Skye could not wait to get up for work the next morning. The girl that she has been crushing on for the past two months not only reciprocated those feelings, but even kissed her first. It makes her feel like a teenager again. Well, the teenager she wanted to be. When she was in her early teens, she would hook up with people that were hot. Sure it was nice kissing girls she thought were attractive, but this, what she has with Jemma, is unfamiliar. Skye knew right away that the feelings she has for Jemma is different. Maybe it is because she knows that Jemma is not one of those one night stand girls. This is the type of girl that needs the wife-ing up sort of treatment. Flowers, dates, whispers of love. All the things Skye is more than willing to provide because this is not just a crush, this is someone that Skye wants to one day fall in love with. And if she is being honest, she is definitely already on that path. She woke up at five thirty in the morning, thirty minutes before that stupid alarm goes off, just so she can look as cute as a person can possibly get when going to work out. For Skye, giving up her sleep to impress someone is proof enough that she is definitely whipped.
Since she did get up earlier than normal, she managed to leave the apartment by six thirty. Skye normally got to the gym right when it opens and all the other trainers are usually already there. This time though she was one of the first to arrive. Looks of shock and impression were thrown her way when she walked in to the gym.
"Is this going to be what happens every time I arrange a party for you? You coming in early to work. Because if so, I will be more than willing to do it more often." May said with a smile.
Skye laughed and rolled her eyes. "This was not planned or anything. I was just too excited to sleep." Skye looked down to the ground as she said that last sentence. Just in case the real reason why she woke up early could be read on her face. She hopped up on the front desk counter and waited for May's response.
May nodded and formed one of her very famous mischievous grins. "Oh. I see."
Skye scrunched her face with confusion. "See what?"
"This doesn't have anything to do with the attractive British girl that you're training does it?" May asked with raised eyebrows.
"What? No. Of course not. Wait did you just say she is attractive?" Skye responded.
May did a little giggle. "Well, don't you think so?" she looked at Skye expectantly.
Skye let out a sigh and nodded. "I guess she is the reason." Skye looked up at May who was giving her an annoyed look with her arms crossed over her chest. "Fine. Who am I kidding? Of course she is the reason. I mean come on, have you seen the girl?"
May laughed and went to start organizing the paper work at the desk. "I knew this day was coming. I had seen the way you looked at her when she first walked in here."
"There is no code of conduct or anything, right?" Skye asked hopeful.
"Code of Conduct?" May asked taken aback.
Skye nodded. "I don't want to lose my job or anything for fondling with the clients."
May shook her head. "No, Skye. There is no code of conduct. Besides it is not like the two of you have kissed or anything yet." May glanced at Skye who was now looking at the ground like there was something just so interesting there. "Skye?"
Skye looked back up and pursed her lips. "We may have had a little moment." May smiled and nodded. "I just…I don't know I like her a lot, you know. But I promise May, I won't let it affect our training."
May waved her hand dismissively. "I didn't think you would. I am just impressed. I have never seen you this excited over somebody. I mean look at you. Giving up sleep and everything."
Skye rolled her eyes. "Be quiet." They both laughed in unison.
"Hey guys, turn on the news." One of the trainers said as he was entering the gym.
May turned on the TV and it was a very familiar breaking news story. Skye listened tentatively. There was another beat up person found. Luckily, Skye knew it could not be Rising Tide because they did not find the body at the police station. It was find a couple of miles away from the Shield building. "It is now being reported that this is a homicide. Unfortunately, his wounds were too excessive…" Skye's heart sunk when they showed a picture of the man. It can't be. She thoroughly remembered that outfit and the bald head. "The man is identified as Agent Sitwell of Shield." Skye could feel her pulse beating impossibly fast. It could not be an Agent of Shield. These are the people that are on their side.
"Rising Tide and Hydra need to be put to a stop." Skye heard May mumble under her breath. Hydra? Skye has only heard of this group in the news throughout the years and occasionally from May. All she needed to know is that this organization kills people. The complete opposite of what she wants to do to people. May has to be wrong. She needs to be wrong. Rising Tide would never be associated with them. Right? Skye knew that she never would be, but this situation say's otherwise. Skye left to go to her room and set up the equipment. She did it quite angrily too. She must talk to Ward about this later. She knows that she can't wait until tonight when they normal meet at the Warehouse. As much as she is going to hate to do it, she might have to cut this training session with Jemma short.
Skye let out a sigh at the realization of this fact. She really wanted as much time with Jemma as possible. Just then she heard the door open and turned to see Jemma looking just as cute and happy as ever. "Hey, Jems."
Jemma smiled and walked over to Skye. "Hello, Skye." She placed a gentle kiss to Skye's cheek.
