I Will Love You Until the Day I Die
''I killed him. Gideon Malick, he's dead''. Grant looks up from the coffee pot to find Daisy sitting on the bar stool picking at the pancakes he's made for her again. ''And part of me feels horrible for it, but at the same time he wasn't a good man. He was the Director of Hydra who wanted to do terrible things, maybe he deserved it. But then I think who gave me the right to judge him like that? I'm not God. I shouldn't get to decide who lives or dies''.
Grant makes himself a cup and let's her continue. She plays with her sleeves, rolling the bottoms over her thumbs again and again. He knows it's a nervous habit, she's been doing it since he met her. ''Maybe it was for the greater good and he didn't have any family left. No one will miss him. If I keep saying that maybe I'll start to believe it''. She keeps her eyes focused on her half eaten breakfast, Grant comes to sit beside her.
''Did Hive want you to do it?'' She nods slowly, bites her lip. ''It wasn't your fault Daisy''. ''I know, but I still feel guilty. Does that ever go away?'' ''In time it will. But you won't ever forget what happened to you. I'm sorry Daisy''. ''You have nothing to apologize for''. He's shaking his head and takes a sip of coffee before responding. ''If me or the Ward here would have chose differently we wouldn't be in this situation. He, I should have been a better man to you''.
Skye has heard all of these things and has told Grant time and time again that the past is in the past, that she loves him no matter what. So he doesn't tell Daisy this for him, to make himself feel guilty or sad. He says this because she needs to hear it, because when Ward apologized to her and the team they didn't hear him, she wasn't in a place to accept it. Grant knows that is not the case now. Daisy peeks up at him and blinks quickly.
''I would have done the same in your position, for Coulson. I would do anything to keep him alive''. Grant nods, ''I know''. He finishes his coffee and puts the mug in the sink. ''When we save Ward you can tell him all of this''. Daisy's face morphes into a frown, like she doesn't want that to happen. ''I'm going to find a way to save him. Don't you think he deserves it?'' Daisy paws at her sleeves again. ''I'm going for a walk''. She's out the door before he can ask her what's going through her head.
Even after all this time, that woman can still be a mystery to him. Kebo arrives a few minutes after Daisy has departed. ''Please tell me you saved me some breakfast''. ''It's on the stove''. Kebo makes himself a plate, leans against the fridge. ''When are you going to be done playing house and going back to your wife? Daisy is a lot better than she was when we rescued her''. ''Kebo I'm not asking you to stay here, you've been perfectly clear on how you feel about Daisy. You're free to leave whenever, I'm not leaving until she feels she's okay''.
Kebo rolls his eyes and changes the subject. ''Let's say hypothetically we do end up saving Ward, do you think Shield will kill him? Or Daisy?'' Grant glances out the window to see Daisy sitting on a fallen tree stump, kicking rocks with her boots. ''Not sure about Shield but I'm confident Daisy won't hurt him''. ''And what makes you so sure about that?'' ''She loves him''. Kebo adds more butter to his pancakes before adding his commentary.
''Love and hate is such a fine line boss''. ''I'm not going to let anything happen to Ward''. ''I've got nothing on how to extract Hive from your other half's body. No one on Hydra's side has any information. All the knowledge about him seems to have died with Gideon Malick''. Grant sighs, ''great''. ''Yeah maybe we should have gotten to him first before your girlfriend killed him''. Grant gives him a dirty look which Kebo brushes off with a wink. ''On a scale of one to ten how bad is it going to be if we get Ward back?''
Kebo means all of the guilt Ward is going to feel, all of the pain he'll go through. ''Twenty''. Kebo frowns and sets his plate in the sink. ''He's going to need you Kebo''. The other man rolls his eyes, ''you always do''. Grant doesn't deny it. They've been through a lot him and Kebo, dead girlfriends, dead mentors, sad broken lives that they had to dig through with bleeding hands to get to the other side. Grant could survive without him, but he wouldn't want to.
