When You Get Worried I'll Be Your Solider
Skye gets out of bed slowly, frowning when she sees Ward's side has grown long cold. Due to his incessant need of rising before the sun, they hardly wake up together. She grabs her robe off the dresser and strolls into the living room to find Grant sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. He smiles when she comes into view, grabbing a mug and pouring her coffee. ''Hi''. ''Hi''. She walks around to the edge of the counter and sits in front of him.
She didn't notice last night but he has a bruise on his cheek and his knuckles are red. ''I'm fine''. He tells her when her free hand moves to cup his face, leaning out of her reach. ''I'm worried about you'', Typical Ward behavior he rolls his eyes, ''it's my job Skye''. ''I know just be careful, okay?'' He looks up at her with those amber eyes and for a moment she forgets how to breathe. ''Okay''. Then he's kissing her and she can't remember her name.
''When do you have to go back?'' She asks him an hour later as they're walking down the sidewalk on the way to get breakfast. Ward is wearing sunglasses and holding her hand, his skin rough but warm against her's. ''Not for a few hours''. The past few weeks have been harder than she thought, having Grant but not really. He'll be in her bed then gone the next morning, like he's slipping away from her all over again.
Though sleeping over doesn't happen as often as she'd like, he can't just leave the Base all the time without someone getting suspicious. Skye isn't one to complain though she understands that he's a Shield agent and he's protecting people that are other wise defenseless, she's always loved him for it. She just misses him, she knew this relationship wasn't going to be easy. She knew it would be like this.
But it's like they are just stuck on a loop waiting for their lives to finally start. There's no telling when that's going to happen, if it ever will. He's a Shield agent she's a wanted fugitive, no one ever said love was easy. This could all fall down around them in the worst way, it could destroy their lives. But Skye loves him, loves Grant so much she's willing to wait. Wait for whatever happens, she'll stand by him.
They walk into her favorite breakfast nook, he holds open the door for her and they get a booth in the back. Ward is looking through the menu when he takes her hand and plays with her fingers, absentmindedly kissing the back of her palm as he does so. It makes her heart flutter. ''Well you two are just so cute''. The waitress tells them and poor Ward who has never been in this situation before just smiles at Skye, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.
Skye who never misses an opportunity to ruffle his feathers smirks and leans back against the hard plastic of the booth. ''Isn't he just the cutest thing? Honestly look at those cheekbones''. The waitress laughs. ''You should see him without a shirt on, it's no wonder I can't keep my hands off him''. The tips of his ears turn red while Skye laughs and orders him a coffee and her water.
''Really?'' Skye giggles and Grant just shakes his head at her. ''So why did Kebo sound like a dying whale last night?'' Ward leans in a little closer and tells her about his disagreement with Johnson. He doesn't tell her specifics just that Simmons was put in danger because of the task force leader and Grant wouldn't stand for it. Whenever Simmons is mentioned Skye can't help but feel guilty.
She wants to ask Ward how they're doing, if May is okay but she doesn't want to open old wounds. Besides she doesn't think he'd tell her anyway. ''He sounds like an ass''. She comments as the waitress brings out their food. ''He is. There's no need for Coulson to keep him or his team around''. Skye pours syrup on her pancakes, wrinkles her nose at Ward's wheat toast and egg whites.
She's taking a bite of pancakes when the smell of eggs drift over to her and for some reason it makes her instantly nauseated. Her stomach turns and she gags, her hand to her mouth. ''Skye?'' In half a second she's running for the bathroom, empties out everything in her stomach. She returns to the table five minutes later after splashing her face with water and finding a stick of gum in the back pocket of her jeans.
Grant stands when she approaches him, takes her face in his hands like it's fragile paper about to break apart. There's worry all over his face, ''are you alright?'' She feels better like she could finish those pancakes. It's odd really, Skye can't remember the last time she was sick. Perhaps it was all of the tacos she scarfed down last night. ''Yeah I'm fine. I don't think those tacos from last night agreed with me''.
Ward pulls out a cash about to place it on the table when she catches his wrist, ''seriously I'm fine. We can stay''. ''Are you sure?'' She gives him a smile, squeezes his arm. ''I'm fine robot honestly''. Somehow Grant seems to know what made her sick and sends the eggs back, bless him. ''You sure you're okay?'' He asks when they're walking back to her apartment, puts his hand on her forehead to chek for a temperature.
