As the World Comes to An End I'll Be Here to Hold Your Hand
Daisy is leaning against one of the trees watching the river next to her go rapidly and quickly by. The current is strong, a lot stronger than she'd expect it to be. Someone could get swept away and never be found again, water entering their lungs as they sink and sink never to return to the land of the living. She senses Ward's approach, feels him come up beside her. He too is looking at the river, crosses his arms.
She can't get those images out of her head. Skye and Grant's children, how beautiful they are. It's no wonder the two of them want to get back to their world so badly, how desperate they've been to find the Inhuman who sent them here. ''Didn't think you would show up''. Ward says, no emotion in his voice. Even though inside he's dying just like she is. He wants that life, finds himself longing for it. It might be futile but he wants it, craves it.
Of course he wants that specific life with Daisy, but he's just tired. If he ends up with someone else and they get a dog, a white picket fence and kids, he'd be okay with it. Ward is just bone tired, tired of the Specialist lifestyle Garrett grained into him so many years ago. He isn't one for vacations but after everything he's been through a few days by himself doesn't sound too bad. Away from Shield, Hydra, Daisy. With her smile and old memories.
Memories of the people they can never be again, a past life that can never happen again. ''Why wouldn't I?'' Daisy asks. ''Thought you would be with Lincoln''. ''He's going to be fine, told me it would be alright if I came''. Before she left the Playground she quickly stopped by Lincoln's bunk to fill him in on what was going on. He encouraged her to help get Skye and Grant home and to come back to him as soon as she could.
They are quiet, staring out into the river. The moon reflecting on the water, illuminating them for just a moment. Ward glances at Daisy and fights the feelings that drift into his chest. In another world she has his children, she loves him, she goes to sleep with him at night and wakes in his arms every morning. It's all he's ever wanted and in this second Ward hates his other self and all that he has.
''Cute kids''. Ward says, shattering the thin ice subject so hard Daisy feels as if she's just fallen through cold water. ''The little girl looks like you''. Daisy winces, Ellie Rose's face fresh in her mind. ''Grant's son looks exactly like him''. Daisy doesn't understand why all of a sudden Ward is pressing the subject, she came here to be alone so she wouldn't have to talk to him. Him of all people. Because Daisy is starting to long for that kind of life with him.
And they can't do that. She can't do that. Daisy has Lincoln and Shield and that's all she's ever going to need. But one look at Ward and Daisy knows that just isn't true. He's come back into her life when she never thought he would, perhaps it was for a reason. A second chance, a shot at redemption, another path he can take that won't leave him dead. ''You really want to talk about this?'' Daisy asks him and she doesn't have to look at him to see him nod.
''Why not? We've been stepping around the subject since we found out they have kids''. He hears her take in a deep breath. ''Ellie Rose and Cal, those are their names''. At the mention of the name Rose the expression on Ward's face immediately turns sad. ''What?'' He swallows loudly and jams his hands in his pockets. ''Rose, that's my sister's name''. Ward looks as if he's in immense pain and Daisy moves over, puts a hand on his arm.
''Didn't know you had a sister''. ''Not many people do''. Daisy wants to ask him if Christian and their parents were just as cruel to her as they were him but refrains. She doesn't have that right and doubts he wants to take a stroll down that specific memory lane. ''They named Cal after my father''. Daisy chokes back her own emotions, although her time with Cal was so little she still misses him everyday. This ache in her chest where her parents used to be.
''I didn't tell Hive what happened with my parents. Ward my mother was cruel. I thought she was trying to save our people and that Shield was the enemy. I was wrong, so wrong. In the end all she wanted was power and was willing to kill her own daughter to get it. My dad he, he saved me''. Daisy bites her lip to keep her tears in check, making her skin bleed. Ward can read into the rest, Cal killed her mother in order to save her. He'd of made the same call.
''I wiped Cal's memory away so he wouldn't be tortued over what he did every single day of his life. And sometimes I regret it because he has no idea who I am. Other days I see how happy he is and I want that for him because after everything he's been through he deserves it. But I miss him, he's my dad and he lost me. All he was trying to do was get me back and he did, for a moment anyway. And then I took it all away from him again''.
A few feet away Grant holds Skye tightly to his chest as a few tears fall from her eyes. She misses Cal everyday as well. Her father that has no idea he has two grandchildren that would adore him. ''You did what you had to do Daisy, he's happy now. You can't blame yourself for that''. Daisy shakes her head, ''I don't think he knew I loved him''. Ward knows he shouldn't but he does it anyway, puts an arm around her shoulders.
He expects her to pull away but she doesn't. Leans further into his embrace and he feels her relax against his body. ''I followed my mom blindly, went up against Shield to protect her. Thought I was doing the right thing, but I wasn't''. It sounds familair and Ward knows what she's doing. Implying that her mom was just like Garrett but she doesn't want to say the words aloud. ''I never should have trusted him you know. I should of stayed on the Bus with the team, with you''. Daisy looks up at him with her deep brown eyes.
