Ragtag

Mick sat behind Skye and Fitz as Jemma began checking him for fever with the few basic tools they had left. They had a news reporters speaking about a drug lord being assassinated by a suspected super human occasionally showing extremely blurry pictures of Mike Peterson while they discussed the pros and cons of the situation. "Never thought I'd see something like this available to the public," Skye said as Fitz nodded along. 

"I don't see this ending well for anyone," Mick sighed. "How long before they turn on people with powers?" 

"We just have to hope Coulson has a plan to stop this before it comes to that," Jemma said as she sat down beside Fitz. 

"I don't think people will turn against their protectors," Skye said as she looked at Mick with a smile. 

"I don't understand why they chose a Colombian drug peddler with known connections to Hydra," Fitz frowned as he focused on the reporters. 

"Maybe he wasn't playing nice with them," Skye shrugged. "But, Mike being there, maybe Garrett and our hijacked plane is too?" 

"Guys," Coulson opened the adjoining door and peaked in. "I need you in here for a moment." 

They walked out to see May with a tripod and pinned papers on a cork board. It was a web chart with various names; Ward and Garret, Hydra, Quinn, Clairvoyant, Centipede, GH-325, and Cybertech in the center of it all. 

"I know it's not as elegant as usual, but we're working with what we've got," Coulson said as May cracked a smile. "This is everything we've been dealing with over the past few months. May and I sat down to figure out how it's all connected, and the only thing tying all of this together has been Cybertech." Coulson pointed at the large center circle, which he was now circling with a red marker. 

"Cybertech built Deathlok, shipped items to Quinn who was working under the orders of the Clairvoyant, which turned out to be John Garrett, who had Ward feeding him information that would ultimately lead him to the GH-325 serum," May stated. 

"We suspect that the Centipede Serum is meant to be a more controlled version of the Extremis Serum, and they want the GH-325 to help with the nasty after effects," Coulson said as Mick motioned exploding as Coulson nodded. 

"So it all comes back to Garrett?" Fitz asked. 

"Yes," Coulson says. 

"So he wants the GH-325 to stabilize and regenerate his army of super soldiers?" Jemma asked. 

"And that would be why Ward kidnapped Skye to get the hard drive," May said. 

"Everything we knew about that stuff was on there," Coulson sighed. "Thankfully, Skye left them a little surprise." 

"A Trojan horse," Skye smiled. "It's slowly mapping every system they plug the drive into."

"Well that's brilliant!" Fitz exclaimed as Jemma nodded. 

"Well played Skye," Jemma said as Skye smiled wider. 

"Yeah, thanks," she said sheepishly. "It would've been the perfect play, if I had time to finish it." 

"What do you mean?" Mick asked as Skye frowned. 

"Ward was getting too anxious while trying to force me to decode the drive, so I just loaded what I had," Skye frowned. "It just needs the activation code."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Jemma said as Skye nodded. 

"The problem is we need a Hydra computer to send the activation code," Skye groaned. "Spoiler alert, we haven't a clue where to find one." 

"Not entirely true," May smirked. "That's why we brought you in here. If Garrett and Cybertech have really been working together for years," Skye's eyes widened as she realized quickly what May was implying. 

"Then Cybertech would be linked to Garrett's systems!" She exclaimed as Coulson nodded. 

"Exactly," Coulson smiled. 

"That's why we're going to get into one of their offices," May said. 

"Remember, we don't have any authority, no backup, we're no longer SHIELD," Coulson said somberly. 

"We're going more my style," Mick smirked. "We're going to be vigilante's!" 

"Not exactly where I was going," Coulson said with a half smile. "I was leaning toward the right thing to do, but yeah," Coulson's expression changed to determination. "I'm going to finish what I started. Garrett and Ward aren't going to get away with murder! And I want my plane back." 

"Now is your only chance to back out," May said sternly. 

"I'm in," Skye smiled. 

"Me too," Jemma and Fitz said in unison, then everyone looked at Mick. 

"Powers or not, this sounds fun, I'm in," Mick smiled.

Mick swam across the pool as Jemma sat with her feet in the water watching. "How are you feeling?" Jemma asked as Mick looked quite relaxed. 

"I feel a million times better than I have been," Mick shook the water out of his hair, splashing Jemma a good bit. 

"Was that necessary?" Jemma asked as Mick smiled mischievously as he swam to the edge of the pool leaning on the concrete beside her. 

"Are you upset with me about something?" Mick asked as Jemma seemed quite distant. 

