Chapter 4
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She didn’t waste anymore time but headed off towards the door knowing Ward would follow her. She was certain she’d seen him. It wasn’t just wishful thinking. She almost hit Ward when he grabbed her wrist but his reflexes were better than hers.
“Easy. Let’s not make a scene. Plus he’s less likely to spot us if we slowly make our way over there.”
She knew she should listen to him as he had experience in these types of matters but her impatience drove her onwards. She wanted out of this reality! She was fed up of living someone else’s life. It took away all their choice in the matter. If it were her body being taken over she would be pissed. In deference to his expertise she slowed down slightly but continued towards the door. Reaching it she saw that Charlie was nowhere nearby. He must have slipped outside. Ward’s gentle tug preventing her walking out of the door first didn’t surprise her. She knew how protective he was. Plus he knew how to prevent himself getting attacked the moment outside.
Wandering slowly after him taking in her surrounds as she had been taught, she wasn’t surprised to see that the street was empty. Charlie had already shown he was an expert in disappearances.
“He’s gone.” She muttered. She wanted to kick and scream in frustration but knew that it would do no good. “I swear he was here Ward.”
“Hey. I believe you.”
For some absurd reason she wanted to cry. Dashing her hand against her cheek angrily she hoped the movement was quick enough for him not to notice. She’d cried in front of him before but this was different. It was just so frustrating. He clearly noticed as he pulled her into a hug, gently rubbing her back in soothing circles.
“Well isn’t this adorable. Does your team know about this?”
Skye stiffened at the familiar voice but Ward reacted faster. Spinning to face the voice he quickly moved Skye so she was behind his back and protected.
“Charlie I believe? Though we haven’t exactly been properly introduced.”
“Oh please use Charlie. I like that name. So how did you like my present? I thought you’d be lonely without the rest of your team.”
“You…”
“Now, now. No need for anger. You wouldn’t want to lose control like you did with the Berserker staff would you?”
Skye wanted to go and wipe that smirk off his face. How did he know that about Ward?
“You seem very well informed about us.”
“Oh Yes Agent Ward. I know everything about you and your team. Why do you think I picked you originally?”
Hang on! It hadn’t been a mistake?
“Anyway as much as I love talking to you I’ve got other things to be getting on with. I just wanted to pop in and see how you were getting on. Watch out for those bombs. I would hate to have to go to your funeral.”
With that he vanished. Skye looked at Ward and noticed the clenching of his jaw. It had clearly pissed him off as much as it had her.
“I hate that guy.” She muttered, knowing the sentiment was inadequate but needing to voice her feelings some how.
“I know the feeling. Come on let’s head back in. The others will be worried.”
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“Then he just disappeared?” Fitz seemed unable to accept their accounts of the meeting. “That’s impossible.”
“Fitz we’re currently stuck in World War 2 in somebody else’s body. I think we need to re-evaluate our definition of impossible!” Ward retorted. He was beginning to get a headache. There were times when working with Shield seemed too greater cost than the good it was doing. They’d been unable to tell the team what had happened while still at the dance so had waited till they had got back to the house. He knew they needed this discussion but it was getting late and he wanted sleep.
“Was the last part a threat?” May enquired looking directly at Ward. She’d been quiet throughout his explanation, taking everything.
“I’m not sure. Maybe. I suggest we be on our guard though.”
“Lookout?”
He thought about it while looking at the team. They all looked exhausted as he felt. It wasn’t easy being constantly on your guard, watching what you said and did. As specialists May and him and to an extent Coulson were used to doing it, but never for such long periods of time. Hell even when undercover for long periods of time you had some respite.
“No not yet. Just keep an eye out.” He concluded, seeing May nod in agreement.
“How’d he even find us?” Simmons’ mussed. “Maybe we could track him through that.”
“I think he sent us here and organised who we took over Simmons. It wouldn’t be difficult with that information to find us.” Ward tried to let her down gently, knowing she was just trying to look for a silver lining.
“Oh.”
“I doubt that catching Charlie will help us. Every time we get too close he disappears. We need to find another way out of this.” Coulson looked around his team seeking ideas.
“Sir we’ve got an idea.” Simmons spoke hesitantly. At Coulson’s nod she continued.
“As this is the past anything we do here will have a knock on impact in the future right?”
As she looked directly at him, Ward felt he’d better answer.
“Yes.”
“Well I was thinking why don’t we send a letter to Director Fury? Obviously it would need strict restrictions on it such as it only being delivered on the day Fitz and I get taken.”
“You mean something like the letter in Back to the Future?”
He felt his cheeks heat slightly as everyone stared at him in shock.
“What? I watch films!”
“Robots shocking revelation aside. That could work.” Skye mussed.
“Would there be any impact on the future?” Coulson worried.
“Obviously we could never say it wouldn’t but if we’re very careful we can ensure that there would be a minimum change. With your understanding of Shield we could also make sure it goes direct to Fury and know one else.”
“Fine. It’s our best chance. Let’s do that tomorrow.”
“Yes Sir. Oh we also need food. I found our ratio books earlier. We’re running out of food.”
“If you can call it food. Powdered egg is disgusting.” Grouched Fitz.
“We don’t have much choice Fitz. Rationing was a necessary process.”
“Fitzsimmons!” Coulson interrupted Simmons’ lecture. “Skye, May and Ward tomorrow go and get food. Now it’s late let’s get some sleep.”
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“Agent Triplett. What can I do for you?” Deputy Director Hill strode into the room where he was sat waiting.
“I was wondering if you’ve heard anything from Agent Coulson’s team? I was supposed to check in with them to arrange a pick up but can’t reach them.”
“Strange. We’ve been having problems reaching them too. I’m just about to meet with Director Fury. You’d better come with me.”
Tripp rose from the uncomfortable seat, Shield didn’t want you loitering, and followed her through the hallways. The Hub was surprisingly quiet, indicating there must be a major mission on-going.
Reaching a simple door she entered without knocking and Tripp found himself in Director Fury’s office. His main office, not the high tech one, which was mainly for show. Fury distrusted technology believing it could be hacked too easily. Which Skye had shown on any number of occasions.
“Maria?”
“Sorry to interrupt Sir. Coulson’s team have missed their check in and are currently unreachable.”
“Any idea how long they have been unreachable?”
“I was supposed to contact them yesterday Sir but got no reply.” Tripp replied.
A notification on his computer grabbed Fury’s attention for a second.
“We may have an explanation. Apparently two of the team tried to get a message to me earlier but due to some idiot in IT the message was prevented from getting through. The main members of the team have been missing for a couple of days. So the science duo, have gone after them. Maria I want you to take a team to this location. Our missing members maybe there.”
“Yes sir. Agent Triplett care to join me?”
“Yes Ma'am.”
“Keep me informed.”
“Yes sir.”