If I Have to Fall Then It Won't Be In Your Line
''That's not a weakness is it?''
Skye wakes slowly, a mess of tangled sheets and a cold sweat on the back of her neck. She preapred herself for the fallout of coming back to Garrett's base, the nightmares. The ache in her chest from missing him so much it's hard to breathe. Skye glances at the alarm clock on the nightstand, it's five thirty in the morning. Her head is pounding the small amount of sunlight coming through the window is not appreciated.
Now that she's sober she quietly sniffs the pillow case near her face, is met with disappointment. It doesn't smell like John anymore. Just stale fabric softener like it hasn't been washed in a long time. ''Really did not expect you to wake up so early''. At the sound of Kebo's voice she groans and pulls the cover back over her. ''Did you sleep at all last night?'' ''Nope. Stayed up to make sure no one murdered us during the night''.
''Poeye you can relax these guys aren't going to hurt us''. ''Maybe that was true before but John is no longer in the picture. We can't trust them''. ''Trust them enough to keep us safe''. Kebo scoffs, ''can't do that. You okay? You're sweating''. Knowing there's no way she's going to be able to go back to sleep now Skye shoves the sheets away and stands. The room spins her stomach swirls, god she drank too much last night.
''Go throw up and then take a shower. I'm going to call Ward''. Even though it's only been a day since she saw him last a pang runs through her chest, she misses him with his dumb attractive face and his warm body curled against her's. ''Tell him I miss him''. ''Ew. Maybe''. Twenty minutes later she's stepping out of John's room Kebo at her side heading towards the kitchen. The base is quiet, the kitchen empty.
''Ward is worried about you, I had to talk him out of coming down here''. Skye rolls her eyes and looks in the pantry for food. ''I'm not a doll I can take care of myself''. ''I know but you know how he is''. She's scrambling eggs into a bowl when a few Hydra agents walk in, ''is it true you killed Whitehall?'' At this Kebo stands and comes over to her, Skye continues on as if they didn't speak at all.
''And if I did? Do you care? Last I checked everyone in this base was about as loyal to Hydra as John and I were''. The two men look at each other then back to her, ''we were just wondering. Been some nasty rumors going around about Garrett's Golden Girl''. Skye shudders and turns around so they don't see her expression. Been a long time since someone called her that, years ago she used to love it. Being John's right hand, the go to person whenever he needed something, she thrived on the praise.
Not so much anymore, now it just makes her sick to her stomach. ''Did you two need something?'' Kebo asks, he's standing so close she can feel his gun at her hip. ''So is it true? Did you really kill Whitehall?'' Skye pours the eggs into a skillet, still not facing them. ''Yes''. If Hydra found out it was Agent Grant Ward who ended Daniel, the outcome would not be good. They actually congratulate her, give her a pat on the back.
Yes murder is something to be praised for, she thinks and bites her lip. After a small conversation with Kebo they leave the room and Skye sits at the table, handing Kebo a small plate. ''Remind me again why I thought this was a good idea''. She says after a while, when three more agents walk in and give her smiles for the downfall of Whitehall. ''God I miss Ward. Why couldn't we escaped with him to a tropical island?''
Kebo takes a sip of orange juice before answering, ''because you and I both know being an agent of Shield is all he knows how to do. He won't leave that god forsaken organization unless it's in a body bag''. ''Please don't''. ''I'm just saying. Or if you died like Coulson finally killed you, Grant would probably leave then''. Skye looks around to make sure they are alone, ''so you don't think there's a chance at all he'd leave?''
Ward has never openly discussed with her the possibility of leaving Shield, and that hasn't really worried her until now. Yes that's his life and she'd never ever want to take it away from him. In fact she feels guilty most of the time because if Phil ever found out they were seeing each other, Grant would be branded a traitor and thrown in jail. She isn't worth that. But what if they wanted a family? A house, the whole nine yards?
Would he give Shield up for that? ''Honey cakes like I said the only way you'll get that boy to leave Shield is if he's dead or you are''. Is it too soon to be thinking of that kind of life? Would Grant even want it, would she? How selfish would it be if she asked? ''Why? You thinking of making special agent the best since Romanoff Grant Ward choose between you and Shield?'' Skye scrunches up her nose, ''no. Just thinking''.
Kebo reaches across the table to pat her hand, ''I think if you did he'd probably pick you. Maybe''. Skye chuckles. ''Wow thanks for that''. ''Anytime Cupcake. Hey was there any beer in the fridge?''
Later Skye is pacing back and forth in John's bedroom, Kebo silently sitting in the chair behind her. Trying to fight off the memory of the last time she saw her father figure. It's not a nice one, she avoids thinking about if she can. Skye also knows that was a hard moment for Ward as well but he doesn't want to bring it up in risk of hurting her. ''You know this isn't healthy''. ''Shut up''. ''Locking yourself in his room isn't going to do you any good''.
