A/N: To answer a guest review, AC stands for Agent Coulson.

Awake

Melinda awoke the next morning in Ward's room, in the same position she was in the morning before. Sometime during the night, her hand had become intertwined in his. She didn't really mind. She even gasped and smiled fondly when his squeezed hers softly. He was coming to.

But did she want to be there when he did? Something like that was obvious an emotional moment, and she really didn't want the feelings she was already struggling with to be multiplied when they locked eyes for the first time.

She found herself dreading seeing him awake for that exact reason. What would he say? What would he do when he first saw her? Likely try and kiss her, since she was sure he was dealing with the same thing she was.

She wasn't sure if she would be able to handle that right away.

A sudden rattle near the bed jolted her upward.

"I could have killed you twenty times by the time I made you realize I was here. You're slipping, old woman." Natasha Romanoff stood at the foot of the bed, hand near the rack holding Ward's medical chart. A sly smirk played on her ample lips as she watched Melinda shake the post-sleep confusion from her head.

"Hn," she grunted blearily.

She pulled a chair over near her and sat down. "So, what Clint said was true."

"What are you talking about?"

She didn't respond, but she cut her sharp gaze from her to the bed. May quickly realized what she was looking at. She grunted. "Not a word."

She smirked and glanced down again at her former SO's hand again. "We'll be leaving for Costa Rica within an hour. Thought I'd stop by and check on you. Heard you've been having a rough time lately."

A rough time didn't tell the half of it. "I almost killed Rappaccini. I've had more than a rough time."

"There wouldn't be an almost if I were you. You always did have more restraint in these situations." She sighed. "I won't say I'm happy for you, since that's the last thing you want to hear, but it wouldn't be a mistake if this were to go to the next level. Ward's a pretty good guy. Bit of a stick in the mud, but good nonetheless."

Melinda just stared at her. She didn't want relationship advice, because there was no relationship. They were just having sex. Where the fuck did all this other shit come from? "Did Barton put you up to this?"

She just smiled. "We've been together long enough to know what the other is thinking. He didn't have to."

"That's weird," she commented plainly.

"Some would say that holding your 'friend's' hand while you sleep is weird," she retorted with a raised eyebrow.

"I…" She grunted softly and reluctantly loosened her grip on his hand until it slipped through her fingers. She immediately missed his warmth on her skin. "I was just checking his pulse."

She snorted. "Whatever you say, Melinda. Is that the lie you're sticking with in case he wakes up with you holding him?"

Shit. She hadn't thought of that. If he woke up while she was still asleep and saw that, he would sure as shit get the wrong idea. "It's not a lie," it totally was, as pissed as that made her, "he'll understand after I explain my reasons to him."

"Sure he will," she drawled. "While you're lying to his face, I suggest that you leave out all the crap you've pulled while missing him. He might get mixed messages."

"I'll keep that in mind."

She glanced at her watch and then got up. "Better get dressed and head to briefing. I'll see you later." Before she completely walked away, she added. "For what it's worth, I think you two make a cute couple."

"Fuck you." Natasha barked out a laughed. "Be careful, Natasha," she said with a note of genuine fondness.

"Aren't I always?" Before she could answer, she was gone.

The team was gone for six days, hitting AIM sleeper cell bases the world over in conjunction with other SHIELD teams. Either Natasha or Phil would call and give her updates, stating that either the inundators were deactivated or weren't there and that they were heading to the next spot. As much as she appreciated being able to watch over Ward, she was getting antsy and guilty that she wasn't out there with her team and rookie.

Worry, restlessness and a desire to not be there when Ward woke up kept Melinda wondering around the Hub from day to day. Doing so allowed her to stay abreast of all the scientific advancements being worked on. The scientists and engineers were all kind enough to explain things to her, giving her plenty to talk to FitzSimmons about when she eventually opened back up to them. Which was going to be sooner rather than later.

Melinda was eating lunch on the sixth day when she received the call from Coulson. Mission accomplished, with only twenty casualties, relatively few compared to how many could have died, and they were coming home. She sighed with relief, but also felt that nagging ping of guilt. She should have been out there. She wanted to be; but she couldn't blame Hand for the call she made. It was the right one, and she didn't have any reason to dispute it.

Should I go to check on him? She hadn't been in Ward's room since early that morning. On the one hand, he could have been awake and wondering what was going on. The image of a confused Grant, looking around like a lost kitten elicited a soft chuckle from her. But, on the other, maybe he wasn't and she should have really went to make sure he was okay.

Her first thought was to stay away, but her worry made her reconsider. Damn, I'm going to regret this.

Her legs carried her to his room more quickly than she was comfortable with. Slow down. He isn't going anywhere. It was just going to be like every other day, where she would walk into his room, find him still asleep, and then walk out and find something to do. There was no reason to think or be afraid that things were going to be different.

Her hand touched the doorknob, and stopped when she heard something rustling inside. Probably just the doctor. Her first mind told her to leave so they could do their business, but her hand, of seemingly its own volition, pushed down on the door handle. The door opened a crack, but that was all she needed for her heart to stop.

In front of the bed, wearing a black button down and gray slacks that made his ass look fantastic, was Ward. Awake. Awake and not asleep, as he had been for the past week.

Her breath caught loudly, attracting his attention. He turned, saw her, and flashed the most genuine smile she had ever seen from him. Right then, it took all of her strength not to run in and kiss him.

"Hi, May," he said. His voice was full of want. Want for her. She wanted him to.

That was why she closed the door back and walked away.

A/N: Two things. One, I think it makes perfect sense for May to have been Natasha's SO when Clint first brought her into SHIELD. Let's make that official fanon. Two, as a straight guy, I don't think that Ward's butt is anything but a butt, but I figured May would like it, hence, it's in there.