A night in the City
There was him, Agent May, Agent Ward, Skye, Fitz, and Simmons. They were the last group of people you expected to work together but they seemed to be doing it well. They all seemed okay, it was just Grant Ward that seemed off. He was the usual SHIELD agent, uptight and stubborn, but he had this boyish charm about him that made you curious.
It turned out that there had been a fight between two Asgardians named Sif and Lorelai on the jet - or the Bus as the SHIELD team called it - which had caused a decent amount of damage. Your primary focus was fixing the outside.
While you talked to the team on occasion, you were very picky about your words so you wouldn't expose anything. It had been about a week and a half since you'd joined them now and you were due to leave the next day.
While you were fixing up the engine, you were also having a discussion with FitzSimmons while other members of the team went about doing what they did best.
"Okay! Pineapple on pizza is delicious." You decided.
"Italians think pineapple on pizza is tantamount to an Act of War under International Law." Was all Fitz said on the topic.
You and Simmons shared a laugh as she spoke. "I can't understand why people are so afraid of one pizza."
"It's unnatural, that's why."
"I like how it's called Hawaiian pizza but it's from Canada."
"I love it." You shrugged.
Fitz looked at you both, very unamused. "Heathens."
"Let's do the next one before one of us starts throwing punches." Simmons suggested. "British football is better than American football."
Fitz raised a hand in agreement but you frowned. "We are at an impasse, my friends."
"I suppose I like American football, but I will never understand why it's called football." Fitz said. "The feet aren't even used. In the UK, however, the name fits because the ball is kicked with the feet."
"He's actually got a point." May agreed.
"It's a big difference." Simmons nodded. "We could always call American football throwball instead."
"Throwball?" Coulson chimed in as he walked over. "What is that?"
"You don't kick it." Fitz said, getting very passionate about the topic. "You play rugby."
"Well, technically-" You said, going to point out that the ball is in fact kicked.
"Okay, yes, you do, but only once. Now, I respect the sport, the strategy of the game and the like, but British football is the greatest sport of all time. It's the world's sport."
"You're really passionate about this, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. What's the next one, Jemma?"
Simmons thought about it. "Well, while we're on the topic, American food Vs British food."
Most people seemed to have no opinion but you shrugged.
"I haven't really tried much British food." You confessed. "I mean, I like the food we got. What does 'American food' mean anyway? Hot dogs?"
"Fair point." Simmons pursed her lips in thought. "Ultimatum. American chocolate Vs British chocolate. My opinion? British is better."
"I'm gonna have to visit the UK to test that out."
"Might want to think twice about that." Fitz commented.
"Darling, I don't even think once. We'll have a blast."
You all shared a laugh and continued on with the work you were meant to be doing. You only paused to get a drink, planning to return no later than ten minutes after.
You poured yourself a decent sized coffee and stood patiently as you drank and waited for it to cool. You had only managed half the cup when you felt someone approach from behind. The footsteps gave him away.
It was Grant Ward. You cringed, keeping your back to him as you drank some more.
You didn't know what it was, but something was off. Was he a nice person? It was debatable. Was he kind to you? He seemed to be. Was he hot? Definitely. But you still had this urge to avoid him. It seemed he had noticed this as well.
"You're not very good at hiding." Was all he said.
You continued facing the wall. "How'd you figure that one?"
You bit back from going to tell him you'd been on the run from people for many years already and you'd done a damn good job of it. It took a lot.
"Are you avoiding me?" Ward asked.
You shrugged. "No..."
"Well, that's believable. Kinda hurts, Ellen."
Although he was joking, you still sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm awkward around people I don't know."
He scoffed, amused. "It's hard to fix that when you don't try."
This time, you were the one who scoffed. "And why do you care so much?"
"Maybe I'd like to get to know you."
"Not likely."
"I don't know about that. The sexy and mysterious SHIELD engineer no one's ever heard of... She sounds fun."
You smiled a little and finally turned around. "Sexy, eh?"
Ward smirked. "There she is."
You playfully rolled your eyes. "There. You've met me."
"Now all I have to do is get to know you."
He gave you a boyish smile. You hated it but it worked.
"How do you plan on getting to know me?" You asked.
He shrugged innocently, taking a step forward. "We hang out, go for a few drinks?"
"Ooh..." You pursed your lips, teasing him. "You're very lucky I like my alcohol, Ward."
His smirk returned. "So that's a yes?"
"Only if you're paying."
"Deal."
"Alright. I'll meet you at gate six and we'll see the city."
-
That night, you dressed up for the first time in a long time. When you were (Y/n) Stark you had everything from personalized clothes by top designers to the biggest fashion brands of the year, but now you only had what Ellen Campbell could afford.
You still looked very good in what you chose, going for something casual but formal at the same time. You didn't bother with much makeup, only mascara and a subtle lipstick. It was just two people going out after all, not a date.
As you were about to leave the Bus, you noticed Coulson sat in the lounge area deep in thought over some files.
You lightly knocked on the wall to get his attention. "Hey, Agent."
He looked up with a smile. "Ellen."
"What you up to?"
"Just paperwork the Director sent me. Nothing special."
You could tell he wasn't being too truthful about that but didn't press it, understanding that some people just wanted to keep their business to themselves.
"Where are you going?" He then asked, noticing your getup.
"I'm just gonna check out the city before I leave." You shrugged, before mirroring his earlier words. "Nothing special."
He scoffed lightly. "Just be careful."
"Aren't I always?"
"I'm serious. Watch yourself."
