"She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the Universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings."

― Ariana Dancu

Grant huffed, his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his index finger tapping rapidly while his face held his irritation on display for all to see. Every couple of minutes he would release a sigh of disapproval. He thought Skye would eventually notice his aggravation, but she was completely oblivious - or she was ignoring him. Ward wasn't too sure which.

Skye was playing some game on her phone - the animated noises were obnoxiously loud - with her feet propped up on the dash. Ward had to clench his jaw to keep from snapping at her to turn the sound down and to sit right. They were on a mission - which was a lot faster than Ward was expecting considering Skye was more a prisoner than a teammate - but regardless, he had to remain professional. He wasn't about to let some cocky, civilian girl knock him off his game. He had been trained to deal with far worse.

"How much longer?" Skye asked, her eyes remained glued to her phone.

"You just asked that like 5 minutes ago," Ward snapped in return.

"And I will probably ask again in 5 minutes."

"Why do you have to be so irritating?" Ward hadn't meant to actually ask the question out loud, but it was too late now. Skye smirked at him.

"Because I am enjoying how much it's bothering you. You're so wound up."

"I am not!"

"Oh please! Your knuckles are white from how tightly you're gripping that steering wheel!" So she did notice, she choose to ignore it. How considerate. Instead of replying, Ward remained silent. His eyes focused on the road - possibly a little too hard - but they were only a few minutes out from their destination.

They were heading to Branson, Missouri - a relatively small town with a population of about 11,000 people. Word had quickly spread around of a freak incident involving a man being shot with a bullet but the gun that the bullet emerged from hadn't been fired. Forensics were baffled by the phenomenon. Bullets only required a little more than half a pound of pressure on the primer to fire. To be able to insert a full bullet into someone without it firing would require something that didn't really exist to the town- superpowers.

Sure, everyone in the town knew about the Battle of New York, but seeing something on the news was vastly different than living in a town with someone with powers. Needless to say, everyone was a little freaked out. Skye and Ward were supposed to do recon - mostly Skye though. She was going to hack the security feeds around the area and see what she could find out. Ward was there as muscle. Skye would find the bad guy, Ward would handle him, and Coulson was standing by for questioning.

Coulson was convinced that the person who "fired" the bullet had powers of some sort. Ward and Skye would either confirm or deny this and the team would act. That meant that Ward was going to have to tolerate Skye for a couple of hours and she was not making it easy. She was only quiet for a very short - and in Ward's opinion - blissful moments before she began to speak again.

"So, what's the plan? Kick names and take ass?" She snorted at her own joke and if Ward hadn't been so annoyed, he would have thought it was cute. He ignored her question and instead opted to thinkalmost there, just a few more minutes over and over again.

"Someone was murdered. His name was Marcu Peretti" Ward eventually stated. He knew that if he didn't answer her, she'd just ask again. "But the bullet wasn't fired from a gun. Chances are that it was a powered person that S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't know about. Your job is to tap into the camera feed at the store where this happened. I'll park down the street from the store - is that close enough for you to access the cameras?"

"Should be,"

"Then I'll look over the feed and see if anything is off."

"And the date and time I will be looking for?"

"April 14 at 3:33 p.m. and back. That's when the call to 911 came in. It's possible the owners know the person responsible because the tapes are missing and they claim they didn't see anything. In addition to that, the person shot was trying to rob them. If you add it all up -"

"It looks like they're covering for someone. So, this happened yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Okay, well Coulson said that the store recently upgraded their security system and installed brand new cameras. So, even if the physical tapes are missing, there still might be a way to see what happened. With most new security cameras, they automatically upload the footage to a hard drive."

"So even if the owners destroyed the tapes - "

"There is still a copy of the footage."

"Okay, good. We don't have an ID on the possible enhanced. Can you run facial recognition?"

"If the footage is clear enough, I can."

"Okay, good."

Silence surrounded the pair for the remainder of the trip. Ward parked down the street from the small, local grocery store where the incident took place.

It didn't take long for Skye to hack into the security cameras, bypass any passwords that may have been set, and locate the footage of the incident. Once she did, she handed the computer to Ward and he reviewed the footage.

The two owners were behind the counter when Peretti entered. Words were exchanged before Peretti pulled a gun on the owners. The exchange got seemingly more heated - and loud - before a fourth person - the possible enhanced - stepped into view of the camera. Peretti turned the gun on the fourth person, but before anything else could happen, a bullet flew from the gun, curved around, and hit Peretti in the head.

"Definitely enhanced," Ward mumbled. He handed the computer back to Skye. "Try to run facial recognition before we head back to the bus."

Skye nodded and began typing. Ward took a moment to watch her. He'd never say this to her face, but it was clear she was quite skilled at computers. That combined with her powers made her quite the force to be reckoned with.

"So," Ward began after a moment. "Do you mind if I ask how you got your powers?"

"I do mind," she replied bluntly.

"Oh...sorry."

Skye looked at him and smirked.

