A.N.: Hey Guys!
First of all, I'm really sorry for not posting anything in 2 weeks, but I was out of town for few days and didn't get my laptop with me…but now I'm back and so is another chapter for you, hope you're going to like it ;]
I also wanted to thank every person that favorite, followed or reviewed my story – you're awesome! Thank you so much!
Okay, now enough with this, let's move on to the chapter ;]

Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or any of the characters, they all belong to Marvel, ABC etc.

Chapter 4 – Ward's changed

"We're in St Anne's Hospital" – that was the last thing Ward heard before speeding down the staircase.

When he heard that Skye had an accident it took all of his will power to not just storm in Coulson's office and yell at him, May and Morris.

He felt furious and helpless at the same time. Skye was hurt and he couldn't protect her from it. For two years he was staying away from her, he wouldn't go anywhere near her because he knew, he wouldn't resist the urge to talk to her.

But right now Grant had to see her. He didn't care in how many troubles he'll be getting himself into for doing it, all those rules he'll be breaking – screw them. That's Skye and he'll do anything for her!

Ward headed straight to his bunk, to grab his jacket, phone, wallet and keys. Thank God they were on the ground, just on the outskirts of Malibu and Coulson let him keep his motorcycle in cargo bay.

In less than three minutes he was lowering ramp, jumping on his motorcycle and starting engine. He knew that it will take him 40 to 45 minutes top to get to the hospital.

Coulson walked around his desk, plopped on a couch and buried his head in his hands.

May just stood in her place, arms crossed in front of her, looking skeptically at science duo that was now sitting in two chairs.

Simmons was playing with her hands and Fitz was looking somehow scared, shifting in his seat almost constantly.

'What do you mean, he's gone?' May eyed them suspiciously.

'Well, you see Agent May' Simmons was first to speak. 'Fitz and I, we had a movie night-'

'Just like every Friday night' Fitz added smiling.

'Yes, it's our tradition since Academy-' Jemma started again, but was interrupted by May.

'Yeah, we get that, you were watching movie, now straight to the point.'

Simmons started again, 'as I said, we were watching a movie and then we saw Ward: stern look on his face and he was walking fast to his bunk-'

'We thought that he was going to read something or brood over Skye – as always' Fitz added.

When Fitz said brood May couldn't help herself and snorted. Brood – that's exactly the word that's now describing Ward's behavior.

'But then' Jemma continued, 'after maybe 2 or 3 minutes Fitz's tablet alarmed us-'

'Yes!' Leo interrupted excitedly. 'You see, my tablet is connected with almost every device here, well not technically here' he pointed office, 'but here, on the Bus, so I (as an engineer) can know when and what's wrong with them, so I can quickly fix them.'

'Oh please' Jemma snorted. 'You're just using it to control microwave so it won't burn your precious popcorn.'

'What?' Fitz sounded offended. 'That's not true!'

'Oh admit it Fitz-'

'You remember that-'

'That was one time-'

'But you-'

'You two – STOP!' Fitz-Simmons banter was stopped by Coulson. 'You can argue about that later, in a lab, not now!'

The two immediately quieted. They then looked at each other and said in unison, 'we're sorry, Sir.'

'Now, can someone just tell me what happened?'

'Ehh… long story short – we were alarmed that ramp was lowered. We run as fast as we could to cargo bay and saw, only in distance, Ward speeding off on his motorcycle. Then we run here as fast as we could.' Jemma finished.

'And seriously guys, you should start with saying just that' May sighed irritated. 'But what's weird with Ward going for a ride? He does that often…'

'Well, usually when he's just going for a ride, Ward's saying something like "I'll be back in an hour, don't close the ramp"' Fitz said, failing to imitate Ward.

'It's more nasal' Simmons whispered to him.

'Maybe...he knows?' Coulson asked May.

'Well this might be true…the question is: how?' Melinda sat beside Coulson on a couch.

'Maybe he heard us?' He pondered.

'What are they talking about?' Leo whispered to Jemma, watching curiously two senior agents.

'I've no idea Fitz' Simmons whispered back. 'But let's find out.'

She cleared her throat and asked Coulson. 'Ward knows about what, Sir?'

'Ahh, yes' Coulson was pulled back from his conversation with May. 'Fitz-Simmons we have to tell you about something that happened…'

Ward was speeding through streets of Malibu.

Hold on Skye, I'll be there in a few minutes.

Through his head was going lots of thoughts, most of them – bad thoughts. He pictured so many dark scenarios and could not think even a single one positive that had happy ending.

He knew that if he wanted to have some happy thoughts, Ward had to first see Skye. He had to make sure that she was okay, that she was safe...

It took Grant another 10 minutes to arrive at the hospital. He quickly parked his vehicle and ran to the main entrance. In another 5 seconds he was at information desk.

'Hi' he forced a smile. 'Not long ago a girl was brought here, from an accident. Her name's Skye.'

'What about last name?' nurse asked politely.

Grant hasn't thought about it and he actually felt...dumb…

After 2 years he still had no idea what Skye's (most certainly fake) last name was.

'I–uh, I… I don't know' he sounded defeated.

'Then I'm sorry, Sir, I can't help you.'

'But, can't you just bend your rules a little bit?' He pleaded. 'Please… I need to see her. I know she's here.'

'Agent Ward?'

Ward heard familiar, female voice.

'What are you doing here, Ward?'

