I Carry Your Image Always In My Head
''Thomas and May are staying with the kids''. Skye tells Grant, her head resting on his chest. He bends down to kiss her hair and she smiles at him. ''Good''. Skye then tells him the conversation between her and Marcus Stanley before he sent her to Maveth. On the subject of that awful planet and what happened to Ward, she tenses up, emotion heavy in her throat. Grant feels her muscles contract and shift, he pulls her closer into his embrace.
''It was my fault''. Skye says, looking at her hands instead of up at him. Grant is already shaking his head, pulling her chin up so he can stare into her eyes. ''No it wasn't Skye''. ''You weren't there. It was awful, I, I tried to save him but I couldn't. Grant he was protecting me, he died because of me''. She sobs into his skin, the death of his counterpart still fresh in her mind. Grant understands it, her grief. She watched him die once before and ever since then it's been her worst nightmare, going through that kind of pain again.
Grant holds her to him as tight as he can, his skin warm and comforting. He whispers in her hair over and over that he's alright, that he's safe here with her. That they will save Ward from the cruel fate he was dealt and Grant is never going to leave her. No matter what. ''He was saving you Skye, I would of done the same thing''. Grant can't see her scowl but he knows she is and runs a hand up her spine. ''I'm sorry you had to see that baby''.
Flashes of Grant on the Playground floor many years ago enter her brain, when his skin turned to stone and she thought he was gone forever. Skye cringes and tangles her legs with his, shifting so she's laying on his chest instead of the mattress. ''I just don't know why Marcus sent me there in the first place, clearly I couldn't save Ward. It was a waste of time''. ''No it wasn't. Ward died knowing that you loved him, that someone cared about him''.
Skye meets his gaze, warm and full of love for her. ''You should be angry with me''. He raises an eyebrow, already knowing where she's going with this. ''Skye I don't blame you. I'm not angry that something happened you couldn't control. All we need to focus on is how to get him back''. Grant's lips drift over her forehead and she melts into his touch. ''You really think Fitz's theory will work?'' He asks, changing the subject before she gets too upset.
Skye adjusts the dark blue comforter around them before responding, places a small kiss against his heart. ''I have no idea, but it's worth a shot''. Skye knows that Coulson won't approve, everyone at Shield wants Ward dead. Not on her watch. ''How do we even find Hive?'' She asks him, watches his face darken for a fraction of a second. ''Kebo suggested using Daisy as bait''. Skye shrugs, ''it's not a bad idea''.
Grant looks at her with wide eyes. ''She's in no state to be around him right now''. ''I thought you said she was better?'' ''She is, but Skye it's going to take a lot longer than a week to undo the damage Hive inflicted on her. She was brain washed, that's not something that goes away over night''. ''I understand that, but she's a lot stronger than you give her credit for''. ''Strong or not, we're not doing anything until she's recovered''.
Skye drops the subject, knowing that Grant won't budge on the subject of her safety, it would be the same if Hive brain washed her. The thought is unwelcome and makes Skye sick to her stomach. She feels horrible for her other half, can only imagine the pain and guilt she's feeling. ''Let's say we do save him, he can't come back to Shield. Coulson will shoot him on sight''. ''Kebo and I were thinking of putting him in a safe house''. ''Good idea''.
They let the silence fill the room, Grant is on the brink of sleep when he feels Skye adjust herself against his body. ''I missed you''. She mutters, her fingers ghosting over his ribs. ''Did Marcus tell you how to get back home?'' He cracks an eye open to look at her. ''No. Did he tell you?'' She nods, ''he said when my mind is ready, that he'd know''. Grant frowns, not trusting the Inhuman. ''What the hell does that mean?'' ''No clue''.
Skye takes his left hand and fiddles with his wedding ring, her eyes shutting quickly. ''I love you''. Grant breathes as he kisses her gently, wrapping her in his arms. She smiles sleepily at him and difts off, he follows shortly after.
''Quake I missed you so much. Daisy was insufferable''. Kebo complains in the morning when Skye and Grant walk into the kitchen. ''Come on Popeye she couldn't of been that bad''. ''She wasn't, he's being dramatic''. Grant comments as he hands her a cup of coffee. ''I am not. She was mean to me and barely spoke three words to me. Also she tried to kill your husband''. ''She what?'' Skye looks at Grant, checks him for any injuries even though she would have noticed last night if he had any.