Kebo would say the exact same thing. They're sitting on the couch when Daisy walks in and sits on the floor across from them. She has grown very comfortable here, Grant observes. She trusts him and Kebo, has accepted the help they've offered. ''I want to call Lincoln''. She says, not looking at Grant. Kebo groans out loud at the mention of the Inhuman, he never did like Lincoln much even in their world. ''Good god. Why? He's about as interesting as watching grass grow''.
Daisy scowls at Kebo who matches her stare. ''I just want to hear his voice''. They both look to Grant, knowing the decision is up to him. ''If you say no I'm going to do it anyway''. He knows she's right, he hands her the burner phone. ''The line is secure. Take as long as you need''. She nods in thanks and heads to the bedroom, shuts the door behind her. ''Can I kill him?'' ''No''. ''Why not boss? It's not like anyone would be sad to see him go anyway''. ''I think Daisy would''.
''I disagree. I think she'd be fine with it eventually''. Grant pinches the bridge of his nose and begs for Kebo to shut up. ''You're not going to hurt Lincoln''. Kebo leans back against the couch in full pout mode, gets the flask out from his jacket pocket. ''It's nine in the morning''. Grant comments and Kebo shrugs. ''It's always five o'clock somewhere boss''. Grant leaves him in the living room, heads to the kitchen once more to clean the stock of weapons on the counter.
Daisy is shaking as she sits on the bed and draws her knees up to her chest. Her fingers grip the phone so hard her knuckles are white. She can do this. She has to call him, to make sure he's okay. That he doesn't hate her. That after everything she's done to them he can still see the good in her, Hive took everything and she needs Lincoln to understand that. Daisy dials his number and feels like she's going to be sick again all over the floor.
''Hello?'' She doesn't feel relief at his voice, just guilt and sadness. ''Hello?'' For some reason she starts picturing her mother and Daisy nearly hangs up. The only thing that stops her is Lincoln's sudden intake of breath, she hears a shuffle and then the sound of a door closing. ''Daisy?'' She sighs into the phone, puts a hand over her mouth. ''Hi''. ''Are you okay? Where are you?'' ''I'm fine''. She listens to his breathing and it relaxes her. 'Where are you?'' ''I'm safe''.
''Where did he take you? Are you hurt?'' ''Lincoln I'm fine. I just, I just wanted to hear your voice''. ''Daisy I''- ''I'm so sorry Lincoln''. She sobs into the phone, he doesn't soothe her like she expects. Like someone else would do. He just listens to her and tells her that as long as she comes back to him she'll be okay. This makes her pause. ''Just tell me where you are, please. We're all worried about you Daisy and just want to see you home safe''.
Daisy glances at the door. ''I can't''. ''Why not?'' Their conversation is cut short a few seconds later by Lincoln telling her that May is coming and they can't talk for much longer. ''Daisy I love you''. And then the line goes dead. That was the first time he's ever said it to her. Daisy is not sure how she feels about it. Does she love him too? Is she even capable of loving anyone anymore? Have too many pieces of her been ripped away for her to feel it?
Or is it because she's only loved another and he took all of that and ruined it? Daisy closes her eyes. She can't think like that. Ward is dead, whatever illusions Grant has of trying to bring him back are just that, illusions. It's probably not going to ever happen. She will never see Ward smile again, hear his laugh or feel his stubble beneath her palm. Part of Daisy hates herself for it, she should hate him. But she doesn't, not anymore. She just misses him.
The person he could of been, someone like Grant. Daisy locks all of that away, her counterpart is lucky and leaves it at that. In another life her and Ward found each other, here that won't happen. Daisy and Ward were just a small chapter in each other lives, a tragic brief period in time that they both suffered quite a lot from. They will never be. And that hurts far more than she thought it would. Daisy crawls under the covers and mourns for a life she's always wanted to have and never will. For a man that will never come back to her.
