Skye had only one proposition; no one attacked the Inhumans during their rescue mission. As annoying and hypocritical as that sounded, Jewel and the others agreed as Skye broke them free. So the group stayed close to the wall as Skye checked behind every corner, thankfully the fight was away from them and made a clear path towards the holding cells. The new SHIELD wasn't big on tactics considering how all of them were unarmed but stupid enough to go along and fight anyways. Jewel didn't mind too much after that, at least they are getting an easy escape.
"Tell Coulson that this is goodbye" Skye whispered, "I appreciate all that he's done for me but I can take care of myself now"
"Skye… if it was because of me" Simmons started.
"I don't want to talk about that either" Skye glanced behind her to the British woman, "Just know that I am happier now that I found my biological mother"
Jewel glanced at Hunter who gave a big shrug before he said, "As long as you're happy, mate. We'll send your regards to Coulson but he might not take no for an answer"
"I know" Skye smiled, "I'll try to explain everything to him while we escape"
"We escape?" Jewel asked.
"Only to get you a good safe distance" Skye answered, "If what you say about this new SHIELD is true, then no use on releasing you into the wild just to be brought back to the pound again"
Hunter gave a side nod as they ran to the restricted access where Jewel's heart started to swell, remembering that this was the same room where Grant was originally held captive. Skye unlocked the door as she always disarmed the cell from the top of the stairs. Coulson and Grant wasted no time in running up the stairs to join the others. Grant walked past Skye and wrapped his arms tightly around Jewel as she took in his scent and kissed his shoulder.
"I thought that was it," Grant confessed in her ear.
"Skye" Coulson breathed out, "How-"
"We don't have that much time" Skye cut him off, "Let's get you guys out of here"
"Wait" Coulson said, "Bring me to your leader, maybe there's a chance that we can clear this misunderstanding"
"With all due respect, but the others already told me that you're not longer in charge of SHIELD" Skye answered, "This doesn't concern you anymore"
The escape route was all too familiar to Jewel as they used the same path as she did almost a year ago. She was almost surprised that after her escape they didn't board up the door but there it was, still escapable under the very noses of everyone else. Once they got the bright flash of light blinding their eyes, Jewel breathed out and gave a low chuckle as everyone looked around.
"Okay, where to?"
"Bette's Oceanview Diner?"
"Not funny, Grant" Jewel narrowed her eyes.
"At least that's a direction" Coulson waved at them, "Let's go"
"I'm just making sure you guys get a safe distance away from here" Skye trotted next to them, "Then I'm going to go back"
"Skye! Please, let us explain everything" Coulson said, "I need-"
"I forgive you, Coulson," Skye said, "Honestly, I really do. You've helped me so much and I don't know what I'd do without you. You helped me look for my mom and we found her and I am so beyond happy now. Please stop searching and know that I am okay"
"But-"
Gordon appeared out of nowhere and wrapped his arms around Skye, "How very touching"
"Skye!" Coulson screamed out.
But Jewel didn't move an inch as Coulson tried to tackle the pair to the ground but Gordon teleported away before he could do that. The once Director of SHIELD fell down to the gravel, looking pitiful and pathetic.
Grant sighed as he knelt down to help him up, "Come on, Coulson, let's go"
"No! He took Skye" Coulson sat up, "We have to go back and save her"
"Phil, listen to me very carefully" Grant said, "She doesn't want to be saved"
"No, you're wrong" Coulson shook his head, "She wanted to help us get a safe distance away, maybe that was code for something. Maybe she was going to tell us something and this Gordon took her away before she had time"
"She didn't look like she was under any kind of threat" Grant objected, "I saw her body language, she embraced him before he teleported away, Coulson, I'm telling you as a father… let Skye go"
Coulson looked up to Grant as he leveled his eyes to him in a warm and empathetic way, something he hadn't seen in those eyes in a long time, he finally accepted the help to stand up from Ward.
"H- How did you know that I thought of her as a daughter?" Coulson asked.
"Because I have a daughter," Grant explained, "And I would do everyone in God's world and beyond to get her back into my arms like the way you did with Skye but we also have to admit to ourselves that they are their own people. If she is sure of her path, then she will take it. All you have to know is that she's safe and knows you will help her if she needs it. But right now, she doesn't… it's time to let go"
"You're right," Coulson sighed, "She doesn't need me anymore. She found her place in the world"
Grant nodded, "She did a good thing by helping us escape, let's not push our luck by going back"
"Thank you, Ward" Coulson said, "I- I never thought you would be this much of a help to us"
Grant nodded, "Anytime, boss"
Coulson nodded as Grant patted him on the back before Coulson turned back around and led everyone away from the secret facility. Jewel hung back with Grant as she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. She turned and looked at everyone walking away in defeat of everything; losing their friend and their organization. They didn't know what it was like to completely lose what they thought made them complete. The couple then slowly followed the team, where to, they had no idea.
"That was nice what you did there" Jewel looked up to him, "Being vulnerable to Coulson"
"I understood why he was doing it" Ward sighed, "It's why I joined in the first place. As much as Skye was like a little sister to me, she was like a daughter to him"
"Do you think she felt the same way?"
"Of course" Ward said, "Why else would she have tried so hard to help us escape"
"What do you think will happen to SHIELD?" Jewel asked, "And the Inhumans?"
Grant glanced over his shoulders, expecting the fight to bleed onto the street but no, it was just an empty block of warehouses. He didn't feel the least bit of sadness for anyone that was left behind nor did he even care about what was going on down there. If it were up to him, he'd hoped they slaughtered each other and let that be that with SHIELD. But even with the organization gone, his bad record was all over the world anyways.
"I don't know, baby" Ward looked towards the group, "Let's hope they're both as peaceful as they say they are"
"We should start figuring out a place to lay low for a while" Coulson spoke up, "Just to make sure they don't try to join forces and cut our heads off"
"Would they really do that?" Hunter asked, "I'm started to regret choosing you to be my new boss"
"I know" Coulson said, "I'm sorry to everyone about what I've been putting you guys through, I know it wasn't fair, nor was it the outcome you guys wanted"
"So does that mean the missions are over?" Fitz asked.
Coulson shrugged, "I guess so… which probably means we should go our separate ways to be safe"
"No!" Simmons shouted, "We can't separate! We've been through so much together"
Simmons looked around desperately to everyone in the group but they refused to look her in the eye. They've all been agents for sometime now and knew when it was safe to stick together or better to stay apart. Still, seeing the British scientists looking around with panic and sadness on her face ripped Jewel's heart to shreds.
"We have an apartment close by. We might be cramped but at least we'll be together" Jewel spoke up, "You can use that for a month to help you guys get yourself on your feet… or avoid being seen"
Coulson nodded, "Thank you"
"You like in a mansion in Italy" Hunter said, "A house and an apartment? How many places do you guys have?"
"We inherited places from our S.O.'s" Ward said, "And had some for ourselves"
"Bloody hell" Hunter sighed, "Well, that's good for us, I guess. Lead the way!"