From the Perfect Start to the Finish Line
''And how in the hell am I supposed to get out of here John?'' Skye takes a deep breath, hears Garrett sigh into the phone. ''Do whatever it is you have to. Phil left right? All you have to worry about is Ward''. ''He's not just going to let me leave Providence''. ''Then convince him sweetheart. Use whatever power you have over him, which is a lot if the way he looked at you on the Bus was any indication''.
John doesn't get it, her feelings for Ward have never been an act. She can still taste his kiss it's been on repeat in her brain for hours now. After John was revealed to be Hydra Victoria Hand took him to the Fridge and they haven't been heard from until now when it was discovered that Hydra took the compound. John released the prisoners for Coulson to clean up, distract what was remaining of Shield from his mission.
Skye's ''cover'' ended when Garrett was taken into custody, now all she has to do is take the flash drive to him in Cuba. Only problem? She has no idea how she's going to get out of here, Providence is in the middle of the woods and she can't lie to Ward. He's going to know something is off the second she even tries to leave the base, there's no way out of this. John is right, she's going to have to convince him somehow.
''John I''- ''Do I have to remind you of what's at stake here?'' ''No of course not''. Ice shoots down her spine at the thought, he's dying John is dying she has to save him she would move heaven and earth to make sure he was alive. ''Get it done. You have twenty four hours to bring me that flash drive or I will come to Providence and kill Agent Ward and everyone else in that base myself''. Skye briefly closes her eyes, ''yes sir''.
''Good girl. See you soon, be careful. Ward won't kill you but if he finds out you're as good as dead''. ''Yes sir''. Garrett hangs up and Skye fights back a sob, presses her forehead into the nearest wall. ''Skye?'' She jumps, not having heard Ward approach. She turns and there he is, bruised and battered but still looking like he could go into another battle. He was injured at the Hub, cracked rib, split cheek, Simmons demanded he stay here with Skye and rest.
Trip, Coulson, Simmons Fitz and May all left to go after the escaped prisoners, it's just Skye, Ward and Agent Koenig here. He could be a problem, she realizes. God how the hell is she going to pull this off? It's one thing to beat Fury's lie detector (she's still shocked by that) but it's another entirely to lie to Grant's face. She knows it's only a matter of time before he finds out about John and Hydra, but she's begging for it not to be right now.
Just let her get back to John, with him she can survive anything. Even Ward hating her forever. When she joined Coulson's team it was for one reason and one reason only, save Garrett. That's still her goal but she never counted on falling in love with anyone. She can't exactly tell that to John either, love is a weakness. Ward is her weakness and she's so scared John is going to figure that out and hurt him, use Ward against her.
And he would, Skye knows this. Ward's worried tone makes her smile as she quickly composes herself and turns to him. 'You okay?'' ''Yeah I'm fine''. ''You sure?'' Almost hesitant like he isn't sure he's allowed, Ward reaches out to touch her face. Skye leans into his touch, covers his hand with her own. Closes her eyes for a second drinking this all in because tomorrow it will probably all be gone.
''I'm just frustrated is all''. Not a lie. ''You wanted to go with Coulson''. ''I just feel like I'm sitting here doing nothing''. Ward sighs, drops his hand from her face. ''I know how you feel''. ''Yeah must be so hard being benched''. ''I should be out there with Fitz he doesn't''- ''Hey Fitz is going to be fine, we're all going to be fine. Trip is with them, he's not you but he'll protect them''. She knows what Grant is really worried about, his family being harmed while he's not around.
Skye made some excuse for not going with Coulson, that she had to sift through the camera feeds at the Fridge to see what happened to Garrett. He accepted the lie so easily, those seeds she planted all those months ago paying off. He trusts her they all do. And Skye has never felt so guilty. It's eating her alive she hardly sleeps anymore her hair is starting to fall out, food doesn't taste like anything anymore, all this pressure and stress is giving her anxiety.
''It could be a few more hours before the footage from the Fridge shows up. You want to get that drink?'' Ward smiles and she strokes the scar on his cheek with light careful fingers. Wordlessly he takes her hand and leads her into Koenig's office. She can do this. Garrett needs her he needs her to get this done she has to, she owes him everytihng she owes Ward nothing. ''It's not like it's a good time to start anything''.
Ward tells her after he pours her a drink, she's been laying on the charm pretty thick since they walked in, maybe a little too much. She's hoping since Grant has never really had someone care about him the way she does he'll take it as a compliment, prays that she doesn't spook him. ''There's never a good time, we've got to start somewhere''. She responds, sitting on the couch and he takes the one opposite of her.
They talk for a while about Coulson, the team, how everything feels as if it's falling apart. And then something happens she didn't expect at all. Ward opens up to her. Tells her about his brother and how awful his family was, Skye feels this rush of emotion enter her chest and she can't help herself. Moves to the couch to sit beside him, take his hand. ''There are things about me that you wouldn't like if you knew''.
