There's A Menace In My Bed Can You See His Silhouette
Grant watches as Daisy paces up and down the hallway, rolling her thumbs along the lines of her sleeves, back and forth back and forth. She is unstable by all accounts but she refused to go see Simmons. Instead she is walking along the perimeter of Vault D, biting her lip and looking at the door every six seconds. Skye is down there with Ward making sure Shield keeps up their end of the deal, as long as Daisy stays no harm would come to him. Grant doesn't trust Coulson.
He isn't sure what happened with Hive and Daisy, just that when he found them Daisy was bent on protecting him. Maybe Hive began to sway her to the other side just before Grant got to her, whatever the case he's worried about her. He can't stand the thought that everything she's done up to this point to get better has been thrown out the window, she deserves better than that. Lincoln is leaning against the wall across from her, a frown marking his face.
''Were you serious about leaving Shield if they hurt Ward?'' He asks her. ''I don't know. Maybe''. ''So you'd leave for him but not me?'' Daisy looks up from the steel door to half glare at her boyfriend. ''Lincoln this is not about you right now''. ''Are you sure you don't want to see Simmons? You're not exactly fine''. ''I am''. ''Daisy you were almost brain washed again, and all it took was one look from that monster. Look I may not understand why you're protecting him all of a sudden but you also need to worry about you. You need to see Simmons''.
''I will when everything calms down, besides Hive is dead. It's not like I'm going to go postal again''. ''Not funny''. Daisy closes her eyes for a brief moment. Calms her bones. That rush Hive gave her for a second is long gone, in it's place is something she can't put her finger on. Yes Hive is dead and she's relieved, so much so. But it also creates another problem, Ward is back. The same Ward she has unresolved feelings for and who's counter part saved her in every way because in another world her other half is so in love with him.
It's confusing. The Grant Skye is married to is everything Ward should have been, could have been. But Ward is also the man who betrayed everyone she cares about, who chose to follow a mad man instead of Coulson. Daisy could hide behind all of that, all of the terrible things he's done justifies her emotions, but honestly all of that is starting to sound like a broken record. What happened between her and Ward was so long ago she hardly registers the hate she used to feel towards him.
Maybe that has to do more with Grant than anything, he's proved to her that Grant Ward is capable of good things. And in Grant's world he has Skye to help him, keep him grounded. Perhaps in this universe Daisy can be that for Ward, but there's only one problem. Is he capable of redemption? Does he want it? Will Shield let him have it? Or will they heal his wounds only to kill him afterwards? All Daisy knows is that even though Hive is gone, none of them are out of the woods yet. Especially not Ward.
''You hate Ward you told me so yourself, about how much he hurt you and the team. So why all of a sudden are you protecting him?'' Lincoln asks her as she glances at Vault D once more. ''Isn't it obvious? Well I guess not to you because you want her to be in love with you, but it will never happen Sparky. I can promise you that''. Kebo says, walking up to them with his arms crossed. Lincoln clenches his fists, ''who the hell are you anyway? What are you doing here?''
''I'm here to make sure no harm comes to my friend. And I don't exactly trust either of you to do that''. ''Skye is down there''. Daisy says, moving towards Lincoln. ''Still, I feel more comfortable watching things from up here''. ''Where is Grant?'' Kebo checks his watch, fights the sigh that escapes him when Lincoln wraps an arm around Daisy. ''In the lab with Fitz, making sure that Hive is really out of Ward''. ''And if he's not?'' ''Then we're all screwed''.
''That's reassuring. I'm going to talk to Coulson''. Lincoln tells her, kisses her cheek and leaves her and Kebo alone. ''So we didn't really get a chance to talk when Grant you know, kidnapped you. So now we can. Let's get one thing straight here Daisy I don't like you and I don't trust you, you're basically a mini Calvary and that doesn't sit well with me at all. You can try and fool Grant all you want but you and I both know given the chance you'd take him and Ward out in a heart beat. If you even try I won't hesitate to kill you''.
Daisy raises an eyebrow, ''are you threatening me? What happened to three seconds ago when you were telling Lincoln that he and I would never work out because of Ward?'' ''Oh that was true, I do believe you have feelings for him. But you did when you shot him too, I don't believe you loving him will save him from the hate you have for him. Look I know you, you're the self sacrificial type. Which means you will put your own feelings aside for someone else. So let's say Shield wants to kill Ward and even though you won't want to, you will. Because it's expected of you''.
''You don't know me''. Kebo chuckles, ''yes I do. I know all of your ghosts, all the skeltons in your closet. Which I won't hesitate to use against you to get what I want. You even think about hurting Ward and I will take you down. Do you understand?'' There's an edge to his voice and it makes her nod. Kebo never struck her as the serious type, not dangerous at all. He's taken her back, made her put her guard up. ''Glad we're in agreement. Keep that in mind Daisy''.
