Chapter 2
“That was a lot.” Rose said getting out of Grant’s truck and slamming the door shut.
“Yes I’m aware, go gentle on my car doors, I don’t need you breaking them on me.” Grant said getting out of the car and locking the doors behind him.
“Well you broke Skye’s heart so maybe you’ll learn a lesson in breaking things that aren’t yours.” Rose said in a joking tone.
“You’re having too much fun with knowledge about my past romance. I told you, I didn’t mean to break her heart and I feel bad about it.” Grant said unlocking the door to the safe house.
“No I know you didn’t mean to but it’s kinda funny. You two are both in love with each other but she’s stubborn and trying to hide the fact she’s a monster by being Miss Good Agent.” Rose said walking into the house behind Grant.
“Rose, I don’t think I'm in love with Skye anymore. Yes I have a soft spot for her but nothing past the fact that I trained her.” Ward said, taking off his shoes and shrugging off his jacket.
“Yo, yo, yo, how were Mom, Dad and Douchebag?” Thomas asked strutting down the stairs.
“Not any deader than when we buried them.” Rose answered dryly.
“So that was just a dream that Christian crawled his way out of hell.” Thomas said sarcastically.
“Oh god, Thomas.” Grant said pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head.
“Somebody seems grumpy.” Thomas said, giving Grant a funny look. “I’m gonna guess that means you got him talking.” Thomas said looking at Rose who nodded.
“I need a drink.” Ward said walking out of the room and towards the kitchen.
“You know, now I’m really wishing that I went for psychology instead of genetic engineering.” Rose said, wrapping her arms around her chest.
“If I knew he was going to unload today, I would’ve come with you guys. He didn’t want to tell you anything, he still thinks you’re that little annoying toddler who used to stab me with markers.” Thomas said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“You guys can’t keep trying to protect me forever though, it was only inevitable that you guys told me everything one day. I knew you and Grant had minimal contact over the years but I didn’t know his life was so shitty. We were living in mansions getting everything handed to us. He was living in the woods with a dog.” Rose said, getting angry. It wasn’t fair. Someone as good as her big brother shouldn’t have had to go through that shit.
“Rosie, I know. It’s awful but there’s nothing we can do about it now but help Grant move forward.” Thomas said placing his hand on her right shoulder and looking down at his younger sister.
“I wish I could bring John Garrett back from the dead to kill him all over again. God I hope he’s in hell with Christian and Dad.” Rose said with a scoff. “And Phil Coulson isn’t much better. When I meet that guy, he is going to get words from me. You don’t just give somebody to their abuser. I don’t understand how stupid these people are.”
“I just don’t understand how they’re so compassionless and heartless. Skye betrayed them and Coulson listened to her with open arms. Then he just locked Grant in the basement. That makes no sense at all.” Thomas said, shaking his head.
“However, I do have a question for you Thomas. How long have you been in contact with Grant for and when were you gonna tell me how bad it ran.” Rose said as Thomas gave her a sad smile.
“I was waiting for you to ask this but also nervous of the answer. Before SHIELD fell last year, Grant showed up at my apartment. He told me to watch my back and avoid DC. I knew he was with SHIELD and kinda knew about Hydra to an extent. It made more sense once SHIELD fell. Then I saw him before the funeral.” Thomas said as Rose nodded.
“Are you guys ever going to let me into your little secrets or am I just the little sister who tags along?” Rose asked, trying to keep the immaturity out of her voice.
“It’s not a secret as much as a bad life Grant and I decided you would be better without being in.” Thomas said as Rose rolled her eyes.
“That isn’t a choice that you get to make for me Thomas.” Rose said anger seeping into her tone.
“I’m sorry but I didn’t want you getting hurt.” Thomas said, his tone starting to get angrier. “Because I don’t do anything because I think you’re incapable but because I’m your older brother and it’s my job to watch your ass.”
“I can look after myself, Thomas, I am an adult for your information.” Rose snarled at her older brother.
“You’re 19. You aren’t an adult. You can’t even legally buy alcohol, Rose. You’re still a kid and I want you to enjoy that time in your life.” Thomas said as Rose rolled her eyes.
“I already did the college bullshit, I was the sorority girl, I slept with people, I drank, I got high, I’m ready to move on to more mature things.” Rose snapped at Thomas.
“Well I’m sorry, Miss Maturity that actually having fun is too crazy for you now.” Thomas said, crossing his arms.
“You’re such a douchebag.” Rose yelled and pushed Thomas before going upstairs to her room and slamming the door shut.
“You’re such a douchebag.” Thomas mocked and walked in the kitchen to grab a beer. Grant wasn’t the only sibling that needed a drink. He looked into the backyard to see Grant standing outside with a beer in his hand.
Thomas grabbed a beer from the fridge before joining Grant outside. “Are you done screaming at your sister yet?” Grant asked, looking off at the scenery of the woods.
“So you’re telling me you heard us screaming from out here and didn’t come to check on us?” Thomas asked standing next to his brother.
“Would you blame me if I said I didn’t really have the energy to get in between you two right now?” Grant asked, still not looking at his brother.
“You told her everything about everything. I thought we we’re gonna do that together.” Thomas said.
“She just started asking questions and I didn’t know how to get out of it. She’s not a little kid anymore, Thomas, she can handle knowing the truth.” Grant said, bringing the beer bottle up to his lips and taking a sip.
“I know she’s not a little kid but she doesn’t need to know. She just…” Thomas paused. “You haven’t been here and I know that’s not your fault in any way but while you were gone it was just me looking out for her. I’m just scared she’s gonna snap from all of the trauma one day.”
“Rose is strong Thomas, stronger than us and smarter than both of us. Combined. She wouldn’t let herself get to that point. You know that.” Grant said, pulling down one of his sleeves.
“You’re right about her being smarter. I just fw like she grew up so fast and I feel terrible. I just want her to be a normal kid and enjoy her life.” Thomas admitted.
“Well I think with you around she definitely had a good childhood and enjoyed herself. She was lucky to have you growing up.” Grant said with a smile.
“She would’ve been luckier if she had you like I had you. I was 12 when you went MIA, she was 4. She didn’t really know you and I wish she gotta grow up with you.” Thomas said sadly.
“Thomas, I was an awful older brother. I threw you down a well.” Grant said as Thomas sighed.
“Grant, we’ve been over this. I’m not mad. You didn’t have a choice. You were 8 and I was 5. Christian was the major douchebag and you and I were just scared kids.” Thomas said as Grant just shook his head.
The two men stood in comforting silence holding their beers. Neither one knows what else to say. Not knowing if there was anything left to say at this point.
“Where did Kara go?” Grant asked after a few minutes of silence.
“She went out to Target I think. She probably wanted real clothes besides all black.” Thomas said almost teasingly.
“We’re used to muted colors, we make sure that we don’t stick out. The last thing any of us want is attention from SHIELD or from Hydra.” At this point, Grant didn’t know who having contact with would be worse. Both groups wanted him dead. Hydra would probably think he was working for SHIELD and torture him. SHIELD would lock him back in a basement.
“I forgot, you guys have all of the secrets of spy life 101.” Thomas said feeling a little stupid.
“Well, yes also but it’s a little bit of common sense. What would you do if you didn’t want to get caught? Just go with the flow and fit into the crowd. I’m not going to run off and play Hollywood.” Grant said, causing Thomas to burst out laughing. “What?” Grant asked.
“Well you have the face for it and the body too.” Thomas said, smirking. “Rosie and I could make a lot of money off of you.”
“You say that like you don’t have enough of that.” Grant stated not bitterly.
“Mom, Dad and Christian’s guilt money that I have a lot of, big brother. I myself am just a lonely engineer.” Thomas said sarcastically looking at his older brother.
“So making profits off of me is much better than using the guilt money?” Grant asked, raising an eyebrow at his younger brother.
“I mean when you word it like that, I don’t feel so good about my little plan now.” Thomas said, shaking his head.
“You’re such a dumbass.” Grant said like I was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Yeah but you wouldn’t hang out with me if you didn’t secretly appreciate my genius and loving, kind nature.” Thomas said pushing his brother on the shoulder gently.
“Hang out with you? I hang out with Rose. You’re an obligation like taking a cat to the vet.” Grant said without a moment’s hesitation.
“Oh wow, I’m not gonna let that one sting me because we have 15 years to make up for.” Thomas said as Grant gave a smile into the distance, clutching the beer bottle tightly.
“Jesus Christ 15 years.” Grant said in a quiet voice. “I never thought I would be back in Massachusetts, I always had such bad memories here but now, now that I’m back it feels different.”
“Well, you aren’t at the house again. This house isn’t tainted with the horrors and the memories that we grew up around.” Thomas said.
“I would prefer to be in the city but I know it’s safer to be out towards more sparsely populated areas. Less chance of me getting caught but somebody. Or worse getting any of you caught.” Grant said and turned around to walk towards the house.
“Does that mean you’re just going to hide away for the rest of your life?” Thomas asked as Grant paused.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Thomas? Are you calling me a coward?” Grant asked, starting to sound defensive.
