let go of her immediately, like she was suddenly as hot as embers.

But she didn't.

She bit until he bled, until he screamed, until Skye had to be forced off of him by the guards. But still she held on, snarling in pure anger and animalistic rage that had manifested from copious amounts of isolation and fear, that had been begging to be released for months. Skye might have even found herself relishing in the iron taste beginning to coat her mouth in warmth.

She spat some of liquid back at the man before being hauled away too far. He screeched in horror at his bleeding fingers, clutching at his hand and desperately trying to wrap it in his shirt.

His face held more anger than she'd ever seen, an impressive feat considering he was a maniac, as he stepped forwards and backhanded her. Call it adrenaline or pure overdue fulfillment, but the hard hit had barely felt like a tap to her numb being. The attack had mainly served to cause Skye to question if the blood on her face was only his or now mingled with her own.

"Bitch!" he spat.

"You wanted a dog," she bit out quietly. Dangerously. "I just gave you what you asked for."

A guard huffed a laugh. He immediately regretted it by the way his eyes bulged with timidity, as Kane rounded on him with flame lit fury in his eyes. "And what the hell about this do you find funny?"

The guard backed down, wisely, but Kane seemed to require an answer. "You, uh, called her a bitch. Which is a dog…"

"And I want you to shoot her like one!" Kane hollered. He ripped a gun out of his belt and shoved it into the guard's hands, forcibly curling the man's fingers around the body of the weapon. Skye couldn't help but recoil in sudden fright at the scene; she hadn't realized how far over the edge she'd pushed him.

The man looked lost as he held the weapon. "But… she's not yours anymore. That boss guy would be angry…"

"Like I give a damn!"Kane yelled. "Point the gun between the tramp's eyes and pull the trigger!"

The guard didn't look like he was chomping at the bit to do it, but he also didn't seem to have that "oh god no please don't make me murder someone face." More like he didn't want to go along with what the big kids were playing because he knew they'd get in trouble with the teacher.

When Skye realized there was no one there to aid her, to debate this, she couldn't help but bolt. Her flight response had kicked in over fight, more than likely because fight had failed her one too many times. Her body was hurt and slow as she fumbled quickly, guards latching onto either side of her arms to keep her still as she was once again ordered to her knees. The bulky man stepped up to her and placed the barrel between the agent's eyes, resting just barely on the bridge of her nose.

Skye couldn't bring herself to shed a tear or look into her executioner's eyes. She was as dead inside as she knew her body was going to be in just a few moments, her gaze only fit for the broken branches of an idle forest floor.

It was her own fault anyway. If she'd just laid back, done what they'd said… not so much as annoyed Kane or CAMI as frequently as she had, she'd be around to help Lincoln get out of this.

Because there was still hope, for him. Lincoln would be alone when he woke up but he didn't have to be alone for long. Forever.

In fact, maybe she was getting the better end of the deal. It was going to be over in an instant, for her.

The solace in that was enlightening.

"What the hell?" Kane demanded, his face jerking into her own and distracting the weapon-toting guard. "Are you smiling?"

Skye hadn't even realized as much until he'd said the words, but she had been. The immense relief had upturned her mouth.

"Why the hell are you smiling? You have a gun directed at you!" He looked around helplessly. "I'm about to kill you!"

At that point, she nearly laughed. But there was still that gun in her face.

She didn't look at him, opting to stare ahead into dead space as she thought over her response. It was a simple one. The first that came to mind in fact.

"Because I'm done," she said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Kane blinked, only for a moment to process her words before he smirked. "Right you are, girl…" he said, taking the gun from the guard and putting it back into place before her.

Skye closed her eyes.

She didn't wince or cower, she just closed them. She was ready and accepting.

Maybe this was how to be a good agent. Taking death on with your head held high. It certainly felt… right.

She quietly waited for the loud shot to bring an absence to her everything, but it never came. Instead she heard a rattling. A frustrated insistent shaking.

"I can't do this!" Kane suddenly called in what surely sounded like irritation, and Skye's eyes opened with alert at the noise. "She's too damn happy about being killed."

Ok, happy was probably too strong a word… but she was currently glad to be giving off that impression.

He shoved her face down into the dirt, took her by the hair and shook. "You're going to die, girl! Do you hear me?"

She turned her head to the side almost lazily, huffing out a tired breath. "Do it, then," she muttered.

He was unmoving for a moment. Then a growl erupted from the man's throat as he released her, opting to stomp around and moan and shriek like a child on a tantrum. Skye stayed down, afraid any sudden movements would spur him into shooting her.

Because… was she allowing herself to think… that she could get out of this? Allowing hope in for herself once again?

A moment later she almost regretted that she had.

Kane stilled. Perfectly quiet and unmoving, suddenly. Terrifyingly. His face blank, until slowly, slowly, his mouth curved into a sadistic smile. Icy blue eyes stared into her own with an expression fit for no less than a demon.

Skye had never been so scared of the man, and he'd had a gun to her head moments earlier.

"No…" the man pondered, drawing out the word as his mouth twitched without trying. "I have a much better idea," he said, and turned on her with crazed eyes. The blood pouring down the arm absent of a weapon made the scene all the more chilling. "I don't have to kill you, not when there's so many ways to torment you, to hurt you… here."

He pressed an open palm to her heart with a gentle touch. Skye didn't let the fear meet her eyes, she made sure it was only a glare. Just as she'd been with Whitehall when she had been a SHIELD agent. When she had been strong.

She might have faltered. Might have given into these people. But she had been strong once again as she faced death moments earlier, and from then on she would not let them take her down without a fight.

Well, most of the time. People coming up from behind shouldn't get to count.

Because Skye's head was bludgeoned out of the blue, which had hurt pretty bad.

And she was definitely down.

Author's Notes: Lots of Skye inner thoughts... hope it's not too boring. We need to get them out of there dang it, what's this recaptured nonsense!

Thank you for reviews :D Glad you're sticking with me through all this darkness. Oh, and thank you guest! Always nice to hear from the binge readers :)