I Want Your Heaven & Your Oceans Too
''Well you screwed that up, screwed that up big time''. Ward sighs into his glass. ''Not now Kebo''. ''I'm ignoring that request for your own good. Now you wanna tell me what you thought yelling at Daisy was going to accomplish?'' Kebo takes a seat next to Ward, fixes his own drink. Ward doesn't respond. ''Oh so we're back to the silent treatment again?'' Kebo sighs loudly, pours more whiskey in his crystal glass. 'You know Sir one day it's going to be too much for her, you'll push and push and she'll leave you for that blonde idiot downstairs''. ''She's already left me, she's with him''. Wad says an hour later. Kebo gives Ward a pointed look, ''and who's fault is that?''
''Ward I'm not saying this is all on you, Daisy is being stupid too. You take and take from each other and then what happened just now will happen again. Did you over react? In my personal opinion no, Sparky deserved to be punched repeatedly. But at the same time Daisy was right you are jealous, what you said to her down there was uncalled for. Really Ward? She was acting like a rookie? How did you think that would go?'' Ward shrugs, ''what she said was uncalled for''. ''True. She was angry, believe me when I tell you that what happened to you hurt Daisy mroe than anything. I've told you how much of a mess she was, how much of a mess she still is''.
''I can't believe Lincoln used her as a shield''. Kebo chuckles. ''I can't believe Dr. Garner is Lash and May knew. Did you know Sir?'' Ward shakes his head. ''I had my suspicions but no, I didn't know''. ''Why did she say anything?'' ''She wanted to protect him''. ''But at what cost? He killed so many Inhumans''. ''We don't know when she found out, that's on May''. Kebo clears his throat. ''Please tell me you weren't serious when you basically told Daisy to leave''. ''Of course I wasn't serious, I was just angry''. ''You might want to make sure she knows that''. Ward doesn't move from his position on the couch.
''I'm going to shoot someone if you don't move your ass from this couch''. Ward raises an eyebrow. ''Please, sir you're going to let that girl go because you're stubborn. I don't think she'll be able to take it if you leave again''. He's on his way to the stair case when Coulson stops him. ''We're landing in a few minutes, Daisy has requested that you dropped back off in Chicago, just thought you should know''. Ward scoffs, ''didn't know Agent Johnson gave you orders''. ''It's in her best interest and yours as well if you leave quietly. I know how you feel about her Ward but since you've been back all you've done is hurt her''. Ward crosses his arms.
''You know Coulson you're lucky I haven't paid you back for what you did to me. I know I said I deserved it, and I do, sometimes. For you're sake you better hope it stays that way. You going to get out of my way?'' Wordlessly Coulson steps aside, fear and hate dripping onto his skin. The cargo bay is empty, the lab, spare bunks, all empty. Where the hell could she be? Lincoln is moping in the same seat Ward left him in, Mack is beside him drinking a beer. ''Where's Skye?'' Lincoln narrows his eyes. ''Why?'' ''Ignore him Ward. She's in the cock pit with May''.
Ward knocks quietly against the door, hears May's voice stop. ''What?'' Ward enters, his gaze on Daisy. ''Can we talk?'' She doesn't turn around. ''I have nothing to say to you''. ''Skye, please''. ''Just forget it Ward, you said some things I said some things, it was the heat of the moment. I know you didn't mean it''. ''Did you mean what you said?'' He doesn't miss the look between her and May. He sighs, ''look I think we need to talk about this before we do anything rash''. ''Oh now you want to talk? I've been trying to talk to you for weeks about all of this and you've been ignoring me''. ''Skye we had something good the past couple of days''.
Now she looks at him. ''When we land in Chicago I'm going with you, I told you I wasn't going to give up on you and I'm not''. She made the decision not too long after Kebo went upstairs to speak with Ward. She knows what Lincoln did was wrong, but she also knows he reacted out of fear and she can relate to that. Daisy also understands Ward's side of things, he was being jealous and protective, she can't fault him for that. Despite the cruel things they said to each other she's giving him the benefit of the doubt, he's been through so much. They both have.
''You are? You're not, you're not leaving?'' Before he can stop it a smile works it's way across his lips, hope flows through him like blood. ''I said I wasn't. One argument because you were being a jerk isn't going to change my mind''. The anger in her eyes has vanished and she graces him with half a smirk. ''Plus I can't kick your ass if we're in different cities now can I robot?'' He's halfway out the door when he replies, ''like you could take me rookie''. Kebo is suprised to see Ward back so shortly, and in one piece. And he's smiling. He was sure he'd have to break up another fight and wipe Daisy's tears from her face like he's done so many times before.
