But You Touched Me & Suddenly I Was A Lilac Sky & You Decided Purple Just Wasn't For You

''How exactly do you think Ward faked his death? And do we really need his help anyway? I'm sure we can find Skye on our own''. Coulson flips up his sunglasses and looks back at Hunter. They're parked across the street from a diner in Mexico that Coulson knows Kara is in. That's the key. Find Kara, get Ward. ''He's the only lead I have Hunter, and I plan to find out exactly how he faked his death, we all saw the images, they looked real''.

Earlier Fitz picked up an image from a street camera, Kebo was in it clear as day. There was a man next to him, not facing the camera, angled away so seeing his face wasn't an option. But judging by the profile and leather jacket, there's no one else it'd rather be. ''I still think this is a bad plan, we can't trust him''. ''I don't trust him. Right now the only thing I trust is that once I tell him Skye is gone he'll help us''. ''And if he doesn't?'' ''He will. He won't be able to say no''.

Hunter and Lance stay behind while Phil and Mike Peterson walk into the diner. It's empty. Only two people reside in the cracked leather booths under the red and green lights. Kebo is the first one to turn, his eyes widen slightly and he stands, hand on his gun. Kara jumps up as well, cell phone in her palm. ''Agent thirty three''. ''It's Kara''. Coulson ignores her and turns to Kebo, ''we haven't met but I recognize you. Kebo right? Still running with Hydra I see''.

''And what's the better alternative, Shield? Shield and Hydra are one in the same. Only difference is Hydra takes responsibility for the cruel things they've done while Shield buries them. Or just says since they're the good guys they can do whatever they want in the name of justice. Killing people, locking up abuse victims who clearly need help and encourage them to continue to attempt suicide. Or better yet here's my favorite, you really need to listen to this one''.

Kebo pauses to take a breath, enjoys the look of outrage on the Director of Shield's face. ''Take an agent and put her undercover in Hydra, while betraying another fellow agent in the process. Leaves her to be brain washed nearly beyond repair. And then try to kill her for your mistake, blame her for something that was your fault Director. I'm not even going to mention my own personal experience with your organization, because right now all I want to do is put a bullet in your head and burn Shield to the ground''.

Kebo's voice takes a sharp edge and Kara puts a hand on his arm. In an unconscious gesture he runs a finger across his chest where the name of his dead lover is forever imprinted upon his skin. Coulson clears his throat, ''I'm here for Ward''. ''Ward is dead''. Kara automatically responds, her voice just the right amount of sorrow not to be questioned if Phil didn't know any better. ''You and I both know that's not true''. Kara and Kebo share a look.

''Look I don't know what to tell you, he's gone. There's nothing left for you''. ''See I have reason to believe otherwise. Call him''. ''And if we don't?'' Mike steps in at this, close to Kara. Which Kebo gently pulls her behind him and scowls at Coulson just as Mike loads his weapons. ''See what I meant about Shield agents doing anything they want in the name of peace? You're a disgusting man Phil Coulson. Haven't we all been tortured enough by Shield?''

''Call Ward, now. Or Mike will shoot''. ''No he won't. You'll have to kill me''. Kebo says, and Coulson sees the man is not bluffing. You can't buy loyalty like that. How did Ward come by him? What happened between them to make Kebo give up his life for Ward? ''I need help and he's the only one who can get me what I need''. The diner is filled with Kebo's laughter, ''isn't that ironic? The answer is no. To you and everyone else at Shield Grant Ward is dead''.

''Last chance''. ''Do it''. Kebo's squares his shoulders, eyes clear. Which is when Mike snatches the phone out of Kara's hand and tosses it to Coulson. Kebo only has it in him to sigh loudly. ''Why can't you people just leave him alone? He's been through enough''. Coulson ignrores him and scrolls through the screen to find the last placed call. The number that pops up is the only one the phone has ever contacted, it has to be Ward. ''Well this was a nice two month vacation from Shield, wish it could have lasted longer''. Kara nods in agreement.

