Chapitre 82: Chapter 82: The Long-Awaited Meeting
The sun had barely risen when Grant emerged from his makeshift quarters on the S.H.I.E.L.D. plane, ready to begin his day. He had woken early, his mind focused on the next challenge: Skye's training. Ward knew that as her superior officer (SO), it would be his responsibility to ensure that she was ready to face the dangers that lay ahead. The recent mission in Peru had shown her potential, but there was still a long way to go.
As he prepared himself, his phone vibrated, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Maria. An involuntary smile formed on his face when he saw her name on the screen.
Maria: "I'm in town. Do you have time today to meet? It's been a while since we last met."
Ward was surprised, but joy quickly took over. He hadn't seen Maria in weeks, and the idea of spending time with her brought him a sense of normalcy he hadn't felt in a long time. Without hesitation, he answered.
Ward: "Sure! I'd love to see you. I just need to let Coulson know and I'll be on my way."
He couldn't wait. He missed Maria, the connection they had, and despite all the responsibilities he had at S.H.I.E.L.D., he knew he needed a moment to relax and enjoy her company. Dressed in a casual shirt and jeans a significant change from the tactical uniform he regularly wore. Ward walked to the operations room, where Coulson was reviewing reports on the 084 artifact they had recovered.
"Coulson," Ward began, catching his superior's attention. "I need a day off. Maria is in town, and I haven't seen her in a while. I plan on starting Skye's training tomorrow, but today I'd like to take some time to spend with her."
Coulson looked up from his reports, his face serene and understanding.
"Maria, huh?" Coulson said with a slight smile. — "I understand. You've been very dedicated to the team, Ward. I don't think a day away will be a problem. Just remember that we start in earnest tomorrow. Skye will need a lot of guidance."
Ward nodded, grateful for the understanding.
— "Thank you, Coulson. I'll be ready to start training tomorrow. And of course, if there's any emergency, I'm just a phone call away."
— "Go ahead, enjoy your day," Coulson said, returning to work. "But please don't destroy anything while you're gone."
Ward smiled and left the room, relieved to have Coulson's permission. He quickly texted Maria to confirm the meeting, feeling his anxiety growing as the moment approached.
A few hours later, Ward arrived at the agreed location, a low-key hotel in the city center. He saw Maria across the street, standing in front of the entrance, looking as elegant as ever. She wore a black jacket over a simple white blouse, with dark jeans. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her eyes sparkled when she saw him.
Ward walked over to her, his heart racing. As he approached, Maria smiled broadly, which Ward returned before pulling her into a tight hug. Feeling her warmth against his body again made all the stresses of the past few days dissipate for a moment.
"You came," he said softly, looking into her eyes after the hug.
"Of course I did," Maria replied, smiling. "It's been so long, Grant. I needed to see you."
Ward pulled her into a kiss, and Maria returned it with the same intensity. For a few seconds, the world around them disappeared, and all that mattered was the moment they shared. When they broke apart, they were both smiling.
"I missed you," he admitted.
"Me too," Maria replied, holding his hand. "Shall we go in? We have a lot to talk about."
They entered the hotel and went up to the room Maria had booked. The room was cozy, with simple but comfortable decor. As soon as they entered the room, Ward couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. Here, away from missions and responsibilities, he could just be Grant, the man who loved Maria.
Sitting on the bed, they began to talk about everything that had happened in the last few weeks. Maria told him about the missions she had led, the challenges at S.H.I.E.L.D., and the political complications with the Council.
"And you?" Maria asked, looking at him curiously. "How is it working with this new team?"
Ward hesitated for a moment, thinking about how best to answer.
"It's... different," he admitted. "Skye is talented, but she doesn't have experience. Coulson is an incredible leader, but things aren't as simple as they were when I was in the field with DEVGRU. There's a lot of... improvisation. And after everything that happened in Peru, there are even more uncertainties."
Maria nodded, understanding.
"Give her time. You will make an excellent senior officer, Grant."
Ward smiled, grateful for her words. They continued to talk, the tension of the past few days fading as they connected more deeply. As night fell, they let go of the words and allowed themselves to simply be in each other's presence.
Ward held Maria in his arms as she snuggled against him, their bodies relaxing into the warmth of each other. It was a moment of peace, something Ward knew was rare in their lives filled with action and danger. And he planned to enjoy every second of it.
As they slept together that night, Ward couldn't help but think about the future. He knew that tomorrow would be when he would return to training Skye and his responsibilities on Coulson's team. But for now, he was exactly where he wanted to be: with Maria, sharing a moment of calm amidst the chaos.
As the sun began to rise over the horizon, Ward woke, still feeling the warmth of Maria's body next to him. He watched her sleep for a few minutes, enjoying the calm on her face. He knew that in a few hours, he would return to the intense routine of S.H.I.E.L.D., but for now, he was present, living a rare moment of serenity with the woman he loved.
As he got out of bed, Ward left a soft kiss on Maria's forehead, promising himself that he would make it worth it. The world outside might be full of challenges, but he would always have this place, this moment with her, to return to.
And so, with a smile on his face, he began to prepare for the day, knowing that, despite all the responsibilities that awaited him, there was something more to fight for.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone