Disclaimer: I don't own MAoS
Psalm 23: A psalm of David. A/N: I changed the last verse to sword and shield instead of rod and staff.
*SkyeWard*-*fangirl sigh*
AN: So that finale was something else…it was awesome! Except for that one part where Skye shot Ward…but if anyone deserves their revenge on him it's her. He hurt her the most when he betrayed the team. He taught her everything and in the end he let her down. She loves him and he became the biggest disappointment, he broke her heart, he broke her faith and he broke her trust. So in the end, he betrayed her first and the fact that she shot him when his back was turned (well, technically he was facing her); he should have seen it coming. The idiot! At least she didn't shoot him in the head, she could have easily killed him; but she didn't. She couldn't do it. So now they're even and they can move past it. They'll be on good terms by the end of the season…(one can hope.)
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
Bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
Through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will not be afraid,
For you are close beside me.
Your sword and your shield
Protect and comfort me.
Drawn into your mystery
As soon as I opened the vault door and closed it behind me, I ran right into Agent May and she was not happy.
"What did you do to Agent's Conner, Skinner and Myers?" she demanded in a flat monotone, giving me her best hate face. May doesn't scare me anymore so I just smiled and feigned innocence.
"Whatever do you mean Agent May? I have never even seen these so called Agents you are referring to," I lied smoothly; she narrowed her eyes at me and got up in my face.
"All three of them showed up in the infirmary with bullet wounds, one to the kneecap, shoulder and arm and they all said you did it. Why?" she growled with her hands fisted at her sides as if she was trying really hard not to lose her patience with me.
I gave her my best sarcastic smile and mirrored her posture, "Yes, it was me. They have been beating and torturing Ward down there for the past week. They said they were doing it on your orders and Koenigs. So I shot all three of those assholes. How could you? After everything he's been through? He was co-operating the best he could since you're the one that took his voice away," I said angrily. I was so angry I could spit fire. I was staring at May with Ward's famous hate face and she scowled at me.
"He deserves everything he gets down there Skye, it would be best to remember that because in a few hours he won't be our problem anymore," she said emotionlessly. That's right. AC was handing him over to his brother. What no one knew except Ward was that I was planning to help him escape. Nobody messes with my SO. Not even family. Coulson was going to regret his decision.
Squaring my shoulders and cracking my neck I faced May in stone cold silence and then, "Meet me in the garage in 20 minutes," I said coldly and walked away leaving her staring after me confused.
Once in my room, I sat on my bed and pulled out Ward's Glock 17 9mm from under my pillow and tucked it into the back of my pants and then I pulled out the two duffle bags I've had packed and ready for the past few days. In the first one I had all of Wards' stuff, guns, silencers and ammo, in the second one I had all of my stuff, cash, the backscatter glasses, 2 laptops, 2 untraceable encrypted cell phones, forged legal documents, new passports and drivers' licenses, all of Wards' aliases and the tablet. We won't be found unless we want to be found and I have a feeling that at some point Ward's going to decide to join HYDRA for my sake and take them down to earn his place back on the team. I also know that my psycho father has decided to form an alliance with HYDRA in order to get to me. I am going to have to make Grant brainwash proof. When I had everything packed I left a note for AC on my bed. I knew I'd be getting no sleep now, I was too wired. I headed for the door and ran into Koenig, I can't remember his name and I didn't care to at the moment.
"Hey Skye, what have you got there?" he asked me in a chipper voice, acknowledging the luggage I was carrying. I scowled at him. The nerve of this guy; he thinks he's done nothing wrong.
"None of your business Koenig, get out of my way. I have a meeting with May in the garage," I said harshly and attempted to brush past him, but his hand on my arm stopped me. I refused to turn around.
"What is your problem Skye?" he asked obnoxiously and then something seemed to click in his head, "Is this about you know who? Because that traitor deserves everything he has coming to him and more. He should rot in hell for what he did to my brother. I hope his brother breaks him to pieces," he whispered in my ear. I had enough. Dropping the bags, I whirled around and pinned him to the wall by his throat.
