Through the fire
Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Marvel or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, nor am I associated with them in any way. This is a non-profit fan work written solely for the purpose of entertainment. This is in no way canon in any shape or form.
It's been about twenty minutes ever since Grant Ward, former HYDRA agent and recent captive of the new reformed S.H.I.E.L.D, was transferred to U.S government custody and the prisoner transport left the hidden Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) installation most commonly referred to as "The Playground" in the past few months ever since it was brought back into service. So far, the ride was spent in total silence as nobody said a word. The quiet was to Ward's benefit as he could focus on readying himself to escape.
Ward had really thought he was making progress with the team. While he always knew it wasn't going to easy and that it would take years for them to every even think about trusting him again, he genuinely believed that it was possible to make amends with Skye, Fitz, Simmons, Coulson, and May. Those hopes were completely crushed when Skye had almost gleefully informed him that they were going to his older brother, Christian, so that can stand trial for his crimes.
What a complete and total farce.
It wasn't a trial, not in any sense of the word. This whole thing was just a ploy to get Christian to work with Coulson since he "had more use for him" by boosting his ratings and image by bringing his 'traitor' brother to justice. That was the situation, no matter how anyone might put it.
Only now did he accept the reality of the situation, they were never going to forgive him for what he did. For betraying the team and siding with Garrett, not that he could really blame them. Despite genuinely enjoying the time he spent with them on the Bus, he knew Garrett for over fifteen years while he had only known the team for a few months.
Guess he really was delusional, as Coulson so eloquently put it a few days ago when he visited his cell. He should've seen that when he blinded himself to the fact that Garrett only ever saw him as tool and never really cared for him. That much was clear when he nearly had Mike send him into cardiac arrest to get Skye to give up the code for the drive that served as a backup for the info on the Bus's databanks.
But this wasn't the time nor place to lament on the choices he made.
Taking in deep breaths through his nose, Ward was preparing to dislocate his thumbs to allow the cuffs to slide right off his hands. It was often times painful and would result in his thumbs being sore for at least an hour, but he had been through worst.
However, just before Ward could put his escape plan into action, the prisoner transport he was in began slowly down and soon stopped dead in its tracks. Despite the fact that the FBI tactical agents were wearing protective goggles which obscured, he could tell that they were just as confused as he was. They couldn't have already reached their destination already. Perhaps a traffic jam? No, there were no honking horns. Maybe a flat tire? It couldn't be that either as the van would have noticeably shifted and he would've noticed it.
Before he could ponder more on it, he heard the door to the front of the van open and the shuffling of someone getting out of the driver's seat before hearing the door slam shut. After hearing the footsteps not long after of what was most likely the driver walking outside, three solid knocks echoed through the small compartment from the twin metal doors on the back of the vehicle, signaling that someone was back there and wanted to enter.
The three tactical agents gave each other a confused glance before the one closest to the door opened up the small viewport that allowed him to see outside the back. Whatever he saw, it seemed to make it relaxed as the tension left his body and he undid the latches to one of the doors before opening it. Since it's been months since Ward was imprisoned by his former team and that he wasn't able to go outside, he was temporary blinded by the sudden sunlight that entered the back of the truck. Once his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he saw another tactical agent with the same gear and combat loadout standing right in the doorway.
However, unlike the other three agents, this one had a neck gaiter which covered the lower half of their face. Additionally, their protective goggles were tinted, unlike the transparent ones the other three agents wore, which left their eyes completely hidden from view. Finally, they looked to be more scrawny looking, though they still had a bit of muscle underneath based on what he was seeing, with a height of roughly around 5 feet and 8-and a half-inches. These were the kinds of details most people wouldn't notice or even care about. However, Grant Ward was not most people, quite the opposite in fact as most people weren't a highly trained spy. He always paid attention to everything that was happening around him. No matter how significant it seemed to be; a habit that saved his life on more than one occasion.
Other than that, there wasn't much difference. Same standard issued FBI tactical combat uniform in olive drab, a tan plate carrier with FBI marked in yellow in the front, a MICH2000 helmet with a ComTac II tactical headset underneath along with a mount to attach night vision goggles, combat gloves, and a Colt M4A1 Carbine held in the low-ready firing position. It also had a few weapon attachments such as the M68 Aimpoint reflex close-combat optic with a vertical forward grip in addition to the weapon light and PEQ-15 attached to the rail system on the barrel, serving as their primary weapon with three standard thirty round magazines placed in the front pouches of the plate carrier in addition to the one already inserted into the rifle. For their secondary weapon, a Glock 17 could be seen in the pistol holster on their right thigh with two extra magazines for it on their belt in addition to three M84 stun grenades clipped on as well.