''I understand why you didn't. Garrett was the only family you had, I told you in Vault D I understand loyalty above all else''. It still takes Ward by surprise, that she understands. He never thought she would, never wanted her to understand a man like him. All the horrible things he's done. ''You told me once you weren't a good man and maybe that's true. You've done terrible things, but so has everyone else at Shield. If we weren't punished for the similiar mistakes you made, there's no reason Coulson should want to kill you''.
Ward disagrees with her. He's killed her friends, other people in the name of Hydra and Shield. His months in Vault D after Garrett died he deserved. ''Daisy I've done things unspeakable things I'm not proud of. I could blame it all on Garrett, on my past but I still did them. I pulled the trigger, I took lives. I don't think I'll ever clean off all the blood on my hands''. ''You don't. You just learn to live with it''. Daisy says putting one hand on his chest.
She's quiet for a while, just staring out at the river before them. ''He knew. Your dad, he knew you loved him. I'm sure of it''. Ward tells her and he feels her shoulders shake. Looks down to see her silently sobbing, he moves on instinct to hold her but she suddenly shoves him away. ''What happened to us?'' She asks in a harsh whisper, wants to scream it at him but remembers they are on a mission. ''Daisy''-
''What happened to you? To me? To our team? You just left us Ward, for Garrett. You left me, us for him! We were a family and Hydra ruined that, you ruined that. I loved you and you broke that''. She shoves at his chest again not even realizing the word that just tumbled out of her mouth. Her mood swing catches him off guard and when he catches the word loved from her sentence all the color drains from his face. ''You should of been there for me. I needed you and you weren't there''.
Daisy says, wiping her face. Ward is looking at her like he did when she shot him. Eyes wide in disbelief, like he can't believe anything that's happening. ''I know, and I'm so sorry for that''. He chokes out, still stuck on what she said a few moments ago. Debating if he should broach the subject or just leave it, let it vanish into thin air because she doesn't even look like she realizes what she said. Loved him. He doesn't know how he feels about that.
''You always protected us, we were your team. And you didn't, not when it mattered the most''. ''I know''. ''Will you stop saying that? I know you know. And I know there's nothing we can do to change it. You said so yourself we can't go back''. Daisy turns away from him, hand over her mouth. Takes deep calming breaths to gain control back over herself. ''What do you want me to say Daisy? I tried apologizing to you and the team when Coulson recruited me to save you last year, but none of you heard it. You hated me, you all did''.
He's right, they were so disgustingly cruel to him that day. ''I was never happy I shot you. I want you to know that''. Ward nods, still not fully over what she said. ''God you should hate me Ward''. ''I don't''. ''But you should''. It finally dawns on her, her words earlier. Ward can tell the exact second it does, her cheeks flush, eyes grow huge and wet. Her hands start shaking. This is all he's ever wanted, he just didn't think it'd be like this.
Daisy standing in front of him yet still so far from his reach. ''I um, that came out, I didn't mean to. Ward I''- He kisses her. Just a brief soft kiss that manages to leave her breathless. Her eyes are still closed when he pulls away, he's nearly lost in the moment when a rock hits him in the middle of his shoulder. He turns around to find Kebo shaking his head violently, mouthing the words ''Abort mission, get out now, right now you moron''.
Skye winks at him while Grant is also shaking his head. In fear that Ward has just scared Daisy off. Ward focuses back on Daisy who has both hands on his chest, looking up at him like she did so long ago at Providence base. ''We can't Ward. I have a boyfriend''. ''And you could have so much more''. She searches his face, those whiskey eyes, perfect cheek bones, stubble dusting his skin. ''It would never work Ward''. ''It did for them''. He nods to Skye and Grant, Grant hides the fact that he'd been watching them. Skye and Kebo don't even bother.
''Bet you twenty bucks she kisses him again''. Skye whispers.
''Oh you're so on Quake''.
''Can you two stop it? Grow up''.
''Oh can it boss, you're just upset because the one time you bet against us you lost''.
Daisy and Ward turn their attention back to each other and she makes no move to leave his embrace. ''You said so yourself we can't ever go back Ward''. ''Doesn't mean we can't go forward''. She clears her throat and glances around. ''Can we talk about this when we're alone?'' Ward gives her a rare smile (one she's missed if she's being honest.) ''Sure''. They stay wrapped up in each other until the sun comes up.
The mission to take over the Hydra base goes flawlessly. Without a hitch. They get in and claim the building no problem. Find Marcus Stanley and explain who they are and what they need him to do. ''Of course, of course I'll get you home''. He tells Skye, Grant and Kebo when they are outside. ''Kebo you go first''. Skye says. Kebo turns to Daisy and Ward and fixes them with a stern glare. ''I need you two to get your crap together, alright? You have no idea the suffering I've endured keeping your relationship together in my world, so there can't be another dimension where you two continue being idiots, alright?
