I'm Hoping You Could Save Me Now But You Break & Fold

''We're going to die. Every last one of us''. ''Popeye we're not going to die''. ''Yes we are. Most definitely. Do you think Hive will accept a sacrifice? If so I think it should be Coulson, or Daisy. But if I had to choose it'd be Coulson''. Skye tucks a gun into the back of her jeans and sighs at Kebo. ''We're going to be fine, your negative attitude is not helping. This plan is going to work''. ''You better hope so. You really think Daisy will be on our side?'' ''Grant said she agreed to help us''.

Skye and Kebo continue walking down the halls of the Playground quietly, the lights have been shut off so all they have to go on is the red back up bulbs from the generator. After briefly touching base with Fitz and Grant in the lab they all split up, divide and conquer. Fitz and Grant search for Hive and protect Daisy from him on one side of the Playground, Kebo and Skye do the same on the other. If Shield has a plan on how to handle this mess Skye doesn't care to know it. All she's focused on right now is Ward, she isn't leaving this world without saving him.

''Man I wish I wasn't dead in this universe, do you realize how useful two of me would be? We could take out Hive with no problems''. This stops Skye in her tracks, she looks at Kebo with wide eyes. ''What are you talking about? The other you is dead?'' ''Oh yeah Grant didn't tell you? Ward got me killed, apparently Bobbi got the upper hand, I'm very upset about it and plan to discuss it at length with Ward when we get him back''.

Skye begins walking again, keeping up with Kebo. ''Skye if push comes to shove and Daisy tries to kill Ward just like Shield more than likely will, I'm telling you right now iI won't hesitate to put a bullet in her back''. ''That's not going to happen''. ''How do you know? Can you honestly stand here and tell me that Daisy has forgiven Ward for everything he's done? That she doesn't hate him or wish him dead? Grant may buy into her bullshit but I don't''.

''As much as I'd love to have this conversation with you now is not the best time. Daisy has always been in love with Ward, you have to believe me. She isn't going to hurt him''. ''She did shoot him four times''. ''Three times''. ''Whatever. I'm just saying I don't trust her. And can we talk about the Lincoln situation please? I swallowed my throw up when I found out they were together. I didn't like Sparky in our world and I don't like him here either''.

''Popeye can we talk about this when there isn't a killer parasite wearing Ward's face trying to kill us all?'' ''Speaking of Hive he sways Inhumans, what if he brain washes you too?'' ''I'm not worried about that, and you sound like Grant''. Before they all went their separate ways a few minutes ago Grant held Skye like he never would again and made her promise that she'd come back to him, that she would be careful. ''Besides Popeye that's why I brought you, keep me in check. Make sure I don't go all 'Hail Hive' on you''. ''Not funny Quake''.

The Playground is quiet, too quiet, Skye is waiting for the storm to strike. Her and Kebo are pressed flat against a wall, listening. Kebo leans down close to her ear and Skye grits her teeth, waiting for whatever comment he's about to whisper to her. ''Hey do you think he brought any of those bald munchkins with him?'' ''You mean the people he tried to turn into Inhumans?'' ''Yeah those slave babies him and Daisy made''. ''That's disgusting''. ''But very true''.

Skye cranes her neck to see the hallway is still empty, so is every room on each side of them including Coulson's office, the kitchen and the training room. ''Something isn't rght''. Kebo rolls his eyes, ''I hate it when you say that''. They leave their posts and head out into the open, Skye is turning a corner when she spots a swirl of black just to her left and freezes. ''Your hair is long''. The voice is cool and crisp, straight and to the point.

Skye turns and there he is, Hive with his dark eyes and tight pale skin. It's unsettling, he has Ward's face but is most definitely not Ward. Hive cocks his head to the side, ''I don't understand''. ''You ever heard of time travel mate? Well surprise because this isn't Daisy''. Skye spreads her hands out and Hive is thrown across the Playground, breaking a glass wall and falling though it. ''Popeye you're good at distracting, we need to hold him off until Grant and Fitz get here''. ''Why does everyone say that about me?''

Skye meets Hive's attack head on, Kebo joining her.