"You take things too seriously Ward. I don't care if you want to know how I got my powers. Truth be told, I would like to know too."

It took a moment for what she said to dawn on Ward. He looked at her expecting her to be looking at him, but instead, she was typing on the computer.

"You don't know how you got your powers?" Skye didn't even spare him a glace at his question. She just shrugged.

"Nope. I don't know how or even when. I just know the first time I made something fly across the room, I thought I was going insane."

"When was that?"

"When I was 15, before the existence of powered people was common knowledge. I have been through my fair share of foster homes, each one worse than the last, but I honestly never felt as alone as I did when I first got my powers."

Ward studied Skye. He was expecting a hint of sadness in her voice or on her face, but instead, her voice remained steady and the only think on her face was concentration. It was as if all the pain of her past had been locked away or erased. Ward envied her for her ability to put her past at ease. It was something he desperately wished he could do.

"Okay, I'm done. The program is running his face against any and all databases," Skye explained as she leaned back against her seat.

"It took you a while to get the search going," Ward stated, not unkindly.

"Actually, it took me a while to build the program," Skye retorted, throwing Ward a wink.

"What?"

"The current facial recognition programs out there suck. I knew if I used one of those, it would be a waste of time. So, I built one instead." Ward stared at her dumbfounded.

"You built the program from scratch? Just now?"

"Not exactly. I have a search program, but it doesn't search for faces. I just had to tweak it a bit. It shouldn't take too much longer." The moment she said that her computer beeped, signaling a match found. "Okay, the enhanced is Christopher Jefferson. He lives at 1408 Amherst Rd. That's only like...four blocks away from here."

Ward nodded before pulling out his phone and calling Coulson. Once he filled Coulson in on the information that they gathered, he agreed to meet Coulson and May at Jefferson's house.

"So y' all are going to what? Invite him to join the team?" Skye questioned once Ward had slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"No. We're bringing him in. There are protocols that need to be followed when we have an unknown enhanced - especially one who is dangerous."

"Were the protocols followed with me?"

"Not exactly… but that was Coulson's call to make, and you don't look that dangerous."

Skye turned to look at Ward slowly. His eyes remained on the road, but he could feel her gaze searing into him, burning him. In a voice calmer than he thought possible, Skye replied:

"Looks can be deceiving," Things were tensely quiet for several minutes following. Ward wasn't exactly sure what to say next. He could feel Skye's anger radiating off of her and he wasn't sure how to handle it. He had briefly wondered, back on the bus, if this was a good mission to start Skye off with. Handling enhanced people was never easy and seeing as Skye was enhanced, Ward knew there was a chance she wouldn't like it. He wanted to say something, to ease the tension, but before he could, Skye continued. "Obviously killing someone is wrong, but he was defending the owners of the store. If he was defending the owners of the store, there must be some good in him. That doesn't make him dangerous."

"Doesn't it? When we come across someone with abilities, we have to bring them in and evaluate them. S.H.I.E.L.D. has to ensure they are mentally and emotionally stable and even then, they have to go on The Index." Ward couldn't catch the last words before they left his mouth.

He wasn't supposed to mention The Index. It was obviously a delicate situation. They didn't know Skye well enough to know how she would handle the idea of being put on a list. Coulson was going to talk to her about it when the mission was over because she was going to have to be added. He would have handled the topic with ease, but now…

"What is The Index?" she asked very slowly. Ward debated on ignoring her question, but that would probably agitate Skye even more.

"That's classified, Skye. Forget you heard it."

"Let me guess, a registry of people with powers?" When Ward didn't answer, Skye replied: "I take it I'll be added to it?"

"Coulson was going to talk to you about it - "

"Ward - I don't need you to explain for him. It is what it is. S.H.I.E.L.D is a giant, shady government organization. I shouldn't be surprised that you have a list of enhanced people and their powers. I'm sure you even have a facility to hold them if they're deemed too dangerous. I'm a big girl. I can handle these things. Don't sweat it."

Ward's training told him to leave it be - that nothing could be resolved at the present time and they had a mission to complete, but another part - an unknown part he refused to acknowledge, urged him to reach out and...he wasn't sure, comfort her? He quickly shook off the thought and focused on the road.

When Ward turned onto Amherst Rd., he saw Coulson and May standing by Coulson's Corvette. Ward parked behind Coulson and killed the engine.

"Wait in here." Ward didn't give Skye a chance to argue. He got out of the car and head to Coulson.

"What's the plan, sir?"

"Ideally, we knock on the door and calmly talk to him about taking him into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody and he happily agrees."

"And if not?"

"Fitzsimmons finished the Night-Night gun," Coulson replied, grabbed one of the guns in question and handing it to Ward. Ward rolled his eyes at the name. He was not going to call it that. He glanced at May and from the look on her face, she was not thrilled about the name either.

He took the gun and tested the weight a bit. It was a little unbalanced, but it would do. May had one of the guns in a holster on her leg. Ward assumed Coulson had one too, but he couldn't see to know for sure. He was hoping that this would go the ideal way, but people with powers were always a wild card. They could go either way and Ward felt, in his gut, that this would not go well. He kept those thoughts to himself and instead, remained alert to his surroundings.

