You're Ripped At Every Edge But You're A Masterpiece

''I can't believe he broke my bathroom window. Actually wait scratch that, yes I do''. Ward looks over to Skye shaking her head in disbelief, the sun warm on her skin lighting up her face. He actually forgets what they're talking about for a second, just admires how the light brings out the color in her hair. A few minutes after Kebo locked himself in the bathroom he did indeed break Skye's window just to avoid the awkward conversation they were all bound to have.

''Sorry about that I'll fix it for you''. ''Not your fault, Kebo is like a dog once you feed him he just keeps coming back. Then one day you turn around and he's sleeping on your couch drinking all your booze''. Ward chuckles, ''that sounds like him''. After the sound of glass hitting the bathroom floor Skye nonchalantly turned to Ward and asked if he wanted to get breakfast. Turn down an opportunity to spend time with her? Never.

He is however a tad nervous because he knows she's going to ask questions about Kebo. And one of those he'd bet his inheritance on is if he knew Kebo was Hydra. She deserves an answer, but Skye just stopped being angry with him over what happened. He doesn't want to ruin that, however she does have every right to be upset with him. Kebo was right it's going to come back and bite him in the ass.

''There's this really good cafe around the corner''. Skye says looking up at him, picking a piece of lint from her jeans. He half expected her to go to breakfast in her Captain America pajama pants. ''Lead the way''. Ever since the mission with Austin Peters (and probably before that let's be honest) he's seen Skye in a different light. He's finally accepted his feelings for her, that girl on the Bus wasn't a lie.

She's still standing right here beside him despite being locked up, her father figure dying, escaping Shield, and being caught and arrested by someone she cares about. Skye is the strongest person he knows, way stronger than he is. If the roles were reversed Ward isn't sure he'd be able to handle it. He watches her now as she takes the brown leather jacket from her arm and slip it on, it's entirely too big on her. Garrett's? It looks familiar.

Slowly so she can pull away if she wishes, Ward reaches for her hand and threads her small fingers with his. It's different this time than at Providence, she isn't lying to him and he isn't pretending to believe she's someone she's not. ''Is this too much physical contact for you? Do we need to rest so you can stop to reboot?'' He just smiles at her, pulls her closer while she beams up at him.

''Wow a smile and holding my hand, you sure you're feeling okay robot?'' Her free hand runs across his forhead which he shrugs off. ''Keep it up and you won't get a free breakfast''. Skye just sticks her tongue out at him and continues walking. ''I hacked into the one security camera you can relax, Shield won't know you've totally been compromised''. ''I didn't say anything''. But yes he's been compromised by a tiny girl with deep brown eyes since the day they met.

They're sitting at one of the tables in the back, Ward can see everything from here every possible exit point, every door and window. ''You think you'll ever stop being paranoid?'' Skye asks, flipping through a menu like she doesn't come here all the time. ''No''. ''Because it's in your programming right? Couldn't turn it off if you tried''. Ward won't admit it, but he has missed her robot jokes. ''Something like that''.

The waitress comes to take their order, Skye rolls her eyes at his breakfast. Wheat pancakes and egg whites. ''Wheat pancakes should be a crime''. She tells him after placing her order and taking a sip of coffee. ''Actually they're''- ''If you're about to lecture me on wheat pancakes and how healthy they are for you I'm leaving''. He shakes his head fondly at the brightness in her eyes. ''So can we talk about how pissed Coulson was when he found out I was gone?''

Skye plays with a sugar packet while waiting for an answer. ''I think he was more suprised that Bobbi and Trip orchestrated it''. ''He didn't know you helped?'' ''I wouldn't say turning a blind eye is exactly helping''. Coulson was so angry, probably angrier than he was the first time Skye managed to escape. Bobbi and Trip were placed on suspension but that was soon lifted when Phil realized again how short handed Shield was with agents.

''Whatever you went rogue robot''. ''It was worth it''. He did't mean for that to come across as anything but suddenly Skye's face softens and Ward finds himself doing the same, reaching across the table to take her hand. And this time she doesn't pull away from him, this time she isn't uncomfortable or scared that he knows something he shouldn't. Garrett's threat isn't looming over them like it did last time they were in a cafe together.

''So why did Coulson want Austin Peters anyway? Wait am I not allowed to ask that? I could just hack into Shield you know, you might as well just tell me''. ''Skye I'm not giving you any information on Shield''. She shrugs, ''hacking into the system it is''. ''Skye''- ''He was one of John's friends, I'm just curious''. Ward sighs and removes his hand, thinks about what Peters said about Skye and Garrett's very toxic relationship.

