You Can Tear It Up, Oh No One Tears It Up Like You
''And what makes you think I want to help you?'' Skye is standing in Coulson's office her hands cuffed in front of her, May and Phil are standing side by side behind his desk. Both of them glaring at her, Ward is at her side, stiff and looking straight at Coulson. ''Why wouldn't you? You owe us Skye''. She raises an eyebrow, ''you killed John''. At the mention of Garrett Phil tenses, May's stare grows colder and Skye shrinks back.
''John Garrett was a psychopath the world is a better place without him''. Skye disagrees, her world isn't she misses him more and more everyday. ''Tell me everything you know about Austin Peters''. ''And if I don't?'' Coulson walks around his desk and glares down at her, ''then I will put you in a tiny little box for the rest of your life where no one will ever hear from you again. Is that what you want?''
He's not lying. And for a half a second Skye wonders what happened to the agent she met so many months ago on the Bus, the man who said everyone deserved a second chance and you can save someone from themselves. Suppose Hydra destroyed that like they did so many other things. Skye looks over to Ward who's attention is fixed on Phil, his expression blank. But Skye can see a spark in his eyes, just a smidge something he wasn't too quick to hide.
But she could of imagined it. Ward is a master at keeping a poker face. She wishes not for the first time she wasn't hand cuffed so she can punch him in his stupid face. Skye is still so angry with him, so much so that being in the same room with him is making her uncomfortable. All she sees when she looks at him is how he used her, distracted her enough with his body so she'd be unable to fight back to resist him.
Skye wants to take a hot shower to scrub him off her skin to get the taste of his kiss out of her mouth she's repulsed at him right now. He must be able to sense the tension coming off her because not once has he spoken or looked in her general direction. If their roles were reversed she would never do that to him, Hhydra or not. She deserves better than that, doesn't she? Maybe she was wrong about him, he really will do anything for Shield.
''No''. She tells Coulson who nods and goes back to his desk. ''Now tell me about Mr. Peters''. Skye glances at the picture of the older man on the tablet, thinks about the few times she met him. ''He was one of Garrett's old friends, they met on a mission I think. I can't remember if Austin was a Shield agent or not''. ''He was''. An awkward pause and then Skye continues. ''He isn't exactly a Saint''. ''I guessed as much''.
Skye remembers Garrett telling her about him once, he had a reputation for torturing people, something John found impressive. ''Garrett used him somtimes to break people''. Coulson and May glance at each other, ''enemies of Shield or for Garrett's own personal use?'' ''A little bit of both I think. Austin fell out of touch with John a couple years ago I never knew why''. ''Can you track him down?'' May asks her and Skye nods.
''Why do you want him?'' It's the wrong question to ask. Coulson just tells her it's classified and to get to work, sliding a labtop over to her where she takes a seat. She gestures for Phil to get the cuffs off her and he looks at her like she's just said the sky is orange. ''Do you really think I'm going to be able to try anything with the T-1OOO over here and May?'' She waves her hands over to Coulson before he finally frees her.
Skye flexes her hands and Ward drifts closer until he's basically standing over her shoulder his breath sliding across her neck. ''If you don't move I'm going to throw up''. Skye spits and Ward backs up slightly. She doesn't see the look that passes between May and Ward, nor does she know how guilty Ward feels over all of this. He didn't want this to happen he didn't want to hurt her.
It takes all of five minutes for Skye to get a location on Austin. ''He's at his mansion in Paris. Here's the address''. She turns the computer over to Coulson who nods in approval. ''I should be the one to bring him in''. Three sets of eyes narrow in disbelief at her. Skye sighs, ''look he knows me I'm your best shot at getting in there without raising any questions. Plus he is, was friends with John he trusts me, I can use that to my advantage''.
''If you think I'm going to let you out into the field''- ''She has a point Coulson''. May speaks up. ''If we go in there guns blazing it could end in a blood bath, Peters could torture one of our own if he gets the chance. Skye goes in distracts him until we grab him''. ''You want me to distract him like Agent Ward got to me?'' She doesn't have to be looking at him to see how tense Ward's shoulders are at her comment.