"No," she said quickly. "Everything is just piling on and I have no time to think." 

"What about you and me?" Mick asked as Jemma raised a brow glancing down at him. "You still up for that date once things settle down?" 

"I'm sorry," Jemma frowned. "You must think I'm a terrible girlfriend since we haven't spent any time together." 

"Not really," Mick smiled. "Sam and I put many things on the back burner when I was playing hero around town. I just figured it was par for the course." 

"Then I guess when this is all over, then I'll gladly take that date," Jemma smiled. "I could use a night out."

"Even if it's just as friends," Mick said as Jemma seemed shocked. "Don't panic, I just saw you and Fitz last night, wasn't sure if you were changing your mind about us or not." 

"Fitz is," Jemma sighed. "He's just a friend, you know that." 

"We said the same thing about each other," Mick said as Jemma frowned. 

"And you'd be okay with that?" Jemma seemed skeptical.

"It would probably sting a bit, but I can't say I would hate it. I used to think you two would've ended up together anyway," Mick admitted, careful to not reveal Fitz's secret. 

"I need to check your vitals and see if this make shift cooling is helping," Jemma quickly changed the subject. 

She checked his pulse by hand, and his temperature with an in mouth thermometer. She seemed quite happy with the results which was quite a relief to Mick. "I have one dose of benzodiazepine left if we get in a bind, but hopefully that isn't the case," Jemma said cheerfully. 

"Yeah, let's hope," Mick smiled as he climbed out of the pool. 

"So how is he?" Skye asked as she and Fitz joined them. 

"Dying, I'll be gone by the end of the week," Mick said sarcastically. 

"Too bad that's only a few hours away," Coulson said with a smirk tossing him a towel. "We'll miss you." Mick scowled as everyone chuckled. "We're in with the Cybertech R&D in the Palo office."

Fitz groaned at that as Mick glanced skeptically. "I thought you'd be happy to get in?" Mick said as Fitz grimaced. 

"It's not the getting in he's worried about," Jemma said as she watched Fitz roll his eyes. 

"I've made extra sure that no matter how far they dig, all they're going to find is what I want them to see," Skye said as Fitz frowned then sighed. 

"That's only part of the problem," Fitz said leaning back in the metal lawn chair. "I don't feel right giving the enemy our schematics." 

"We're not really giving them anything," Coulson said as Fitz seemed a little reassured. "Only an idea so that we can get inside and plug in Skye's flash drive."

"You don't have to go if you're that uneasy about it," May said as she surprised everyone realizing she was leaning on the vending machine. 

"What if Ward is there?" Fitz stuttered. 

"Then we'll handle it," Mick said bluntly as Jemma placed an arm on his shoulder. 

"What if he's just a prisoner like Mike Peterson or Akela Amador?" Fitz asked as Skye shook her head. 

"I don't think so Fitz," she said firmly. "Everything was just an act. The guy is straight up evil."

"No, he couldn't have," Fitz tried to argue. 

"I'd love for Ward to be a prisoner, but if it comes down to saving him or protecting the team," Mick started as Fitz hung his head. "People change, trust me, I've seen it." 

"I don't know," Fitz sighed as Jemma rubbed his back.

The gate opened as Trip walked in with a large brown suitcase. "Sorry, my mom get's really sentimental when it comes to Pop's Howling Commando gear."

Coulson eyes were wider than a child in a candy store as he quickly followed Trip into his room to see what all they preserved. Trip laid the case on the bed, popping it open to reveal a box of several old school blasters that looked like something straight of a comic book. 

"Is that, no," Coulson's eyes grew larger. "An old hand held Hypno-Beam?" He reached pulling out the gun with a satellite bowl end. 

"Sure is," Trip said proudly. "One of the beta models at that," Trip pointed at the switch on the bottom of the handle. 

"Right, production had them on the side!" Coulson cheered in a giddy tone, amusing everyone with his enthusiasm.

"Alright, you can ogle the toys later, we have a plane to catch," Skye smirked as Coulson rolled his eyes. 

"Look at this, a noise maker," Fitz pulled out the triangle piece holding the handle ready to spin it.

"No!" Coulson grabbed his hand as both he and Trip let out a sigh of relief. 

"Really, a gag buzzer?" Jemma pulled out the small palm sized switch then pressed it before Trip could stop her. All of the electronics in the room crackled before shutting off completely. 

"It's a short range EMP," Trip sighed as Jemma but her lip handing it back to Trip. 

"How short range?" Skye seemed slightly annoyed. 