"How dare you speak about him that way in front of me!? Everyone Grant Ward has killed was either bad or HYDRA. Guess which one your brother was?" I seethed in his face, my voice hard as steel. He looked terrified and I smiled, tightening my grip around his throat.
"Your brother was a HYDRA mole. I have the proof for everything. Now stay the hell out of my way or the next time you'll get more than a bruised throat," I said emotionlessly, my eyes flashing with pure anger. I dropped him unceremoniously to the floor and smirked at him before walking away.
Once I made it to the garage, I found May standing in the middle with her arms crossed over her chest her usual guarded expression on her face. I dropped the bags and approached her swiftly and silently, just like Ward taught me. I remember all of his training and lessons like he said them yesterday. I also know all of his moves, I can mimic them to perfection and May was the perfect test subject.
When I was five feet away May charged forward and tried to hit me in the face; I ducked and flipped her over my shoulder. She landed on her back with a grunt and then got up. I squared my shoulders and put my arms up to protect my face and planted my feet firmly on the ground. She did the same. We were sparring for a good 20 minutes when I got a punch passed her block, I hit her in the kidney and she stumbled but otherwise didn't make a sound. I upped the ante, putting all of my strength and anger behind every blow; jab, jab, block, left hook, right hook, left uppercut, right cross, low kick, block, high kick, back flip, right hook, left cross, block, block, right roundhouse kick, right uppercut, block, block, left hook.
We matched blow for blow until my last punch had her on the ground and out cold. I leaned down and whispered in her ear, I knew even though she was out for the count she could still hear me; "Don't you ever hurt him again. He's been through enough and I understand because I have lived through it too. I know what it's like. Grant Ward is a good man; he just has to believe it for himself. Tell AC to read that goddamned file I gave him. Goodbye Agent May." Wiping the sweat off my brow, I got up, picked up my luggage and headed for the nearest SUV that I had rigged specifically for this mission. I stuffed the duffle bags in the bottom compartment of the trunk, closed the hatch, locked the SUV and headed for a shower. I still had about an hour before they were going to move him.
The hour went by quickly and it was time to hand Ward over to Federal custody. They had him cuffed in the front with standard police cuffs and a bag was thrown over his head. He was surrounded by 20 SWAT guards and FBI Agents. I was fuming. AC and May were being unreasonable; Ward did what he did to protect his family; Us. I will never forgive AC for his decision to hand Grant over to his worst nightmare. I will never forgive Agent May either. The way they were treating him walking to the transport SUV was despicable. And then Coulson made it worse.
"You will never see her again Grant. Remember her face because this is the last time you will ever see the light. You're going to trial Ward and Christian plans to make an example of you. You'll probably be sentenced to death, but before that; you'll be in the worst kind of hell imaginable," AC seethed, he had a nasty smile on his face. Ward's shoulders tensed, and then slumped, like he has already accepted his fate. He was poked and prodded all the way to the transport. How could AC say something like that to him? Doesn't he know what Grant's been through his whole life? AC turned to face my direction once Ward was beside the vehicle and his smile disappeared. It completely dropped off his face as if he was caught red handed. I wasn't supposed to hear what he said. I wasn't supposed to be here. Gathering all of my anger, I glared at AC, May and Koenig. We were supposed to be a family and the only people I considered family at the moment were Ward and FitzSimmons. Thank the Gods FitzSimmons weren't here to witness that.
With one last withering glare and a sarcastic smile on my face, I headed to the SUV I rigged, the one carrying the FBI Agents and got in the drivers' seat. Before I closed the drivers' side door, the bag was taken off Wards' head. He took one look in my direction and looked so surprised to see me he almost did a double-take. He kept his composure at the last second. Now I was even angrier. AC and May must have said something to him before he was released from the vault making him think that I was somehow out of the picture. They made him doubt me; they made him think that I played him again. I would never turn my back on my family and SHIELD is my family, but so is Ward. He's the one that taught me everything. He taught me how to be an Agent. He taught me how to fight and defend myself. He protected me and kept me safe and he loves me like no one ever has. I will never betray SHIELD and I won't turn my back on them either, but Grant Ward is still an Agent of SHIELD and he is still my SO, no matter what. My place is with him right now and when AC realizes his mistake, we'll come home. But until then, Grant and I will be working to fight the enemy from outside the law, where we work best.