Daisy sits on the stark white bed bouncing her leg up and down. The lights are off and the power from the generator has kicked in. There's a small part of her that is dying to get out of this contaiment module and find Hive. Beg him to give her that rush back, that sense of purpose and belonging he provided. To go back to a time when her brain was clouded and she didn't feel this way, more broken than she already was. Grant helped her tremendously, she'd be far worse if he didn't get to her first.

But she still feels unsure in her own skin, still fragile and scared. It's going to take time for all the pieces of her to fit back into place, and that's not something she has right now. Everything she's done is still swiriling around in her brain over and over again, Mack's blood all over her hands, May's gun firing and the bullet striking her. Hive's face when she offered herself to him, telling him to drain her of blood for his cause. It was wrong, Daisy breathes deeply and slowly.

Grant told her to wait here for him, that he'd protect her. But he doesn't know Hive like she does, doesn't know how to handle him. While she's thinking about how to get out of here the door opens and on instinct Daisy raises her gun, ready. It's Mack. ''Hey Tremors''. She falters and takes a step back. ''You need to get away from me''. ''I'm not going to do that''. ''You shouldn't be here''. He steps farther into the room and her hands shake.

''It wasn't your fault D''. ''I hurt you''. ''I don't blame you, you weren't yourself''. She's shaking her head because even though she knows all of this he's still her partner and she would have killed him if it hadn't been for May. Mack has been with her through so much, protected her, held her hand when she needed him. He trusted her with his life and look where it got him. ''You need to leave, you should hate me''. ''I don't hate you Daisy''.

Mack is crowding her space, puts a hand on her shoulder. ''I'm a terrible friend, a terrible partner I would have killed you if''- ''I forgive you''. She starts crying, tries to pull away from him but he doesn't budge. ''No, no you can't I don't deserve it''. Grant's voice is in her ear saying she does she does she does. Dasiy ignores him. ''I forgive you Daisy, it's okay''. She fights his arms off as he pulls her to him, strong arms holding her close. ''I forgive you''.

Daisy doesn't know how long she sobs into his shirt, how long they stand there while Hive is on the loose. When she's drained and Grant's voice is back in her ear, Daisy leans away from Mack and wipes her eyes. ''We can have a drink when this is over D, but right now I'm here to spring you. We need to get you as far away from the Playground as possible, Coulson's orders. There's a secret door in his office that will get us out of here''.

She hesitates, he notices. ''What's wrong?'' ''I can't leave''. He gives her a puzzled look ''Daisy it's not safe for you here, we need to go. Coulson and the rest of them are going to take care of Hive''. She gets away from his grip and looks at the floor, ''that's why I can't leave Mack. Skye and Grant have a way to save Ward and I promised them I would help. I want to save him too, bring him back''. He looks down at her in confusion, his brow furrowed.

''Why? He betrayed your entire team and Shield, he tried to kill Fitz and Simmons''. ''I know, I know. But haven't we all done terrible things? Why do we all get a second chance but Ward doesn't? It's not right''. Mack measures her expression carefully, and then nods in agreement. ''Fine, I'll help you. But if we run into Hive you don't stick around, got it? You run like hell to Coulson's office and get out, don't try to be a hero''. ''Okay''. She's lying but he doesn't see it.

''Grant is going to kill me''. Dasiy mutters as her and Mack leave the containment module, guns in their hands. ''Why?'' ''Because I told him I wouldn't leave the room''. Mack gives her a half smile and she returns it, another part of her restored. Her and Mack are okay, and that's all she cares about in this moment, she has her partner back. And he won't let anything happen to her, Hive doesn't stand a chance here. She's going to get Ward back.

Skye ducks and Hive's fist misses her nose by inches. He in turn dodges the blow meant for his ribs and shoves her into a nearby wall. Grabs a fistful of her hair and rams the back of her head into the paint, she screws her eyes shut as the pain takes over. Shakes off the hurt and waves her hand, sending Hive flying across the room. Kebo is lying a few feet away out cold. Skye has a cut on her cheek, a bloody nose and a broken pinky but otherwise she's fine.

