Ch. 13
It was nearly morning and I was lying on the concrete floor, motionless and breathing shallowly.
"Guard! Guard! You've got to get in here! There's something wrong with her. Guard!" Ward yelled, anxiety dripping from every word.
Eventually, a burly guard, dressed in light gray fatigues, entered the room. He looked irritated. "Stop your yelling," he bellowed.
"There's something wrong with her! Look!" Ward shouted, concern etched on his face.
"Maybe she's sleeping," the guard snapped.
"I was talking to her and she just fainted. She's just a computer nerd. She's no operative. It's too much for her. Look, she's hardly breathing," Ward said.
"She'll be fine," the guard said dismissively and turned to leave.
"What's Raina going to do to you if she dies on your watch? Please, just check on her. She needs medical attention," Ward pleaded.
With an exasperated sigh, the guard took out the key to the cell, opened it and walked towards where I was lying.
When he got close enough, I snaked my leg around, tripping him just as my mother had taught me. As he crashed down, I snatched the gun from his holster, rolling out of the way. We lied there face to face as I held the gun with both hands, aiming at his head.
"The keys to the cell," I demanded, transferring the gun to one hand and holding out the other.
He handed over the keys and I slowly got up, keeping the gun trained on him the entire time. I backed out of the cell and locked him in. Then, I rushed over to Ward's cell and unlocked the door.
He crashed into me as he raced out of his cell, grabbing me around my waist, his other hand tangling in my hair. "I don't want to live another second without you," he breathed before his mouth claimed mine, hungrily, greedily.
It was amazing.
Until we heard someone clearing their throats loudly behind us.
Well, crap.
We both broke apart and turned to see Agent Victoria Hand and a phalanx of S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives behind her. We were rescued.
Yay?
00000
Two hours later, we stood uncomfortably at attention in Coulson's office. Coulson had contacted everyone he knew, called in every single favor that was owed him, to help in the rescue attempt. Unfortunately, that meant that Agent Hand had come, also.
She stared at us, pacing back and forth as she talked.
"I'm glad that you are both safe now. Unfortunately, given the nature of your relationship, it seems as though immediate reassignment will be necessary. Since you were being held under duress, I won't proceed with Agent Ward's dishonorable discharge, however, S.H.I.E.L.D. regulations leave us little room in this regard."
Coulson stepped in. "Agent Hand, I hardly think one kiss after the emotional upheaval that they went through is grounds for reassignment."
"Fine, Agent Coulson. I am not entirely unreasonable. Agent Ward, I have always known you to be truthful and to follow S.H.I.E.L.D.'s regulations to a T. Can you tell me that you have absolutely no romantic feelings for Skye?" Agent Hand asked, cocking her head to the side.
I looked at Ward. Just one little lie and we'd be fine.
"No, Agent Hand, I can't."
My heart sank. Of course, Ward wasn't going to lie. He's Ward. I tried to hold back my tears.
"Well, then, I'll go ahead and get started on the reassignment paperwork," Agent Hand declared with a tight smile.
"That won't be necessary," Ward said as he sank down on one knee.
"Skye, will you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"Oh, hell, yes!" I nearly shouted as I took it. I bent down and he kissed me, closing the gap between us, his lips brushing mine. The moment seemed to last forever, but, too soon, he pulled back slightly and gave me a wink.
"I don't have a ring yet, but don't worry," he whispered in my ear as he embraced me once again.
Coulson opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "Are you sure?" he asked finally, perplexed.
"As our acting commanding officer, I am sure you will have no objection to us serving together," Ward said, pointedly, as he stood, reluctantly disentangling himself from me.
"No, none at all. As long as I get to walk the bride down the aisle. I am so happy for the both of you," Coulson said.
Agent Hand looked back and forth between us and then threw up her hands. "Fine, fine, whatever. Who am I to stand in the way of true love? Just make sure all of the marital status paperwork is filled out properly and I'll approve it. I guess congratulations are in order," she said, shaking both of our hands before turning to leave.
Once Agent Hand had left, Coulson turned to Ward. "I am happy for you, but there is one tradition that I must uphold. If you break her heart . . ."
"I know, I know; you'll hunt me down. Make me wish I was never born," Ward finished with a chuckle, holding my hand, fingers lacing mine.
"Oh, no, not me, May. She would end you. And it would be messy," Coulson said with a grin. "Now, let's go spread the good news."
Author's Note- One more chapter to go. It's going to be a lovely wedding.