He finds her in the small room she had claimed as hers, working on fifteen different things at once.

"I'm fine, guys!" Skye yells. He can hear the irritation. They've been checking up on her. "I can – Ward?"

"I brought food."

Her nose wrinkles, "I'm not hungry."

She's been downing her weight in coffee and Fitz's snacks. Skye only ever finished entire meals when Coulson and May sat at the table, eyes practically boring into her head until the plate was clean.

On those nights, he would find her in the bathroom, kneeling on the floor. He debates leaving but stays, pulling her hair back until her stomach's empty and her body's limp against him. With whatever was left of her energy, she would beg that he kept this between them and then something about Simmons and her 'pokey tendencies'. He agrees but does his best to make sure she eats.

He leaves her coffee in the morning (2 sugars, 3 extra packets by the side) with a blueberry muffin (that she usually has to fight Fitz for); a sandwich (lots of lettuce, no tomatoes because she can't stand the watery taste) cut up into bite-size pieces so each one is an accomplishment, not a chore. She carries the empty plate into the dining hall at lunch, a show meant for the team to see that she's taking care of herself. When she looks his way as he pushes his own meal around, he can't help but think that it's mainly for his sake.

"You've been here for 34 hours."

"That's an exaggeration."

It's not. She's still in the clothes from two days ago with hair messily pulled up into a bun held together with two pens. "Skye, you have to eat."

"When I'm done."

Ward picks up a piece, holding it to her lips, "Eat."

"Later." She says, pushing his hand away.

"Open."

"I'm not a child." She glares but he won't be swayed. She continues to glare and he only looks back, face neutral until he sees her resolve weaken, the brief flash of annoyance before complying.

It is a long and arduous task, she chews each piece slowly and steadily, but she finishes the entire thing. "Done. Can I work now?"

"You haven't even had desert."

"I don't want desert."

"Okay then." Ward says, moving to sit on the couch. "I'll just have to finish this molten chocolate cake by myself then."

"Liar. You hate that stuff."

"I know. But I'd hate to let all this chocolate go to waste." He swallows a spoonful, letting out a moan. "I think it's extra fudgy today."

"That is not going to work."

"Raspberry filling, Skye."

He grins as her back stiffens, waits the four seconds. Skye drags her feet to the couch, sitting next to him. "Can I have the cake?"

"I thought you didn't want it."

"Ward!" She whines as he moves to take another spoonful.

"Password?"

"Please."

"No, it was actually 57924. But please works too."

"Thank you." She says, curling into his side.

"Anytime, sweetheart."