You're the Cure You're the Pain
It takes two days for Daisy to find Ward. He's in a bar back in Chicago. She knows Ward doesn't want to talk about this and she gets it, that ring is a painful reminder of everything they were and can never be. But it's not something she can ignore or pretend she didn't see. Grant bought her an engagement ring, that means something, how much he truly loved her. And then he had to smash her hopes by throwing it into the lake, what the hell is wrong with him? ''Popeye I found him''. Daisy tells him over the phone, seeing the back of Grant's head. ''Kick his ass Quake''. ''Oh I plan on it''. Daisy hasn't shed a tear about this situation, yet, which she thinks Dr. Garner would call progress. Hopefully.
Her cheek is killing her, she can already feel the bruise blossoming on the side of her jaw. They need to find Lash and quickly, Coulson left her with the promise that he'd put all his efforts into locating him, she'll believe it when she sees it. Daisy walks into the bar, face down, the moon illuminating the night sky. She saunters right up to the seat beside Ward and plops down, winks at the bar tender and asks for a beer. Ward doesn't glance at her, just clenches his fist against his glass of whiskey. ''So if you were in my position''. She starts, taking a sip from her alcohol.
''What would you do? Would you cry, scream, throw things? Or should I just punch you in the face? Because I'm leaning towards the latter''. ''Leave it alone Skye''. She bites the inside of her cheek. ''Nope can't do that. Did you think I would react well to throwing my engagement ring into the lake? How did you think this conversation would go?'' The bar keep and a few people around them turn to glare at Ward, who's main focus is on his drink. ''Thought I would be drunk''. He tells her, still refusing to meet her eyes. ''Grant you can't just ignore this and hope it will go away. Just talk to me, that's all I want''. Her fingers brush against his jacket, he leans away from her.
''Fine. I bought you a ring a long time ago, it doesn't matter anymore. It means nothing''. ''But it did, it meant something to you once''. ''Yeah before everything happened''. Before his hands were around her throat cutting off all oxygen. ''Ward''- ''Just stop it Skye okay? I don't want you here, go back to Lincoln''. Her temper flares and before she can register what she's doing she slaps him hard across his pretty face. He doesn't flinch. The men at the bar begin to flock over to them. The bar tender is at Daisy's elbow in half a second. ''He bothering you honey?'' Daisy glares at Ward who has stood up, his intimating gaze on everyone in sight.
''No I'm fine, just an ex-boyfriend being an ass. Really, I'm good. Ward sit down before you hurt someone''. He does, but he's on high alert, the gun on him hot and ready. Not that he needs it, but it's a comfort nontheless. He doesn't speak to her again for a while, watches the men who watch him. ''That was uncalled for''. ''Don't make me slap you again''. ''Skye I don't, I can't talk about this''. ''Ward we have to, please, please just talk to me. You'll feel better and so will I''. He doesn't, just sips his drink. She sighs, runs her hands through her hair and tries a different approach.
''When were you going to ask me?'' Her voice has turned soft, controlled. He finally looks at her and mentally kicks himself, her eyes are full of unshed tears, hands shaking. Finding him was one thing, losing him was another. Even with him sitting right in front of her she hasn't fully healed, and she won't if he keeps acting this way. How can he say he wants her to move on, to be happy if all he does is treat her like she's nothing?
It's like it all comes into place then, pieces solving this mess of a puzzle they've created. Ward is doing nothing to help her, if he continues to push her away she'll never come back to him. If he keeps acting the way he is she will never forgive him. And that's what he wants right? He wants her, he always has. He has been selfish, consumed with his own demons and forgetting about hers. Something shifts inside him, he can't let go of his guilt or shame, but he can let her help him like she wants, like he wants.
Why doesn't she realize that she means everything to him? She saved him when nothing else could. No matter his efforts, why does she continue to doubt his feelings for her? They'll always be there, nothing or no one could take them away. Not even death. Ward realizes it then that he hasn't been fair to her. He's let his guilt, his hate cloud everything else, he's put his own needs before Skye's. Ward is hurting her, rejecting her time and time again, it's taking it's toll. He sees it in her shoulders, the weight of his grief is hanging there on the edge of her sleeves. ''I was planning on asking you after I had everything together''.
She nurses her beer and let's him continue. ''I made plans to buy us a house, away from everything. Somewhere quiet. When my plans went through I'd of taken you there and asked you on the door step''. He can't look at her face when he says this because he knows she'll be crying and he hates when she cries. ''I would have said yes''. It feels like ice is in his chest, something akin to joy is springing inside. But it's quickly set aflame when he remembers that she is no longer his. Whatever they had is long dead, it died the minute he entered that portal.