Much later when the sun is setting and they are eating dinner in the living room Grant can tell something is on her mind. She tries to hide it, but he knows her too well. ''You okay?'' Daisy looks up from her plate and nods. ''Things with Lincoln are going to be difficult''. ''He'll forgive you Daisy, just give it time''. She's about to say she doesn't deserve it, but catches herself. Because she does, what happened to her was not her fault. If anyone needs to pay for it all it's Hive not her. He needs to be punished, not Daisy. Will Shield see it that way?
As if on cue lights flood the small house and Grant is on his feet, Kebo already has his gun drawn. Before any of them can speak the front door is kicked in and Shield agents storm the room. All headed for Daisy. They don't even get a good look at her before Grant shoves her behind him and fights off anyone who gets close. Kebo takes cover by the fridge as Shield starts firing at them. Grant kicks back the coffee table to use as a shield and pulls Daisy beside him.
''Let her go Grant!'' Coulson is here, Daisy stiffens. ''Coulson what the hell are you doing?'' ''Let her go now and we won't hurt you''. A few agents attempt to creep up on the two of them and are quickly disposed of. ''No one has to get hurt here. Just let her go''. Grant and Daisy share a look as the bullets stop flying, the house is quiet. ''She's not my prisoner Coulson''. ''Doesn't look that way to me''. Another agent reaches for Daisy but he's grabbed by the back of the neck and slammed up against a wall, Grant's gun on the back of his head.
Daisy gets off the floor and yells at Grant to stop. ''I called them! It's my fault they found us''. ''What?'' Grant doesn't relax his grip on the agent and Kebo carefully walks up to him. Flanking him, his gun at the ready. ''I want to go back, I want to go home''. He lets the man go who runs to Coulson like his life depends on it. Grant and Daisy stare each other down. ''Are you sure you're ready?'' He asks her, his voice suddeny soft. ''I swear I am. I don't think I could have done this without you''. She gives him a small smile that he doesn't entirely believe.
''You don't have to leave Daisy. I will get you out of here, just say the word''. Grant tells her, his glare focused on the Director of Shield who's crossing his arms. Daisy puts a hand on Grant's shoulder, her eyes giving nothing away. ''Thank you. But I can handle it from here''. The atmosphere in the house relaxes a tad, Grant can feel the shift in the room but still has his weapon in hand. ''I swear Grant, I want this''. She's looking at him like she did after she was shot by Ian Quinn and he caves. Tells her that if she leaves with Coulson he's coming too.
The couch has bullet holes in the fabric, there's broken glass all over the floors and the walls have been in better shape. After further inspection of the house and making sure Daisy, Kebo and himself aren't hurt Grant deems it alright to leave. He has an eye on Daisy who is approaching Coulson with an aching slowness, like she's afraid. Phil closes the distance between them and hugs her carefully like she's made of paper. Her shoulders begin to shake as she sobs into his suit jacket, telling him that she's so sorry. Coulson just holds her to him.
''When we get back to the Playground find Skye. We'll go get her as soon as possible''. Grant mutters to Kebo who nods as they get into their own SUV. ''She's so going to kill you''. Daisy gets into the vehicle with Coulson and Grant makes sure to stay behind them the entire way to the waiting quin jet. He isn't sure he trusts Shield at the moment, especially where Daisy is concerned. If they even think about locking her up he's going to turn the Playground into ash.
The flight to the Playground is easy and calm. Mostly due to the fact that Kebo falls asleep and no one has to listen to his comments. Grant is looking out the window next to him and feels Daisy come beside him. He meets her eyes as she takes the vacant seat beside him, she gives him a small smile. ''I really do appreciate what you did for me''. ''You don't have to thank me Daisy''. ''But I do, I couldn't of done it without you''. ''Yeah you could of''.
The way he's looking at her makes her think of a Shield badge and, ''I couldn't of done it without a great and very patient SO''. ''Yeah you could of''.
