X marks the spot

Purpose In The Machine

Aaron didn't do anything with the pistol, he only kept it in his hand. He was at a loss for words. He was frozen, not moving a muscle.

Ward looked around his house, "Nice place. Kind of lonely though, don't you think?" Ward asked, casually.

Slowly, Aaron backed away, his eyes still wide. Ward took it as an invitation and stepped inside, hands raised, "I'm not gonna hurt you, Aaron. I get that you have no reason to trust me on that, but I'm not going to, alright? I'm unarmed, and it's just me here with you." The man said, sensing the nerves on the boy.

"Why – Why are you here?" Aaron manged to get out after a stutter.

Ward lowered his arms, "I'm here to talk to you."

Still, Aaron wasn't buying it, stating just that, "No, dead serious. I'm here with an offer. One I think you might just like."

"About what?" Aaron asked as Ward sat on the sofa in the middle of the room, the man gestured to the chair on the right of the sofa. Aaron sighed, sitting in it.

"I heard about what happened." Aaron didn't need for him to clarify, as he already knew what the man was referring too. Still, a part of him apricated it, "And, I know you won't believe on this, and that's understandable, but I am sorry about it, Aaron. She was good, she tried –"

"And look where that got her." Aaron spat, eyes glistening with tears, voice shaking a little bit.

Ward nodded and sighed, "I know, kid, I know. I lost someone too, you know? Someone I cared about in a different way, sure, but I still cared about her. SHIELD took her from me. Just like SHIELD took her from you."

Aaron looked at Ward, "It wasn't their fault." The boy denied.

Again, Ward sighed, "Then whose fault was it, kid? If not yours, or there's, whose? Someone's gotta be blamed for it. Sure, SHIELD didn't pull the trigger, but that meeting with SHIELD gave someone that opportunity to pull it. Someone with a score to settle." Ward's words did hold some truth to them.

Aaron considered them, "And you want me to, what? Help you strike back on them?"

"Not quite. More, want to help you find the person responsible, and help you get what you deserve. God knows I've taken enough, now I want to give something to you: a chance."

Rebecca followed her two friends to the main table in the living area, they were talking about the new guy; Joey, "I think Joey's a real candidate." Daisy said as they moved to the table.

"Sure, he's Inhuman. But doesn't meet my criteria." Mack replied with as they sat down.

"He's a decent guy and you know it. Getting that unit up and running is priority" Daisy continued to push, she then looked to Rebecca, "What're your thoughts?"

"Guys not too bad, Mack, gotta admit." The third agent said.

"Sure, yeah. But, doesn't mean it has to be a rush job. Look, Dr Garner will make his recommendation." Mack said, pushing the pad to Daisy.

She, however, didn't look at it at first, "And it'll be the same as always, 'Three months observation and counseling before reassessment.'" She then picked up the pad, "He's as much of a buzzkill as you are. At least Rebecca knows when to let loose." She joked.

"I wouldn't go that far." Rebecca mumbled, but did appreciate it.

Daisy continued, "And if you haven't been keeping score, our team is down to four musketeers; May, Simmons, and Aaron are gone, Fitz might as well be, Bobbi's on the DL, and from what I hear, Hunter's planning to leave?" Daisy had a point, they were desperate.