"About ten foot," Trip said as Skye seemed relieved. 

"That's pretty cool how innocent this stuff looks," Mick shuffled a few things around in the suitcase, picking up a small pack of cigarettes. 

"I've seen this!" Fitz cheered as he pulled one from the case. "It's really a laser, but it just looks so harmless," Fitz pretended to smoke unaware of the beam igniting. 

"This is really awesome, thanks Trip," Coulson said as a fire started on the curtains behind them, shocking not only Fitz but everyone as he quickly handed the back of cigarettes to Trip as he carefully tucked them away in the suitcase.

"This is going to be fun," Skye game

"Look out Hydra, here we come," May said sarcastically. 

"We'll do just fine," Coulson tucked the cigarette back in the case then set it in the suitcase. "We need to change, then we can go." 

"Change?" Mick asked as May nodded. 

"You see how uncomfortable Fitz is about all of this, and Simmons can't lie her way out of a bag," May stated plainly. 

"Hey!" Jemma fussed. "I'm getting better!" 

"Eh," Fitz smirked only to catch a scowl from Jemma. 

Before too long Coulson and May came out in something Jemma and Fitz would wear. Each had a pair of transition glasses, a sweater vest over a button down, and a pair of khaki pants with dress shoes, and a white lab coat. "That's actually pretty good," Skye laughed. 

"What?" Jemma gasped. 

"Spot on," Trip teased, Mick biting his lip to hold in his amusement. 

"You too?" Fitz barked as Mick turned to the ground. 

"At least I'm modest and comfortable," Jemma said with a prissy tone and expression to match. 

"I'm sure Webby loves that," Skye teased as Mick glared at the use of that cursed nickname. 

"We didn't mean to upset you," Coulson said. "We just needed to fit in with these sciency guys and you're the closest we've got. 

"Imitation is a sincere form of flattery I guess," Jemma sighed. 

"No time to lose or we'll be late!" May stated as Coulson nodded. 

It didn't take long before they were parked outside the Cybertech building in a rented white van, set up with the comms Fitz rigged using some cheap Walkie Talkies mixed with the remnants from the plane. "Comms test," May said as Mick and Trip watched Coulson and May walk toward the building.

"Read you loud and clear," Mick replied. 

"Are you sure you don't want Simmons and I to go in?" Fitz asked as Coulson glanced back at van. 

"Too late now," Coulson said. 

"Ten bucks they mess up," Trip teased. 

"I heard that," Coulson growled. 

"Double that they get a job offer," Mick smirked. 

"Really? I'll take that bet," Skye smirked and shook Mick's hand as Jemma and Fitz both frowned. 

"Really guys?" Coulson fussed. 

"Focus," May snapped. "Keep silent until we need Fitz-Simmons." 

"Sorry," Mick and Skye said in harmony.

Everything seemed to be going relatively smooth. They listened carefully as Coulson and May were led into the interview room. 

"Hello, I'm Doctor Ott, senior VP of R&D and this is Diaz."

"I'm Theo Tittle, this is Doctor Roum. Thanks for seeing us on such short notice," Coulson said as Mick and Trip glanced at each other at the awkwardness of Coulson's tone. 

"We've met with other previous SHIELD agents, and honestly we haven't been that impressed," Ott said as Skye scoffed. "Now Hydra on the other hand, they're much less robotic, and," Ott paused. "Younger. Much younger." 

"I knew we should've went in for them," Fitz whispered. 

"Oh hush," Jemma fussed. "Agent May doesn't look a day over," Jemma paused regretting starting that sentence. "Thirty!" Fitz snickered as Jemma blushed. 

"This isn't going well for you," Trip nudged Mick as Skye danced slightly with an eager grin. 

"Come on guys, sell it. I don't want to owe Skye money!" Mick fussed. 

"Yes!" Skye cheered as her laptop screen shifted from connecting to a full blow map scan. "Score one for the Howling Commando's! Now I should be able to pinpoint the mainframe." 

"How does that work? They didn't have WiFi back then did they?" Trip was just as confused as Mick. 

"It's UHF. It's so out of date, no one even scans for it anymore," Skye said as Trip nodded. Her computer then pinged as she growled. "There's nothing digital even showing up, not even a source. How can that be possible in a place like this?" 

"Maybe they scan for the UHF?" Trip suggested. 

"What about encryptions?" Mick asked as Skye shook her head at both. 

"No, they'd have to show some kind of data flow even if they had blockers," Skye sighed. "Guys, we're going to need a few more minutes." 

