Ward's Salvation

Chapter 12: Simmons Has Some Balls

I'm overwhelmed and freaking out about Skye learning the truth but I can't show that. Coulson has an idea but I won't let any of them see it.

"Yes, Sir." I clear my throat. "First things first, can you help Kara. We need a picture of what she looked like and a copy of her file. The mask she wears can't be taken off and it won't give us a clear look of her face because it's too damaged."

I give Kara a small smile and she returns it. I hadn't noticed how she'd shadowed me as I'd walked. She stands next to me and goes to hold my hand. She squeezes it gently once and keeps my hand in hers.

I'm used to Kara being this way. I know she's attached herself to me. I don't mind it at all because she knows where I stand with my feelings.

Coulson and Hunter pretend they don't see it but Fitz is openly staring at our joined hands and looks so confused. He puts both hands on his back and then brings one to pinch the bridge of his nose as he shuts his eyes.

Coulson pulls out what looks like a black cube and sets it on a seat. "I can pull it up now." The cube projects some screens and Coulson looks like he's flipping threw them with a swipe of his hand. And then, we see it, Kara's file.

She instantly drops my hand and steps forward to see herself. She wastes no time in scanning her face and changing her mask. She turns to me with her own face in a wide smile and then she surprises us all by throwing herself at Coulson. He catches her and she embraces him.

I know how happy she is with this small gesture. She might be angry at Skye but she's willing to help Coulson. She was always loyal to SHIELD.

We leave her alone after she lets go of Coulson to give her time to read her own file.

"Bakshi planned a meeting with List. He's not to bring anyone, although he can bring a bodyguard. I was assuming he could take Hunter but now that Mike is here, we could monitor the exchange more closely with him there." I explain to Coulson.

"I agree. If anything goes wrong, we can have eyes in the room. You sure we can trust Bakshi?" Coulson glances at Bakshi.

"Yes. We used the same technique that Hydra used on Kara. He's ready to comply." I turn to Bakshi myself, "Aren't you Bakshi?"

Bakshi's sniveling smile appears. "Yes, Sir. I'm happy to comply." He looks like he's going to get a treat. It makes me sick so I point to the seat and he sits.

"Where on earth did you come up with brainwashing him?" Hunter also looks disgusted with Bakshi.

I shrug. "We needed an in. I lost a lot of trust when I turned Bakshi over to you and I can only imagine what Whitehall spread about me before he died. Bakshi is my in. He's a little weasel."

We go over the plan one more time and wait as Bakshi and Mike meet with List. Everything is going well when suddenly, their plane taking off.

"Strucker is overseas." I say. "Maybe they're going to him." I'm guessing because nothing about the exchange Bakshi and Mike had with List raised any red flags.

"Makes sense. Let's make sure we're on their tail. Ward, get behind the wheel. Fitz stay on Mike, make sure he's playing along. If he thinks he's in danger he automatically goes on attack mode."

"Yes, sir."

I make my way to the cockpit.

"I can make some calls and get us some backup, sir." Hunter suggests.

I stop paying attention as I go into stealth mode. Kara come to sit beside me. She's been quiet.

"You ok?" I turn to her.