Chapter 3: 2x19 The Dirty Half-Dozen
"No, no, not yet, no!" Skye screamed as Gordon took her and her father back to Afterlife. Not yet, damn it...
Cal stormed away from them immediately. "Where's my wife?! Ahh! Didn't expect to see me back here so soon, did you, my love? Not after such a well-planned banishing!"
Skye looked around. Wait. Gordon, Cal…"Where's Lincoln?" she asked.
"You took me from my home!" her father ranted.
Gordon raised his voice. "All right, that's enough!"
"Cal, this isn't your home," Jiaying said flatly.
"I know that now," Cal snarked back.
"Hey!" Skye interjected. "Lincoln is still out there," she said stridently. "Gordon, can you please -"
Gordon nodded and teleported out.
Her mother turned to Skye. "What happened?"
Too much to process. "There was an attack," Skye managed. My old life flashed before my eyes.
"Can we please get back to what matters here?" Cal interrupted. "You tried to take me away from our daughter. It's unacceptable!"
Skye glanced around as whispers and murmurs rolled through the crowd. Oh, crap. He just outed us. Awesome.
"Go calm down, Cal," her mother insisted. "You and I can discuss this later. There are worse options," Jiaying reminded him.
Like the one I was supposed to execute. Skye looked to her father and quickly averted her eyes. And seeing the way everyone is looking at us now...
Her mother released a heavy sigh. "Are you okay?" she asked breathlessly.
Define 'okay.' Skye nodded quickly. "I'm fine. But Coulson was there." Among others...She jumped as Gordon ported back.
"It was HYDRA," Gordon panted. "I tried stopping them. I barely got away." He growled the next sentence. "They took Lincoln."
'Your call, boss.' That's what I said. I did not expect him to turn himself in. I get it, though. It's too good of an opportunity to pass up. Plus, knowing Coulson, he's got a bargaining chip we don't know about.
I just wish I knew that for sure. Too much is riding on this. Too much depends on Coulson alone. That's a scary thought for someone like me.
Or it would be, except I know him. He wouldn't sacrifice himself unless the team were safe. And hiding out in the quinjet shadowing the BUS and hoping for the best? That's the opposite of safe. That's a ticking time bomb.
But Phil Coulson has a particular talent for disarming those.
Skye shook her head as she and her mother stood in her mother's room. "I don't understand," Skye said. "Why was Lincoln there?" Why was Ward?
"Because of me. I asked him to go and protect you, to keep you safe," her mother confessed. "It was a mistake. I should never have let you go at all."
Are you kidding? Skye looked at her mother incredulously. "It was the right thing to do." Not that I have much practice at that, but I'm trying…"We have to make sure that the Cal that we put out into the world is the same Cal that I've seen here - th-the safe and user-friendly Cal." Not a monster, not a man with a hole in his heart that darkness could fill...
Her mother gave her a slightly patronizing smile. "You were trying to make it easy on him," she said, taking her arm. "You were being compassionate."
You say that like it's something I'll get over someday...Skye gave her mother a serious look. "How do we get Lincoln back?"
"We don't," Jiaying declared. "It's too much of a risk."
We what? Skye blinked at her mother. "You don't - you don't understand. They will torture him. They will kill him." Or worse.
Jiaying's face turned to stone. "I know exactly what HYDRA is capable of doing," she said sharply. "I've carried the memory of what they did for decades."
"I'm sorry," Skye whispered. How could I have said that to her, of all people...She looked at her mother anew. What did you lose to them? What holes are left in you?
"And I wish I could save Lincoln from that, but I suspect somehow HYDRA is tracking Gordon's movements. Anyone I send will be at risk, too," Jiaying explained. "And Lincoln wouldn't want me to. These people are important to him. He wouldn't want them to risk their lives." Her mother gave her a sorrowful look. "We can't rescue Lincoln - not now. I'm sorry."
I don't accept that. Skye looked at her mother speechlessly. I can't accept that. I can't believe this, but, that's what you lost. You lost your heart. And I'm not even sure you miss it.
Robert Gonzalez put the cube back on the table with an audible thump. "That's your plan." He eyed Coulson skeptically.
"I take it from your expression, you're not dazzled," Coulson offered in return.
Gonzalez raised a brow. "Why send a small infiltration unit? Why not a full-on assault? Blow the base to particles."
