Oh My Lover My Lover My Love We Can Never Go Back
The situation spirals out of control before anyone can get a firm grasp on it. Daisy is unstable, emotionally compromised, unhinged. It boils down to Hive, to Lincoln getting shot and the reappearance of Ward back in her life. She was nothing more than a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Skye is simply the innocent bystandard whom Daisy unleashes her emotions on. ''This is your fault!'' Daisy says again throwing her fist out and Skye dodges it.
''How is this my fault exactly?'' Skye is on the defensive here, dodging blows instead of creating them. She understands that her counterpart is upset, that her world has been taken and turned upside down. So she has sympathy and patience. ''If you wouldn't of brought Ward here none of this would of happened!'' Daisy tries to sweep Skye's legs out from under her but it met with a hard slam to the temple. (Skye maybe trying to take the high road but she isn't about to get her ass kicked.)
''Ward isn't the one who pulled the trigger Daisy, what happened to Lincoln wasn't his fault either''. ''But those agents were after him! If you'd of kept him in Vault D my boyfriend wouldn't be fighting for his life right now''. At the word boyfriend Skye rolls her eyes and avoids the swing aimed for her cheek. ''You and I both know you don't even care about him, why do you keep lying to yourself? Just admit you're using him to fill the void Ward left''.
Kebo, Grant, Ward and the rest of the Shield team watch as Daisy and Skye continue in what has to be the oddest fight anyone has ever seen. ''Are we just going to let them try to kill each other?'' Kebo asks aloud, wincing as Skye kicks Daisy in the ribs and she goes flying into a wall. ''I'll break it up in a second''. Grant comments, but that second is all it takes for things to turn even worse. Daisy calls on her powers, the ceiling shakes.
Skye does the same and both women throw their hands out at each other from across the room. It's like the universe explodes. Everyone is thrown into what is nothing more than a massive explosion. Bodies hit floors, the ceiling starts falling, the ground cracks and break and shatters upon itself. Walls crumble until there's nothing left. Grant groans and blinks away the dust to find Skye and Daisy unharmed. Still in the same position, still going strong.
If this contines the entire Playground is going to go down. So he gets up and carefully as he can makes his way over to Skye. Neither woman notice him. Daisy is yelling over the roar of destruction that this is all Skye's fault, that she never should of come here. Grant sees Mack approach Daisy from behind and both men share a look, they spring into action at the same time. Grant dives for Skye and Mack grabs Daisy and throws her to the ground.
Skye is trembling underneath Grant as he covers her body with his, sheltering her from the falling debris. His face is warm in her neck and Skye uses that to calm herself. After a few seconds the shaking stops, the Playground settles back into itself. ''You okay?'' Grant asks her as they stand, a firm hold around her waist as he checks her for injuries. Her lip is bleeding but she seems fine. Skye nods and turns to Daisy, who is thrashing against Mack's hold.
''Let it go D, come on Lincoln needs you right now''. They stand and Mack keeps a tight grip on her, Daisy glares at Skye and wipes the blood from her nose. It's then as the two women stare at each other that Skye understands. She understands the deeper meaning behind this. ''You're not just upset about me bringing Ward back, you're not angry becasue I broke him out of Vault D are you?'' Daisy lets out a breath and glances over to Ward who has been silent and still.
''You can admit it Daisy, it's okay''. Daisy bites her lip and looks over to Coulson and May who have their ICERS out, something that didn't escape Grant's notice. ''You blame me for Ward dying, don't you?'' Skye has struck a nerve, Daisy winces. ''If you weren't on Maveth none of this would of happened. Ward wouldn't of become Hive he wouldn't of brain washed me. All of this is on you''. There's venom in Daisy's voice and she refuses to meet Ward's surprised gaze.
''I didn't really have a choice in the matter. Ward died saving my life, saving your life. And he's okay, he's okay now''. ''Not for long, I think you and I can agree on that''. Everyone knows what Daisy means. Ward has a lot of enemies, Shield included, he can't stay at the Playground forever. Mack pulls her away after that, headed for the lab. Coulson and May frown at the damage Skye and Daisy caused, it will take days to repair.
''Come on mate I'll get you a drink''. Kebo says to Ward, slapping him on the shoulder. The other man nods and let's Kebo lead him to the kitchen. Casting one last glance at Skye before disappearing from view. Grant takes Skye away from the mess and into a bunk far away from prying eyes. ''Grant really I'm fine''. She says as she sits on the bed. He ignores her and gets a wet washcloth fromt the bathroom, brushing it across her face.