They stare at each other for a moment before looking away. Each on one side of the wall, Vault D like a giant neon brick wall in front of them. Grant slips out of his hiding spot and back into the lab. Making a note to talk to Kebo later, he understands his friend's desire to protect him but he might be a little too hard on Daisy. She's been through too much, she's fragile right now. The wrong thing could set her off and they don't need that at the moment.
Skye stands at the edge of Ward's cell with her arms crossed and feet apart. The doctors are hanging back, done with their tests. According to Fitz Ward is one hundred percent Hive free, Skye breathes a small sigh of relief. She's taken down the barrier and listens to the doctors file out of the room, soon it's just her and Ward. And she feels terribly guilty. Despite what Grant says she can't help it, he died protecting her. This happened to him because they didn't get away in time. She twirls her wedding ring around and waits.
Ward is lying on his back, breathing even and nearly silent. His body is relaxed, hands hanging at his side. After years of sleeping next to Grant she can tell Ward really is out of it, he's not pretending. Skye and Grant's mission is complete, they saved Ward from Hive, Daisy is not longer in danger. So why haven't the gone home yet? What more can they do at this point? Skye is confident her other half will protect Ward from the world, so what's the hold up?
Skye is dying to see Ellie Rose and Cal again, her chest burns when she thinks of them. She hasn't been away from this long before, neither her or Grant have. It's killing her. She can't help but worry, she has no way to contact Coulson in her world to see if everything is okay. Skye brushes that off, Ellie and Cal are with May, nothing bad could happen when she's in the picture. Ward's breathing hitches, if she didn't know it so well she wouldn't have been able to detect it.
''Ward?'' His finger twitches, the untrained eye wouldn't have caught it. ''Skye''. He sighs her name, his eyelids crinkling. She approaches the cot he's sprawled in slowly. ''I'm here, you're okay Ward. You're safe now, everything is fine''. His eyes open carefully, the same color brown she's so used to. ''Are you hurt? Did I hurt you?'' Is the first thing he asks when he sits up and gathers his bearings. Still no concern for himself, only her. Some things never change.
''I'm okay, do you remember what happened?'' She's on her knees in front of him and he looks down at her. ''You. I remember you. We were on Maveth I told you to run''. Skye takes his hand and his fingers grip hers tightly. ''You were there, the last thing I saw was you''. She blinks quickly so the tears don't fall, that day will forever be burned into her brain. ''Yeah I was, do you remember anything else? If you don't it's okay''. He looks around the cell with a grimace.
''Skye why am I in Vault D?'' ''Ward what's the last thing you remember?'' His brow furrows and his hands start shaking. ''I remember us fighting, I nearly killed you. And then Grant was there, Hive wanted to kill all of you''. ''So you remember Hive, you know what happened to you what he did with your body''. Ward nods and closes his eyes, the memories come rushing back quickly, all jumbled together in a rush. Skye with her short hair and everything Hive did to her.
''You should have let Coulson kill me''. He says, his eyes still sealed. ''Never. No one at Shield is going to hurt you''. ''I don't deserve that''. He starts when he feels her smooth palm come to rest on his cheek. ''Listen to me, none of what happened was your fault. What Hive did was horrible but you can't blame yourself for it, you weren't there''. ''But I remember it like I was. I tried to fight him Skye, keep him from hurting everyone but I wasn't strong enough''.
''It's okay. Hive was this thousand year old demon that was hell bent on destroying the entire world. I hate to see what would have happened if Grant and I didn't show up''. ''He saved me''. Ward mutters, still not opening his eyes. ''He saved all of us''. Ward feels the cool metal of Skye's wedding ring on his cheek and he bites the inside of his lip to keep from reacting. His emotions are all over the place, all he can think about is what Hive did to Daisy.
''Daisy, is she, is she alright? I didn't hurt her?'' The name sounds strange to him, she will always be Skye to him. ''She's going to be fine''. ''Hive brain washed her''. ''He did but Grant saved her. Seems like that's a thing between you two, you're always saving me no matter what world we're in''. There's too much love in her tone he can't take it. He gets out of her grip and stands, his legs shake. ''Hey you need to rest, you've been through a lot''. ''I'm fine''.
''Grant Ward lay back down or I will ICE you myself''. He obeys only because there's something in her voice that says she is not to be messed with. ''So what happens now? I'm stuck down here''. ''We have a plan to get you out of here, or we did. Until Daisy made a deal with Coulson to keep you here, to promise not to hurt you if he wanted her to stay at Shield''. Ward shakes his head in disbelief, ''she wouldn't do that for me''. ''Well she did''.
