Episode 15: Yes Men
Part Two


Inside The Bus, Sif punched the wall of the holding cell angrily. She circled around glaring at Coulson.
"Lorelei's treachery remains unchanged, no matter the world."
"We'll find them," Coulson promised. "Ever agent in the area is out looking."
Sif frowned, "To what end, hmm? The collar…" She slammed it onto the table. "… has been broken! Short of death, we have no means to end her enchantment."

Coulson picked the collar up off the table, looking at it.
"Let me worry about that," Coulson said. He headed toward the doors. "Stay here and try not to punch a hole in my airplane." He walked out of the holding cell, leaving Sif alone.


Skye sat on her bed in the medical pod, her laptop opened in front of her. Sara was sitting beside her, her fingers fidgeting with a piece of shiny metal. Fitz-Simmons were sitting on two chairs with Coulson bringing them up to date.
"So, Ward's like what?" Skye asked. "Like, a pod person?"
"No," Sara answered, shaking her head. "According to Sif, the men Lorelei controls don't forget who they are or what they know." Coulson nodded, "She just becomes the embodiment of all their desires."

Fitz scoffed and Sara sent a scolding look in his direction. He flushed, wringing his hands.
"Well, she looks nothing like you, Sara. So, uh, well…"
"So… once we find them, we can break her mojo or whatever and get Ward back, right?" Skye asked, shooting a look at Fitz.
"Yes," Coulson said. "Once the collar's back on Lorelei's neck, the enchantment ends, but that's the problem. The collar caught a shotgun blast back in the desert."

Coulson handed the collar to Fitz.
"You think you can fit it?" Fitz took the collar, holding it for a few moments before passing it to Sara.
"Well… the metal, the weight, it's similar to the Berserker staff."
"But it presents with its own set of countless unknown variables," Sara reminded him.
Coulson shrugged, "Got a couple of hours."
"Yeah," Fitz said. He stood, took the collar from Sara, and exited the pod.

Skye looked up at Coulson, holding out her hand, waiting to be told what to do.
"What can I do?" she asked. "And don't you dare say nothing or tell me to sit down here and count ceiling tiles while Ward is missing."
"Ward's got drop boxes and storage lockers all over the world."
Sara nodded, "They're filled with currency, weapons, I.D.s."
"He's gonna use aliases, cash, anything to keep Lorelei off the radar," Coulson said. "You're the best radar we have. Sara will help you. Find them." Sara pulled a notebook out of her bag as Simmons followed Coulson.

She stopped him, closing the door of the pod.
"Sir, may I have a moment?" He paused, waiting for her. "It's about the G.H.-325."
"Have you found something?" Coulson asked.
"No. I've hit a wall because of my limited resources. The drug's chemical properties are foreign to me, which is startling in its own right." "We've been over this," Coulson told her.
"So, I'm requesting, once again, to send a sample of Skye's blood to H.Q. for further study."
"That is not an option."

Coulson started to turn away.
"Why?" Simmons asked. He turned, looking at her with a bit of surprise. "I don't need to explain to you the benefits of this drug. You've experienced them firsthand."
"No. That's an order." He started to walk away again.
"That's not a good enough reason!" she snapped.

The shock of her insubordination was written on his face when he turned around, but she did not back down. She strolled right up to him, her eyes stern.
"I have a duty to you, sir, as my commanding officer. But I also have a duty as a S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist to pursue this, to save lives! Given Ward's recent situation we should –"
"Two men laid down their lives in a compound rigged with explosives to keep this drug hidden." Coulson's voice was firm. "We still don't know why. Until we do, until we speak with Fury, and get some answers, that drug and its mysteries stay in house. Focus on the mission. Lorelei has Ward, and we have no idea where she's taking him."


Lorelei looked around Las Vegas, very, very pleased. Ward led her into Caesar's Palace. Statues greeted them as they walked in. She gave them a small, pleased smile before looking up at Ward.
"I'm fortunate to have found you," she said. "You are quite resourceful."
"Just well trained," Ward told her.
"No. You are worlds apart from those men in the desert."

