Archive of Our Own

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Chapter 22 -- Through the Dark

Skye groaned and stretched, an incessant beeping entering her consciousness. This isn't the van days where I needed to get up and move... She blinked. Oh, shit. She threw off the covers and turned to her laptop, grinning at the screen. An actual freaking lead. She rubbed a hand over her eyes and started digging.

Grant rolled over and frowned at the pressure on his arm. What the -- He looked down and rolled his eyes. Right. Nat didn't want to let me out of her sight at the end of the movie. He glanced to the chron and his eyes went wide. "Um, Nat."

Natasha rolled into him, burrowing her face in his chest. "No, not yet, I don't have anyone to interrogate."

He snorted a laugh. "You don't, but someone is waiting to interrogate you." He raised an eyebrow and shook her. "Don't you have your debrief at 0900?"

She nodded. "So?"

He smirked at her. "Well, it's 0857, you might want to --"

"Shit!" She bolted up, groaning. "I never let myself sleep in, what the hell."

Grant stretched and nodded. "Neither do I, but I also don't normally stay up till 2 am watching movies."

Nat scoffed at him. "Like you minded. God, you are just starved for human affection and interaction, Grant. I don't know why the hell you thought you had to do all of the HAMMER shit on your own."

He pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes. "Because I did, and you know why better than anyone." He pursed his lips and looked at her. "If it helps, there were instructions to get a prerecorded message to you if -- if anything happened to me."

She froze. "When -- with HAMMER? Or this time?"

He sighed and stood, crossing to her side. "Both. Okay? I know I could've asked you to help me, but let's face it -- you have enough on your plate." 

She turned to face him. "Yeah, but never too much to be there for you, Grant. Just -- don't forget that."

He reached out to pull her into an embrace. "Deal." He released her and nodded towards the bathroom. "I'll be right out, you can give me one last look before you deal with Coul -- Phil." He heaved a sigh at her satisfied smirk. "I'll get all straightened up in here and ready to go."

Natasha exhaled heavily, closing her eyes for a beat. "Yeah. Beyond ready to get you out of here." She frowned at the pounding on Grant's door, snatching it open without looking. "Okay, Clint, I know, I'm about to --" She turned and cleared her throat. "Oh." She tugged her shirt on over her head. "Morning, Agent Johnson."

"Nat, should I bother bringing any clothes?" He stepped back out of the bathroom, freezing when he saw the hacker with the specialist. "Skye --"

Skye took a shaky breath. "I, um -- I have --" She thrust a flash drive at Natasha. "I have a bunch of leads on Rose. You can -- I'm sure you can take it from there." She spun on her heel and ran out.

"Oh, damn it," Grant closed his eyes and shook his head. "I know I'm leaving but that was not how I wanted to go."

Nat took a deep breath. "Grant, I'm sorry -- I thought it was gonna be Clint or I would've paid more attention. I didn't expect her to turn up at your door."

He snorted. "Isn't that what you were trying to get her to do last night, though?" He grabbed a shirt and sighed. "Go debrief, I'm going to see if I can catch her." He slipped through the door and left Nat with her thoughts.

"Well, shit," Nat murmured. She pocketed the drive before rummaging around for the bourbon and taking a long, slow pull.

"Skye, can you --" Grant jogged up next to her. "Skye..."

Skye smiled brightly, shaking her head. "Grant, you don't -- you don't have to --"

"It wasn't what you thought, I promise you that," he murmured. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Skye, please..."

"Don't touch me," she hissed. She shrugged off his hand and turned to face him. "You don't owe me anything, okay? I know that." Whose doing is that? whispered Nat's voice in her head. She shook herself. "And it's freaking Natasha Romanoff, so I can't --"

He shook his head. "We stayed up watching movies with Fitz and Simmons and Phil and Clint, Skye. We split up at 2 am and Nat wasn't feeling like finding a bunk or letting me out of her sight. She's convinced I still -- that being here is bad for me." Isn't it, though? He sighed. "And I'm convinced it's bad for you."

Skye flinched and slumped her shoulders. "Or am I bad for you?" she whispered. 

Grant carefully took her by the arms and drew her out of the corridor into a storage room. "Skye. I'm bad for you , okay? I told you that a million years ago and it still stands. I don't -- I never meant to get in your way, or Lincoln's way. You know I wasn't planning on any of this." He shook her gently until her gaze met his. "Thank you for trying to find Rose. Thank you, so much. I -- I don't deserve it, not after everything, but I won't turn it down, because I've wanted to know if she's okay for so damn long."

"She is," Skye said softly. "I think she's running with about four different aliases, but not once have I seen anything bad linked to her. Not that I've seen much, but definitely nothing bad."

Thank God. He swallowed hard. "And -- and Gramzy?"

She shook her head. "I -- I don't know if they were careful or if she's --" She cleared her throat. "I looked, but didn't find anything definitive."

He nodded. "Thank you, Skye. Seriously ." He gave her a small smile. "I can't tell you how grateful I am. I just...I didn't -- I didn't tell you about Rose so you could track her for me."

"I know," she affirmed. "But after everything you did for -- for the team, for me..." She took a deep breath. And what you were willing to sacrifice... "I wanted a way to thank you."

