Ward pulled at his bow tie in the stop and go line for the valet; he could swear the tie got tighter every time he tugged at it.

"You act like you've never worn a tie before." Cidney teased

"I think you tied it too tight." He complained, "Why is this thing so formal? Its hot outside." He was right. It was the beginning of May now and the weather was warmer than usual.

"Out of the two of us you shouldn't be the one complaining about their wardrobe." Her long silver dress hugged every curve she had and the heels added to the mix made her movements far slower than she cared for.

"At least your dress is sleeveless."

"We'll be inside. Wilson does have air conditioning." She comforted, "And at least your shoes are flat and you can move freely!" she tried flexing her feet inside the three inches heels strapped to them.

"Well at least you can breathe." He made a last tug at the tie.

"Oh that is highly debatable." She slid out of the car gracefully when the valet opened her door.

….

"They sound like an old married couple." May commented as the team listened over the earpieces Ward and Cidney wore.

Simmons smiled, "I think they're cute together." Everyone turned at her words, "What? They are."

Coulson smiled softly, "Good we've established they're a nice couple. Agent May, is the back up team locked and loaded?"

"Ready to go if Ward gives the word."

"Everyone be on you're A-game. We have a civilian going in so be ready."

….

Ward came around placing his hand on the small of Cidney's back as they approached the entrance. This was the moment of truth. Ward was carrying a single pistol and if they caught that everything was over.

"Miss Allan," the man Cidney recognized as Wilson's head of security greeted her. "Good to see you as always."

She smiled politely at him and started to answer but was interrupted by Wilson himself. "I see my favorite guest has arrived." He pulled her into a hug that she was forced to return. "Is this young man with you?" he asked with his arm draped around her shoulders.

"Yes he is. Mr. Wilson I'd like you to meet Grant. Grant this is Mr. Wilson."

Ward stepped forward and shook Wilson's hand, "Nice to meet you, Sir. Cidney speaks of you often."

"I'm flattered," Cidney slipped from under his arm and moved beside Ward, "You have a good handshake, son. I like that." Ward gave him a tight smile, "Cidney may I steal Grant? It'll just be a moment I promise."

"How could I say no?"

"Good!" Wilson slapped Ward's back, "Go inside and try the punch. I'll have him back to you soon."

Cidney let out a breath. Ward and Wilson alone wasn't what she'd hoped for but she'd never spoken of Ward to anyone, even to Wilson; she knew there wouldn't be a chance of him knowing who Ward was; the distraction had gotten Ward out of a security check and she was all for the small victories.

…

Wilson guided Ward through the grounds much to his dismay. Wearing a black monkey suit and walking around in the sun was not on top of Ward's to do list. Resisting tugging on his tie Ward waited for Wilson to start talking, there was no way he'd take him aside to just show him around; not unless he knew something.

"How long have you and Cidney been together?"

There it is- Ward thought. Finally he knew what was going on, "We met about eight years ago and were close for a while. But work caused us to lose connection. Recently we crossed paths again and we decided to give it another shot."

They'd rounded their way to the back and gazed at the party inside. Air conditioning- Ward thought to himself till he saw Cidney. She looked beautiful in the silver dress with her hair done in a half up do. The dress and makeup made her blue eyes pop and her hair looked redder than normal. Ward could truthfully say a woman never took his breath away; until he met her.

Wilson watched as Ward's eyes grazed over Cidney as she chatted with an older woman.

"Take some advice from an old man, Grant. You find a woman like that you hold on with everything you have. Cidney's had a lot of pain in her life. More than one should ever know…I hope that'll you'll help ease some of that pain for her…and not be the cause of it."

Ward slowed thickly, "She deserves the world."

….

Cidney started when she felt an arm snake its way around her waist, "How's the punch?"

"Not what it was cracked up to be." She told Ward, "How was your little chat? Is everything okay?"

"If it wasn't we wouldn't be standing here talking. Trust me." Ward glanced around the room, "Care to dance?" he offered her his hand

Cidney set her punch aside and allowed Ward to led her out to the floor. "What did Wilson want?" she pried.

Gazing into her eyes he knew he wouldn't be able to skirt around this, he'd also promised to tell her the truth about things, "I got my first father talk."

She stifled a laugh, "Really? Did he go as far to say that if you hurt me he'd hurt you?"