Fitz-Simmons didn't take news about Skye well.

They tried, of course, to keep their composure, but it wasn't an easy thing to do. They still had in their minds 2 major accidents, when Skye was still with them and barely survived.

First one, when Ian Quinn shot her and the second one when she was hacking some important information for a mission in Berlin. There was big explosion in a small storage room that was attached to the bigger one where Skye was sitting. After that explosion Skye had been in coma for almost 3 weeks and was left with pretty nasty scar on her right shoulder blade.

Jemma along with Leo wanted to immediately go to hospital, to see Skye for at least a split second (since it was all forbidden for them to contact with her) and make sure that she will be okay and that they were and will take good care of her at the hospital.

That's why now all four of them were sitting in a SUV riding to hospital.

'So you're thinking that Ward broke practically all of your rules and is now in hospital with Skye?' May was sitting behind the wheel.

'Yeah…but it doesn't sound like Ward…' Coulson sighed.

'Sir' Jemma started. 'Ward's changed. He's not the same man he was before Skye had to leave us…'

'We all changed at some point, Simmons' May reasoned.

'Yes, Agent May, but not like him…' Simmons trailed off looking at Fitz meaningfully.

'What?' He was looking back at her questioningly.

'I think you should tell them Leo…' Jemma whispered.

'Tell us about what?' Coulson quickly turned in seat, glancing at the science duo.

'It's nothing really…' Fitz shifted in his seat nervously.

'I think it's important for them to know' Jemma said.

'But, it's not my thing to tell them...' Leo wanted to run from the SUV at that very moment. Unfortunately they were still moving.

'Leo, you were there, you saw it' Jemma was pushing him.

'Fitz, what did you saw?' Coulson was even more worried now.

'It was nothing, really-'

'Fitz!' May, Coulson and Simmons all said at the same time.

'Fine…' he sighed. 'It's just that…do you remember how…well…when Skye was still with us…we…ehh…were sometimes discussing how Ward and Skye should be together…and how Ward didn't realize that for a really long time?'

'Yes?' Coulson wasn't sure what was coming next.

It was so obvious that Skye and Ward were attracted towards each other, but they weren't realizing it, well at least Ward wasn't…even when Skye was in danger, on some missions, when they were back from he didn't make a one single move to try and do something with their feelings. Of course both of them weren't aware of each others feeling, typical situation, you can say.

And then, they lost their chance…just like him and Mel many years ago…

'Well…' Fitz continued. 'Ward did kind of realize what he felt…but he did that in a worst possible moment…'

'What do you mean, Fitz?' Coulson eyed him.

'They kissed, Sir!' Simmons blurted out. 'When they were saying goodbye, I mean…'

'So, you're saying…' Coulson had to be sure.

'That he loves her, and he wants, no, he needs her back. This accident was probably just a last push for him' Fitz said. 'That's why we're pretty sure that Ward's now in hospital, with Skye.'

'Morris' Ward turned around quickly and asked one question that was eating him alive since he found out about Skye's accident. 'How is she?'

'She's…well, much better than doctors thought she would be' Kate sighed. 'She has mild concussion, few bruised ribs and twisted wrist, but thankfully no internal bleeding.'

Ward winced hearing what happened to his Rookie.

'Where's she now? Is she safe?'

'She's safe, Ward. Two S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents are guarding her room' she answered and then started asking her own questions. 'But what are YOU doing here? You're not supposed to be here! And where's Coulson? I only called-'

'Yeah, you called him, but I overheard that.' Ward interrupted woman. 'So I got here as fast as I could. Skye was my rookie, Morris. I'm not leaving my teammates, never.'

'You meant your former teammate, Ward' Kate said noticing flash of sadness in his eyes. 'And as I said, you're not supposed to be here, if Coulson finds out-'

'I don't care about Coulson, Morris!' Ward cried. 'I care about Skye! And I want to see her!' This conversation wasn't helping Grant with his rage that was building in him from the moment he jumped on his motorcycle.

'I'm sorry, but if you won't calm down, I will have to ask you to leave. This is hospital, not some bar or a street' nurse came to them with disapproving look.

'Yes, of course, we're sorry…we'll be quiet, right?' Morris said looking at Ward.

'Yes' he said through gritted teeth.

When nurse went back behind her desk, Grant turned to Kate again.

'Morris, can you please take me to her room?' She saw plea in his eyes.

'But…Ward' she sighed heavily. 'Coulson won't like it…he'll be mad at me…'If he's not already - she ended in her mind.

'I'll take full responsibility for this' Ward said with desperation in his voice. 'I'll tell him that I forced you, just please…I…I need to see her.'

Kate never, in her entire career in S.H.I.E.L.D. saw famous Agent Grant Ward looking like this – he looked like he was lost and vulnerable...

Everyone knew what he did – having big part in taking HYDRA down, by being in undercover for few years. They all talked about him with much earned respect… Before that he was only good, well, perfect Specialist: cold and firm, they even said that he seemed heartless, without any feelings…and Kate remembered him from that time.

Then, people started saying that Coulson's team changed him. And they were right – Ward's really changed.

'Fine' she sighed. 'Come on.'

Ward's attitude changed in one second, he was eager and happy to see Skye. Kate saw that and then she realized one thing – they should've picked entirely different person to look after Skye for this past 2 years…and that person was walking by her side now…

A.N.: So that's it for this chapter, hope you'll like it.
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Cherry