She stopped walking, turning to face him.
"I'm not an idiot," Ward said. "I know you value me no more than those bikers back there. The truth is… I don't care."
"Because of what you feel?" Lorelei asked.
"I've felt something before, for someone on my team. It seems foolish now. I would die for you. Any man would."
"But I don't want them," Lorelei said. "I want you. You're stronger… A real man with the rage of a Berserker inside." Lorelei put her hand on Ward's shoulder. "You will present me with an army." He nodded dreamily in return. "And I will give you a gift in return."

Ward shoved the door opened; their breathing heavy. She kissed him as they pushed clothing off of each other. Lorelei pushed him against the wall and his face showed a bit of confusion over how strong the push was. She jumped up, wrapping her legs around him, pressing her lips against his. He turned them both, setting her down on the bed, never breaking the kiss.


Lorelei stood at the window; a sheet wrapped around her body. Ward lounged on the bed, listening to her speak.
"When I first arrived here, I thought earth left…" She laughed lightly. "… much to be desired. But from here, it's quite beautiful. I've spent the last 600 years locked away in a dark, cold cell…"

Ward got off the bed, walking over to her.
"My throat shackled… my voice silenced." He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Torture."
"You never have to go back there," he promised.
"But Sif is on the hunt."

She turned, looking up at him.
"She will not rest. She will not stop. And I will not know peace."
"So, we take her out of the equation. Eliminate the threat," Ward suggested.
"The graves of Asgard's enemies are littered with men who underestimated Sif," Lorelei told him. "Do not make the same mistake. You do not know her."
"No. I don't." Ward walked away. "But the people she's working with now…" He picked up his handgun. "I know them." He cocked the gun.


Inside the holding cell, Sif sat, sharpening her weapon as May entered. May looked at the sword with a smile.
"May I?" May asked. She gestured to Sif's sword. Sif looked up at her then held out the weapon out with a nod. May took hold of it, testing its weight, then began to spin it about, smiling again.
"You have experience with swords," Sif said.
"Yes," May nodded.

She looked down at the sword, admiring it for a moment more then handed it back to Sif.
"But I prefer to use my hands."
"Admirable. But be warned, Lorelei is quite skilled at combat." She twisted her sword around a few times then hit a button and one of the blades shot back into the handle, taking it just one blade now. "Then why co-op men?" May asked. "Why have them fight for her?"

Sif sheathed her sword as May sat on the bunk. She sat on the table.
"Well… I believe it gives her a thrill… especially if the man is already taken. And, besides, even the best warrior needs an army to conquer an empire. So her pattern remains. She attached herself to the strongest warrior she can find and then unleashes a swath of blood and destruction."

May sighed, "The man she's with, Ward, he's as lethal as any. One of our best."
"I see," Sif said. She looked at May. "I've been where Sara is. A man I cared for, under her spell, so enchanted, forsook his family, his friends, me... Steel yourself to do what might be necessary. Agent Ward is no longer the man she loves. He will not hesitate to kill either of you."

May gave her a small smile.
"Ward won't kill us."
"Do not let your feelings cloud your judgement." May stood, still smiling.
"I'm not. He might try to kill us." Her smile dropped. "But he won't." Sif grinned at that as Coulson appeared in the doorway.
"Security camera just caught sight of them. If Lorelei wants an army of wealthy, pliable men, I think she just hit the jackpot."


Sif kicked the door to the hotel room down. She entered, followed by May and SWAT S.H.I.E.L.D. soldiers. They went about, checking the room only to find it empty.
"Clear!" a woman shouted.
"Clear!" Another said.
"Back room's secure," a woman called.
"Bathroom's clear!" a fourth shouted.
"Kitchen's clear!" the first said. "Sweep complete."
"She's gone," Sif said as Coulson walked into the room.
"Turn this suite upside down," Coulson ordered.
"Yes sir."

May stood in the entrance to the bedroom, her eyes glancing at the unmade bed. Coulson walked over to her, looked inside, then looked at her.
"This is the reason I didn't let Sara come," he said. May nodded, pulling out her cellphone. She hit a button and put it to her ear.
"Fitz, there are cameras everywhere in this town. Track them."


