Ward's Salvation

Chapter 6: Making Friends

"Well, they're not exactly what you'd call welcoming," I say to Skye. She's sitting, watching me carefully. She's trying not to give me any indication of what she's thinking, so I continue. "They don't give you a choice."

"So, what do they give you?" She challenges. "Money? Threats? Torture? Combo platter?"

"They're good at convincing people." I lean against the wall.

"Yes, well they suckered you in."

"No." I shake my head. "I was never loyal to Hydra. I was loyal to Garrett."

"Oh. Garrett is the reason you're a cold-blooded killer."

"I don't blame him for the choices that I've made." I look at her evenly because I want her to understand.

"Right. I seem to remember you blaming your brother. Or was it your parents? Man, I can't keep up." Her words make me angry.

"My family tore me down. Garrett built me back up...the way he wanted."

"We're all aware who your family is, Ward. Not only are they respected. They're pretty much loved." She's doubting everything I've ever said to her. She thinks I lied about everything.

"Well, every family has its secrets." And because I'm angry I push. "Yours does too. You ever wonder why—"

She interrupts me and clears her throat, "You know what? My bad. I slipped. Talked to you like a normal person. Let's stay on task." She's done talking to me about anything other than her original reason for coming in here.

"You make the rules." I take a couple of steps back to retreat. I don't even know when I'd moved towards her. "Hydra's protocol on gifteds is pretty straight forward. An acquisition team is sent out to convince or capture the gifted. If those two options aren't possible then they'll take them out."

"Even if the gifted doesn't pose a threat?" She asked not believing it.

"A gifted that refuses Hydra is a threat," I explain. "And threats are taken care of quickly."

Skye's disgusted. "That's the difference between SHIELD and Hydra."

"And that's why Hydra will win." I try not to think like that. I don't want them to win but it's so much easier to win when you don't have a conscience. "Because while a SHIELD agent is considering right and wrong, Hydra's already taken the shot."

Skye's quiet. She knows I'm right and just like me, hates to admit it.

While Skye doesn't ask me any more questions, it takes her a couple of minutes to leave. I simply watch her. I don't want to push her away like last time.

I'm reading a book not long after Skye has left and I hear my buzzer go off. I frown and push the laser wall on.

Strange. Nobody should be coming down today. Did something happen?

I stand and walk towards the wall. It goes from white to see though in a second and I'm shocked to find Fitz on the other side of the wall.

Very slowly Fitz takes a couple of steps back. He's in shock too. From the look on his face, he didn't know I was down here. I don't know what to say. He's frightened and it makes me feel horrible.

When he doesn't say a word, I take a deep breath. "I imagine you've got a lot to say to me."

I shouldn't have spoken. Fitz is visibly shaking and gasping for breath. He leans forward and places his hands on his knees. He's trying to calm his breathing. After some moments, he stands and starts to shake off his hands.