Four Days Later

Cidney looked around Coulson's office as she waited for him to come in for their meeting. Noting all his old relics she smiled, vintage things always fascinated her and Coulson had a collection that she could look at for a long time.

"I see you admire my collection" Coulson smiled at her, "That or you think I'm crazy."

"You were right with your first guess." Cidney answered sitting.

Coulson sat leaning on the edge of his desk, "Now what was it you wanted to ask me?"

"I know you said it's my job to get an agent in. What if he gets caught? Or even if he doesn't your agent will be the only person at this party that Wilson doesn't know personally. Wilson trusts me so I don't think you'll have any problem with your agent getting in…but when he finds out that information is missing? That agent will be his first suspect. And me." Cidney paused, "I guess what I'm trying to say is…what happens to me when Wilson finds out?"

Coulson looked at her sadly, "I fought to only take pictures of the evidence in the office…but S.H.I.E.L.D wants the actual copies. Because of that...you'll have to relocate."

Cidney nodded, she'd figured just as much but hearing it out loud still felt like a blow.

"Your shop is at a good location for surveillance. S.H.I.E.L.D wants to buy it." He handed her a check with an offer on it. "We'll also help get you get settled wherever you want to go. It doesn't have to be in the states either. I hear you're fluent in French?"

Taking the check Cidney looked at it with disbelief, "I…"

"You don't have to give me an answer right now. Think it over for a few days and get back to me."

She laid the check on the desk and nodded dumbly. Wandering down to her bunk she slid the door closed and turned pressing her back against it. Opening her eyes she saw Ward standing by the nightstand with a guilty expression. "I'm sorry I'll leave."

"Cidney no it's fine. Stay… I shouldn't even be in here while it's yours." He brushed by her but stopped when he felt her hand on his arm.

"Can I ask you something?" her eyes flickered from the ground to him.

"Anything." She pulled him back to the bed where they both sat. He waited patiently for her to continue.

"Were you always an agent? While we were together?" her voice sounded so small to him.

"Yes."

She nodded, "After you left…I tried looking for you…pathetic I know.."

"No." he stopped her, "You could never be pathetic."

She looked into his eyes steadily, "I was so angry…I imagined so many different scenarios for when I saw you again. A month after you left…when I posted on Craigslist for someone to take over the lease and to sell most our things a man came to the apartment. He said his name was Garrett and he told me to stop looking for you. Said that you'd moved on and I needed to do the same." She averted his gaze, "Left me a picture of you…you and another woman." She fiddled with her ring.

Grant looked at her with guilt stricken eyes, "You have to believe me," he lifted her chin, "I didn't leave you for another woman. I had orders to leave for my next assignment immediately. I wanted to leave you something…but I couldn't. I had to disappear."

She searched his face and she believed what he told her, "Was it real? Those three years? Or did you just use me for a cover?" She hated herself for asking. Most of her knew he really loved her, but a small part needed to hear that from him.

Ward decided that he needed to rebuilt trust. And that meant telling her the truth, "At first you were a cover" She inhaled sharply, "But after we were dating for a couple months that changed. Remember that day you came over after insisting you help me paint the living room? Even after I told you I didn't need help."

She smiled at the memory, "I remember."

"At first I didn't want you there…I was trying to keep myself detached and I thought the less time I spent with you would help that and I knew it was supposed to snow that evening. But you were stubborn. You brought pizza and we finished painting around 10pm. And during that time the snowstorm started. I knew I'd be a jerk to make you walk 20 blocks in a blizzard…apart of me was glad you were snowed in with me. We made a blanket fort in the den and you made your peppermint hot chocolate; then we watched movies late into the night. The next day the roads were shut down and the city broke its record for the biggest snow it'd ever had. After you dragged me out into the snow and started a snow ball fight." He shook his head and smiled, "I thought you looked so beautiful out there…snow in your hair," he looked at her fondly, "and I started to realize I was in trouble...we came back in and played board games and cards all day in the fort…. and I knew…that night I knew that mission would be the hardest I'd ever have. Because when it was all over I'd have to leave you."

"Those few days were always one of my favorite memories."

Grant gave her a half smile, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Cid…we had something…and I screwed it up."

She returned a sad smile, "It's nice to know why now. And I forgive you…" he looked at her surprised, "I'm still hurt don't get me wrong or even started on the trust issues…it'll take time. But I do forgive you, Grant."

He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and a piece of him felt hope.

"I never opened that present you left me. While I lived in my van I kept it in the glove compartment. It's sitting on a bookshelf in my apartment now."

"I always thought you'd throw it away."

"I almost did…so many times. But I never could…no idea why it's just every time I went to I couldn't do it. Never could open it either."

Ward didn't press for an explanation. "I know you'd like it."

"I know I would. So how did Coulson know I speak French?" she quickly changed the subject.

"He's looking for potential locations for a new shop. He asked if there was anywhere in particular you'd like to live. I mentioned you'd always wanted to live in France; so much so that you learned the language."

She smiled. A real smile. The first he'd seen in a long time. He hoped there'd be more. "You're good at remembering details. Course I guess that's part of being an agent."

"It was easy to remember details about you."

Her eyes softened "Can you take me to my apartment?"

….

Sitting on the couch Cidney tightly held the gift. The paper was faded and slightly worn but there were no tears. Over the last five years she'd taken good care of it.

"You don't have to open it."

"I want to." She tore the paper and gasped when she saw what it was, "Oh Grant.."

Reading was always one of her favorite past times; her favorite book was Little Men by Louisa May Alcott and she'd read it every summer since she was fourteen. She had an old paperback of the book that was worn from the countless page turning. Over time she'd collected the first editions of all Alcott's books except she could never find Little Men; Ward did.

Ward watched her as she gently ran her fingertips over the cover and smiled. He'd waited five years to see the smile the gift brought. It was bittersweet.

"Grant," she breathed out "It's beautiful. How'd you ever find it?"

"I visited a lot of bookstores."

"Thank you!" she threw her arms around his neck, "Thank you so much. I love it"

He held her and for a moment it felt like those five years were just a bad dream; until she pulled away.

"It's getting late. We should probably head back to the plane."

The pair walked silently for a few blocks until Cidney started chatting. Soon enough they began talking like old times. Some memories came up, and then they talked about the future- theirs hopes and dreams. Not much had changed but at the same time everything had. Cidney's hand rested in the crook of Ward's arm and they walked slowly. They were only halfway back when the rain started. Laughing the two scurried to a small overhang where they pressed together to stay dry. Ward gazed at the woman in front of him as she watched the rain falling with a smile. Small wet strands of red hair clung to edges of her face, her eyes shone brightly and her cheeks were rosy. She felt his gaze on her and looked up at him. Warmth spread through her, so much of her loved feeling him beside her, wrapped in his warm embrace and his scent was comforting but a small part of distrust nagged at her as he slowly leaned down to her. Ignoring the small feeling she met him halfway.