There's So Much Space Between Us Maybe We're Already Defeated
''I still think this is a bad idea''. Lincoln comments as him and Daisy get out of the car. ''It's our only hope''. ''Still, meeting with Hydra can't end well''. ''They won't hurt us, Grant is here''. Lincoln gives her a look, ''which means they won't hurt you, I'm a sitting duck''. He looks over to where Ward, Kebo and a team of Hydra agents are standing around Kebo's SUV, weapons between them. Daisy turns Lincoln to face her. ''No one is going to touch you, okay? I promise''. It's been five days since he informed Daisy that Lash had returned, and so far they've had no luck tracking him.
Hydra was a last resort, they have better resources and Shield for obvious reasons was not an option. The team Ward has assembled, who are loyal to him until the end, have reports on where Lash could be. Daisy will believe it when she sees it. She walks up to the group who greets her with enthusiasm, she knows them all of course from her days with Hydra. She can see fear in their eyes though, from Ward or Lash, she can't tell. ''Boss we can be there in three hours''. Ward nods, ''good. You know the plan stick to it no matter what''. ''Yes Sir''. Ward doesn't even glance in her direction, instead turns to Keob. ''Get me eyes on that building''. ''You got it''.
Daisy and Lincoln follow Kebo away from the abandoned parking lot they were stationed in, and back into thier hotel room a few blocks away. ''Since Ward won't tell me the plan how about you inform me?'' Daisy's got her arms crossed and Kebo rolls his eyes. ''How about you go ask him yourself?'' ''Popeye''. Ever since Ward asked her how long she'd been in a relationship with Lincoln, they have been stepping on egg shells around each other, not speaking unless absolutely necessary. That's why they have been traveling in seperate cars, the awkwardness in the air was too much.
''Those idiots out there got reports of a Lash sighting last night, they've been working like dogs per Ward's request to find him and it paid off. The plan is simple really, find Lash and put him down''. ''I'm going to be the one to do it''. Daisy says, staking her claim. ''Go ahead, you have an idea on how you're gonna do it? Since bullets don't work''. Lincoln and Daisy share a look. ''Our powers combined should be enough''. Kebo scoffs, ''not a fan of those odds but okay. If you get yourself killed do you know how much crap I'm going to get?'' Daisy gives him a smile, ''I'll be fine''. ''Better hope so. Spark Plug try and keep up out there alright?''
Kebo claps him on the shoulder entirely too hard and leaves the room. ''He didn't mention where we were going''. Lincoln comments as they leave the room. ''I noticed''. Daisy knows he's done it on purpose, and why he's also stayed out of sight so she'll have no other option but to ask Ward. Manipulative bastard. With a sigh she spots Ward pacing the shadows of the parking lot, phone in hand. ''I'll be right back''. When Ward notices her approach his face turns blank quickly, his shoulders tense. ''Where are we going? Next time you make a plan I'd like to be apart of it''.
''Skye you are apart of it''. ''No I'm not, Lash is an Inhuman who's killing other Inhumans therefore my responsibility. If you're going to keep me in the dark I will find another way to look for him on my own''. He raises an eyebrow. ''Not my fault you were babysitting your boyfriend instead of being apart of my plan, that's on you''. ''Shut up Ward, he has a right to be afraid of Hydra''. Ward sighs. ''I'm not going to stand here and argue about Sparky, I have better things to do''. He then proceeds to tell her the name of the town they are headed to a few hours away. ''Good. Don't get in my way''. ''Wouldn't dream of it sweetheart''. The word is full of spite and she fights the urge to knock him on his ass.
Daisy puts the coordinates in her phone and gets in Lincoln's car, he joins her a moment later. ''You up for this?'' He asks, starting the car and following Kebo's SUV. ''I'm ready for this to be over, for our people to stop suffering''. Lincoln links their fingers together in his lap. ''Mack had an interesting theory about Lash''. ''Hit me with it''. ''What if he's human? It would explain why we've been having such a hard time finding him''. She considers it, chews on her lip. ''Makes sense I guess. When did you talk to Mack about this?'' ''Before I left, when we were trying to find him''. ''Lincoln Lash could be anybody''. ''Guess we'll find out who it is shortly''.
Kebo drains the last of his water bottle and throws it in the back of the car. Ward is driving and Kebo can finally put his feet up on the dash. ''Do you want to talk about it?'' ''Nothing to talk about''. Ward tells him, turning up the air conditioning. ''That's a load of crap. Ever since Sparky came along you've had a stick up your ass, we've been in this car for days and you haven't said a word about him. Come on Sir, you know you're dying to tell me how much you hate him''. Ward sighs, rubs the back of his neck. ''Look he makes Skye happy, that's all I want''.