''Are you in any pain?'' ''No''. When he is satisfied Skye leans back on her elbows and sighs. ''Remember a few months ago when I said I missed being at Shield so much? I take it back''. Grant chuckles and lays down next to her, she realxes her position and rests her head on his chest. He sees her hands on his shirt and frowns, picking them up and roaming his fingers across her skin so gently she hardly feels it.
Bruises line her hands drifting down to the inside of her wrists. ''Skye''. ''It's a side effect from fighting my own powers. Which was weird by the way, it felt like I was rebelling against myself. You couldn't pay me enough to do something like that again''. Softly he kisses the marks on her palms something he hasn't done in years and she relaxes into him, her protests long gone. ''Where are you going?'' She asks him when he gets off of the bed.
''To get you ice''. ''Grant, sweetheart really I'm fine''. He ignores her and comes back a few minutes later, hands her an ice pack and the pain medication Simmons directed she take. ''God, Daisy is missing out''. Skye says when Grant kisses her slowly, one hand resting on the back of her neck. He pulls back and gives her an amused look, ''what do you mean?'' Skye rolls her eyes and gestures to her handsome husband who even after all these years seems clueless of his appearance.
''Hello, smoking hot husband right over here. And she wants to be with Lincoln? Have you seen your face?'' He laughs out loud and his cheeks tint pink just a little. It's adorable, that she can make him blush. Skye kisses his forehead and goes back into the shelter of his strong arms. ''They'll find they're way back to each other. It is you and I after all. I love you, and that kind of love won't fade. For me it's always been you''. Skye runs her lips up his jaw to the bridge of his nose.
''Sexy and a sweet talker. How did I get so lucky?'' Grant's smooth laughter fills her and Skye just knows everything is going to be alright. Even if she just fought herself over Ward and Lincoln and she hasn't seen her kids in what feels like years. At the thought of Ellie Rose and Cal Grant feels her tense, sees this sadness enter her beautiful face. ''What is it?'' Skye frowns and plays with the collar of his shirt. ''I just, Grant I want to get back to our lives.
I miss our kids, our house, Buddy and Peanut. I miss waking up to Cal's laughter and I miss the smell of waffles. I want to go home. Where Shield doesn't hate you, I miss our family. I miss the way Ellie Rose and Cal would crawl into our bed at night when a storm came. Or how Cal only likes a certain amount of syrup on his waffles which he takes after you. How Ellie can't go anywhere without that stupid stuffed octopus Kebo bought her. I need my kids Grant, I don't know how much longer I can do this. I thought I could handle it but I can't''.
Grant carefully runs his hands soothingly down her arms, keeping them around her waist when he's done. ''You know I miss them too. That if there was an option to go home right now I would take it. But until we find Marcus in this world there's nothing we can do''. ''I know. When I got here I wanted nothing more than to find you and help our other selves. But I'm down to the point where I don't care, I just want to hold my children again''.
There's a lump in her throat that won't clear. ''And if that makes me selfish fine. I want to make sure Ward is okay, that he'll be alright if we go. But as for the rest of them they can figure out things on their own''. ''It doesn't make you selfish. Skye you have a right to miss our kids, I miss them more than anything. I'm trying as hard as I can to find this Marcus guy but nothing is coming up''. She sighs loudly, wincing slightly because of her ribs.
''I know you are''. ''I promise we will be home as soon as possible''. Skye closes her eyes and let's the sound of his heart beat soothe her fears. ''Daisy told Lincoln she loved him''. Grant says when she's on the edge of sleep. ''Didn't believe it''. ''You didn't?'' Skye shakes her head. ''She was desperate, thought he was going to die. She also blames me for Ward dying, that's progress don't you think?'' Grant kisses the top of her head and whatever he told her is lost. She's already fast asleep.
''That was probably the weirdest thing I've ever seen''. Kebo says as he pours Ward a drink. They're in the kitchen with a bottle of scotch. Ward doesn't comment, just thinks of how much damage Skye and Daisy caused. And did he hear Daisy right? Is she really upset over his death? Ward is surprised, for a long time all she ever wanted just like Coulson was to see him six feet under. Things change, he supposes.
''Look if you're pouting over Daisy saying she loved Sparky, don't. Seriously doubt she meant it''. ''I wasn't''. ''Are you sure?'' Ward nods. ''Daisy doesn't love me, I don't think she ever did''. Kebo groans aloud, pours another drink before he responds. ''What is it with you and Grant always thinking that? Skye, Daisy loves you. Always has. That's why it hurt so much when she found out you were Hydra, because it was real. Because she didn't want to believe you of all people were what she was trained to hate''.
