Give Me the Burden, Give Me the Blame
''You know how this is going to end''. Grant tells his counterpart, who sips his drink calmly. ''I do, with Coulson dead''. Grant shakes his head sadly, ''that's not going to bring Kara back''. Ward grimaces at the mention of her, the pain of her absence heavy in his chest. ''Coulson deserves to die''. ''I thought that way once too, but someone made me see everything in a different light''. The unspoken name hangs between them, the woman they both love.
Grant can tell his other self does not want to broach the subject of Skye, he closed that chapter long ago and expects nothing from her except hatred and anger. Won't even open up to the possibility that she loves him still, that she always has and always will. Grant folds his hands in his lap, treads the waters carefully. ''She's happy you know, in my world. That's all you ever wanted for her''. Ward's face in a blank stone mask.
''Look I know you didn't come here to talk about Skye, maybe where your from she doesn't hate your guts. But that's not the case here, she'll never forgive me''. ''You'd be surprised''. Ward raises an eyebrow at Grant, ''she shot me''. ''And not a day goes by where she doesn't regret it. We've done bad things and for a while I used to think Shield and Skye were justified in what they did. But they weren't, you and I deserved better. I'm sorry that you didn't get it here''.
Ward lets his emotions play on his face for a moment. Pain, anger regret bleeding in and out of his skin. Before he clears his throat, shuts down all his past mistakes. ''It makes no difference now. Skye may have saved you, but she won't do it here''. The two men are quiet, the only sound filling the air is the occasional small comment from Kebo he thinks they don't hear. ''This road you're going down, it's going to get you killed''.
Grant almost rolls his eyes at the smirk that takes over Ward's face. ''I can handle it''. ''The Inhuman that sent me here said you were in danger, that you were going to die''. ''I'll be fine''. Was Grant always this stubborn and cocky? He's gettting a headache already, is this what Kebo had to put up with all those years ago? ''I know you want Shield to pay for everything they've done and in another life I wanted all the same things you did''. ''There's a but coming''.
Kebo says from behind the closed door and Ward mutters something about wishing he'd of stayed dead. It's a joke neither Kebo nor Grant welcome. ''But it's going to get you killed, there was a time in my world that Coulson almost killed me, if not for Skye I wouldn't be here''. Ward clenches his jaw, ''it all comes back to Skye with you doesn't it Romeo? She's not in my life anymore, if given the chance she'd pull the trigger again''.
Grant knows all too well the pain Ward is feeling over the absense of Skye, she has always been his compass, his north. Which before she had become his Grant always felt guilty for putting her in a position like that, it just made his betryal all the more worse for both of them. ''She's in love with you''. Ward scoffs, like the idea is so absurd, guess in his time frame it is. ''I know you don't believe it but deep down she does''. There's an edge, a warning in Ward's tone when he speaks.
''Skye was just a brief chapter in my life, she's closed now. Done with''. Grant's smile is not kind when he responds, ''do you really think lying to yourself is going to work? I'm you, literally. She was much more than a brief fling and you know it, you will love her until the day you die. And if there's another life after this, you'll love her still. You thought you loved Kara and in a way you did, she was there with you when no one else was. Understood you, cared for you. But all those holes you tried to fill when Skye left you will never be filled''.
Ward leans back in his chair, studies the slightly older version of himself. Grant seems different than Ward, less damaged. Pieces of him have been put back into place, the ones that Garrett and Shield left. He seems almost homesick, eager to get back to the Skye who loves him. And there's envy in Ward's heart, so much so that he starts to hate the man in front of him. He is everything Ward should have been, got the perfect girl, perfect life, all the love he could want.
''In your world are you still Shield's traitor? The lying bastard? Or did Skye save you from that too?'' Grant detects the bitterness in Ward's tone and ignores it. ''Shield and I have a complicated relationship but things are better, we're a family. Like it used to be''. Ward suddenly turns sad, nostalgic. Thinking of those days on the Bus so many years ago, it was another life. A simpler time, he'd give anything to have it all back. His home.
These thoughts make Ward jealous and somber, his counterpart has everything Ward has always craved. ''But that has more to do with the kids than anything, I think''. Grant lets that tiny piece of information slip on purpose, Ward knows Grant wouldn't reveal anything on accident. Grant watches Ward absorb this news, his eyes widen slightly. Pupils dilate, the hands on the desk falter slightly. ''Kids?'' Ward chokes out, struggling to maintain his cool.
Grant smiles in a way that only a father can when thinking about his children. ''Yeah, they're probably the main reason Coulson hasn't shot me yet. They're amazing just like their mother. Ellie Rose is five now, Cal is three, they look like me in a lot of ways. But there's so much of Skye in them, especially Ellie Rose. Cal is very shy, he adores Skye to no end''. Grant looks back at Ward who has this far away expression on his face. Like he's trying to picture it all.