''You're not warm''. He mutters, his hand lingering for a moment longer. ''I'm okay''. They're halfway to the apartment when she tugs on his leather jacket to make him stop walking. Stands on the tips of her toes and puts his hands on his shoulders. ''I put gum in my mouth''. She says her lips ghosting over his. ''Come here''. And then he's kissing her, all is right in the world. When the get back Kebo is gone, Bucky is asleep on the couch.
Ward has his head in her lap and she's snacking on grapes watching the news, her fingers running through his hair. When her stomach twists again and this time she can't make it to the bathroom, is sick in the sink. Grant is there holding her hair, rubbing her back when she's done. ''Definitely food poisoning''. She brushes her teeth and joins Ward back on the couch. He throws a blanket over her and curls her into his chest.
''Don't you have to leave?'' She asks an hour later on the verge of sleep. ''I have plently of time''. He caresses her cheek, kisses her forehead and she melts against him, finally falling asleep. Skye wakes to the feel of being lifted, a warm familiar scent against her nose as she buries her face in Grant's neck. ''Go back to sleep''. He whispers, kissing her nose. She does only after being assured he has more than enough time to lay with her for a bit.
Three days later and she's not feeling any better. Has spent the days in bed, and Ward is nearly beside himself with worry, it's even gotten over to Kebo. Currently Ward is in the shower, he walked off a few minutes ago after suggesting she see a doctor and Skye shot the idea down. She throws back the covers and heads into the bathroom, looking over to the kitchen to find Kebo gone, more than likely at the liquor store again.
Skye closes the bathroom door, blinks back against the steam to search for her toothbrush. The shower doors are glass so she can see Ward smile at her, continue washing his hair. Shamelessly she shoulders the wall and just stares at him, he really is too beautiful for words. ''You going to stand there all day or join me?'' Skye slips out of her sweat pants, bends down to take off her socks when her foot hits a cardboard box.
She picks it up, studies it like it's a bomb about to go off. The tampon box stares back at her, and it's then she starts to think back. When was her last period? Last month? The month before? Oh god. She's late she's so late. Her legs are shaking too hard to remain standing, the cool tile of the floor hits the back of her knees. There's this white noise in her ears, her vision blurs. Oh no oh no no no no no no.
''Skye? Sweetheart?'' Warm hands on her arms, her face, her knee. ''Skye talk to me''. She can't really see Grant clearly, he's just this huge blur of skin and muscles in her brain. Could she be pregnant? Maybe it's the stress from Shield hunting her down, that has to be it. That's why she's late. And the flu, that could explain the vomiting. Right? Right? She's on the pill they always use protection they-
Oh damn. They didn't a few weeks ago. Grant came over late one night, kicked Kebo out and they didn't leave the bed until late afternoon. Oh no. Oh god. She can't, she can't be a mom. She doesn't know how. It's not safe Shield is trying to kill her for god sake, any day now that task force could burst into the apartment and she'd never see the light of day again. She can't have her baby in jail it's too much she can't it feels like there's water in her lungs-
''Skye. Skye look at me, breathe. Just like that, breathe baby. Like me, there you go''. Eventually Ward slowly comes into view, not even bothering to hide his full blown worried expression. Eyes roaming over her quickly, checking her pulse. A cold sweat has taken over her skin, she didn't even notice she was shaking until Ward runs his hands down her arms. The haze clears when his thumbs trace her cheeks and she grabs ahold of his wrist like a lifeline.
''Skye''- ''I'm late. Oh my god I'm late my period is late what if I'm pregnant? I think I'm pregnant. Which is bad oh god this is so bad Grant Coulson is going to lock me up and I'll have your baby in jail. I'm going to be a jail mom. And you'll have to raise it on your own and you'll be a hot single dad and you'll leave me for some other single mom who's blonde and probably works out every day''. In any other situation he'd be amused by her rant.
Skye can't really focus on the panic in his face, or how he freezes up entirely and seems robbed of speech. ''And my kid is going to hate me because I was never in their life but they'll love you so much, which I mean how can they not you're perfect. Crap. Ward I really need you to say something because I'm freaking out over here''. She wrings her hands together in her lap, takes deep breaths like he did a moment ago.