''I'm fine. Skye she wasn't herself, it's fine''. Skye takes a seat across from Kebo, Grant is beside her and slides her sugar and creamer. ''So when is operation save Ward happening? I've only been here for a day and am already bored''. ''Popeye will you lower your voice? If Coulson hears''- ''Oh come off it Coulson isn't going to do anything. If he tries I'll shoot him, sounds like a good plan to me''. Skye rolls her eyes, Grant does the same.
''I think you should talk to her''. Grant tells Skye after they finish breakfast and are walking the halls of the Playground, Kebo beside them. ''I wouldn't know what to say''. ''Just talk about anything other than the brain washing, she'll open up to you''. They approach the containment module, peek inside to see Lincoln with Daisy. He's standing over her, a sad expression on his face. Skye feels Grant tense slightly when Lincoln's hands twitch and the lights flicker.
Daisy is pale, withdrawn and shaking, bags heavy and dark under her eyes. ''Daisy please talk to me''. Lincoln tells her, she doesn't respond. ''I want to help you but I don't know how if you don't tell me''. Daisy plays with the bandage on her arm and does not give him an answer. ''Daisy please''- ''I don't need your help''. Skye strains her neck to hear them. Lincoln does not like her answer, his hands curl into fists. ''Because of him? Is this about Grant?''
''He helped me Lincoln, I don't know what else to tell you''. ''He kidnapped you, took you away from your family, from me. You didn't need him, we could of helped you Daisy''. She's shaking her head, ''no you couldn't''. Lincoln bends down so they are at eye level. ''We were both brain washed by Jiaying I know''- The Playground rumbles under the weight of Daisy's glare. ''What happened with my mom is not the same thing''.
Grant decides to intervene then, walking into the containment module like he owns it, Skye at his heels. ''You're upsetting her, I think it's time for you to leave''. Lincoln scoffs, getting entirely too close to Grant, bordering on dangerously close. ''She's my girlfriend, if anyone needs to leave it's you''. At the word girlfriend both Skye and Kebo groan aloud, Skye gives her other half an incredulous look but says nothing.
''Are you out of your mind? You're in a relationship with this dry piece of toast? I can't even be in this room right now''. Kebo says and takes a step to the door but then turns back. ''Mate just for future reference so you're not taken by surprise, Daisy totally loves Ward. You won't ever come close. Not that I really care if she ends up happy but I do care about Ward and''- ''Kebo get out, now''. Kebo glaces at Skye who nods and he takes his leave.
''Who the hell is that guy?'' Lincoln asks, looking to Skye. ''The village idiot. Lincoln I really want to talk to Daisy, can I have a few minutes? You'll have to forgive my husband, he's over protective, can't help himself''. Grant stays silent as Lincoln leaves the room as well, Skye, Grant and Daisy all glance at each other. ''Boss how awkward is this for you? Two Skye's in one room, is it freaking you out yet?'' Skye closes her eyes in annoyance as Kebo's voice enters the room, he's looking in on them.
''Grant can you please distract him for a few minutes? Take him to see the quin jets, he likes looking at those''. Grant nods, squeezes her shoulder as he passes. ''You okay?'' He asks Daisy on his way out. ''I'm good''. He can tell she's not, makes a note to come back later. Skye watches Grant exit, she leans against one of the walls and looks to Daisy. ''How are you?'' The other woman scoffs, crosses her legs. ''Peachy. Being brain washed is all the perks and more''.
''Yeah I can imagine. Look if you want to talk I'm here. My shoulder is free''. For reasons they don't have to voice, Daisy winces at Skye's words. It's a full ten minutes before Daisy says anything. ''When I was with Hive I thought I was doing the right thing. Everything he said I believed, didn't give it a second thought. I would have given him anything, all of me. He's going to try to take over the world and I would have let him without question''.
Skye frowns but lets her continue. Daisy shudders and wraps her arms around herself. ''Are you cold?'' Skye asks, getting a spare blanket from the chair next to her and handing it to Daisy. That's when she notices the shaking hasn't stopped. ''Simmons says I'm going through withdrawal''. Daisy gives Skye a harsh laugh and wraps the blanket around her shoulders. ''Can I get you anything? Water, tea?'' Daisy shakes her head.
