Chapter Twenty-Two (Home)

"I still remember that day in December when I turned my back and ran away. Flames of a passion replaced by an ember, growing slowly dimmer everyday. And I still remember that foolish endeavor. Holds in needless pain and suffering, falling apart while avoiding surrender. I've been led astray."

(About a Year Later)

It had been a year since the Attilan incidents. And it had also been a year since any serious incident as well. Everything had been pretty much calm. Coulson had found nothing that could really help his search for the temple at Attilan, mostly because everything was too destroyed to even be searched.

Skye's father had been of great use for information about the Diviner and the Inhumans. Unfortunately, he had somehow escaped a few months ago and hadn't been seen since. But Coulson had gotten plenty of information from him.

And Ward, he had been pretty much fully integrated back to the team. Despite the team's weariness around him. He had pretty much gained full control of his abilities, but had a few small incidents that were able to be taken care of with ease.

Everything had pretty much fallen back into place like it was before the Hydra uprising, despite there being four new members to the team and Ward not being fully human.

Ward stepped sleepily out of his sleeping quarters about six in the morning, pulling on his leather jacket. He headed towards the kitchen area to grab himself a small breakfast. He just pulled the refrigerator open when he heard something shuffle behind him. He spun around, milk carton in hand.

Skye stood by the table, hands up, "Whoa, watch out there, Robot. You don't want to kill anyone with a carton of milk." she said.

Ward frowned and looked to the milk carton in his hand and placed it back into the fridge, "Skye, what are you even doing up?" he asked. "You usually don't get up for another hour or so."

Skye smiled softly, coming over, "I couldn't sleep. I was already awake and heard you shuffling around. You're not exactly that quiet in the morning, you know."

Ward rolled his eyes, "Cause I just got out of bed." he said. "Why should I be quiet? You and Fitzsimmons are like the only ones not up. Everyone else is already wide awake. Bobbi and Hunter are probably in the gym along with Triplett, Mack's probably working on something in the garage. And Coulson and May are probably looking for our next mission."

Skye playfully nudged him, "Unlike you, I appreciate all the sleep I can get. I can't just sleep like four hours and be good. I've got to have at least a full eight hours."

"Just so you know, I slept about seven hours." Ward retorted.

"Cause you were in the gym to about ten last night fooling with your mystical abilities."

Ward sighed, "Do you want them getting out of control again?" he asked. "Remember about four months ago when I almost took Hunter's head off?"

"That was his fault." Skye responded. "He was asking for it. He shouldn't have been mocking you like that during your training."

"That is true." Ward said. "Now, Skye, can I get back to trying to get me something to eat?" he asked. "We can talk while we eat. I don't want to be standing around forever waiting to eat something. I'm starving."

Skye rolled her eyes, "Fine, but you're eating more than a banana today. You've got to have more in your body than that."

"Fine."

The two then made themselves a small breakfast, ate it quickly without saying much to one another, and then left for the common room of the base.

As the two walked into the common room, Hunter looked up from the couch he was sitting on with Bobbi, "Oi, look, it's the two lovebirds!" he exclaimed.

Ward shot him an evil glare, "Watch yourself Lance. Remember last time?" he growled slightly.

Hunter threw up his hands, "Only trying to make a joke, mate." he said. "Not gonna harm ya."

"Lance, you've should've learned to stop joking around about several years ago." Bobbi said. "You're really gonna get hurt one of these days because you were fooling around."

"Whatever." Hunter grumbled.

Ward rolled his eyes and sat down on the adjacent couch along with Skye. They sat in complete silence until Fitzsimmons both strolled into the room.

Fitz looked to Ward then to Hunter, "Coulson wants you both for some reason." he said.

Ward raised an eyebrow, "Why? It's seven in the morning." he questioned.

Fitz shrugged, "I dunno. I guess for mission stuff."

Simmons rolled her eyes, "He said it was for a mission briefing. Trip's gonna be there too." she said.

Hunter gave Ward a disgusted look, "He wants me working with Halloween over there?" he asked, pointing at Ward. "There's no way."

"Don't call me Halloween!" Ward exclaimed.

"What else am I supposed to call you? Black hole? Blacky? Evil demon from the pit? No wait, that's Bobbi."

Bobbi elbowed him in the side. "Get it together, Lance." he stated harshly. "Just go and see what Coulson wants. Don't make jokes now."

"Fine." Hunter grumbled, getting up from his seat. He looked over to Ward, "Come on mate, I'm not gonna hurt you."

A muscle twitched in Ward's face, "Yeah, but I might." he said under his breath, getting up.

"Grant, keep your cool, please." Skye said. "It's just Hunter."

"That's bad enough!"

"I'm not that bad!" Hunter exclaimed.

"Yes you are!" Bobbi added in.

Fitzsimmons exchanged glances with one another.

"Uh, Coulson wants you now." Fitz added in quietly.

Bobbi rolled her eyes at the tension between the two men, both who were glaring at one another. She pulled Hunter away, "Come on, Lance. Let's go before you anger the monster."

Ward took a breath and looked back at Skye. She gave him a soft smile and a thumbs up, "Don't worry, it's just Hunter. He likes to joke around. You'll be fine, don't let him get underneath your skin like last time. You'll be fine."

Ward smiled softly back, "Fine, if you say so." he said, leaning over and kissing Skye on the head. "I guess I'll be back soon, if I don't end up killing Hunter."

"You'll be fine."

"Yeah, you will." Fitz agreed.

"Yep." Simmons added in.

Ward sighed and turned around, headed out of the room. He finally seemed to be part of the team after a long, hard year. And he finally seemed to have a home. But would it ever be a relaxed home? Ward didn't think so.

"I'm running home, back to your arms where I belong. I won't let go this time."

-END-

Author's Note: I don't own AoS, Marvel does. Song is 'Home' by Fades Away. End of story! Hoped that you enjoyed! This was just a fun chapter. And I do imagine Ward not really liking Hunter. But still, I hoped that you enjoyed! Please review! ~AwakeAndAliveSpartan.