Kebo's laughter fills up the car. ''Happy? She's not happy, far from it. You and I both know he's around because she can't have you, he's a rebound Sir, like Kara was for you''. As soon as he says it, Kebo regrets it and tenses up. No matter how much time has passed, Ward will always feel guilty for what happened to Kara. He may not have loved her like he claimed, but she meant something to him. ''Sorry Sir I didn't''- Ward waves him off, his face smooth. Kara will always have a piece of him, she stood with him when no one else would. ''It's fine. Things with Skye are complicated''.
He leaves it at that, but much to his dismay Kebo doesn't stand down. ''It's complicated because you're both stubborn. You do realize if you just apologized for being an ass she'd forgive you. And if you say I don't deserve forgiveness I'm going to throw you out of this car''. ''Just drop it Kebo. I appreciate that you're trying to help but I need time. Being with Skye isn't something I can do right now''. ''But you can't stand the fact she's with Lincoln''. Ward clenches his jaw. Kebo knows he's hit a sore spot. ''Jealousy is a real bitch isnt it Sir?'' Grant doesn't comment.
Kebo leans back in his seat. ''All I'm saying is one day you're going to look around and she'll be gone. Do you really want that?'' No. No he doesn't. That'd be worse than anything he's ever faced. ''I don't want to lose her''. Kebo shrugs, ''it's that simple Ward. Don't lose her. You have a choice here, continue to push her into the arms of Lincoln or man up and try to be better for her. Ball's in your court Director. Eventually you're going to have to let go of all that guilt, none of this is your fault''. Where would him and Daisy be without Kebo?
''I gave Coulson our location''. Lincoln says suddenly as they are pulling into a vacant parking lot a few miles from where Hyda says they found Lash. Daisy glares at him. ''You did what?'' ''We're going to need help and I trust Shield more than I do Hydra''. Daisy pinches the bridge of her nose, a habit she picked up from Ward and hasn't done in a long time. ''Lincoln do you realize what you've just done? When those guys find out you got Shield involved they will kill you''. Lincoln grins at her before kissing her cheek, the situation not bothering him one bit. ''Good thing I have you to protect me right?'' He moves to exit the vehicle but she grabs his arm.
''Lincoln you know Coulson and I are not on good terms right now''. She isn't so much concerned for herself as she is for Grant. ''You'll be fine, Coulson won't hurt you''. He gets out of the car and Daisy joins him, scowling. ''Not a pretty look there Quake''. Kebo comments when he notices the look on the woman's face. ''Shut up Popeye''. ''Great come back, I'm so afraid''. They all turn to face Ward, who's loading his sniper rifle. ''Find Lash take the shot. Bullets don't effect him so they'll be a distraction, may even buy you some time. Daisy's in charge of putting him down, I suggest none of you get in her way''. A few of the Hydra agents wink at her.
''Just like old times huh Daisy?'' ''Not really''. She glances at Ward before following Kebo down the road. ''Lincoln told Coulson where we were''. She whispers, looping her arm through his. Kebo stops dead in his tracks, glances behind him where Lincoln has almost reached them. ''I'm sorry he what? Run that by me one more time. He gave the Director of Shield our location?'' ''Yeah''. ''And I'm assuming Ward doesn't know?'' ''Lincoln wouldn't be alive right now if he did''. ''Dramatic Quake, dramatic''. ''Look when Coulson gets here Hydra can't find out that it was Lincoln who told them''. Kebo raises an eyebrow, ''what's your plan then?'' ''I'll just tell Ward I called Coulson''. They pass a man made lake and Kebo crinkles his nose at the smell.
Kebo sighs loudly. ''I'm just going to kill both of you, my life would be better''. Daisy rolls her eyes. ''Your life would be a boring wreck''. He doesn't deny it. Suddenly the building where Lash is supposedly hiding out in, a window breaks. Then two. Then four. Which causes Daisy to break out into a run, she beats everyone there, including Ward. Gun up, senses on high alert. It's dark and humid inside, broken glass is everywhere on the first floor. The second floor is in worse shape, and on the third the stairs are filled with blood. Daisy walks quietly, there's a sound up ahead that she can't place.
She turns the corner cautiously, but not enough. Before she can react or blink or even defend herself, Lash is in front of her. And she sails through the air, falling hard against the wall. Lash is on her again and Daisy's powers explode, sending him through one of the glass windows. He seems bigger since she saw him last, stronger. Is that possible? Daisy looks around the dirty room, and with a start sees the source of all the blood. A woman not much older than Daisy herself is on the ground, struggling for breath. Daisy crawls over to her.