Coulson shook him off. "I'd rather not sacrifice the prisoners. Rescue is ideal," he returned. "We don't even know how many people HYDRA's holding."
"I'm not sure I'm willing to put my people at risk," Gonzalez protested.
"You don't have to," Coulson assured him. "I've already got my own people picked out."
Fitz settled into a seat next to Hunter. "How you feeling?"
"Nauseous," Hunter replied mournfully.
Fitz hummed sympathetically. "You want me to get -"
"Oh, no, not from getting shot," Hunter clarified. "That's nothing. It's those two." He grimaced. "I think they actually...like each other."
Fitz looked forward at Ward and Kara chatting. "Just, um, just focus on your wound. It'll be less unsettling."
"You want to take the stick?" Grant offered with a grin. Best to be prepared...
Kara gave him a skeptical look, laughing him off.
"I could teach you," he persisted. I was good at that once...
Kara shook him off.
"Come on," he cajoled. "I think you'd like to fly." It's the ultimate escape, there's nothing and no one that you don't want to be there.
"No," she laughed. "No. If I fly, I'm taking us to Mykonos or Kauai."
Grant looked at her with a grin. "So, you don't like our plan?" Our plan. Boss. Why does this feel so damn natural?
Kara frowned at him. "Grant, SHIELD makes me nervous. Didn't you already fulfill your promise to Coulson?"
"But not my promise to you," he protested. "There's still one more thing I need from him before this is over." And then I figure out what's next for me.
Hunter looked away as his cell rang. He answered and called forward to Ward. "Green light! Go!"
With that, Ward brought the quinjet in to dock with the BUS. Home sweet home...
Gonzales greeted May as he stepped from the BUS into the hangar, Coulson, Ward and Kara on his heels.
May nodded at Gonzalez. "Sir." To Coulson, she offered, "Welcome back."
Coulson nodded in return. "Nice to be back."
Gonzalez turned to Kara and Ward. "You'll be accompanied by guards at all times."
May continued, "Each of whom will shoot you without hesitation." She glared hard at Ward. "Remember that."
Grant turned to Kara with a grin. "May's actually pretty friendly...once you get to know her." He gave May a pointed look. Don't think I've forgotten - we both enjoyed our arrangement. He turned to the guards behind him. "Gentlemen…" Let's just make this as painless as possible. He and Kara walked through the door with the rest of Gonzalez' people.
May lagged behind to talk to Coulson. "You finally come back, and you bring Grant Ward onto the base," she murmured. "I hope this plan of yours works."
"You and me both," Coulson agreed.
Coulson and Ward joined Gonzalez, May and Morse in the office. "This video feed was streamed from Deathlok's eye less than an hour ago," Coulson explained.
"What happened?" Gonzalez asked as the video cut off.
"It appears HYDRA removed his eye," Coulson replied.
"Well, we've got a problem," Bobbi pointed out. "Without Deathlok's feed, we don't have eyes on the ground."
That's what you think. Ward spoke up from his position against the wall. "Not true. I have a man working on the inside - Sunil Bakshi."
"I know Bakshi," Bobbi replied. "He's a HYDRA agent."
"Not anymore," Grant countered. "Now he works for me." He's the key to burning HYDRA to the ground.
"Says the HYDRA agent," May returned.
"My days with HYDRA are over," Grant corrected. That's if they ever counted at all. "Just an independent contractor," he clarified, before turning to look at Coulson and continuing, "trying to make amends." To all of you, and to Kara, and then maybe myself.
"We remain skeptical," Gonzalez commented.
"With good cause," Coulson conceded, "but I believe using Bakshi is the only way for us to successfully infiltrate this base."
Bobbi shook her head as she countered. "The base is in the Arctic circle with nothing around for miles. HYDRA will see us coming."
"Which is why it's critical I take in a small team," Coulson repeated.
Agent Weaver spoke from the screen behind him. "And just to be clear, Agent Coulson, what is your objective here?"
Coulson turned to address her. "We rescue the enhanced prisoners, then disable the missile-defense system so that SHIELD jets can fly in safely to bomb the facility."
"You really believe a small team can do this?" Bobbi asked.
"My team can," Coulson affirmed.
My team. Ward schooled his features to blankness as he absorbed Coulson's words. Could I still be a part of that to him? Does Coulson really believe in me?
"Then I suppose we should put this matter to a vote," Gonzalez concluded. "Agent Morse."
Bobbi's response was swift. "I'm in."