He brushed her hair back from her face, shaking his head. After everything that went before? "You and Fitz coming for me was thanks enough for it all, Skye."

Speak up or... She exhaled shakily. "No. Not even close." She leaned up and kissed him.

Skye... He shuddered, his hands tightening on her cheeks and his mouth still. 

She reached up and took his face in her hands in return, pulling him closer.

He groaned and kissed her back, his mouth finally moving over hers.

Skye grinned into the kiss, looping her arms around his neck and lifting up for leverage.

Grant moved his hands from her face to her waist, hoisting her against him and teasing her lips with his tongue.

She shivered and pressed closer, hooking a leg around him. She pulled her mouth away from his on a gasp, breathing unevenly into his skin. "Grant..."

Her voice broke through his haze and he shook himself. "Skye...what -- " He shuddered again and pulled her in to hug her, dropping a kiss on her hair. "Okay, I can't believe I'm saying this but -- we can't do this. I'm not going to do this."

She frowned and looked up at him. "But -- making out in a closet was kind of our thing," she teased softly. "Are you sure?"

He laughed hoarsely and squeezed her tighter before releasing her. "No, I'm not but -- " He blew out a breath and stepped back. "First, I hope you believe me when I say Nat and I aren't like that. I can't feel like -- " He shook his head. "Like this about you and do that with her. I care about both of you too much for that."

Skye exhaled shakily and nodded. "I know you do, and I --"

Grant made a sound of protest and shook his head again. "Skye. Please don't say anything. Nat was -- last night she was purposely pushing your buttons, and she just set us off again this morning. I don't -- I can't let whatever you say be said because she goaded you into it."

Skye frowned and shook her head. "I'm not -- I'm not saying I know what I feel about you. I don't know, and I don't even know if I know you anymore." She pursed her lips, looking at him fiercely. "I think I do. It feels like I do." She took a deep breath. "And the one thing I do know for sure is that I want to figure it out. I want to find out if you're who I thought. If...If who you've been with me from the beginning is who you really are."

Grant smiled at her, his eyes bright and clear of doubts. "That -- to hear that from you is -- it's amazing, Skye. It really is. But you're not -- you're not free. I could see that last night. You and Lincoln -- you're not resolved either. And I'm not going to be that guy who just waltzes in and ruins everything around him. Not anymore."

Skye wrapped her arms around herself. "I don't -- I'm not asking you to ruin anything. I'm just asking for more time with you."

He blew out a breath. "And I want to give it to you, Skye. But only when I know you're ready and I am, too." He ran his hands through his hair. "This is why I never actually want to listen to what Garner says."

She forced a laugh. "Because it reminds you you're not just a robot?"

"You remind me of that just fine," he murmured softly. "All the time." He cleared his throat. "And the reason I wish I didn't listen to Garner is because I know that I need to be clear before I try anything with anyone." He grabbed her hand. "Especially with you."

Skye looked down and sighed. "You have any idea how hard it was just to ask you to stay?"

Grant chuckled. "Yeah. Probably as hard as it is to tell you I'm going to go." He kissed her hand. "But we both know in our logical brains it's what needs to happen next," he insisted.

She snorted. "You sure you have a brain? Thought for sure it was a CPU up there."

He huffed a laugh. "Most sophisticated one on the market."

Natasha charged into Coulson's office to find Clint and Phil sitting and chatting. "Glad I rushed," she snarked.

Clint rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, I figured when I didn't see you at all this morning that one of us should at least show up."

Phil held up a hand. "Relax, Clint. Thanks, Natasha, for joining us. Do I want to know what kept you?"

She grinned. "I think I probably pushed Skye and Grant together, don't know if that changes any plans though." She looked to Clint with a small frown. "If it had been you at Grant's door and I answered in my bra, you wouldn't think anything happened."

"Oh, hell, Nat." Phil shook his head. "It's too damn early for this."

Skye exhaled roughly. "So. You go...get clear, or whatever. What am I supposed to do?"

Grant shrugged. "Figure out if what you have with Lincoln is stronger than curiosity, I guess. Or some abstract idea."

She flinched. "It's not just -- not just curiosity, Grant. I -- you know we -- we almost --"

He nodded slowly. "I do. And that's why I don't want you to just -- just blow up everything to see if almost is better than what you have now, not if you're not sure." He looked out to the hall. "You guys left together last night, didn't you? Was it just like having Fitz with you?"

She shook her head. "It's -- he's still --"

Grant nodded again. "Right. He is. And I can't blame him, Skye. So I'm going to take myself out of the equation for a while, and you figure out which variable you want to solve for."

Skye rolled her eyes. "That was...that was probably like, the cheesiest thing you could have said right there."

He gave a wry smile. "Yeah, not like I have a lot of practice with these kinds of things."

She blew out a breath and shook her head again. "Yeah, okay, neither do I." She swallowed. "Nat was doing it all on purpose?"

He sighed. "Yes. I tried to get her to tone it down, but...she said it was too much fun and then you left before I really got into it."

She pursed her lips. "She's been trying since you got out of Carson's lab."