A house, white picket fence. A world where Coulson doesn't want his head on a plate, a universe where Skye loves him so much that she bears his children. ''You can have all of that, you know. If you just stop, go back into hiding. Give up Hydra, I know your plan for it but it won't end well. Get out while you still can Ward, while you're still alive''. Ward cocks his head to the side, taps his fingers on the wooden desk. His stare blank and hard.
''Hate to break it to you lover boy but none of that is in the cards for me. Skye will never look at me the same way, she will never have my children. So if you just came here to remind me of all the things I will never have, get out. And I can handle Shield, Phil Coulson doesn't scare me. While I appreciate the concern I'll be fine. Is that it? Are you done with your pitch to turn me back over to the light?'' Grant sighs, doesn't remember being this stubborn in the early days.
''Told you this wouldn't work boss! This trip was a bust, I'm missing all of my favorite shows by the way. You owe me for that''. Grant rolls his eyes, ''I recorded them this morning for you''. Kebo sticks his head through the door. ''You did?'' Grant nods, ''how could I forget? You wouldn't shut up about it''. Kebo looks to Ward and scowls, gestures to Grant. ''See? That's what I good friend does, he doesn't get me killed''. It's Ward's turn to roll his eyes.
''I wasn't even there when it happened, Morse got the best of you''. ''There's not a universe out there where I'd believe that''. Ward shrugs, ''it's what happened''. Kebo makes a few more snarky comments before leaving them alone once more. ''How do you put up with him?'' Grant actually chuckles, ''whiskey. And sometimes he's not so bad. He's actually gotten a little better over the years''. There's a silence, a ghost hangs between the two men.
''We were brain washed Ward, everything that you've done wasn't entirely your fault. Garrett is to blame for most of it, I'm glad he's dead. He built you up the way he wanted, made you a solider. And now you don't know who you are, I'm sorry for that. I can help you, if you want''. At the mention of his former mentor Ward blanches. ''Kara was the only one who understood that''. ''I know, but nothing you do can ever bring her back. This need for revenge is only going to destroy you''.
Grant can tell that none of his words are getting to Ward. He has accepted his fate, that he doesn't deserve forgiveness or redemption, that there's nothing left to give but hate and anger inside. Maybe Kebo was right, maybe Marcus should have sent Skye instead. She has always been able to get through to him, too seek out his demons and help Grant tame them. This Ward doesn't have that support system, that drive to be a better man for someone else.
''My plans aren't changing, they will remain the same. You came here to save me but you've wasted your time. Go back to your family, they need you. I don't''. Ward stands and Grant does as well. ''Maybe you've given up, but I'm not. Everyone is capable of being saved, everyone deserves a second chance. Even you''. Ward's smirk is full of self pity. ''You're the only one who thinks so''. ''Like I said before, I can help you''. Ward is about to ask him how, when Kebo suddenly burst into the room, Hydra agents behind him.
''We've got comapny''. Ward is the first one to rush out, hand pulling out a gun. ''It's Shield, guess they didn't like you destroying your tracker''. Kebo tells him. ''Damn it''. Grant follows his other self into the heart of the wearhouse, he's barking off orders left and right. Grant searches for May but doesn't see her. Suddenly the doors crack open and the room is filled with gun fire, Grant doesn't see a familiar face amoungst the sea of Shield agents.
Ward meets their attack head on, Grant hesitates. He's not Shield's enemy here, and bullets don't come anywhere near him or Kebo. It takes a few moments for Ward to notice this, and when he does he scowls at Grant. ''You led them here!'' Grant opens his mouth to respond but then the Calvary comes out of the shadows and strikes. Ward gives her a grin before punching her hard in the jaw. Everything happens very quickly after that.
Hydra crushes the Shield agents, and somewhere somehow May gets hurt. Grant sees her go down, sees Ward's finger on the trigger of his gun. Grant doesn't even think as he hurls himself across the space, jumps in front of May. The bullet hits his arm instead of her face, Grant takes the hit, rolls over and stands. Faces Ward who's wearing a look of betrayal so heavy it looks painful. Grant meets his eyes for a moment before leaning over May and checking her for wounds. Few broken ribs, a black eye, her mouth is so full of blood she can't speak.
Her leg is broken as well, as is her collar bone. Grant is actually baffled, stumped that Ward has injured her in such a way. ''Boss!'' Grant turns his head only to be met with Ward's fist. Grant spits out a small amount of blood onto the floor. Forgot how much force he's capable of throwing back for a punch. ''I can explain''- ''Coulson sent you didn't he? He sent you to kill me''. There's a gun in Grant's face and time seems to slow to a crawl. Grant doesn't breathe or blink.