''If you want to talk about what happened with Peters, I, you know I'm here for you''. Skye sips her coffee and looks out the window. ''Ward the last thing I want to do is talk about John with you, okay? I'm not ready''. ''I understand''. He glances around the small area, outside, the employees in the back. ''We should probably talk about the elephant in the room yeah?'' Skye says after the waitress has refilled their coffee.

Kebo. Ward doesn't know where to start, quite frankly he doesn't want to tell her how he's known Kebo was Hydra this entire time. He just got her back in a sense and the last thing he wants to do is lose her all over again. ''I met Kebo when I was in my twenties, we've been friends for about fourteen years now''. Skye's eyes widen, ''woah. That long? You've put up with his crap for all that time? You deserve a gold star''.

''Give him one as well, he's put up with all of mine too''. ''How did you meet?'' Ward thinks about that day so many years ago, how distraught Kebo was in the search for Lauren. ''I helped him rescue his girlfriend''. ''Oh my god you knew Lauren?'' ''Yeah''. ''What was she like?'' Grant smiles thinking of her, it may not have been the best meeting but afterwards once they got to know each other Lauren was one of a kind.

''She was smart, too good for that idiot and he knew it. She was funny too, Kebo's jokes had nothing on her. Lauren loved Kebo so much''. An unpleasant memory surfaces and Ward can't help but wince. Kebo calling him late one night a few weeks after they rescued Lauren, screaming into the phone. When Ward reached his hotel room, he'll never forget what he found. Kebo crying over Lauren's body, screaming for her to come back.

Ever since that day Kebo has never been the same, never moved on. That's the reason he drinks, he can't handle the world without Lauren in it. ''She deserved better than that''. Skye says quietly, ''yes she did''. Ward doesn't know if it's the same for Skye but he constantly worries about Kebo, that one day he'll wake up and get the news his friend has taken his own life. Mostly because Ward saved him from that once already.

He's terrified history will repeat itself, that's why he calls Kebo so much. If the other man ever realized it, he never says anything. ''How did you meet him?'' Grant asks shaking away the ghosts. Skye laughs quietly to herself, ''I was on a mission with John one day and I just ran into him. Acutally he literally crashed into me, we fell down a flight of stairs. He was drunk''. ''Sounds like Kebo''. ''That was a few years ago and we've been friends ever since''.

For half a second Ward worries that Kebo might of told Skye things he shouldn't of then decides against it. Kebo wouldn't betray him like that, he's just mad he never told him. Kebo has been friends with Skye for years and never said a damn thing. Why? He had plenty of opportunities, listended to Ward talk about her for months and said nothing. ''Why do you think he didn't tell us?'' ''My guess is the idiot procrastinated over it and then it was too late''.

''Sounds about right''. Their food arrives and Skye drowns her waffles in butter and syrup, making Ward grimace. ''You don't know what you're missing tin man''. ''You know how many calories''- ''Oh my god please stop I heard enough of this on the Bus''. Ward marvels just for a second how they can talk about the Bus know without guilt, shame or anger. They've really come a long way.

He realizes now that Kebo probably had a lot to do with that on both ends. Bastard. ''So how long do you think it'll take for him to come crawling back?'' Ward takes a bite of his own food an checks his watch. ''Another couple of hours, he'll get bored eventually''. Skye chuckles, nodding her head in agreement. Honestly it's been the most relaxed morning Ward has had in a very long time.

He and Skye talk about everything and nothing, stupid things that they never had the time to on the Bus. He knows a lot about her already but wasn't aware that she is well traveled. ''Garrett liked to make good on his promise he made me, I've been pretty much everywhere''. Grant doesn't want to spoil the moment because this past hour has been amazing, but he does. It's been killing him to know since that mission with Peters.

''Did John ever hurt you?'' ''Ward I''- ''I know you said you didn't walk to talk about him and I respect that. I just, I need to know''. ''He didn't hurt me in the way you're thinking, god no. He just didn't like it when I failed and it really didn't happen that often. Nothing to worry about now''. ''Skye he brain washed you''. She shakes her head, asks for another refill. ''I wish I could say that's what happened. But everything I did good and bad I did of my own free will''.

Grant and Skye have very different definitions on free will. He let's it go because he can see she's growing upset and doesn't want that. ''I'm sorry''. Skye sighs, ''it's fine''. Her hand stays curled into his so he takes that as they are okay. ''Grant I have to ask you something''. And there it is. She'll hate him after this, she'll leave this cafe after yelling at him, saying what a horrible man he is and he'll never see her again.

''Okay''. ''Do you know about Kebo?'' She doesn't have to say it aloud, he knows exactly what she's referring to. ''Yes''. Skye's eyes widen in disbelief. ''Wait let me explain, please. The only reason Kebo was in Hydra is because he had no other options, a team of Shield agents were the reason Lauren died and ever since then he's hated Shield''. ''You do realize that's a similiar situation John was in, yes?''