''Popeye I didn't ask for your running commentary''. ''Ah but that's why you and Grant keep me around''. Suddenly an alarm sounds loudly, a red light begins pulsing in the corner of the wall. The base rocks twice and Skye reaches out to the dresser to keep herself steady. ''How much you want to bet that's Coulson's strike team?'' ''Popeye the Hydra agents out number them, they won't even make it through the door''.
As if just to spite her there's a small explosion in the direction of the front door. Kebo gives her a dirty look, ''you were saying?'' Quickly Kebo pulls out two guns hands one to her and presses a hand into the small of her back, guiding her to the door. ''There's a back door by the kitchen in case of emergencies''. She tells him earning a nod as he opens the bedroom door and sticks his head out.
''Try not to get shot alright? Ward will kill me if I let anything happen to you''. Skye rolls her eyes and doesn't comment. As soon as they step out into the hall Hydra agents rush past her, bullets begin flying and they make a run for the kitchen. A few Hydra agents spot her and quickly come to her aid. ''Let me guess Shield came to find you eh?'' ''Yeah sorry about that''. One of them laughs, ''don't worry. Haven't had a good fight in a long time''.
''There's an unmarked SUV to your left once we get outside, we'll keep you safe Skye. Garrett would expect nothing less''. Kebo has her pressed against the wall near the kitchen's back door, the sound of heavy gunfire all around them. The three Hydra agents are standing in front of her, a wall between Shield and her body. For half a second Skye wonders what she did to deserve this kind of protection, she comes to the conclusion quickly, nothing.
These agents are covering her because of John, Kebo is doing it because well he's her friend but also because it would destroy Grant if anything happened to her. If she just wandered into this base on her own and no one knew her, no one would be fighting for her life right now. Skye shakes her head, a pity party will do her no good now and focuses on the task at hand. Kebo meets her eye and nods, hand on the door.
''Ready?'' ''Do it''. As soon as they slip out the door the task force barrels into the kitchen weapons hot. ''Target spotted, in pursuit''. What Skye is unaware of is that the men are wearing cameras on their helmets, all of this is being fed into Coulson's video monitor back at the Playground. Phil along with Ward and the rest of the team save fotr Bobbi annd Trip who are with the task force, are all watching this unfold, the room tense and quiet.
(On the outside Grant looks calm as he leans against the wall his expression almost bored. But on the inside as he's watching Skye and Kebo jump into the car and speed off, his heart is in his throat. He should be there watching her back. If anything happened to her he'd burn this entire place to the ground.)
''How the hell are we going to get out of this?'' Skye asks, shifting so she's no longer digging her elbow into Kebo's hip. ''There's an airport not too far from here, get on a plane and go from there. How many people are on that task force?'' ''Six''. Kebo answers, looking out the window where they are quickly speeding away from the base. ''Only six?'' ''They are from the gonvernment, black ops. Coulson apparently brought in the big guns''.
The car is silent, Skye can almost relax against the smooth movements as they turn onto a highway. Almost. The driver curses loudly suddenly and picks up the pace. ''What's wrong?'' ''We're being followed''. Skye leans up to look out the back window, squints and then sees what he's talking about. A green SUV in gaining on them fast. ''You know this is one of those times when I wish I would of learned more at Shield''.
Skye says causing a low chorus of laughter throughout the small space. ''We'll be fine, just hang on''. Skye can almost believe everything is going to be alright, that they'll make it out of this unscathed. That she'll be back home in no time in her own bed and these last couple days will be nothing more than a bad dream. She doesn't get her wish. They're passing over a bridge, a river below them when the driver curses once more and something hard slams into the back of their vehicle.
It happens three more times and Kebo is gripping her hand hard, looking out the windows and breathing deeply. The final time isn't like the first. There's no warning just this hard push that knocks the breath out of them and Skye barely has time to catch it when the SUV flips over. It only rolls twice but Skye hits her face against the side of one of the windows, tastes blood, and her head slams into something hard. She can't see what.
Can't remember when the movements stopped, can't recall how long her eyes were closed until she opens them. The first thing she registers is the pain in her shoulder her head is ringing, there's something warm and wet trailing down her arm. Everything is blurry nothing makes sense until this white hot iron pain creeps into her thigh. Sharply bringing everything into focus, ''sorry about that Cupcake but we've got to get moving and I need you to concentrate''.
Kebo breaks the back window and crawls out, reaches out his hand to pull her from the wreckage. ''Wait what about everyone else?'' She asks as her feet touch the ground, wincing against the bright sun. ''They're already out''. Skye looks around to see the few Hydra agents that were with them standing around her, weapons hot and ready. Kebo takes off his jacket to press into the side of her head, ''you're bleeding, how are you feeling?''