Skye could not help the blush that crept up. And now she was really going to hate to do this. "Listen. I kind of have to leave a little early today. I –"
"Was I that bad a kisser?" Jemma asked with a smile.
Skye laughed and shook her head. "No. You are an amazing kisser. My plans just got pushed up. I'm really sorry. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with you."
Jemma smiled and walked closer to Skye, leaving only an inch away from her lips. "You want to spend time with me?"
Skye smiled and nodded. "More than anything."
Jemma grinned and put Skye out of her misery. She leaned in the rest of the way placing a soft kiss to her lips. Just as Jemma was about to pull away, Skye grabbed the hem of Jemma's shirt to pull her back, bringing the kiss into a deeper one.
"Okay. As much as I could do this all day, I came to train and workout. That is what I am paying you for." Jemma said when they finally pulled apart.
Skye smiled. "But kissing is working out to. Technically. Did you know 1.5 calories burn per minute when kissing?"
Jemma laughed. "I actually did know that." She scrunched her face in thought before letting out a sigh. "What the bloody hell. Why not." Jemma grabbed Skye by the neck and pulled her into another kiss. "We got a lot of work to do if I want to burn these calories."
Skye smiled against her lips. "I'm ready for it."
"You're going to call me right?" Skye asked. She had Jemma pushed up against her car in the gym's parking lot. Unfortunately Skye stayed true to her word about leaving early. She figured the least she could do is walk Jemma to her car and say goodbye to her properly.
Jemma brushed their noses together. "Yes. I'll call you right before I go to sleep."
Skye smiled. "Good. I won't be able to go to sleep unless I hear your voice." She placed a kiss to Jemma's forehead.
Jemma leaned into the touch. "Aren't you a sweet talker?"
"Yeah I am. And you are going to get a lot more of it tomorrow night. You're still coming over right?" Skye asked with a hopeful smile.
Jemma nodded and leaned forward to place a quick kiss to her lips. "Of course I am. Do I need to bring anything? My parents always taught me that on dates you need to always bring something, so ….I plan on bringing something. I can bring drinks, or something for the food, I'm fine with either—"
Skye leaned forward to bring their lips together once more. She placed her hand around the curve of Jemma's neck and rubbed her thumb against her cheek. "You talk too much." Skye mumbled.
Jemma smiled against her lips. "I know. Bad habit."
Skye pulled apart, just fair enough so she could look into her eyes. "Don't worry about it. I got it all covered. Let me take care of you, Jem."
Jemma nodded. "I'd like that. But Skye, promise me one thing."
Skye pursed her lips. "Name it."
"You let me take care of you to."
Skye hung her mouth open a little bit. No one has ever said that before. No one has ever offered to take care of her. This just definitely reconfirmed for Skye that she is on the path of love. "I promise."
Jemma smiled. "Good." She leaned forward once more to kiss Skye before she got into her car. "Don't get into any trouble now."
Skye's eyes went wide. "Why would you say that?" Shit. Please tell me she doesn't know about Rising Tide.
"I don't know. You seem like a girl who is into that whole bad girl shenanigans thing." Jemma replied with a laugh.
Whew. She doesn't know. Skye laughed. "I guess you could say that. But I promise, I will stay out of trouble."
Jemma wiggled her finger, signaling for Skye to kneel down to her face. "I'll see you later, Skye."
"Yes. You will." They kissed for a few or more seconds before the dreaded moment of separating.
Skye stood by her car as she watched Jemma drive off. She honestly feels so lucky. Jemma brings out a happiness in her that she didn't even know she had. But then Skye remembered where she was about to go. Skye can only hope that Ward is at the Warehouse…alone preferably…so he can explain what the hell is going on.
Walking into the ware house, Skye was relieved to find that no one was on the first two levels. Which should not surprise her that much since their meeting time is not for another three hours. But still, you never know.
She finally arrived to the third floor. If there was one person she knew had to be there it is Ward. He does live there and besides Rising Tide and that mysterious group, he does not have much of a social life. Which is why Skye was surprised to find that he was not there. She looked around the room to see his not-made bed at one corner and his desk with a PC and laptop on it in the middle. From where she stood she could also see scattered papers surrounding the top of the desk. Skye thought about just turning around to wait downstairs for Ward, but there was a little voice inside of her telling her to be somewhat nosy.
She proceeded to walk forward to the desk to observe the contents more closely. Both computers were on the home screen. There was a picture of both him and Skye when they were thirteen. This made her smile because it was nice to think back to those times when it was only just the two of them, no secrets, and no lies. Skye went on to glance at the many papers surrounding the top of the desk. Most were little doodles. Makes sense. He must get bored a lot. She tossed those aside, and by doing this she found more papers that were not doodles, but what looked like killing lists. Skye read one packet of papers in particular that had Agent Sitwell's picture on the front. It gave information about the specifics of what he does for Shield, his expertise, and much more. Skye flipped through the rest of the papers only to find a sticky note toward the end.
