Someone Will Love You, But Someone Isn't Me

Skye paces back and forth in the small room her head pounding. Everything may be blurry but she knows one thing for sure, one thing that's been bugging her for weeks, Ward didn't leave her in that alley. He had nothing to do with being shot, he saved her. Why she expected or doubted otherwise, she doesn't know. Of course he did. There's one thing Skye doesn't doubt, ignoring that little bit in the beginning, Ward loves her. He always has.

He just loves John more, which is why she's so bitter.

It makes sense she supposes, with everything Garrett did to him. John made sure Ward was never loyal to anyone else, was never attached to anyone but him. Anything else was viewed as a weakness. What kind of monster does that to a person? It also serves as a problem here, how is she getting out of here? Can she count on Ward to help or is she going to have to do it herself? How long has she been here anyway? Coulson has to be looking for her by now.

Skye chews on her thumb nail her legs starting to ache from all the pacing. She's worried about Ward, if Garrett hurt him. It's with crystal clear clarity that bring her moving legs to a stop that she realizes, the hate she's felt for Ward all these long months doesn't burn like it used to. Oh it's still there she'll never forgive what he did, she's still bitter about him lying and not choosing her in the end.

But she can honestly say now that she doesn't hate him like she used to, the all consuming wanting to shoot him in the face way. When did that happen?

The door opens loudly and dramtically, banging against the wall and everything. Despite the crappy situation the person brings a smile to Skye's face. ''Aw, you came to bust me out of this hell hole''.

Kebo shuts the door and tosses a silver flask her way. ''I didn't actually, well maybe I don't know yet. Depends on if your dumb husband gets his shit together or not''.

Skye takes a sip out of the flask expecting whiskey or vodka, but it's water.

She raises an eyebrow to Kebo who responds, ''don't look at me like that. You got wasted last night the last thing you need is more alcohol''.

Skye groans and takes another swing, ''don't remind me''. Kebo chuckles and leans against the wall, another flask in his hand but she'd bet her life water isn't in his.

''Did you really make out with some random dude?''

''In my defense I was drunk''.

''Yeah okay he's the one who brought you in actually''. Skye shouldn't be surprised but she is. ''Why does every man that I kiss end up being Hydra?''

Kebo laughs, ''if it makes you feel better Ward broke his jaw, and the rest of his face actually I think''.

She stills, uncomfortable with the fact that Ward knows about last night. No matter what has happened now, they were married once. Still are, she feels like she cheated on him.

Kebo noticing her facial expression gasps, a wide smile taking over his face. ''Oh my god. You still love him don't you? I knew it! I told him a dozen times! I'm going to tell him. Though it might short circut his entire brain and maybe he'll finally get his head out of Garrett's ass''.

''Kebo stop being dramatic''-

''Impossible''.

''There was nothing on my face for to you tell, god''.

''Wow who's being the dramatic one now?''

''Just drop it''.

''I can't. I saw that look on your face. You feel guilty for sucking that guy's face. Which means you still care about Ward''.

Skye glances over to the camera on the wall, if Garrett is watching she doesn't want to give him anymore ammo.

''If you're worried about John don't be, he's barking some orders to some sorry Hydra agents who still listen to his crap''.

''Where's Ward?''

''I don't know Princesss, probably running some errand for Garrett''.

Kebo drains the contents in his flask, gestures for Skye to do the same. ''So did any of your Shield friends see you go off with that guy last night?''

''I don't know. I wasn't paying attention to them, I doubt it. The last place they expected me to be was in a back alley kissing someone''.

Kebo rubs at his forehead, ''it doesn't matter I guess. Coulson is looking for you now I bet, which is exactly what John wants''.

''Why?''

Because Garrett is nothing if not dramatic, he comes into the room with Raina and Ward at his heels. Skye looks at her husband who's face is blank giving nothing away, just the way John likes him. He won't meet her eyes, his gaze focused and ready on John. ''So I'm sure you're wondering why you're here honey''. Skye doesn't respond, Kebo takes a step closer to her, not liking where this is going.