''Daisy hates me, she thinks I'm a monster. Maybe I am''. Skye's hand comes back to his face and he doesn't fight her. Just leans into her touch. ''You and I both know that isn't true''. They sit like that in silence for a while, his whiskey eyes burning into her. He seems fine, no physical injuries. Emotional though, that's going to be a long recovery period. ''I want to see her''. Skye doesn't have to ask who he's talking about. ''I need to see she's safe''.
Skye squeezes his fingers, ''I'll go get her''. Ward nods, leans his head back and closes his eyes once more. She walks out only to find Daisy and Kebo waiting outside. ''Surprised to see you here. You okay?'' Daisy nods. Skye observes her carefully, she's pale and shaking. ''Ward is asking for you, I didn't want to say it in front of him but I don't think it's a good idea. You're both a mess right now and any small thing could set either of you off''.
The Playground rumbles and Daisy clenches her jaw. ''I don't know if I want to see him''. ''You don't have to, not until you're ready''. ''Well I think it's a bloody awful idea. She wants to kill him just like the rest of them do Quake, we can't trust her''. ''Popeye I don't have time to deal with your emotional issues right now, so back off. Grant and I have told you we trust her, she isn't going to hurt him. So you can either get on board with us or keep your mouth shut''.
Kebo doesn't respond and Skye turns her attention back to Daisy. ''Look why don't you get some rest? Take a shower get some food, I'll let you know if anything happens. Ward is safe with me''. Daisy looks like she wants to say something but turns on her heel and walks away, her shoulders slumped. ''This did not turn out like I thought''. ''You just yelled at me so give me a second to get over that before we have a normal conversation''. ''Popeye I yelled at you because you deserved it. I get that you're trying to protect Ward but cut Daisy some slack''.
''Why should I?'' Kebo stands in front of Skye, ''she's a Shield agent. And we all know how agents feel on the subject of Ward''. ''She was brain washed, she's vulnerable. I told you that Daisy won't hurt him even if her words say otherwise. She doesn't hate Ward, don't you trust me? Hell I was her at one point in time and I found a way to love Grant. Don't you think she will too?'' Kebo rolls his eyes, knowing Skye is right. ''Perhaps''.
''She will. So you need to get over this grudge you have over her, okay? Because Ward is going to need you''. Kebo gives her a small smile, ''he always does''. Skye looks around the abandoned hallway. ''Can you go get Grant for me? I need to talk to him''. ''Sure thing. Are you going to tell lover boy down there that Daisy doesn't want to see him?'' ''In a minute''. ''Good luck''. He leaves to find Grant and Skye puts her head in her hands, groans loudly.
''Kebo said you wanted to talk to me''. Skye is sitting in the hall, her knees up to her chest and her head braced against the wall. Grant sits next to her and places a hand on her knee. ''What's wrong?'' He can see the sadness in her eyes. ''I want to help Ward and Daisy I do, but we saved them didn't we? Marcus said they were both in danger and we stopped it, so why aren't we home yet?'' Her throat turns heavy and Grant pulls her into his lap.
''I just miss my babies''. She cries into his shirt, he kisses her hair. ''I miss them too. We'll be home soon Skye, I have people looking for Marcus in this world. We'll get back to Ellie and Cal before you know it''. He strokes her hair until she's calm, his free hand drawing patters and stars on her back to soothe her. ''It's going to be fine baby, I promise''. She believes him and he holds her tightly to his chest. ''Do you think eventually they'll find their way back to each other?''
Grant looks down on her fondly and kisses her nose. ''We did, and they will too. It's just going to take time''. ''Ward was asking for Daisy, wanted to make sure she was okay''. ''Of course he was, where is she? Is she with him now? I don't think she's stable enough to''- ''No she left. I don't think she wants to see him it's too soon. I just don't want to be the one to tell him that''. ''I'll do it, Kebo and I need to talk to him anyway''. Skye shifts in his embrace and runs a hand through his hair. ''Speaking of Popeye what's gotten into him?''
''I think he's just trying to protect Ward in his own way but it's coming across wrong''. ''I understand why he doesn't trust her but can't he give her a break? She was brain washed and you and I both know she doesn't hate Ward. They aren't friends but I trust she won't kill him or let Shield hurt him''. ''I know, I'll talk to him''. Grant lifts her chin and kisses her softly, ''I love you''. She smiles against his lips, ''I love you too''. Her hands cup his face and for a moment he forgets all of their troubles and melts into her touch.
