I know that it's been a while since I've updated, but here is the next chapter! Please let me know what you think =).

"I don't like this. I don't want to help them. Besides, it's not like they would believe us anyway." Simmons voiced her concerns to Coulson. They were alone in his office except for Ward, who stood in the back, his arms folded and a frown on his face.

"I know that the plan is risky, Simmons." Coulson steepled his hands, but kept his gaze steady on hers. "And I would never force you to participate if you didn't want to."

That had actually been her next objection - that she was no longer really under his authority and he couldn't make her do this. Instead, she changed her approach, softening her voice. "Please, sir, let's find another way to take down Hydra. One that is less, well, traitorous. And less dangerous."

"Tell me what you think won't work." Ward's deep voice echoed through the room, nearly making her jump.

But she calmed herself and met his gaze. "Well, I can't act, for one."

"There isn't really a way around that one," Ward grimaced apologetically at her. "Garrett saw Skye and Fitz refuse to join Hydra even at pain of death - they can't possibly infiltrate the organization with me. And Coulson and May would just be killed on sight."

"Ward's right, Simmons," Coulson jumped in, his voice heavy. "We need someone on the inside and you are our only option."

Sitting down on the chair facing Coulson's desk gave her a second to regain her composure before she spoke. "We have Ward on the inside already." It was a valid objection - why would they need more than one person?

SIghing, Ward leaned on the desk to face her at eye level. She forced herself not to look away from the intensity of his gaze. "I don't have a lot of freedom - Garrett is constantly around. I couldn't keep in contact with the team without him noticing."

"And also, Ward doesn't have access to the labs like you would," Coulson pointed out. "Sabotaging their equipment would be nearly impossible."

Massaging her aching temples, Simmons voiced her final, strongest objection. "How would I even get in without arousing suspicions? Like I said, I can't act."

"I'll take care of that," promised Ward, straightening back up to his full height. "All you have to do is trust me."

I don't know if I can do that, anymore, she thought even as she nodded her head, agreeing to the plan. But what other choice do I have?

"Agent Simmons," a familiar man fell into step beside her as she walked down the hallway of Hrdyra's current base of operations - she had to force herself not to break stride or to let any of her fear show through the cool persona that Ward had taught her to project. They had arrived just this morning, Ward telling her that he had already taken care of everything. She hoped that he was right.

"Agent Garrett." Impressive, she thought, surprised at how she kept her voice from shaking. Maybe you're getting better at this whole acting thing.

"I must say, you certainly surprised me. Dumping Coulson and enlisting with Hydra." His hand shot out and grabbed her arm, squeezing painfully. She bit back a startled scream as he backed her against the wall and loomed over her, his eyes frighteningly cold. "Almost unbelievably so." Behind him, she could see Ward regarding them from a distance. Too far to do anything to help without breaking cover. "Why are you here?" he hissed, recapturing her attention.

Frantically, she rehearsed her spiel. "I...I'm committed to science." Forcing herself to meet his gaze, she continued, "Hydra has better resources to continue that pursuit. And either way, I would end up helping people."

For a second, it looked like he was satisfied with her answer and that he was going to release his painful grip and leave her alone, but then he suddenly shoved his face uncomfortably close to hers. "I don't buy it." He smiled at her, his teeth clenched. "You're not the type for betrayal." A click sounded in the silence and Simmons felt her blood freeze in her veins. A blunt object was pushed against her stomach. She was going to die. "So I guess that's it for you."

A tear slid down her cheek as she refocused her gaze on Ward, still too far away to save her. Too far away to even know that she was in danger. Too far away to hear her say that she had never stopped loving him.

"Ward?" Garrett's voice jolted Simmons out of her reverie. He sounded taken aback as he followed her gaze. "You're here for him?"

A wordless nod was all she could manage as her mouth felt like sandpaper. She knew that this was against the plan - she wasn't supposed to have anything other than a shared past connecting her with Ward, but at this point, it was her only chance.

"Well, I'll be." The gun was removed from her midsection and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Does he know?" There was a friendly, interested note in the man's voice, completely at odds with the cold killer that had been there only a moment earlier.

"No." She whispered the answer, looking down at the ground, hoping that he wouldn't see through her.

Releasing her arm, he took a couple steps away from her. "I understand, now. Welcome, Agent Simmons." He gestured expansively to the base surrounding them. "Hail Hydra."

"Hail Hydra," she responded in kind, finally able to breath normally again despite the bad taste the words left in her mouth. She was in.

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