"Since you got me out," he said. "I didn't do anything but almost die."

She clenched her hand around his. "Yeah. Try not to do that again, okay?"

He shrugged. "I'm going to be honest, I'm going to be training on fire generating powers with the Avengers. I can try ."

Skye laughed. "You know, if snarky Ward had been my SO, I might not have minded getting out of bed so early."

Grant snorted. "Snarky Ward is pretty new, I think. Kara." He stilled at the memory. "She was quick and witty and sarcastic, reminded me of..." He cast a glance at Skye and shrugged. "She snorted at the puns but encouraged the snark."

Skye squeezed his hand deliberately. "I'm sorry you lost her. However it happened, whoever was at fault." She bit her lip. "I don't want to fight about that."

He closed his eyes and exhaled. "Yeah, me neither." He looked at her. "And thanks." He inhaled slowly. "It's -- it's things like that I need to make peace with before I try to be here with you and Fitz."

She sighed. "I know. I get it. Even if I don't want to." She swung their hands gently. "I just wish you didn't have to leave to do it."

He scoffed. "And I do?" He brushed her hair back again. "Skye. If I thought I could be here and do all the things I need to do, I would. I would stay here, and see Garner over video and train somewhere, anywhere they'd let me. But that's not where we're at. And I need to be somewhere where I -- where I know I'm safe. All the time." He swallowed hard. "I think we both agree that's not here. Not yet."

She let her head fall forward to rest the top of her head on his chest. "And what happens if I get clear here and you and Romanoff get all --"

"No," Grant interjected. "Don't do it for me. If you and Lincoln end things, it has to be for you and you alone. I'm not going to promise anything, because honestly, I don't know who I'm going to be on the other side of all this garbage."

Skye smiled softly and shook her head. "You do. You already are that guy, in bits and pieces. This will just help you bring it all together." She sighed. "They will help you bring it all together. Romanoff and Barton and the Avengers. They care, all of them, about saving you. I can tell."

He nodded. "So can I. That's why I know that's where I have to be." He stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. "You helped too, though. You care. You just -- you didn't know there was a chance to save me back then."

"And I didn't try to find out," she continued. "Which is why you're going there, and I'm staying here. For now."

"For now," he agreed. He smiled softly. "In the meantime, can I interest you in pancakes? Maybe some French toast?"

She smiled in return. "You can, actually." And probably a lot more than that.

Fitz rolled over and grinned. "Good morning," he murmured.

Jemma blushed and smiled. "Good morning."

He brushed her hair back from her face with a grin. "It is indeed."

Her blush deepened. "We just -- we didn't even do anything, Fitz, you can't -- you can't look at me like that."

He only grinned wider. "I absolutely can, Jemma. We spent the evening curled up on the couch together watching movies with our friends, and then I was privileged enough to continue holding you all night. I am perfectly entitled to gaze at you with unfettered love and affection."

Jemma's heart melted at his words. "Oh, Fitz..." She sighed and leaned over to kiss him.

Grant loaded another slice of French toast onto the platter. "Think I should keep going?"

Skye nodded, shoving another forkful of her own plate of toast into her mouth. She moaned appreciatively. "I don't understand how someone who doesn't eat them is so good at breakfast foods."

"First, that was -" He furrowed his brow as he squinted at her. "Agent Grant Ward, I'm so by the book I ate the book just to have more of it in my system." He shrugged and carefully put another slice in the skillet. "Truth is I actually love breakfast, I think lunch is a waste of time, and dinner is a necessary evil. Dessert is my favorite part. That and the wine."

Skye sighed and shook her head. "Who would have guessed."

Grant shrugged. "What else can I answer while we have time?"

Skye frowned lightly. What do I want to know? She smiled slowly as it occurred to her. She quirked an eyebrow. "Wanna play true and false?"

"Anything else we can tell you, Phil?" Nat lounged sideways in a chair. 

The director skimmed his notes and the data tablet next to him. "About this? No. Pretty sure we covered everything. But tell me if you think Grant is ready to follow up on these next leads with you."

Nat frowned. "Of course he's ready. We don't need him to use his firepower at all for this one. He's still a specialist."

Phil nodded slowly. "I know, but I also know there's a lot that just happened and I don't want to rush him."

Clint snorted. "And you think we will? Give me a break, Phil. Nat cares about him a lot more and for a lot longer than your team." The archer raised an eyebrow. "What's the real issue?"

The Black Widow eyed the director. "You're afraid Skye's going to leave too."

Phil sighed. "Natasha..."

"No, no, that's it. You are incredible, Phil." She rolled her eyes. "I somehow doubt thinking that Grant and I are sleeping together again is going to help."

"You -- again?" Phil frowned. "Nat..."

Clint snorted. "Shoulda guessed that first dinner."

Nat shrugged. "Can't blame me. Tough for a specialist to blow off steam, okay? And he's hot and in the business. But it was years ago."

Clint rolled his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause that makes a difference. Am I gonna have to soundproof my room?"

Nat smirked. "Well, I did say I would get him laid..."

"Okay, all right, enough of that," Phil interjected. "Maybe I am a bit nervous that Skye will want to follow where Grant goes."