And then Kebo ever faithful has his own gun trained on Ward's heart. ''You shoot him you die too. You really want to do that to Skye? To make her raise those kids alone?'' Ward falters at this, the thought of Skye in pain because of him again makes an ache present in his chest. Grant seeing this, relaxes. So he looks over May again, who has fallen unconscious. ''Shield renforcements will be here soon, you need to get out''. Grant tells Ward.
''I'm not here to kill you, I'm trying to save you''. Ward looks around the wearhouse, and while Kebo and Grant are distracted by May, he slips away unnoticed. ''That went smashing''. Kebo comments as they put May safely in the car and Grant gets in the driver's seat. ''It went as expected. I think you were right Kebo''. Kebo rolls down the window as they take off, leaving Hydra in the dust. ''Right about what robot?'' ''I think he needs Skye''.
Kebo rolls his eyes. ''You two are love struck fools I swear''.
''You saved her life''. Grant is back at the Playground in Coulson's office where he's just briefed the Director on the events in the wearhouse. Grant only nods. ''Why? She wanted to kill you less than twelve hours ago''. ''I couldn't just let her die. Where I'm from we're friends, and she loves my kids. I wasn't going to let Ward hurt her''. Coulson studies Grant, he's so different. He's everything Ward should have been, and there's a small trace of bitterness in Coulson's heart.
''It seems a lot of things are very different in your world. Like me and you for example, those pictures on your phone make it seem like we're friends''. Grant feels as if he's on very thin ice and walks carefully. ''We are, my kids love you''. Phil cracks at this slightly which was Grant's goal. ''Look I don't expect you to give me your full trust, it's too early for that. But I promise you I'm not here to hurt anyone at Shield. My goal is to stop Ward and get back to my family''.
Coulson absorbs the man in front of him, this is a version of Grant Ward he's never met. It's very odd. Coulson would be lying if he said it didn't make him uneasy, that it almost reminds him of the Agent Ward he met so long ago. Back when he trusted the man with his life, trusted him with his team. They were a family once, way back when. And in Grant's world they are again, and that's all Coulson wants. For the bonds he made on the Bus to come back in full swing.
''Tell me all about your life, what happened to make Shield and Skye trust you again. What happened that allowed me to understand you, to make my need for revenge stop''. ''It's a long story Phil''. ''I've got time''. So Grant does, tells Coulson everything. How Skye is and always has been the light of his life, how she saved him from himself. When he's done Coulson is in almost disbelief, his eyes are wide and uncertain. ''Skye forgave you''. ''She did''.
''And so did all of us''. Grant nods, shifts in his chair. Coulson doesn't speak for a long time. Which suits Grant just fine, he's beginning to miss Skye and his children so much. Aches to be with them. ''What's your plan now? I'm going to assume you didn't get through to yourself''. Grant nods, folding his hands into his lap. ''I have a different approach, one I think will work. But it's going to require me to go dark for a while''. ''Alright, what is it?''
''I'm going to take Hydra down from the inside out''.
*
Skye walks into the containment module, and Marcus Stanley stares back at her. He's afraid, so she comes to the conclusion that he knows who she is. ''Where did you send my husband?'' No response. She closes the door, steps further into the room and he backs up so he's pressed into the wall. Normally Skye wouldn't snap so easily, but the thought of losing Grant, that something has happened to him breaks her. She takes Marcus by the shirt and slams him into the wall.
One arm is braced against his throat, he struggles slightly at the lack of air. ''I'm not going to ask again, where is he? What the hell did you do to him?'' Nothing. Skye rolls her shoulders, flexes her free hand and the room shakes. He gupls, his eyes wide. ''Tell me what I want to know. Now''. Marcus is trembling when he responds, ''I can send you there, if you want. To find him''. Skye hears Coulson protest from the other side of the door, it's ignored.
''Do it. How can I get back? When I find him how can I make it back to this world?'' Marcus gives her a small smile, ''I'll know. When your mind is ready I'll know. Brace yourself it's going to be a bumpy ride''. She does as she's told. ''In this alternate dimension things will happen that you might not like. If Grant is unable to save himself, the burden might fall to you''. Skye is about to comment and say that she's saved him before, she can do it again.
But the air suddenly turns thick, a light flashes and she has this falling sensation. She lands hard on her knees, rolls to the impact. There's a heavy warm wind, her skin meets something hot and free against her cheek. Skye opens her eyes to find herself on an open landscape, the sky mute and a dark shade of blue. There's more than one moon. And with a sick feeling she knows exactly where she is. No longer on earth.
She's on the planet Simmons was sucked into. Maveth.