He tells her, and Skye could laugh. Oh he just has no idea who he's talkng to. He'll hate her once he finds out the truth. ''I am not a good man Skye''. Her fingers brush against his chin, turns his face towards her. ''Yes you are''. Later on if he never believes a word that ever came out of her mouth, she prays this is the only exception. He's good, he's a good man. He deserves so much better than this and god she loves him she loves him so much.
But she loves John more. It isn't a choice.
He kisses her. One hand on the back of her neck to keep her in place and Skye kisses him back how can she not? She loses all track of time and self can't even remember her own name until a harsh knock pulls her back to reality. Skye pulls away from Ward her stomach flutters when she notices the way he's looking at her. ''Sorry to interrupt Skye can I speak to you for a moment?'' Agent Koenig asks. Here's her chance.
''I'll be right back''. She tells Ward who nods, still looking dazed, she squeezes his shoulder and walks out of the room. Her nerves are on end she starts to sweat as Eric leads her into the kitchen, she has to be quiet if she's going to do something. Ward hears everything. Eric starts to ask her about the footage from the fridge and she just reacts. Breaks. Pulls out her ICER and shoots him square in the chest five times.
Overkill? Probably. Oh god oh god oh god what has she done? John. She did this for John he's dying, he needs her. There's no coming back from this, her time with Team Bus has ended right here in this moment.
This burst of adrenaline enters her and she quickly moves Koenig's body to the corner half hidden, praying Ward doesn't come in here. (Unaware that he came in at the last second and saw her shoot Eric, and he knows he just knows exactly who he's dealing with. The person he just bared his soul to is nothing but a liar.) Skye calms her shaking hands, splashes water on her face chokes back a sob. She has to do this for John for John he needs her.
She also doesn't know that her conversation with John was caught and recorded, even though it was on a secure line Providence doesn't take security lightly. While she was takling to Eric Ward was listening to her and John talk, sick to his stomach. Coming up with a plan she can't know he knows. He's going to have to play her, dive into those feelings they both have for each other and expose them. Draw them out, he can do it's as easy as breathing.
Five minutes later she comes out of the kitchen and goes back to Eric's office, it's empty. Fear spills into her skin so fast she's shaking all over again. ''There you are''. Ward says from behind her and she jumps again, keeps her back turned so he can't see her wiping away tears. ''You okay?'' His voice is soft, worried. Skye almost cries all over again, she's come up with a perfect plan on just how to get them out of here.
She can't go back, this is it this is where it all ends. She's going to save John, Ward and the rest of the team will never forgive her for this. ''Yeah I'm good''. Skye looks up at him, he's smiling warmly at her his hands strong on her waist. ''You look scared''. She shuts her eyes, not aware of her movements but suddenly her head is on his chest and she can feel his heartbeat against her ear.
She wants to stay here in this warm base where he doesn't know she's Hydra, that her father figure is dying and if she fails it's all over. She doesn't know who she is without him. So after a few seconds of being in his arms Skye pulls away and kisses him again, she'll never be able to do it again. She lies and tells him Coulson needs them, that they should take the Bus and get out of here. He kisses her again stealing her breath once more.
''I want this''. She tells him and Skye really truly means it. ''And you? What do you want?'' Ward is honest when he answers, ''what I want is to stay here with you and imagine the world outside doesn't exist''. Then he takes her hand and Skye feels as if she's flying, she can pretend even for a few hours that her and Ward will make it. Right now she can love him can be with him, because eventually he's going to hate her and she can't really blame him.
She has no idea the words carved into stone for the team to find later, has no idea Grant is playing her.
Skye is Hydra.
*
Skye wakes to warm sunlight spilling from her curtains onto her bare back. The smell of coffee in the air, it takes a minute for the world to come back to her. And when it does she smiles, untangles the sheets from her legs. Grant loves her. And if the words weren't enough he's been showing her just how much he does since yesterday afternoon. They actually haven't left her bed at all, it's been twenty hours since he saved her and Kebo from those Hydra agents.
There isn't a wall of muscle next to her, Skye can hear him moving around the kitchen. She throws on his shirt, it smells like him and Skye feels like a stupid teenager in love for the first time as she smells the collar. After she's brushed her teeth she finds Ward with his back to her looking for a spoon in one of the drawers. ''The second one to your left''. A few seconds later Grant is facing her with a smile on his lips handing her a mug of hot coffee.
''Morning''. She tells him and he kisses her. ''I could get used to this''. ''Waking up with me?'' ''No you making me coffee shirtless''. Ward laughs, kisses her again. ''But this is nice too''. ''My shirt does look better on you''. He says a few moments later, his hand running up her thigh before teasing the hem of the dark shirt. Hand on his shoulder she pulls him down for another kiss, feels a muscle flex underneath her touch.
