Through Time and Space

Chapter 1

17 years ago on Earth:

"Grant Ward?" someone called as one of the Juvie guards marched the boy into the cafeteria. "My name is John Garrett," the man introduced himself as he sat across the table from Grant. "The master at your military school is an old buddy of mine. He told me about a young pissed off teenager with outstanding hand-eye coordination, who ran away from his school, stole a car, and drove back home only to burn the place to the ground. I have to say, I find a young man like that, intriguing." Grant swallowed thickly, he could tell that this would be a long conversation. "I'm curious, did you know your brother was inside the house when you tried to burn it?"

A million thoughts were running through Grant's mind as he replied, "no sir I did not."

The man just sat there and flashed him a grin that would make just about anyone uneasy, "I was a pyro as a kid too, made quite a living off of it," he paused and leaned in closer so that only Grant could hear him, "I'm here to make you a one time offer so listen up. Your family's lawyer is going to be here in about 20 minutes. Not only are your folks pressing charges for arson and attempted murder, but your big brother's threatening to have you tried as an adult."

Grant gulped as he tried to process this new piece of information. At least jail would probably be better than his house with his family.

"So you could either spend the rest of your life locked up in here blaming mommy and daddy and mean older brother for your problems," he paused as he looked around and then continued in a lower voice, "or you can let me get you out of here and teach you how to be a man. I work for a secret organization that likes to recruit young men like you."

A little red flag went up in Grant's mind and he raised an eyebrow, "why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't trust anyone. Ever. Especially not me. Let me be clear, going with me will be the hardest thing you've ever done, but on the other hand, no one will ever mess with you again. So say yes, it'll be hard but fun, just say yes."

Grant looked around before thinking it through. He sighed when he realized that the alternative wasn't much better, "yes."

All of the sudden at least 20 men with guns entered the room. Grant gaped at Agent Garrett in shock. Garrett smirked and stood up from the table, motioning for Grant to follow him, "told you it would be fun."

____________

Present Day

Ward shuddered as he thought about the memory. The Berserker staff brought all of his darkest memories to light. If it hadn't been for Skye, he was sure that he'd be working out his aggression on the punching bag or trying to drown his memories in alcohol. Skye offered him a shoulder to lean on and that was exactly what he needed. They left the bar and went back to the living room on the bus and talked for hours about Ward's life before Garrett, but Ward didn't tell her about his secret. No one except for Coulson and his sister knew. As they were talking, Skye fell asleep on Ward's shoulder and when he saw that she was out cold, he picked her up and carried her back to her bunk, laid the covers over her and closed the door.

"It's really rather sweet, the way you look at her."

Ward jumped and turned around in surprise. He rolled his eyes at her smirk, "Jemma will you  just stop?"

"Only if you actually tell her how you feel." She stuck her tongue out at him in a childlike manner and then turned serious. She wrapped her arms around him, "how are you feeling?"

"Better now that I've talked about it," he answered honestly, returning the hug.

"I'm glad that you're okay."

"Me too, how are mom and dad?"

"They were fine but they say that they miss you loads. You haven't visited them in 3 years, you only call them. Speaking of which, can you please come home for Christmas with me this year?"

"I know and I miss them too. Jemma you know that I'll try, it's just not my decision whether or not there are bad guys out there."

She sighed, "I know, it's just that it'll be nice to have the whole family together again."

"You know that I'll try," he removed his arms from around her and then sighed, "I'm going to get some rest. It's been a long day."

Jemma nodded and then smiled, "sleep well."

Ward gave a small nod and then closed the door to his bunk across the hall.

He mentally prepared himself for the hellish nightmares he was sure he would get from the Berserker staff, but instead he dreamt about something he hadn't thought of in a very long time.
***

Garrett should have been back by now. It had been six months. Grant knew that Garrett was going to leave him there, but he was sure that it wouldn't be nearly this long. He'd never been left on his own for long, his parents always wanted someone else to watch the house. Christian was the oldest, putting him on a pedestal, and Thomas was the youngest, the golden child. Eventually, when Grant realized that Garrett wasn't coming for him anytime soon, he started raiding cabins to get food and supplies to make himself a shelter. Buddy, the dog that Garrett had left him, helped keep him company most days.

They had just gotten back from another cabin raid when Buddy started barking at something very loudly. Grant went over to quiet him when he saw a blue police box pop out of nowhere. Just then, a man in his early thirties hopped out of the box with a woman that seemed to be about 25. Grant stared at them in shock.

"Oh! Hello!" The man greeted him, "what are you doing out here?"

Grant continued staring and started to mumble as he pointed at them, "you...just...appeared...thin air...police..."

"Ah yeah, that surprised me too when I first met him," said the woman, "I'm Rose Tyler and this is the Doctor, who are you?" She held out her hand for Grant to shake.

"My name's Grant Ward," he answered slowly as he tried to figure out how two people who sounded British ended up in the middle of a forest in Wyoming in a police box.

"Nice to meet you Grant," said the Doctor, "now what are you doing in the middle of the woods on your own?"

For some reason, Grant started talking. He told the two strangers his story, leaving out some of the worse details. He didn't know why he told them everything, they both just had an air about them that automatically made you want to trust them.

When he finished, Rose stuck out her bottom lip, "Oh you poor thing,  Doctor, can we take him with us?"

"Oh I don't know, you'd have to ask him first," the Doctor replied with a smile as he leaned up against a nearby tree.

"Grant do you want to travel with us? We could take you away from that terrible man who just left you here. Who knows if he'll ever come back."

They seemed like nice people, but the last time he trusted someone to take him away from his problems, he was only left with more. "I don't know..."

"Let's show you our box first! Then you can decide!" She grabbed Grant's hand and pulled him off the ground and led him to the police box. She opened the door and Grant's eyebrows raised to the top of his forehead.

He poked his head outside the box and then looked back in, "I can't believe it."

"Most people tend to have that reaction," said the Doctor with a warm smile.

"It's bigger on the inside."