''I wish I could go back, change things''. ''Don't we all?'' Ward refills his glass. ''I'd tell Coulson about Garrett the second I stepped onto the Bus''. ''Yeah I figured that would be yours. If I had a time machine I'd save Lauren''. Kebo gets this grief in his eyes that Ward understands, he loved this woman named Lauren and lost her. ''Then I'd kill Garrett when I met him''. Ward and Kebo toast to that and drink in silence.
''How did we meet in your world?'' Kebo asks on his third glass of scotch. ''Because in my world we met when we were young and stupid, you were fresh out of the Shield academy. I was fresh out of jail and you and Garrett saved my girlfriend''. ''That's a nicer version than what happened here''. Ward says, a hint of a smile on his lips. ''You found me in a bar and I kicked your ass. That's when I became Director of Hydra''. ''You didn't kick my ass''. ''I did''.
''Still haven't forgiven you for letting the other me die Ward''. ''It was out of my hands, I wasn't there. Bobbi got to you''. Kebo scoffs. ''Guess it was her lucky day. You know what's funny?'' Ward looks up from his drink to Kebo. ''What?'' ''You literally got punched in the face by another you from an enirely different universe. Bet that was fun for you''. Ward chuckles without humor and shakes his head. ''I shouldn't of kissed Skye''.
''Hey I'm not holding it against you. You never have been able to resist her''. ''Yeah''. Is all Ward says, his mind turning back to simpler days. Early mornings when Daisy wouldn't want to get up, when she said bang whenever she pulled the trigger. How the team were once his family and now want nothing more than to see him dead. Honestly Ward was surprised he met his end on Maveth by Hive, he really thought when he was going to die it'd of been by Coulson's hand.
Of course Ward wouldn't of gone down without a fight, Coulson would of had to have his hands tied and he would of had to shoot him in order to get the upper hand. Like that would ever happen. ''No. Bad Ward. There's no moping here, you got it? What happened was the past and it doesn't matter. You can't fix it or change it. The sooner you get that through your head the better it is for you and everyone else''. Ward stays silent, knows Kebo is right.
Daisy is walking out of the lab and slumps against the nearest wall. Takes a deep breath and wipes her face. Lincoln is going to be just fine, the bullet went through and through. He'll need a few days rest then he'll be fine. Daisy could cry she's so relieved. The thought of him dying leaves a sting in the back of her throat. ''You okay Tremors?'' Daisy opens her eyes and gives Mack a small reassuring smile. ''Yeah I'm good''. ''Lincoln going to live?'' ''Yeah''.
Mack sits on the floor next to her, puts his arm around her shoulders. ''It's over D. Hive is gone, Lincoln is going to recover. We're all going to be just fine''. ''It's not over. Ward is still here, still in danger. Skye and Grant have no way to get home, it's not over. Feels like it's never going to be over''. She lays her head on his shoulder. ''That's life D. It's always going to be one thing after another''. ''I know, doesn't mean I have to like it''. She sighs and closes her eyes again.
''Want to tell me what that fight between you and Skye was all about? You know it wasn't her fault Lincoln was shot''. ''I know, I should probably apologize''. She takes a deep breath and folds her legs under her. ''I meant it when I said if she wasn't on Maveth none of this would of happened''. ''There was no way she could of known that Ward was going to die there D. She was just trying to find her husband. If she knew I doubt she would of come''.
''You're right. I just felt like I was choking and it all exploded at once. Skye was just there and it felt right at the time to blame her''. ''Look what Hive did to you isn't going to go away over night. You know I'm always here for you D, whatever you need''. Daisy smiles, ''I know''. They sit there for a few minutes, eyes closed. Relaxing. Knows this is the calm before the storm. The next mission is to find a way for Skye Grant and Kebo to get back home.
''I'm going to check on Fitz and Simmons''. Mack says suddenly, causing Daisy to open her eyes. ''What?'' Mack gestues to something to her right and Daisy follows his gaze. Her nerves suddely on fire. Ward is walking up to her, hands in his pockets. ''Hey''. It's so normal, such a normal greeting out of his mouth like everything is fine. ''Hey''. ''Can I talk to you for a minute?'' Daisy gets up and faces him. His expression is flat and unreadable, eyes cold to the touch.