Hive is strong, stronger than Ward ever was. Where in the hell is Grant? ''You can't beat me''. Hive tells her, catching the arm that was going for his throat and bending it almost to the breaking point. Skye says nothing as she struggles to get out of his hold. He wraps his spare hand around her throat and lifts her off the ground before slamming her to the ground. She can't breathe her lungs are on fire Grant Grant Grant-

Then the pressure is gone, she opens her eyes to find Hive on his back yards away from her. Skye blinks as a hand latches onto her own and helps her up. It's Daisy. The two women look at each other, a silent conversation between them. Together they will take him down. They turn to Hive to find his steel gaze fixed on Daisy, he seems very calm and relaxed. Skye looks over to Daisy and falters, that fire in her eyes is gone. In it's place is desperation and sadness.

''Daisy look at me, you don't want this you don't need him''. Skye lifts her chin but Daisy shrugs her off and Hive approaches the pair. ''Take me back. Please''. All Daisy feels in this moment is empty, like one look from Hive threw everything Grant put into her out the window. ''Interesting. Your name. Something pretty, not pretty like the sky, a flower, Daisy''. Much to Skye's shock, at Hive's words Daisy falls to her knees before him with a sob.

''Please''. She's begging him to make it go away, that place in her chest no one has been able to fill since Ward left. ''Daisy listen to me, think about Grant. Everything he said to you, he wouldn't want this. Hive is a liar he can't keep you safe, he wants to kill all of us including you. He doesn't care about you, but I do and so does Grant, don't give all of this up for Hive''. Daisy hears her words, really she does, but there's this warmth singing in her veins and her head is filled with sweet nothings that taste like sugar.

Skye takes in Hive's distraction with Daisy to strike, flexing her fingers at just the right angle so he too falls on his knees. ''Get the hell away from her''. Grant is suddenly there behind Hive, fire licking at his palms. ''Any time you want to start the plan would be great''. Skye comments as Hive gets back on his feet to face Grant. Daisy is still on the floor crying softly and Skye joins her, holds her in her arms in comfort. Grant plants himself in front of them and Hive gives him a chilling smile.

''Ward I know you're in there, I know the last thing you want to do is hurt Daisy''. ''Ward is dead''. ''No he's not''. Grant pulls out his gun and empties it into Hive's chest, who doesn't flinch once. ''Bullets won't kill me''. ''No but fire might''. The chain unravels from Grant's arm and wraps around Hive, who has no comment at what's happening. ''Fitz are you sure this is going to work?'' Grant calls out to the scientist who has been ducking behind a nearby crate.

''Guess we'll find out, tell me if Ward starts to shine through''. ''And how the hell are we supposed to tell?'' Skye asks as Hive starts to writhe in front of them. ''You're hurting him!'' Daisy screams and struggles against Skye's hold, Grant looks at the two of them over his shoulder. Daisy is trying to protect Hive and Skye is bleeding, neither of those things sit well with him. ''Do it Grant, now!'' Grant looks in Hive's cold eyes and flexes his palm, fire spreads into Hive's chest, who starts screaming.

''Grant you're killing him!'' Daisy struggles harder against Skye's arms and almost breaks free, but then Mack is there, holding her down. The Playground turns quiet once more, Hive's breathing begins to slow. ''Pieces solving a puzzle''. He mutters, his eyes on Daisy. ''I am not a good man Skye''. ''Fitz what's happening?'' ''I think it's working''. ''You think?'' Grant and Skye hold their breath as Hive's eyes never leave Daisy's, who has stopped fighting Mack.

''I just wanted a connection with her''.

''What I want is to stay here with you and imagine the world outside doesn't exist''.

''He loves you and I can't fault him for that''.

''You woke up a weakness inside me''.

''Maybe we can get that drink''.

Ward's memories are pouring out of Hive so quickly it's hard to keep track of what he's saying. Suddenly he falls and Grant's powers stop, smoke leaves the air with a sigh. Hive hits the floor and starts gasping for air, choking and screaming into the concrete. No one moves or blinks, they all watch as the screaming continues. And then it stops, dies off with a whimper. Daisy puts a hand over her mouth when something black swirls out of Hive's mouth and onto the floor.