''It's like Hive filled me up, gave me a purpose, a reason. I would have died for it, for him. And then all of a sudden it was gone, ripped away from me. It's only been a week but it feels like a lifetime, part of me wants it back. That feeling he gave, like I was on top of the world. But thanks to your husband I know that Hive was wrong, that all of it wasn't real. Nothing of what happened was my fault''. Skye smiles slightly, ''glad to hear it''.
''Daisy I am so sorry about what happened to you''. She raises an eyebrow at Skye, ''why are you sorry?'' Skye takes a seat on the bed next to her, ''if I hadn't of left Shield when I did maybe I could have stopped it from happening. Maybe if I'd of been here Hive wouldn't of been able to get his hands on you. I'm sorry Grant and I couldn't protect you''. ''I don't blame you. You know thinking like that will drive you insane''. ''You sound like my husband''.
''What happened to Ward?'' Daisy asks a few minutes later, doesn't have to look at Skye to know she's cringing and fighting off the sadness that overtakes her. ''I couldn't save him either. I failed both you, I never should have been sent her''. ''Tell me what happened''. ''You really want to know?'' Daisy closes her eyes briefly, preparing herself. ''Yeah. How did he die?'' Skye takes a deep breath, can still hear Ward calling her name.
''He was protecting me. Hive was going to kill us on that planet, Ward knew that and put himself in front of me. I still don't know why Hive didn't come after me. But Ward fell and he didn't get back up. I knew what was happening and I''- Skye cuts herself off, gathers her emotions together. ''I told him that I loved him and then he was gone. I blinked and he was no longer here''. Skye fights off the sound of Ward's final heart beat in her ear.
She peeks at Daisy who's biting her lip to control herself, her eyes swimming with warm tears. None fall. ''He didn't deserve that''. Daisy says finally, surprising Skye. ''No he didn't''. Skye waits until Daisy has covered her emotions before telling her the plan to save Ward. ''So I think Fitz and I found a way to rescue Ward from Hive''. Skye's voice is barely above a whisper, just in case unwanted ears are listening. ''Grant wanted the same thing''.
Skye measures Daisy's response, she doesn't seem surprised or angry. And she hasn't rejected the idea, yet. ''Look Coulson isn't going to like it if he finds out, let's say we do end up saving him, it could be dangerous for Ward at Shield''. ''Coulson would kill him as soon as he got a chance''. Skye nods in agreement, looks out the slit in the door to see if anyone is watching, but it's still just Grant and Kebo standing guard. ''Look I need to know if you're on our side''.
Daisy chews on her lip. Does she want Ward back? Yes, without a doubt. He does not deserve to keep suffering, what Hive is doing with his body is wrong on so many levels. Skye is right it wouldn't be safe with him here, so where would they go? And how exactly are they going to extract Hive from him and bring Ward back? How is that even possible? Is she on their side? ''I need to think about it''. She says finally, Skye hides her sigh very well.
''Okay. We don't have much time. I'm not trying to rush you but we need to leave soon and find Hive''. ''And how are you going to do that?'' Skye doesn't respond, just gives her a small wink as she starts to leave. ''If you need anything let me know''. Is all Skye offers up as she exits the containment module leaving Daisy alone with the thought of Ward coming into her life once more. ''How did it go?'' Grant asks, reaching for Skye and tucking her into his embrace.
''I think that it if it wasn't for you she'd be so much worse. Thank you''. Skye mutters against his shirt, placing a kiss over his heart. Grant holds her tighter and runs a hand down her back. ''Is she on board with everything?'' Kebo asks, looking around quickly. ''I did everything I could. Grant I think she'll listen to you more than anyone. Go in for the kill''. He releases her but keeps his arms around her waist. ''I'll see what I can do''. With that he joins Daisy once more.
Daisy looks up to see Grant entering the room and she relaxes slightly, her muscles that were strung tight losen up at the sight of him. When she looks at him she no longer sees Hive, just Grant with his strong arms and warm eyes. ''How are you doing?'' He asks her, taking a seat across from her. ''Besides the whole being brain washed thing? I'm perfect''. The shaking hasn't stopped, Daisy has two blankets around her and her skin is still cold.
''You told me they would lock me up''. Daisy whispers, her lips a thin line. ''I can get you out of here whenever you want''. She's about to say she deserves this, that Shield was in the right putting her in here. But then she remembers that they aren't, she's not a criminal. What happened was not her fault and so far Coulson is treating it like it was. ''I didn't have a nightmare last night, for the hour I slept anyway''. Grant gives her a smile.