Coulson, May, and Sif walked into the cargo hold, where Fitz was waiting.
"No sign of them on any surveillance around the city," Fitz said.
"It was a long shot," Coulson shrugged. "Ward knows how we work, knows to avoid cameras."
"Well, I expanded my search, got satellite support running," Fitz said. "We'll find them. I do have a bit of good news. I fixed Lorelei's neck collar."
"Let me inspect it to be sure," Sif said. "Asgardian metal is much different from the ore of this planet."
"Sure," Fitz shrugged. "But I think you'll find it's up to snuff. It's in your room."

He started away and she followed. They entered the holding cell, and she could see the collar sitting on the bed.
"Asgardian metal is so dense, just had to find the right tools, really. But you'll see, not a scratch on it, because yes…" Sif hurried past him. "I am that good." She held it up, turning it this way and that, then scoffed.
"Well done. You really are quite clever…"

Without being noticed, Fitz slipped out, shutting the door behind her. She turned quickly, drawing her sword. Sif went to the door, twisting the knob. It didn't turn. She pounded on the door then turned towards her bed. She stabbed it with her sword in angry then threw herself back at the door.

Coulson glanced at May.
"You and Ward have the same training. You're cut from the same cloth. If it was you, where would you run to?" They paused as they heard Sif pounding on the door of her room.
"If I was Ward, I wouldn't run," May answered. The pounding continued and it sounded like the plane was powering up. "I'd take out my main threat."


Inside Skye's medical pod, Simmons and Skye stared up at the ceiling as the pounding started. They stared at it with confusion.
"We're taking off. Why are we taking off?" Simmons asked.
"What is that pounding?" Skye asked.
"I'll go and investigate," Simmons said.

Simmons sat the tablet down on Skye's bed and went to the door.
"You –"
"Stay put, I know," Skye finished. Simmons tried the door to find it locked. She turned and looked at Skye with surprise.
"Someone locked us in."


Coulson moved through The Bus. He kept his voice at a whisper, speaking quietly.
"Fitz?" Coulson asked.
"Sir." He turned in the direction of Fitz' voice and walked toward him.
"Ward and Lorelei are on The Bus. Where's the collar and Sif?" Fitz pointed at the door behind him.
"In there. That's why I'm standing guard. Would not want Sif to get out and hurt Lorelei."
"Ah. Of course, we wouldn't."

Fitz smiled and nodded.
"And Lorelei wants me to go to the basement, keep an eye on the girls downstairs." Fitz nodded in understanding. "Already locked in. Cannot have them mucking up Lorelei's plan." They both laughed.
"She's the best, isn't she, sir?"
"Yep. She's something else." Fitz laughed, agreeing with him. Coulson turned away from Fitz and dropped his smile, hurrying to find the girls.


May ran through The Bus, stopping when she reached the Command Center. She caught sight of Sara, crouched down. Sara looked up, sighing in relief when she saw May.
"Come on," May said. Sara got out of her hiding spot, following May to the cockpit. They slowed as they saw Lorelei standing at the door.
"Aren't you the brave ones?" Lorelei asked.
"You took our plane," Sara said.
"We want it back," May added.

They took fighting stances as Lorelei sauntered closer.
"Well… we can't always get what we want. Actually… I can." May prepared to throw a punch, but Lorelei hit her first, knocking her a good distance away. She groaned in pain when she fit the floor as Lorelei chuckled. Sara swung, her fist colliding with Lorelei's shoulder.


Inside the cockpit, Ward scrolled through some choices on a screen and tapped one labeled "cage" and tapped it. Down in the holding cell, Sif was pounding on the door, trying to get out. Her eyes went wide when she heard something. She looked up and saw the roof retracting. She looked over to the bed and saw the collar moving. She managed to grab it before it was sucked out of the plane. She fought to keep herself in the plane, but eventually she was sucked out.


Sara hissed as she landed on her side, feeling her stitches reopening. May was beside her and she grunted in pain, wiping at blood from her mouth. She let out a deep grunt and started to stand. Sara followed her lead, forcing herself to block out the pain from her gunshot wounds.

Ward appeared behind Lorelei.
"I will retrieve Sif's sword," Lorelei told him. "It will look better in my hand." Ward came to a stop beside her, holding a pistol.
"Ward, you don't want to do this," May said.
"This was the plan," Ward said. "Cross off Sif, take the plane, eliminate anyone in our way."