Coulson for his part doesn't even look ashamed at this, in fact he just ignores Skye altogether. ''Agent Ward what's your assessment?'' Ward stares at Skye a little longer than strictly necessary and she stares him down like he's just killed her cat right in front of her. ''Agent May is right, Skye knowing Peters does give us an advantage. She can slip in gain his trust and give us a signal when his guard is down''.
''Like mine when you ambushed me at the club?'' No one even looks at her. ''But Austin is dangerous, we need to be careful. If he finds out you're helping Shield will he hurt you?'' Ward asks her, Skye searches for some kind of concern in his voice but finds none. She assumes he doesn't actually care he's just wondering about damage control for the mission. Skye shrugs, ''he might not know Garrett is dead I could work that angle, he was always afraid of him''.
It's decided that Ward and Skye will go in alone, Ward posing as her personal body guard. May, Trip and Bobbi will be on stand by for back up. ''Does this mean I get a gun?'' Skye asks Ward as they walk out of Coulson's office and towards a quin jet. ''Please be joking''. Is all he says, glancing at her feet that are still bare. Her hot pink nail polish has chipped, she makes a note to get more the next time she's at the store.
Then realizes with a sinking feeling she'll probably never get the chance to go to another store, or sleep in her bed or oh god see Bucky or Kebo. He can't take care of a cat Bucky will be dead in a week. ''Has your field training improved at all?'' Ward asks her like this is normal like old times like she's not about to have a mental breakdown right in front of him. His eyes meet her's and he can't fake the worry in his whiskey eyes.
''Skye?'' She must be wearing her heart on her sleeve because he takes a step to her and it's really the nail in the coffin. Just like he taught her she swings her arm back and punches him right in his pretty face. Her knuckles scream in protest it feels like she broke her hand, Skye's smile is down right smug as she cradles her throbbing fingers to her chest. It fades however when Ward doesn't even react.
All he does is brush a thumb against the spot on his jaw where she punched, the bastard didn't even flinch. ''You feel better now?'' He takes her arm and leds them to the quin jet where Bobbi and Trip are waiting. At the sight of Trip Skye visibly tenses, he doesn't even look at her. ''You sure this is a good idea man?'' He asks Ward who nods. ''You ever meet Austin Peters?''
Grant asks Trip as soon as they're in the air. Skye is sitting in the seat beside Ward while Bobbi and Trip are on the opposite side. May is silent as always in the cock pit, Skye refuses to think about the last time she was on a plane with Ward. How she begged him to understand her that she never wanted anyone to be hurt but he didn't listen. And when he finally heard her out it was too late, she'd done too much damange.
''No I didn't. Guess Garrett didn't think I was that important''. Skye detects left over hurt in Trip, he thought he knew everything about his SO but he didn't know a damn thing. ''Who is this guy? Why was Garrett friends with him anyway?'' Bobbi asks and Grant comments that she's already been briefed. ''Well I wasn't asking you super spy, I was asking the only person on this quin jet who's ever actually been in the same room as our target''.
Bobbi fixes her gaze on Skye, it's nice to see something other than malliace in a Shield agent's eye when they look at her. ''Austin Peters is known for torturing people, Garrett became friends with him for that reason only. Anyone who wronged John, met Austin. They had a falling out a few years ago''. ''Why?'' It's then that Ward sees Skye hesitate and he shakes his head. ''You told Coulson you didn't know''. ''I don't. Well not really''.
Everyone is waiting for her to elaborate and she leans her head back against the seat. ''I know all of you think Garrett spilled his little black heart to me all the time, that I know all of his secrets but I don't. John didn't trust me with everything, most things but not everything''. ''He trusted you enough to betray an entire Shield team successfully by yourself. With two Specialist on board''.
Skye rolls her eyes at Ward, ''are you going to brag about how you're the best since Romanoff now?'' Bobbi snorts and Grant shoots her a glare. ''Anyway all I know is that I walked in on an argument between them once, but they stopped talking the second I entered the room. I caught something about a weapon, about how someone could be used as a weapon''. ''Like a solider? Brain washing maybe?'' Bobbi asks and Skye shrugs.
''I never asked John, if he wanted to tell me he would''. The subject of Garrett is an uncomfortable one with Trip for obvious reasons so Ward switches back to the misssion. ''Skye you sent Peters a message right?'' Ward asks her and she nods. Back in Phil's office she sent Austin a message on a secure line saying she needed somewhere to lay low, that Shield was hunting her. He welcomed her with opens arms and the address to his mansion.