"Want to? Maybe. But have the guts to ask you or me?" Nat snorted a laugh. "I don't think so."

Fitz slowed as he approached the kitchen, hearing laughter and voices. He squeezed Jemma's hand. "Sounds like Grant and Skye, is that all right?"

Jemma nodded. "Yes, absolutely. I'm fine with that." 

Fitz grinned and walked in with the biochemist. "Good morning."

Skye broke off her laughter to smile at the pair. "Morning, and looking very good on you both."

Jemma blushed while Fitz ducked his head.

"Either of you interested in French toast?" Grant gestured to the platter on the counter. "Totally up for grabs."

Fitz raised an eyebrow. "Thank you. May I ask what had you laughing so much?" He kissed Jemma's hand before releasing it to make her a plate.

Skye snorted. "Grant here is setting the record straight on a few things, and it is quite amusing." She smirked. "I asked if he's always been the beefcake of the family, and instead, I find he was the late bloomer."

"I was an emotional eater, okay?" Grant shrugged. 

"Which of course leads me to think about a young, emo Grant," Skye teased. "That's what I was laughing at."

"Thankfully John broke me of that habit," Grant replied.

"Thankful? For Garrett?" Fitz gawked. 

"It was my time in the woods that broke me of the habit," Grant explained. 

Skye and Fitz exchanged a pained look.

"Starvation is not anything to be thankful for, Grant," Fitz insisted. 

Skye winced. "No, it's not." She swallowed hard and looked to Grant, shaking her head. "That isn't funny, either."

Grant frowned and shook his head. "It's okay, honestly."

Skye searched his face, biting her lip. "No, it's not." She sighed. That's why you need to be with them.

Phil shrugged. "Maybe that is for the best, though." He frowned. "But if you and Grant plan to return to a --"

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Phil, because number one, no, but number two, we get to figure out our relationships on our own. You have Morse and Hunter out there trying to be the second coming of Delta, and just...no." Romanoff rolled her eyes. "Hell, you have Skye and Blondie right here, you telling me they filled out the paperwork and went through the counseling?"

The director's gaze dropped from hers. 

She smirked triumphantly. "Exactly. Sorry, Phil. That relationship rule is way outdated."

Coulson frowned uncertainly. "You're still not convincing me I'm not pimping Grant out at this point."

Clint snorted. "Phil, you and I both know that even if that were the case, he'd go damn happily."

Mack walked into the kitchen, rolling his eyes at the sight in front of him. "I swear, I'm gonna gain so much weight in misplaced guilt."

Grant snorted. "Have some French toast. I'm leaving in an hour or so, soon as Coulson's done."

"They're here? Black Widow and Hawkeye?" Mack raised a brow at Fitz.

"Agent Romanoff and Agent Barton?" Fitz corrected gently. "Yes, they are."

Mack held up his hands in surrender and took a plate. "Sorry, got it." He looked at Grant. "All good now, huh?"

Grant nodded. "A little advanced tech and yes, ready to go."

Mack shrugged. "I will miss the meals, though."

Skye looked around and bit back a sigh. So will I. She watched Grant carefully, noting the tension in his shoulders and the vigilance in his stare. But he needs to just worry about being okay.

Grant glanced at Skye, catching her eyes on him. "You okay?" he murmured.

She shrugged. "Are you asking as a true or false or just..."

"Skye," he began.

Skye waved him off. "I'm okay, Robot. I just -- " She gave a small smile. "You're gonna get to do all this stuff with the Avengers, we're not even gonna recognize you the next time you're back this way."

Grant shook his head. "Hey, I was serious about the codename, you know. You guys will be with me every step of the way."

"Oh, Grant, you don't -- you don't have to keep it," Fitz protested. "That was -- that was anger, and --"

Grant snorted. "And some truth." He cast a wry smile in Fitz' direction. "Honestly, it'll be a reminder to me, to remember what can happen if you don't trust your team and...what can happen when you're forgiven for it."

A somber quiet hung in the room as all the occupants absorbed his words.

"All right. We done here?" Nat quirked an eyebrow. "I'm ready to get on the way with him."

Phil sighed and nodded. "All done, yes. And our thanks for all the intel and the efficiency." He held out a flash drive. "It's all here decrypted. We'll be looking at it as well."

Clint shrugged.  "Whatever, you know you'll just be telling us what you find anyway."

The director chuckled. "Fair enough." He stood. "I'll walk with you."

Nat smirked. "Want to see firsthand how much damage control you have to do?"

The director chuckled. "Among other things, yes." He sighed. "You're taking the best breakfast-maker we have, I'm hoping for one last go-round."

Jemma cleared her throat. "I -- I am sorry, Grant. For..."

Grant waved her off. "Settled, Simmons. Really."

Fitz leaned over to lay a kiss to Jemma's temple. " Appreciated , though."

"Yes, absolutely," Grant insisted. "I just don't want you to feel like you have to keep apologizing to me." He gave a self-deprecating smirk. "I am well aware of how the espionage game is played. You were protecting your team."

The biochemist took a deep, audible breath. "Against someone who was not a threat at that point," she said firmly.

