As always, I don't own AoS. I do own Agent Williams. This chapter features Ships in the Night by Mat Kearney. It will probably be the last long song featured for awhile. I will be introducing the other characters soon. Thanks for all the follows and reviews! No copyright infringement intended.
Ward waited until the lights went out in the cell block and counted the seconds until 9 minutes and 30 seconds had passed. Then he took out the plastic fork they had given him with his dinner and began to spell out his request to the woman across the way: M-I-S-T-A-K-E-S.
He waited. Silence ensued for long enough that Ward began to wonder if maybe he'd broken an unspoken rule system. But then he heard her voice calling out to him.
Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Trying to prove who's right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea
If it's just you and me
Trying to find the light
Ward turned his head toward Williams' cell as she began to tap a beat out on the cement floor.
Like ships in the night letting cannon balls fly
Say what you mean and it turns to a fight
Fist fly from my mouth as it turns south
You're down the driveway…and I'm on the couch
Ward closed his eyes and imagined the look Skye had given him as he had confessed his feelings to her. She had been truly disgusted with him. He leaned his head back and pressed his lips together.
Turn the lights down low
Walk these halls alone
We can feel so far from so close
Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Trying to prove whose right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea
If it's just you and me trying to find the light
Like ships in the night
You're just passing me by
Ward swallowed against the bile that had risen in his throat. Opening his eyes and looking around his new reality, he found himself shaking his head.
And I'm gonna find my way
Back to your side
Like ships in the night…
Williams' let the last note ring in the air before she fell silent. Turning her head toward Agent Ward's cell she looked for a sign from him. In the dim light available, she saw him leaned back against the wall and his hands on his knees in front of him. As if sensing her, he turned his head and gave her a small nod.
Ward had just finished his breakfast (placing the plastic fork back on his tray so he wasn't found keeping it any longer than needed) when the door at the far end of the cell block opened and Agent Anderson entered. He looked furious but motioned to the guards to retrieve whatever prisoner he wanted to interrogate that day.
The guards moved toward Agent Williams' cell. She stood as the guards activated her cell door. The guards entered the cell to cuff her when Agent Anderson interrupted them.
"Those won't be necessary." Surprised, the guards stood back and let Agent Williams pass through the door of her cell unchained.
She walked calmly to the table but didn't sit. Instead, she stood to address Agent Anderson. He threw a file down on the table.
"You've been acquitted of all charges. You have a new assignment."
Williams reached out and picked up the file to start reading it. After a few moments, she looked up at Agent Anderson.
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
Williams turned around and continued reading the file. Anderson rolled his eyes and crossed his arms waiting for her to be done.
Ward was watching Williams carefully. She furrowed her brow and took in the information in front of her. She seemed to finish reading the material but before turning back around, her eyes slid over to meet his. Ward met her gaze. She searched his face for a moment and turned back around to Agent Anderson.
"I'll be off then." Anderson nodded and turned around to leave, Williams following him. She didn't look back.