You nodded that time, raising a hand to mimic a salute. "Don't you worry, Agent, I'll take care."
Coulson sighed and shook his head with a smile. "Go on."
With a playful and teasing smile, you waved back. "See you later."
Everyone else on the team was either asleep or keeping to themselves because you didn't see anyone as you made your way over to the gate you planned to meet Ward at. When you saw him, you smiled.
He seemed to have gone for the same dress code as you, wearing casual pants but with a formal shirt tucked into the waistline. He didn't look half bad.
"Nice clean up." You complimented.
"Not so bad yourself." He replied. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
-
As the night progressed, you and Ward had gone through a few bars until you'd finally found a decent one. You didn't know how many drinks you'd had between the two of you but it was definitely a lot. Even now you were still going, beers in hand as you talked.
"So, what brought you to SHIELD?" He had just asked you.
Although drunk you almost spilled the beans, you were somewhat sober enough to be careful with your words as you thought up a story.
"The usual sop story, you know? Grew up bad, bullied in school. My only salvation was making things. I'd haul up in my dad's workshop for hours on end taking things apart and figuring out how they worked before putting it all back together again. I got into mechanics and engineering and apparently SHIELD caught me on the radar and recruited me because of those skills."
Ward nodded along as you told the story, apparently believing every word. "Sounds like things turned out alright in the end."
You shrugged. "I guess so. And you? What's your story, Agent Ward?"
"Not one worth telling."
"Hey, come on. I just poured my heart out, man. You gotta give me something more than that."
He looked down and laughed a little before nodding once more. "Fine."
You raised your beer. "Story time, bitch."
He scoffed but smiled before telling his story.
"I guess life wasn't easy. I was troubled youth in a nutshell, getting into fights every chance I got. I ended up suspended and expelled more times than I could count and eventually got sent to a juvenile home." His smile faded at the memory and his tone got darker. "I was angry at everything and everyone. I just wanted to fight all the time. Until I learned self-sufficiency. I chose SHIELD for vengeance... For closure."
Your features softened and you nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry."
He merely shrugged in dismissal. "It's in the past."
"Still, that sucks. You did good, though. Life threw shit at you and you hit it right back by the sounds of it."
"You think that's a good thing?"
"Hell yeah."
He smiled. "You're a strange one, Ellen."
You smiled back innocently. "Don't worry, I'll be out of your hair this time tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Yep. I've done my work and fixed up the Bus. Back to SHIELD I go."
He went to say something but stopped, instead giving you a complex look you couldn't quite figure out. In the end, he simply leaned in and kissed you.
It had been a long time since anyone had done that and at first you didn't know what to do. But, rather quickly, the drunk part of you decided to take control and you simply let it happen, your hand grabbing a fistful of Ward's hair and pulling him even closer to your body. He held your waist in both hands and the kiss deepend.
When you eventually broke apart for air, he smirked. "How about we find a room?"
You couldn't stop a grin from appearing. "That sounds perfect."
-
The next morning, everything was a blur. You remembered bits and pieces, hanging out with the team, going out with Ward and sleeping with him, but not much else in between. The day at least seemed eventful if anything.
But it was now time to leave.
The Bus was fixed and you had no more reason to be there. Still, it didn't stop the team wanting to send you off on your flight. You were surprised but glad. However, it seemed that Ward was the only one not present. You weren't surprised, knowing he probably had a killer headache.
"I'm going to miss our riveting conversations about pizza toppings." Simmons said as she hugged you tight.
You laughed and hugged her back just as tight. "Me too. Pineapple for the win."
"You disgust me." Fitz said with an exaggerated frown of disappointment.
You playfully flipped him off as you and Simmons stepped back from each other. "I'll be back one day and we'll get you to try it."
"You will not."
"You think? Watch me."
You then moved on to May and Skye. Skye gave you a quick hug as well and May actually smiled at you. That in itself was a big accomplishment considering her reputation and you couldn't help but rub it in.
"I'm gonna brag to all my friends." You said smugly.
May, still smiling a little, raised a brow. "What friends?"
While the others laughed, you faked a loud gasp. "Ouch."
She crossed her arms. "In all seriousness, it was good to have you, Campbell."
"Aw, are you gonna miss me?"
"I'll take it back."
"Nope!" You quickly said. "No take-backs in this house."
With that, you moved on to Coulson before she could insult you more. He looked as happy as ever and instinctively you couldn't help but smile.
"I'll miss you." He said.
"I'll miss you too, Agent." You confessed sadly. "Come here."
You brought him into a warm embrace, wishing you didn't have to say goodbye just yet. Even though it was barely two weeks, you already had some great memories with this group.
FitzSimmons and you creating random things in the lab and making a mess when a prototype stun gun completely misfired. They were amazed at how you created a perfect AI assistant in such restricted conditions. You had also practiced combat training with May and although she won easily every time, she had taught you a lot in such a short time. You spent time with Skye as well while she was recovering from a near fatal mission before you visited and she showed you a few basic hacks on her computer. Your night with Ward was pretty memorable too.
"I hope to work with you again soon." Coulson then said.
You smiled sadly. "If I have it my way, we definitely will."
You thought about all the late night talks with your favorite agent and the way he cared about you. It was nice considering you never really got much of it from your dad. Having someone who really cared was nice.
"Enjoy first class." He then said.
You grinned. "Oh, I will."
Skye looked at you curiously. "First class, huh? I thought you looked like someone who's rich."
"Oh, don't worry." You simply smiled at her. "I'm just a SHIELD engineer."