Chapter 35
Going home the day after Grant’s birthday may have been a mistake. Not that they’d drank much, just enough that she wasn’t prepared to deal with screaming kids. Tony had offered to let them stay long; he’d loved having the kids around. But it was definitely time to leave. Before the entire building ended up being blown up. Tony had no idea how to deal with children, actively encourage Leo and Jemma to make bigger explosions. Tripp had begun to pick up some of Clint’s language and Mel was taking way too much interest in Steve’s fight classes. Worse thing was Nat’s interest in her and Grant’s relationship. It wasn’t something she wanted to share just yet, not being entirely sure where it was going herself. The kids were the most important things in their lives right now but as Pepper pointed out it wasn’t as if she could just put her life on hold.
That was why she was trying to wrestle a screaming Mel into the car. She’d thrown a tantrum upon hearing that they were leaving this morning.
“Why did I get stuck with this job?” She mumbled as she eventually strapped Mel into the car. Blowing out a breath she pulled her hair into some sort of semblance ignoring the screeching that was still coming from the car.
“Someone isn’t happy.” Steve commented as he moved to hug her.
“They don’t want to leave.”
“You know we’ll visit?”
“You’ll be welcome at anytime.”
“You just want to get back to your home comforts?” Steve grinned, his eyes seeming to see straight through her excuses.
“Yeah. As much as I loved it here that little house…”
“Has become your home. I understand. Don’t worry Tony will get over his sulk. He usually does.”
“I heard that.” Scowling Tony poke Steve with a metal rod, laughing when he jumped. “I still don’t understand how a small house can beat this but if you’re determined to go.”
“Thanks Tony.”
“Just make sure you let me know if you ever need any help hacking Shield.”
“I think I’ll manage.”
“Ready to go?” The door opened as Grant poked his head outside before dragging along a protesting Tripp, the last child to be thrown in the car.
“Sure. Let’s go before one makes a bid for freedom.” Skye grinned before kissing both men of the cheeks, laughing as Tony flushed. “Thank you for a memorable holiday.” Waving she slid into the car, waving as Grant manoeuvred his way into the New York traffic jamb.
“Ready to go home?” It was hard to hear him over the screaming from the back but she would swear he sounded relieved.
“Yep.” Reaching for the radio she tuned it to a heavy rock station, not because she particularly liked the music more in the hope that it might drown out the noise from the back.
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Blinking slowly the world came into focus. Glancing at the clock through blurred eyes she found she’d been asleep for about an hour. Something had woken her up. Stretching she glanced behind, finding the happy sight of all the children fast asleep. Mel’s head lay on Leo while Jemma held onto one of Phil’s pudgy little fists. It looked the perfect picture moment but what had woken her?
Scanning the road ahead as he’d been taught there wasn’t anything that would constitute a threat. Turning to the man beside her she took in his posture. One arm gripping the steering wheel, the other relaxing on the armrest on the door, his eyes darting between the mirror and the road. If she didn’t know him well she would have missed the slight tensing of his fingers, gripping the wheel tighter than normal.
“Ward?”
“We’re being followed.”
“Where?”
“Behind the lorry, blue car.” Under the pretence of checking on the children she snuck a glance out of the back window.
“Got it. Plan?” There was no point worrying why they were following them or how they’d found them until they’d got rid of them.
“I’m going to do some creative driving. Hold on.” Grimacing slightly he pulled the car across three lanes cutting up several cars. Behind them the blue car followed clearly loosing any pretence of hiding. Speeding up they were practically driving up their bumper. Swearing Ward yanked the car at a right angle taking an alley Skye wasn’t sure the car would fit down. At least she now had the answer to what had woken her up. Clinging to the door handle she watched wide eyes as Ward pulled them through a series of harrowing turns to no avail.
“This isn’t working.” She added as if she was driven around a city like a maniac everyday of her life.
“They’re professionals.” He made it sound as if he was commenting on the colour of the sky. “I’m not going to be able to shake them.”
“So?” Glancing at the children she found they were still asleep thankfully.