"That's fine," Fitz said confidently. "We'll just show them the ICER bullets, and explain them. Just give me the cue and repeat after me," Fitz said as Coulson cleared his throat, then something tapped in an exaggerated manner. 

"Must be the signal," Fitz said as Jemma nodded. "I designed this to be powerful, yet non-lethal, and break," Fitz seemed to be getting slightly nervous as Coulson began repeating word for word. "Break up under subcutaneous tissue." 

"My turn," Simmons smiled. "And my challenge was that it could only hold a dose of eighty five micrograms of Dendrotoxin. He should have run the specs by me before building the molds," May clearly waited for Jemma to finish before repeating anything, sounding much more smooth, yet using an oddly chipper tone akin to Jemma's. 

Jemma then caught everyone by surprise when she continued after May. "I think we can all agree that the true beauty is in my hyper concentrated Dendrotoxin formula." She smirked at Fitz who bit his lip then scowled. 

"My cartridge case ejection system, without that her formula would be utterly useless," Fitz interjected which Coulson then began to repeat. 

"Without my Dendrotoxin formula with compressed air expulsion you're ejection system would be no better than a toy!" Jemma replied as May stayed quiet. 

"Guys!" Skye fussed as someone cleared their throat. 

"It's not a competition," Mick said as both Jemma and Fitz glared. 

"Unfortunately," Ott's voice brought everyone back into focus. "We've already seen these bullets before. What did they call it?" 

"A sleepy-sleep gun or something like that," someone, presumably Diaz, muttered. 

"Night night gun," Fitz muttered as Trip chuckled. 

"That's right, we took that idea and made it much more efficient by making it an aerosol grenade," Ott boasted. 

"But this is an ICER!" Jemma fussed. 

"This is an ICER, triple the stopping power, and a much cooler name!" Coulson said hopeful. 

"What else do you have?" Ott didn't sound impressed at all. 

"Finally!" Skye cheered as it sounded like Coulson and May breathed a sigh of relief. "Here's all the building permits Cybertek's filed in the city. There's something funky about the fourth floor. Only one way in or out. Extra reinforced security door."

"Bet that's our server room," Trip smirked. 

"You owe me a twenty," Skye patted Mick's shoulders as he sighed. "Guys, see if you can slip over to the fourth floor, I bet that's where they have the sever." 

"Told you they'd mess up," Trip gloated. 

"They didn't mess up," Mick frowned. "They just didn't sell it well enough." 

"Who would prefer an aerosol grenade to a long range bullet!" Fitz barked. 

"Clearly someone who just wants to knock out a crowd for their own nefarious deeds," Jemma huffed. 

"If you hadn't tried to push that bloody serum then they'd have bought in," Fitz continued to fuss. 

"If you'd just admit your little project is no good without my serum, then they wouldn't have looked like fools bickering about it!" Jemma rebutted. 

"Well, if you weren't trying to impress your boyfriend with your must be important attitude," Fitz snapped. 

"You're just trying to show off your importance to feel good about being smarter than Mick and Triplett!" Jemma fussed. 

"Whoa, easy now," Skye held her arms between Fitz and Simmons who seemed quite irate with one another. "Do we need to take a timeout outside the van?" 

"No," Fitz and Simmons said together. 

"Do they do that often?" Trip asked softly as Mick shook his head lightly with a crinkled nose. 

"I think I know why you couldn't find any digital data," Coulson's voice came over the comms. "There isn't any." 

"How?" Mick asked as Skye looked just as surprised. 

"What do you mean?" She glanced at the blacked out fourth floor schematics and shook her head. 

"Everything here is in filing cabinets," Coulson sounded just as surprised as everyone in the van felt. "Nothing but hard copies." 

"That's why granny was using a typewriter and not a computer," May said with a huff. 

"We're already up here, so we'll go ahead and look around." 

"Radio us if you need an extraction then," Mick said as he looked back to see Jemma and Fitz still fuming as they glared at each other. "We have some stuff to work out." 

"Yeah, we heard," Coulson sounded distraught. "Good luck with that."

Mick stepped out of the van with Fitz, who seemed completely uncomfortable to be so exposed. "What's going on, bud?" 

"I don't know," Fitz groaned. "I don't know why I felt so compelled to act like that. I just wanted her to see how important I am."

"Fitz, she knows that," Mick said as Fitz frowned. 

"I know that without her formula my ICER would be useless, because that's how I feel without her," Fitz sighed. 

