I'm Grant Ward

Chapter 148: Goodbyes and New Beginnings

The S.H.I.E.L.D. base in Providence was on an unusually high alert. Agents moved quickly through the hallways, while the tension was palpable in the air. Agent Triplett, newly joined the team, was preparing to join them in a series of polygraph tests, a standard procedure to ensure loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. After recent events, this was even more important.

Ward, May, Skye, Fitz, and Simmons were all gathered in a room, ready for the test. Maria Hill, now a strong and determined leader, watched from a corner of the room, her gaze fixed on the group.

"Everyone ready?" Maria asked, with an encouraging smile.

"I've never been more ready for a lie," Fitz replied, trying to ease the tension.

"Just tell the truth, and everything will be fine," May said with her usual coolness.

She glanced at Ward, who looked thoughtful. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just... a little reflective, I guess," Ward said, looking away.

He was bracing himself for something that could change the course of his life. Each of the agents passed the test successfully, the polygraph machine responding positively to each answer. But just when it seemed like the team might finally get a moment of peace, the situation took an unexpected turn. Suddenly, an alarm sounded throughout the base.

Maria stood up quickly, her expression changing from encouragement to concern.

"What's going on?" she asked, as she walked over to a screen showing the outside of the base.

"We have a situation," a nearby agent said, his face tense. "Major General Talbot has surrounded the base with his troops."

The group looked at each other, tension rising. Ward made a move to prepare for whatever was coming, but Maria gestured for them to calm down.

"Stay together. We won't let this distract us from our objective. If necessary, we will confront him," she stated firmly.

As the noise of Talbot's troops echoed outside, the team began to prepare for the confrontation.

"Ward, you and May stay in the back," Maria ordered. "Skye, you and Simmons follow me. We'll try to negotiate first."

Before they could advance, the door opened, and Talbot's team entered with weapons drawn. The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were ready for combat, but Maria signaled for everyone to remain calm.

"Talbot!" she shouted, her defiant tone echoing through the room. "What are you doing here?"

Talbot, with his typical military confidence, stepped forward.

"I'm here to bring S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to justice," he declared, looking directly at Maria. "This organization is full of traitors."

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Maria replied, keeping her cool. "We won't let you do that." The situation escalated quickly. The atmosphere was tense, and before a negotiation could be made, Talbot gave the order for his men to surround the team.

But at an unexpected moment, Maria gave her agents a determined look.

"Now!"

In a coordinated action, Maria and the team attacked. Skye used her abilities to disable the security, while May and Ward moved quickly, neutralizing Talbot's agents one by one. The fight was quick and decisive. When Talbot's last man was down, the team breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was intense," Fitz said, panting.

Maria approached Talbot, now lying on the ground.

"You shouldn't underestimate S.H.I.E.L.D." she said with a defiant smile. "Now, if you don't mind, we have business to attend to."

With the team assembled, they prepared to leave Providence, leaving Talbot and his men behind. As the team moved, Maria decided it was time to go.

After everything that had happened, the team gathered in a small space in the base. The atmosphere was calmer, but the tension still hung in the air. Maria, with her firm posture, looked at Ward.

"I'm going to catch a plane back to New York to Stark Tower."

Ward felt a pang in his heart when he heard that. He approached her, trying to find the right words.

"You'll take care of yourself, right?" he asked, with a worried look.

Maria smiled, a sad smile.

"Always. Bye, beautiful."

Grant watched Maria walk away, knowing that his heart was struggling between loyalty to his team and what he felt for her. Ward turned to the team and told them that he wanted to go with Maria, but he felt like he would abandon the team.

"I feel like... I feel like I'm going to abandon you, especially now that all this has happened," he confessed, his voice full of sincerity.

Skye, who had been listening to the conversation, approached.

"Ward, we're a family. You'll never be too far away. If you need us, we'll be here. Always." The others joined in, forming a circle around Ward, a gesture of solidarity.

"We will miss you", Fitz said with an encouraging smile. "But it's time for you to move on. And who knows, maybe Stark has a few tricks up his sleeve that can help us."

Simmons, with tears in his eyes, stepped forward and hugged Ward.

"Whenever you can, keep us updated. You have a place here, and you always will."

Ward smiled, feeling a mixture of sadness and gratitude.

"I promise. I'll always be around, and if you need anything, just call me."

Ward ran to the base garage, where he found a motorcycle. Without thinking twice, he started it and sped off towards the airport. The wind hit his face, and adrenaline ran through his veins as he drove through the streets.

As the city passed by him in a blur, Ward thought about everything that had happened, all the hardships they had faced together, and how he wanted to be part of Maria's future.

Finally, he saw the airport and accelerated even more. His heart was beating fast, and he felt more alive than ever. When he reached the terminal, he parked his motorcycle and ran towards the gate.

He saw her from afar, Maria was about to board her flight. The sight of her, ready to leave, made his heart race even faster.

"Maria!" he shouted, trying to get through the crowd. She turned around, and the look in her eyes reflected surprise and joy at seeing him.

"Grant! What are you doing here?" she asked, her expression changing quickly.

He approached, breathing heavily.

"I can't let you go without telling you..." his voice broke, and he took her hand. "I want to be with you. I'm 100% behind you and I want to work with Stark. Not just because you need me, but because I want to. Because you're important to me."

Maria was silent for a moment, her gaze lighting up.

"Do you really want to do this?" she asked, a smile breaking across her face.

"Yes. I'm ready for anything, as long as it's with you", Ward replied, holding her hand tightly.

She smiled and pulled him close, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Then let's do this together," she whispered in his ear.

With the two of them together, a new chapter was about to begin, and Ward knew that, despite the difficulties that would come, he was ready to face them alongside Maria.

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