I gave Grant my best smile and a wink then closed the door. This was going to be easy because I know for a fact that no one saw me approach the vehicle. Only Ward knows I'm here. This was going to be easy. No one expects me to help him escape. My last thought before heading out was that AC better read those damned files I gave him.
I was just beginning
After the transport left Agent Coulson and Agent May went back to his office to discuss what just went down. He was having serious second thoughts about what he said to Ward earlier. He'll never forget the look in his eyes. He'll never forget the look Skye gave him either before she left the garage. She wasn't supposed to be there. She wasn't supposed hear those hurtful words. He needed to talk to her.
"Agent May, please go get Skye from her room. I would like to have a word with her," he said quietly, running a hand over his face. She nodded and left the room.
He sat down at his desk and opened the bottom drawer of his desk; in it sat a thick folder labelled 'Grant D. Ward' in Skye's handwriting. He was about to reach in and pull it out when May came back into the room, a panicked expression on her face holding an envelope.
"What is it Mel?" he asked standing up and leaning over his desk. She handed him the envelope, his name was on it.
"It's Skye, Sir. She's gone," May said in her usual calm voice. What? How was that possible? Skye would never leave her family he thought and then opened to envelope.
AC,
SHIELD is my family, I would never abandon you. You're the family I never had but always wanted. You, May, FitzSimmons and Ward. This team became my family. All of you have always had my back even when I messed up royally. You're the father I have always wanted AC and May was mom and Fitz and Simmons my brother and sister. But Ward has been everything. And right now he needs me more than SHIELD. I won't turn my back on him either because no matter what he's done, he's still an Agent of SHIELD and he's still family. I love him. But what you and May have been letting happen down in that vault for the past week? I will never forgive you and I will never forgive you for handing him over to that psycho Christian Ward. I will follow Grant Ward into hell and I will bring him back. He'd do the same for me, he loves me too and no one ever has. No one has ever been willing to risk everything for me. I love him AC, more than anything and I am going to help him. I will do whatever it takes; I will risk everything for him. Read that damned folder Agent Coulson and you'll understand.
I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Skye
Coulson read over the letter three times, he couldn't wrap his head around it. Skye left. The girl he has always thought of as a daughter. She left because of Ward; she left because she couldn't take the fact that he betrayed them all. Skye loves Grant Ward. He handed the letter over to May and let her read it. Her face expressionless.
He reached into his bottom drawer and pulled out the thick folder and opened it. It took about four hours but he read the whole thing, over and over. He couldn't believe it. Skye was right. About everything and he didn't give her the time of day. Ward always taught her to trust her gut and that's what she did. Skye trusted her gut and found all the proof she needed to exonerate her SO and the man she loves. He looked at May, and handed her the proof. He just made the biggest mistake, ever. Even the alien writing in his head couldn't help him now because he just possibly lost the girl he considered a daughter; the girl who always saw the good in everyone; the girl that always believed in Grant Ward because he never once let her down.
Coulson looked at Agent May and she stared back her eyes mirroring his. What have we done?
To see your ghost
As planned Ward waited exactly ten minutes before he executed his escape. It was relatively simple. All he had to do was discreetly use the key I gave him to unlock the handcuffs and then catch the Agents' escorting him off guard and kick their asses. When the transport vehicle veered off road; that was my cue; I shot every one of the FBI Agents' in my vehicle with an ICER and then pulled over behind the transport. Putting the SUV in park I dragged all of the bodies out and placed them on the side of the road. Ward did the same with the transport. Altogether there were 13 unconscious Agent's lying on the side of the road.
When everything was set, I grabbed Grant by the hand and pulled him toward the SUV and we sped off. It was a relatively silent 10 minutes and then Ward broke the ice.
"I didn't think you were going to make it," he said quietly and it broke my heart. His voice sounded broken and vulnerable. Grant Ward was never vulnerable. I looked over at him and took one hand off the wheel placing it in his and squeezed.
