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Fitz watched as Simmons walked away and flopped down on his bed, contemplating everything he’d done. He wished it hadn’t come to this but it had to be done. He knew it in his bones that the only way to seal the rift was remove Daisy’s inhibitor. And it’d worked. She may hate him but that didn’t change what he had to do.
“Sometimes you gotta do a bad thing for the right reason.” Fitz bolted upright and looked to see where the voice was coming from. Grant Ward in his brown leather jacket leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest.
“Ward…” Fitz breathed. He shook his head and pressed his hands to his temples. “No you’re dead you’re not real.”
“Yes I am and no I’m not.” Ward nodded. “Guess I should be flattered your subconscious dragged me up from the grave to haunt you.” Fitz said nothing for a long while, just staring at the ghost in front of him.
“I tortured Daisy.” Fitz murmured.
“And I tortured Simmons.” Ward replied. “Least you had a good reason to. I was just pissed Coulson kidnapped my brother.”
“Doesn’t really make it any better.” Fitz shrugged. “You thought you had good reasons to do what you did and look where that got you. Murdered on an alien planet with no one left in the world to care. Is that what’s in store for me?”
“Well probably not the alien world thing but yes odds are you’re gonna die just like I did.” Ward said. “It’s the only way out for people like us.”
“People like us.” Fitz mused. “It wasn’t all that long ago where I would’ve said you were out of your mind saying we were anything alike.”
“If I recall you did call me a psychopath on at least one occasion.” Ward pointed out.
“Yeah that was before I got a good look at what it was like to be you.” Fitz replied bitterly. “My father was to me what Garrett was to you. Under similar circumstances I became just as bad as you. Maybe even worse.”
“You thinking I could’ve been redeemed Fitz?” Ward chuckled.
“I don’t know anymore.” Fitz sighed. “The lines between good and bad have become so blurred. It’s all murky now. I wish things were the way they used to be, back on the Bus, with all of us. When we were a team. Never thought I’d be wishing you were still here.”
“If I were still alive I’d’ve stopped you from doing that to Skye and you know it.” Ward scoffed. “Besides I had no interest in staying alive. I lived for revenge. Nothing else. And I died at peace knowing I got it and my pain would end. And whenever you go, it’s gonna feel like a relief. All the suffering will end and you’ll be at peace.”
“How do you know?” Fitz asked.
“Because I’m a figment of your subconscious.” Ward reminded him. “And everything I’m saying is the truth.” Fitz sat there for a long while, taking in what Ward had said. He knew he was right. Coulson had told him Ward died with a smile on his face. Ward was too far gone by the time he died. Death was a release for him. And Fitz knew he was too far gone as well. The pain he caused there was no forgiveness for, done without a shred of remorse. He and Ward really were one in the same. And yet that thought brought a small amount of comfort. He was finally able to understand Ward and why he’d done what he did.
“I know you’re not really Grant Ward but for what it’s worth, I understand.” Fitz said. “I know you weren’t truly evil. This doesn’t mean I forgive you. But I do wish things were different.”
“Maybe we’ll see each other again someday.” Ward shrugged.
“Yeah.” Fitz nodded. “Maybe we will