"This Jemma and me thing is killing you," Mick frowned. "I can't do this if it's going to hurt you like that. I'd rather her hate me, and you be the hero to pick up the pieces then risk losing you both." 

"But you care about each other, I see it every time your eyes meet," Fitz sounded so broken. 

"You're right," Mick sighed. "I've always cared for Jemma, but you're my friend too. It's not fair for you to suffer while Jemma and I sit here confused about what we are." 

"What do you mean?" Fitz asked, almost a hopeful flint in his eyes. "I thought you two were happy relationship and all."

"Lately, everything between us just feels odd," Mick frowned. "Holding her hand is uncomfortable, kissing and hugging is awkward, I don't know. Something is just off."

"Maybe it's all the stress we've been under?" Fitz suggested. 

"Maybe," Mick sighed. "Or maybe our relationship is just going back to what it was before." 

The sound of glass shattering broke the moment, followed by a loud crash from a filing cabinet hitting the pavement. "Let's get this in the van, it's probably important," Mick said as Trip jumped from the van rushing to help the two men move the cabinet quickly. 

"Back it up!" Trip called as the van moved towards them while they lifted the surprisingly heavy cabinet into the van. 

Both Mick and Fitz breathed a sigh of relief once the cabinet was loaded as Trip aimed a rifle toward the broken window. He fired as a rope flew through the air, hitting something inside. Trip quickly tied down the rope. Moments later Coulson and May zip lined down, landing safely, then hopping into the van while Trip cut the rope. 

"Mission accomplished?" Mick said as May shook her head. 

"Something like that," she replied pushing Skye aside and taking the wheel.

Once back at the motel, the men unloaded the filing cabinet into Coulson room. Once inside, the team quickly began to pick apart the files, skimming through them for anything useful in tracking down and defeating John Garrett and Hydra. 

"Wow, I didn't expect Project Deathlok to be that old," Mick gasped as he thumbed through a file dating back to 1990. 

"I'm surprised after all the stories John told me, this wasn't one of them," Coulson said. "He was patient zero, surely that is something to brag about." 

"Clearly we've been looking at this completely backwards," Skye tossed a file showing a few of Garrett's medical records. "He didn't want the GH-325 for his super soldiers, he wants it for himself! He just wants to be a real live boy again, and if that creates a super soldier army for Hydra then it's just bonus points."

"How do we know he didn't just use this on Ward too?" Fitz asked as everyone looked at him skeptically. 

"You've got to let go of this hope that Ward's a victim rather than perpetrator," Jemma seemed exasperated. 

"I will when I see something that tells me with my own two eyes," Fitz said firmly. "We don't know all the facts." 

"Seriously?" Skye rolled her eyes. "You want a fact? I watched him shoot several cops when he chase after me. The guy is a murderer, and I wish I would've let Mike end him when I had the chance." Fitz seemed shocked by this information as Mick looked up at Skye who now wore a look of clear regret. "I was stupid, and too weak," she sighed. 

"That's not weakness," Coulson said as he stood up, placing an arm around her. "That's compassion. It's much harder. Don't worry, we'll find him and he'll answer for what he's done." 

"Pizza delivery for Pablo Jimenez?" A teenager carrying several boxes of pizza walked out by the pool. 

"Oh, yeah that's me," Coulson said as he scurried to the door, Skye walked into he adjoining room, closing the door behind her.

After a few slices of pizza, a lap in now very chilly pool as per orders from Jemma, then a quick vitals check the two were finally alone. Mick stared at her, water dripping down his face as she handed him the towel. Without a slight hesitation, he reached down, cupped her face and kissed her. He backed away slowly, frowning. "What was that for?" Jemma asked seeing the look on his face. 

"Did you feel anything?" Mick asked as Jemma seemed nervous to answer. "Be honest."

"No," Jemma stared at the ground. "I wanted to, it was a nice kiss," she began rambling. "I just, maybe it's all of this chaos." 

"Maybe we should just be friends," Mick suggested as Jemma seemed relieved. 

"Are you sure that's what you want? I don't want you pining over me like you did with Skye," Jemma said with a look of deep concern. 

"As long as we're still friends, I'll be just fine," Mick smiled. 

"I think we can manage that. I've honestly been dreading this going any farther, it's been so awkward," Jemma seemed more natural now, no longer forced. 

"I thought it was just me," Mick chuckled. 

"It's like I've been kissing my brother, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt your feelings!" Jemma laughed. 

"Right, that's exactly why I didn't say anything!" Mick joined in. 

"Go figure we'd both just be miserable than hurt the other one," she smiled. 

