Epilogue – Letting Go of the Past

For the next couple weeks Skye recovered at the Academy, earning her strength back and just resting. She was moved back to her room, per her request. She'd had enough with the hospital rooms, so Skye was allowed to go back to her own dorm for the time being, and was she ever grateful.

Ward stayed with her so often that Skye was beginning to get sick of him—okay, maybe she really liked it, and hoped he'd never leave her alone. But Skye truly was growing feelings that were ever stronger for Ward. It helped that he was opening up to her quite a bit more as well.

About three and a half weeks after her recovery Coulson came for his daily visit. Except this time Skye could tell he was a bit more serious than he had been the previous times. Coulson had asked Ward to even leave. "What wrong?" Skye asks Coulson, sitting up under the covers.

Coulson sighs, trying to deliver the news. "Skye, due to recent incidents I've been ordered to deliver you to HQ, where they will be taking you into hiding under Shield protection, so something like this won't happen again."

"Hiding? Protection? What does that mean?"

"It means that you'll probably end up living undercover, with rotating shield agents, in an unpopulated place where you'll never be able to see any of us again." Coulson doesn't mention the possibility that they might just end up locking Skye up.

Skye lets her shoulders relax and takes a long deep sigh. "I'm sorry." Is all she says.

Coulson takes Skye's hand in a fatherly way. "But Skye, even though Director Fury himself is ordering this, I'm willing to go against his orders" Coulson moves closer to Skye's bed. "I don't believe Shield is the safest place for you right now Skye and I think it might be safer if you go off the radar without Shield's help, and instead mine."

"What do you mean?"

"It means Skye that no matter what you'll have to leave our Academy, but instead of being alone, Ward's volunteered to accompany you. And from there he'll take you to one of my safe houses, where you'll be able to set up a new life." Coulson lets go of Skye's hand.

"Is this alright?" Skye mumbles. "Is it really okay, if Ward risks everything to leave with me?" Coulson looks back at the door, Ward staying as close as ever, even after being ordered to leave, he stayed by the door.

"Ask him."

Ward walks in. "Skye, I would go to the end of the world and back with you." Skye tries to keep her eyes from tearing up. "Together will leave, and hopefully in a couple years will be able to come back."

"But are you really willing, to give up your life as a Shield agent?" Skye cries. "You've been training for so long… and I just." Skye covers her eyes.

Coulson stands up and heads for the door. "I'll talk to you about arrangements later Skye." Coulson says humbly, leaving Ward and Skye to talk. He looks at Ward before he leaves though, the look in his eyes saying 'take care of her'

Skye hugs her shoulders. "How can you even forgive me Ward, I tried to end it. I tried to take my life." Skye lets her eyes go, as water leaks out. "I-I-I, how can anyone just… forgive me like this."

Ward leans in next to Skye, she rests her head on his. "I need to tell you the truth Skye." He holds her next to him. "What you did was brave; you didn't want to end your life because you gave up, but because you refused to give in." Ward strokes her hair. "That is so much braver than I ever was Skye."

Ward takes a breath. He needed to open up, and for once he wasn't afraid. "I don't know if you remember are conversation in the snow, but I lived in a pretty broken family." Skye leans further into Ward. "My mom and dad didn't have much time for my brothers and I. But when they did, they weren't the nicest. My family was quite wealthy, but all that wealth brought me misery." Ward explains to Skye. "One afternoon me and my friends were hanging out at a park, when a man came and told me my parents had asked him to take me home."

Skye wipes her eyes.

"I didn't think much of it, and I got in the car with him. Only to wake up later in his basement." Ward's grip gets tighter. "He told me my parents were going to give him money to get me back, but my parents never gave the money, or even let anyone know about my disappearance. Instead they pronounced me dead, having died falling from a tree in our backyard into a river."

"They'd rather let me die, than pay money to save me." Ward turns away for a second. "Let's just say the man Garret didn't kill me, but instead found it fun to torture me not only physically but also mentally."

Skye brings her hand over Ward's head, bringing his head onto hers. "Oh Ward…" Skye whispers.

"Shield eventually found Garret, me being a bonus prize along with it. Coulson helped me recover, and let me enroll here at the academy." Ward sighs. "I tried once to end it, but the attempt was a failure, and it only made everything worse Skye." Ward turns to look at Skye in the eye. "Promise me Skye, that you'll never try to take your own life again."

Skye bites back more tears. "I promise." She tells him, as the two of them just sit together in one another's arms.

XxXxXxX

Simmons holds her hand in Fitz's. "Science and tech together." Simmons repeats. "We won't ever be apart again Fitz." As Simmons leans in to kiss him. "I love you."

Fitz smiles, all his dreams a reality. "And I love you."