"No, just that I should hold on tighter this time." He led her into a twirl then lowered her into a dip,

"You've gotten better." She noted.

"I was always a good dancer."

"Not this good."

A smile played on his lips, "You're doing well despite the heels."

"It's taking a lot of concentration." Her eyes darted around the room taking in everything around them. "Security is normal. Doesn't look like he hired extra for the party." She stated softly

"This security is normal?"

"Well they aren't usually all here at once. But I can tell you I don't see anyone new."

"Great. Paranoid people are my favorite."

"His office is upstairs. You need to have a reason to get up there." Ward watched as she plotted.

"Bathroom?"

"There are plenty downstairs and we need a better excuse that requires more time."

They continued dancing as Ward took in more of the room. He'd barely registered Cidney commenting on the room being stuffy when he saw her eyes roll back and she went limp in his arms. Lowering her to the ground Ward listened as people around him gasped. Ward recognized the man from the gate making everyone disperse as he came through the crowd.

"Is Miss Allan alright?"

"She needs some air." Ward lifted her easily into his arms. Her long hair cascaded down and Ward adjusted so her head rested against his shoulder. "Can I lay her down somewhere?"

The man had Ward follow him and to his joy it was upstairs "Clever girl." He whispered.

The man let Ward into a room three doors down from the office. "Is there anything I can do, Sir?"

A fleeting thought passed through Ward's head that his concern was nice. "She said the room was getting stuffy. I think she'll be alright she just needs some air."

"I could bring some water."

"That's alright. I'm sure she'll be fine after her head clears."

The man nodded and excused himself. Once alone Ward knelt beside Cidney and caressed her cheek, "Baby you're amazing." Her eyes fluttered open and twinkled.

"I'd hoped that would work. Looks like the Queens to me."

"Mission isn't over yet. And a warning would have been nice." Ward made his way over to the French doors leading out to the balcony and looked out. Everyone working security was inside and there was enough of a ledge for him to make his way over to the office.

"Then your reaction wouldn't have been real. Course you are a good actor." She recalled. Glancing over the railing after Ward her heart jumped.

"You're not going that way are you?"

"Less likely to get caught that way than wandering the hall." Ward moved to the balcony and threw his leg over. Cidney clutched her hands to her heart and let out a small gasp. Ward gave her a lazy grin, "Don't worry sweetheart. I've been in worse spots than this."

"Just be careful."

"I'll be right back. If anyone comes in tell them-"

"You've gone to get me water or something."

"You'd make a good agent."

She scoffed. "That'll never happen." She glanced over the ledge, "Too afraid of heights. Just be quick and don't get caught."

"Kiss for luck?"

"You get one if you get back without blowing our cover."

"Good motivation." He started out onto the ledge and Cidney moved away. She didn't want to watch or distract him. Seconds changed to minutes and they seemed to crawl by as she wore a hole in the rug. After ten minutes she grew concerned. After fifteen worried. Surely there was no way it could take this long. The door opening startled her and she was disappointed to see it wasn't Grant but Wilson. His usual tidy manner seemed a bit ruffled

"I came to check on you as soon as I heard. How are you feeling?"

She gave a false smile, "Much better. I'm not sure what it was…the room just started to feel stuffy and next thing I knew I woke up here." She spread her hands to indicate the room.

"Where's your friend?"

"Grant? He just went down to get me water." Cidney answered coolly, "I'm surprised he's not back yet."

Wilson came closer to her and took her face between his hands. "You look a little pale. Are you sure you're fine?"

Grasping his hands in hers she pressed them in front of her. "I'm always pale and I feel much better now. Being away from the crowd helped."

"I'm glad." He took her hand to his arm and let her to the door. "Let's see if we can find Grant. Oh wait! I had a surprise for you. I'd like to show it to you now."

"You didn't have-"

"Nonsense." He interrupted leading her down the hallway towards his office. She stumbled when they reached the door and bumped it as Wilson caught her. "Are you alright? You're not feeling faint again?"

"I'm so sorry it's these heels. I'm too clumsy to be wearing these." She claimed hoping Ward heard the commotion and left.

"No twisted ankles?"

"No. I should be steady for the evening. I just need to watch my step." Cidney passed through the doorway and saw the open window and the safe wasn't in her line of sight. As she turned the corner what she saw made her choke back a gasp and her face twisted in horror.