"I love you Jemma," Mick smiled. "Just like a sister, not a girlfriend." 

"And I love you, like a brother," Jemma hugged Mick warmly, and for the first time in weeks, it felt normal. Everything felt right again. 

Coulson then walked out, seeing the two embracing. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," he grimaced turning back toward the door. 

"It's not like that," Mick said as Jemma nodded. "We're just friends."

"I'm, uh, happy for you?" Coulson seemed a little uneasy. 

"It's a good thing," Jemma said fondly. 

"Great. We believe we found Garrett's hideout," Coulson said. "Rest up, in the morning we're heading to Cuba."

"Good, I can't wait to end this," Mick said as Jemma put a hand on his chest. 

"You have to keep calm. I know things have been good so far, but you haven't been in high tension, or combat," she said as Coulson nodded. 

"Don't worry, you'll be backup," Coulson said parting Mick's shoulder as he walked toward the vending machine. "Trip and May can handle the heavy lifting." 

"I'm fine, really," Mick urged. 

"Not until the doctor clears you," Coulson said as Jemma smiled. "Now off to bed, both of you." 

"Yes father," Mick said sarcastically as Jemma chuckled. 

They arrive, May having parked the plane in a side hangar after some smooth talking from Coulson to the tower. Mick's heart beat slightly higher, he could feel it, they were close. Coulson had them gear up, before leaving. Fitz grabbed very little, as he already had a few tools of his own, Jemma chose not to mess with anything out of fear she'd accidentally hurt the wrong people. Mick grabbed a retractable baton, wishing he had his spiderfangs that were somewhere on the Bus, wherever that was. 

Once geared up it was go time. They joined Coulson in the hanger as May and Skye stood beside him. "Because we had to fly low to avoid detection, we're going in on foot. Fitz, Simmons, you have the maps," Fitz nodded. "Take Mick with you, do not engage under any circumstances. If you find the Bus, radio us and stand down, or get back here." 

"Understood Sir," Fitz said confidently.

"He's in your hands," Coulson looked at Jemma then at Mick. "I'm sure he can fight, but I wouldn't test it."

"I'll keep him safe," Jemma said with a smile. 

"I know how you are, but we can't afford losing anyone else. Don't be reckless," Coulson said as Mick nodded. 

"I'll be on my best behavior," Mick smirked as Coulson nodded. 

"That settles it then," Coulson glanced at Skye, Trip and May. "Let's do this."

Mick forgot how hot and humid Cuba was. Thankfully this time he wasn't wearing a leather jacket and sweating to death, but unfortunately they were still deeply concerned about any rebels or worse, Hydra agents spotting them. It took a few hours, but they finally reached an old fairly run down airfield.

"It would have to be around here," Fitz said as they eased over a hill. 

"Look, there's vehicles," Jemma said pointing at a few Jeep's. 

"I bet I know where they're heading," Mick said, the heat getting to him as he wiped the sweat from his face. 

They stayed far enough away from sight, following the roads and using the old buildings as cover until they finally stumbled upon the Bus. "Home sweet home," Fitz said happily. 

"Yeah but look at the amount of Hydra goons swarming around," Mick grunted. 

"Sir, we found the Bus," Jemma had discreetly pulled out her phone. "It's on an airfield outside Able Santamaria packing up to leave."

"They're not going to make it here fast enough," Fitz muttered. 

"It's about three hours from where you were heading. From the looks of things, they'll be long gone before you arrive," Jemma said then nodded. "Copy that, Sir."

"Are we really going to sit back and let them get away again?" The harshness in Mick's tone drew a concerned look from Jemma and Fitz alike. 

"I agree that it's not a good thing," Jemma said checking Mick's pulse then frowning. "If we let them go, we're right back to square one." 

"Then maybe we discreetly get on?" Mick suggested as Jemma's concern grew as she looked at the much darker web marks on Mick's wrists. 

"I don't want to be back at square one either, but I'm afraid of what'll happen if you get any more worked up," she said as Fitz used a set of binoculars to look around. 

"Just let him rest in the shade for a stretch," Fitz said as Jemma shook her head. "Oh look at that, Garrett's there, which means Ward is there too." 

"Maybe we can use one of the dwarves to stow away on the Bus, then we can track it wherever they go?" Jemma eased closer to Fitz taking the binoculars as Mick tried to focus on getting control of his darker thoughts. 

"That's actually a good plan!" Fitz smiled. "We'll send Sleepy, he's our best listener."

