Give Me Access to the Cloud I'm Living Under
''I thought I almost lost you''. Ward says as Skye sits on the couch of his safe house. Which is nothing special, the bare necessities in a small two bedroom home. Grant can only remember one other time he was so afraid he lost someone he loves, when Christian pushed Thomas down the well. When Skye tumbled off the bridge Ward nearly blew his cover, left the Playground and went after her.
The only reason he didn't was because he knew both Trip and Kebo had the sitation under control, logically Grant was aware anyone could of survived that fall and Trip's shot to her shoulder was clean. Just a graze, just enough to push her over the edge. As soon as he was able Grant slipped out of the base and tracked Skye and Kebo down, it wasn't very hard. That's why the task force was able to do it as well, Kebo isn't very subtle.
''I'm fine Grant, really I am''. She beckons him over her arms open, how can he refuse? Even with bruises and scrapes making a home on her face she's still so beautiful and just for a second as he's walking over to her, Grant is reminded yet again just how lucky he is. He and Skye have been through so much and for them to come out on the other side, healing from Hydra, from Garrett, he's never going to take advantage of it.
He's never loved anyone the way he's loved Skye, and he'll be damned if he let's this task force get that close again. Carefully so she feels none of his weight, Ward joins her on the couch and wraps his arms around her. Kisses her hair and holds her close, the thought of being without her gives him the kind of anxiety he hasn't experienced in years. ''Please tell me you didn't punch Trip or something, he did save my life''.
Ward shakes his head, ''I didn't punch him. It was tatical I understand why he did it''. The team on the other hand was not as forgving as Ward. When Trip and Bobbi returned to the Playground Trip was lectured for an hour straight and benched for the next month. May simply scowled and told Trip he should of aimed a little more to the left. Fitz and Simmons have wanted Skye dead for a long time so they too were disappointed.
Grant has known how much his team hates Skye. He did once as well, and he hasn't forgiven her entirely for everything. Understanding is one thing, he'll get there one day. But to have to stand in the lab and listen to Fitz and Simmons discuss Skye deserving to be shot so easily as if they were debating over the weather, didn't sit well with him. He understands their hatred, but Skye doesn't deserve to die over it.
Garrett manipulated her, but he also knows that team Bus only sees what they want to. It's easier for them to nail Skye to a cross than to try and figure out why she is the way that she is. Skye's hand cupping his cheek pulls Grant out of his thoughts, she's smiling at him like she hasn't got a care in the world. ''What?'' Instead of answering she kisses him slowly, and he mindful of her injuries leans back so she's atop his chest.
He really loses track of time, just spends forever lying there kissing her, making up for lost time apologizing for not being there when she needed him. ''You know on the plus side this will scar''. It takes Ward a second to clear the haze in his brain and when he opens his eyes Skye has pulled her sleeve down to expose her gauze covered shoulder. ''That's what you're thinking about right now?''
She shrugs, tosses her hair over her shoulder. ''I'm going to look like a bad ass''. Ward can't contain his laugher, throws his head back and after a split second she joins him. He sobers when her hands trail down his chest, he gets the memo and takes off his shirt. ''You know if your face wasn't bad enough these scars just add to everything''. She gestures to his body. ''You really are too sexy for your own good, you know that right?''
Grant rolls his eyes and she mutters about him not being able to take a compliment before leaning down to capture his lips with hers. He tells her how much he's missed her in between kisses, Skye ignores his guilt and continues roaming her hands across his shoulders. A few minutes later Ward hears the lock being turned and he really really wants to ignore it, doesn't want this moment with Skye to end.
But then Kebo is bursting through the door cursing loudly, knocks over the tall lamp by the wall. ''Really? We almost died and instead of waiting for me or planning something you're going to do that? Jesus. It's like I'm on the run with two stupid hormonal teenagers''. Skye rolls her eyes and tosses Ward his shirt before moving back to the opposite side of the couch. ''Where does Coulson think you are by the way?''
Kebo asks going to the fridge to grab a beer, tosses one to Grant. ''I was sent to track you and report back''. Grant looks over to Skye who's got an eyebrow raised. ''I thought Coulson said this was too personal, that he didn't want you involved''. ''He didn't want me involved with the task force. Besides if anyone can find you, it'd be me''. Skye smirks at him before kissing his cheek lightly.
''The plan is to wait it out here until things settle down''. Grant tells them, notices the look between Skye and Kebo. ''You mean we wait it out while you play super spy back at Shield''. Ward turns to his long time friend and stands, ''do you have something to say?'' ''Shield has nearly killed your girlfriend like three times. You know the only way this is going to end is if she's dead''.
''That's not going to happen''. ''And you being at the Playground can make sure of that like you have the past couple of times? The only way this stops if you get rid of the this task force. Which you won't, can't risk your precious Shield badge now can you?'' ''Kebo''- ''Skye was bloody shot Ward! I had to pull her body out of a river not knowing if she was dead or alive''. ''Popeye come on''-
''I may have hated Garrett but if he was here none of this would of happened and you know it''. He directs that last part at Skye who knows he speaks the truth. John was a lot of things but he always kept her safe. ''John Garrett is the reason we're in this mess in the first place''. Grant gets where Kebo is coming from, he too hates that Skye is in constant danger. But perhaps all of this could of been avoided if Skye never met John.
Of course it does no good to think about that now. ''Okay can both of you just stop? I am not some pathetic and defenseless girl who needs anyone to swoop in and save me. We're a team and you two need to remember that. The reason we're in this mess is because I followed John blindly, this is my fault. If all you want to do is fight than do it somewhere else''. Ward watches Skye glare at them before walking away and into one of the bedrooms.