''You were in the room Ward''. ''Just asking''. ''Don't ask stupid questions''. He turns back to her in exasperation while Bobbi holds back a smirk. ''Well you can't exactly wear that to meet him''. He gestures to her outfit. ''Well if someone didn't kidnap me from a club and then strip me of a killer dress we wouldn't be in this mess''. ''It was a nice dress''. Bobbi comments and Skye raises a brow, ''Ward thought so too''.
This time Bobbi does laugh and Trip does as well, Skye grins at Grant who simply stands up and joins May in the cock pit. ''I have something hold on, unlike the men I actually came prepared''. Skye is surprised at Bobbi's attitude, she thought the other woman would be like ice. Angry and hateful like every other Shield agent Skye has encountered since Shield fell. Maybe it's because Skye didn't personally betray her like she did the others.
Skye follows Bobbi to one of the bathrooms and cuts the zip ties Coulson demanded she have on after she punched Ward. On the back of the toliet rests a burgundy dress and a pair of nude sandals. ''I'll turn around''. Skye takes off her shirt and jeans, ''let me guess I can't be left alone right?'' ''Something like that''. Skye finishes changing and runs her fingers through her hair, when was the last time she brushed it again?
They make it to Paris on no time they have just landed when Skye stands from her seat, just as Ward comes out of the cock pit. And if things were how they used to be she'd tease him for how he stops short and just stares at her. But she's still so pissed off at him and this isn't the Bus, the days where he thought she was just an innocent hacker are long gone. Trip is the one who smacks his shoulder and gets him to act right again.
Skye and Ward step out of the plane and walk the rest of the way to the nearest town. Skye really wants to punch him again, her hand still stings but it was worth it. Ward doesn't speak much, actually at all he's dead silent when they get a car and drive up to Austin's mansion. ''Look whatever happens out there follow my lead, this place is probably crawling with Hydra agents''. ''I know how to do my job Skye''.
If looks could kill, ''I'm fully aware of that Agent Ward''. ''Don't start''. ''Don't start what? How you manipulated me so you could get what you want? How you treated me like an object like I didn't matter?'' ''I didn't''- ''Oh unless you want to get punched again the next words you speak better be an apology''. ''You punch exactly like I taught you''. ''That wasn't an apology''. He looks out the side mirrors like there's a Shield camera following them around.
His hand on her knee which she's quick to rip out of his hold. ''Skye I am so sorry. I didn't want to do it''. ''But you did''. ''I was following orders''. She laughs so hard she nearly ruins her makeup. ''Why is it that when you say it it's okay, it justifies your actions but when I do it gets me locked up and branded a traitor for the rest of my life? Following orders. Did Coulson tell you to blow the mission and tell me what you were doing?''
Ward takes a deep breath through his nose, ''no''. ''Is that supposed to mean something to me? That you confessed you were seducing me in order to arrest me? Because right now I really want to punch you''. ''Go ahead, if it makes you feel better''. Skye bites her lip but doesn't take the offer. ''Skye I really am sorry''. ''Yeah well you should be''. Skye has been to Pairs a few times with John and the memories are not doing her any favors right now.
Austin's mansion is huge, at least four stories, a pool. It reminds her of Ian Quinn's house but nicer and bigger. She quickly pushes all thoughts of Quinn out of her mind, Skye understands why Jemma hates her and doesn't blame her for it. It's not crawling with Hydra agents like Skye thought, maybe a few security details but not much. Ward is in a dark suit like she's seen so many times, he holds open the door for her.
''Can I help you?'' A man asks as they approach the front door, before Skye can open her mouth the doors swing open and there Austin Peters stands grinning at her. ''Skye! Good to see you again honey!'' He still looks the same she observes, same dark slicked back hair, deep blue eyes. He looks older than she remembers, more wrinkles around his mouth. ''Austin it's good to see you again''. She smiles at him and he hugs her lightly.
''Well look at you''. He trails his eyes down her figure, his hands squeeze her shoulders. ''God when was the last time I saw you? You were what, twenty one?'' Skye doesn't like to think about that year, that was when she first learned how far John would go to keep her in line. ''Yeah I think so''. ''Still beautiful as always. Who's this?'' Austin looks to Grant and Skye waves her hand in front of him, ''body gaurd Garrett hired for me a while back''.