"Good, glad we're gonna use this," Mick said in a grumpy tone, before turning to see Ward standing in the doorway. "You!" He growled as Jemma and Fitz jumped to his side. 

"Long time no see," Ward said darkly. 

"Wish it were longer!" Mick snarled as Jemma and Fitz grabbed an arm each. 

"What's the matter Webby?" Ward taunted as he pulled out a pistol.

"You don't get to call me that," Mick barked. 

"We're not friends anymore?" Ward jested as all three glared at him. "Let's go, Garrett's going to be quite amused at this catch."

Jemma kept a hand on Mick, which oddly enough did help, giving him something other than killing Ward to focus on. Garrett was perched on the center of the couch in the lounge wearing his typical smug expression as Ward stopped with the two exchanging a nod. "Told you they'd come snooping around," Ward said harshly. 

Garrett then stood up, looking over the three of them highly amused. "Looking a little rough there Bellouve," Garrett said eyeing the pale color of Mick. "Been feeling sick since your encounter with Daniels I'd bet." 

Mick sneered as Jemma's grip on his hand tightened. "And a girlfriend, I didn't expect that to work out," Garrett teased as Ward smirked. "Guess you were right, all they needed was a little coercing." 

"Shut up," Fitz barked. "This is our Bus and we want it back." 

"Really?" Garrett glanced at Fitz with a smile. "That's how it is eh?" Garrett brushed off Fitz's demand and looked back at Ward. "I bet Coulson found the barber shop then. Call Kaminsky he'll know what to do." Ward nodded then motioned for a soldier to handle it. "Let's get this bird in the air before we get any more uninvited guests. Tell the pilot to keep us low until we're over the Gulf."

Jemma had eased her free hand into her pocket, while Fitz wasn't nearly as discreet, more than likely drawing attention from Jemma. Ward grabbed Fitz's hand, drawing Garrett's attention as well. "What do we have here?" Garrett eased closer as Ward pull's Fitz's hand out of his pocket and Fitz scowls as he opens it revealing the buzzer. 

"It's just a prank buzzer," Ward scoffs. 

"You just know me so well," Fitz grumbled. "Always kidding around." Fitz then slammed the button as the lights flickered before everything went dark. 

Mick then felt a sharp pain in his arm. "What did you do?" Mick gasped.

"It's going to be okay, we'll get you out of here!" Jemma said as Fitz lunged forward. 

"Looks like the joke's on you!" He barked as soldiers surrounded them. 

"How is this supposed to work?" Mick asked as he felt everything slowing down. 

"You're heart rate is through the roof, if it kept going you'd die from a heart attack anyway," Jemma said as Mick struggled to keep his balance. 

"I don't like this plan," Mick said as his words began to slur. 

"Everyone shut up and get back!" Ward yelled over all of the commotion. 

"I'm glad I did it!" Fitz sneered. "You lose, we win!" 

"You're dead," Garrett winced as he slowly turned his vicious scowl at Fitz. 

"No worse than you," Fitz smirked. "And now you don't have to take orders from him anymore!" 

Ward simply ignored Fitz as he stared at Garrett in disbelief. "Ward! Let him die! He deserves to die!" 

Ward then looked up at Fitz full of rage. "Get them out of here!" He bellowed. "Everyone clear out!" 

The soldiers then shoved their guns into the backs of Jemma, Fitz, and Mick forcing them out of the room toward the lab. "Coulson will find us, right?" Jemma asked as Fitz nodded. 

"That man won't rest until every Hydra Agent is dead or behind bars," Fitz said proudly, and quite loud drawing glares from the guards. "You stable there bud?" 

"He's still functional," Jemma said as she held Mick's hand firmly. 

"Good," Fitz said as he grabbed a chair, then threw it at the guards behind them. "Go!"

Jemma took off running as Fitz grabbed Mick's shoulder helping Jemma to carry him forward. Mick's mind struggled to process what was going on as they scrambled to the holding cell. "Fitz!" Jemma pointed at Ward standing at the end of the hallway. 

"Let go," Mick stammered as he pulled free of their grip. 

"You can't fight him like this!" Fitz called out as Mick pushed their arms away. 

"I can buy you time, get somewhere safe!" His words slurred, but Fitz must've understood as he grabbed Jemma, leading her into the medical pod where Skye was kept. 

"Out of the way Bellouve," Ward growled. 

"Over my dead body," Mick groaned as he felt a mix of the sedative and the darkforce rage fighting for control. 

"That can be arranged, but Garrett wants you alive," Ward scoffed. "Them, however." 