''I see you're not bleeding, there was no more screaming. Everything okay in paradise I'm assuming?'' Kebo is trying very very hard not to let the hope he's feeling show. ''She isn't leaving, she's going back to Chicago with us''. ''Really? What did you say to her?'' ''Nothing, she just told me she wasn't giving up''. ''You don't deserve her Sir''. ''I know''. Daisy threw him for a loop. How can she still be on his side? He's rejected her, yelled at her, he tossed her engagement ring into a lake for god sake. He's the kind of man that doesn't get second chances, or so he thinks.
Lincoln watches Daisy walk towards him, her face blank. Mack nods at her and gets up, she takes his seat. ''Hey''. ''Lincoln I think we should talk''. ''Oh man, those words have never worked out for me''. Daisy takes both of his hands in hers. ''I think this has been going on for far too long. I've been selfish with you, you deserve someone who's going to love you with everything she has. That person just isn't me''. Lincoln swallows hard, his eyes burn. ''If this is about what happened with Lash''- She cups his face. ''It's not. I think we both knew how this would end''. ''It's because of Ward''. ''He's part of it''. ''He doesn't deserve you Daisy''.
''That's not for you to decide''. She's crying, tries not to let him see. Her and Lincoln never had a healthy relationship, maybe once, when she first met him at the Afterlife. But he was never it for her, she couldn't let him in because someone had already worked his way inside and left his mark. But Lincoln was there for her when no one else was, gave her comfort when she needed it most. Daisy will always be greatful for that, she just can't give him what he wants. ''So you're breaking up with me''. Lincoln licks his lips and gets out of his seat.
''Lincoln I'm sorry''. He spins to face her. ''It's my fault, I knew how much you loved him and I still tried to make you feel something for me. We never should have opened that second bottle of tequila''. She manages to choke out a small laugh. ''Probably not''. ''I don't regret it though, I do love you. I want you to know that''. Daisy smiles, ''I know. I'm sorry, sorry for everything''. Lincoln shrugs, ''don't be. We're both adults, we knew what we were doing''. She takes a step to him. ''Friends?'' ''Don't think I could ever be friends with you Daisy''. ''You were, once''. ''That was before I touched the woman without the earthquake powers''.
Daisy doesn't know how to respond to that. Luckily Mack comes up to them and tells them they're landing. ''You're really leaving me Tremors?'' She nods, looking away from Lincoln to her partner. ''You know why I have to. I'm just a phone call away, whatever you need''. He pulls her in, crushes her to his chest. ''Thank you Mack, for everything. You're the most wonderful man I've ever met''. ''I'll be here for you, you can come back to Shield any time''. He gives her a final squeeze before releasing her. Ward and Kebo come down as the ramp is being lowered.
Coulson does not say a word to any of them, he watches Daisy from his place at the top of the stairs. He understands, he does. She loves him, her place isn't at Shield with the man who killed Ward. Coulson respects that, he just hates to see her go. Shield isn't the same without her, it never has and it never will be. ''Daisy''. He calls, against his better judgement. She walks up to Kebo's side, looks up at the Director of Shield. ''Don't go''. Her face hardens, she glances at Ward. ''Goodbye Coulson''. The last person she looks at is Mack, before disappearing into the sun, Ward at her heels.
''Nice place Ward''. It's three days after they've left Shield and Ward, Kebo and Daisy are all standing in front of his safe house. It's a log cabin in the middle of nowehere, there's fresh snow on the ground. Ward unlocks the door, deems it safe for them to come in. Just like all of his safe houses there are no personal touches in sight, just bare furniture and a fireplace. Except for one thing. Just like in his apartment there's a picture on the mantle. Of her. It's lighter though, the image of her less dark and shadowed. Grant doesn't comment on it, glances at it once and goes into the small kitchen.
''You just going to act like that's not there?'' Daisy asks him, leaning against the counter next to him. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Kebo dash out the front door. ''Not a big deal Skye, that picture has been here for a while''. ''How long?'' ''After I escaped from Shield when Coulson tried to ship me off to my brother''. ''And the one in your apartment?'' He sighs. ''Few weeks after you came to Hydra, when I was sure you weren't going to leave me''. ''You're not an idiot, you know how dangerous that is''. ''I know. No one will find them, you don't have to worry''.
He turns on his heel and sits on the couch, his mood makes her grab a spare bottle of scotch she finds under the sink. ''I feel like you and me? Wrong foot. Can I buy you a drink?'' A bittersweet smile curls onto his lips. She sets the bottle down and sits across from him. ''Are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?'' ''Which one?'' ''Lincoln''. Ward's jaw clenches. Daisy makes a move for the bottle but quicker than she thought possible, Ward has taken it into his hands and removed it from her grasp. ''Hey!''- ''I think you've had enough''. He isn't just talking about today.
''I'm just going to cut right to it. Lincoln was a distraction, I tried to make myself feel something, anything. But I couldn't. After you died I just lost it, myself, everything I believed in. Lincoln helped me get back a few pieces of me that went astray, but he wasn't you Ward. As it when on I was more miserable than when it started and I was leading Lincoln on more and more. It wasn't healthy or fair to either of us but I don't regret it. Lincoln is a good person and I hope he finds someone that can love him back''. Ward pours himself a drink and lets her continue. ''I care about him, but it was never anything else. I think he knew that''.