"Oh, hallelujah," Nat's voice came from the doorway. "Finally, she gets it." Natasha walked in and snorted at the platters of French toast. "Gentlemen, we're in luck."

Skye flinched at her presence, shooting her a quick glare before retreating to a corner of the table.

Clint followed Nat in, the director after. "Ooo, French toast?" Clint sniffed them appreciatively. "Grant, I'm gonna enjoy having you with us, but I am gonna drag you on every extra workout I have to do to compensate."

Grant laughed and stood. "Deal." He nodded at Coulson, looking inquiringly at Nat. "Is this my five minute warning?"

Nat raised a brow in return, a plate of French toast in front of her at the counter. "Only if you want me to rush."

Skye watched their easy banter with an ache in her stomach. It sucks, but it's definitely the right thing for him to go...

Grant glanced at Jemma. "Speaking of rushing. Would it be out of the realm to leave the Cradle here for another day or two?"

Nat narrowed her gaze at FitzSimmons. "For them?" she questioned.

Grant nodded. 

Sighing, she took a bite of the toast. She moaned appreciatively. "Well, I suppose we get the better end of the deal leaving with you, so sure." She looked at Phil. "Have May fly it up. Two more days."

Phil nodded slowly, looking at the two scientists.

Grant cleared his throat. "FitzSimmons had mentioned wishing for more time with it and I volunteered to ask. No violation of the chain of command meant."

The director chuckled. "No, no. I'm just proud you all managed to work together for something. Maybe there's hope for us all yet."

All of us? Grant frowned quickly. "I don't -- I never said --"

Phil waved Grant off. "You didn't. I did. It's been pointed out that for all the lip service we give to redemption and second chances, this team, me included, haven't been practicing it."

Skye's gaze shot over to the director, then over to the Black Widow before she dropped her eyes.

Nat smirked and took another big bite of French toast.

Lincoln finished his workout and sighed into the silence. He collected his gym bag and showered quickly before heading to the kitchen. 

Mack looked up as Lincoln entered the room and stopped dead. "Morning, Sparky."

Skye's gaze shot to the door. "Linc! Hey." She waved him in. "Come have breakfast."

Coulson glanced over. "Lincoln Campbell, Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton. Lincoln is a consultant, our Inhuman expert."

Nat gave him a long look of appraisal. "Nice to meet you."

Clint grunted an acknowledgement around a bite of French toast.

Lincoln nodded a hello. "I'm just going to get some yogurt." He made his way to the refrigerator, grabbing a yogurt and exiting warily.

Nat shrugged and polished off her last bite. "Grant? This is your five minute warning."

Grant laughed and stood. "Noted." He moved to Fitz' table. "Thank you all for everything," he murmured. "Please stay safe."

Fitz stood and hugged Grant hard. "You too, all right?"

Grant cleared his throat and nodded. "I will." He gave Skye and Jemma each their own smile. "Take care, ladies." He turned and acknowledged Mack with a nod before he left the room.

Lincoln looked up at the sound of footsteps behind him, shaking his head as he realized who had hit the hall. He turned and raised an eyebrow. "Leaving so soon?"

Grant fought the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm sure you gathered that from the assemblage in the kitchen. Yes, I'm grabbing my bag now." He continued down the corridor.

Lincoln nodded, unmoving. 

Grant sighed and shook his head as he met Lincoln head-on. "I don't have anything against you, Campbell. Whether you believe it or not. I just -- I want her to be safe, and to be happy. That's it."

Lincoln frowned. "So do I."

"Great. Then stop looking at me like the enemy." Grant moved past him down the hall and into his temporary bunk one last time.

Natasha polished off the last of her French toast and licked her lips. "Well. This has been interesting. We'll see you guys at our next check in." She stood and, with a nod to the room in general, exited.

Clint rolled his eyes. "She's such a drama queen. Take care, y'all, and tell May we'll see her in a couple of days." He threw a smirk at the team. "She'll check in to make sure we're not kicking the puppy." He nodded at Fitz. "I'll look forward to getting those prototypes, Agent Fitz."

Fitz grinned. "My pleasure, Agent Barton."

Clint saluted to the room and followed after Nat.

Phil sighed and looked around the room. "Homicidal AI, anyone?"

They erupted into laughter as Mack's hand shot in the air.

Grant blew out a breath and tucked the last book into his duffel, looking at the Battleship box on the table. Leave it as a sign of goodwill and that I'll come back someday? He sighed. How about leave it regardless. He licked his lips and closed his eyes. Skye... He took a deep breath and committed the feel of her kiss to memory. I'm sure she's done the same, baby, Kara's voice teased . He hoisted the duffel onto his shoulder, taking one last survey of the room before leaving it behind him. 

Skye stared down at her French toast, her fork pushing a bite around the plate.

"Skye?" Jemma asked softly. "Are you all right?"

The hacker blinked and looked up. "Yeah. I -- I will be."

Fitz reached over to squeeze her hand. "Yes. Yes, you will."

Yes, I will. Skye squeezed his hand and stood. "Excuse me, guys." She left the kitchen at speed.