"No!" Mick called out only be shoved aside with ease. His rage was building, but his body wouldn't move properly. 

"Open the door Fitz!" Ward demanded.

"Ward, you don't have to do this!" Fitz replied, his voice muffled through the glass. 

"Open the door," Ward replied darkly. 

"He trusts you!" Mick growled as his voice began to return. 

"That's his mistake," Ward scoffed. 

"I know you're a good person! You can choose to be good now!" Fitz yelled. 

"I have my orders," Ward said callously. 

"I won't let you," Mick's arms and legs trembled as he forced himself up, fighting against the sedative. "I'll stop you." 

"I doubt that," Ward pressed a button as wind ripped through the hallway. 

"Stop! Don't do this!" Jemma cried out. 

"You should've opened the door," Ward sneered. 

Mick heard the screams and pleadings of Fitz and Jemma as he forced himself to his feet. "You can stop this!" Mick yelled as he stood up. "You don't want to do this." 

"You're right," Ward said as he reached for the eject button. "I don't. But I can't have any weaknesses."

An alarm sounded as hydraulics hissed. Mick eyes widened as he struggled forward. He threw both wrist out, demanding webs to catch the pod, only for searing pain to shoot through his arms. He fought the pain, falling to his knees in agony screaming out as only black liquid shot from his wrist, and the pod containing Jemma and Fitz slid out into the open blue. 

"JEMMA! FITZ!" Mick screamed as he stared in horror at the emptiness before him. "What have you done?" Mick roared as he felt a surge of power coursing through his veins. He then lunged at Ward, slamming his fist into Ward's face. Ward staggered backwards spitting out blood and then wiped his face with I should've seen that coming look. 

"Guess I shouldn't ever count you out," Ward snarled as he raised his hands, ready for another attack. Mick swung haphazardly, only to be blocked by Ward. Ward then grabbed Mick's arm, slamming him into the wall then spinning him around kicking him to the floor. "I always wanted a real fight against you." 

"Now you're going to get it!" Mick screamed as his emotions flared. Several swings, only one wasn't blocked. Ward staggered backwards as Mick used the opportunity to tackle him. "You killed them! Dropped them out of here like they didn't mean anything!" Mick slammed down on Ward. 

"I did what needed to be done!" Ward bellowed as he effortlessly kicked Mick off before going on the offensive. 

Ward moved so fast Mick could hardly block anything, his strength was fading fast, dulling his reflexes and reaction time severely hampered by the burning in his muscles. Several more blows, and Mick was flat on the ground gasping for air, Ward standing over him like a lion stalking it's prey. "I was intimidated by you at first, having powers and all. Turns out you're just weak." 

"You're the weak one!" Mick fought to get get up, only to be kicked back down by Ward. 

"I was actually afraid you'd ruin everything. You had such a hold on Skye, and Fitz-Simmons. I needed a way to break down that wall, to make you vulnerable," Ward taunted. "I couldn't let you have Skye, but Simmons," Ward smirked as Mick glared at him. "All it took was a few cues from Skye and she was on board. Then a nudge from Fitz and everything fell into place. I didn't expect it to work out so well." 

"That was all you?" Mick asked as Ward smiled. 

"Pretty good wasn't it?" Ward asked as Mick glowered. 

"You hurt people, betrayed us all, and you want me to be impressed with your matchmaking skills?" Mick scoffed. 

"At least now you have a shot with Skye, without hurting Simmons." 

"Don't you say her name!" Mick roared as grabbed Ward's foot, jerking him to the ground. 

Ward then slammed his foot into Mick's chest, rolling him over as he gasped in pain. "I half expected the Darkforce to kill you after reading about how the serum effected you," Ward sneered. "Garrett seemed to think it would make you stronger. Looks like we were both wrong." 

"Go to hell," Mick panted. 

"At least we'll be able to use you to get Skye to join us," Ward gloated. "Cybertek has a great incentives program. It's why Peterson is still working with us." 

"I swear I'll kill you," Mick groaned as Ward shook his head in amusement. 

"Guess we'll see," Ward smiled as he kicked Mick in the face, knocking him unconscious. 

Mick felt Ward carrying him somewhere but his eyes weren't focusing. "Is it done?" Garrett's voice surprised Mick, Garrett then chuckled. "Got a few good licks in did he?" There was a choking, then gurgling noise, then Mick hit the ground hard. He tried hard to stay awake, but it wasn't working. With one last gasp he pictured Fitz-Simmons, his most recent failure, and succumbed to the darkness.