''Good job. Now I'm going to have to listen to that for the next three weeks''. Ward ignores Kebo, goes to the fridge to get a beer. They stand in silence for a moment before Kebo breaks like he always does. ''Look mate tensions are high right now. I didn't mean it''. ''Yes you did''. ''Okay maybe a little. But boss come on we've talked about this, do you have a plan if something happens? What if she's captured again?''
''That's not going to happen''. ''How exactly are you going to stop them?'' Grant shakes his head before picking up his beer and heading to the room Skye is in. ''Always doubting my skills Kebo''. When he walks in and closes the door Skye is glued to her phone, doesn't look up as he sits next to her. He can tell she's upset, her muscles are tense, she's trying too hard to make her facial expression blank and unaffected.
''I am not a doll Grant''. ''I know that''. ''You trained me, I can take care of myself for the most part''. ''I know''. ''I don't want you and Popeye fighting over me''. ''That wasn't a fight, and it's over with we're fine''. Slowly so she can move away if she wishes, Ward places his hand on her knee. ''Do you really blame yourself for all of this?'' Skye looks up at him with her big brown eyes, she sighs and tosses the phone on the pillows.
''I don't know. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I think Garrett didn't manipulate me at all, other times I reflect back on those years and think he did. Grant I've been trying to figure out who I am without him and I honestly don't know''. Ward doesn't comment on the change of subject, simply wonders why she's never brought it up before. ''I mean for ten years I was Garrett's right hand, I did everything for him.
Now he's dead and I've spent months on the run. Who am I? A fugitive? A traitor who has no use to the world except behind bars?'' Tears begin to fill her eyes and Ward pulls her closer, buries a hand in her hair. ''Can you just lay here with me for a little while? I don't want you to say how important I am to you just yet''. He laughs, nods and shifts so they are lying side by side, her hand resting against his heart.
He wants to tell her that she's so much more. That she isn't some random fugitive who's life has no meaning. She's smart a complete genius with computers she could do anything, she's strong the strongest woman he knows. Skye is also kind, compassionate, bold and genuine. She's the light of his life, she has loved him when no one else ever has. Skye is silly and sarcastic, she's perfect in his eyes. He wouldn't want her any other way.
She has so much to offer the world, when she's ready he'll tell her all of this, one day. Even though he should have a long time ago. From her first week on the Bus if he's being honest.
In the weeks that follow Hydra attacks Shield with a vengance, Coulson didn't even see it coming. So Ward fights back with everything inside him, that's what he does. Mission after mission the days blur filled with blood and bullets, black Kevlar and bombs. Skye rubs his aching muscles at night, kisses him when he leaves in the morning and that's what keeps him stable. It seems Coulson has been so distracted by Hydra that Skye's whereabouts have taken a back seat.
Just as Ward predicted. She is safe tucked away back in her apartment finally, the task force has stayed behind at the Playground to help Shield. Which bothers the entire team, but Coulson won't be budged, claims they could use the man power. Currently Ward is coming back from a mission that went south though it wasn't because of him. Simmons is beside him, offers a comforting smile that does no good.
''Ward it was an accident, honestly''. ''No it wasn't Jemma, you were nearly killed''. She brings a hand to his shoulder but it doesn't soothe his anger. The leader of the task force, Johnson, decided to tag along on Ward's mission today. Simmons had to be on sight to assess a string of metal that was detected by Hydra, but Shield beat them to it. Everything was going to plan until Johnson pretended to be top dog and announce Hydra was watching.
Essentially blowing their cover and a few Hydra agents did attack them. Ward made sure Jemma was safe and took them out. Mack and Fitz come out of the lab to greet them on their way to Coulson's office, Ward is still fuming. ''Jemma are you alright?'' ''Yeah why is Ward wearing his hate face?'' ''I'm fine Fitz. Our friends from the task force just got a little too comfortable I'm afraid out in the field today''.
''That's putting it lightly''. Ward comments, walking into Phil's office to find May and Johnson already there. ''Hell of a day eh Agent Ward?'' Honestly it was the wrong thing to say. Grant rarely ever loses his cool but the fact that Jemma was put in danger makes his control slip just a little. ''You almost cost Agent Simmons her life''. Grant makes his tone void, dangerous. Feels the atmosphere in the small room immediately tense.
Johnson just smirks and doesn't meet Ward's eyes, so he doesn't see the Specialist approach him until it's too late. Grant is very aware of how intimidating he can be, he's been trained to be the Alpha male, so when Johnson looks up and his blue eyes widen in fear, it's expected. ''Agent Ward''- ''This is my team and if you put anyone here in danger again we're going to have a conversation. You won't like it''.
A hand on his arm but Grant doesn't back down, continues to glare down with his arms crossed as Johnson actually starts to sweat. ''Agent Ward that's enough, I will deal with this. Go get cleaned up''. Ward sends a smirk to Johnson who starts to tremble before walking away, ignoring the laughter Hunter and Trip try to hide with a cough but fail miserably. He checks on Fitz and Simmons before he leaves, on his way back to Skye.
She's asleep when he gets to her apartment, so he tells Kebo what happened who laughs so hard he spits beer out everywhere. Grant an hour later heads to the bedroom, passing Bucky who has grown quite fond of the Shield agent. ''I didn't know you were here''. Skye says out of the darkness as soon as he closes the bedroom door. Soon he's crawling into bed with her, her warm hands on his neck.
''I love you''. Is all he says, making himself comfortable kissing her hair and wrapping his arms around her. ''You'll have to tell me what had Kebo almost peeing himself in the mornig''. Ward chuckles and promises he will, then they are both drifting off to sleep. Wrapped in each other where it's safe and warm and nothing can hurt them.