Wipes her face and after two seconds, Ward clears his facial expression and stands. Holds out his hand which she takes. ''You really think you're pregnant?'' ''I don't, Grant I don't know''. He nods, ''okay then we'll go to the store and buy a pregnancy test''. His tone is void seemingly uninterested, she knows he's doing it on purpose. Compartmentalizing so he can get the job done flawlessly.
''There's no need to worry until we know for sure. Let's not panic right now, okay?'' ''Okay''. He leads her out of the bathroom, grabs his keys and hands her a jacket. He's silent as they drive to the nearest store, and it's really freaking her out. ''Grant say something''. He takes a deep breath, ''what do you want me to say?'' ''That you don't think I might of gotten pregnant on purpose''. He reacts to that, there's a small amount of anger in his voice next.
''Why would you say that?'' She shrugs, ''I don't want you to think I trapped you or anything''. They stop at a red light and he half turns to her, takes her hand. ''That has not and never will cross my mind. Besides we don't even know anything yet, let's just take it slow''. ''Okay''. She can do that he's right, there's no need to freak out they don't know anything yet. Lies. Skye can feel it, there's no way it's the flu or stress.
She wraps herself around him when they walk into the store, both arms aroud his waist her face pressed against his arm. Oh god. What if he breaks up with her for this? Hates her? Is Grant ready to be a parent? Is she? Does she want this, does he? ''Skye relax. Everything is going to be okay''. Ward puts his arm around her shoulder and kisses the top of her head. They pause in front of the shelves full of different kinds of pregnancy tests.
The most popular one she's seen on TV so she grabs four. Ward raises an eyebrow. ''I just want to make sure''. She doesn't like the look on his face, his mask is slipping and she can see all the panic and anxiety inside him. He's quiet again on the car ride back, Skye is bouncing her leg up and down, keeps glancing between the window and him. Normally he'd comment on this, but his mouth stays shut.
When they get home she locks herself in the bathroom, breathing hard. Okay she can do this. With shaky hands opens the box unwraps the test, vomits into the toliet and rests her forehead against the floor. ''You alright?'' She can tell Ward is pacing in front of the door, arms more than likely crossed. ''I'm good''. Not really. She takes all four tests, sets a timer on her phone, brushes her teeth and leaves the restroom.
''We have to wait three minutes''. Skye just knows in her gut, but is waiting just for the proof. ''Grant what are we going to do if I am pregnant?'' She doesn't have the heart to tell the poor boy she more than likely is. She walks across the room to where he's leaning against the kitchen counter. ''I mean we've never talked about it and we haven't been together very long. If I am would you, would you want him or her?''
She has no idea what kind of expression is on his face right now. A cross between fear and disbelief perhaps? Is he angry that she could be pregnant or angry for asking if he'd want his child? She turns away when he doesn't answer, after thirty seconds she feels his hand on her shoulder. ''Skye look at me''. His voice for once in the past hour is soft, soothing. ''You're scared''. She says, running her fingers along his rib cage.
''I''- ''I'm scared too''. He looks shocked, ''you are?'' ''Yes''. Without warning he pulls her into his arms tells her not to be scared that everything is going to be just fine. ''Skye I love you, and I will love our child too. Of course I would want him or her''. She kisses him, her hands in his hair kissing him like she hasn't in years. ''We're going to be fine baby. I promise, time is up''. He says a few moment later, his breathing labored.
He takes her hand again and together they walk into the bathroom. She pauses in front of the mirror, looks at her relfection then Ward's behind her. He's scared, eyes wide watching her every move. But he's being strong for her and she loves him all the more for it. She can barely take the test in her hands she's shaking so hard, her eyes are swimming with unshed tears and it takes a moment for her to read all four of them.
''Oh god''.
''What? Skye?'' A hand over her mouth she looks up to Ward who's not hiding his alarm as he reaches out to her. ''I'm pregnant''. Honestly she did not expect Grant's reaction. He bursts into tears, she's never seen him cry like that. ''Oh my god did I break you?'' A hand on his shoulder and then he's swooping her in his arms. She can feel his smile against her neck, hot tears against her skin.
He puts her down and takes her face in his hands, still crying, but his eyes are bright. There's no fear there, well mabye a little but is that excitement? ''You're pregnant''. ''Yeah. Are you okay? Do I need to replace your circuts?'' ''I'm going to be a dad''. Then he's smiling and she is too as he kisses her. Maybe she was wrong and he was right. Maybe everything is going to be alright.