Take This Darkness from My Soul

A/N This chapter takes us up to the preview for "Providence." I'll start updating after that ep.

Chapter 4.

Skye wasn't really asleep, but she was comfortable drifting when she was startled by the soft knock on her door. Opening it she was surprised to see a very rumpled Coulson standing there, wearing a tee shirt and sleep pants and with a look of fear on his face. She silently stepped back and let him in knowing he wouldn't come here if it wasn't important. She sat back down on the bed, but Coulson stood trembling for a moment before he sank to his knees on the carpet.

"AC, what…?" Skye began, but a tremendous sob escaped him then and instinctually she drew his head onto her lap and began to rub his neck and shoulders. Leaning down, she placed soft kisses on the top of his head and held on while he sobbed wretchedly.

After a few minutes, he became more still and his arms circled her waist as he held onto her tightly. She knew something big had happened to cause him to have a total meltdown like this, and she patiently waited him out knowing comfort was what he needed most now. Finally he spoke in a broken, almost childlike voice.

"I am so sorry, Skye." She rolled her eyes internally at the statement, knowing immediately that whatever had happened might affect her, but sincerely believing her AC was not at fault. She reached behind her and pulled some tissues from a box and gave them to him. With a little help, he managed to stand and then sit next to her as she kept his hand in a tight grip.

"What happened?" She asked softly. He swallowed and his eyes filled with unshed tears.

"I couldn't wait any longer, so I called Agent Hand." He stopped and wiped his eyes. He couldn't look at her when he said the rest. "Someone else answered, and I knew that she was probably dead, Skye." Skye was confused.

"Maybe she was just busy and someone else answered her phone?" She questioned, but Coulson shook his head.

"They…. they didn't just say hello, Skye." He looked at her through red eyes. "They said, Hail Hydra!"

Skye stiffened and held onto his hand more tightly. He ducked his head and spoke softly.

"And it gets worse." He took a deep breath and faced her. "It was Ward. I recognized his voice. I…I was worried when he shot the fake Clairvoyant, and when he asked to go along to lock up Garret, I had doubts as well. But, I thought that I should give him a chance at closure. Now… well, I guess I've gotten three more loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. agents killed."

Skye was stunned. Ward? As she processed the information, she realized that maybe they all should have seen this coming. Ward wanted approval and acceptance, and he was ready to get it any way he could. Garrett, she realized, had turned him with his father-like companionship. All the while Coulson had been trying to get Ward to realize the importance of moral strength and integrity, Garrett had been so accepting of everything Ward did, right or wrong. He had encouraged the young man to take what made him feel good and powerful regardless of where it came from. Ward had learned to take his self-worth from pleasing the older agent, and from being more powerful than others. She actually felt sorry for him slightly because of how empty he must be inside to betray them all like that. She scooted over on the bed and hugged her AC for all she was worth. His tears, his fear, his actual guilt over the latest events, made her realize how different he and Ward were. Coulson found no joy in power over helpless individuals, he followed a moral compass that was the most important thing to him. And, she realized, if it became possible, he would give Ward a second chance. She understood too that he was fallible and human. Sometimes even he needed support. Skye's hand came up to cup his jaw as she leaned back to look him in the eye.

"It's going to be okay." She said simply as she leaned in and kissed him deeply. It wasn't really a sexual kiss, at least not this time. It was a kiss of comfort and trust. She wanted him to know that for now and forever, she was his. His trusted companion, his sounding board, and his comfort if and when he ever chose to do that with her.

Coulson felt her soft lips on his and unconsciously surrendered for a moment. His mind was tangled with lies and betrayal, but this woman was offering something pure and simple. He reveled in the feeling and for once didn't over-think it at all. It ended too soon, but it had served its purpose. He knew he had a mission again. He was reminded that not only Skye, but Fitz, Jemma and May needed him as well. Skye pulled back and saw the spark in his eyes.

"What's the plan, boss?" She asked him.

"Well, we're not going to the Fridge. For all we know it's been compromised and is a trap." He rubbed the back of his neck. "But, I think I know a place where we could be safe for a while." Coulson stood and held Skye's hand. To her surprise, he pulled it to his mouth and kissed the back like a true gentleman. She actually blushed. Old-fashioned may be corny, but it still worked as she felt her heart speed up a bit.

"Thanks, Skye." He said softly. "I have to go tell May the course change. Will you tell the others to start getting ready? They'll need their cold weather gear. It's below freezing where we're headed." Skye nodded, excited for the new adventure. Her heart caught for a second when she remembered Ward, but he had made his choice, and she hers.

They were all dressed snugly in sweaters, coats, hats and gloves. Coulson led the way through the snow as they dodged around the icy trees and rocks. May kept glancing at him as they went. She was back to being a bit suspicious since she had no idea where he was taking them. It had crossed her mind that he had finally snapped and they were going to be lost in a frozen wilderness soon. Skye was the only one who was energetically following their leader with no complaints. May sometimes wished she was that girl again, capable of that kind of trust.

Coulson finally stopped at what looked like a large cliff wall. He began to go from rock to rock, brushing off the snow, looking for something. May rolled her eyes and finally spoke.

"Are you looking for a specific rock?" She asked. "Because they all look pretty much the same to me…."

"Found it!" He interrupted her. Pushing against something only he saw on the rock, he stood back and looked toward the cliff wall. To everyone's amazement, the wall began to move. It turned out to be a large door that slid aside to reveal a tunnel passageway. Coulson didn't hesitate to step forward and motioned everyone to join him in the tunnel. Once they had all entered, he pushed a button on the inside and the wall slowly reversed until it had closed them in.

"Jesus, Coulson, I hope you know what you're doing." May said suspiciously. He looked at her with contempt.

"I'm trying to find a place for us to be safe, if that's alright with you." Coulson turned to the others. "I discovered this place years ago when I had parachuted out over this area. My ankle got broken in the drop and I had resigned myself to a certain death. I passed out at one point, and when I woke up, I was inside here. Hopefully, they are still friendly." He shook his head looking undecided for a moment, but that ended when Skye took his hand and began to walk them forward. He smiled down at her, appreciating the much-needed vote of confidence.

"It was a good plan, AC. Sometimes taking a chance does pay off."

He surprised himself then by leaning down and kissing her softly on the lips right there in front of the whole team.

"I know." He told her as they began the walk into the next adventure.

TBC