T.R.A.C.K.S.

With everyone on edge while the search for Ian Quinn ran on every computer on board the Bus, Mick sat in the lab with Fitz and Simmons, tinkering with his broken spiderfang blade. It was ruined in one of this training sessions he had with May, who had been secretly coaching him on wrangling his feelings for Skye. Things had been harder since their fake kiss, as every time he'd see her with Ward, it would rip the wound wide open once again. Just the way she looked at him, Mick knew that he didn't stand a chance. And May was the perfect teacher to mask emotions, as it was rare you'd ever see hers.

"You're just making it worse," Fitz said as Mick glanced up at him. "You can't cross wires like that or it'll backfire and shock you instead."

"Building isn't my forte Fitz," Mick groaned as he spun around on the small stool facing Fitz and Simmons.

"Why don't you just let Fitz build you a new set?" Jemma suggested as Mick rolled eyes.

"I've had these since our first mission way back in two thousand seven!" Mick fussed.

"That's my point," Jemma smirked. "They're antiquated! Surely we can make them better! Maybe even use Dendrotoxin burst!"

"So a Night Night Saber?" Mick frowned as Fitz rolled his eyes.

"I get it, you hate the name," Fitz moaned as he walked over to a computer screen then scoffed.

"We don't hate the name," Jemma said in a well meaning tone.

"No, we hate the name," Mick reassured him.

"Get up to the Mission Control! We've got a lead," May's voice came over the intercom.

Mick frowned as he stood up, which Jemma was quick to notice. "Still haven't talked to her yet?" She asked.

"No," Mick replied quickly.

"You really shouldn't let this fester, it could end horribly for all of us," Jemma said firmly.

"I tried talking to her at the Academy, but she never left Ward's side. Not about to press the issue now," Mick inhaled as he made his way upstairs with an annoyed Jemma on his heels.

"What's new Boss?" Mick asked as they all gathered around the holotable, the screens fixated on Cybertech's purchase and payment history and a train's schematics.

"Turns out Quinn made a big purchase recently," Coulson said.

"Ten million kind of big," Skye added as Coulson nodded.

"Any idea what it was?" Jemma asked.

"No clue," Skye replied. "But we know it was built by a smallish firm called Cybertech Inc."

"That's where this gets interesting," Coulson smirked. "They've hired a private-security outfit to transport the purchase, former military, ex-mercs."

"So the kind of guys you want to make sure no one interferes?" Mick said bluntly.

"Yeah, pretty much your typical bad guy scenario," Coulson said with a grin.

"Sounds like a lot of muscle for one package," Ward noted.

"Well, they know SHIELD has eyes on Quinn," Coulson replied.

"That's why we're betting they deliver it old school," Skye said proudly.

"On a train, through Italian the countryside, from Verona to Zagreb – very rural, very isolated," Coulson explained.

"So we're expecting Quinn to be on that train?" May asked.

"No," Coulson plainly. "But I believe that they're delivering the item to Quinn himself. We got our intel from Italian authorities who have been monitoring the situation."

"How'd you convince them to let us take over their sting?" Mick asked as Coulson gave his usual sly grin.

"I asked very nicely," he said causing Mick and May to shake their heads. "If everything goes as planned, Cybertek's security team won't even know we were on the train."

"So we're going undercover?" Ward asked, causing May to huff and Coulson to nod.

"Great," May groaned. "I hate undercover."

"Oh come on, it'll be fun!" Coulson teased. "May, you and Ward will be front and center. Once we locate the package, you'll tag it with the tracker." Both May and Ward exchanged a curious glance then nodded.

"Skye and Fitz you'll be running communications. After the package is tagged we'll follow it to Quinn," Coulson said as Fitz smirked about being paired with Skye. "Once we capture Quinn we'll be one step closer to the Clairvoyant."

"Then what about the three of us?" Jemma asked as he glanced at Mick and Jemma with a grin.

"Please no," Mic k grunted, Coulson's smile grew wider, dreading what plan he had in mind for them.

"You two are the bow that holds this all together. My daughter and her husband taking me to see the Italian countryside by train," Coulson watched as panic shoot over Jemma's face, and Mick buried his face in his hands. He quickly regretted that game of pool against Coulson in the boiler room now. "I'm only halfway kidding. You two are backup in case anything goes wrong. Everyone be ready, we ride at dawn." Coulson said in a cheery tone. "It really does sound as cool as it does in Westerns."