Grant sets it on fire with a flick of his wrist and it's turned to ashes in seconds. ''Is it over? Did it work?'' Mack asks with Daisy still in his arms. Fitz drifts closer and stands close to Grant, just in case. ''I think it worked. Ward? Ward can you hear us?'' ''If that's not Ward we're dead''. The man in question shifts slightly and everyone braces for the worst. ''Skye''. He breathes, no one moves. Grant is the first to react, leaning down to his counterpart and putting a hand on his back.

''Skye where is she? Is she hurt?'' ''Yeah that has to be Ward''. Skye says, drifting closer to Grant's side. He wraps an arm around her waist to yank her out of harm's way if need be. Ward opens his eyes, whiskey and smoldering now, no longer dark or cold. ''Ward?'' Skye leans down so he can see her, he looks at her like he's never seen her before. ''Skye''. ''Yeah it's me. I'm here, I'm safe and so are you''. Ward's hand twitches at his side like he wants to touch her.

Ward blinks up at her and then his eyes close once more, his breathing relaxed and calm. ''You did it Grant, you saved him''. Skye whispers, taking his hand. ''I'll have to run some tests to be sure but I think Skye is right. You did it''. Fitz says and Grant breathes a sigh of relief. It's short lived. Coulson May, Simmons and Lincoln rush into the room with their guns raised. Coulson takes a look around the room, Fitz, Skye, and Grant are huddled around Ward protectively.

Mack is holding Daisy on the ground and she's crying into his neck. ''What the hell is going on here?'' ''I told you I wasn't leaving here without saving Ward, and we did''. Skye tells Coulson, her tone daring him to try something. ''Hive is gone?'' ''Yes''. Lincoln runs over to Daisy and Mack let's her go, Lincoln pulls Daisy into his arms and she clings to him. ''Fitz is going to run tests but yes, Hive is gone. Ward is back''. Neither Coulson nor May are happy about this.

''Fitz and Mack take Ward to the lab, do whatever you have to do to make sure Hive is gone''. Grant tells them. They do as he says and Coulson looks on with outrage. ''You're not in charge here Grant''. He growls when Ward, Mack and Fitz are gone from the room. ''Maybe I should be''. Phil and May lower their weapons but do not put them away, this doesn't escape Grant's notice. ''Ward is going to die, you never should have done this''.

''No''. Everyone turns at the sound of Daisy's voice, strong but still full of tears. Coulson gapes at her and May's frown is so prominent it looks like her face will get stuck that way if she doesn't stop. ''Daisy you're confused you don't know''- ''You're not going to hurt Ward. This wasn't his fault Coulson. You're going to have to go through me to get to him''. May squares her shoulders, ''fine''. ''If you want me to stay at Shield you're not going to touch him''.

Coulson's face drains of color at this and he says Daisy's name like he can't believe what she's saying. Lincoln looks at her with disappointment but doesn't say anything. Coulson looks around the room and takes a deep breath. His lips are drawn into a thin line and he turns on his heel and walks away, May trailing after him. Simmons is looking at Daisy with hate in her cheeks and Daisy won't meet her eyes. ''I'll make sure nothing happens to Ward''. Skye says, letting go of Grant's hand.

He turns her and pulls her into his arms. Tracing the lines of her face and checking her injuries. ''You okay?'' ''I'm fine robot, I promise. Just a few scrapes, nothing I can't handle. What about you?'' ''I'm good''. She kisses his nose, relaxes into his embrace for a few moments. Lays her head on his broad chest, listening to his heart beat. He did it, Hive is gone. They did what Marcus wanted, can they go home now? Grant releases her, watches her walk away until she's out of sight. Kebo rustles awake and Grant helps him up.

Kebo takes one look around the room and sighs. ''So did we win? Where's Ward? Did Daisy kill him? Grant you and Skye both assured me that wouldn't happen, I swear if she''- ''Kebo, he's fine. We did it, we saved him''. Kebo's smile is wide and he hugs Grant quickly. ''Why are you always getting knocked out during the fights? Seriously you need to work on that''. ''Shut the hell up Grant''. Grant closes his eyes briefly and absorbs the situation.

Hive is dead. He failed Ward the first time but not the second, he's okay. He saved him. The threat has been eliminated. Garrett's voice is silent in his ear for the first time in days and Grant all but sags in relief.

Now the next mission starts. Protect Ward from Shield no matter the cost.