They look at each other as Daisy let's the memories flow between them. Another lifetime ago before all the bad blood and bullet holes. Taking Grant by surprise and giving him hope that maybe Daisy and Ward can work things out in the future, she lays her head on his shoulder. ''Thank you''. She whispers against his leather jacket, and is asleep within minutes. Grant rarely blinks, he stays awake the entire time. Standing guard, making sure no harm comes to her or Kebo. Let's himself relax slightly because soon enough he will make it back to his wife.
When they walk into the Playground Daisy sticks to Coulson's side like glue, he's got one hand clasped tightly on her arm. Grant sees May, Lincoln, Fitz and Simmons all waiting for her, tight forced smiles on their faces. Lincoln is the first one to react, calls her name like he's never seen her before. She shies away from him, glances over her shoulder at Grant who gives her an encouraging nod. Daisy stands before them all, she can feel the heat of Grant's chest as he leans over her in a protective stance. ''I'm so sorry''. She says because they need to hear her say it.
''Simmons take Daisy to medical, check her over''. Grant moves to go with her, ignores Lincoln's glare. ''Yes sir''. Simmons carefully gestures for Daisy to follow her, Daisy once again looks nervously to Grant. ''I'm right behind you''. He tells her and sees her shoulders lose tension. And he's fully prepared to do so, he'd follow her into hell if he had to. Until he sees her. The familiar long hair, the brown eyes he's looked into for the past six years. Coming down the hall with wonder on her face like she can't believe he's here. ''Grant''. She breathes, eyes widen.
He says her name like he always has, like a prayer, a hymn rolling off his tounge. ''Skye''. He pushes through the team to get to her, only to find Skye running to him like she hasn't seen him in years. He catches her effortlessly when they meet, her legs wrapping around him tightly. Grant has missed her terribly. She's saying his name over and over into his neck, her arms curling around him almost to the point of pain but he doesn't dare pull away.
Skye starts trailing kisses over his skin wherever she can reach, his neck, his jaw, his eyelids. Her hands are cupping his face as she kisses his lips, slowly and warm. Grant has one hand on the back of her neck while the other arm is supporting her weight, he moves from her neck to run his fingers along the length of her spine before it comes to rest on the small of her back. He isn't aware how long they stand like that, doesn't care. Just kisses her like his life depends on it, pouring all of his worry and longing into it.
Skye is the first to break away, leans her forehead against is to catch her breath. Grant sweeps her hair away from her face, brushes the back of his knuckles across her cheek. ''Hey baby''. She opens her eyes and meets his lovestruck gaze. ''Hi''. She kisses his nose and plants another between his eyebrows. He does not put her down and she makes no move to leave his warm embrace. ''I'm okay. I'm alive, here with you''. He assures her, answering her unspoken question. He knows the panic and fear she's been going through these past couple weeks.
''I love you. I love you so much''. Is all she says before leaning in for another kiss, this one full of days apart and Skye's absolute fear that she'd never see him again. Kebo clears his throat when Skye's hands slip under Grant's shirt to roam over his back and Grant's free hand travels lower than everyone needs to see. ''Love birds break it up, you're making us all uncomfortable''. Skye sighs and pulls away from Grant. Running her thumb along his lower lip and he smiles against her skin. ''Later''. He whispers too low for anyone else to hear but her.
He releases her and keeps a firm arm around her waist as they turn to the team. Everyone is wearing a different reaction to seeing Skye and Grant's display of affection. Coulson and May look as if they've swallowed posion, Lincoln's nearly matching their expression. Simmons and Fitz look almost accepting, like they have wanted to see something like that between them for a long time but never voiced it. Daisy has a different face than the rest of them, as expected.
Sadness drips from her. Like she's thinking of all the things she can never have (she is.) That in one point in time if different roads were taken, nicer things were said her and Ward could of had that. They could have been so in love, happy. They could look at each other like Skye and Grant are, like they would take on the whole world just to save each other. Ward had only looked at her once like that, back at Providence when he opened a piece of himself to her.
The moment is over as quickly as it came. Coulson and May follow Daisy as she trails after Simmons and Lincoln to the lab, Fitz not too far behind. ''Come on Quake, am I going to get a greeting like that?'' Kebo asks when the trio is alone. Skye rolls her eyes and walks over to him, folding him into a hug. ''I missed you too Popeye''. He pulls back and searches her face, all too familiar with her grief and pain where Grant Ward is concerned. ''You okay?'' She nods and looks back to her husband, ''I'm good''. She hugs Kebo once more before crushing Grant to her side.
''How is she doing?'' Skye asks when her Grant and Kebo are all seated at the kitchen table, a bottle of scotch between them. ''Better. A lot better since we found her''. Skye notices that Kebo is strangely quiet on the subject of Daisy. ''Popeye why do you hate my counterpart?'' ''I don't hate her. I just don't trust her''. ''She's been through a lot''. ''She called Shield to come and rescue her like we took her against her will. The Director gave her plenty of opportunities to split and she never did. We would have brought her back here whenever she wanted''.
Skye takes a sip from her glass, takes Grant's hand that's resting next to hers. ''I'm sure she didn't mean to upset you, she probably just didn't want to admit that she needed Shield. That she wanted to come home''. Grant leans down to kiss Skye's hair and she turns to nuzzle his shoulder, kisses the black fabric covering his skin. ''Well it was the wrong way to handle the situation''. Kebo mutters and neither Grant nor Skye comments on it further.
''Didn't I tell you once that kidnapping me never ends well for you?'' Skye teases and kisses Grant's nose. He just gives her an exasperated smile and holds her tighter. ''Thank you, for helping her even though I'm a little pissed that you went after her before coming to find me''. Kebo grins at Skye, ''I told you she'd be pissed boss. Kick his ass Skye''. ''Shut up Kebo. Skye I knew that you were safe, I couldn't let Hive hurt Daisy anymore than he already had''.
''Speaking of Hive, I think Fitz and I found a way to save Ward''. Skye pours into the information her and Fitz found and the three of them form a plan to strike at Hive and get Ward back. ''Coulson isn't going to go for it. We'll have to do it without him knowing. He wants Ward dead and that's not happening. Over my dead body''. Skye says and Kebo agrees. ''How exactly do you want to play this Quake?'' She looks to Grant who is processing everything they've just discussed. Looking for a way inside. ''Daisy should be in on this too''.
''Why? Do you really think she wants anything to do with Ward? She wants him dead just like the rest of them''. Kebo cries, looking between Skye and Grant who appear to disagree with him. ''Popeye how blind are you? She's in love with him, depsite all the crap she spews to Shield I know how she really feels. She'll help us''. He raises one eyebrow, ''care to bet on that Quake?'' Grant groans at the two of them and takes a sip of his drink. ''Fine. Fifty bucks says Daisy won't stand with Shield''. ''You're so on''. They shake on it, Grant rolls his eyes.
''Is it later yet?'' Skye whispers in Grant's ear some time later after Kebo has gone to bed. ''Come here''. Grant tells her, pulls her in his lap. ''I missed you''. He says as he carries her to a spare bunk and closes the door. Presses her against it and kisses her sweetly. Skye smiles her hands curling into his hair. ''I love you''. Grant covers her mouth with his, all the words they need to say can be said later. Right now all he wants is to lower her onto the bed and worship every single inch of her skin. So that's what he does.
The mission to save Ward, Hive and what he did to Daisy is put on the back burner in Skye's brain. There will be time for that when reality comes sneaking back in. But right now all she can focus on is Grant's hands on her bare back and his warm lips on her neck. She loves him she loves him she loves him. In any world that would never change.