''My name is Daisy Johnson and I'm going to help you, I'm going to get you out here I promise''. The woman's eyes are glassy when she holds Daisy's gaze. Blood is pouring from her mouth soaking Daisy's hands. The wound on her chest in brutal, it's deep and ugly, Daisy fights back bile. ''What's your name?'' No sound comes from her, she just stares and stares, her bright blue eyes focused on Daisy. ''Lincoln!'' On cue he comes running into the room, pauses at the scene in front of him. ''I need your help''. Daisy tries to but pressure on the injury, but it only seems to make it worse.
''We're losing her Daisy''. He says after a few minutes, the woman's breathing has become shallow. ''No we can't, she's going to be okay she has to''. Daisy continues to stroke the other woman's ice blonde hair, promising that she'll be alright. ''Daisy we can't stay here, we've got to catch Lash''. Lincoln already knows this Inhuman is beyond saving, her wound is too grave. ''I'm not leaving her''. Daisy growls, settles down by her head. ''That's right keep your eyes on me. You're okay, everything is okay now I'm not going anywhere. You're safe''. She whispers to the woman, offers her a kind smile. The woman's face twists into a cruel like smile, and then she relaxes beneath Daisy's grip. Her breathing gone, her eyes wide and no longer blinking.
Daisy has flashes of Trip in a pile below her, never again to see his smiling face. All the other Inhumans she didn't save. All dead because she wasn't fast enough, because she let Lash slip away. Not this time. She rises from the floor, brushes her fingers across the other woman's face, closing her eyes for the final time. ''I'm so sorry''. Lincoln attempts to pull her in his arms as she leaves, but she brushes him off. ''I'm going to end this son of a bitch right now''. It's not hard to locate Lash, he's on the second floor fighting off Hydra's bullets. Daisy doesn't even pause as she crashes into the sea of gun fire.
Her eyes hot and blazing she gives Lash everything she's got, Lincoln beside her. Her powers are screaming inside of her, hate is pouring out of her like sweat. All she can see is faces of people she's never met, all killed by this monster. It ends now. And then Shield crashes the party. Distracting them, since they think Hydra is hurting here instead of helping. ''They're with me! Coulson tell your men to stand down!'' Coulson meets her eyes, his are frantic. The sight of Lash a lot to take in. Daisy doesn't even notice her nose bleeding until it's running down her lips and onto her chin. Lash seems to sense this, her powers waning.
Before he can take advantage of the situation a single bullet seems to pierce his chest in the right spot. He makes a sound of pain and then falls through the floor. The weight of her and Lincoln's powers making him struggle. Daisy takes this moment to pause, stretch out her limbs. Shield and Hydra are in a race apparently to see who can take down the beast first. At least they aren't shooting each other. ''Someone want to tell me how Shield found us?'' Ward asks as he comes down from his perch on a ledge, rifle in his hand. Daisy wipes her face. ''It was me. Figured we could use some help''.
She ignores the look Lincoln gives her. Ward notices the blood all over her and lets the Shield thing pass, for now. ''You okay?'' Concern is heavy all over him, his eyes looking her from head to toe over and over. ''She's dead. There was an Inhuman here and she's dead''. For a moment Ward's guilt, his shame, is put in the back of his mind. ''It wasn't your fault Skye, there was nothing you could do''. ''I should have been faster''. Before he can tell her otherwise she follows the trail of Shield agents onto the first floor. Lash seems to be waiting for her. He lands a mean blow to the side of her face, and he bursts into flames. Lash roars, heading straight for Ward only to be thrown across the room.
May joins Daisy's side, emptying her gun into the creature who looks as if he's trying to find a way out. ''You okay?'' ''Fine''. Lash launches himself through a window, Hydra and Shield alike give chase. Daisy doesn't join them and neither does Ward, Coulson or May. Coulson takes a deep breath before turning to face his two former Shield agents. ''So you two have been busy''. ''Not in the mood Phil''. Ward is trying to get a good look at Daisy's face, to see how bad it must look, but she keeps moving. May and Coulson stand next to each other, observe Daisy and Ward.
Lincoln has his hand on her back, lifting her face with his fingers. ''You'll bruise but it won't be too rough. Ice it all night though''. Coulson doesn't miss the outright jealous look that passes across Ward's face. ''What are you doing here Coulson?'' ''An Inhuman is killing people, kind of my job to check it out. Thanks for informing me Lincoln''. If there's a remark on Ward's lips it dies when Shield and Hydra come back. Mack holds Daisy tightly to him, Bobbi and Hunter stick close to Coulson. ''We lost him Sir, like he vanished out of thin air''. Bobbi tells Coulson, Hydra agents are apologizing profusely to Ward, who waves them off.