''I never should have gone with Fitz, I should have listened to you and not Gideon''. She nods, ''yeah you should have''. They stay silent for a while, Daisy orders another beer. ''Thought you quit drinking''. He comments. She rolls her eyes and drinks half of the bottle before speaking again. ''Kebo needs to keep his mouth shut''. ''Kebo is only looking out for you, he's worried''. ''I'm fine Ward. Better slow down there robot, you might get me thinking you actually care about me''. Her face is full of doubt and he gapes at her. ''Skye, I care''. ''Could have fooled me''.
She jumps off the bar stool, pulls out a wad of bills before exiting the bar. Naturally, Ward follows her. Because she has to know that even though it's all shot to hell, he cares. He will never stop caring about her. And all this time he has spent not talking to her he should have, he should have told her from that very first day in Vault D to give him some time and patience. Instead of apologizing for loving her, now he's paying for it. ''Skye wait''. She pauses on the street corner. ''I care. Of course I care about you, how can I not?'' The anger in her blood vanishes when she notices the look he's giving her.
His warm eyes soaking her in as if he's never seen her before. Like he used to. Like she's the sun and every part of her aches. His phone rings, breaking the spell they seemed to be caught in. And just like that Ward blinks, and that look is gone. ''What?'' He growls into the phone, surveying the area around them. ''Yes Kebo everything is fine. No she's not crying, god. No she didn't shoot me again, is there a reason for this call or do you just enjoy wasting my time?'' Daisy can see when the Specialist inside him takes over, his body locks into place, eyes sharp and dark.
''How is that possible? Fine keep me updated, we're on our way. No you can't do that''. Ward rolls his eyes. ''Because she won't find it funny you moron, just shut up and stay put we'll be there as soon as we can''. He hangs up, pinches the bridge of his nose. ''What's wrong?'' ''Lash is gone, there's no trace of him anywhere''. The ground shakes, a car alarm goes off some distance away. Ward puts a hand on her shoulder and she's calm again, warm even, like all is right in the world. ''We'll find him Skye, I promise''. He never breaks his promises to her. ''It was my fault''. She tells him when they're getting into Kebo's car.
''Skye no it's not. There was nothing you could do''. ''I could have been faster, done something differently''. ''I used to think like that, after you were shot. If I had gotten to Quinn's mansion sooner, if I had been quicker getting to the front door it wouldn't of happened. It tortured me. But Skye it's not your fault, Lash is responsible and he's going to pay for it''. Throughout the car ride Daisy doesn't even realize the easy flow thier conversations are going, like they're slipping back into the routine they left behind. It's effortless, easy as breathing. Daisy can tell that whatever ailed Ward before isn't gone, but he's fighting his ghosts for her and she falls in love with him all over again.
There isn't guilt or anger in his eyes when he looks at her, just an easy passive expression. It's a welcomed sight and Daisy can feel her cracked edges slowly being put back together. Whatever she said to him in the bar must have dug into him more than she knows. They aren't fixed, there is still going to be a lot to work on but for now he's speaking to her and she hangs onto it. Because his body is relaxed once more and he's letting her in again. And for now, that's enough. Daisy knows better than to hope they'll be back to what they were, time she supposes will heal eventually. Like Dr. Garner said.
It takes them a full day of driving to get back to Kebo, Lincoln and Hydra. And in the course of that day Ward and Daisy forget about their ghosts and just revel in the fact that they can be in the same car together without her chest throbbing and Ward's guilt consuming him. They aren't friends or lovers or even acquaintances, but they aren't enemies or at each other's throats, so that's a start. A start at something. And maybe her slapping him put things into perspective for him. Either way she's glad she walked into that bar, all they had to do was talk things out, didn't she mention to him before that if he wanted to break through her walls he'd have to talk to her?
Kebo was right. Skye helps him, heals him when nothing else can. She did it before and is again, he can feel little by little, weights and sins coming off his shoulders. All she has to do is smile at him and he forgets everything else that dragged him down. He knows why he didn't let her in before and regrets it now. Her laugh, hell even being in the same car as her is lifting him up. Making the shadows fall away. He loves her. Despite everything all of the pain, the fact that she's with Lincoln, doesn't matter. He'll always love her, when she looks at him all is right in the world again and he can breathe. Daisy is a balm to his wounds, always has been.