''You were still seeing him when I was brought back''. His tone is accusing which it has no right to be and they both know it. ''You weren't exactly welcoming me with warm arms Ward. I took comfort in someone who would''. ''I heard you in the cargo bay, you ending things''. ''I know. Kebo isn't as stealthy as you, figured you weren't far behind him''. ''Did he make you happy?'' Daisy thinks about this. ''No. Ward I haven't been happy in such a long time''. He meets her eyes and something shifts in him, she presses on. Dying suffocating because she can't go one more minute without saying these words to him.
''It's like I turned around and you were gone''. Ward moves over to her, wipes a tear from her eye. ''I've regretted going into that portal every day''. ''Why did you do it?'' ''I was too wrapped up in my need for revenge, for what Shield did to Kara, to you. I wanted Coulson to suffer and it cost me''. ''I only had you back for a few weeks and then you were just gone''. She wipes her face, hands shaking. ''I know''. He takes her chin between his fingers so she can look him in the eye when he says this. It shouldn't of taken him this long to tell her, but here it goes.
''I'm sorry Skye. I'm so sorry that I didn't listen to you, I should have stayed with you insted of listening to Gideon. I'm sorry that you spent months and months in pain because of my choices, you deserve better''. She lays her forehead against his shoulder, relieved when he doesn't move her or go back to his place on the other couch. ''I understand Ward why you were so hesitant in the beginning after you came back. And I know that what that thing did to your body you won't ever forget. I'm sorry that happened to you, I should have gone with you, protected you somehow''. ''There was nothing you could have done Skye. I used to think Coulson was justified in what he did, but I question it''.
''You should, Grant you didn't do anything to deserve that''. Slowly and so light she barely feels it, he runs his hand down her arm. ''I'm working on it''. She pulls her face away from his shirt to look up at him. ''You bought me an engagement ring''. ''I did''. ''And then you threw it in a lake''. ''I'm sorry about that''. ''You wanted to marry me''. ''Of course''. Their conversation from the bar comes to light, and Ward asks her, ''were you serious earlier when you said you would of said yes?'' ''Yeah I was. Did you think I was just telling you that to torture you? You know how I feel about you Ward''. Feel. Not felt. He doesn't miss that.
There are voices and blood in his head whispering not to do what he's about to, but one look from Daisy buries them. ''Skye''. He says her name like a prayer, like he did when she was above him and had her lips on his skin. ''I'm sorry. I will spend the rest of my life making this up to you if you'll let me. I could never be sorry that we fell in love, that you stayed with me when no one else would. I was afraid and couldn't handle it all. But you saved me, you're always saving me. I love you. I've always loved you''.
Daisy can't breathe. Did she hear that right? Is she dreaming? She had to of drfited off in the car and Kebo is about to smack her awake- love. He loves her. He's sorry. ''Oh, Grant''. She cups his face in her hands, slowly, in case it's too much for him, she kisses his nose. Daisy hasn't done that in such a long time and treasures every emotion that flashes in his eyes. ''I love you too, nothing can change that''. Suddenly his hands are in her hair and his lips are flush against hers. Home. He's home and heaven and paradise all wrapped up into one. His lips are warm and real against hers, his hands running from her head to her shoulders before settling on her waist.
Daisy can't remember the last time she's touched him this way, takes advantage of the situation before they can talk themselves out of it. She breaks the kiss, takes his hand and leads him to the spare bedroom in the back of the cabin. He kisses her like it's the first time, his hands hot on her skin, worshipping, loving, needing her in a way he never has before. When Daisy reaches for his shirt he freezes, dodges her hands. ''What's wrong?'' Her breathing is labored below him, lips swollen. She's so beautiful it hurts. But she hasn't seen his scars, his bruises, all of the new injuries he's acquired.
He forgets about all of this however when her fingers are dancing up his skin, removing his shirt slowly. When she sees the center of his chest, she gasps. Daisy can see nothing in this low lit room but Ward's eyes and the black and blue bruise that still stains his skin. It's unmistakenly in the shape of a hand and she chokes back tears. ''Grant''. Salt water begins to run down her face as she glides her nails down his chest. Grant stares down at her. Still a balm to all of his wounds. ''Skye''- She shushes him, pulls him down until he's below her.
''I love you''. She whispers, her lips ghosting over his skin before settling on the bruise that should have faded a long time ago. Daisy kisses her way down his chest, making everything new and clean again and he loves her. He loves her so much more than anything or anybody. Why did it take him so long to talk to her? Ward pulls her face up so he can kiss her, kissing her has always been heaven for him. She tastes like honey and whiskey and he's going to drown in it.