Sara stood up a bit taller as Ward pulled up his gun, aiming it at her.
"Get out of her way," Ward said.
"It's her plan, not yours," Sara said calmly. "Fight it, Ward. I know you. You're a fighter." Lorelei smiled softly.
"Is this her? The beautiful woman who you loved?" Sara's calm expression didn't waver as Lorelei gripped at Ward's neck, kissing him. "His heart now beats in concert with mine and mine alone."
"Oh?" Sara asked.
"He really did love you," Lorelei said, sauntering closer to her. "Too bad he's with me now."

Ward looked a bit nervous as Lorelei walked away. He pulled the gun up higher, aiming at May as the two women just stared at him. The calm look on Sara's face disappeared into one of indifference. Right now, was a moment of kill or be killed. It didn't matter if the man standing in front of her was her fiancée. Right now, he was dangerous and needed to be taken out.


Inside the pod, Skye was at her laptop, working away. Coulson came to the door and tried the handle to find it locked. He looked beyond the door and saw a piece of pipe wedging the door shut. He moved the pipe and opened the door. He entered the room, passing Simmons as he did so.
"Where's Simmons?" Coulson asked Skye. Simmons swung a fire extinguisher at Coulson's head. He sensed it coming and stopped the blow before it landed. He roughly threw it out of her hands.
"Oh!" she exclaimed.
"What the hell are you doing?"

Simmons stared at him.
"Sir, are you… you?"
"Of course, I am! Fitz has Sif trapped in a cage. We need to unlock the door and get her out." He looked from Skye to Simmons confused at their faces.
"What?"
"Coulson, they opened the airlock," Skye told him. She turned her laptop towards him. "She's gone."

Coulson looked down at the laptop and saw the camera feed from the holding cell. All he could see was the bed with Sif's sword stuck in it.
"Are you kidding?" he asked. "She's Asgardian. Sif's still out there. Unlock it. Let her in." He handed the laptop back to Skye then looked at Simmons.
"You come with me. I need your help." Simmons led the way out of the pod as Skye tapped on the keys.


Fitz was leaning against a wall, reading something as Lorelei walked up. He stood at attention for her.
"Anything else I can do to be of service?" Fitz asked. She ignored him, opening the door to the holding cell.
"Okay. Good, good. I'll be right here."

Lorelei stared at Sif's sword and put her hand on the hilt. She pulled it from the bed and looked at the weapon with a small smile The door behind her was roughly shut and she turned to see Sif standing there. Lorelei lifted the blade in a defensive position then smiled at Sif.
"Leave me in peace. Return to Asgard."
"While you remain here?" Sif asked. "I think not."

Lorelei looked at her with a frown.
"Here I will no longer pose a threat to Asgard. Can you not let me bed? Find some small mercy within your heart."
"My heart has no place in this. I have orders to bring you back." Lorelei scoffed and rolled her eyes. "All these years and you're still the same Sif, doing as your told, heeling at the feet of those who command you… never to get what you desire. Not Haldorr, not… Thor…" She scoffed again. "The man who considers you more a pet than woman."

The words got under Sif's skin, and she spoke through nearly gritted teeth.
"Hand me my sword, Lorelei."
"See, that's the difference between you and me. I don't take orders." Lorelei changed the grip on her sword and hit the button to make the second blade appear.

The fight was a short one as Sif stopped a swing of the sword and lightning flashed between her cuffs and the sword. It broke into two pieces. Sif had one in her hand and Lorelei had the other. Sif looked down at her hand in surprise.


Outside, Fitz worked on the door controls, trying to bypass the breach.
"Stay strong for me, baby girl. You stay strong," he said. Simmons appeared at the end of the hallway. When he looked up, a look of surprise came upon her face.
"Simmons," Fitz said. He quickly got to her feet, giving chase. "Hey, you're not supposed to be up here."


Ward still had the gun pointed at May's face and both women were still in their fighting positions.
"Ward, I think we may have a big problem!" Fitz called. Ward's eyes cast to the side as he took in Fitz' words. May used that moment to take the gun from his hands and Sara punched him in the face. Ward raced forward, grabbing May. He rammed her head into the wall a few times then reached for his gun. Sara grabbed a nearby book and smashed it against Ward's face.