It only takes a few minutes and a light threat from Coulson that Kebo brushes off for Ward to arrive. Kebo sighs in defeat when Ward enters the diner, eyes searching for Kara and him, relief enters him slightly when he sees they are unharmed. ''They didn't hurt you did they?'' Grant asks Kara who shakes her head. Kebo has been able to sense something brewing between Kara and Grant these last few months. Something has changed between them.

Grant still cares about Skye but Kebo can tell he's starting to shift his attention to Kara. Which is good Kebo thinks, Ward deserves someone who will care about him with her whole heart. Who will love him like he deserves. Skye had that chance and ruined it, didn't even try to understand why Ward was the way he was even though she claimed to stand with him no matter what. It only took her seeing the dark side of him to go running, to hate him like everyone at Shield.

Skye doesn't deserve Ward in Kebo's opinion. She's no good for him. You don't nearly kill the the person you love just because they made a mistake, because they trusted the wrong person.''You know what needs to happen''. Mike tells Ward who rolls his eyes before taking out all the weapons on his person. Kebo and Ward share a smirk when the small arsenal in Ward's leather jacket is all laid out on the table. Kara and Kebo crane their necks to watch as Ward joins Coulson at the booth halfway across the room.

''So you are alive and well. Not going to lie Ward you had me relieved for a bit there. Happy even. I was thinking you were never going to be a problem again, that'd I wouldn't have to see your face anymore''. ''Sorry to disappoint''. He's not sorry at all. Ward looks around and his gaze lands on Mike once more. ''The fact that your robot hasn't killed me yet means you need me. I'm flattered. Bringing him a long just for a sit down with me''. ''There's no need for false modesty we both know you're that good. You took down all those Hydra agents for Skye''.

At the mention of Skye Ward looks around once more, in case he missed her. ''She's not here''. Ward folds his hands atop the table. ''So why are you? What do you want?'' ''First thing I want to know is how you fooled all of us into thinking you were dead. We saw your body, our agents checked you there was no pulse''. Ward smiles in that way of his, ''not telling''. Leans back in the booth. ''Fine you don't want to talk? I will. I need to get into Hydra''. ''Then you came all this way for nothing, not in Hydra anymore''. ''But you were''. ''Only to save Garrett''.

Phil winces at the name but doesn't comment. ''I need Strucker, List''. ''Not helping you''. ''Ward I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important''. There's desperation in Coulson's voice that gives Grant pause. ''The last time I suggested we work together you called me a deluded son of a bitch''. ''Things change''. Ward studies Coulson closely, he's worried about something. He's all out of options if he came to Grant for help, something that only Ward can do.

''This is about Skye''. Ward breathes, easily reading between the lines. ''Is she okay?'' ''You know when you and Skye first got together I was happy for you, believed that you really did love her. And then you turned out to be a lying bastard and she hates you now. I'm here because I'm counting on the fact that it wasn't all a lie with Skye, that there's some part of you that couldn't fake your feelings towards her. Was it genuine? I'm betting you couldn't fake the way you looked at her. How you still look at her, like back on the Bus when you took her to see her dad''.

Ward keeps his gaze blank and uninterested, Coulson continues. ''A few weeks ago she was taken, I know by who but I don't know where. I'm at a dead end. I figure if anyone can find Skye it's you''. Across the floor Kebo groans loudly and tells Ward not to do it. To just get up and walk out of here, leave Skye and Shield to the fate they deserve. Grant sees her face clear as day, her expression when he kissed her and told her he loved her one last time. She was afraid.

Afraid of losing him? Of telling him goodbye? Right after he took down the Hydra agents in Whitehall's compound Kara and Kebo found him. Ever since Skye told him about the hunting party Coulson was assembling in order to kill him, he made a plan. Something final to make Shield leave him alone once and for all. So he can continue in the life he found after he escaped Vault D. No orders, no missions, just him figuring out who he can be without a gun in his hands.