"Agents Weaver and Oliver," Gonzalez prompted.
"No," Weaver said flatly. "Too risky."
"I agree," Oliver said gravely.
Gonzales nodded. "Understood. But I'm voting to go ahead with this." He turned to his left. "That leaves you with the deciding vote, Agent May."
May took a breath. "I'd like a word in private with Agent Coulson first."
'My team.' It's one thing for me to call him boss. Out of habit, out of deep dark wishing, out of the fervent desire to be part of the team again. But to hear it come from him...I wish like hell it didn't mean as much to me as it does. It just makes everything else between us and behind us that much worse...
I realize that. I really do. But I also feel like I can't let anyone besides Coulson see that. There has to be someone in between Kara's knight in shining armor and the murderer and traitor May sees me as. The question is whether the rest of the team - my team - is willing to help me find out who that Grant Ward is.
"What part of "no" didn't you understand?" Gordon fumed.
Skye stalked him down. "The part where you won't take me to Lincoln," she answered. If you hadn't teleported me out of there, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.
"I told you, no one enters or leaves Afterlife until we know it's safe," Gordon repeated.
"It'll be too late by then," Skye insisted. "SHIELD may be wrong about a lot of things, but they never leave a man behind." How can you? Especially knowing what we've all been through before we got here?
Gordon shook her off. "I'm sorry -"
Raina stepped towards them. "Don't give up hope just yet," she said. To Gordon, she explained, "Skye can save Lincoln. I saw her do it."
"Wh-" Skye looked at Raina in disbelief. What the hell? "You've seen it?"
Gordon turned to Skye. "We think Raina's gift may allow her to see things before they happen."
Skye smirked. "I thought her gift was spinning really fast to collect gold rings." She chased the ghost of Ward's laughter out of her head.
"Tell me what you saw," Gordon requested.
Raina shrugged him off. "Maybe she's right. What I saw doesn't make much sense." She looked at Skye. "Why would Coulson be working with Ward?"
Oh my God. They - she - "C-Coulson and Ward were together back at Cal's office, but I didn't...tell anyone," Skye offered shakily. And I don't have the time or the energy to think about why I didn't...
"You have to go," Raina insisted. "You do go," she clarified.
"Go where?" Skye demanded. This is crazy, but when isn't that my life...
"Lincoln's in a dark room with two doctors," Raina described. "They're cutting into him. You find him. You're the only one who can save him," she emphasized.
Skye turned to Gordon. "You have to take me." If you believe in her, then believe in this, please...
Gordon shook her off. "I promised Jiaying I wouldn't use my gift."
Raina gave him a look from the side of her eye. "You need permission to save a friend?"
Gordon exploded. "Last time I went back for Lincoln, HYDRA almost captured me. How will this be any different?"
"Because where you take Skye is a long way from HYDRA," Raina explained.
"You're taking this too far," Kara protested.
"It's the only way we can move forward," Grant insisted. "I'll go help my team while you stay here and reconnect with your past." Boss. My team. Damn it, this all feels too good...
"That made sense when it was just calling my mom," she retorted. "This is something else entirely."
Grant looked at her steadily. "Listen, you're a SHIELD agent, Kara." Whether you think so or not.
"I was a SHIELD agent - a long time ago - before HYDRA took me...before I met you," she said emphatically.
Grant took her by the shoulders. "Being a SHIELD agent was taken from you." And from me. "This is your chance to get that part of yourself back." Mine too. "And I'll keep saying it until you believe me. All you have to do is stay strong." He smiled a little wider and nodded at her. And you will. You're in the right place.
Like I said. No one should have to sacrifice what I did. I gave up my soul to Garrett's schemes, and I truly am trying to make amends, but...I don't know if anything I do can help Kara more than I already have. And she's broken, yes, but not broken like me. Maybe this time with who she used to be will help her see that.
Ward watched as the ramp closed behind them. Here we go.
Everyone froze as a loud clanking sounded from inside the plane.
Simmons looked around. "What was that?"
"On your knees," May barked, drawing on Ward. Coulson followed suit.
Grant held his hands up. "May, it wasn't me," he said calmly, dropping his pack. I'm not going to fight you, but it wasn't.
"Then what the hell was it," Coulson demanded. He spun and aimed at the cabin door as he heard footsteps, lowering his gun as he recognized the figure in the doorway. "Skye," he whispered.
