Holes

Simmons tried to make sure he didn’t notice she watched over him. Ward sat on the couch reading. For some reason he actually looked worse than before. Dark circles were under his eyes and he stared at this tablet was he wasn’t actually reading. He didn’t look up when Simmons took a seat next to him.

Three days ago Skye and May had taken a Quinjet to the Hub for some reason; something about getting Skye new credentials. Coulson had announced that after Skye’s actions in the last mission, he had removed the bracelet.

Simmons wanted to go to the Hub too but Coulson kept her here and asked her to keep an eye on Ward. He knew she wouldn’t say no.

So far, other than the fact, he looked more tired, no more episodes occurred. Also she discovered he wasn’t reading mission logs but actual books. Although he actually looked like something was bother him. When Simmons had asked how he was, he told her he was fine but tired.

Simmons looked up when she heard voices. Coming up from the cargo hold was Coulson and two other men. One of the men had brown hair and was slightly older than Coulson. Along side him was a younger man closer to Ward’s age: black, tall, and very handsome. Ward looked up from his tablet and saw the men. He put the tablet down so hard it fell to the floor. Both Simmons and he made eye contact when they both went to grab it. For a moment Simmons thought he looked startled until his face went blank again.

“There’s that son of a gun,” the older man said, looking Ward over as the two strangers walked into the lounge with Coulson. “Kid, you look you’ve been hit by a truck.” Ward stood up. It was obvious the man knew hm. The man put his hand out, which Ward took reluctantly but the man shook it vigorously. “What’s a matter, kid, you look spooked.”

Ward shook his head. “Sorry, sir. It’s just been a long week. What brings you here?”

“I was in the neighborhood. I have some intel to share with Coulson. But mostly the grapevine said that you were injured. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.” For some reason Ward sounded defensive.

“This Agent Jemma Simmons, our biochemist. This is Agent John Garrett and Antoine Triplett.”

“Call me Trip,” he said and smiled. Unlike the older man who’s smile look almost fake, Trip’s smile was warm and inviting.

Simmons stood up and smiled. She shook Garrett’s hand and then Trip.

“Are you taking care of my boy?” Garrett asked addressing both Simmons and Coulson. “He’s not giving you any trouble?”

Simmons must have looked confused so Coulson explained.

“Agent Garrett used to be Ward’s SO,” Coulson explained.

“Oh,” Simmons said. She vaguely remembered Fitz telling her a little bit about Ward. That apparently he had been with the same SO for eight years. She didn’t understand his defensiveness. Surely staying with the same person for 8 years must have meant they were close.

“I miss this guy,” Garrett said, punching him slightly on the shoulder. Ward took it with good humor. Garrett’s face turned serious. “Are you sure you’re okay, kid? The bags under your eyes looked packed for a three week trip to Mexico.”

Ward shook his head. “I’m fine, sir, sorry. It’s the alien device. It sapped my energy but I’m already getting better.”

Coulson smiled. “Getting him to take it easy was a chore.”

Garrett smiled. “Well, the one thing Ward doesn’t have is weakness.”

Ward smiled but looked uncomfortable. “But I’m not a robot.”

“Yes,” Garrett said. “Sit, relax.”

“Actually sir. I’m going to retire for the evening.”

Garrett looked at his watch. “It’s 6pm.”

“Don’t tempt him,” Coulson said and smiled. “I couldn’t convince him to go on leave and I had to order him to take it easy.”

“Fair enough. We’ll be here overnight. We’ll grab breakfast, won’t we, Grant?”

Simmons registered that Ward looked spooked at the use of his first name but neither Ward nor Garrett said anything.

“Goodnight,” he said and he headed towards his quarters.

“Are you sure he’s alright?” Garrett asked. “He’s seems a little off to me.”

“He’s fine,” Coulson said. “He just got a big shock. In a week or so he’ll be good as new. So what brings you here?”

“Why don’t we go talk in your office?”

“Workmen are there. I’m sure we can talk about it in front of Agents Simmons and Triplett.”

Garrett looked at Simmons and smiled, then turned to Coulson. Simmons was glad that Coulson trusted her enough to listen.

“I think we might be chasing the same person.”

“Who would that be?” Coulson said and smirked.

“We don’t know. Whoever it is seems to know our every move, but I believe it has to do with Project Centipede and Ian Quinn who I believe you are also chasing.”

