a/n: Forgive my lack of updates; I've been busy in real life and haven't had the chance to write; thus without further ado – a new chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, merely playing in Marvels sandbox.

Word Count: 732.

Beta: Thanks to bellapaige88 for all your hard work, thank-you for being so kind.

Wounds.

It was mere seconds, but to the young hacker – it felt like years. It wasn't until the heat from the fire was licking against her face that she realised the trembling child in her arms and the shouting of Simmons and Fitz mentioning that Ward was down.

Down, Injured…

They all meant the same thing.

Panic flooded Skye's system, fear igniting in the pit of her stomach into a crushing crescendo – her chest tightened, causing the once silent thumping of her heart that was now erratic with its pulsing. Oh God, Ward was down? She gathered the young boy in her arms, lifting him from the ground before heading towards the team, she all but pushed the child into the embrace of Simmon's – when the words of "I'll get Ward." However, before leaving the safety of the SHIELD van, Skye all but grasped the firearm from the base as she ran in the direction of her fellow agent, her S.O. Someone who she relied on too much but still felt the need to push her further because he knew that she was more than capable. It was in times like these where the young brunette wished she had more field skills- that she offered to do more training sessions with the elder officer, to do ten extra burpees along with finding the courage to do more weapon training. It was the thought that something so small could kill – point, aim and shoot and someone would be dead all by a small firearm.

Without even realising it, she came to the flight of gun metal stairs – a fire exit towards the roof in which Ward was unconscious and probably bleeding out. With a huff escaping her slightly dry lips, Skye all but heaved herself up the steps in double-time, whilst it had been merely minutes that had past, all the young hacker could think of was her S.O could be dying. By the time she made it to the top of the roof, she saw him – flat out on his back, luckily she noticed the rather thick padding of the bullet proof vest but what made her grimace was the fact a shot or two had caught him in his shoulder. Rushing forward, the brunette dropped beside him – placing the firearm beside her thigh before trying to raise Ward from his unconsciousness. With haste, Skye slide her cell from her pocket and called the Biochemist who answered on the first ring. "Simmon's, Ward's been hit. Two bullet wounds in his shoulder, somewhat unconscious – meet me near the roof." With that, she hung up.

"Grant.." She called out, trying to rouse the injured agent but when she thought all bad luck had come to hear – his eyes all but fluttered, a groan escaped his dry lips until all he saw was his Rookie. She shuffled him into a somewhat sitting position, enough so she could heave his body weight and to distribute it evenly on her somewhat thinner and weaker frame until his arm was over her shoulders. Ward was able to walk with some effort, holding on to his Rookie until they made the bottom step in which Fitzsimmons arrived – helping them both into the van. It wasn't until they arrived back at the bus, and Ward had been escorted down to the lab - with now ease due to him awaking in the back of the van. Worry etched on her face, a thumb had entered her mouth - nibbling on the fleshy side of her thumb, worrying it between her teeth until it became sore.

"I'm fine, Skye." The words came from his lips the first time in what seemed forever, her head dashed up - her dark chocolate gaze meeting Wards. She all but rushed forward, just the two agents within the slightly cooler room. The others had all but left earlier on - luckily the damage to Ward wasn't bad, bad but bad enough it required stitches. She hopped up onto the desktop in the same position her S.O was in before leaning her head onto his healthy shoulder - in which she hadn't expected was for the gesture to be returned.

"Don't ever do that again, Mister."

Her tone was light but even he understood the words lingering between the words. She relied on him more than he realised, and boy - did he now know.