Austin shows no emotional response when she mentions Garrett, either he knows the other man is dead and doesn't care, or he still thinks he's out there somewhere. Skye can't point blank ask him so she'll have to wait for him to comment. ''And how is John these days?'' The hurt at the question is unexpected as it sweeps in and Skye swallows back tears. ''Same old same old you know how he is''.
''True. Well come in come in''. He says something to the man in front of the door in french as they are ushered in. It's a nice house all marble floors and wide stair cases, large paintings of fruit on the walls, security detail and house keeping alike all stare at her and Ward. Austin leads them up two flights of stairs bragging about the house as he goes, that painting was a present, those curtains were hand made in Italy, this statue was carved by Michaelangelo himself.
Skye rolls her eyes at that last one, an obvious lie. Austin opens two wide french doors and they step into a large office. It's furnished with a huge oak desk, glass patio doors over looking the pool, two deep brown couches in the middle with a soft rug and a coffee table. ''Nice office''. Skye comments before taking a seat and crossing her legs, glances at Ward. Who's hands are behind his back and he's watching the area with expert eyes.
''So my dear Shield is hunting you, yes?'' Austin pours her a glass of champagne and she takes a large sip as he sits next to her. Too close too personal. ''An unfortunate side effect of being a Hydra agent I suppose''. He laughs, ''yes indeed I understand all too well. They nearly got me in Brazil but I slipped away here and haven't been bothered since. I must ask, why isn't John with you? I'd think he'd have his most prized possession with him at all times''.
Skye grits her teeth, she isn't an object to be owned. But she smiles and takes it. ''He's on a mission is Russia, I haven't been able to get ahold of him. Shield spotted me in Chicago and I didn't know who else to call''. She leans in just the right amount and he smiles at her. ''You look tired, when was the last time you slept?'' In an unexpected move he runs a hand through her hair. ''Too long''. She admits, looking out the patio doors.
''You can sleep here if you like''. ''Thank you''. There's a bit of slience until Austin decides to bring up old times. ''How did you get into Shield anyway? When I heard John had you going into the lion's den I didn't think you'd be able to pull it off''. Skye glances at Ward who's eyes haven't left Austin's. ''Simple really, innocent hacker who was just looking for her parents''. This is new information to Ward, he thought she wasn't lying about her parents.
''Told them I just wanted to learn about my parents, played the orphan card''. ''Didn't John find your parents?'' ''Yes he did''. They're dead, Skye had always suspected as much. It still keeps her awake some nights. Austin falls into old missions with Garrett and Skye hides how sad she's beginning to grow. She misses him, really wishes he was in Russia and was going to meet her here in a few hours.
''So why did you and John stop talking? He never told me''. Austin looks hesitant to tell her this, she can see the thinly veiled fear he tries to hide. ''Come on, you can trust me. I'm not twenty one anymore''. A hand on his leg works like a charm. ''We got into an arguement about you actually''. ''What?'' Did she remember thier last encounter correctly? ''You were arguing about a weapon Austin, not about me''.
He smirks, ''honey you are the weapon''. It was no secret to John that she's an 0-8-4 perhaps that is why he recruited her in the first place, but any information on her origins died with her parents. So Skye never looked into it and John never told her to. ''Austin I'm not following''. He rises from the couch and looks over to Ward. ''Did John ever tell you that you are an 0-8-4?'' ''Yes he did''.
''Well he wanted to see if there was something inside you, he wanted to wake up the darkness in your blood''. Skye pales at this and Grant comes to stand at her side. ''I disagreed with him and we haven't spoke since. Skye the way he talked about it, about you I didn't like it''. ''You're lying''. John would never. ''I'm not. Skye you know better than anyone how he is, I've heard stories you know, about how he treats you''.
Skye is shaking her head her hands are starting to shake. ''You don't know anything''. ''So he doesn't hit you if you do something wrong? Slap you around a little bit?'' It was on rare occasion, but not as often as Kebo or Austin it seems thought. ''No. You've been misinformed''. ''Really? Is that why you were always wearing sunglasses or long sleeves whenever I used to come over? I know what an abuse victim looks like''.