Nat nodded to May as she finished the external pre-flight checklist. "Hey, didn't know if I'd see you."

May quirked a brow. "And miss the transfer of the Cradle? Not a chance."

Nat snorted. "Guess no one caught you then. It's taking a couple of extra days here before you fly it back."

"And how exactly did that happen?" May questioned with a frown.

"I asked," came Grant's voice. He approached the women in the hangar. "After Agent Simmons managed to ask me."

May gave a small smile. "Good for her."

Grant smiled in return. "Yes, actually. For me too."

May scoffed. "You have no idea how worried we all were. Glad you could bury the hatchet not in each other."

Grant rolled his eyes. "That would defeat the purpose of watching out for all of you." He cleared his throat. "See you soon, May."

She gave a short nod. "You will. I'll let you know how it goes."

He smiled and jogged up into the cockpit.

May exchanged a look with Nat. "Keep him safe. She might want him back."

Nat rolled her eyes. "Of course she will. But I'm keeping him safe for me ." Her jaw clenched for a moment. "I'm not losing anyone else," she muttered.

May opened her mouth to respond but closed it when she caught an agent on the run. She frowned. "Skye?"

Skye swallowed hard as she approached them. "Agent Romanoff, Agent May. I, uh, I was hoping to catch --"

"Skye?" Grant walked down the gangplank slowly. "What --"

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she interrupted. "Please?"

He nodded blankly and moved to a corner of the hangar. "Are you--"

"Just let me get this out," she said urgently. "You know how impulsive I am, and you're right to think that hasn't changed. I -- I didn't mean to kiss you, it just -- it just felt like the right thing to do. I felt like the Ward I made out with in a storage closet is actually Grant, who is standing in front of me now, and would literally have died to save me and his friends." She frowned. "No. His family." She finally looked into his eyes and her heart clenched at the depth of emotion in them. "But I also know that you don't know that like I do." She sighed. "So I just -- I needed you to know that I understand this part too, and I'm gonna figure it out with Lincoln and with me." She gave a weak smile and half-heartedly poked at his side. "Can't let you be the only one doing the New Age self-improvement schtick, right?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Skye, I'm not saying you need therapy or anything like that, I just don't want you making decisions around me."

"I know you're not, but..." She shrugged. "Doc is always suggesting it to me, just to work through all the -- " She waved her hand. "You know. Orphan, Inhuman, can literally shake the world to pieces."

He smiled indulgently. "Yeah, but you don't. You have more control over your powers than I do, as much as it pains me to say it."

She snorted. "Yeah. Some. But not enough to not be scared. And I -- " She shook her head. "I'm done being scared. Of me, of my powers, of whatever. So. I'm going to try to work on me, you work on you, and we'll take it from there. The best you, and the best me."

He grinned. "I'd like that. I'd like that a hell of a lot."

"Well, Hell fire, it's on the agenda. I'll keep you posted." She let her gaze roam over his face, memorizing the look he was giving her. 

" Ahem ." Natasha cleared her throat loudly from the Quinjet. "If you two are done making googly eyes at each other..."

Grant rolled his eyes. "I'll be there in two, Nat."

Skye flushed and shook her head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you."

I wish you could. He gathered himself and smiled at her. "It's fine, she's just enjoying busting my chops. She always has."

Skye shrugged. "She's the Black Widow. She can do as she likes."

Grant chuckled. "Don't let her hear you say that, she'll be even worse." He reached out to squeeze Skye's shoulder. "I'll see you soon."

Skye launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him to hug him tightly. "Take care of yourself, Robot."

Grant closed his eyes and squeezed her close, taking a deep breath and imprinting the feel of her in his mind. "You too, Skye."

She pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek before she released him. "See you on the flip side," she said softly. 

He nodded. "Keep an eye on the team for me."

She nodded in return. "I will." She licked her lips. "Don't forget about us."

He laughed and shook his head. "Not a chance." With one last squeeze, he jogged over to the jet and was gone.

Natasha quirked a brow as Grant took the co-pilot seat. "Sure you don't want Clint to cover this, and you can go brood in a corner?"

Grant snorted and toggled the switches for takeoff. "You and I both know it's better that I don't."

She pursed her lips. "Fair enough." She smoothly lifted the jet into the air. "So. I did promise to get you laid tonight...wanna drown your sorrows in bourbon and me?"

Clint made gagging noises from behind them. "You know, you really need to work on your approach, Nat."

She blew the archer a kiss. "Pretty sure I'm not getting complaints," she teased. 

Grant rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the offer, Nat, but I think I'll stick with just the bourbon. The rest is a little too much for me."

Nat grinned. "You hear that? I'm too much for him. I think my approach is just fine. "

"Oh, sure. You couldn't have been more subtle if you were sitting in the cockpit naked," Clint remarked. 

"Wouldn't be the first time," she replied.

Grant raised a brow. "Really? You often find yourself flying naked?"

She shrugged. "I guess that depends on how you define often."

Grant snorted. "In that case, I'll go with it happens often enough."

Clint barked a laugh. "Yeah. I think that'd be accurate." He nodded at Natasha. "This is gonna be good."