Two of Wilson's biggest men stood on either side of Ward. Both sported their share of bruises and one was nursing a fat lip and the other what appeared to be a broken nose. But that sight wasn't what made Cidney sick to her stomach. Ward was forced to his knees between them; a cut over his eye still bled while the other eye was already beginning to turn black, nearly swollen shut. His bottom lip was split and a long cut made it's way across his cheek. His tux was disheveled and he was holding his side like he'd broken several ribs. Seeing all of this in a few seconds Cidney felt like this time if she fainted it'd be real. His eyes met hers and he gave her a small smirk, somehow that didn't make her feel much better. She knew Coulson and the team were outside with back up and she wondered why Ward hadn't called them yet. Her breathing grew shallow when Wilson plucked away her earpiece and stomped it into the floor along with Ward's.

Wilson circled her as he drew a gun from under his jacket, "I took you into my home. I treated you like my own child." He slowly twisted a suppresser onto the barrel of his gun. "You repay me by bringing a thief into my home? Is he that important to you that you'd risk everything for him?"

Grant grunted as one of the men pulled his head back by his hair. Clenching his jaw he starred at Wilson defiantly. Silent tears rolled down her face as she starred at Ward, "He must be. When I saw him I thought he'd be what Danny would've grown to look like. He's the boy's father isn't he? But you left." He looked at Ward, "You never saw what a charming boy he was." He pointed the gun at Cidney's head, "Maybe it's good the child died. He'd have lost both his parents today."

Swiftly Cidney snatched the gun and spun while removing it from his grasp. As she moved Ward attacked the two guards. Pointing the gun at Wilson everything seemed to zero in on him and her, "Don't you dare talk about Danny." She commanded.

"He'd have grown up to be disappointed, Cidney. To find out what his father is and to see that his mother let in the man who left; who abandoned her. That's what he did isn't it? Abandoned you? What makes you think he won't do it again?"

He lunged at her but fell before he reached her. Startled she saw Ward standing in front of her slowly reaching for the gun.

"Its okay, Cid. He's knocked out." He covered her trembling hands with his and gently took away the gun. "Every thing is okay. You're safe." He spoke softly.

"I….I couldn't…."

"You did great. You took control." Ward assured her, "Look at me."

Her eyes snapped up to him and seemed to clear. "You did good. Now I need you to trust me."

She nodded while looking over the unconscious men in the room, "Looks like the Kings to you." her voice barely above a whisper.

"Mission isn't over yet." He snatched up the phone on the desk and dialed quickly, "May, we need a distraction in exactly 90 seconds out front. We're going out the back."

"Copy." May came in over coms. Ward ran to the trashcan and emptied the contents. Taking the files he'd stolen he placed them in the black trash bag and twisted it so the contents were secure.

"Okay Cid stay with me. Listen to everything I tell you and I'll get you out safe and sound. We can't go out through the party-"

"You have too many bruises." She finished

"Exactly. We need to go out the back okay? That means going over the railing. There's a pool. Are you okay jumping into it?"

"Why can't back up come in?" she felt so confused by all this.

"Too many civilians in the mix. We're getting out and they'll continue the surveillance."

"He's still…he knows I was part of this." The reality of leaving struck her.

"I know. We'll keep you safe but I need you to focus. We'll talk after. Right now we need to move."

She started snapping out of her shock slowly "Your ribs…Grant your ribs are broken."

"They're fine just couple fractures. I'll be fine I promise." He pulled her to the balcony. We need to jump in thirty seconds."

Cidney followed and tore off her heels. Grant pulled her up onto the ledge and steadied her as she swayed, "When I tell you to I want you to jump out as far as you can"

She swallowed thickly and nodded. When he heard commotion coming from a seemingly irate Scotsman on the other side of the house he and Cidney leaped into the pool. Cidney swam ahead of him and pulled herself out of the water. Pushing her along the lawn they ran to the wall that surrounded the perimeter. Groaning Ward pulled himself up and seated himself on the top to pull Cidney over. After getting her up he jumped to the other side and turned to help her. Pain etched over her face as she fell forward. He barely caught her on her descent. As she slumped against him blood soaking the back of her dress was the first thing he noticed; then the bullet hole in the back of her shoulder.