"Ahh get a room you to." Trip irately says. "Operations is where I'm going straight after, and I don't think I'll miss the love birds." He jokes. "Oh who am I kidding, I'll miss you guys like crazy."

Hunter takes a sip of his beer in the cafeteria. The cafeteria was pretty empty for the late Sunday night that it was. Only the group of friends was there together. "Well as for me mates, I'm heading off back to London. Got offered a job with the British side of Shield. Something about helping out with a secret group called STRIKE. I'm not sure, maybe that was supposed to be a secret."

Bobbi pulls on Hunter's ear. "It was, because I'll be joining you in the United Kingdom, and they asked us to strictly keep it a secret." Bobbi says.

"Gee, me and my ex-girlfriend, both being hired for the same opt." He rolls his eyes. But secretly Hunter was excited by the idea of Bobbi coming with him to London. He did miss her, he hadn't meant for things to turn out the way they had.

Mack bites into his sandwich. "And while you guys are off in different directions, I've been offered the chance to stay here and work." He leans his head back. "Ah, maybe I shouldn't stay here. But then again, it's better than where Roy ended up."

"Adios to him." Triplett clarifies in disgust. "No one shall miss him."

The group laughs, while Simmons spots Skye and Ward coming into the cafeteria. Simmons stands up to wave. "Skye." She calls, waving her hands. Skye gives a little wave. "Are you sure it's okay for you to be out of bed?"

"It's fine Doctor Simmons." Skye laughs. "I feel a lot better." Ward helps Skye into her chair, as the group joins them. "I'm happy you're all here." Skye greets. "Because I need to tell you guys something." Skye bites the inside of her cheek blushing a bit. "Thank you, for everything you did for me." She thanks from the bottom of her heart. "Without you guys, I probably… well I just want to say thank you. I'm happy that I have friends I can count on."

Ward puts his arm around her shoulder. "I know it's only a week till graduation guys, but I'm leaving a bit early." Skye explains to the group. "I'm sorry it's so sudden, but I can't stay here."

"Skye and I will be leaving tomorrow morning." Ward tells everyone. "Skye thought it best to say goodbye, instead of leaving without saying a word."

The group stays silent for a few minutes. "I came super close to graduating." Skye explains. "But guess I was fated as a high school drop out from the beginning." She laughs sadly.

Simmons bites her lip, she couldn't handle this. "No!" Simmons tells Skye.

"No?"

"You're not dropping out, will have a graduation for you right now." Simmons suggests.

"Mm that's an interesting idea." Triplett agrees.

"We can include Ward as well." Bobbi suggests. "After all it's not only Skye who is leaving, but Ward also."

"Come on guys, you don't have to." Skye blushes embarrassed by the attention. "I mean, it's .. you don't.."

"Yes we do." Simmons says happily coming up to Skye and grabbing her hands. Fitz looks disappointed she'd left her for a second. "Let's get ready guys."

Ten minutes later, Simmons had written a speech, Bobbi had grabbed two graduation caps, Triplett had stolen some cupcakes from the back of the kitchen, and Hunter had grabbed some coke to share with everyone. Fitz even put up a few pictures for a slide show. Not that he had many pictures taken when she was here, but the one's they did have were sweet and made Skye feel a part of something.

Simmons said her speech, mostly just of how they met, and the embarrassment of her still being in the lab, Skye could still remember her first day. How Ward was mad, and how she was adamant against the idea of coming here. But how she'd learned to actually like it, and how she'd made friends with all the people here, and the friends she'd come across and made.

As cokes were handed out, and cheers were said Skye let out a laugh, hiding back her tears of complete joy. Ward beside her takes hold of her hand, and she feels just like the happiest person ever. Even after everything she still had the courage to smile, still had to courage and life in her eyes to just smile. Because Skye was able to fight, and now with her friends she'd never lack support, she'd always have someone to lean on. And maybe just maybe, she could finally let go of her past.

The End

Special thanks to everyone who has read this story from the beginning!

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and also all my guest reviewers, and anyone who I forgot (along with all those people who read but don't review), Big thank you to ALL OF YOU!

THANK YOU! Gosh I can't believe this is the end, I like started this almost five months ago. It's my longest story yet, and I'm proud with how it turned out.

On sequels, not planning on writing one, but if you want to know what they're all like, five or so years in the future might write a one-shot story as a tiny sequel. Just a huge thank you again! Happy I finished this before S2B started airing, but literally cannot contain my joy, for when it comes out. Hope you enjoyed the ending, and like the last line, and how it related to the title. Love you all, and happy I can find Agents of Shield fans (because anyone who watches AoS I instantly love), and who are willing to read my stories!

Xoxoxoxoxo

Story By Skylar