''What's up?'' On the outside Ward looks calm and ready for a fight, for whatever is going to be thrown at him. But what she doesn't know is that on the inside he's a ball of nervous energy. It takes his years of experience to not let that show. To be that unfeeling robot he was when they first met. ''I can't do this Daisy''. ''Do what?'' ''Be at Shield. I don't belong here, never did. This organization was a joke to me, a scam. All that ever mattered while I was an agent was Garrett''.
Daisy crosses her arms and let's him continue. ''Fitz was right when he said we were a family''. She remembers that day on the Bus last year, how cruel they all were to him when he was apologizing for all the pain he caused. ''He was also right when he said I destroyed it. Everything we were and I'm sorry for that. I'll regret it forever. But you know the hardest thing I have to live with every single day? Hurting you. I never wanted that, to have you look at me like I was a monster. That's what haunts me, seeing you lying there in that chamber almost dying''.
They both wince when they think of that horrible day when Quinn put two bullets in her. ''I want you to know that I never would of let John get away with it if I'd known''. ''I believe you''. There's this drop in his shoulders when she tells him this. Like he's carried around the fear of her blaming him for that for so long and now it's gone. ''I told you I understand. And I do Ward, all of it. You were just trying to save Garrett, I did basically the same thing with my mom''.
She doesn't elaborate and he doesn't ask her to. Looks deep into her eyes like he's trying to remember their exact shade. ''You're leaving aren't you?'' Ward nods. ''I can't stay here Daisy. No one wants me here and I need time on my own to figure everything out. What happened with Hive''- ''Isn't going to go away after a couple days''. She finishes for him. ''Yeah''. Daisy takes a step closer to him, puts a hand on his arm. ''What if I asked you to stay?''
He gives her a smile, removes her palm from his shirt and holds it in his warm rough one. ''You won't''. Ward leans forward and rests his forehead against hers. She's too surprised to pull away. ''We can never go back Daisy''. Is all he says before relasing her and walking away. Not looking back. Daisy stands in the hallway frozen, wondering why she's feeling this crushing sadness in her chest. Will she ever see him again?
''What's going on?'' Skye and Grant walk into the heart of the Playground by the front doors, see Kebo, Daisy, Mack, Fitz, and Ward all standing around. Daisy is farthest away from all of them, leaning her shoulder against the wall. Refuses to look at Ward. ''Is Lincoln okay?'' Skye asks and Daisy nods. ''Ward?'' Skye looks over to him and he walks up to her. ''You know I can't stay here''. She frowns and crushes Grant's fingers in her own.
''You're leaving?'' ''Yeah''. ''But''- ''Shield doesn't want me here Skye, I don't want to be here. I need time to myself for a while''. Skye nods, understanding knowing that this is something he has to do. ''Marcus Stanley. I'm going to see if anything turns up while I'm out''. Skye smiles at him, ''thank you''. ''No, thank you. For everything you've done for me''. She winks, ''well we're kind of in love in one way or another''. Ward chuckles and hugs her softly.
''Try not to get into a fight with your other half okay?'' She laughs, ''I'll try. Be careful Ward''. ''I will''. He doesn't even look at Daisy as he inches towards the door. ''I'm going with him''. Kebo announces. ''What?'' Grant asks, frowning at his friend. ''Come on boss you don't need me here''. ''But what if we find a way to get home?'' ''That's why they invented the cell phone Quake. Seriously I'm not dying, I'm just going to repair that poor sad man over there''.
Both Grant and Ward roll their eyes at Kebo. ''Please don't go''. Skye tells both Ward and Kebo. ''You know he has to. And besides Quake he needs me. I'll be back before you know it''. Skye hugs Kebo hard, ''you better. Grant and I can't make waffles like you and it would upset Ellie and Cal''. Kebo kisses her hair, ''wouldn't dream of never seeing any of you again. Come on boss get that look off your face you and Skye can function a few days without me''.
Grant claps his friend on the shoulder. ''Seriously though try not to screw anything up while I'm gone alright? You two have a bad habit of doing that''. Skye promises that they won't and kisses him on the cheek. ''Bye Quake, Robot''. ''Bye Popeye''. Ward glances at Skye and Daisy and then he's gone, Kebo winks at them and is out of view as well. The doors shut with a loud bang and Skye turns to Daisy, a frown on both of their faces.
''What did you do? What did you say to him?'' Skye demands and Grant whispers in her ear to calm down. To focus on Daisy's face because she too looks upset at Ward's leaving.
''He said we could never go back''. Daisy tells them.
And he was right. He was so right.