She scoffed. "Of course it is. He's gonna get all powerful and masterful, she's gonna pine away, and we're gonna take down HYDRA completely. What's not to like?"

Grant clenched his fist, opening his hand to conjure a flame. "You're so sure about all that."

Nat rolled her eyes. "Um, yeah. Considering who I know? You're gonna be in good hands. Promise."

He blew out a breath. "Okay. But I reserve the right to quietly feel inferior to them all."

The Black Widow gave a snort of laughter. "You can, but I'm still going to judge you." She shook her head. "There's nothing to feel inferior about. We're the Island of Misfit Toys, just with really fancy toys."

Clint guffawed. "Please tell Tony that the next time you see him."

Nat raised a brow. "Where do you think I heard it the first time? Just so happens he's right for once."

"Did you make a note?" Clint teased. "I'm sure Tony did if you didn't. It's going to be a while before that happens again, you know."

Grant shook his head as he logged their flight path. "Is this how it always is?"

Nat grinned. "You think your Kara was snarky, babe? Just wait. We're all Ph.Ds at it." A shadow passed over her face for a moment before she shook free.  "You'll wanna stick with Wanda or chat with Vision."

Grant caught the flash of something and frowned quickly. Did I miss something there? He quirked a brow. "Sam?"

"Nah, he's been hanging with Steve too long, he gets extra sassy for being such a goodie two shoes," Nat replied, smirking.

Clint snorted, coming forward to squeeze Nat's shoulder. "You're right about that. Yeah, kid, just don't take anything personally and be prepared to snap back at us. Keep those stars outta your eyes and you should be fine."

Definitely missing something. Grant watched Nat's small smile at her partner. Well, there'll be time enough for that.

"You should've seen him meeting Steve for the first time." Nat cast an amused glance in Grant's direction. "Fanboy central."

Clint rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, no one's shocked by that." He looked at Grant. "Just not around Tony, please."

"He's insufferable enough on his own, he doesn't need the help," Nat clarified.

Grant huffed a laugh. "Yeah. I might though."

Nat reached over to squeeze his knee. "And that's what we're all there for. To remind you that you're not just Garrett's pawn, or Phil's sacrificial lamb, or anybody's scapegoat." She met his gaze fiercely. "You're not just SHIELD's weapon or a tool for HYDRA. You matter, Grant. You deserve more than what you've been given, by all of us."

Grant sighed. "Yeah. That one might take me a while."

Clint chuckled. "Good thing we all have some experience with that."

Skye took a deep breath and watched as the hangar door shut. Well. Now what? She ran a hand through her hair and shook her head.

May cleared her throat and stepped to her side. "Skye? Are you -- Do you want to talk?" 

Skye choked out a laugh. "No? But I could probably use a drink."

May snorted. "Good. I'm better at that one." She threw an arm around Skye and gave a brief squeeze. "I'd suggest Fitz for the other, or Andrew." She gestured Skye to precede her into the hall.

"You just want me to call your ex-husband slash boyfriend," Skye teased.

May rolled her eyes. "I've had to deal with yours for the past few days, consider it payback."

Skye frowned. "I'm sorry, May. I didn't mean for you to be in the middle of this mess."

May snorted again. "I'm always in the middle of some mess, Skye. It comes with the territory." She turned a sharp gaze to the other woman. "I'm pretty sure you've learned that much by now."

Skye sighed. "Yeah. Kind of inescapable."

May shrugged. "So, you keep learning how to clean it up, how to get clear."

Skye gave a short laugh. "That's what Grant said. We need to get clear before...anything."

May pursed her lips. "Well. Yet again I find myself agreeing with Grant Ward."

"And yet, the Playground isn't falling down around our ears," Skye replied. "Will wonders never cease."

May raised a brow at her. "You tell me. You and the Inhumans are the most recent addition to the madness around here." She nodded as Coulson fell into step with them.

"Speaking of that." Coulson gave Skye a quick hug, steering them towards the director's office. "I did have a proposition for you, Skye, if you were willing..."

Six months later

Natasha Romanoff ducked behind an SUV and laughed. "Just like Uzbekistan, Hellfire."

Grant Ward shook his head as he rolled into cover with her. "You and I remember that very differently."

"See? I have that problem with her all the time!" Clint Barton fired a barrage of arrows from the roof. "She has a very selective memory when it comes to missions. She remembers shawarma, I remember a plot to take over the world."

Nat rolled her eyes. "With our job? I'd rather remember the fun stuff." She looked around the bumper. "Speaking of fun, you're on." She bolted as Grant put his hands on the side of the car.

Grant exhaled as the car caught flame and he shoved it into the road to block their pursuit. "You call this fun?" He launched fireballs at the Humvees advancing on their position until the SUV exploded.

"Well, yeah, we don't get to play much with fire, unless you count all the hot air coming out of Tony's mouth," Nat teased.

"Now, now, children, maybe you shouldn't be poking fun at the one with the suit and the toys." Tony Stark landed at their side, carrying a case of weapons on his back. "Got the goods."

Clint's voice was back over the comms. "Copy that. Rendezvous and extraction in five."