Skye was shocked at what she read. "Kill as soon as possible." She whispered to herself.
Kill. Kill? Why did Ward have this? Why does he have this paperwork of Shield Agents? Why is there a sticky note asking for a killing? Skye ferociously went through the rest of the papers. All the pictures were past people they have beaten up. And it just so happens that all were either very well-known police officers or members of Shield. All each having a sticky note with that same handwriting. Each new revelation of these people, people Skye helped hurt, made her heart become smaller and smaller.
It can't be. Ward couldn't be—
Skye found a picture frame that was hidden underneath all the papers. She picked it up to see that it was Ward when he was most likely in his mid-teens standing with some man that had his arm wrapped around his shoulder. He looked somewhat familiar to Skye, but she could not put her finger on it. There was a small paragraph at the bottom of the picture.
Ward, I have definitely made a man out of you. Continue what you are doing and no one will mess with you.
Skye read who left this little message. "John Garrett." Skye began to breathe heavily. She knows this person. May has mentioned him a couple of times when she would tell Skye about her many adventures with Shield. He is the leader of hydra. Hydra. Ward is hydra. It all clicked to Skye right then. This secret group of his is… Hydra. Skye could not hold in her anger any longer. She pushed all the contents that were on the desk on to the ground in one swift movement. She picked up the lap top and threw it against the wall, causing the laptop to break in half. Skye walked over to the already messy bed and threw it across the way. She suddenly stopped and looked around the room to see the mess she made. She nodded in pleasure and ran down the stairs. She stopped when she got close to the exit to stare at herself in the mirror. She knew that she was looking at herself, but was she truly? She should have seen it. She should have stopped to ask questions when she knew something was not right. Sure she didn't help in killing these people, but she did help in hurting them. And that alone makes Skye realize she is not a good person. She hates Ward for manipulating her, but in this moment she hates herself. She hates herself for allowing that to happen. She may not have known she was involved in Hydra, nor does she want to be, but now she knows…she always has been connected to them.
Skye looked herself in the mirror. She let out a large grunt before punching it. Leaving the glass shattered with small spots of blood left over. She quickly looked down at her hand, which was now covered in blood with small fragments of glass stuck into her skin. But, she didn't care. The pain is nothing compared to knowing that her only true friend in the world betrayed her. She looked back at the shattered mirror. She could barely make out her face in the reflection. "You're Hydra."
When Skye got home she did not eat, even though the sounds from her stomach were craving to be fed. She walked to her bed and curled herself up in her sheets. The blood from her hand had dried up at this point. Skye did not even bother to clean herself up. All she wanted to do was let herself be alone. She clenched onto her sheets tightly and began to sob into her pillow.
Skye felt her phone buzz from her back pants pocket and pulled it out to see Jemma's name. Jemma. Skye wanted so much to answer that call. She was about to swipe on the screen, when she suddenly let herself not. Jemma does not deserve this. Jemma deserves a good person. Skye wanted to be that good person, she thought she was a good person, but now she knows she is not. No matter how much it kills her, she knows she has to let Jemma go.
She deserves more than me.
The pain only grew stronger when Jemma kept calling Skye that night. Skye felt herself counting. Eleven. Jemma called eleven times in a row. All of which Skye had to bring herself not to answer. Each time a new stab feeling in her heart appeared. The next day was no better. Skye did not get up to go shower, or change, or eat. She only got up to use the restroom and that's it. Her phone was going off like crazy with text messages, phone calls, and voicemails. All from Jemma.
You deserve more than me.
This is what she had to keep telling herself. She is saving Jemma by doing this.
Skye heard a knock at her door. She quickly glanced at the clock which read seven o'clock. The time that Jemma was supposed to come over for dinner.
Shit. Please don't let it be her.
Skye proceeded to drag herself out of her slump in the bed. When she got to the door, she peeked into the peep hole. Skye shook her head and gently rested her forehead against the door. Jemma.
"Skye. Open the door." Jemma said as she knocked again.
She let out a sigh and said nothing.
"I know your there, Skye. Please. Let me in." Jemma also rested her forehead against the door.
Skye looked through the peep hole again to see the look of hurt plastered on Jemma's face. Skye began to tear up because it killed her to see the girl that she is falling in love with this hurt. And she is the cause of it. "Jemma. Please, please. Just go." Skye said in a low voice.
She once again looked through the hole to find Jemma shaking her head. "No. No Skye. You promised me. You promised that you would let me take care of you. So let me do that."