Skye blew out a breath as she hit the landing, gripping the railing and looking around. He really is here. "Hey guys."
"This is great!" Ward said. "We finally got the team back together." Time to really make things right...
"How are they all?" Simmons asked. "Are you making friends?"
"How did you get the intel about the base?" Fitz queried.
"Can you control your powers, or...?" Simmons let the rest of the question fade.
"Yes," Skye said, looking to Simmons. And without those gloves. She turned to Fitz. "Yes, I-I promise I will tell you guys everything. It's a lot. You might not believe me, but just not now."
"Well, we're just happy to see you, and you're being so secretive," Simmons protested.
I don't mean to be...Skye shook her head. "No, I'm happy to see you, too, but -" I'm an emotional wreck and I'm trying to save the world.
Fitz sulked. "Yeah, we've got a mission to do, not much time, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."
"No, Ward is here," Skye hissed. I didn't expect him to really be part of this. "I don't want to talk about anything personal in case he -"
"Did I hear my name?" Ward commented as he walked in. From you, Skye?
"He's like the Candyman," Skye whispered. Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. Didn't she end up becoming him and freeing him in the end?
Coulson took a position opposite the screen and called them over. "We should review the op. Ward -
"Mm-hmm," Grant acknowledged.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Coulson continued. "Bring us up to speed on Bakshi's intel."
Ward punched up the schematics with relish. "All right," he began. "Bakshi's using old HYDRA text channels to provide us with intel, although m-" He glanced at Fitz, who immediately dropped eye contact. "Much of it is, uh-" He looked at May, the rage in her eyes unmistakable. "Much-" Grant sighed. How the hell am I supposed to help them if they can't bear to listen to me? "All right. Can we just address the elephant on the plane?" he began. "I know. This is weird. Mistakes were made."
"By you," Fitz murmured darkly.
"And people got hurt," Ward continued.
"By you," Fitz added again.
Damn it, Fitz, I know. Grant shook his head and plowed on. "And I could stand here and explain again how my parents and brother left me vulnerable -"
May rolled her eyes. "We all had our traumas, Ward. Didn't turn any of us into psychopaths."
But you wouldn't believe me or care. Ward pursed his lips. "Well, we all have our own ways of coping, don't we?" he countered. "For example, I was yours."
"Watch it, Ward," Coulson barked.
"Look, I'm just saying we all made mistakes." Not that May would even realize I'm admitting she should never have come near me. "Coulson handed me over to my abuser -" Grant looked over to his former director. "Thank you." He turned. "Skye shot me -"
"After you killed how many people?" Simmons asked.
"Yeah, and we were a team and a family, and you betrayed us!" Fitz burst out.
"I know," Grant admitted. "It's what I regret the most," he continued, his voice raw. It's why I'm doing what I'm doing now. "Not the lying, the SHIELD agents I had to put down, and -" He looked to FitzSimmons. "I'm sorry - not even dropping you two in the ocean." He took a breath. "It's this. My actions destroyed this. I'll regret that forever." In trying to satisfy the one person I thought I owed my allegiance to, I lost the people I really cared about. "'Cause there were good times. Right?" He smiled at Skye. "Before? I mean, for a while there, we were a good team. Weren't we?" I wasn't acting the whole time...don't tell me you were...
The team sat in silence with the thought, for once not avoiding his eyes.
We were...that's what makes it worse. Skye was the first to speak. "I'm still happy I shot you." After all you and I went through...you deserved it.
"Yeah, me too," Fitz agreed.
"Should've aimed for the face," Simmons corrected.
"Yeah," May agreed.
So why didn't you? Ward looked around at all of them. I didn't want to believe we were this far gone…
Coulson sighed. "Guys...I know this is so weird, but we have to come back to the mission. Two teams. Skye, Ward, and Simmons on rescue and medical. Fitz and I will break in to missile defense and gather intel. May's with us for firepower."
Skye frowned at him quickly. "Wait. You're not on rescue?" Since when?
"Let me handle the job assignments," Coulson cut her off. "The point is, there's a lot of challenges ahead. We don't want to implode before we even get there," he pleaded. "And, Ward, just...no more talking...to people."
Ward looked down. Yeah. I guess not. He swallowed hard. Seems Coulson is the only one who considers me part of the team.
I wanted to correct May - there is a distinction between psychopath and sociopath, thank you. But what would that have accomplished?
