Cold as Ice

Chapter Eight

Season One, Episode Thirteen: T.R.A.C.K.S.

Sweat dripped down my forehead, baby hair clung to my neck, and my entire body felt like it was on fire. I didn't know how long I would be able to keep this up, to keep fighting. The burning in my arms got worse as I threw a punch, missing my mark by a split second. I lashed out with my feet next, but all they caught was air. A frustrated groan left my mouth. I had never been all that good at hand to hand combat, in hindsight I didn't know that my life would come to this.

A sharp blow to my stomach caused me to suck in air, only to have it burst from my lungs when my legs were swept out from beneath me and I hit the ground with a thud. His body hung over mine, his hand pulled back into a tight fist, hesitation at throwing the finishing blow.

"Finish it," I spoke, my voice oddly calm although my breaths were labored. As he was about to throw his final punch, I kicked my leg up, kneeing him in the groin. He hadn't been prepared for me to play dirty, I could see it in his face as he rolled off of my body and onto his back, letting out groans of pain. I sprang up to my knees, moving so my legs were around his waist as I drew my fist back. I wasn't going to hesitate like he had. I was going to finish this.

I moved my clenched fist to hit him, only to open my hand and give him two gentle pats on the face before rolling off of his body. I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths.

"You did well." I heard Ward speak from beside me, causing my eyes to shoot over and widen as I looked over to him.

"Are you feeling alright?" Sarcasm dripped from my words as I spoke. "You just gave me a genuine compliment."

A short chuckle fell from his mouth as he pushed himself off of the floor. He held his hand out to me and I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. If he had let me, I would have laid there for the rest of the day. My arms and legs felt like jelly as I moved to take the wraps off of my hands.

"You don't want to go for another round?" There was humor in Ward's voice, causing me to smile. "I have another hour before training with Skye, so we have the time."

"You're funny, Ward." I rolled my eyes, shoving my wraps into my gym bag before turning to him. "I already feel like death, and I've never been all that fond of anyone's fists hurtling to my face, even if it is for training."

"We can do it again tomorrow then." He spoke, his normal serious tone taking the humor's place. "You need to learn how to fend for yourself."

"Yes, sir." I gave him a mock salute before throwing the strap for my bag over my shoulders. "I'll tell Skye to come down early." He gave me a small nod before motioning that I could leave. I made my way up the stairs, mentally cursing Ward with every painful step. By the time I got to Skye's bunk, I was ready to collapse onto my bed. "Ward's ready for you downstairs."

She did a double-take when she looked upon me, a grin growing on her face. "You look like hell." Her expression suddenly became serious. "Now I'm not sure I want to go to training today."

A sly smile curled onto my face. "Oh, you'll have fun. Maybe he'll even be nice when he kicks your ass. You better get going though, he won't be so nice if you're late." I turned and made my way to my bunk, hearing Skye scramble as she left her own, knowing that I was right about Ward being meaner in his training when we were late. I threw my bag onto the floor, closing my bunk door behind me before changing out of my sweaty clothes and into something more comfortable.

A content sigh left my mouth as I collapsed onto my bed. Ever since the conversation between Ward and I on the night we rescued Coulson, the specialist had warmed up to me. He wasn't avoiding me anymore, would say more than three words to me each day, and even had joined me for a drink after the last mission we had been on. Getting back to normal with him, or at least as normal as we could be, was a relief. It felt like there was a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.