"You are staring again."

"Am I not allowed to do that?"

"Not if you want Coulson to freak out when the patrons of this diner tells him how a beautiful woman was thrown over the shoulder of a dangerous and scruffy looking guy and was hauled away into his truck with the tinted windows just because he gets all fired up by the way she was looking at him."

"Wow." Skye sighed as she continued to look dreamily at Ward.

"What? Too caveman?" Ward asked as he finger combed his long fringe off his face.

"No. Just never heard you say such a long sentence under one breath before."

Ward shrugged his shoulder as he nonchalantly told her, "Just something I picked up when hanging around this non-stop talking Hacker that's been under my skin since the moment I kidnapped her."

"Hey!" Skye kicked his foot under the table. Ward laughed as she had to slouched lower onto the bench seat in order to kick him again. They were both laughing when a voice broke between them.

"Playing footsie, Skye?"

"AC you are here!" Skye grinned and waved at her friends. "Guys."

None of them were looking at her. Their eyes were on Ward.

"Is that really you?" Fitz asked as he took in Ward's new appearance.

"Yes Fitz. It's me." Ward replied with a small smile. He then turned to Coulson. "Sir."

The Leader didn't reply but just stared at the tall man who had stood in front of him.

"AC?" Skye started to scoot off the bench to stand next to Ward.

"You know that there's a line back there," Coulson said as he pointed to towards May, FitzSimmons and Trip, "who have been waiting to kick your ass, right?"

"Yes Sir. I do."

"That's why you chose this diner, isn't it? A public place. Lots of people. So, we can't lay a hand on you?"

"Technically, that's the strategy. Survival instinct. Even Skye knows that." Ward gave her a small apologetic smile when she glared at him.

"Well, you thought wrong, Agent Wise Ass." Coulson took a step closer to Ward. "There are times when exceptions are permitted. Isn't that right Fitz?"

"Yes Sir," Fitz replied.

"Simmons?"

"Yes Sir?"

"Did this man throw you and Fitz into the ocean in a box?"

"He did. And I swore I will make him pay." Simmons eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I know what I have done Sir. And I know they are unforgivable," Ward stood his ground when Fitz advanced towards him. "Fitz."

"Sorry. Nothing personal."

"I know."

Fitz snorted as he pulled his arm back. Ward instinctively tensed his body against the impact that Fitz was delivering. After many years of physical abuse by his brother and Garrett, Ward was ready for whatever beating Fitz was going to lay on him. The Scotsman may be smaller than him, but he could deliver a mean blow if he needs to.

But Ward was not ready for the group hug that Fitz and the catapulting Simmons suddenly rained upon him. The two scientists tackle hugged him tight resulting in his arms being pinned to his sides. They then tried to outdo one another in muttering their frustration, anger, appreciation, worries, concern and opinion of his new look, right in his face. Simmons started jumping in excitement and Ward lost his balance because of their weight change. The three crashed to the floor.

All eyes in the diner turned to the heap on the floor.

"Owww! Get off my arm!" Fitz yelped as he tried pulling his arm from under Ward. "You pinned it down! Oww Oww!"

"So's my arm! And I would if Simmons would get off my chest!" Ward growled as he fiercely blew her hair off his face.

"Oh Shut up Fitz! And get your leg off my bottom!" Simmons scolded her partner. "Ward stop spitting at my hair!"

"I'm not! They got in my mouth!" Ward struggled to get her off him and trying not to pin Fitz's arm at the same time. "Stop whining Dude! And get off my hair!"

A quick glance at Skye, Coulson immediately held his finger out. "Don't even think about it Skye. You are not jumping in to join them."

"You are no fun AC." She pouted.

"Some help here!" Fitz yelled out.

Coulson sighed as he and May helped them up.

"I thought I was the only one that can bring you down." May told him as she pulled Ward up. "You must be really out of practice if the twins can topple you."

"I take it, it's your turn to kick my ass?" Ward smirked.

May smirked, rolled her eyes and punched his shoulder.

Ward and Trip exchange a silent nod of understanding. Fitz came to Ward's side and gave the taller man a solid whack on his back before pulling a chair to sit down. Skye saw Ward grimacing when Fitz landed a solid whack on his back. A worried frown furrowed her brow and Ward saw it. Reaching for her hand under the table, he mouthed "Later."

"You want to tell us what you have been doing Ward?" Coulson started the conversation.

"It's going to be along story. How about we all go back to my place to talk?" Ward suggested.

After glancing around the table, Coulson nodded his agreement.

"I'm hungry." Skye said.

"Me too!" Fitz added.

Simmons eyes widened as she scanned through the menu.

"Might as well feed the children first Coulson." May muttered.

"I feel old." The leader replied as he opened a menu.

"Sir?" Ward called for his attention.

"Yes Ward."

"With your permission, I would like to include another person in during our talk."

"Who?"

"An old friend of yours?"

"His friends are all old. OUch! Who kicked me?!" Skye gasped.

To Be Continued...