Hello, my dears! So this chapter is mostly interactions between Skye and Ward. I tried to be realistic as to how this scene might play out with the characters' actual emotions and history together. I hope you enjoy! As always, please comment with any suggestions, compliments, or criticisms…you guys are what makes me a better writer!
"How many times," Skye snarled, ignoring Ward's helping hand as she struggled to her feet, "do I have to tell you that I. Am. Not. Interested!?" Ward's smirk faded as she added: "I shot you. I meant to kill you. Does that not send the signal that I don't like you?" Skye tried to whip out her ICEr, but Ward disarmed her so quickly that she felt like a child. She flashed back to the first time they had trained together and he had taught her how to take away a gun from someone. She had felt the same way back then, though she had tried to make a joke out of it. Helpless.
"Skye, listen to me". Skye pasted a sarcastic I'm-so-interested expression on her face as Ward continued. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you, Skye, I'm sorry. Really. And I will do anything…anything to make it up to you. Raina was right. I thought I could make everything up to you by reuniting you with your father, but I guess that didn't work out. And Raina…well, she was right about the other part too," Ward said, suddenly shy as he glanced at the ground. Skye rolled her eyes, trying to hide her disgust. "What can I do to make you forgive me?" Ward whispered. "Please."
Skye just stared at him, shaking her head. "You know, it's not so much what you can do, as what you could've done. You could've never lied to us about being HYDRA, at least we would've known not to trust you from the beginning; you could've stood up to Garrett instead of trying to kill Fitzsimmons, then I might've had an ounce of respect for you; you could've died when I shot you, Ward, then I wouldn't have to try to kill you again. But if you're asking what you could do to make me forgive you, well I don't know much about forgiveness, but you could leave me alone!"
Skye was so angry, she didn't even notice the room shaking. The ground was trembling violently, and chunks of rocks were starting to fall from the ceiling. "Skye?...Skye!" Ward shouted, barely dodging a rock the size of his head, "What are you doing? You're going to kill somebody!" Without bothering to answer, Skye threw herself on top of May's body to protect her unconscious SO. She screamed as a boulder landed inches from her head. She faintly heard Ward yell "Skye!"
She closed her eyes tightly, willing the vibrations to stop. She would not be responsible for the death of another team member. "Please", she whispered, "Please stop". But the more upset she became, the harder the rocks rained down from above. It seemed like an hour before the downpour of rocks finally ceased, and just as she lifted her head from on top of May's, there was an earthshattering crack, and an enormous boulder made contact with her skull. Skye collapsed on top of May, unconscious.
Skye blinked slowly, and she tried to sit up. "Whoa, there", said a gentle voice, and Skye felt warm hands stroking her hair, "You probably shouldn't sit up just yet…you've had a nasty bump to the head". She eased back into her former S.O.'s arms. It felt so nice, having Ward there to protect her – Ward. Skye began to shake with terror, and she felt Ward's arms tighten around her. "Easy, Skye", Ward said firmly, "we wouldn't to start another earthquake, right? Relax, Rookie…you're going to be okay."
Skye took a deep breath, trying to ignore her massive headache as she analyzed the situation. She could hear gentleness and concern in Ward's voice as he tried to soothe her, but she also heard something else. Pride. The idiot actually thought that by saving her life, she would have no choice but to forgive him. Oh well, Skye thought, might as well go along with that and see if I can get him to help me out a bit before I have to shoot him again. Well, I've always thought I could be an actress. It's showtime, my dear. Skye forced herself to relax, letting Ward believe that she was comfortable with him…that she trusted him. She took a deep breath. "Ward?"
"Yeah? What do you need?" Skye could barely keep the look of disgust of her face when she heard Ward's gentle reply.
"Is May okay?" Skye held her breath, waiting for his response. If anything had happened to May, she'd never be able to live with herself.
"She's fine, Skye. She doesn't even have a scratch. You saved her. She's just sleeping off the effects of the ICEr". Skye exhaled, relief flooding her. Maybe May would be able to wake up and take out Ward before anything too scary happened. She didn't bother asking about Kara…no one was protecting her during the earthquake. A huge rush of guilt washed over Skye. Yet again, she was the cause of the death of an agent. Ward could sense what was bothering her, and gave her a small smile. "There's nothing you can do for her. Just rest now, Skye. Take it easy, okay?"
Skye murmured something incoherent, closing her eyes and willing herself not to vomit. As she laid in Ward's arms he began to talk to her, softly retelling stories of their past. Remembering the games of Battleship they shared, touring The Hub together, teasing Fitzsimmons, and gossiping about May. Skye took deep breaths, trying not to show how upset she was; how dare he talk about Fitzsimmons and May! He had tried to kill all of them. But she made herself listen to him, listen to those stories from the happiest time of her life. And all the while, she prayed for the strength to kill him.