Disclaimer: So, I really don't know what to say... I'm so sorry about not updating! *cowers in corner* My friend has been threatening to kidnap me unless this isn't posted by Monday so here it is :) But I do have a little surprise in store for you all... I will be posting TWO other chapters tonight (yes, you're welcome) Anyway, to the disclaimer... Everything belongs to Marvel :) Not me
Chapter Three: So Close
Something was going to go wrong and Agent Grant Ward knew that. They were sending in his rookie to break into this millionaire's office with no way to defend herself. That mansion had tons of security systems... Talk about paranoid... He was trying to teach her how to disarm a gun.
"Now again," he demanded. "Slowly." He stood, facing her, pointing a gun at her chest. "What's first?" She sighed before grabbing his arm and twirling herself around. Her back was now pressed against his chest. She could feel his every movement. She could feel his heart beat... slow, steady and calming. She wondered if he could feel her heart, pounding in her chest. "And then?" He questioned. She could feel the deep rumble of his voice.
"Then," she stated, in a thick Southern accent. "Things are moving to quickly, I'm a proper southern gal," she sighed dramatically, leaning her head against his shoulder. "You'll make me untidy." He groaned in frustration.
"Twist the thumb, palm the barrel." The sudden stretch of her fingers caused her to grimace in pain.
"You're going to die," he snarled, turning her to face him. "And leaving us to hang out and dry," he quickly added. He didn't want her to know that maybe, just maybe, deep, deep down he, dare he say it... Cared for his rookie. He sighed, running his hands through his dark hair. Then, like Thor's lightening bolt, an idea struck him. He didn't like it, but if it saved her life...
"Skye?" She looked up at him with large, doe-brown eyes, framed with dark, thick lashes. "Do you dance?"
"I'm sorry what?"
"Do you dance?"
"I- Um... Well-"
"Rookie? It's a yes or no question."
"No," she whispered.
"Well then. I'm going to teach you how to disarm a gun AND dance." He extended his hand, waiting for her to take it.
"No, Grant. I fail to see how dancing is relative to disarming a gun."
"Contrary to popular belief, dancing isn't just about moving your feet. When you dance as a couple, placing your hands in the correct position is just as important." He took her petite hand in his much larger and calloused hand, adjusting her fingers to fit into his. It was a perfect fit... "You have to position your hands, finger and arm in just the right position or else..." Caught off guard, Skye wasn't able to move her fingers fast enough. She ended up tangled somewhere in his arms and between his chest. He released her and scrolled through his IPhone.
"What are you doing?" She asked curiously, trying, and failing to see what her SO was doing.
"No peaking," he chastised. He put his phone in the speakers and pressed play.
You're in my arms, and all the world is calm.
"My lady." Grant bowed, extending his hand. She hesitantly took it.
The music playing on for only two.
"You're going to have to step a bit closer," he said, pulling her against his chest. "Now relax and follow my lead. Put your left hand my waist." She complied.
So close, together.
And when I'm with you
So close, to feeling alive.
Grant closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of her hair. The smell of an island breeze clouded his senses. "Step back with your right foot." She looked at her feet to make sure she was stepping with her right foot. "Don't look at your feet," he chastised. "Look right at me, right into my eyes."
A life goes by,
"Now step to the side," he commanded. She did so, her eyes locked onto his. "Move your left foot forward." She moved forward while he moved back.
Romantic dreams must die.
So I bid my goodbye
And never knew.
"And back together. You're right back were you started. See it's not so hard," he smiled.
"That's what you say," the pretty brunette scoffed. "At least you're good."
So close, was waiting,
Waiting here with you.
And now, forever, I know
All that I wanted
to hold you so close.
"Enchanted?" She asked surprised. "Is this from Enchanted?"
"What?" He asked. "I can like that movie," he defended.
"You? Big, tough, Agent Grant Ward has seen Enchanted?" She started to laugh.
" What do you think fairytales are for?" He asked. "These stories - the classics... There's a reason we all know them. They're a way for us to deal with our world. A world that doesn't always make sense. This movie gave me the most important thing anyone can have... hope. Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing." He spun her around, then pulled her back, closer to him.
So close to reaching
That famous happy end.
"Skye," he sighed.
"Hm?" She replied, contentedly, resting her head on his broad shoulder.
"You don't have to do this mission. I don't think it's a good idea... You're going in with no self-defense-"
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve," she reassured him.
"You need muscle memory-"
"And dancing's supposed to help that?"
"I'm trying to teach you how to remember the movements for disarming a gun! How did you learn computer science without commuting yourself?"
Almost believing
This one's not pretend.
They continued to argue as they swayed back and forth. "CS comes naturally to me," she replied. "I'm sorry I'm not naturally whatever you are," she huffed.
"You think this came naturally to me?" Grant demanded. "I had an older brother who beat the crap out of me. Me and my younger brother. For eating a piece of birthday cake. I had to learn how to protect us. The way, I'm trying to protect you. That was my defining momment. You asked.
"Sorry," she whispered, looking away. "I didn't mean to push."
And now you're beside me,
And look how far we've come.
She slipped her left hand into his back pocket, pulling out the metal gun. "But," she argued, a small smile gracing her face. "I did manage to get this." He looked her straight in the eyes.
"Getting the gun is one thing. Pulling the trigger? That's another."
So far we are. So close...
"You and your brothers," Skye began hesitantly. "Where did you grow up?"
"Massachusetts, mostly."
"A house?" This question caught him off guard.
"You didn't?"
"One house. I was nine... They sent me back to St Agnes after a month. Said I wasn't a good fit." He took her right hand, raising it above her head, indicating for her to twirl.
Oh how could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
"Did you feel how you're fingers never left my thumb but twisted it?" He asked. "That's what you do to the person who's holding the gun's thumb. Then you just palm the barrel and the pistol will fall into your hands. You'll have the advantage." She nodded in understanding, but Ward could tell her mind was elsewhere. "The people who sent you back to St. Agnes... Were they your first foster parents?"
"My third," she half laughed, half sobbed.
We're so close to reaching
that famous happy end,
"I had one before... But this one was different..."
"You wanted them to like you," he observed.
"Bad." She paused, lost in her memories. "I called her mom once... Tried it out." She let out a sigh she hadn't known she'd been holding. "Guess I wasn't a good fit... Hoping for something and losing it... Hurts more then never hoping for anything." She turned her head to the side, trying to hide her tears.
And almost believing,
this one's not pretend.
He gently lifted her head and wiped away her tears with his thumbs.
"We won't turn our backs on you... I won't turn my back on you." He promised, crushing her against his well-toned chest.
"Doesn't matter... I made my choice. I want this... Bad."
Let's go on dreaming
for we know we are...
She followed his arm, turning herself into him. She ended up wrapped against his chest. His arms around her waist, his hands still holding hers. "Right back where we started," he whispered, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. She breathed deeply relaxing in his arms.
"And for the record," she stated, "I know there's a truth serum. He shook his head and chuckled.
"Whatever you say, Rookie." And they stayed like that, swaying to the music and wrapped in each others embrace until Fitz came down the staircase, talking to himself and eating a sandwich.
so close, so close
and still so far...
A/N: So... What did you guys think? Like it? Love it? Think it could be better? I had a lot of fun writing this chapter and I think it's just adorable :) So as you can tell... So Close won :) I hope you all enjoyed! Please leave a review!