John smiles and glances over to Ward who doesn't return the gesture.

''I have a plan and I need your help to achieve it Skye''.

She scoffs and crosses her arms, ''if you think I am going to help you with anything''-

''Oh but that's the fun part. Because you are, you're going to help me get into the Playground''.

Skye actually laughs and after a beat Kebo does too, no one joins them. Ward shoots Kebo a warning look but it's ignored.

Skye rolls her eyes at John, ''part of me wants you in the Playground just so I can see May destroy you. She will tear you apart the second you step foot into our base. But if you think I'm going to risk the lives of my friends and every other Shield agent by letting you walk in there, you're wrong. I will never give you what you want''.

She doesn't see Ward tense, doesn't see the look he and Kebo exchange.

John however doesn't seem upset by her at all, she gets why a few seconds later when Raina starts smiling. ''You will help me Skye, if not I'll get the pleasure of making you talk. There are ways to make that happen''.

Before she can respond or even blink, there's a wall of Ward in front of her, blocking her from view. ''John you can't''.

''Sure I can. And you aren't going to a damn thing about it''.

''John I told you where the Playground is, that's all you need. I'll take a team there myself and get what you need''.

Skye can't see Garrett's face but his tone takes on a soft note when he responds, ''I know you would. And that's Plan B. But this is how we're going to get all the information on the Playground''.

''I already gave that to you''.

''It wasn't enough. I need your girl to hack into it for me, show me all the weapons and equipment they have. Get me inside, you can't do that''.

''I can go right now and get all of that for you, you know I can''.

''Of course I do son. But without your wife we can't get through the front door. She's going to do that for me''.

Skye leans around Ward's body to glare at Garrett, ''no I won't''.

He smiles, ''then I'm going to enjoy what happens next. Flowers, go get the lab ready''.

''Of course''. Raina leaves after giving Skye a sickly sweet smile.

''Now Ward stop being an idiot and stand aside''.

There's a pause where no one really knows what Grant is going to do. Garrett seems to think Ward is just going to let him torture his wife, Skye and Kebo know that isn't going to happen. Which makes them both terrified for him.

''No''. It's just one word, one tiny little word said a billion times a day. But it means the world, it means life or death in this situation.

It's more than likely the first time Garrett has ever heard it come from Ward's mouth. Grant starts visibly shaking in front of her, like he can't quite believe he said what he did. Leaning around Ward again, Skye can tell that Garrett is shocked as well. Kebo moves a little closer to Ward, hand on his gun just in case.

''What did you just say to me?'' Grant's sharp intake of breath is so loud in this tiny room, the back of his neck starts to sweat.

''You're not touching her John''.

Ward's voice is steady, you wouldn't be able to tell he was falling apart just by his voice. Is this the first time he's disobeyed John? Trying to comfort him Skye places her hand on the small of Grant's back and starts rubbing small cirlces and patters, hopes it reassures him, maybe calms him. It doesn't work. John's face goes slack with disbelief for a moment, then the black fire in his eyes returns.

''I'm going to give you one chance Ward to change your answer''.

Grant moves so he's in front of Skye once more shielding her for what Garrett has planned, and she's never been more afraid for him like she is now. She's not the only one, Kebo puts his hand on Ward's arm and glares at Garrett.

''Here's what's going to happen John, you're going to let us walk out of here, and maybe I won't kill you. You aren't getting your hands on Ward or Skye''.

John actually laughs before snapping his fingers, Skye only registers how Ward braces himself before the door is swung open. A swarm of Hydra agents fills the room and Skye is expecting them to make a grab for her but they don't. They head straight for Kebo, who is the only one who stood a chance against Garrett doing whatever he was planning to do with Ward. Grant himself is torn between helping Kebo and protecting Skye.

If he moves away from her for even a second Garrett could grab her, she's too hungover to strung out to put up a decent fight they all know it. Which is why Kebo isn't angry at Grant when the agents grab him and hold him down. ''Oh I can't wait until Ward kicks all of your asses. Boss don't let them pour out my alcohol''. Skye tries to grab the gun she knows is tucked into the back of Ward's jeans, but he snatches her wrist and shoves it away.

