Author's Note: Just to let everyone know Skye's father is an OC, I thought about tying him into either the cinematic universe or the comics but decided against it, I have my own ideas about where he is going as a character and didn't want to be tied down by the comics.

Please review, this is a really important chapter in terms of the story and want to know what everyone else thinks.

Warning: There is a lot of blood in this chapter so if you don't like blood and guts then don't read. Just be warned that this chapter is really important in terms of Ward's character so if you do skip it then you'll miss a lot.

Chapter 16 – A Matter of Honour

The first blow collided with Ward's chin, throwing the specialist off balance. Unbalanced Ward missed his chance to block the kick to his side, he hit the ground, hard. When he tried to stand Ward was pulled up by his hair, bringing him face to face with the scarred man.

The look the man gave Ward was one that a human gave an ant right before they stepped on them, "I'd like to know where my daughter is."

In response Ward spat on him, then kicked the man in the chest, forcing him to release Ward as he stumbled back from the force of the kick.

But Ward's respite didn't last long, Skye's father was strong and fast, for every blow the specialist managed to block another two made contact. Ward himself only managed to land a few punches and a kick or two. No matter what Ward did the bloody man kept coming. Soon Ward could barely stand but after each blow he forced himself to his feet, father or not this man was after Skye, even as he coughed up blood Ward wouldn't give in. Ward had met men like this before, it didn't matter that Skye was his daughter he would hurt her if the need arose and Ward wasn't going to let a man like that anywhere near Skye, even if it killed him.

Forcing himself to his feet again Ward readied himself for another blow. Only it didn't come.

The scarred man eyed the specialist, now with curiosity, "Why do you keep fighting? Why don't you spill your secrets, save your own life? Why don't you scream?"

Ward only spat blood at the man.

In two steps the man had grabbed Ward by the throat, with ease the specialist was held a good foot of the ground. The man then gave a knowing look, "Unless you can't."

Ward struggled against the man's grip, using what little strength he had left Ward clawed at the man's hand around his throat.

The smile the man gave Ward was the creepiest thing the specialist had ever seen and he'd seen a lot. Blood even covered the man's teeth, "So I ask you again, where is my daughter?"

Ward continued to struggle, the man knew he couldn't yet he continued to ask, what was the point?

The anger grew on the man's face, "TALK." He yelled.

"I can't"

Ward was so shocked at the sound of his own voice that he stopped struggling. In an instant he was flung across the roof, this time Ward didn't have the strength to get up. A foot pushed him over so that Ward now lay on his back struggling to breath, still in shock over the words that had escaped his own mouth.

The bloody man stood above Ward, he placed a foot on the specialist's throat, making breathing even harder. The man smiled a bloody grin, "That's better. Now we can talk. Where. Is. My. Daughter?"

Ward coughed, blood bubbling from his lips, "Go to hell." He forced out, "Kill me."

The man looked confused, "You would die for her?"

"A thousand times," Ward wheezed, "If it kept her safe."

Suddenly the weight was lifted from Ward's throat. Forcing himself over onto his stomach Ward spit, coughed and threw up enough blood to fill a bucket. Even without the foot on his throat he struggled to breath. Ward knew he had made a mistake, to rid both his stomach and lungs of blood he had turned his back on a man both willing to and capable of killing him. Trying not to pass out Ward waited for either the killing blow or more questions from the scarred man, but neither came.

As the minutes ticked by Ward wondered why he wasn't dead. Eventually his arms couldn't keep his body supported and the specialist fell back to the ground. Again a foot in his side rolled Ward onto his back.

Again the scarred man looked down at Ward, "Do you have a name?"

Ward gave a weak smile, blood still dripping from his mouth, "Yes."

The man gave Ward an annoyed look, "What is it?"
Still finding it hard to breathe Ward wheezed a response, "Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine."

The man actually smiled at Ward's response, "You can call me Sir."

Wincing in pain it was Ward's turn to give an annoyed look, but knew it was the only answer he was going getting, "Ward."

Sir nodded, "Are you a man of honour, Ward?"

"Trying to be." Ward replied, wincing again.

Sir gave an amused look, "Would you kill for my daughter? I already know you're willing to die for her."

More blood passed Ward's lips as he coughed, "She wouldn't want me to."

"It's a simple question, Ward." Sir said glaring down at the specialist, "Faced with letting her die and killing someone to save her would you?"

Ward thought about it for only a second, "I would let the world burn if it meant saving her."

Sir smiled, "Good. Others will be coming for her. Those who don't care if she's alive or dead when they get her. I would prefer she stayed alive."

"Your minions didn't care." Ward spat, trying to force himself to his feet.

Sir shrugged, "I said alive, I never said in one piece."

Anger surged through Ward, giving him the strength to force himself to his feet, but Sir was faster, stepping out of the specialist's reach. Ward stumbled when his punch failed to connect but somehow managed to stay on his feet.

Sir only smiled, "Use that anger to protect my daughter and I'll let you live."

Ward spat at the man again, "I'm not one of your lackeys."

"No you're not, but you'll protect her anyway because otherwise I will use my 'lackeys', as you call them, to bring my daughter to me. You and anyone else who gets in their way will be dead."

Again Ward winced, both in pain and at the thought of Skye being anywhere near the man that stood before him, "If it keeps you away from her I will do anything."

Sir smiled, "Good. I'll be around Ward, do not test me."

Ward glared at the man as he walked away, leaving the beaten man alone on the roof.

Alone, all Ward wanted to do was collapse on the roof but knew that if he did then he would never get up again. He could barely breath, he could barely stand but still Grant Ward walked. People starred as the bloody man limped through the streets of London, but Ward didn't care, he had a single destination in mind, the one place in the whole world he felt safe.

It was dark before Ward reached his safe haven, the old building would have been difficult to climb with injuries and during the day time but still Ward forced himself up to the second floor. Forcing the window open Ward collapsed face down on a bedroom floor.

The room's sole occupant forced the specialist onto his back and before he passed out Grant Ward couldn't help but think about how pretty Skye looked in the moonlight.

Author's Note: This chapter is for everyone who was worried that Ward would never talk again and asked me to fix him. You're Welcome, now all you have to worry about is if he'll wake up *insert evil laugh here*