"I will never abandon you Grant. What or who gave you that idea?" I asked, already knowing the answer and that fact made me so angry my one handed grip on the wheel turned so tight the leather cracked.
"Coulson came down to see me before the transfer. He told me that you could never love a murderer like me no matter if I was innocent or not. He told me that I will be alone for the rest of the time I have to live. He told me you hated me with every fiber of your being," he replied, his voice strained. He wouldn't look at me and the ache in my chest got bigger.
"And you believed him?" I asked; my voice even but my grip in his hand got just a little bit tighter.
"No. Skye, I didn't believe him at first but then when they were escorting me to the transport vehicle and he said those things to me? I believed him then," Ward answered; his voice ragged and eyes downcast and ashamed. What will it take for him to believe me? I will make sure that Ward never doubts me again, even if it takes the rest of eternity.
"Grant look at me," I demanded, my voice firm, he didn't look at me and the ache in my chest got that much bigger. I waited five minutes and when he still didn't turn to face me; I pulled the SUV down an alley and put it in park and when I let go of his hand he tensed and didn't relax until he felt my hand on his cheek. Gently gripping his chin in my hand I turned him to face me and looking him right in eyes I kissed him, with everything I had and felt over the last 8 months we've known each other. He kissed me back and it was unlike anything I've ever felt before, everything tingled and when we had to pull away for air; I leaned my forehead against his and gave him my best smile.
"Grant Douglas Ward I will never leave you. I promise. You are stuck with me for eternity. I love you," I swore to him, my voice gentle and filled with conviction. This time he looked me in the eyes and his sparkled with something akin to hope. He let out a shaky breath and then let go of my face.
"I love you too, Skye. More than anything; but I don't understand how we will be together forever. I will eventually age and die and you'll still be here," he said, his voice filled with uncertainty and trepidation. Ward's eyes lost their shine. Damnit! I swore in my head. I was hoping to avoid this conversation at least until we were clear.
I took his hand, gave him a peck on the lips and grinned at him, he looked confused, but I kept my expression the same, "Um. Grant, there's something I have to tell you," I bit my lip and he looked at me expectantly, squeezing my hand and giving me a barely there smile.
"What is it Skye? You know you can tell me anything," he reassured. I looked him straight in the eyes so he would know I was telling the truth.
"Don't get mad okay?" I asked, my voice wavering and my hand started to shake in his, he looked at me worried, and then he put up the wall and nodded.
"When I healed you earlier, I'm pretty sure I did more," I said nervously, waiting for him to explode and give me his famous hate face. But he didn't, he looked incredulous.
"What do you mean by more?" he asked tentatively.
I let out a loud sigh and closed my eyes, "You won't age Robot. You'll be 30 years old for as long as you live. And you'll live for a very long time if I have any say about it," I told him, opening one eye to gauge his reaction. He looked shocked and speechless.
"I'm sorry Ward!" I cried, I couldn't stop myself; my emotions were in overload and I was feeling everything and it hurt, "I should have asked for your permission. I didn't know I'd heal you so good that you would remain 30 years old forever! I'm sorry! Please forgive me…" I whispered, tears falling down my face. Ward looked at me stunned by the sudden change in the atmosphere and pulled me into his arms, hugging me as tight as he could with the center console in the way, gently rubbing circles into my back to calm me down.
"Sh, sh, it's okay Skye. There's nothing to forgive. You didn't do anything wrong," he reassured me, whispering in my ear while my tears soaked his prison shirt. "So, I really won't age? I'll look the same as long as we live?" he asked, pulling away slightly so he could look me in the face, while gently wiping my falling tears away with his thumbs and cupping my face in his hands.
I smiled at him, "Yes. We will always have each other. No matter what, I promise Grant. Where one goes the other will follow," I said honestly and then looked over at the dash clock. We have been sitting in here for the past half hour. Shit. It was time to go.
"Thank-you, Skye. You saved my life the first time Coulson and I kidnapped you. I just didn't know it at the time," Ward said, giving me his rare all there smile.