I know May will never forgive me. I violated one too many layers of trust. For that, I truly am sorry. There's no way for me to tell her that, there never will be. But if I can help with this, if I can help with Skye and HYDRA and maybe not be a monster for once, just once since SHIELD fell...Maybe actions can speak louder than words.
As for words...Skye's words...I don't know how to feel. Glad she shot me, but not sorry she didn't kill me? Or is the absence of words not the best case scenario I want it to be?
The words I am getting from everyone, though...daggers and blades.
I'm a specialist, whether for SHIELD, HYDRA or myself. I'm pretty damn sure I've earned every barb.
"We've been spotted," May called to the team. "It's time."
Ward checked his clip and strapped on his weapons. Finally, something I excel at.
I've got visuals on the target," May updated. "Buckle in."
The team scrambled to grab their packs and head for their seats.
"They've locked on," May said urgently.
Everyone buckled in, bracing as the BUS took a direct hit and exploded.
Coulson shook with the jostling of the quinjet. "I'm starting to think this wasn't a very good plan! Is there anything you can do about the drop?" he called to May.
"Not if we want HYDRA to believe we're debris!" May snapped.
"I'm really starting to wish I hadn't eaten that hot pocket earlier," Coulson commented.
"Hold on!" May yelled.
Rough landing. I'd have taken copilot if she'd have let me. Ward held on as the quinjet slowly lowered to the Arctic ground. He looked at the rest of the team. At least everyone will have their rage to keep them warm on the trek to the base.
May and Skye swept the entrance as the team advanced into the room, all pausing and watching a body drop at the end of the hall.
Bakshi stood over the fallen HYDRA operative. "I was being followed," he explained.
Which means the clock starts now. Grant immediately lowered his weapon and held out a hand. "Calm your mind, Bakshi," he instructed. "Your compliance will be rewarded."
"Good to see you again, sir," Bakshi replied. "Where's Kara?"
"Exactly where she needs to be," Grant answered honestly. For the first time in a long time. "Is List still here?"
"Yes, sir," Bakshi confirmed. "In the lab, along with the other prisoners."
"And the mainframe room?" Grant prompted.
"Down the hall, to the left," Bakshi replied.
Coulson looked at his crew. "Everyone clear on their team's objective?"
Bakshi inclined his head. "If it's agreeable, I'd prefer to join Agent Ward's team."
Coulson turned to Skye. "Is that gonna be a problem?"
"Hardly," Skye said dryly.
Coulson gave his last instruction. "Remember, just 15 minutes till Gonzales' jets arrive. Move."
Ward took the lead towards the lab, Skye on his six. This is what could have been, this is who I could have been...He waved Bakshi forward to access the keypad.
Bakshi punched in the code and stood back as the door opened. Ward and Skye burst through and started firing.
Grant grinned at Skye behind their cover. "Just like old times, huh?" It feels just as good as being with you always felt.
"Not exactly," Skye murmured. But some things are still too close for comfort...She put the thought from her head and leaped from behind the table to confront the agents remaining in the room. I can do this. She took a deep breath to focus, and sent a wave of force towards them.
What is she - holy shit. Grant watched incredulously as the agents flew through the air to smash into the walls. He stood. "So that's what happened in Puerto Rico," he said slowly. That answers that question. He glanced at her. "The least you can do is thank me," he prodded. Are you really not going to speak to me at all?
"How about I just don't try to kill you again?" Skye bit out as she left his side.
Again? Ward watched her as she made her way through the room. You didn't try to kill me the first time.
Simmons immediately started tending to Mike as Skye asked after the guy they'd seen in the hallway. Skye took off as soon as Mike told her Lincoln had been moved.
Grant watched as she stalked away. I should go with her, damn it, but Simmons and Mike can't protect themselves...I know Skye can...
"Don't just stand there like an idiot," Simmons chastised as she assessed Mike's injuries. "Go and find something we can carry him out on."
Ward frowned but turned. She's right. We're going to need a better extraction plan with Mike. He left them to search.
Skye charged into the other operating room, drawing on equal parts rage and training to take out the team guarding Lincoln. Definitely not like old times. But I think he was impressed…
She squashed the part of her that lit up at the thought as she stood over Lincoln, listening to the flatline. "Lincoln...Lincoln, wake up," she demanded. I cannot lose anyone else. I refuse. She looked and Lincoln and remembered Raina's words. If I'm the only one who can save him...what's special about me?