“I’m not calling you a coward. I’m just saying you were this badass for how many years and you’re just walking away now. It seems like it’s at an all time chaos and you're living with your younger sibling and your equally mentally scarred but capable friend.” Thomas said, catching up to Grant.
“I’m not running away. I just don’t want to get involved. I’m finally free from SHIELD, Hydra, Garrett. I’m on my own and nobody’s bitch. I like it. I’m relaxed.” Grant said opening the door and walking into the house.
“But you’re not relaxed. Every single day you wake up at 5 am, go on a run and work out until 7:30 am. You take a shower, make the same thing for breakfast and then you act like a grandpa and read. I can tell you miss the hustle and bustle of things. Why not put it to use?” Thomas said walking in behind his older brother.
“Even if I wanted to join the war, I’m not getting involved. SHIELD and Hydra can tear each other apart. I don’t need to be torn apart again.” Grant said in a haunted voice. “Also even if I wanted to go back, it’s a lot of work I have to do on my own.”
“Who said you have to be on your own?” Thomas asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m not going to drag Kara back into the lion’s den with me, I wouldn’t do that to her again after everything that she just went through.” Grant said with a shake of his head.
“Well, you would have me and Ro-” Thomas started but Grant cut him off almost immediately.
“Like hell as I would be that selfish to drag you and Rose down into a hole like that with me. I would never be able to forgive myself if I got you two killed or worse.” Grant said, shaking his head.
“I’m just saying, you wouldn’t be alone even if you thought you were.” Thomas said as Grant shook his head.
“It would take me at least a year to get you to a point where I could trust you in the field with me and at least three years until I would trust you 500 feet away from me so don’t bet on it.” Grant said and put his empty beer bottle into the sink.
“So are you saying what I’m hearing is that this isn’t a no?” Thomas said as Grant began walking towards his bedroom.
“What I’m saying is by the time I could train you the war is going to be over.” Grant said and finally disappeared up the stairs.
“By the time I could train you the war is going to be over.” Thomas mimicked in a deep voice. “Specialist my ass, how hard could this shit be.”
“How hard can it be?” He heard a voice from the doorway and jumped.
“You just can’t talk, Kara, give people a warning that you’re standing there. Jesus Christ, that almost took a year off of my life.” Thomas said, holding his chest.
“Yes and you think being a specialist is going to be easy work.” Kara said deadpanned as she took off her eyeglasses and pushed down her sweatshirt’s hood.
“I never said easy but Grant is a little bit of a drama queen. Could you be able to train me?” Thomas asked the former spy.
“Can I? Yes. Will I? No. You’re flakey, unmotivated and you’re jumpy.” Kara said, shaking her head.
“Come on, I promise you I’m not going to flake on this. Just give me one chance and I promise you I can make it worth it.” Thomas practically begged.
“What’s it to you learning how to become a specialist anyways? Are you planning on running off and joining SHIELD.” Kara asked in an almost joking manner.
“No, I’m gonna help Grant take down Hydra.” Thomas said as the room suddenly felt cold and unwelcoming and Kara got quiet.
“Grant doesn’t want to go back towards that, you need to watch your mouth, Thomas.” Kara said, picking up her bags from Target.
“Sorry, sorry, didn’t mean to strike a soft spot.” Thomas said, putting up his hands defensively.
“It just.” Kara took in a deep breath. “I never knew how painful it would be to lose my own identity and just be left to find the pieces. And whenever I hear Hydra, I’m scared I’m going to be weaponized all again.” Kara said feeling exposed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up unsavory memories. I don’t hurt people on purpose.” Thomas said softly.
“I know you don’t.” Kara said looking up into his eyes.
“But if they were gone, you would be safe. You would be free of that having to look over your shoulder and worrying.” Thomas said in a tone that was gentle but there was a force behind the words.
The thought of being free made Kara look off in a different direction. She was contemplating it based on the look on her face. She had a distinct look Thomas noticed whenever someone said something to make her think.
“You would be able to settle down, start over. Have a life, maybe a nice little family.” Thomas said quietly.
“Not having to look over my shoulder every four seconds would be nice but nobody would settle down with someone like me. I’m broken and people don’t want to put those pieces back together.” Bitterness broke through Kara’s voice.
“You know you’re gonna settle down with Grant and you know he’s not superficial. So why not save the world beforehand. With you two, it’ll be done like that.” Thomas said with the snap of his fingers.
Kara took a minute of thinking before sighing. “One week, Thomas, I’m gonna give you a week of training to prove to me you’re serious about this.” Kara said and then walked away.
“Yes!” Thomas whispered to himself doing a fist pump in the air. He didn’t understand what war he had just got himself into but he would with time.