“I want to get these guys,” Trip said.

“Whatever or whoever it is, three of my own got killed chasing Quinn. I think he’s the key to whoever is behind project Centipede. I thought maybe we could work together—Are you sure he’s all right?”

“Ward?”

“Yea, he seems off.”

Coulson looked around. “You know Ward, he’s stoic; never wants to admit something is wrong.”

Fitz was glad Skye came back with May a few hours later. For the last hour, Garrett had regaled them with stories of both his past and Ward. He liked Ward and respected him and it was nice to find out things about his past.

“… So 2000 yards away, he makes this incredible shot. More than a mile away and I knew SHIELD found itself an asset.”

“Hi, we’re back,” Skye said as she approached the table which was covered with takeout sandwiches. She looked at Garrett and raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t know had company.”

Coulson looked at Skye. Fitz thought he winked at her.

“Skye, this is John Garrett. I used to work with him and he was Ward’s former SO. This is Skye, Ward is her SO.”

“Wow,” he said, getting up. He shook her hand. “He told me about you. Said you stumbled a bit but you have what it takes for SHIELD.”

Skye smiled but for some reason it looked fake to Fitz. He didn’t know why. Garrett was charming and Skye didn’t even know him.

“Join us,” he said. “This is Agent Antoine Triplett.”

Skye shook Trip’s hand as well but her smile was genuine.

“Skye, I got you a turkey sandwich. May I didn’t know what you like so I got you an Italian sub,” Fitz said.

“Thank you,” May said, but didn’t say if she wanted it. Instead she stood and didn’t join them. Skye took a seat next to Jemma.

“Where’s Ward?” she asked as she looked around.

“He’s resting,” Coulson explained.

“Too much partying,” Garrett joked.

Skye laughed but to Fitz something was off about her. He knew May wasn’t very social, but her standing away from them unnerved him.

“So I was just telling your friends about this amazing shot Ward did. Over a mile away.”

“That’s great,” Skye said. “He’s gracious and never tells people about this accomplishments. How did you two meet?”

“No meeting,” he explained. “He was assigned to me.”

“Why take a rookie?”

“I needed a specialist. Grant came highly recommended. You got to start somewhere.”

“But you would think he would be assigned to a lower agent.”

Now Fitz was sure that Coulson gave Skye a sharp look.

“I needed a sharpshooter and Ward is one of the best.”

Skye didn’t respond.

“So Trip,” Simmons said and she smiled at him like a schoolgirl. “Seen any good movies lately?”

“I don’t know when was the last time I was in a theater.”

“We sometimes watch movies on the bus.”

“It is a sweet ride.”

Fitz felt jealous. Was Simmons flirting with Trip?

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Ward but there was something in his face that Fitz didn’t like. He looked intense and angry.

He came over to them and pulled his gun out of his holster, then pointed it at Garrett.

“Ward, what the hell?” Skye called out. Fitz didn’t know why but she didn’t sound surprised.

“What the hell did you do to me?” he asked Garrett.

Coulson, May, and Trip pulled their guns but Garrett didn’t.

“Ward, put the gun down!” Coulson said sternly.

Ward didn’t respond to Coulson. His eyes were intently on Garrett.

“Grant,” Garrett said, calmly. He put his hands up. “I think that alien device messed with your mind.”

“You better believe it did,” he said, angrily. “I saw everything the way it happened. Should I tell them what you did to me? In the lake?”

“Lake?” he questioned. “Grant, please. Put the gun down. There was no lake.”

Fitz couldn’t believe what was going on. He sat perfectly still. He didn’t think Ward would harm him, but he was still scared. This reminded him of what happened in the closet except now Ward was wild eyed and armed.

“Maybe I should tell them everything,” he said. He kept the gun square on Garrett.

“Grant, we go back a long time. You’re being controlled.”

“Yes,” he said. “By—“ he didn’t get a change to finish. He collapsed to the ground. On his back was the purplish veins indicating that he had been hit with a night-night gun. May stood behind him, holding the gun. She put it to her side.

“Oh my god,” Skye said, getting up. She rushed over to Ward. “Let’s get him to the med bay.”

“No—“ Coulson said. “Put him in the cage.”

Skye gave Coulson a look but Coulson’s expression didn’t change nor did he explain.

“Trip, John, help me with him. Simmons, get a medical kit.”