After a long night in the lounge sitting with Jemma as she prepped in such an over the top manner to play the roll Coulson assigned her, Mick finally boarded the train, carrying a ridiculous amount of luggage for Jemma. He could hear Coulson snickering as they found a nice bench with a window view.

"Such a lovely view, right Father?" Jemma said loudly, catching the attention of the several other passengers. She then begins to mutter in a barely audible tone about how Coulson didn't look nearly old enough to have a daughter her age.

"Chill," Mick muttered sitting beside her as Jemma's nervous expressions were visibly getting the best of her.

"I am," Jemma protested.

"Comms are live," Skye's voice came through the earpiece

"Everyone in position?" Coulson asked softly, leaning on his hand to hear the response.

"So far so good," May replied.

"The target, Carlos," Coulson started.

"Mancini, the head of security," Jemma interrupted. "I know. I memorized his face. I memorized everything."

"That's no exaggeration," Mick frowned as Coulson snickered. "We spent way too many hours going over this."

"It's good to be prepared," Coulson said with a grin.

"I needed to make sure I could get in character!" Jemma said as Mick rolled his eyes.

"All we had to do was sit close and hold hands!" Mick groaned as Jemma leaned on him, making the strangest looking flirting face Mick had ever seen.

"How could you not just love that face," Coulson said trying to hide his amusement as Jemma leaned up.

"Oh if only mother were here," Jemma said longingly, staring out the window with a matching melancholy expression.

"Oh boy," Mick sighed. "This isn't going to end well."

"What?" Coulson glanced curiously between Jemma and Mick, slightly concerned what was going to take place.

"It's too bad mother can't be here," Jemma's voice was obnoxiously loud. "She always spoke of the lovely Croatian countryside."

"What's happening?" Coulson leaned into the table as Mick smiled sarcastically.

"If only you hadn't run out on her to pursue your American banking job!" Jemma said as Coulson eyes widened while everyone in the car began to whisper and watch. "Maybe she would've survived those harsh winters!"

"Sweetheart, perhaps we shouldn't dwell on the past," Mick finally intervened after enjoying Coulson's sheer look of shock. He placed his hand on Jemma's face, causing her to blush. "After all, it's through those struggles you and I came together." Coulson's face was clearly relieved that Jemma had stopped talking.

An older gentleman walked by with a woman on each arm, smiling sympathetically at Jemma, who had now leaned on Mick's shoulder with a very down in the dumps expression. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss," he nodded at Jemma and Mick. "As for you," he glared at Coulson. "Now is your chance to do better. Why don't you see that you take it?"

"Thank you sir," Jemma smiled up at him, while Coulson slightly smiled and nodded.

"There's our guy, Mick said eyes locked on the target, nodding ever so slightly. "That's your cue, darling."

"I can't believe you spent all of our wedding money on prostitutes!" Jemma exclaimed, getting up quickly and storming toward Mancini with a drink in hand. She slammed into him spilling the drink all over him, then apologized before leaving the car, looking as if she were crying, only for Mancini to allow her to pass to not cause a bigger scene.

"Really?" Coulson asked as Mick nodded smugly. "Prostitutes, as in plural?"

"Her idea," Mick sneered only for Coulson to roll his eyes.

"Coming your way," Coulson rubbed his face in exasperation.

"Roger," May replied.

"Any more surprised I need to know about?" Coulson glared at Mick.

"You know how she is with improv," Mick snickered.

Jemma returned not to much later, her eyes red and puffy, as if she forced herself to cry. "It's okay, Love," Mick stood, helping her into her seat. "Your father agreed to pay for our honeymoon with what's left of his savings." Coulson inhaled in annoyance, then smiled, clearly regretting his choice of Jemma rather than Skye.

A little time passed, Simmons sat taking in the scenery with her right hand locked in Mick's left, just to keep up her cover.

"Simmons, I'm so glad you go through so much preparation," Coulson's remark was a mix of sarcasm as well as a complimentary.

"Look at how pretty," she pointed, oblivious to Coulson's remark.

"It is something else, huh?" Mick acknowledged, then tapped his earpiece curious as to why everything was so quiet. "You getting anything?"

Coulson leaned on his hand, his expression showing his now growing concern. "Ward, are you in position?"

Jemma was now paying attention, seeing Mick tapping his ear. "Fitz? Skye?" She leaned near Mick's shoulder, then shook her head. "I think something is wrong, