But He'll Never Stay, They Never Do
''Do I even want to know why you had that?'' Ward nods to the device on Kebo's chest which he's currently switching off and removing. They're halfway to Garrett's base and Ward can't settle down. Every thought is consumed with Skye, he knows she's alright but hates that he left her. They're supposed to be together through sickness and in health, it feels very wrong to be free while she's lying in a hospital bed.
''Never can be too careful robot. You need a shower by the way''. Ward glances down to his hands that are covered in dried blood, Skye's blood. God how long has it been since he was injured? Days? It's all one big blur now the hours clumped together nothing had meaning it was all depending on if Skye lived or not.
''So you don't find anything suspicious about Skye being shot, at all?''
''Kebo we talked about this, John wouldn't do that.''
''I'm sorry what gives you the impression that he wouldn't? Think about it, he's been looking for a perfect time to get rid of her and you know it. He tells you to find her to crack the drive and suddenly she's shot? Use those super spy instincts Ward you know something doesn't add up. I don't think this was a coincidence I think he had her shot to teach you some twisted lesson. She's your weakness Grant and we both know what John does to those''.
Ward clenches his hands against the steering wheel, takes a deep breath. There's a voice saying that Kebo could be right, John did the same with Buddy. He's hated Skye, it's a possibility. But then Garrett's voice is in his ear and the doubt vanishes. No no John wouldn't do that to him he knows how much Grant cares for Skye, it was just something that happened it wasn't planned. People are shot on missions all the time that was all this was.
Kebo nearly smacks Ward in the shoulder when he sees what conclusion he's drawn. ''You know Grant you're a smart man, in your line of work guess you have to be. But right now if you think Garrett is innocent in having your wife shot you're the biggest idiot I've ever met''.
Grant doesn't respond and that's all the confirmation Kebo needs, ''God you need to be kicked in the throat''.
''Go ahead and try it Kebo see how it works out for you''.
''Cocky is not a good look for you boss''.
''John wouldn't do that to her or to me''.
''Oh Ward you're so stupid. He would kill anyone that got in the way, anyone that could throw you off your game from being his perfect little solider. You know I'm right''.
The rest of the drive is quiet. Kebo sends a message to Skye of course she doesn't answer but he might get a response in a day or so. Ward is busy putting everything in a box, Skye, the mission, how worried he is about it all. And pins his focus back on Garrett because that's what matters right now he's always mattered. Ward would give up his life for John, when they pull into the base it hits him, that's exactly what he's done.
''Well it's about damn time son''. Ward glances over Garrett slowly to see if there are any changes. Anything subtle he's missed while he's been gone. Other than his face being a shade lighter the older man seems well. The fear deep in his gut becomes a dull ache instead of the raging all powerful beast it is on most days, Garrett doesn't look worse. Grant flexes his shoulders and prepares himself for what's about to happen.
''So Romeo you cracked the drive, I'm proud''.
Kebo gives Grant a nervous look that John doesn't catch.
''No I didn't actually''.
The surprise on Garrett's face nearly has Ward shaking but he holds his ground, Kebo is a wreck next to him Ward can almost taste the stress coming off him.
''You want to repeat yourself son? What did you just say to me?''
Before John can react Ward fishes something out of his pocket and tosses it to Raina and Kebo feels his stomach sink.
''What's this Agent Ward?'' Grant gives her a smirk, ''John's cure. It's the same serum Fury used to save Coulson's life''. Ward turns his attention back to Garrett, ''and now it's going to save yours''.
The two men exchange wide smiles and Garrett claps Ward on the shoulder who hides a wince. ''You son of a gun. You did it''. ''Yes sir of course''.
Raina rushes to the lab to test the serum while Ward takes the flashdrive out of his pocket, John waves it away. ''Don't need that anymore, destroy it. Go take a shower you look like hell. Come back when you're done''. ''Yes sir''.
Kebo follows Ward into one of the spare rooms, shuts the door and turns on the light. ''You need something Kebo?'' He's shaking his head, pacing the room with a strong look of disappointment on his face that gives Grant pause.
''Oh Ward please tell me you didn't''. ''Didn't what? Just save John? Yeah I did''.
''Oh my god. Your wife was dying Ward! And you stole the same serum for John in the middle of the mission? You were thinking about Garrett's life while Skye's hung in the balance? What the hell is wrong with you?'' Ward tosses his bag onto the bed and takes off his jacket.
''What do you want from me Kebo? Ever since I've known John that's all I've cared about. I saw an opportunity and I took it, all these years and my job is finally finished. That's what I do, it's what I've always done. This shouldn't surprise you''.
''What surprises me is the love of your life could have died in the few seconds it took for you to steal that second vile''.
''You don't think I thought about that?''
''Oh I know you did that's the problem. You chose Garrett over her again and look where it got you. You're alone and Skye is at the Playground. God you're a real piece of work Ward. If you had any doubts before about John being behind this they should be gone now, he had Skye shot to motivate you and Coulson. It wasn't just luck that you found that serum how can you not see that?''
''You don't know that, don't make assumptions like that''.
''Or what you'll shoot me? Or are you going to let Garrett come in here and pull the trigger instead like he did with Skye?''
Honestly Kebo should have realized what was going to happen if he kept getting Ward worked up. The past twenty plus hours all the stress and blood he was bound to snap. Normally Ward works out his sins his frustrations on a punching bag but there's not one in this room. So instead Kebo gets a punch to the nose. ''Yeah should have seen that one coming''. Kebo holds his nose as the blood starts to pour out.
''Get out''.
Kebo sighs and leaves the room, calling Ward a few names before slamming the door shut. Grant cracks his knuckles feels a headache coming on. After stripping down he steps into the shower, let's the hot water soothe his sore muscles. Knows he needs to hurry because Garrett is waiting, but the water runs pink for a moment distracting him. Skye's blood runs down the drain and he nearly vomits.
Has to steady himself with hands on tile wall, the small space sways dangerously. She almost died. If they didn't make it in time she'd be dead right now. He'd never gaze into her brown eyes again, never see her smile or hear her laugh. He should be ecstatic right now, John is going to live. Ever since he was a teen that's all he's been working towards. One goal all these long years and he's finally reached it.
Ward waits for the relief to set in but it doesn't come. Instead there's just this overwhelming black cloud of guilt hanging over. Because he knows Kebo was right, it was selfish of Ward to grab the serum for John too. Honestly he really wasn't thinking clearly when he got the second vile, he was consumed with Skye but a part of him knew it could save John too. What choice did he have? His father figure was slowly slipping away from him day by day.
Grant takes deep measured breaths to calm his heart beat, to keep the anxiety at bay. Hands still braced against the tile head bent down. The water pouding at his back but Ward can't feel it he can't feel anything. Did he really choose John over Skye once more? Is that what this is? What did Kebo expect him to do? He couldn't stay at Shield and despite what he hopes, Skye will never take him back.
He'll spend the rest of his life loving her from afar.
Five minutes later he's walking to where John is standing in front of the lab, Ward can tell by his body language it's good news. ''What did you do to piss Kebo off?'' He asks as Grant comes to stand beside him. ''You know Kebo, he never knows when to stop talking''.
John laughs and claps Ward on his injured shoulder again but doesn't let it show. ''Flowers is positive it's going to work''. Grant smiles at his mentor, ''good''.
''How'd you come across this Jesus juice anyway?'' Grant despite everything telling him not to, looks for any kind of tell in John's face. Anything to give him away and much to his relief finds none. Kebo was wrong Garrett had nothing to do with this.
''Skye was shot''. Ward's voice sounds hollow to his own ears, dead. He isn't looking at Garrett but he hears his sharp intake of breath. ''She okay?'' ''She is now''. ''Good''.
An hour later Raina comes out of the lab and gives John the widest smile either of them have ever seen. ''It's ready. May I?'' John rolls up his sleeve as Ward helps him over to a spare couch. ''Moment of truth son''. John keeps his eyes locked with Grant as Raina inserts the needle and Ward braces himself in case he has the same reaction Skye did. It happens just the same. Garrett seizes, arches off the couch and Ward keeps him steady.
After a few moment Garrett doesn't open his eyes and Ward starts yelling at Raina, checking his pulse it's not there. Fear shoots up his spine so fast he's about to tear this place apart starting with Raina, but then Ward feels a beat under his fingers. John is propped up against the pillows when he opens his eyes. ''John? John can you hear me? Are you alright?'' The other man's dark eyes focus on Ward.
''I'm alive''. Ward let's out a shaky breath, ''yeah you are''.
And for a second Ward can pretend all is right with the world.
*
Skye watches as Simmons checks the heart monitor again, the IV drip. ''If you're good we should be able to release you in a few days''. ''Joy''. Skye's foul mood hasn't gone unnoticed by the team, Jemma is the only one who knows the real reason. It's not just because she nearly died (honestly the thought is giving her nightmares but she doesn't tell anyone.) It's because she can't wrap her head around it. Grant leaving her when she was hurt.