"You saved my life too, you know? If you guys hadn't kidnapped me; I probably would have ended up in a ditch somewhere. So thank-you," I replied, smiling back at him.
"We have to go Grant. Everyone will be on our asses and by now I think that AC and May know that I am your accomplice-," I trailed off at the stricken look on Wards' face. He opened his mouth to say something; I stopped him with the hate face that I learned from him. I couldn't help it. I really liked pushing his buttons.
"Don't you dare blame yourself Grant Douglas!" I exclaimed and his eyes widened a fraction but I continued my rant, "This was my choice. I love you, every single part of you. There is nothing you could have done to stop me. There is nothing anyone could have done to stop me, because I know you and no matter what you think of yourself; you are a good man, you are one of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and knowing," I said vehemently, staring him straight in the face, leaving no room for argument.
"I will spend the rest of eternity convincing you what you mean to me. Don't you ever doubt that I love you, because I know that you feel the exact same way about me, I can see it every time you look at me, even when you are angry at me. We may not agree on things, we may fight and not talk for days; we drive each other crazy and up the wall. But that will never change how I feel about you ever," I sucked in a breath and took a peek at Grant. He was still staring at me in wonder and amazement. How did I ever get so lucky? What did I ever do to deserve this man?
"You mean the world to me Agent Ward, and if anything ever happens to you, I will tear the universe apart to find you and bring you back to me. But one thing; I won't let you die for me, I won't let you give your life for me," I said; my voice tense. But I meant every word and Ward grabbed my face and put his hand over my mouth. I licked his palm; he narrowed his eyes at me but otherwise didn't remove his hand so we just sat there for a minute staring each other in the face until Ward broke the silence.
"Are you done, Rookie?" he asked; his voice thick with emotion.
When I nodded he continued, "Skye, I love you more than anything. You are the only person I have let myself love in a very long time. You are the first person I have ever felt safe with, when I am with you I know nothing can ever hurt me and I know that I am the same for you. We complete each other and when I thought you hated me; my world fell apart," my eyes widened and he shook his head, he wasn't finished.
"Thank-you Rookie, for bringing me back from the darkness that had become my life. Thank-you for not giving up on me. I know that I don't deserve you," I glared at him when he said that. It's not up to him. What will it take to convince his stupid ass that he is a better man than he thinks he is? Stubborn Robot! I sighed loudly; it was muffled by his hand, so I waited impatiently for him to continue.
"I have done so many terrible things Skye, I don't know what you see in me," he said, not meeting my eyes. That's it! I punched him as hard as I could in the shoulder. He winced and the action removed his hand my mouth, to rub the sore spot. He glared at me and opened his mouth to say something, when I put my hand over his mouth.
"Shut up, Ward! I wish you could see exactly how I see you and how you make me feel maybe then you'll stop bashing yourself," I mused out loud and then the idea came to me and I just knew it would work, because we have a soul deep connection and our love will span time and space, it will conquer all.
I removed my hand and kissed him, he was so surprised he didn't respond at first. But when he did, and out tongue battled for dominance, I poured every emotion and everything I have ever felt towards him since the day I met him. I gave him insight into how I saw him. From the first moment we met; the attraction, the annoyance and irritation. The first time he got hurt protecting the team and the first time I started to fall in love with him. The day I went undercover to infiltrate Ian Quinns' compound in Malta. He was teaching me how to disarm an attacker; it was the time he told me about his older brother. I showed Ward that I viewed him as a Protector; a Guardian; a Warrior. He is the definition of SHIELD. I showed him how much he means to me and how I felt every time he got hurt on a mission and the first time I thought I lost him for good. I put everything into that kiss and when I pulled away for air; Ward was staring with this look in his eyes, and then he grinned at me, an actual face splitting grin.
"Do you understand now Ward? How much you mean to me?" I asked him.
"I really mean that much to you?"
"Yes you idiot. You mean everything to me. I can't live in a world where you don't exist," I replied, squeezing his face, tracing the outline of his jaw. The scruff on his face made him look totally badass. I love it.
