Ward led Skye out to the car. She knew he was taking her somewhere, she had no idea where, but seen as though she was wearing one of Tilly's little black dresses she doubted it was to a movie.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked for the tenth time, as Ward drove to their destination.
"You'll see." Ward told her for the tenth time.
He took Skye's hand in his and started rubbing the base of her thumb with his. It was the first time they had gone out together as a couple. Every other time they had been alone they were either running errands for the team, sleeping or fighting for their lives.
Ten minutes later he pulled into the car park to a restaurant.
"Wait here." Ward told Skye as he got out of the car. He walked around the front of the car and opened her door and helped her out. He retook her hand and guided her to the inside of the restaurant.
"Table for two. Name's Ward. There should be a booking." Ward told the Maître 'D.
"Yes, Sir. We have your table booked. It is just being prepared. If you would like to wait in the bar I will come and get you when it's ready." The Maître 'D told them, before escorting them to a table at the bar.
They settled into their chairs and the bartender came over to take a drinks order.
"I'll have a scotch, on the rocks please." Ward asked him.
"I'll have a white wine please." Skye asked him.
The bartender left to get their drinks and Skye rounded on Ward.
"Ok. So what's going on? She asked.
"Nothing. Can't I take my beautiful wife out to dinner?"
"No. Not without something being planned. You said it yourself. You don't do romance."
"Maybe I was feeling impulsive." Ward suggested. He could tell Skye didn't believe him.
"Impulsive doesn't book a table. Trust me. I know." She told him.
He smiled as the Maître 'D told approached them.
"Monsieur, your table is ready. If you would both like to follow me?" he said to them.
Ward and Skye got up and followed the Maître 'D to their table. Ward took his seat and the Maître 'D pulled out Skye's chair and as she sat down he pushed it very gently underneath her. The Maître 'D told them the specials and left so they could make their decision on the food.
"So what gives?" Skye asked again, resuming their conversation.
"Can't a man spoil his wife on her birthday?" Ward said to her with a glint in his eye.
"No, wait. What? It's not my birthday." Skye told him confused.
"So when is it?" He asked.
"I, well, I don't." Skye spluttered before admitting: "I don't have one."
She feigned an interest in her menu to hide the glisten in her eyes. Ward slid a brown envelope under her menu so that she couldn't miss it.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Your identification."
Skye ripped open the envelope and looked at it. She discovered her name was now officially Skye Collins and, according to her new birth certificate, today was her birthday.
The waitress came over to take their order and Ward asked her for five more minutes, while Skye stuffed the documents back into their envelope.
"Skye Collins. I like it." She said.
"Maria chose it."
"Why? I thought Coulson asked Fury." Skye asked, taking a sip of her wine.
"He did, but Maria stepped in when Fury tried to give you the surname 'Blue'."
Skye inhaled her drink and felt it starting to come out of her nose.
"So I would have been Skye Blue?" She giggled.
Ward looked at her and smiled. He then turned his attention to the menu and Skye did the same.
The waitress appeared just as Ward had made his decision.
Ward looked at Skye and noticed she was still looking at the menu so he ordered first.
"I liked the sound of the soup of the day, what was it? French onion?"
"It is. And you miss?"
"The griddled Haloumi please." Skye ordered.
"And for your mains?" The waitress asked.
"The griddled Lemon Sole please." Ward said.
"Mmm. That sounds nice, but I think I'm going to have to go for the Duck in plum sauce." Skye countered.
"Would you like any more drinks?"
"A bottle of the house white please." Ward said to her.
"Wine?" Skye asked him, raising her eyebrows. She had know him for nearly three years and had never seen him drink wine.
"Hey. For a meal like this you don't drink beer." He retorted.
"Gramz brought you up like a proper gent then." Skye said with a giggle.
Ward threw his napkin at her, but couldn't hide the blush creeping into his ears.
"She may have educated me on fine dining and treating a woman with respect, yes." Their waitress came back with their wine and poured them each a glass.
"But she still had no idea that you were a sociopathic assassin?"
"Nope!" Ward replied, raising his glass to Skye, who reciprocated, clinking his glass with hers.
"Happy birthday." Ward said to her.
They finished their starters and the waitress cleared their plates. While they waited for their main course Ward fished a small package out of the inside of his jacket pocket. He handed it to Skye with a smile.
She took the package and opened it. Inside was a box. She looked at Ward, who looked impassive. Curiously Skye opened the box, her eyes widened and she dropped it.
Blushing, she bent down to the floor to pick it up and when she straightened she found Ward was stood behind her. He reached into the box, pulled out the very delicate necklace and pendant that was nestled there and slipped it around her neck. He kissed her on the cheek and went back to his seat.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Duh, It's a necklace."
"Well done, Sherlock!" Skye retorted sarcastically. "I meant the stones."
"It's pink sapphire and diamond." Ward told her as he watched Skye play with the necklace.
"It's beautiful." She said, tears welling up in her eyes. She had never been given a birthday present before.
Their main courses arrived and Skye looked at Ward's Lemon Sole. She instantly regretted her choice of Duck as the smell coming off the Sole was tantalisingly good.
Ward cut a piece off his Lemon Sole and fed it to Skye. He remembered she had wanted to have it herself and had seen the look on her face when he was served it.
"Mmmmmmm" Skye murmured as she savoured its flavour.