“I have a plan.” He glanced quickly at her making her stomach drop, before he reached for a button on the dashboard.
“Missing us already?” Tony’s voice came through the speakers.
“We’re being followed.” Ward explained tersely.
“I’ll track you. What do you need?” Tony immediately became serious, the clack of keys signalling he was already working.
“I need you to be eyes.”
“Done.”
“Skye take the wheel.”
“What?” Her voice raised several octaves.
“I need you to take the wheel. It will accelerate you just need to steer.” He replied as he lowered the window.
“And if I need to brake?”
“I’ll do it. I’ve hacked into the car’s automatic drive. All you need to do is steer.”
“Good.” Unbuttoning his seatbelt he began clambering from the car.
“Grant!” She yelled, surging forward to grab the wheel. “GRANT DOUGLAS WARD.” She yelled out of the window as he gave her a grin. She wasn’t sure whether to slap him or kiss him.
“Oooh full name.” Tony laughed, unable to stay serious for too long.
“What the hell do I do?”
“Just keep it going straight. Try not to make any sharp turns.” Clint’s calm voice spoke. “If you make any sharp turns and you’re likely to throw him off the top. I did that to Nat once. It didn’t end well for me.”
“Oh great.”
“Don’t worry you’ll be fine. We’ve got your back. Turn right here.”
“What about him? He doesn’t have anyone watching his back.” She kept her voice low as not to wake the kids.
“Nat’s doing that. We’ve got you Skye.”
“How the hell is he standing on top of the roof?” She muttered more to herself as she negotiated around a slow moving car.
“Training.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Ignoring the bangs coming from above them. Glancing in the mirror she saw that the shots had made very little difference to the car.
“Mummy?”
“Shush it’s alright Phil go back to sleep.” She soothed trying to ignore the fact she was straining trying to keep the car on track without dislocating something.
“Ok.” The little voice sound on the verge of sleep already, something she was grateful for. She didn’t want any of them seeing this.
“Shit!” She swerved around a slow merging car feeling Tony begin breaking for her, hoping Phil had already fallen asleep. She didn’t want him picking up bad language. A strangle cry came from above, the only warning she got as Ward was thrown forward, grabbing a hold of the windscreen wipers to prevent him flying off completely.
‘I’m sorry.’ She mouthed as he glared at her, reaching for the top of the roof.
“Tony I’m driving blind!”
“How?”
“Because Grant’s blocking the windscreen!”
“Oh. Turn right. You’re about to run into a lorry and squash the only chance you have off hitting that ass.”
“Tony!”
“By that ass I’m on about the one blocking your view currently.”
“Thank you for that! Remember the children.”
“They’re asleep. Cameras in the car remember? Interesting no denial or have you already hit that?”
“I’m kind of busy!”
“All you need to do is steer the car. Surely you can answer a question. It would explain why he’s been happier recently.”
“Tony!”
“What? You can see now. I know he’s back on top.” She could practically see him grinning gleeful at her. “You may want to move by the way.”
Frowning she shifted slightly as Ward slipped back into his seat.
“You’re insane.”
“You knew that already.” He grinned boyishly at her. Had he enjoyed that?
“The car behind us?”
“About to be a problem no more.” Turning, she moved in time to see a wheel blow sending the car spinning out of control.
“Hit a tire. Didn’t want to be on the floor in case any debris came flying off.”
“Well now that excitement is over I’m going back to sleep.”
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By time they arrived back it was nearly dark and the kids were bored. They stopped for food and a break. Thankfully since the events earlier everything had been quiet but Skye had resolved to be more aware from now on. Picking up a giggling Phil she turned to find herself face to face with Bucky.
“Bucky!”
“Sorry to scare you. I just wanted to assure you that you’re safe. Steve contacted me. I caught up with you and made sure you weren’t followed. I’ll keep an eye on the house for a bit.” With that he disappeared.
“Wait! Bucky!”
“Bucky.” Phil cried sadly.
“I know Phil. Hopefully we’ll see him soon. Now come on let’s give you a bath.”