"Rookie, you're all that I have and that time I thought I had lost you forever. I wanted to jump out of the plane with no parachute on. But I didn't because I knew you would want me to keep fighting," he said honestly, giving me a small smile. Damnit! What the hell is wrong with me today? I can't seem to stop crying every time he shares his feelings with me.
"I know Grant. I came back for you, you get me the way no one else ever has. There is something that I found out but that story has to wait because we have to go," I said. He smiled and nodded.
We were back on the main drive within ten minutes, "Where do you want to go Grant?" I asked him, he turned to look at me and raised an eyebrow.
"Texas," he replied. I smiled at him, and squeezed his hand. It was a 17 hour drive; we'd have to take turns.
"Texas it is. Get some sleep Turbo," he turned his head to look at me and was about to protest when I glared at him.
"Ward, I know you haven't slept well since you left on that transport with Garrett. I haven't either. So don't argue with me. Okay?" I said exasperated, rolling my eyes at his stubbornness.
About a half hour later I couldn't take the silence anymore, so I looked over at Ward and was about to poke him in the arm when a bright red stain on his side caught my attention. "Fuck!" I cursed and then promptly pulled my SUV over to the side of the highway and shut it off. The idiot! Why didn't he tell me he got shot? And I knew the answer to my own question. 'I'm Agent Grant Ward, Super Spy and nothing can hurt me. Not even a bullet to the side.'
I looked him over and checked his pulse, it was strong and steady. Thank the Gods. Putting my hand to his mouth to make sure he was still breathing, he was and then I climbed over the backseats and to the trunk and pulled out my bag. I couldn't heal his wound if the bullet was still in there.
"GRANT!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, "GET UP!" he bolted upright and hit his head on the window and cursed. I was a little bit sorry. He turned around, winced at the pain in his side and glared at me.
"What happened? Is everything okay?"
When I didn't respond, he took a closer look at my face. "Skye? What's wrong? Why are you crying and not talking to me?" he asked softly.
I wanted to smack his stupid, handsome face. I wanted to punch him in the face. "Why didn't you tell me you were shot?" I asked; my voice deathly calm and my hand still in my bag searching for those glasses and a first aid kit.
He grimaced, and I knew that it was something I wasn't supposed to see. Damnit! He still thinks he deserves this pain. "It's nothing to worry about Rookie. It's only skin deep," he said easily, shrugging his shoulders.
I sighed. We've had this conversation before, back in the beginning and he lied. It wasn't skin deep because after I saved his ass from falling out of the plane he collapsed on the couch and Simmons had to extract the bullet from his side.
"Don't you dare lie to me Grant Douglas! Remember what happened last time?" he shook his head and was about to interrupt when I stopped him with a withering glare.
"You passed out, you idiot! And Simmons had to extract the bullet from your side and on the next mission you tore out your stitches when you saved my life fighting off Quinn's men," I took a breath, getting my temper in check because if I didn't calm down I was going to start sobbing because Ward is well Ward.
"You're not bulletproof Grant. And you can still die, so please come back here so I can take a look at your side," I pleaded, my eyes shimmering. Ward complied, but I caught the smirk on his face and the gleam in his eyes.
"You just want to see me with my shirt off," he replied, grinning at me. I rolled my eyes but didn't deny it.
"Shut up, Turbo," I muttered, he chuckled and did as I asked. He looked the same as I remembered from two weeks ago after Garrett beat the shit out of him before coming to Providence. He has scars and I know that not all of them were from missions. In the end, Grant is still the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, not that I would tell him that.
We all have scars and every one of them has a story behind it and every scar is proof that you survived the hell you were living in for however long that was. Grant Ward survived 30 years of hell and he escaped it for 8 months and then was thrown back in for a week. Every time I thought about that I wanted to drive back to the Playground and do more damage to those three agents' that were hurting him.
Someone was snapping their fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to the present. Ward. And he has a bullet in his side.
"Skye, are you okay? You looked like you wanted to murder someone for a minute there," he said quietly, gazing into my eyes intensely. I sighed and gave him a quick smile.
"Yes. For a minute there I was remembering how I found you this morning and I wanted to do more than just shoot those three agents'. I wanted to put them in a cell and have them experience everything they were doing to you tenfold," I replied, my voice an octave higher than normal and my hands balled into fists so tight my palms started to bleed.