The door closes, it's just her Ward and Garrett. Skye feels nerves begin to tingle in her arms, she knows Ward will protect her. But at what cost? He won't kill John but he won't let her die either. What's his plan?

Garrett locks the door and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt, shaking his head at Ward almost looking somber. ''Oh Grant I had hoped you grew out of your little crush by now. Skye is a weakness, or did you forget about that?''

Grant doesn't respond, but Skye notices he's not shaking anymore. ''She hates you Ward, everyone you've ever cared about can't stand you because of what you are. You're a murderer, remember? Skye will never forgive you for all the things you've done, she will never love you. All you have is me and you choose now to say no to me? You owe me everything Grant, I made you, you would be dead if it weren't for me''.

''I know''.

Grant's voice is cold, no life in it. Skye can't believe what she's hearing. Kebo was right. Ward may not know it but Garrett has been brain washing him since he was a teen, what kind of monster does that? ''You're a monster''. She tells him, her hand on Ward's back again. If it comes down to it even though she's not at her best, she'll protect Grant from John. She could laugh at this situation.

If you told her nine months ago she'd be defending her husband against the very man who caused a majority of this betrayal in her life, she wouldn't have believed you. Skye never sees it coming. One second she and Garrett are glaring at each other Ward in between them still as a statue, and then Skye is standing across the room in shock. Did Grant push her out of the way at the last possible second?

John hit him. Just swung back his fist like he does it all the time and punched Grant in the mouth. Ward doesn't even look like it bothered him, just stands there still, his breathing even, not looking at her. The second time he does it Skye isn't aware of her movements she just lunges for Garrett, only to be shoved back once again by Ward. John it seems finds this amusing as he cracks his knuckles.

''Oh so you're protecting him now? Isn't that interesting, thought you hated him''.

''I hate you''.

She spits, tries to pry Grant's hand from her arm so he can hold her back, but it's no use.

''Tell me Skye, you must already know that I'm no longer dying right?''

''Unfortunately''.

''And how do you think we accomplished that?'' Skye shrugs while trying to get a look at Ward's bleeding lip but he won't let her.

In fact his body language has changed again, he's stiff as a board but his hands have started shaking. ''John''. Ward's whispered beg is ignored by the other man, Skye has a bad feeling she already knows what he's about to say. ''You see you thought Ward only found one miracle drug for you, to save your life. But what if I told you he stole another one for me? While you were holding onto dear life back at Shield he saved me too''.

She's waiting for that familiar bitterness to creep inside her body. That all consuming hatred to flow through her blood whenever she sees or thinks about Ward. But it doesn't. In fact this information does not surprise her at all. Is she upset by it? Yes. But she realizes she understands why he did it, though it does not excuse the action it explains it. She's not going to crucify Grant for it.

To assure him that she does not hate him for this, Skye runs her fingers over the hand that's holding on to her, she realizes it's his left hand. Because the cool metal of his wedding ring glides under her finger tips and she stops breathing for a moment. Has he been wearing it all this time? How did she not notice it before? The day she put it on him flashes through her mind, how happy he looked like he finally belonged somewhere.

''Go to hell Garrett''. Is all she says to which he just rolls his eyes. Skye doesn't even blink before Ward is shoving her out of the way again, taking the blow John delivers without flinching. It happens again and again and again, each time Skye tries to intervine but Ward shoves her away. She's begging John to stop tears streaming down her face when Grant finally falls to the ground and John doesn't relent, just keeps hitting him.

Eventually a few agents come in to restrain her, she can do nothing but helplessly watch as Ward just lays there and takes it. Does he think he deserves it? Is he using himself as a distraction so Skye isn't tortured yet? It feels like it goes on for hours, John is sweating when he's finally done. His knuckles spattered with blood, Ward hasn't made a sound. Just lays there.