He should of known it wouldn't last. Nothing ever does. ''You let her think you were dead. Don't you think you owe her?'' ''Don't bait me. I'm sure Skye was happy about it''. Coulson shakes his head. ''She wanted us to think she was, but I could see it. She grieved for you Ward, she wasn't happy at all''. Ward searches his old boss's face, doesn't detect a lie. How was this time any different than when she shot him? She left him for dead then too.

But she could be in trouble, Coulson wouldn't be here otherwise. Whoever took her is going to burn. Ward decides. He can't just leave her. ''Tell me everything you know''. When Kebo hears this he jumps from his chair and starts yelling of how much of an idiot Ward is and if he does this you can count Kebo's involvement out. ''Seriously boss I am not jumping aboard the Let's Save Skye train. She deserves whatever the hell is coming to her''. ''No she doesn't''.

''I'll help you find Skye, on one condition''. ''That's not how this works Ward''. ''It is if you don't want me to walk out that door''. Coulson narrows his eyes, ''fine, what do you want?'' ''Assurance that when this is over you aren't going to throw me back in Vault D''. ''Deal''. ''Just like that?'' ''All I care about right now Ward is finding Skye. Once you do we're clear, I hope to never see you again''. ''Likewise''. Kebo drifts closer to the table as Coulson and Ward discuss a plan on how to find Skye. Kebo does not approve at all.

It leads to a showdown with Hydra in an abandoned building where Fitz found Skye on a camera minutes before. ''Remind me again why we're rescuing a woman who shot you three times?'' Kara yells over the roar of gun fire at Ward. ''It was four!'' Ward and Kebo yell back. Of course Kebo came with in the end, someone has to save Ward from doing anything stupid where Skye is concerned. ''And we're doing it because Ward is in an idiot and wants to get us all killed!''

Coulson leans around Hunter to take a shot at a Hydra agent. ''We need to split up!'' ''We'll cover you go find Skye''. Kebo sees Ward perk up at the mention of her. ''Don't even think about it super spy''. He grabs the back of Ward's vest as he takes a step forward into the hallway. ''Kebo I really don't want to punch you again, back off''. ''Go ahead and punch me then. Skye doesn't need your help! You found her and that's all Coulson wanted you to do''.

Ward turns and slips out of Kebo's grasp. ''Damn it. I'm going to shoot you!'' Ward ignores him and follows Coulson. ''Where the hell is your boyfriend going?'' Hunter shouts and Kara, who in this moment likes the way that sounds. Kebo just rolls his eyes at the lot of them and trails after Ward. They pass hallway after hallway with no sign of Skye. Suddenly Deathlock and another man fall from a room in a heap on the floor. Ward has his gun trained on the blonde before him.

''Who the hell is that guy?'' ''Don't know. But he has a mean spark, I think he's protecting Skye''. Honestly Ward has no right to be jealous, Skye hasn't been with him in a very long time. But it still grows heavy and strong in the pit of his belly and he has a hard time fighting it off. Knows that it's cruel of him to hate the thought of her with someone else, someone else with their hands on her skin. But he still does and hates himself a little more for it.

Grant's search for her becomes frantic, he follows Coulson hallway after hallway, calling her name. Finally as desperation and the worst possible scenarios are entering him, he sees her.She crashes into the hall before them, her hair like a curtain across her shoulders. It's a little longer, lighter. And then she freezes. Eyes widen in disbelief as Ward meets her eyes. Time stops. The world jerks to a halt. Nothing and no one matters in this moment as they stare at each other.

It's like the world outside doesn't exist.

Memories of Ward sneaking into her bunk at night on the Bus to hold her while she slept.

Skye finding herself being pulled into corners of the plane by strong arms, his mouth hot and heavy against hers.

The first time he told her he loved her, he just looked at her like she held every single answer he'd been looking for. He looked so afraid, vulnerable in that moment.

And Skye took his face in her hands and told him she loved him too.

Grant with his warm smile and smooth hands on her skin.

