"Were you all expecting a Batcave?"
Ward tossed the question to the team as he unlocked the front door to his bookstore. They were all looking up at the store sign that read "Clouds & Skies Books". Earlier Ward had revealed his new identity to the team. If they had read any specific meanings in the name of his store, they just smiled it off between themselves. Especially when they saw the way Ward had been holding Skye's hand since they left the diner.
"I was expecting to park the SUV in front of your house. Not fifty meters away." Coulson told him.
"Makes you glad you didn't bring Lola, huh?" Skye said as she followed Ward into his store.
"Don't worry, it's a safe neighborhood," Ward told them as he switched the lights on.
"If you had mentioned that earlier, I would have brought the Bus." May said.
"Wow! This is absolutely cosy!" Skye shrieked with excitement as she scanned the room. She took in the rows of antique bookshelves, the dark leather wing back chairs positioned in corners, each with a polished side-table by its side, the plush carpeting and a corner where an L-shaped leather sofa set with a coffee table stacked with board games.
"Fitz! Look at this! Ward even has a section on Bio-Chemistry and Engineering Science." Simmons cried with glee as she pulled her partner to that particular section.
"Romance?" Coulson quirked his brow at Ward as he fingered the books on the shelves near the front window where he grew flowers in a flower box. Ward threw a quick glance at Skye before looking back at Coulson with a smile. Unseen by the others, Coulson stood on one leg and shot an imaginary arrow towards Ward as a Cupid would.
At Ward's laughter, the rest turned to ask was funny. Ward shook his head and offered them drinks instead.
"Need help?" Skye asked.
"I was hoping you would volunteer," Ward whispered in her ear as he ushered her into the kitchen with a hand on the small of her back.
"You think he is happy?" May asked as she sidled up to Coulson.
"He is now." Her friend replied as they both watched Ward and Skye whispering and giggling as they entered the kitchen. "You ok, with him and - "
"They are meant to be together," May replied with a smile and patted Coulson's shoulder before moving away to inspect the books on martial arts with Trip.
Soon, Ward brought out a tray of beverages as Skye helped with a tray of cakes and cookies and set them on the coffee table. Ward then returned to the kitchen and came back with a big bag of pretzels and tossed it to Fitz. The Scotsman beamed with pleasure.
"I love you Dude." Fitz said aloud.
"And what am I?" Simmons smacked her partner's chest playfully. "Chopped liver?"
"Aww.. Come on Jem!" Fitz protested. "How could you think I would see you as that! You know you are my prosciutto and buffalo mozzerella sandwich with a hint of pesto aioli Oooff! Hey! Where did you learn to hit like that?" Fitz panted and rubbed his stomach.
The others laugh as they settled down to collect their respective drinks.
The front door chimed as figure came into the store. They all knew who it was as soon when he voiced his opinion as a greeting.
"Did you train this boy to catch me at the the wrong moment Coulson? I was fishing. Almost got a fish this big." The man showed the length of the supposed fish between his large hands.
"No Sir." Coulson replied as he stood in front of the Director.
"No Sir. No Sir." The Director mimicked his favourite Agent. He then scanned the room and settled on Ward. "You told them yet?"
"No Sir."
"Tell us what?" Coulson asked as he looked between Fury and Ward.
"Why he was hiding."
To Be Continued...