Here's the next chapter - sorry it's a little shorter, but the next chapter kind of takes place around the same time from Jemma's POV, so I had to work it this way. Please enjoy =).

Ward was in an impossible situation. He had thought it through from every angle, but there was no solution. It was kill his friends or lose the woman he loved, and that was no choice.

In the distance he could see the Bus, its large bulk getting closer by the second as he expertly drove the car down the highway. He had already radioed ahead, informing Coulson that he had some delicate information that he didn't want to risk Hydra overhearing, so he had arranged some time to go off on his own. Coulson, of course, had believed him. Had trusted him.

He was almost at the Bus now. Clenching the wheel with white knuckles, Ward tried not to think about what was going to happen once he got there. He didn't want to think; he just wanted to get it over with. He was betraying the only people who had ever cared for him.

He tapped the brakes gently, slowing the car to coast to a stop a couple yards in front of the large airplane. The door slammed behind him as he exited the car, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to do.

"Agent Ward," Coulson greeted him, walking down the open ramp. "Is anything wrong?"

"No, sir," Ward lied, his voice cheery. "I just found out something a little more sensitive and I wanted to pass it on in person."

"Great," Coulson spread his hands out and smiled. "Go for it."

Ward crossed his arms, careful to hide the tracking bracelet on his wrist by the motion. "Not here, sir," he cautioned, looking around nervously. "Hydra is everywhere - believe me, I know."

"Are you sure that everything is okay?" Coulson looked concerned, and that made Ward feel even worse about lying to him.

"Of course, sir." The reply was automatic.

"Okay." Coulson sounded dubious, but he moved aside and gestured for Ward to precede him into the Bus.

Ward walked up the ramp, trying hard to keep his stride casual. Well, he supposed that 'hard' was relative. What he had to do was much harder than keeping up a casual act as he entered the ship.

Once they were fully in the ship and the cargo door had closed behind them, Coulson turned to Ward again. "We're alone now," he said lightly. "Tell me your news."

The air felt tense. Ward didn't know if that was simply his imagination or if Coulson could feel that something was off.

In one smooth, practiced movement, Ward whipped out his gun from its holster and pointed it at Coulson resignedly. "I'm sorry for this, sir."

Coulson slowly lifted his hands over his head, showing Ward that he was unarmed and not going to fight back. "You don't have to do this, Ward," he said calmly, his expression serious.

"There's no other choice." The gun in his hand remained steady, even though his emotions were screaming at him to drop it.

"If you are going to kill me, I think that I at least deserve an explanation."

Grinding his teeth, Ward nodded slowly. "He has Jemma."

If Coulson was surprised at Ward's use her of first name, he didn't show it. "I take it that 'he' is Garrett."

"Who else?" Ward laughed humourlessly, waving the gun.

Cautiously, Coulson lowered his hands. "We'll go get her back."

"Tracking bracelet." Ward pulled the sleeve of his jacket down to display the object in way of explanation. "And if he sees anyone from the team after today, he'll kill her."

Somehow, this conversation just felt wrong. Ward didn't often have calm discussions with the target he was sent to kill. And the fact that it was Coulson, a person who had worked with and respected, just made everything worse.

"I'll make this fast," Ward added. "It's the least I can do."

Coulson closed his eyes.

Stepping closer, Ward slammed the butt of the gun on Coulson's temple, knocking him out.

Coulson fell to the ground, limp.

Staring down at him, Ward scowled. He couldn't do it. Couldn't kill the man that had turned his life around; who had become his friend. Not this way.

He put his gun back into its holster and took a deep breath. Now for May.

But first, he needed to get the plane into the air. In a fight between him and May, he wasn't confident in his ability to win. And if she managed to slip past him and run, then Garrett would kill Jemma. He couldn't take that risk – it was better to make sure that she would have no escape. After he had taken her out, he could refocus on Coulson. He had no clue how he was going to make himself shoot him, especially in his unconscious state, but that was a problem for later.

Leaving Coulson, Ward headed up towards the cockpit. Pausing outside the door, Ward made his breathing ragged and adopted a look of concern on his face. Then, he barged in wildly. "May," he barked, "Get the wheels up. Hostile forces heading this way."

"Ward?" Her face was confused, but she started obeying orders right away.

"No time to explain. Just go."

She nodded and continued pressing buttons.

"I'm going back to check on Coulson," Ward continued, and then left the compartment, still breathing heavily. Once outside, he leaned against the door and closed his eyes. Everything was working exactly according to plan, and that made him extremely nervous. Something should go wrong. Something always went wrong.

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