"I told Skye to stay in the car," Ward stated as the trio crossed the street.

"Let's hope she listens," Coulson replied before pushing the front gate open and heading to the front door. May and Ward remained behind Coulson, surveying the area for any possible threats.

Coulson rapped his knuckles on the door, his posture relaxed. He directed Ward and May to sit behind the cover of the porch. May put her hand over Ward's when he reached into his waistline for the gun.

They wanted to resolve this with as little violence as possible. The arrests of enhanced people did not have a history of going well when the shooting started. The pair of agents lowered themselves further, concealing their presence entirely, once they heard the click of the door.

"Can I help you?" A man, lanky and dirty, asked as he opened the door.

"Good afternoon, my name is Phil Coulson. I'm with S.H.I.E.L.D. There was a homicide in the area recently, and I have been asked to get statements from the people. May I come in?" Coulson spoke with an easy voice, proof of doing this a hundred times over.

"A homicide? What happened?" The man asked, his voice raising an octave or two.

"I think you know, Mr. Jefferson, and we just want to talk to you about it." Coulson kept his voice relaxed.

Jefferson tensed up, his body going rigid. "Who's 'we?'" He asked tersely.

"S.H.I.E.L.D., Mr. Jefferson. But I'm the only one here, right now. Don't make that change." Coulson argued.

"You know, the funny thing about my powers, I can sense with metal. Like extending my touch. For instance, I know you have two people right there!" Jefferson cast his hand out and the metal siding around the bottom of the house shot out and knocked May and Ward back from the property to the road.

"Mr. Jefferson, stand down!" Coulson had pulled his pistol and aimed it at Jefferson's chest.

Jefferson flexed his left hand's fingers, and the barrel of the gun curled with them, jagged edges driving into Coulson's hand, forcing him to drop the now useless firearm. The weapon remained in the air though, and Jefferson flung it into Coulson's face, knocking the man out.

All Ward could hear was ringing - loud, high pitched ringing - as he came to. He was on the ground 20 feet away from Peterson's house - how did he get here? He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his side had him gasping for breath and laying back down. What the hell had happened? He tried to think, but his head was pounding - he likely had a concussion. He reached up to touch his temple and hissed in pain. He had blood on his fingers from a cut on his temple. He couldn't tell how back the cut was, but he assumed it was bad.

His vision went in and out of focus - he doubted if he remained conscious for long. The soldier in him pushed for him to stand up - he had no idea where the rest of the team was. Coulson and May could handle themselves, but what about Skye? Powers or not, they were dealing with a murderer and she was untrained and undisciplined.

A figure appeared in his peripheral vision - Coulson. The older man leaned over him and Ward could see blood on the older man's forehead. Coulson began speaking something, but whatever he was saying was muffled. Ward could tell it was urgent based on Coulson's face and the level of his voice. Suddenly, Coulson put his arm under Ward's and helped him up. That was when he saw it…

Jefferson had May on her knees in front of him, various sharp, metal object surrounded her neck. Her face was calm, contemplative. She was waiting for Jefferson to slip up and then she would strike. That wasn't what caught Ward's eye. What caught his eye was Skye. She was standing in front of Jefferson- her eyes trained on him. Her posture was tense, one hand was balled up at her side, and the other was out in front of her. She was holding the objects away from May's neck. Ward could see Skye's hand shaking - she was terrified. Of course, she was terrified, she had zero training.

Skye shifted forward slightly, which caused Jefferson to bring the objects around May closer. Ward tensed, his hand reaching for the Night Night gun, but Coulson stopped him. The two shared a look before Coulson approached the scene with his hands up.

"Mr. Jefferson," Coulson began calmly. "We're not here to hurt you."

"Get away!" Jefferson yelled shakily. Sweat was rolling down his face - he was nervous. The incident in the store happened because he wanted to protect the owners. This was different. May hadn't done anything. He would be taking the life of someone innocent. Ward thought back to what Skye said:

"If he was defending the owners of the store, there must be some good in him." He hoped, for the sake of everyone involved, she was right.

"Mr. Peterson, we can help you, but only if you let her go. If she dies, we can't do anything for you." Coulson held his hands up, signaling he was unarmed.

"You're S.H.I.E.L.D. I know how this works! You'll take me to some camp and lock me up if you don't send me off to be dissected!" Jefferson yelled, bringing the metal shards closer to May's neck, most being held back by Skye's efforts.

Ward watched the exchange as well as he could. Both parties were distracted, granting him the chance to reach for his waistline and grab his gun. His vision blacked out for a second as he flipped off the safety. He couldn't take the chance that Skye was wrong. His job was to protect the team, so with that, he lifted the gun and aimed it for Jefferson's head.

The shot rang out before Ward lost consciousness again.

Thank you all for being patient and supportive. Many thanks to James aka agenthaywood for editing and helping me with parts of the chapter.

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