Bleeding Out

Part Three

Suddenly the gun was knocked out of her palm, spinning on the concrete. Something connected with her stomach and Skye sank to her knees, back against the door Simmons went through. "Leave her alone! She's not our mission," Ward snarled.

Skye pushed herself to her feet. About half a dozen men and women stood around her, plus Ward.

The lady in the middle raised her gun at Skye. "Tell us where your friend went, and I'll let you die."

Skye's brushing ribs just badly, but her pride hurt worse after that little jab. "I'm an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.-"

The whir of helicopter blades drowned out Skye and it was obvious from the looks on the HYDRA agents that it want one of theirs.

Skye's vision blurred with sudden tears. The cavalry was here. There was shouting, then a loud bang, and a heavy weight fell on Skye, knocking her down.

Skye wriggled under the body; she couldn't tell who pinned her down. She slid out, turning, and saw it was Ward. His shirt was dark with blood from the bullet he's taken. The bullet he's taken for Skye.

"Ward!" Skye's scream tore though the rain. Even May and Simmons herd it in the roof.

She was sobbing uncontrollably. "No, Skye." Ward deepened his voice. "I'm agent Grant Ward and I can rupture your spleen with my left pinky."

His lame attempt at pulling her mind off the bullet buried in his side fell flat.

"Oh my God." Skye tried to stem her tears and the blood seeping onto her jeans at the same time.

Ward caught her wrist. "Let it go Skye. It's too late." It can out as a whisper.

"No,no. Simmons will con with Nay. They can fix this. Come on. Just stick with me here," Skye choked out.

Somewhere in the distance, sirens wailed.

"May! Simmons!" Skye pressed her hands against Ward's wound. "Simmmons!" Her voice died. "Help him."

"Skye, stop," Ward coughed, "Stop it. You can do anything now,"

Skye watched the blood spill over her hands. He was right. "Why did you do it?"

"They need you, Skye. And I wouldn't be able to function if you died."

The rain began to pour down harder, as if the clouds were crying too. The rain washed the blood, Ward's blood, that stained Skye's hands. It fogged her vision too, making her reality disoriented, or was that the work of her own tears.

"Ward.... I-I...." Skye choked. So many emotions swirled inside of her like a hurricane. Hate. Love. Sorrow. Confusion. "You're not dying on me." Skye shook him, trying to keep him anchored to reality. "SIMMONS!" But her plea was unanswered. "Come on Ward. Stay with me!"

Ward lifted his hand to Skye's cheek, wiping away a single tear. "Skye." That one word was filled with so much love. "I never meant to hurt you, the team, or anyone. I just want you to know before-"

"NO. You're not going to die." Skye looked down towards his wound. "Simmons will be here, and... and..."

Ward looked deep into her eyes. Suddenly, he began to choke.

The bullet had ruptured his lungs.

"Ward."

He continued to cough.

"Ward."

Blood trickled out the side of his mouth.

"Ward."

"Skye... I-I love..." His words trailed off and dissolved into the pitter patter of the rain.