''Now isn't really the time is it. Popeye what are we going to do?'' She feels blood trickle down her leg, it's slow and the cut isn't very deep but she knows Kebo knicked her with his knife to get the adrenaline pumping again. ''We're so screwed''. His humor is not appreciated. They're standing off the shoulder of the highway, the wrecked SUV smoking in front of them. The barrier between the highway and the river is warm and Skye presses her body against it.
Doors are slammed close and first Skye thinks someone might have stopped to help them but much to her disappointment men in tact gear (who aren't nearly as sexy as Ward when he wears it) approach them slowly. ''Put your hands where I can see them''. A deep voice calls and Kebo just because he can begins laughing. Skye wipes the sweat from her brow and sees Bobbi and Trip to her right, Trip winks at her.
Do he and Bobbi have a plan to get her out of this? Again Skye has no idea how she deserved any of this. One of the Hydra agents pushes her to the ground as everyone fires their weapons at once, her face is smushed into the concrete, there are hands protecting her head. A body covering her's and then another. ''Those aren't ICER rounds''. She hears Kebo say and just for a second Skye is afraid. She could die here.
Maybe Coulson doesn't want to bring her in alive maybe he just wants her gone. Dead to the world just like John. The body covering her's suddenly jolts before going absolutely still she can no longer feel his harsh breathing, warmth is spilling quickly down her back. She starts yelling in fear that it was Kebo because the worst thing besides losing Ward or John would be losing Kebo. ''Cupcake I'm fine just hang on I'll keep us safe''.
After what seems like hours the bullets stop. Skye is about to freak out but using the breathing techniques Ward taught her she's able to remain calm. For now anyway. ''You have nowhere to turn Skye, give yourself up. All your alllies are dead you can't run anymore''. Bobbi calls and Skye swallows back bile. Dead? They killed the men that were helping her? They deserved better than that.
''Skye you have to get up''. Kebo grabs her hand and helps her to her feet, can't hide the grimace he gives her when she looks up at him. ''Am I covered in blood?'' He nods. ''Great, is it in my hair?'' ''Yes''. ''Ew''. The pair turns to the task force in front of them, guns pointed at them. Bobbi and Trip are the only ones wearing uneasy expressions, should she trust them? They did help her out of Vault D but who knows how far they are willing to go?
''You're under arrest for betraying Shield''. Skye presumes it's the leader who's speaking, he approaches her slowly with a pair of hand cuffs. ''No way in hell''. She says and he just gives her a bored look. ''We can do this the easy way or the hard way honey, doesn't matter to me''. She shakes her head, ''tell Coulson to go to hell there's no way I'm going back into Vault D''. ''You don't really have a choice here''.
No one is looking at Trip which gives him the perfect opportunity as Skye brushes her hand absentmindedly against her pocket. His aim is spot on, one shot to her shoulder just enough to make her cry out and stumble back. Losing her balance to where she stumbles over the edge of the low barrier and falls. Straight into the river below them. (This is when Ward nearly loses it but all his years of training keeps his emotions at bay.)
Kebo wastes no time in jumping in after her, the water cool but surprisingly deep. Skye can hardly think through all the pain, the water is choking her pulling her under her legs won't kick her arms won't move properly. Oh god she's going to drown here. The last thing she's aware of is a pressure on her arm and a dragging sensation as she's moved somewhere. Then everything else fades, the noise the lights the pain the blood.
''Skye? Can you hear me? Skye?'' ''Stop yelling at me''. A sigh of relief in her ears, a hand on her forehead. ''Popeye?'' ''Yeah it's me are you alright? Can you move?'' It takes a minute to open her eyes and when she does she's met with Kebo's worried gaze. His lip is split the side of his face is drenched in drying blood, his left eye is begininng to bruise. Then this wave of pain hits her, ''ow''. ''Yeah took a nasty hit, here I'm going to sit you up''.
She's on a bed, feels the headboard beneath her hair. ''Where are we?'' ''Hotel, don't worry we're safe for now. Once I get my hands on a phone I'll call Grant. Idiot is probably going crazy right now''. ''You pulled me out of the river''. ''Course I did, you know Trip saved our lives. Wonder why''. Skye blinks to clear her vision, ''he feels sorry for me''. Kebo shrugs, ''whatever works. I have to stitch you up, he took a clean shot but it's still a pretty deep graze, bullet missed you''.
She says nothing as Kebo tends to her wounds, once he's done he cleans himself up and hands her a few pain pills. ''Kebo how in the hell did we get so lucky? Those guys weren't messing around and we're not seal team six''. ''I have no idea, if it wasn't for Trip we'd be in jail for sure''. Skye closes her eyes and imagines that Ward is there with her. Wrapped up safely in his arms, forgetting just for a moment that she's injured and just basking in his embrace.
What would he have done if she was brought back into Vault D, or if Coulson locked her up somewhere else entirely? What would he of done if she died? All these thoughts eventually cause her to drift off to sleep, the last thing she thinks of is Grant's smile.