"What's going on?" The tactical agent who opened the door asked in clear confusion. "We run into traffic or something?"
The person at the door didn't respond- well, verbally at least. In the blink of an eye, the "agent" raised their rifle and flicked M4A1's safety off before they began rapidly firing lead into the FBI agents. It was over before it even began as the tactical operatives weren't even able to raised their own rifles let alone return fire before they were cut down.
Ward had to admit, he wasn't expecting that to happen. He stared back at whoever was standing at the entry way before he quickly checked himself over. To his relief, he saw that he haven't been shot. Considering that his escort detail was dead and not him, that could only mean that whoever this was had no intention to kill him. For if they were, he would've been lying dead along with the three agents by now.
Putting an extra round of 5.56 by 45mm NATO round in each body to make sure that they were dead and weren't faking it, the unknown figure lowered the rifle and flicked the safety back on before slinging it behind their back via the weapon strap. Stepping into the vehicle, the fake FBI agent began rummaging through the pockets of the dead agents vests, they moved onto the second one before they held up triumphantly what they were looking for: the keys for Wards restraints.
Turning back to Ward, who had kept his eyes on them the whole time, they undid his handcuffs and unlocked his leg chains. Without missing a second, as soon as he was free Grant quickly grabbed a Glock 17 from the holster of the deceased guard who was closest to him with his right hand while moving forward and shoving the unknown into the opposite wall, his left forearm against the neck of the infiltrator; applying enough pressure to allow them to breath properly but also enough so that they were effectively pinned against the metal wall.
The fake FBI agent raised their hands in an attempt to placate Ward and to show that they meant no harm, which didn't work as Ward didn't let off. Whoever, they were they showed no signs of any fear or even hostility towards him which was surprising. Most people showed at least a bit of anger when they had a weapon pointed at their head, even trained professionals weren't immune to this.
"Who are you?" Grant growled out in suspicion. While he was grateful to whoever this person was for freeing him, not that he couldn't do it on his own, he still didn't know their reasons for doing so. For all he knew, they could be a HYDRA agent assigned to kill him. Which was unlikely as Grant wasn't exactly high up in the HYDRA ladder since it was known that he was only loyal to Garrett, not to HYDRA. Therefore, it wouldn't make much sense for them to rescue him, which led more into the theory that if this person was HYDRA that they were sent him to permanently silence him since he did possess sensitive knowledge on HYDRA personnel and operations.
Still, if that was the case, why didn't the individual in front of him shoot him dead when he was still cuffed and instead freed him from his shackles? Perhaps they were here to actually rescue him. If so, than who was it? Ward couldn't couldn't come up with an answered as he racked his brain for potential candidates.
The list wasn't exactly long as the only person he was really close to who worked for the group was Garrett, everyone else could at best be considered an acquaintance. It also didn't help that none of the potential suspects would risk drawing attention to themselves by breaking him out, at least based on what he knew.
The masked infiltrator used one of their fingers to point at their balaclava and goggles, silently asking if they could take them off. After a few minutes of considering the possible risks, he decided to indulge in their request.
"Alright," Ward answered with a nod. "But don't try anything." He warned.
Relenting, Grant released his forearm from their neck and took a few steps back until his back was touching the opposite side of the truck. Keeping the Glock 17 pointed directly at his "rescuer" the whole time.
First, they removed their tinted goggles and placed them on top of the helmet, revealing a pair of brown eyes underneath. They then took off the MICH2000 helmet and tucked it underneath their left arm. Finally, they used their right hand to pull the balaclava off of their head, revealing themselves to be a woman. Her raven-black hair which ran down to her neck was free and her pale skin was revealed with the masks removal.
Ward liked to think he didn't get surprised easily, at least in recent times. After all, he always had to be at the top of his game and be ready for anything when you work for an organization like S.H.I.E.L.D, especially when he was a mole in said agency. Following the whole alien invasion in New York, he seriously thought that nothing could surprise him anymore. However, he was proven wrong as what he saw made him widen his eyes in shock, causing him to blink rapidly a few times to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.
A woman that he hadn't seen for years and whom was the last person Grant expected to go out of her way to rescue him.
"Calista?"
His sister.
The last time he saw her it was before his parents sent him to juvie for setting the house on fire.
"Yup," she replied, popping the "P" for emphasis. "If it's not too much trouble, would you mind lowering the weapon for me?" She requested as she glanced at the pistol.
Slowly, Grant complied as he pointed the barrel of the sidearm to the floor of the transport, never taking his eyes off his rescuer for even a second as the two stared at each other for what felt like hours but in reality was only a few seconds in real time.
"Thanks for not shooting me." Calista broke the awkward silence as she placed her helmet back on her head but left the strap loose which dangled on the side.