Fitz hurried down the spiral staircase that was outside the lab.
"You'd better get back here, Simmons!" he called. "You cannot be running about, okay? Lorelei does not want –"
"Fitz," Coulson said. The young agent instantly turned around.
"Sir?" Coulson punched Fitz in the face knocking him out. Simmons sighed as he fell to the floor.
"Poor thing! He's always getting knocked out, isn't he?"


May got the upper hand on Ward and slammed Ward's head against the wall. She aimed the gun at him as he got up, but he rammed into her, knocking them both flat. The gun fell out of May's hand when Ward hit her. His hand got to it first, but Sara kicked it away. She went to kick him, but he caught her leg, knocking her flat on her back.


Sif got hold of Lorelei's arm and bent it. They heard a tearing sound as Lorelei grunted. Sif delivered a big kick to her gut, pushing her against the wall then pointed her sword at Lorelei's throat. Lorelei kicked it away. Sif grabbed her and threw her to the ground, pointing the sword at her throat again.


Ward caught sight of the gun on the floor and dived for it. He started to get up from the floor and Sara barreled into him, sending them both through the glass dividing wall, shattering it. They landed on their backs and Ward pointed the gun at Sara's face. He grabbed at her quickly, pulling her knife from her waistband. He held it to her throat as he moved the gun to point at May.


Sif held Lorelei to the ground with the point of her sword.
"Kill me," Lorelei begged. "I'd rather die than go back to that place." While she was speaking, Sif got down on her knee next to her.
"You will not get off that easy."
"Why? It's what you want. I can see it in your eyes." Sif's eyes cast down and Lorelei sat up a bit with tears on her cheeks.
"Or would you rather hear about how the man you loved followed me around like a dog… hear of his touch, his kiss, the look in his eyes when I –"

Lorelei's words were cut off when Sif put the collar around her neck. There was a whirring noise from the collar, and it stretched up to cover Lorelei's mouth. Sif looked around expectantly.
"You were saying?"


Sara tried her best not to gasp as Ward pressed the knife deeper into her neck. He still had the gun pointed at May.
"Sorry about this." He pulled the trigger, but it didn't fire. Sara lifted her arm, showing the clip. She tossed it to May. May caught it, glaring at Ward. She started forward, but Ward's words stopped her.
"Woah, woah, woah. Wait, wait." He tossed the knife away, staring in down at Sara, his eyes wide. He dropped the gun. "Sara. I'm sorry."

He got up, holding both his hand above his head.
"It's me." Sif and the confined Lorelei appeared behind him.
"Okay? I'm back." May stared at him as Sara leaned back, eyes closing from exhaustion.
"He speaks the truth," Sif said. Ward dropped his hands and gave May a small smile. She answered with a punch to his face.
"Good to know."


Sif stood in the cargo hold with Lorelei standing restrained behind her.
"My apologies. The damage caused to your flying boat was unfortunate," Sif said.
"It's seen worse," May told her. "I assure you; Lorelei will be punished severely for the crimes against your people."
"It must've been hard for you…" Coulson said. "… after everything she's done, to move past it, to let it go." Sif smiled and scoffed.
"Odin ordered her back alive. As one of his warriors, I bow to his will."
"Regardless of what it cost you?" Coulson asked.
"Much like your S.H.I.E.L.D., we are bound by our code."

Clasping a fist over her heart, Sif looked at them both.
"I am honored to have fought by your side." She nodded and they returned the nod. She gathered up Lorelei and walked her off The Bus.

May glanced at Coulson as the two Asguardians walked away.
"I'll run diagnostics; see how much damage we're dealing with." She turned and started away. He turned to look at her.
"Is Sara okay?"
"I think so…"
"Not what I mean. You should talk to her, help her hash it out."
"And you should take your own advice," May said. "You've been sitting on something since the Guest House." He sighed but said nothing. May reached out and rubbed on his arms.
"If not with me, then with Sara. And if not her, Skye. She deserves to know what you saw down there." She gave him a concerned look before walking away.