''That's good Daisy. Do you need anything?'' He can't read into the look she gives him as she twists her hands together and won't meet his gaze. ''How are you going to save Ward? Do you even know where Hive is?'' ''We're working on it''. ''And let's say you succeed and bring him back, what then? Skye doesn't trust Shield and I don't blame her when it comes to Ward. What's your plan?'' ''I have a few things in mind''. Daisy cocks her head to the side.
''Don't you trust me?'' Grant wades the waters very carefully, while he believes she cares about Ward that doesn't mean she'd stand against Shield for his sake. ''Daisy I need to ask you something''. He starts, folding his hands in his lap. ''Would you help us with Ward? If we needed you would you be there?'' Daisy looks between him and the wall, does not answer for a long moment. ''You want me to find Hive''. ''I want you to help us when we save Ward''.
Daisy looks at him with a watery stare. ''You want to use me as bait to lure him out''. Grant is beside her so quickly it takes her back. His warm hands wrap around her own and Daisy tries not to think about how nice it feels. ''No. Hive will never touch you again, I would never put you in danger like that Daisy. All I want is your promise that if it works out you won't hurt Ward, that if push comes to shove and Shield wants to end him maybe you'd make a different call''.
Daisy doesn't back down from his determined look. She lets her mind wonder to old places she locked away, old feelings she pushed down until they were practically dead. Ward with his soft smile and easy laugh, how all he ever did was keep her safe, even when he was nothing more to her than a Hydra traitor who broke something between them they never got the chance to explore. ''No one is going to hurt you Daisy, I promise you''.
She closes her eyes briefly, when they flutter open Grant can see the answer in them and he squeezes her fingers. ''What do you need me to do?'' He moves closer to her so she can hear the plan he's been working on. When he's done she leans away from him and buries her face in her hands. ''All you ever wanted was to protect me, to keep me out of harm's way''. Daisy says suddenly and Grant nods. ''That's why he died on Maveth, protecting Skye''.
''That's all I ever wanted Daisy. Ever since I met you, I'm sorry Ward wasn't there when you needed him the most''. Memories of her mother and Cal flash through Daisy's mind, her transformation in that god awful temple where a piece of her died. Where Trip's body turned to stone and she'll never again see his smile or hear his laugh. Grant is a master at reading her so he can tell whatever she's thinking of is painful, he squeezes her fingers again.
''I'll do it, I'll help you. If Coulson wants to hurt Ward he's going to have to go through me first''. Grant could say he's surprised but he's not, Skye loves him, that wouldn't change in any universe. Even if Daisy isn't aware of it yet. ''Thank you''. Grant tells her, releases her hands and puts them in her lap. ''So where do we start?'' He's opening his mouth to answer when an alarm goes off, loud and shrill in his ears. Skye bolts into the room her eyes wide and frantic.
''Hive found us''. She says and Grant stands, pulls the gun out from the back of his jeans. ''Skye go with Kebo to find Fitz. It's time''. She nods and leaves, pulls Kebo in the direction of the lab. ''Was this part of your plan?'' Daisy asks, the fear so raw in her voice it pains him. Grant turns to her and puts his hands on her shoulders. Absorbs the fear and need in her eyes, her cheeks are flushed, her body shaking. ''No. I don't know how he got here''.
Daisy trembles beneath his touch, he pulls her chin up so she can meet his eyes. ''Listen to me, he won't touch you. I won't let him, okay? I promise''. She believes him because not once has he ever lied to her or broken a promise. He hands her a spare gun, it makes her feel better. More confident. ''Stay here and don't move. Don't open the door unless it's me or Skye okay? Hive more than likely isn't here for you but for something else''.
Grant has one foot out the door before he looks over his shoulder at Daisy, gun hanging at her side, all of her mistakes that led her here playing over and over in her mind. ''I'm going to protect you. Do you believe I'm telling you the truth?'' Vault D and dark days come into her brain, she shakes the images off. ''Yes''. ''Stay here, wait for me''. When he gets her nod in agreement he leaves her, heads to the lab.
Takes a deep breath. Hopes to god this theory Skye and Fitz found works. Because if not, they're all dead.