Chapter 114: Ward's Tribute

The morning was quiet on the bus, the mobile base of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team, when Coulson received an urgent call from Nick Fury. He was alone in his office, checking the reports of the last mission, when the monitor flashed with the director's direct message.

— "Coulson, I need you and your team at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters in Washington. Ward will be honored for the operation in Afghanistan. I want everyone present," Fury said, bluntly, as always.

Coulson nodded.

— "Understood. We'll be there shortly."

As soon as the call ended, Coulson stood up and went towards the main room of the bus, where he found the rest of the team. Skye, Fitz, Simmons and May were discussing something trivial, relaxed after days of intense missions. Ward was sitting further back, with his usual silent posture, unaware of what was coming.

— "Guys, we have a summons," Coulson said, getting everyone's attention. "We're going to Washington. Ward will be honored for his mission in Afghanistan."

The room was silent for a few seconds. Ward's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

"Me? Honored?" he muttered, visibly uncomfortable with the idea of ​​being the center of attention.

Skye smiled and gave a short laugh.

"Of course you're going to be honored! You took out the leader of one of the largest terrorist organizations in the world. They couldn't just ignore that."

Fitz and Simmons nodded in agreement, and May, always restrained, gave a slight nod.

"It was a high-risk mission. You deserve the recognition," she stated bluntly.

Ward took a deep breath. He wasn't the type to seek recognition, but he knew that turning down an honor from S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't an option. With a resigned expression, he stood up.

"Okay. Let's get this over with, then," he said, trying to hide his discomfort.

The "Shuttle" landed at the base in Washington, and the team got off, being greeted by high-ranking agents. The Triskelion, imposing and modern, reflected the grandeur of S.H.I.E.L.D., and today it would be full of members of the organization to witness the ceremony in honor of Ward.

When they reached the main hall, they were guided by agents to the auditorium, where there was already a crowd waiting. In the front rows, Skye's sharp eyes noticed Maria Hill. She was impeccable, with her rigid military posture, but there was something else in her gaze, a veiled pride that only those who knew her well could perceive.

She was there not only as Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but as someone who shared a deep bond with the man who was about to be honored. When Maria saw Ward enter, her gaze softened, and she exchanged a brief smile with him, full of meaning that only the two of them understood.

— "He's going to rock," Skye whispered to Simmons, who nodded quietly.

Coulson led the team to the reserved seats in the front rows, while Ward was led to the side of the stage, where he would meet Fury before the ceremony began.

A few minutes later, the auditorium was packed. Nick Fury walked onto the stage, with his usual strong presence. His expression was serious, but there was a glint of respect in the director's eyes. He began to speak, his voice resonating throughout the room.

— "Today, we gather the agents and officers of S.H.I.E.L.D. to recognize one of our own. It's not often that we get to honor an agent for such a delicate and dangerous operation. The mission in Afghanistan was one of those that never makes the news, that few know happened, but whose impact is felt around the world." The crowd listened in silence, their attention completely focused on Fury.

— "The man we are about to honor went deep into one of the most dangerous territories in the world, infiltrated the heart of Al-Qaeda, and eliminated one of the greatest threats to our planet. He did it alone, silently, without a trace. That is the mark of a true S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."

Fury paused, letting his words sink in.

— "It is with great honor that I call Agent Grant Ward to the stage."

The auditorium erupted in applause as Ward took the stage, still visibly uncomfortable but maintaining his poise. He exchanged a quick glance with Maria, who smiled subtly but with pride.

Fury extended his hand to Ward, and the two exchanged a firm handshake. Fury, with a slight smile, handed Ward a S.H.I.E.L.D. Medal of Honor, a recognition rarely granted.

— "You accomplished your mission with excellence, Ward," Fury said quietly, just for him. "Now enjoy the moment. You deserve it."

Ward nodded his thanks, then turned to the audience. His eyes quickly scanned the faces until they stopped on his team. Skye was smiling brightly, Simmons and Fitz were watching him in admiration, May kept hers impassive, but he knew that, deep down, she respected him more than ever. Coulson, as always, watched everything with a fatherly and proud look.

Maria was further back, but her look said more than any words.

Ward took a deep breath before speaking, something he rarely did. He didn't like speeches, but he knew that this was an important moment, not only for him, but for S.H.I.E.L.D. and his colleagues.

"I'm not one for many words," he began, eliciting a few soft laughs from the audience. "But I want to say that this mission was only possible because, deep down, I knew that I had a reliable team, people I could trust, waiting for me."

He looked directly at his team, and then at Maria.

"We at S.H.I.E.L.D. do our job knowing that there is a greater purpose. We protect the world, often without anyone knowing. And that's how it should be. But today, I accept this honor not just for myself, but for all of us who risk our lives to keep people safe."

The auditorium fell silent as his words echoed. He concluded quickly.

"Thank you."

More applause filled the room as Ward stepped away from the microphone, clearly relieved to have finished his speech. He returned to his team, who greeted him with smiles and pats on the back.

After the ceremony, the team was ushered into a small reception in the private room of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Ward approached Maria, who was standing further away from the crowd.

"You were amazing up there," Maria said, smiling more intimately now that they were out of sight.

"Did you think so?" Ward replied, smiling shyly, clearly more at ease with her.

"I do. And I'm proud of you. Not just as Deputy Director, but… well, you know," she said, her voice softening.

Ward took a step closer, his hand lightly touching her arm. — "I just wanted to come back to you," he said, his tone soft and rare for him.

Maria looked up at him, her eyes full of affection.

— "And now you're here."

For a brief moment, they forgot about the crowd and the world around them. It was a small moment of normalcy amidst the chaos that their lives used to be.

The night ended with the team celebrating quietly.

They all knew that life at S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't allow for many breaks, but in that moment, there was a sense of victory and unity that connected them even more.

Ward, though reserved as always, felt a quiet gratitude for having people around him who cared about him, both as a teammate and as a friend, and for Maria, something even deeper. The future might bring new missions and challenges, but for now, Ward had what mattered: respect, camaraderie, and love.