"Skye, it's-," he started to say and then he stopped and looked at the expression on my face and backed down, shaking his head.
"No. Grant. Don't tell me that it's okay! Because it's not! The both of us have had really shitty lives and up until 8 months ago; never thought it would get any better. What happened to you was not okay. So stop bashing yourself and help me, okay?" I asked him and he smiled at me and nodded.
I put my hand back in my bag and handed him the first aid kit, and then I found the glasses and put them on, Ward looked at me astonished, "Are those…?" he trailed off, not being able to finish his sentence, gaping at me.
Smirking at him, "Yes Ward. These are the backscatter glasses, the ones that Fitz designed," I said, smiling at him smugly.
"How did you get those?" he questioned, his eyebrows raised to the roof of the SUV.
"I've had them the whole time," I replied easily, and then I made the motion of turning them on. Ward looked at me, horrified, and I couldn't hide the giggle that escaped my lips.
"You've had them the whole time?" he clarified.
"Yes, Grant. I've had them since Fitz wanted me to help him cheat at poker after that mission with Akela in Belarus," I answered, and his expression was priceless. I laughed so hard, my stomach hurt.
"Wait a minute," he said, putting his hand up to stop me from talking and then he blanched, almost hitting his head on the window, "You're the reason I won that game."
"Yes."
"What did you say to him?" he asked his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Shit! He's going to kill me! I can't lie to his stupid face, he can read me like a book. I groaned and glared at him, he didn't let up.
"Fine," I grumbled, holding my hand out for the first aid kit so I could start cleaning his wound.
"I told him that if I helped him that I would not only see your cards but I would also see him with no clothes on. So he panicked and you won the game. Oh and I saw you naked," I told him with a shit eating grin on my face.
"What?" he growled low in his throat, staring at me intensely.
"I said I saw you naked. I am not sorry Ward. I couldn't resist, you my SO are one sexy badass Agent," I confirmed. He stared at me wide eyed and then grinned. It was really the first time I have seen him smile since I woke up from my deathbed. But this grin, there was danger in it and Shit. I know what he wants, so I smiled right back at him.
"You will get what you want after, Ward. Right now, I have to extract this bullet."
"How did you know what I was going to ask?" Ward questioned, wincing when I dabbed his wound with antiseptic.
"I can read you like a book dumbass, I know your facial expressions like the back of my hand," I replied.
"Oh really?"
"Yes. Now shut up and let me finish. You're distracting me with that smile," I said, continuing to dab his wound. And then I really did turn on the glasses and had to try really hard not to react because this was Grant Ward and he was so sexy that I couldn't help myself.
Ward cleared his throat and smirked at me, "You turned them on didn't you?" when I didn't say anything, he turned his head to the side and then glanced back at me, "Like what you see, Rookie?"
I blushed bright red and I wanted to smack that smug smile off of his face, "Yes. Of course I do Grant. You're the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," I muttered under by breath, but by the look on his face, he heard me; every word. Damnit. I forgot for a moment who I was talking to, he's a freaking Specialist trained to hear and see everything around him.
"Don't say it Ward," I warned, giving him a look. He put his hands up in a placating gesture and smiled a knowing smile at me and then he said it.
"You think I'm beautiful?" he asked his voice low and uncertain, eyes downcast. I looked up at that and the look on his face, I wanted to hit someone. I wanted to make his Christian and his family pay for what they've done. Garrett was already incinerated so there was nothing I could do about him. I gave Ward my smile, the one only reserved for him.
"Yes, Grant. And I mean it, there is nothing wrong with you. Your scars are proof that you survived, that you battled back and came out on top. The scars on the surface aren't the only ones, there are scars that we can't see but are still there on the inside and I know that those are the ones that hurt the most. Trust me Ward, when I tell you that you are not alone anymore. You have a family that loves you, I love you and FitzSimmons love you too. Coulson and May will come around. Now enough of this," I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes free of tears.
"Brace yourself Grant. This is going to hurt," I said through gritted teeth, he did as asked and held onto my hand that was placed beside his wound.