Skye knew that she promised that. She learned very young that it takes a good and honest person to keep their promises. Skye could only hope that there is some part of her that still could be good, because right now she feels like there is nothing. This is why she finally gave in and opened the door. Jemma just stood there, not moving to come in. Just standing there. Skye let out a breath. "Jemma, you have every right to be mad at me. I just—"
"Your hand." Jemma said as she walked forward to grab Skye's bloody hand.
Skye shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm fine."
Jemma also shook her head and walked the rest of the way in to close the door behind her. "No you are not. Come on. I'll clean it up."
Jemma led Skye to the bathroom, she found it rather quickly for someone who is just being there for the first time. Skye isn't that surprised since her apartment is so darn small. Skye hopped up on the sink. Jemma gently washed off Skye's hand and once the dried blood was gone, the little pieces of glass were the only things left. Jemma grabbed some tweezers and proceeded to pull each one out. "Why didn't you answer me? Do you know how worried I was?"
Skye looked away from Jemma. She was ashamed of herself. "You deserve more than me, Jemma."
Jemma let out a sarcastic grunt. "Are you kidding me? Where is this coming from Skye? Just yesterday you were making out with me and now you are pushing me away?"
Skye's eyes began to fill with tears. "Jemma. I'm not…a good person. You deserve more than me. Someone who is good. Someone who will never hurt you."
Jemma set down the tweezers and cupped Skye's face. Skye could not help but lean into the touch. "You're not going to hurt me, Skye. I know you wouldn't."
Skye just shook her head. "You need to get out now, Jemma. You need to leave me be. I know that everything I do or say is going to feel like a tinge of hopelessness because my outlook has become so damaged. The flaws of everything I've done are starting to tumble into view."
Jemma clenched her jaw. She leaned closer to Skye and peppered kisses all over her face. "Listen to me, Skye. You are not damaged. Whatever is going on…I do not care. You. You are all I care about. I'm so amazed when I look at you. Not because of your looks, but because you are everything I have ever wanted. Brave, kind, caring, loving." Jemma grabbed Skye's hands and entwined their finger's. She looked back up to stare into Skye's eyes. "I'm falling in love with you, Skye. So please. Please. Don't shut me out."
Skye gazed back to the girl in front of her. Even though Jemma does not know what she has done, what has her so upset, she still managed to fall in love with her. Skye was amazed and shocked that Jemma did not care about what bad thing she may have done to make her think she is a bad person.
Skye leaned forward and placed a kiss to Jemma's lips. Skye unhooked the grip Jemma had on her hands and put them on her hips, pulling Jemma closer to her body. Jemma began to unbutton Skye's shirt, and Skye had no problem letting her. Once Jemma had the shirt open she lifted Skye off the sink and held her in her arms. She carried Skye to the bedroom, kissing the whole way, and gently fell onto it. Skye was also making due and ripping open Jemma's shirt. They were kissing and allowing their hands to roam. Jemma stopped when she got to Skye's stomach. She stared at the two scars that were there. She remembered the story Skye told her. Jemma gently brushed the scars with the tips of her fingers.
"I hate those." Skye said looking down at Jemma.
Jemma shook her head and placed one kiss to each scar. She looked back up at Skye and smiled. "I love those."
Skye woke up to find a new form of comfort in her arms. She remembers the way she felt before Jemma came over. She remembers what Ward did to her. But in this moment, with Jemma in her arms, she can't bring herself to worry about it right now. She smiled remembering what also happened only hours before. Her and Jemma exploring each other. Feeling every inch of one another. Exploring and examining every curve, freckle, bruise, or scratch their bare skin had to offer. Jemma was on top first, thrusting and moving in so many ways until she felt Skye come undone beneath her. Then Skye proceeded to do the same for Jemma, doing some thrusting and moving of her own.
As Skye looked down at a sleeping Jemma, she realized that without a doubt, last night was not just sex. It's easy to take off all your clothes and have sex. People do it every day. But opening up your entire soul to someone. Letting them in on everything you thought you should keep to yourself. Now that's getting naked.
Skye smiled when she felt Jemma making small patterns around her belly button with her fingers. "That tickles."
Jemma laughed with sleep. "Sorry."
Skye rubbed Jemma's arm. "I'm falling in love with you to."
Skye could feel the smile form on Jemma's face. "I know." Skye nodded and continued to enjoy the moment. "Skye?"
"Hmm?"
Jemma let out a sigh and moved her position so she was still laying on Skye, but now facing her completely. "I'm ready to tell you my purpose."
Skye raised her eyebrows. "I'm listening."
Jemma let out a sigh. "It has to do with Rising Tide."
In this moment, Skye felt the world stop.