"W-What are you doing here?" Grant asked in slight disbelief.
"What does it look like? I came here to bust you out." She answered with a small bit of humor in her voice with a smile accompanying it.
Before Grant could respond, Calista continued speaking.
"Now, I don't mean to ruin the moment and it's good to see you again. But how about we get out of here before anyone comes through and sees the dead bodies here." She made a gesture with her head at the deceased FBI agents lying on the floor of the van before stepping out of the vehicle, Grant following close behind once he snapped back into focus.
A few minutes later, the prisoner transport truck was hidden in the forest on the side of the road with branches, leaves, and foliage covering it. It was also parked a good distance from the trail making it unlikely for anyone who was passing by to see it unless they were looking closely.
Once it was done, Calista began removing branches covering up a black SUV she had hidden earlier which was located about a dozen or so meters further up the road from where she parked the transport truck. Unlocking the car and entering the driver's seat, she started up the engine and popped open the trunk before exiting the car walking to the back of the vehicle with Grant right behind her.
Opening up the truck all the way, she opened up a hidden compartment and placed her M4A1 and Glock 17 inside along with her helmet and plate carrier.
"Come on, lets go." She slammed the trunk shut and climbed inside the driver's seat while Grant entered the passenger's side. A few minutes later, Calista turned onto a highway and began speeding up as fast as the speed limit allowed. After all, wouldn't want to get pulled over for a speeding ticket after breaking someone out of federal custody, especially if that somebody was the brother of a well known senator. Even more so when that same brother was revealed to the world to be a HYDRA agent.
"It...It's been a while." Grant muttered after about ten minutes of awkward silence.
"Yeah, you can say that again." Calista responded dryly, not taking her eyes on the highway.
"How exactly did you find me?" Grant asked.
Coulson was a lot of things but he wasn't stupid, there was no way he would've allowed information about this transfer be leaked if he could help it. That meant the deal with Christian along with the exchange would be kept a closely guarded secret.
"It wasn't easy, not going to lie." Calista admitted as she kept her eyes on the road. "It's also sort of a long story. So if you don't mind, I would rather not talk about it."
Respecting his sisters wishes, Grant decided to ask his next question.
"Calista, why did you decide to rescue me?"
The woman in question turned her head to him, with a look of that silently questioned why he asked that, before turning back to the road. "I wasn't going let you stay locked up, Grant."
"It's just... well, after what I did to Thomas and the house I didn't think you want to have anything to do with me anymore." Grant answered with regret and shame at his past deeds.
"Grant..." Calista said softly. "We may not have had the best relationship growing up. But no matter what happened, you're still my brother."
"Even if I'm HYDRA?"
His sister gave him another look, this time with a smile along with it. "Like I said when we were kids. Whatever happens; I'm with you. "
Grant went silent as he took in her words, staring out of the passenger window and watched the trees flow right past the moving vehicle. After a couple of minutes, he spoke up again.
"Calista?"
"Yeah?"
"...Thank you." Grant said sincerely in gratitude. In all of his time in that cell, he didn't think there was anyone actively looking for his whereabouts so that they could rescue him. The fact that his sister spent the last few months searching for him, well, he didn't know what to think.
It felt...nice. To know that there was still at least one person from his past who still cared about him, that did not write him off as a monster. The fact that it was his sister, who stuck by his side growing up no matter what happened, only served to make the feeling better.
For the first time in a while, Grant felt things weren't so bad for once.
Calista turned her head towards her brother, giving him warm smile along with a nod before turning her attention back onto the road. The rest of the trip was spent in silence.
Author's note: So there isn't any confusion Calista, Ward's sister, is the SI. Just wanted to make that clear in case anyone was confused on who the SI was.
Welcome to what is (at least as far as I know) the very first Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D self-insert fic. Hope you guys liked it.
So, just to clarify this begins in season 2, or more specifically: the ending of episode 6: A fractured house, where Ward escapes. We ain't in episode 7: The Writing on the wall yet. I was rewatching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D the other day when I realized something, they made no mention of Ward's sister. Sure, they talked about his brothers but they never showed us what became of his sister or even really talk about her at all.
A few hours later, this idea made its way into my head and wouldn't leave. Add onto the idea of a self-insert, and thus, this fic was born.
Anyway, if people enjoy this I may continue, as I'm still deciding whether or not I will. Depending on whether or not people are interested in this story and whether or not I have time due to my real world responsibilities and the other stories I'm writing.
Also, I wasn't able to find Ward's sister's official name. So for this story so that there isn't any confusion, her name is Calista Ward.
Have a good day, guys. And remember... stay frosty, gents.