''You need to lay off Daisy''. Grant tells Kebo as they are walking down the stairs of Vault D. ''Boss Skye already yelled at me for it, and maybe you're both right. But can you blame me for not trusting her when it comes to Ward?'' ''Kebo I need you to trust me, I know her. Skye knows how she feels and we know for a fact she isn't a danger to him. Instead of focusing on her we need to focus on Coulson, see if he's planning anything''. ''You got it''.
Skye and Fitz are watching on them on the moitors in the lab, Skye taps a few screens on her tablet and the barrier holding Ward goes down. Grant faces his counter part, both of them wearing those masks Garrett perfected all those years ago. Ward's is the first one to slip when he realizes that Daisy isn't with Grant. ''She's not coming''. ''Did you really think she would?'' Grant asks, his voice low and calm. Ward shrugs and brushes the rejection he's feeling off. ''I hoped''. ''She needs some time, you both do''. Grant observes the shadows under Ward's eyes.
''How are you feeling, are you okay?'' Ward smirks at him, ''I was possessed by a parasite intent on destroying the entire world. What do you think?'' ''I think you'll survive. We always do''. Ward paces the small cell and runs a hand through his short hair. ''Garrett was right''. He says suddenly causing Kebo and Grant to share a look. ''About what mate? Listen he was a crazy son of a bitch who turned you into his personal weapon. He wasn't right about anything''. Both Ward and Grant disagree, Garrett was indeed wrong about many things but he was right on everything else.
Ward hangs his head, brushes his thumbs lightly over the scars on his wrists. ''I care. It's a weakness''. Grant has a flash to Fitz and Simmons begging him not to hurt them, that they know he cares about them. He shakes the memory off, no need to dwell on things that happened so long ago and he can't change. ''Is this about Hive or Daisy?'' ''Both. It's my fault he picked her, it's my fault she was brain washed''. ''You can't blame yourself''- ''Then who the hell do I blame? Garrett, Coulson, Christian, who's fault it is that I turned out this way? All of my actions led me to Maveth, to Hive. Everything that's happened is on me''.
Grant understands the guilt Ward is carrying around, while he can't imagine what his other self is going through in the aftermath of Hive, Grant knows how badly Ward feels about everything else. And he's never voiced it until now, no one was willing to listen to Ward and all he's suffered over the years. ''Daisy being brain washed is on me, I hurt her. It might not have been me but it was my body that did it to her, she was willing to die for him, for me. God, why in the hell did I think she wanted to see me after this? She hates me, they all do''.
Upstairs Skye rolls her eyes, did he not listen to her earlier? ''She doesn't hate you, we've talked about this. We're going to protect you from Shield''. ''And who's going to protect them from me?'' Both Kebo and Grant tense, back upstairs Fitz glances at Skye wide eyed. ''What are you talking about?'' Ward doesn't answer, just walks back to his cot and sits down, his elbows resting on his knees. ''This can't still be about Kara''. At the sound of her name Ward's head snaps up but he doesn't comment. Kebo whistles once and rolls his neck.
''What happened to her was wrong, yes. She deserved a better ending than that, but don't you think it's time to kick this revenge gig? It's not worth it, it literally cost you your life. Kara isn't coming back and I'm so sorry about that, but you need to focus on the future not the past''. Ward stays silent. ''Coulson is going to want information soon, everything about Hive and Hydra''. ''From this point forward I'll only talk to Daisy''. Kebo pinches the bridge of his nose, ''of course. You two are love struck idiots I swear it''.
They all turn at the sound of the door opening, Grant thinks it's Skye coming in Daisy's place. Right now Ward would only trust them and no one else. Everyone in the room is surprised when Daisy slowly comes down the stairs, arms crossed over herself in a protective embrace. When Ward sees her he shoots up from the cot, eyes wide. She ignores Grant and Kebo and Skye who has followed her down and is now latched onto Grant's elbow. ''Daisy I don't think this is a good idea''. Skye says as Grant links their hands together.
Everyone sees the look on Ward's face as he absorbs Daisy. Like he has been blind since the day she left and now his sight has returned and he's looking at the sun for the first time. Daisy on the other hand is rigid and straight, her expression giving nothing anyway. She's cold and hard to reach like the last time her and Ward were here. There's this stinging in her chest that won't let up. All Daisy can think about as she approaches Ward is the harsh words she threw at him and how all he wanted was to keep her safe. He never lied to her, never broke a promise to her.
''You said you wanted to talk, so let's hear it''. Coulson, May, Mack and Lincoln have also made an appearance, it doesn't escape Ward's notice. Daisy wants to slap that look off of his face, the look that says he's still so in love with her. Raina's voice drifts over Daisy and she winces.
''Is it really that hard to see? It's love''.
Ward drinks her in slowly like he has all the time in the world. Her brown eyes meet his. ''Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?'' If the words have any effect on her, she doesn't show it.