The Bus touched down just outside the Austrian border. The intel Coulson received put Von Strucker and the heart of Hydra inside of Grossglockner, the tallest mountain in Austria. The secret, (not so secret), compound was built beneath the summit in order to avoid any detection. Ward has heard Garrett talk about the heart of Hydra residing within Austria, but was never disclosed as to where. All he knew was that it was going to be a climb.
Grant was in his room on the bus getting the rest of his things together. Ward wasn't the type of man to feel any emotion before a mission, even when the mission included a long-term undercover identity. But something about this mission in particular made him weak in the knees, his heart exceeding a steady heartbeat, clammy hands. This just wasn't a typical Grant Ward mission.
You can't reconcile all the ugly, horrible things you do with the hero you so desperately want to become. – Christian Ward
He did terrible things, there's no denying that. His devotion and loyalty blurred the lines between good and bad. Assisting Shield with this mission was in no way reconciliation for his actions, but offered a way to clean a mess he helped create. Ward understood that this may not label him as a hero, but by helping the people who he once (still) cared about, even for a brief moment, just maybe he'll feel like one.
"You know Ward, you're the last person I should be putting faith into." The older man stood at his door. "And as much as my mind says no, my gut tells me otherwise." Coulson looked exhausted. A reflection of his time and effort to keep Shield afloat.
Grant zippered close his duffle, and took a seat on the edge of his bed looking down at his callused hands.
"I didn't know that Thomas was in the house when I set it on fire." Grant began. He had no idea as to why he felt the urge to tell Coulson this, but there was no stopping now. "After I was arrested, John offered me a way out." Coulson stood there taking interest in Grant's words.
"I thought he cared, you know? I never really had much of a father figure growing up, and I just thought John could fill that void." Grant felt his eyes starting to prickle, his hands rubbing together. "But he made me into a puppet...a lap dog." A tear slid down his cheek as he turned his gaze to the director, "I just wanted to do good."
"Then do good, Grant." Coulson stated. "Listen, the SUV down in the cargo bay is all packed and ready to go with whatever you need." Grant took that as his cue to get up. He grabbed his duffle and began to exit his room when Coulson placed a hand on his shoulder preventing him from walking any further.
"There's good left in you." Hearing those words was the lifesaver to a drowning Grant Ward and all the motivation he needed to continue on.
As he walked down the hall, he noticed Fitz walking towards him with fidgeting around with one of his gadgets. Putting his dead down, Ward moved on, trying to push through the guilt he felt.
"Good luck." The Scott said as he awkwardly made eye contact with Grant. Grant gave him a half smile and nodded.
"Thanks." He replied. Grant knew that their friendship will forever be tarnished, but had hope that the encounter was a step in the right direction towards acquaintances.
Hunter, Bobbi, May, and Simmons were huddled around talking by the railing of the cargo bay. Skye was nowhere in sight. Ward felt some disappointment by her absence. As he continued to walk down the stairs, he made eye contact with the four agents. May gave him a nod as if she just granted him permission for his task.
Reaching the SUV, Grant was heading to open the hatch to put his duffle in when he saw her. She was leaning up against the hatch looking out from the descended ramp. She looked beautiful.
"Sorry, I just need to put this in." Grant stated as he was reaching for the handle. She didn't move. Holding her gaze out she sighed.
"Don't you dare die." Is all she said before looking at him and walking away. Grant stood there not sure what to make of the encounter. His heart ached.
"Okay, Skye." He muttered softly to himself. He jumped into the SUV and descended down the ramp. He felt the agents' gazes as he drove away. He felt hers. He was going to do good.
She stood there was she watched him driveway. Her heart hurt as her mind poisoned her with thoughts that he wouldn't make it to the end of the mission. She knows that he'll stop at nothing become the hero he desperately wants to become. She knew that he'd be willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice. But in the world they lived in, paying the ultimate sacrifice was sometimes a part of the job.
As his car disappeared into the horizon, Skye softly whispered, "Promise him a tomorrow."
