Disclaimer: I don't know how many times I have to go through this... *sighs* I OWN NOTHING. I don't own Marvel or Thor or Agents of SHIELD and I CERTAINLY don't own AGENT GRANT WARD. If I did, he would be a good guy and on his honeymoon with Skye. Well, he's just ruined all chances of SkyeWard :'''( so I don't see any vacations in Hawaii any time soon. However, I believe SkyeWard will prevail! This all belongs to Stan Lee and the Whedon's. I'm sorry for ranting... I'm just so mad at Ward but I love him too... U know? Here's Chapter 12 based on Episode 12: Bad Seeds which takes place at SHIELD Academy. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Twelve: Pet Names

"It's an 0-8-4... We all know what that means..."

"What's an 0-8-4?"

"It means we're not quite sure what that means."

"The last 0-8-4 turned out to be pretty interesting..."

"What was it?"

"A hammer."

"Ops and scientists have differences... But we both have to be careful about what we call bad seeds," Ward explained, as he and Skye treated themselves to a self-guided tour of SHIELD'S Academy of Science. "People want to use the tools we give them for-"

"Ward," Skye interrupted. "'Bad seed' isn't a SHIELD term. Just a term." He gave her a withering glare and she looked up, smiling innocently.

Skye turned around and saw FitzSimmins surrounded by students. "Look at them," she said, nudging Ward." The popular kids... Who would've known..."

"I did." Ward said.

"Of course you did," She sighed. "Because your always right."

"That's right, darling." He winked. "And you'd best not forgot it."

"Seriously, Ward? The pet names have got to stop."

"You have rejected Rookie, love, honey, darling and sweetheart... What do you want me to call you since you don't have a last name?"

"How about my name? Skye." Ward tilted his head, considering it.

"Nah." She glared. "How about cookie?"

"You're impossible."

"Come on, Skye," he said, emphasizing the use of her name and grabbing her hand. "There's something I want to show you." The pair walked away from FitzSimmins, hand in hand.

They entered the main building where Grant pulled her over to a slab of marble that stood in the center of the building. "The Wall of Valor."

"So you've read about it," Ward said, looking at her, impressed.

"Every SHIELD facility has a memorial dedicated to the agents lost in the last of duty... SHIELD's history can be traced on walls like this." She said.

"That's like a textbook definition," Ward said. He rested his palm against her cool forehead. "No fever... Are you sure you're feeling okay, sweetie?" She brushed his hand away impatiently. "I'm fine, darling." She replied through clenched teeth, glaring daggers. "And yes, as a matter of fact, I do read."

"Puts it in prospective, what we do." Ward said, watching her. She looked back at him.

"Must make you proud... All this history... I just wish I was a part if it," she sighed wistfully. He shook his head a little. She walked over to him, placing her arms around his neck. "It's not self-pity." He raised his dark eyebrows. "Really. I'm just saying everyone here deserves this... I hacked my way in. Feels like I cheated." Grant put his arms around her waist, pulling her close.

"All you need to join," Ward whispered. "Is a dedication to the greater good..." Their eyes locked. "Coulson saw that the moment he met you... And so did I." Tears pricked her beautiful brown eyes. Ward enveloped her petite body in his strong arms.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" He asked.

"For always believing in me. You've never doubted me. You believe in me more then I believe in myself... And I love for you that." He smiled at her, wiping away a stray tear. "Thank you for showing me this," Skye said, still wrapped in arms. "I know how much this means to you..." Someone cleared their throat behind the couple.

"Agent Weaver!" Skye cried dropping her hands from Ward's neck. Ward's arms however stayed around her shoulders.

"Skye, Agent Ward," Agent Weaver said. "Thank you so much for coming. Do you have any suggestions as to how we should proceed our investigations?" Ward looked down at Skye.

"Where do the students typically hang out?" He asked.

"The library," Skye muttered. As it would turn it, she was half right. Below the library was a club. Skye suggested they start there and talk to the students to discover an albeit.

"You want me to gossip?" Ward was aghast at the very idea.

"Hey," Skye defended. "You're the person who called my methods "unorthodox.""

"So I did," the black ops muttered.

"Have you ever been too a club, Robot?" She asked, her hands on her hips.

"Bring it, Rookie," He challenged.

"Oh, I will," She replied, her eyes narrowing. "You. Me. Tonight." She winked at him before sauntering off.

"I look forward to it, honey," he called after her. He would show her he could have fun. He would show her the definition of fun.

They were back at the memorial at her request. She was an 0-8-4. An object of unknown origin. She was responsible for the death of an entire village and the agent who was trying to protect her... These people had sacrificed their lives to ensure her survival. She was dangerous. Dangerous to this team... What if she blew the bus out of the sky? What if she killed him? Killed all of them? Their blood on her hands? She appreciated Coulson telling her the truth rather then hiding it. She had been hoping for answers, a clue that might lead her to her parents. Now she just had even more unanswered questions. All these thoughts ran through her head as she reached out, running her hand across the Wall of Valor, her hand brushing over Agent Avery's name. She had once told Ward she dreamed of being a part of this... Now, she was. She laced her fingers through Ward's and looked back at the Wall of Valor one last time. "Come on, Darling," she purred. "Duty calls..."

A/N: Sooooo? What do you guys think? Was Ward too OOC? I felt like this chapter was too bland and remembered Ward had once called Skye "love" in this fanfic... I thought it might be funny for them to call each other names that a married couple might call each other.. plus I'm a total sucker when it cones to pet names...Please review and let me know! But no flames! This chapter just goes show that I believe Ward is still a good guy... I don't believe him when he said he didn't care about his team... His actions say otherwise and actions are louder then words. He has saved (and touched) the lives of all his team members, he wouldn't betray them... There's got to be an ulterior motive and I think we'll find out what it is in Episode 21... I still believe he will come through and save them all in the end. He's a hero. If someone told me to describe SHIELD in three words I'd say Agent Grant Ward. He was like the definition of SHIELD. He's intelligent, dedicated, determined, focused, protective and sweet. If he opens up to you (like he did with Skye) and you get past his rough exterior; Agent Grant Ward is a really sweet guy. I still have faith in him...

Do you? :)

~Kathrine