She held her hands above Lincoln's chest and concentrated on vibrating his heart. An electrical spark appeared between them and Lincoln's heart started beating. She felt for his pulse and exhaled heavily. "Oh my god," she whispered. "Raina was right."
Grant opened cases in the storage room, rummaging for something of the right size and heft. Never would've pictured the day where Simmons is regularly in the field. Guess I've missed a lot. He moved another tarp.
"Sir, watch out!" Bakshi launched himself at Simmons, grappling with her until he froze. "Ah!" He screamed as he turned to ash and crumbled to the ground.
Grant spun in time to see it happen, pulling his gun on Simmons. That - that was a splinter bomb. "We're on the same team," he said in disbelief. "What were you thinking?"
"That I made you a promise," Simmons said shakily.
"What? That you would kill me?" Ward shook his head. "I thought we moved past that."
"Go on," Simmons challenged. "Get it over with, you monster."
Skye's not a monster and neither am I. "You really have changed, Simmons." May, I would expect, but Jemma..."I'm disappointed in you." Not that it would matter to you. He shook his head and left the room.
Simmons watched him, exhaling unsteadily as the door closed behind him.
And in that one exchange, Bakshi and my HYDRA Intel are gone, and whatever redemption I was hoping for is proven a lie.
Simmons and a splinter bomb. Did I do that to her? Was it Fitz? Or has the world just gone too mad for her, so she went crazy to match it?
One thing is for sure. I'm not going to stay around to find out. I'll have to find my own way.
I wish I were more surprised.
Simmons burst into the room where Skye hovered over Lincoln. "Is he okay?"
"Where are Ward and Bakshi?" Skye asked. Why was that my first response?
"They're not coming with us," Simmons replied.
They're not coming with us...but they're alive? Skye shook herself. "Okay. Come on. We don't have much time." Besides, I already know Grant Ward is a survivor.
Good thing I had a contingency plan in place. There was something that wouldn't let me believe it'd be as easy as Coulson made it out to be. Not a lie, but...Coulson always saw the good in me. Me. Not the facade, not the cover. I get the feeling he saw me through all of that.
I thought Skye did too...but I guess the time for that has passed.
Time to regroup now. No Kara, no Bakshi. But maybe it left a little equity behind. Hopefully.
Simmons rushed Mike and Lincoln passed Coulson and through to medical. The director paused at the end of the ramp as his cell rang. "Hello?"
Grant let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding as he registered the background noise. "Sounds like you made it out okay." Wonder if anyone counted the agents I took out to clear your exit. You're welcome.
"I'm surprised you didn't join us," Coulson returned.
I would have, if Simmons hadn't made it clear she was serious about trying to kill me...He kept his answer light and sarcastic. "I thought it might be in my best interest to find an exit that wouldn't, oh, land me in a cell afterwards," he answered. "Or, you know, my brain erased." If all I can have are the memories from before I ruined everything, at least let me keep them.
Coulson gave a small smile. "Well, I'm glad you made it out all right."
"Yeah, we both know that's not true, Coulson," Ward replied. You weren't done with me yet, I know that.
"You want to tell me what this call's really about?" Coulson asked.
"I always knew the team wasn't gonna forgive me," he explained. Liar, Christian's voice whispered. "Some people just don't deserve forgiveness." My family didn't...and maybe I don't either. Not yet. "But Kara? She does. That's why I've returned her to SHIELD." At least one of us deserves to be free and clear...
Coulson started to respond. "Ward, there's -"
"She was a good agent - a good person," Grant argued. "Then HYDRA ambushed her safe house and took that from her - took everything." I know how that feels.
Coulson watched Kara through the window, seeing the confusion on her face as Ward and Bakshi didn't appear.
"Whitehall broke her, and I've tried to fix her, but..." Grant blew out a breath. "I'm just not the right man for it. Just not enough good left inside me." Not anymore, not by the team's standards. "She deserves better." She definitely doesn't deserve to be punished for my sins.
Coulson nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
"I know you'll do the right thing," Grant replied. You always do, in the end. He blew out a breath and hung up. Now to figure out what the right thing is for me...
Skye sat vigil over Lincoln. "Come on, Lincoln. Wake up." No one else is leaving me today. She frowned. Why did I have to think of it like that?
A.N.: Did the best with what I had, and here's hoping next week brings more Skyeward potential! Thanks to all of you who are enjoying :)