''We'll try again''. Coulson approaches Daisy slowly, who is still enveloped in Mack's arms. ''Come back to Shield Daisy. While I'm still pissed about what you did to my Base I understand why. I won't lock Ward up, I'll do whatever you want me to''. Daisy meets Ward's eyes and she glares at Coulson. ''Take back the night you killed Grant. Take the last six months back and then we'll talk about me rejoining Shield''. Coulson's face is sour and he takes a step away from her. ''I told you I was leaving Shield after we found Ward the first time. I won't work for a man who puts his own selfish needs before everyone else's''.
''Skye it's''- He's cut off by the look she gives him over Mack's shoulder. Daisy and Coulson argue for a moment, until Ward's men start to file out of the room. ''Look Coulson I can't okay? You're going to have to accept that. You can help me take down Lash but then we're done''. ''You're giving everything up for him''. There's no spite or anger in Coulson's tone, just defeat. ''It's not just about Ward''. ''I can't lose you Daisy''. ''You've done it before''. Mack looks down at her, releasing her from his embrace. ''I'm here for you Tremors, whatever you need''. She smiles at him. ''I need you to go back to Shield, live your life''.
''Miss you D''. ''Miss you too''. He shakes Lincoln's hand, nods at Ward. One of the last Hydra agents are leaving the room, when he reaches into his pocket and calls Ward's name. ''Found this in your desk a while ago Boss, figured you'd want it back''. He tosses something to Ward who catches it with one hand examines it quickly, surprise on his face, like he'd forgotten about it and quickly tucks it into his jacket pocket. If Daisy hadn't been staring at him so intently she would have missed what it was. And her heart stops. Her breathing hitches.
It's a box. A small smooth blue velvet box. There's only one thing that kind of box could hold.
Ward glances at her quickly to see if she saw, and there's embarrassment and fear all over his cheeks. She takes a step to him, her legs feel like jello and her head spinning. ''Grant?'' A ring. An engagement ring. That's what he had in his desk. He doesn't answer her, just stares and stares because he cannot come up with any words. Kebo, who no one noticed slipped in, is frowning at both of them. ''Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse. Bloody hell you two are going to give me an aneurysm I swear it''.
Daisy can't move or think or do anything. That's what was in the box right? He bought her an engagement ring? When? And if so when did he plan to give it to her? ''Ward''. She tries again, managing to move her feet until she's standing in front of him. All she can think about is matching wedding bands and a nice house with a red front door and little baby Wards running around- stop. That dream is long dead now. Breathe breathe breathe. She can't. Her lungs her body her brain is in shock. ''What's in the box?'' They both know she already knows, she just needs to hear him say it out loud.
''Dont worry about it Skye''. ''It's a ring, isn't it?'' He sighs in defeat, avoiding her gaze that makes him want to forget all his demons and hold her. ''When did you buy me an engangement ring? How long have you had it?'' ''Drop it Skye''. It's clear he doesn't want to have this conversation but she stands her ground. ''No I'm not going to drop it. When did you get it?'' He runs his hand down his face. ''Few months after you came to Hydra''. She reels. ''You had it on you for all that time?'' Tears hit her face. ''Why did you wait?'' He's uncomfortable and really doesn't want to talk about this but she keeps at it.
Grabs his hands and he jerks them back. ''Grant''- ''It's not important''. He backs away from her. ''Yes it is! Grant you can't just act like this didn't happen''. ''Yes I can. We're not together Skye, none of this matters anymore''. ''None of this matters? God, you're such an ass. You wanted to marry me Ward! How do you expect me to react?'' He doesn't respond, just slowly removes the box from his pocket. He opens it, she can't see the ring but she freezes. Thinking hoping praying for a moment that he's changed his mind and he'll get down on one knee and tell her how much he still loves her-
He walks out of the room into the night, and not just Daisy follows him outside. ''Grant where are you going?'' Daisy tries not to imagine Ward in a tux, smiling down at her with tears in his eyes as he says I do. Her dreams of being in his arms tonight are shattered when he takes the ring and holds it over the lake below them. Kebo is behind her chanting, ''don't do it don't do it please don't''. And Ward tosses the ring into the water. ''Bloody hell he did it!'' Daisy can't see straight. Happy endings and dark days are crashing around in her brain and this is Ward's way of telling her they will never be together.
They will never have a happy ending, he doesn't want her the way she wants him all of his love has died. There's air trapped in her lungs the ground is shaking and Grant doesn't turn to look at her. Just walks away. From her. Again. All she feels is Kebo's hands on her shoulders and the void opening back up in her chest that Ward has left and reopened time and time again.
Love is cruel. Love is a painful weight that hangs and drags and bleeds. And Daisy is it's worst victim.