And if Ward here hadn't of gotten the other me killed, I could be some assistance. But since he's a dick you two are just going to have to figure things out on your own''. Daisy just looks amused while Ward rolls his eyes and says, ''see you around. Don't do anything stupid''. Kebo winks at him and Marcus closes his eyes, the wind blows and spins. Then Kebo is gone. Skye and Grant turn to their other selves, Grant keeps an arm wrapped around Skye.
''Look I know things aren't going to be easy at all, and since I got here I've been pushing the two of you together. But it's because you belong together, I can't just believe that's not the case''. Skye tells them and then looks to Ward. ''She's stubborn and bitter but she cares, don't forget that. Just because the Calvary tried to smother out Skye in her doesn't mean that girl in LA is long gone. And thank you for saving my life on Maveth''. Ward hugs her tightly.
Grant looks over to Daisy who gives him a smirk. ''Come on big guy, tell me all the juicy secrets on Ward here''. Grant chuckles, ''just be patient, be kind. He's never going to think he's good enough for you, even when you've been married for years and have two kids''. Skye rolls her eyes and elbows him in the ribs. ''And do us all a favor Daisy okay? Please break up with Lincoln, you and I both know you don't really care about him''.
Daisy hugs him hard, whispers in his ear that she's so thankful he found her and saved her from Hive. ''Always''. He whispers back. Then Skye hugs Daisy, tells her not to lose herself anymore. To take care of Ward because there's not a Kebo here to do that. To be strong and continue taking care of her people. Grant and Ward shake hands, don't say much because they don't need to. Just heal, heal yourself, take care of Daisy and everything else will fall into place in time. Don't listen to the voice in your head, Garrett is wrong.
Skye and Grant turn back to Marcus, hand in hand. Eager to get back to their children, to their house in the middle of nowhere full of warm blankets and laughter early in the morning. ''Look out!'' Ward throws them to the ground just as gunfire explodes around the four of them. Grant shoves Marcus out of harm's way and returns fire, a few guards that no one caught earlier have shown up. To which Daisy and Skye are quick to take care of.
When the smoke clears and no one appears to be hurt, Grant sighs in relief so does Skye. Until they hear a wet choking sound a few feet away. Much to their horror Marcus has taken a bullet to the chest and his bleeding out fast. Skye screams and sprints over to him, plugging the wound with her hands. ''You're going to be fine, you hear me? You're going to be just fine''. Grant Daisy and Ward run over and Grant knows Marcus isn't going to be fine at all.
He's dying.
''I'm fading. I can send one back''. Marcus says, and just like that Grant knows what needs to be done. But Skye doesn't. She's on her hands and knees in the dirt the leaves crunching under her weight, shaking her head and telling him he's going to live, that the world needs him to live. ''Skye''. Grant's voice is soft, she turns to him. ''Shut up Grant, we're going home. Marcus please, please you can do it. Just try, you can send us back. Please''.
Blood starts gushing out of his mouth and Grant knows they don't have a lot of time. He lifts Skye from the ground and takes her face in his hands. It's going to kill him, there's this knife already in his chest that is stabbing him over and over and over he can hardly breathe. ''Skye you have to go back''. She shuts him down instantly. ''Not without you, we can go back Grant together''. ''Look at him, he's dying. He's not strong enough to send us both''.
Skye is shaking her head tears already streaming down her face. ''Then we'll find another way''. ''I don't think there's another way baby''. ''I'm not leaving here without you''. ''Ellie and Cal need you''. She slaps him sobbing at this point because she knows what he's doing, knows that he's already made a decision. ''Don't you dare, don't you dare use them to convince me this is the right thing to do. They need their father Grant!''
She can't breathe or think clearly everything is a blur nothing nothing makes sense this isn't how it's supposed to happen she needs her husband her children need their father it's not an option that he doesn't come home it can't be there has to be another way. There's fire in her lungs she drowning drowning screaming no no no she can't lose him, not her husband. Not the man who she loves who she's lost too many times already.
''You have to go Skye, now''. Ward and Daisy watch as Skye begins hyperventilating shaking her head so hard it looks like it hurts. She's yelling that this can't be happening, that they can both go back. Crying sobbing clawing desperately at Grant's shirt like this is all some horrible ugly dream. ''Please don't make me do this Grant. Please don't make me go home alone what am I supposed to tell our children? I can't sleep alone I don't know how, please Grant please we can find another way I know we can, we always do''.
Grant looks to be on the verge of crying as well, he kisses her carefully almost like it could be the last time he ever will. ''Cal, Cal he needs you he loves you Grant you can't just not come home you can't I won't let you please don't do this. Ellie starts school and she needs you, I need you. I love you, I love you and I don't want to face our world alone. I don't want to get up every day without you please''. Skye cries uncontrollably into his chest.
Over her shoulder he looks at Marcus and the dying man nods. The wind picks up and Grant kisses his wife one more time. ''I love you. I'll find you, I promise''. ''Grant''- And then she's gone. Grant's arms hang lose in the air like she's still there holding onto him. Tears fall onto his cheeks as he looks at the spot where the love of his life the mother of his children was just there seconds before. Looking as if he just lost everything. He did.
Skye blinks and he's gone. It's all just gone.