''Next time I do the same to her''. Is all Garrett says to Ward before leaving the room, the agents release Skye and follow him out. Skye runs over to her husband, bends down and touches his shoulder. His face doesn't look too bad, just a bloody nose, his lips too, his cheek has been split open. ''Oh, Grant''. He's got one arm wrapped around his waist, she can only assume a rib or two has been broken since he won't let her look at it.

Whiskey eyes look into hers and she starts crying, sits down with him and pulls his head into her lap. He didn't deserve this.

''I'm so sorry Skye, I'm sorry''.

She shushes him, kisses the top of his head before resting her forehead against it. She isn't sure how long they stay like that, she's running her hands through his hair before he starts to stand up.

''Ward what the hell are you doing?''

Ignoring her and the help she offers, he stands, hiding every ripple of pain he must be feeling. Standing up now he kisses her forehead and walks out of the room, locking it back. What the hell just happened?

His blood has dried on her hands, there's no sink to scrub it off. She wipes as much as she can on her clothes. Skye has sat on the floor and cried for she doesn't know how long, but her eyes are puffy and heavy. How could Ward just stand there and take that? Why would he simply just let John beat him? Ward didn't deserve that at all. Skye has never hated another human being more than she hates John Garrett.

If Coulson or May doesn't kill him, she's going to do. Or maybe Shield will lock him in Vault D and torture him to death. She's thinking of how utterly broken Ward looked when she was holding him, when the door opens again. It's Grant, his cuts and bruises haven't been cleaned, in fact it looks as if he's acquired more since he left her. He has a gun in one hand and is holding out his free hand to her.

''Do you trust me?'' It's a simple question. But her answer means the world to both of them, it's a test. She gets up and places her hand in his, an alarm starts going off but she doesn't care. Before he can slip back into mission mode, or whatever he's doing, Skye hugs him. Lightly, keeping in mind his injuries. ''Are you okay?'' She whispers against his shirt, he smells like gun powder and smoke, a small hint of his cologne shines through.

''I will be''. He responds, kissing the top of her head. They leave the room he's keeping a tight grip on her hand as they walk the halls of this safe house, there are bodies littering each hallway they pass. ''Ward what did you do?'' They pass what she assumes is a built in lab maybe in the garage, it's on fire the smoke filling up fast. ''John and Raina were going to hurt you Skye, I wasn't going to let that happen''.

She squeezes his fingers as they make their way through the house. ''Where's Kebo?''

''Getting an escape vehicle for you two''. They reach the front door when Skye's stomach drops.

''Wait, us two? Grant you're coming with us''.

''I can't''.

''You can and you will. Please tell me you're not planning on staying with that monster?''

''I have to get you out of here Skye, you need to go''.

''Not without you''.

He ushers her outside before spinning around, two Hydra agents were about to open fire but Grant is quicker. Skye is about to yell at him for being an idiot when hands grab her from behind. She gives a startled gasp and then there's a gun pressed to her temple, when Ward turns around his entire face falls. Goes pale, she doesn't have to look at the person holding her at gun point to know it's John.

''You son of a bitch. I gave you everything and this is how you repay me? Betraying me for your whore of a wife?''

''Don't talk about her like that John''.

''Or what? You'll shoot me?''

No one is as surprised as John when Ward lifts his gun, his aim straight and true for the space between Garrett's eyes. ''If I have to''.

''You won't do it. You're weak, you don't have it in you''.

Skye watches as Ward begins to shut down, his face stripped of every emotion.

''Let her go John''.

The gun bites harder into her skin, she tries to struggle out of his hold but it's no use.

''Let her go''.

''If your finger even touches that trigger boy, she's dead''.

Ward is quicker, they all know it.

''Just let her go, we can pretend this never happened okay? We can find a different way into Shield. Skye doesn't have to be apart of this''.

''God Grant you never learn, she's a weakness! And what do we do to those?''

Skye holds her breath, she knows someone is going to die here right now.

She feels Garrett's finger move to squeeze the trigger.

Ward's does the same as he says, ''we eliminate them''.

Skye hears Kebo yell out, ''oh shit''.

The sound of a shot rings out. Then nothing else.