Why would he do that? Skye racks her brain for an answer but can't find one. That's not like him, but maybe without realizing it she's put too much faith in him. Simmons puts a cup to her lips and she takes a long cool drink of water, it burns on the way down. For the most part Skye doesn't feel as if she's been shot, more like she caught a twenty four hour virus and she's beginning to recover.
Coulson told her about the mission to save her life, about the same serum that brought him back from death is now running through her veins. At that Skye cried and thanked everyone on the team for risking their lives, she'll be forever grateful. Skye runs her hand down the needle in her palm, toys with the tape holding it until Jemma sees and scolds her. She's trying very hard not to think about Grant but fails every time.
If he wasn't so damn handsome it wouldn't be this big of a problem, if he didn't nearly die for her if she wasn't still so in love with him it hurt, she could try to move on. Pretend he doesn't exist find someone else to make her happy. But it still makes her uneasy thinking of someone else falling asleep next to her or kissing her goodnight. It feels wrong, but perhaps that will fade with time.
Clearly he doesn't care about her as much as she thought because he left her dying in an alley. Skye believes that Coulson had no reason to lie to her about that but a part of her still wants to check with Kebo, just to make sure. She's thought the worst of Ward but that just doesn't seem right. Leaving the woman he loves to bleed out, it's not in his nature. Skye closes her eyes and wishes he was next to her.
His warm skin curled into her's, his breath against her cheek, heart beat lulling her to sleep. She really missed him. Was it a mistake? Yes. But Skye can't find a reason to regret it, not yet anyway. What she can't understand is how Ward just doesn't seem to get it, that John is an evil bastard and is just using him. How can he not see that he's just his puppet? John doesn't love him he doesn't care about him.
Before she can dwell on it too much Mack walks into the room and gives Simmons a nod. ''How are you feeling?'' Skye gives him a smile, ''like I got shot''. ''Real funny Skye''. He takes a seat next to her stretches out his legs. ''Are you in charge of babysitting me since Fitz needs Simmons in the lab?'' Jemma just shakes her head while taking off a pair of gloves.
''You could spring me out of here you know''.
''Absolutely not Skye you need your rest. You were just shot not thirteen hours ago!''
'''But Simmons I'm fine! Could an injured person do this?'' Skye sits up quickly and attempts to do a sit up but Mack is pushing her back down while Simmons fusses over her.
''Easy there Turbo''.
''Skye don't do that again you'll rip your stitches!''
''God you're no fun''. Skye pouts while Jemma adjusts her IV and after a few minutes leaves the room.
''You know she's just worried about you, everyone is''. ''Yeah I'm aware''.
There's a dull pain in her abdomen that has Skye wincing a tad and then it's gone, Mack looks at her with concern all over his face. ''Getting shot sucks''.
He chuckles, ''yeah it does''.
Throughout the day the rest of the team comes and goes to check on her. Trip stays the longest, watches over her while she naps. Even brings her laptop much to her surprise. She's working on upgrading the Playground's security just for something to do when Coulson walks in and Skye can tell from the blank look in his eyes it's not going to be a fun conversation. ''What up? Did you come here to free me? Oh did you bring any ice cream?''
He doesn't laugh just sits in the chair beside her head and crosses his legs. ''Skye what do you remember?''
There's a flash of blood the sound of a gun shot, Ward's petrified face filling her eyes. ''Why? Did you catch the guy who did this to me?''
''No''. And then she gets it. Coulson is asking her if she remembers to see if it was Ward who shot her. ''DC Ward didn't do this to me''.
''Are you sure?''
''Positive. Look you know how I feel about him and I wouldn't lie for him, if he did do this I'd shoot him myself. But it wasn't, just some Hydra agent I wasn't quick enough to take down''. Coulson takes her hand, sighs loudly.
''Skye this wasn't your fault''. She shrugs, ''sure feels like it''. ''How so?''
''If I was a better agent''- Coulson holds up a hand to stop her.
''Skye you're one of my best agents, you've proven yourself time and time again. Sometimes things just happen but I'm so happy you're alright. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't make it''. ''But I did. I'm okay''. He smiles, ''yes you are''.
Later that night she dreams of the bullet ripping through her (is unaware that she's screaming) but then Ward's face comes into view. Brushing her hair back as she lays on the concrete blood everywhere, his tone calm and collected. ''You're going to be fine Skye I promise I love you''.
She wakes covered in sweat to Jemma holding onto her shoulders, Trip and Bobbi holding her hands.
Was that a dream or a memory?