There's nothing heavy in their conversations, it's all light and airy. They are tiptoeing around the actual issues, which fits well for now. It's an unspoken decision they'll talk about Lincoln and everything in between later, after they find Lash. ''Mack things Lash could be human, like he can change form''. She tells him, leaning out the window while he's getting gas. ''It's possible, would explain how he's been hiding so well. Any leads on who it could be?'' ''Not one. It could be anyone Ward, someone I know''. ''That's highly unlikely''. ''But still a possibility''. ''Maybe. We'll find out soon''. ''I didn't call Shield''. She confesses, adjusting her sunglasses.
Ward gives her a half smile. ''I know''. She raises an eyebrow. ''Did you forget that I know when you're lying? You shake your left leg''. ''What? I do not''. ''Yes, you do''. He gets back in the car and puts on his own sunglasses. It's no longer awkward or uncomfortable being around him, like the past twenty four hours have sewn the void together that he left, if this is all she gets from him she'll be okay. Daisy might not ever get a ring or a house with Ward, but this is fine. This is what he needs right now and she'll gladly be here for him. ''Oh my god Ward''. She says suddenly a few minutes down the road.
''What?'' He looks around, thinking she's seen something he's missed. ''Kebo got to us''. He laughs first and it warms her. ''Doesn't he always?'' Daisy sobers up, turns the radio down. ''Ward when we get back to Kebo I need you to promise me something''. He glances at her. ''I need you to promise me that you won't hurt Lincoln, he only called Shield becuase he doesn't trust Hydra''. He nods, ''okay I promise''. He was going to punch that prick in face, disappointed that he can't now. Lincoln needs a good punch in the jaw for touching his girl. Grant catches himself, she's not his anymore.
''What the hell are you doing here?'' Ward demands as soon as he parks and gets out of the car. Kebo gave Ward his location, he just didn't know Coulson was going to be here. ''Boss I didn't call them''. Coulson and May are standing in front of Kebo's hotel room, Lincoln and Mack beside them. ''Helping Daisy find Lash, he's Shield's problem too''. Coulson says, looking between the two. Kebo is doing the same and a smile lights his face, he can detect the change in them, something happened over the course of their time together. ''Don't want or need your help Coulson''. Daisy growls, walking up to Mack and hugging him.
''Well you have it either way''. Much to Ward's annoyance Shield isn't going anywhere, him Daisy and Kebo all meet inside his hotel room. As soon as he can Kebo grabs Daisy by the arm and whispers in her ear. ''What happened?'' ''Nothing happened Popeye''. ''Doesn't look that way to me, and your boyfriend seems to think something did too''. Daisy catches Lincoln's eye and frowns. There's hurt and jealousy all over his face. ''I'll tell you later okay? But it's not what you think''. Kebo frowns and let's her go. She walks up to Lincoln, touches his arm. ''Can we talk?'' Daisy pretends she doesn't notice Ward's eyes blazing into the back of her skull as she walks back outside with Lincoln.
Lincoln leans against an empty car, arms crossed. ''Nothing happened between Ward and I, in case you were wondering''. ''I believe you''. ''Look I'm sorry I took off like that, it was just a shock, and I needed to talk to him about it''. ''I understand Daisy. But the man bought you an engagement ring''. ''A long time ago. Lincoln you know Ward and I have history, you can't expect me to just forget about it, especially now that I'm around him''. Lincoln looks away from her. ''We could just leave''. She's considered it. Leave Ward, Shield and Inhumans to their fate. Go away somehwere with him and learn to love him like he deserves.
But she can't. Daisy can't abandon Ward or her people, she wasn't made that way. ''Lincoln you know that I can't''. He walks up to her, runs his hands down her arms. ''I know, it was worth a shot''. And when he kisses her she wonders if he ever thinks about what she said to him when they were on Coulson's plane. ''And maybe in another life, another time, I could have loved you too''. When they enter in the hotel room Coulson and Ward are nodding at each other. ''What did I miss?''
Mack throws an arm across her shoulders. ''Fitz and Simmons tracked him down, we're moving out in a few minutes. Coulson's plane is waiting''. ''Good. I'm ready to kick his ass''. Shield files out of the room and Ward walks up to her. The bubble they were trapped in has popped and she doesn't like it. ''My men are already on the way, we'll get him this time''. ''If we don't I'm going to shoot Popeye, relieve some frustration''. ''There's another way to relieve frustration Quake''. He winks at her and she socks him in the arm. Ward drags him out of the room, leaving Mack, Daisy and Lincoln alone.
''Tremors, you good?'' ''Yeah, let's go''. Lash is going to be dead by the end of the day, all of his sins paid for in full. He will not escape her, not again.