''I love you''. A thrill runs through her, Skye never thought she'd ever hear those words again. Especially not from Ward she thought he'd hate her forever. This small whisper that sounds a lot like John tells her love is a weakness, that it will distract her. It takes longer than it should for her to remember there is no mission anymore, that he's dead. ''You okay?'' She must be wearing her thoughts on her face because Ward kisses her forehead.
''Yeah just, it's weird. Good weird not bad weird, to hear you say that still. Garrett wasn't into me being in a relationship is all''. ''Do you want to talk about it?'' Skye takes a deep breath, ''no''. That's a story for another time. She shakes the memories away and kisses him again, leads them back to the bedroom. Right now she isn't worried about Shield or Hydra, what John would think if he saw her now. All that matters is her and Grant, nothing else.
''When do you have to go back?'' Skye asks looking up at him. She's safe and warm in the protection of his arms, she never wants to leave. ''Soon''. ''How is this going to work Grant? Honestly. Coulson wants me in a cell, Hydra is out to kill me, you're a Shield agent. You could lose your career over this or worse, I don't want to do that to you''. Skye could kick herself for ruining the moment but she has to ask.
''You want to talk about that right now?'' His lips trail down her neck. ''Right now?'' Teeth graze her pulse point. ''Ward I'm serious''. He pulls back and she kisses the pout he's started to wear away. He sighs shifts so she's sprawled atop his chest looking down at him, her elbows resting on his shoulders. ''Hydra wants me dead because they think I killed Whitehall''. ''But you didn't''. ''They don't care, they just know what they know.
Look Coulson wants me locked up for the rest of my life you're technically breaking like three rules right now''. He kisses her nose soothing her worries for just a second. ''I'm not going to let anything happen to you''. ''Grant you're not going to be around me all the time, and I'm not going to ask you to choose between me and Shield''. ''It's not even a choice Skye, it's you''. ''But that's the problem, Shield is your life I won't ask you to pick''.
''Skye''- ''Look last night was amazing but if us being together risks you being fired or thrown in jail I can't''- His warm hands are in her hair, he's kissing her softly, slowly. ''I love you. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone and I'm not losing you again because of Shield. Okay? Just stay under the radar, Coulson has other things to worry about right now''. Her fingers trail down his smooth face, ''okay''. ''Okay?'' ''Yes I'll be careful you big dork''.
She's half asleep when she feels Ward kiss her hair, wrap his arms tighter around her. ''You know I didn't think I'd have this again''. She whispers. ''Have what?'' ''Someone who loves me. The last time someone did he died''. Skye will never stop feeling guilty for that, never stop hating herself or Garrett for Brandon. She doesn't have to elaborate, Austin Peters already said everything there needed to be said on that subject, Grant knows what she's talking about.
But unlike last time John isn't here, he can't hurt Ward. And just for half a second for the first time, she's actually glad he's dead. She doesn't know what to do with that thought. ''I can't promise you that I'll always come back''. ''I know''. The life of a Specialist isn't a kind one, his next mission could very well be his last. ''But I promise I will always try to get back to you, no matter what''. He seals it with a kiss and Skye believes him fiercely.
A few hours later he's leaving her, pulling on his leather jacket and pausing at the front door. Turns back to her, ''I love you Skye''. She smiles, closes the distance and kisses him. ''Love you too robot. Be careful''. ''You too''. A kiss to her forehead and then he's gone as quickly as he came. Is this going to be her life now? Sleeping with Ward and then him leaving the next morning? Is that all this is ever going to be?
When Ward makes it back to the Playground he schools his facial expression to very tight, controlled and blank. Even though he's deliriously happy the happiest he's ever been in his entire life, his shirt smells like Skye. He thought he'd lost her for good, that she was never going to fogive him for all the pain he put her through. The hardest thing he's ever done was leaving her in that apartment, he wants nothing more than to go back.
To take her in his arms and save her from Shield and Hydra alike. It's here he realizes that his loyalties have shifted, he's been compromised he didn't even put up a fair fight. It's Skye. He'd burn down this entire base just to keep her safe if he had to. ''Agent Ward''. ''Trip''. He glances at the other man as they walk into the kitchen, he's worried about something. ''How'd your mission go?'' Fine, the report is on Coulson's desk''.
Trip looks as if he wants to say more but refrains. ''Did you tell him?'' Hunter asks as he comes crashing into the kitchen. ''No you idiot I was working up to it''. Ward opens a water bottle and leans against the counter, ''tell me what?'' ''You should talk to Coulson mate''. ''Hunter just tell me''. Trip and Lance exchange a look full of stress. ''Coulson may or may not have done something drastic concerning your Hydra girlfriend''.
Before he left for his mission some weeks ago the last thing on Phil's mind was Skye. Why the sudden change of heart? On the outside this information doesn't even faze Ward, he falls back into his picture perfect Shield agent status. But on the inside this uncomfortable feeling flows through him, what has Coulson done? ''What happened?'' Trip sighs, ''he's setting up a special task force to hunt her down, Talbot's men, black ops. He wants her dead Ward''.
If Kebo were here, he'd freak out right about now.