Grant flicked a fireline out into the street and gestured Natasha away with him. "Hasn't been 'playing' with fire since you guys brought me home."

Nat grinned. "Nope, more like perfecting the fine art of fire. And we do appreciate it." She turned to fire over her shoulder. "Even if Carson doesn't."

Clint dropped a line from the Quinjet, smirking as they hauled themselves in. "How many labs of his have we wiped out? We make a damn fine team."

Grant dropped into the copilot seat, waving Nat off. "Almost through that intel from the lab. We're probably due for some recon, to be honest."

Nat sighed and stretched out behind them. "Mmm. Or we could just be due for an update from the Playground." She smirked. "Wanna see your pen pal?"

Grant rolled his eyes. "She's just -- we're just keeping up with each other, that's all. The CATERPILLARS team specializes in powered agents and -- "

Nat snorted. "Pretty sure there's a worm involved but don't think it's --"

"Hey, hey, hey," Clint interjected. "You just hold your peace there, woman. Rude ." He shook his head. "Never refer to it as a worm. I don't care how mad you are. Just... not right ."

Grant smirked. "Thank you, Clint. Appreciated."

"You know you're all still on an open channel," Tony remarked. "What's the deal with a pen pal, Matchstick?"

"It's Skye Johnson, the director of the CATERPILLARS," Nat supplied.

"Oh, Phil's little hacker. What was that, Surging Wave or whatever?" Tony pulled alongside the Quinjet, perching on the wing and turning to look at them. "Got a thing for the girl?"

Grant cleared his throat and looked at the controls.

"Oooo, you do!" Tony clapped his hands. "Oh, hey, wait. Does that mean we're gonna lose you to them eventually?"

Nat scoffed. "Please. They're gonna lose her and those CATERPILLARS to us, more like it."

Grant rolled his eyes. "No one is going anywhere right now."

"Yeah, but that's still not a promise you're not going to leave us," Tony challenged. "You're not gonna leave us. You can't. Who'll make the pancakes?"

Grant snorted. "I'm sure Sam would take exception to that."

"He makes healthy breakfast," Tony clarified. " Buckwheat pancakes. Quinoa ones . Give me a break. Chocolate. Nutella. Peanut butter. Calories. You can't leave us."

Clint chuckled. "You know, I would get out of at least one workout a week if I didn't have to worry about those..."

"No," Tony persisted. "He's not leaving. We can deal with Shake Weight being here if we have to."

Grant winced. "Quake. At least call her Quake."

Nat snorted. "You've been with us long enough, Grant. Not gonna happen."

He sighed. "Yeah." He charted their course back to the Avengers camp. "My job's not done, Tin Man, relax. I'm not leaving until it is."

Tony launched from the wing to look headlong into the cockpit. "Damn right you're not. You're the only one who's easier to fluster than the 400 year old virgin." He blew them a kiss before speeding away.

Nat snorted a laugh. "He is definitely not a virgin."

Grant and Clint looked at each other before turning a curious gaze to their teammate. 

"Something you want to share, partner?" Clint quirked an eyebrow.

Nat grinned. "Nope. Absolutely not."

Grant blinked at her. "You slept with Captain America, didn't you."

The Black Widow stretched and yawned. "I think I'm going to go take a nap. Wake me when we get back."

Clint scoffed and shook his head. "She slept with Captain America. Damn, woman. Would've thought you'd have clued me in."

She shrugged and waved, shutting the door to the cabin behind her.

"I should have cut my comm," came Tony's voice. "Damn it."

Grant frowned and sighed. "I wish we all had that option. This is gonna be awkward the next time I see him."

Clint chuckled and shook his head again. "Ah, hell, Grant, I keep forgetting you haven't been with us that long. This is nothing on the awkward scale for us. Try telling the Avengers how to bunk at your house with your family that they never knew existed."

Tony's bark of laughter came over the comms. "Yeah. That was a trip. And after Katniss put on his big girl tights to tell us, Fury showed up and shot all our plans to hell. Per usual."

It was Grant's turn to snort a laugh. "So what you're telling me is that it doesn't matter who has the title, the director of SHIELD is just a chaos bringing pain in the ass."

"Yeah, sounds about right," Tony replied. "'Cept I have a bit of a soft spot for Phil, so..." He cleared his throat. "Still doesn't mean I want you leaving the nest, RedHot. Tell the strays to come this way, we have a better kennel."

Grant rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Skye would be totally sold with that pitch."

Clint raised an eyebrow. "You sure the pitch matters if you're the one makin' it?"

Grant paused and shrugged. "No. I don't." But I'm thinking I might be ready to find out.

Skye looked down at her wrist as a message came over her chron.

Skye,

Rumor has it we may be meeting up for intel. Make sure the pantry is stocked for pancakes or French toast, whichever you guys want.

~ Grant

She bit her lip to hide her grin as she replied. About time. We have some unfinished business here, Robot.

Grant,

Rumor is no rumor, and the order is definitely pancakes. We'll see you soon.

~ Skye 

She took a last look at her tablet, sending messages to her agents in the field. I've been doing my work on me, I've got my own team... She took a deep breath, looking around her office. I'm free and clear, Grant. I've just been waiting on you.