A/N: Look at how great I've been about updating more promptly lately! It's been my goal to be updating once a week… =). Anyway, enjoy this chapter and please let me know what you think!

Ward was pacing. Again. He found himself doing that a lot lately, ever since Jemma had gone undercover. It was a habit of his that surfaced whenever he was stressed, and now certainly qualified. The worst part was that he felt so helpless - he was unable to protect her, no matter how much he wanted to. And then the guilt about that kiss…

"Ward?"

He flinched as her voice interrupted his thoughts and turned to face her. Her face was mostly in shadow, but his heart still warmed slightly at the sight of her even as he felt nauseas about the secret that he was keeping from her. "Jemma," he greeted her, struggling to keep his voice steady and hide the multitude of his emotions that surged underneath the surface.

He took a deep breath, focusing himself. This was not really the time for emotions - he had to stay in control. She wouldn't have contacted him unless there was an emergency. It was much too risky without a good reason, he knew.

"Why are you here?'

Stepping forward, she met his eyes, a slight frown on her pretty face. He hoped that it was about whatever news she had, not about the sight of him.

"I...I found something. And I had to tell you." She wrung her hands nervously - a sure sign that she was more upset than she was letting on.

"What is it?" He made his voice as gentle and soothing as he could, hoping to ease her distress as he stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder, praying that she wouldn't reject the contact.

She didn't. Instead, she bit her lip and stared vacantly over his shoulder. "Do you remember the cave?"

Of course he remembered the cave. That was the mission on which he had fallen for the beautiful, strong, intelligent woman in front of him. The same woman that quite possibly hated his guts right now, and for good reason. He was a monster, a killer. And that thing with Skye…
He didn't say any of that - instead, he just smiled and replied, "Yeah. Lots of glowing rock, right?'

His attempt at humour didn't make her even crack a smile - the concerned look remained on her face. "Hydra has it."

"The source?"

"Yes." she whispered her affirmation and her face crumbled.

Immediately, Ward pulled her close to him, relishing the feeling of holding her close after so long apart. He stroked her hair, feeling her shake in his arms. "It will be okay, Jemma," he whispered.

Inside, he was worried. That source had nearly killed Jemma when she had touched it, and they had never figured out much more than that it contained a lot of raw, destructive power. And if it was in the hands of Hydra...he shuddered.

"We have to stop them," she mumbled against his chest. He could feel the vibrations of her voice.

"We will."

Back in his room later that night, Ward put his head in his hands. Too much. It was all too much for him to handle.

The time he and Jemma had spent together, despite the serious discussion, had opened his heart back up to her and now he missed her more than ever. On the plus side, he felt like they had managed to reconnect and that they were on the track to being reconciled. On the other hand, she still didn't know about what had happened between him and Skye. And he doubted that she would understand that. Honestly, he didn't really understand it himself.

She had kissed him before he realized what was happening. Not that he had tried very hard to stop her, but it was something he regretted every day. In the heat of the moment, right before they both almost died…it didn't seem like a good idea to stop her and upset her. That lack of concentration could have proved fatal. No matter what he said, though, he knew that he had no valid excuse for not stopping the kiss. He just hoped that Jemma would understand, and that she could forgive him yet again for messing up so thoroughly.

He didn't deserve someone as amazing as she was, yet he needed her. He needed her more than he wanted to admit to anyone, especially to himself.

He had to tell her the truth.

Please please please review! I have been feeling reviewless lately...