She's angry, her arms crossed defensively over her chest. ''I do now. Skye after I found out about you I was angry, it never even crossed my mind until recently how wrong it all was. Shield left Garrett for dead and he turned to Hydra to help him, I get that. But that shouldn't of happened, just like Shield shouldn't of kidnapped Lauren and ran tests on her. But it did. And I can't do anything about it, I wish I would of made the connection sooner''.

She's silent for so long he starts to become worried, this crushing feeling enters his chest like he's about to lose everything. ''I'm sorry Skye, I know that it was wrong for me to want you arrested and not Kebo. That I believed you needed to pay for crimes and he didn't, trust me he's pointed out numerous times how hypocritical that is''. ''I have every right to be mad about this''. ''I know you do''.

He's about to apologize again when a body runs harshly into his elbow nearly spilling his coffee. ''Are you two done having a really awkward conversation I wanted no part of?'' Kebo asks moving to sit beside Ward, clapping him on the shoulder and helping himself to the egg whites. Which he takes on bite, spits it out and drains the rest of Skye's coffee. ''You're disgusting''. ''Not denying that love. Ward everything good now?''

''No Popeye everything is not good! How could you not tell us?'' ''In my defense Skye I thought you two would hate each other forever, you kind of were headed down that road with the whole Ward seducing you into being arrested and you being Hail Hydra and all''. ''Speaking of Hydra punch Ward in the face for me since he took me into custody and not you''. Kebo laughs loudly while Ward blocks the slap aimed for his bicep.

''Told you that was going to come back to bite you, stupid. Skye do you want to hear his reasons for not throwing me into Vault D too?'' Kebo takes a bite of Ward's toast before spitting that out too causing Ward to just remove the plate entirely. ''He knew who I was from the start, didn't happen the same with you. I wasn't the one who betrayed his entire team, I never lied to him. There's more but I kind of tuned him out after that''.

Ward glances away from Kebo to find Skye cocking her head at him. ''You do have a point''. ''It's not okay Skye''. ''I didn't say it was Ward, I'm just saying I can see where you're coming from''. Kebo claps his hands loudly, ''so are we good? I'm bored and Ward you promised to take me to the park today''. Grant sighs deeply, he did indeed say that. Kebo likes to go to the park and drink in silence, it's the only time he's quiet and Ward likes to take advantage of that.

''Aw are you taking your buddy for a walk? That's so cute''. Skye says causing him to laugh. Which is how half an hour later Ward finds himself trailing behind Kebo who has pulled out his second flask, and Skye is walking beside him. ''I'm glad you have him''. Skye says taking Ward by surprise. ''What do you mean?'' ''I'm just glad he's your friend, and besides Kebo needs someone like you. Keep him grounded''.

Ward would say Kebo does that for him, all the crap his family put him through Kebo never let's it get to him anymore. ''I'm glad you're not alone Skye, that Kebo is there to look out for you''. ''He does alright''. They walk in silence, Ward is consumed with everything Skye. He wants to tell her how he feels, but what if she rejects him? She would have every right all things considering. She beats him to the punch like always.

Her small hand subtly wraps around his own and Ward finds himself grasping it like a life line. ''So I was thinking you and me, wrong foot. Can I buy you a drink?'' Oh that day. Pieces solving a puzzle. She wasn't lying about any of it. ''It's ten o'clock in the morning Skye''. ''I meant later obviously''. ''Oh. Well then yes, I'd like that''. She smiles at him and it melts him like it always has. ''Skye did you bring any bread I want to feed the ducks!''

''Popeye ducks hate you remember?'' ''They love me!'' ''No they don't please don't try to pet them again!'' Ward wonders how exactly this became his life.

Later turns out to be much sooner than they thought because Kebo passes out in the car and they have to take him back to Skye's apartment. ''When do you have to go back to the Playground''. Grant checks his watch, ''still have a few more hours''. ''Oh look at Special Agent Grant Ward breaking the rules you rebel''. Skye waves over to the bar tender as they sit down, orders a beer and sits close to Ward.

He actually really is here for a Hydra agent but the mission is so easy he can do it on the way back. ''So what happens now robot?'' Skye asks him sometime later, she's bypassed beer and is currently taking a tequila shot. ''What do you mean?'' ''I mean I stay off Coulson's radar and we're friends right?'' Honestly he doesn't want that. He wants more, but then he realizes he's never really been in a relationship before and doesn't know the first thing about one.

''If that's what you want''. Skye looks over at him with her brown eyes and he loses his train of thought when she leans in close, he can smell her perfume feel the heat of her skin. ''And you? What do you want?'' He can't help but put a hand on the small of her back, her lips hovering over his. ''What I want is to stay here with you and imagine the world outside doesn't exist''. And then she kisses him.