Sara's fist banged on the table as Simmons pulled another glass shard out from her side.
"Sorry."
"You have glass pieces inside a gun wound," Simmons said softly.
"It's gonna hurt." Sara squeezed her eyes shut with a tight breath as Simmons pulled a tiny piece out.
"How much more?"
"Three more pieces and then I've got to re-stich it… Ready?"

Sara was shaking by the time the last piece came out.
"Time to stich!" Simmons said, her voice cheerful.
"I can do it," Ward said from the doorway. Sara's eyes darkened and Simmons slowly stepped back.
"Okay. I'm gonna go check on Fitz."

Ward stepped forward, taking the needle from Simmons.
"You ready?" She didn't answer and he sighed.
"Sara…"
"I don't blame you," she said. "But it hurt, Ward. It really, really, hurt." He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I know. Right in the back of my mind, I knew that I was… you know."
"I know you did." Leaning forward, he placed a tender kiss on her lips. She took a breath, eyes catching sight of the needle. "Okay," she said, bracing herself. "I'm ready."


Fitz sat stood beside Simmons and Skye as Simmons talked.
"I'm not saying you were weak," Simmons told him. "I'm saying all men are weak." He touched his eyes tenderly. Coulson appeared in the doorway, and they all turned to look at him.
"Sir," Fitz said. "I understand why you had to punch me. I forgive you."
"Can I get a moment alone with Skye, please?" Coulson asked.
"Yeah," Fitz nodded.

Fitz-Simmons left the pod as Coulson entered. He closed the door behind himself. He turned to Skye who as patiently waiting.
"I know that face," she said. "And something gives me the feeling I should be sitting down for this." Coulson sighed heavily.
"I've been looking for a way to tell you this, looking around for some answers, something to help… explain…"

Coulson sighed again, having difficulty putting everything into words.
"But I don't have any. So…" Skye looked at him with worry, but he continued. "The drug, the one that saved us both – when we found it, I discovered something else. Its source. It was… alien." Skye's eyebrows drew up in shock.
"A-alien. As in… unfamiliar?"
Coulson shook his head, "No."

Skye nodded her head in even more shock and looked at him with large eyes.
"Wow."
"The minute I learned what it was, I tried to keep them from injecting you with it, but I was too late. I'm so sorry, Skye." She shook her head.
"You were trying to save my life. You did save my life."
"I was desperate to, and so I subjected you to unknown ramifications or side effects."
"I'm sorry to say this, sir, but… so what?"

Coulson's face turned shocked.
"We are alive. And you've had that stuff in you for… uh, sometime now, and you're okay, right? Plus, you're not sprouting a pointy tail or anything, so bonus there."
"I know nothing fazes you, but this should faze you. We are completely in the dark on this."
"That's where I live," Skye shrugged. "I'm an 0-8-4. Who knows what the hell that means? At least we're in the dark together."

The hard expression on Coulson's face softened a bit.
"Yes. But not for long. To hell with any protocols or any code I used to be bound by. We have a long list of questions that we need answers for, and we're going to go after them ourselves."
"Well, if the team's up for it –"
"No. No, listen to me." He moved in closer to her. "I trust them, but we need to protect them from this. Fury went to dangerous lengths to keep this under wraps – lied to me, lied to S.H.I.E.L.D. This is a powerful secret, a secret that men died for. Until we know why, we can't share this with anyone, for their safety and ours."

Skye started slowly nodding her head, then she nodded more vigorously as she realized he was right.
"Got it. So, what'll be, A.C.? What do we go after first?"
"The person responsible for this," Coulson answered. He pointed at her abdomen where she was shot, and he nodded.
"And we make him pay."

Up in the cockpit, May listened to a speaker as Coulson spoke with Skye.
"No. No, listen to me. I trust them, but we need to protect them from this. Fury went to dangerous lengths to keep this under wraps – lied to me, lied to S.H.I.E.L.D. This is a powerful secret, a secret that men died for. Until we know why, we can't share this with anyone, for their safety and ours." She hit a button, turning a knob. There was a clicking noise and a panel moved. She picked up a phone and ran her thumb over a sort of lock.
"Encrypted line secure," a female voice said.
"Agent Melinda May. Update log 93. He knows. I repeat… Coulson knows."


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