I stuck the tweezers inside the bullet hole and extracted the bullet. Ward hissed in pain and his grip on my hand turned to bone crushing. Setting the tweezers back into the first aid kit, I placed my other hand over his wound and a bright purple glow emanated from my hand. This time I made sure not to hurt him as I pulled his pain into me and felt the white hot wound burn into my side and then disappear. This was the second time I have done this in a matter of hours and I could feel the toll it was taking because I was suddenly really tired. I lifted my hand from his side and all that remained was a scar and another story to tell.
As I opened my eyes, Ward was sitting there, with my one hand clutched to his chest in all of his shirtless glory and I smiled a dopey smile at him. He scowled at me, and squeezed my hand.
"Damnit Skye! Why did you do that again? You could have just stitched me up, but no. You had to heal the whole thing and almost pass out on me," he said, his voice had an edge to it.
I sighed knowing this was coming. Grant Ward protects everyone but himself and he still thinks he deserves the pain, "I didn't want you to be in pain anymore," I told him gently, looking into his eyes and the hardened expression on his face softened.
"Okay. Thank-you Skye. But next time; only use your power on me if it's absolutely necessary. I know that it drains you and you have already healed me once today. Promise me," he said earnestly and by the look on his face I couldn't say no.
"Okay, Grant. I promise only to use my powers on you if it's absolutely necessary," I mumbled sleepily with my fingers crossed behind my back. Ward stared at me intently for a minute and then he seemed to believe me.
"It's your turn to drive Robot, I won't be able to keep my eyes open," I said, snuggling closer into his warm chest. He smelt like safety and home and Grant Ward.
He chuckled and then carefully lifted me into his arms and opened the back door so he could carry me out and put me in the front seat.
Once I was secured and Ward was driving, I told him, "Once we're in Texas and have rested for a while we are going to Massachusetts and I am going undercover in your brother's office," my voice sounded far away but I still heard Ward suck in a breath and immediately pull the SUV over and I also felt when he turned to face me.
"No way in hell am I letting you go undercover Skye! You are not going near that bastard, not while I am still breathing, I won't let him lay a hand on you," he said fiercely and I opened my eyes to face him. His eyes were haunted by a past so dark he couldn't talk about it.
"It's okay Grant. I can take care of myself. But if it makes you feel better, you can come with me as my bodyguard. I have all the paperwork and everything. Plus, the bastard won't recognize you since I deleted that one photo from every law enforcement database and I also made sure that there was no way it could be printed out," I reassured him, getting more comfortable in my seat.
"You're doing this for me aren't you?" he asked quietly, his eyes blazing with emotion. I grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"I am doing this for the both of us, I want retribution Grant and I also know for a fact that Christian has Hector Garza on his payroll." Ward blanched and then glared out the windshield. I know there was a war going on inside his head and he had to figure this out himself.
"Alright, Rookie, we'll do this, but we're doing it my way and any sign of trouble we get the hell out and go to ground. Understand?" he said in his Agent Grant Ward voice and I smiled at him. This was going to work out.
"Sir, yes, Sir," I replied saluting him, he was not amused and continued to stare at me his one hand gripping the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white.
"Yes Ward. I understand, you're my SO and I will follow your orders to the letter," I said and then silently added, unless something happens to you, then I will do whatever it takes to get you out in my head.
He gave me a tight lipped smile and turned the SUV back on then headed back into traffic.
"Skye and Ward against the world," I mused out loud, still half asleep. Ward turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow, I raised mine in return challenging him.
"Skye and Ward against the world," he repeated, his voice sounded amused, I narrowed my eyes at him, but he just shook his head, squeezed my hand, half smiled and said, "I really like the sound of that."
I smiled back at him and then fell back asleep with my head resting on his shoulder.
But you must know
Please read and review, I love reading your thoughts/ideas and opinions:)
And I love SkyeWard. Well I love Ward more than Skye because he's my first favorite but yeah, SkyeWard is still alive in my book. Even though she shot him. (The love of Natasha Romanoff's life shot her, twice and she still loves him)
-S