Hey guys! I'm glad you all liked the last chapter. Even though I knew I left it on a weird note, you still liked it! Which makes me happy! Something else that makes me happy (and a little fangirly) is what Chloe Bennet said in a tweet to Brett Dalton! He posted a link to the video of her interview with Jimmy Kimmel and he said she was killing it. Then she replied saying (and I quote) "Aw. Love ya pookie!" Isn't that just adorable?
Warning: This chapter starts with excessive Skyeward fluffiness. You have been warned.
For what seemed like forever, Grant just held Skye. Sobs racked through her body like tremors. It absolutely shattered his heart to see her like this. After a while, her sobs finally calmed down. She gently pulled out of his arms and he could see the tear trails down her cheeks. Skye wiped off the last few tears. He slowly put his hand on one of the wounds and traced the words. Whore, Slut, Bitch.
"Skye," He breathed, finally breaking the silence between them, "Why didn't you tell us about these?"
She turned around so her back faced him. "Because," She started and choked back some tears, "Because I thought you'd believe them."
"What?" Grant incredously.
"I thought you'd believe them." Skye repeated, "I was scared that if I showed you them, you'd think, 'Maybe Ben has a point. All she is, is a whore, a slut, and a bitch.' Then you'd leave me just like he said you would. That's why I didn't tell you."
"Skye, why would you even think I would believe a word Ben says?" He said with a slight smile, "He has no idea how amazing you truly are."
"I'm not amazing! Not like you." Skye confessed. She looked down and traced one of the words, "The doctor says the scars will fade once I turn 80 or 90. If ever. I'll be scarred forever. Everyone will know what I truly am."
"You are not a whore, a slut, or a bitch!" Grant defended quickly. He walked up behind her and turned her to face him, "Skye, what is this really about?"
Skye looked down at her feet and wiped at the tears falling from her eyes, "It's gonna make me sound like a child."
"No, it won't." He tilted her head up with his fingers and looked her dead in the eye, "What's this really about?"
Skye hesitated a moment before answering, "I'm a burden." She said quietly, "I don't deserve you. I wake you up with my nightmares. I can't be without you for more than 10 minutes. I've cried so much, I'm surprised that I'm not drained dry. I'm a burden. You deserve someone who isn't an emotional wreck."
Skye turned and picked up her tank top. After slipping it over her head, she turned to leave. Grant gently grabbed her hand and turned her around, gently pressing his lips to hers. He pulled away slowly and looked her straight in the eye as he said, "You are not anything close to a burden. It's natural to get nightmares and be like this. I understand that." Skye just looked down at her feet. Grant cupped her cheek in his hand and tilted her head back up. "Most rape victims kill themselves because of all the stress and nightmares. But you don't. You know what that says about you? That you're one of the strong ones."
"Not as strong as you." Skye said, barely above a whisper.
"No." Grant agreed, "You're about 10 times stronger than me. I've seen top agents go through something as traumatic as this, and they become shells of their former selves. Look at May. She's a perfect example. But not you. You go through every day just like the fighter I've always knew you were."
Skye smiled and bit her lip while blushing. She let out a little giggle. "Who knew Grant 'the T-1000' Ward could be such a romantic?" She joked.
He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "I think you knew it." He said as he pulled back. "Now, why don't you try to get some sleep? You haven't been sleeping well since the attack." She just nodded mutely. He stole one more kiss before she slipped into the small bed and quietly closed her eyes.
The next day, Skye had to return to court to finish the trial. The judge sent the jury out to decide the verdict. Grant and the team didn't think it would take too long. It was an obvious decision. Even so, during the time when they were gone, Ben turned and looked at Grant and the team. Skye had her head on Grant's shoulder with her hand in his. "Grant, you still haven't left that train-wreck of a girl?" Ben called out.
"Just shut the hell up, Ben." Grant called back.
"Why don't you come over here and make me?" Ben challenged, standing up.
"Maybe I will!" Grant stood up from his spot. Skye looked and saw his eyes were darkening. The Berserker staff was coming out.
"Grant," May piped up from her spot, "Not here. Not now."
He looked down at her, then at Skye who was next to her. Skye shook her head slightly. Grant sighed and sat back down. Skye gave him a grateful smile. Ben scoffed and sat back down. The jury returned.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" The judge asked.
"We have, your honor." One said.
"How do you find?" The judge continued.
"On the charges of rape in the first degree, we find the defendant, Ben Ward," The one paused and Skye squeezed Grant's hand slightly, "Guilty."
"You bitch!" Ben yelled, slamming his fist down on the table in front of him.
Within a second, he grabbed the guard's gun and ran from the table straight towards Skye. He grabbed her and he put her in a chokehold, pressing the barrel of the gun to her temple. Quickly, Grant pulled his emergency gun out of its holster and aimed at Ben. Skye struggled to get free but failed.
"Skye, think over your training." Grant ordered calmly.
"I am." She responded, "He's too strong. I can't get out."
"Looks like Grant didn't teach you everything." Ben laughed, "Guess he's not as amazing as you thought he was."
Skye let one lone tear roll down her cheek. Grant tightened his grip on his gun at the sight. To keep the fear and panic at bay, Skye thought over the time she spent with Grant. One memory stuck out. It was the time she convinced him to read the Hunger Games trilogy and watch the movies with her. How she snuggled into him as the watched Katniss and Peeta fall for each other. Wait, the Hunger Games. At the end when Cato has Peeta in a chokehold and says if Katniss shoots him, he'll take Peeta with him. Skye's eyes sparked with an idea.
"Grant," She called, "If Ben does shoot me," She noticed how Grant's knuckles turned white with how tight he was holding the gun at the sentence, "Watch the Hunger Games again for me." She received confused looks from the team and Ben at that. She continued, "The ending is really the best part."
Grant thought for a moment before he connected the dots too. He aimed the gun at Ben's hand just like Katniss did with Cato. He then realized that if he missed aimed by an inch, he would shoot Skye in the neck. He didn't know if he could take that risk.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ben asked, "That's what you want to leave your boyfriend with?"
Skye looked directly at Grant as she said, "Trust me. That's all I need to say."
Grant took a deep breath and pulled the trigger. Ben screamed in pain as blood gushed from his hand. He dropped the gun and Skye. She grabbed the gun, ran to Grant's side and aimed the gun at Ben. Ben collapsed onto the floor as the guards called an ambulance and restrained him.
Once he was gone, Skye lowered the gun and dropped it onto the floor. It landed on the tile with a thud. "Skye," Fitz said, breaking the silence, "That was bloody genius!"
The team all chorused their agreement. Skye just turned and ran out of the courtroom. The team looked at each other confused before Olivia ran out after Skye.
I know it was a little short compared to the others, but I just needed to get this up. I don't know how I came up with the Hunger Games thing. I was reading it for like the billionth time and it just came to me. Anyways, hope you all liked it!
Quote of the Day: I finally understood what true love meant... love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be. -Nicholas Sparks
Song Suggestion: Invisible –Hunter Hayes (Describes me completely)