Skye with her light that snuffed out his demons, made them silent.

In this moment Ward knows that he chose wrong. He should of picked Skye that day on the Bus after she found out he was Hydra. He should of fell down on his knees and begged her to help him, he shouldn't of gone back to Garrett. It was the biggest mistake of his life. Right now in this hallway Skye is looking at him like she's seen a ghost. Like he's back from the dead and she loves him. She still loves him with everything she has.

''Ward?'' Her voice is below a whisper, she takes a step to him, ignoring Coulson entirely. ''Skye''. Grant still says her name like he always has. Like she is the balm to all his wounds. Grant steps around Phil and Skye is so close he can nearly smell her vanilla perfume. Then it's all gone. He nearly reached her when another man came out of nowhere in a flash of blue. Skye's eyes widen as she screams at him that she's not ready, Ward has his aim locked and- she's gone.

Vanished. Just as quickly as she came, into thin air. ''Damn it, I had her!'' Coulson rages and Ward takes out his frustrations on a nearby Hydra agent. Kicking him repeatedly until he feels just a fraction of a bit better. Ward and Coulson then come up with another plan while Kebo listens on silently behind them. In the end it's decided that Coulson will stay behind for Gonzalez to find and everyone else goes back to Shield.

''You okay?'' Ward asks Kara as soon as he reaches her. ''I'm fine''. ''Coulson where in the hell did he take Skye?'' Ward demands as Coulson is holstering his gun. ''That's what I need you to find out, the teleporter has to be stationed somewhere''. ''I'm on it''. Kebo glances at the people around him before opening his mouth, ''that guy totally cock blocked the Skye and Ward reunion, how sad. We'll never get to see if she'd shoot Ward again''. Grant rolls his eys, ''not now Kebo''.

''Do we need to have a beer and talk about our feelings?'' ''Don't make me punch you in the face again''. ''Empty threats boss, empty threats''. They leave the building and Ward looks back one more time at it. He had Skye in the palm of his hand, he won't lose her again. He's going to find her and when he does he's going to save her from whatever has happened while he's been away.

*

Skye gets back to the Afterlife. She can't breathe. He's dead. Ward is dead. He's dead he's dead he's dead he's dead he's dead he's dead she saw his body he can't lie about that he's gone she was never going to see him oh god. ''Skye?'' Lincoln puts a hand on her shoulder and she muffles a sob and her attempt to move away from him. It's wrong it's wrong she shouldn't of come back. She should be back with Shield, with Ward, finding out what the hell is going on.

She doesn't understand. Shield confirmed his death, he had no pulse, no heart beat. He was shot multipule times. No way he could of survived that. But he must have. She didn't imagine that. Ward was there with Coulson, ready to defend her until the end like nothing changed. But how? Nothing makes sense. ''Sweetheart are you alright?'' Jiaying asks her as Cal is taken back to his room. Skye hasn't stopped gasping for breath since Gordon brought her and Lincoln home.

''He's alive''. She mutters, blinking back the tears that are about to spill over. Jiaying reaches her and is surprised when Skye flings herself into her mother's arms. ''Shield was there, I think they were looking for Skye''. Lincoln tells her and Jiaying nods, running a soothing hand through her daughter's hair. No one notices that Raina has made an appearance until Skye has calmed down and is able to think clearly. ''A lover back from the dead, your reaction is very interesting Skye''.

''Raina now is not the time''. ''Oh I think it's the perfect time. I saw him Skye, Grant Ward in all his glory trying to save you. He's searching for her Jiaying and he'll find her here. It's only a matter of time, he's dangerous. If he walks into the Afterlife it will be the death of us all''. They all turn to Raina and Skye bites the inside of her cheek, ''you've seen this?'' Raina shakes her head, ''no. But I think we both know that Agent Ward would do anything to help you if he thinks you're in danger. He's cursed with trying and failing not to love you Skye''.

Skye turns and sobs into Jiaying's shoulder. She has no idea what to think anymore.