She shoots off the couch so fast and spills all of her drink on the floor. ''I am not a victim. John loves me he takes care of me''. ''I always wondered how he managed to take a little girl off the streets and brain wash her, guess I finally figured it out. He promised you a different life and you were so desperate and sad you took it, did everything he wanted didn't you?'' ''I owe John everything''. ''That's just it Skye, you don't''.
''What the hell are you doing Austin? Why do you even care? You tortured people for Garrett you're just as bad as he is, if not more''. ''I never said I was good Skye, but I never did the things Garrett did. I would of never wanted to do the same things he told me he was going to do to you''. ''That's not true''. ''Believe whatever you want, but I'm not lying Skye. Don't you see? You're not a kid anymore you can be free of him if you want''.
Skye pauses to breathe, runs a hand through her hair. ''Is this you triyng to save me? That why you so easily agreed to letting me stay here?'' ''Yes. You don't have to afraid Skye''. ''I'm not. I was never afraid of John, I've never hated him''. Austin purses his lips, ''not even when he had your boyfriend killed all those years ago?'' It's like she's been kicked in the chest, ''how do you know about that?''
''Because I'm the one who wrecked the car''. Skye can't really think straight, Brandon with his smile crashes through her brain he deserved so much better than her. He could be married by now, had kids a good life if they never met. His mother wouldn't of lost her only child, wouldn't go visit the cemetery every day with fresh roses and tears on her cheeks. ''Don't you see how twisted he is Skye? You don't have to be loyal to him, not anymore''.
This was a mistake this entire thing was a mistake she should of never agreed to help Coulson. She's backing away from Austin and stops when she feels Ward's firm chest at her back. His hand on her shoulder and she feels nothing. Just ice in her veins, guilt so strong in her blood Brandon deserved so much better. It's her fault he's dead. She knew the rules, and the penalty if you broke them.
''You wrecked the car''. Skye's voice sounds strange even to her own ears, something hollow and sad. ''I did what John told me to you understand that more than anyone. You don't disobey John Garrett''. No no you don't. Skye isn't even aware she's crying until she tastes salt water on her lips and when Austin tries to approach Ward tells him to back off. ''John is dead''. That's when it all goes to hell. She blows the mission.
''What?'' ''He's dead. Phil Coulson killed him''. ''But you''- ''I'm here with Shield''. And then the gun fire starts, Ward gets her to safety before pulling out his own gun. Security detail storms into the room, May is in Ward's comm telling him back up is on the way, and Skye sees Austin attempting to slip out the patio doors. Before Ward can stop her she grabs a gun from the floor and follows him. ''Skye don't!''
''You know Skye I'll give you credit I had no idea John was dead. He taught you well''. She fires the gun but misses, hitting the side of the house instead. He doesn't even flinch, instead walking up to her slowly. Before she can think about what he's going to do the gun is already out of her hands and his elbow slams against her face. Skye tastes blood in her mouth as she wipes her nose. ''You killed Brandon''. ''I did, but I've killed a lot of people Skye''.
He points the gun at her chest and gives her a smile that sends chills down her spine. ''You betrayed me''. ''I've betrayed a lot of people Austin''. ''For a man that never really gave a damn about you, it's sad really''. His finger is on the trigger when another shot goes off and he falls to the ground, a blue stain across his suit jacket. Trip is standing there with an ICER, ''he needed to shut the hell up already. You okay?''
It's quiet, Austin's men must be down for count. She hears Ward call her name frantically before running outside, calms when he spots her. Skye doesn't look at them, just walks until the patio ends and waits by the car her and Grant came in on. When they get back to the quin jet Skye curls into the seat tucking her legs under her and turning her back on the lot of them so no one can see her cry.
Bobbi who's kindness is really throwing Skye for a loop, finds a blanket and pulls it over her. ''Did any of you know about any of that stuff? What Garrett did to her?'' Bobbi's question is met with head shakes, she suspects Coulson might have but didn't care enough. May too. Ward though, Bobbi can see that although he tries to hide it he cares about Skye. Loves even maybe, he's watching Skye now with a deep worry in his cheekbones.
Like he wants to hold her but knows he can't. Bobbi wants to know more about Skye, her relationship with John, try to save her. Save her from Shield from herself, whoever. Because not everything was Skye's fault, and it's about time someone at Shield realizes it.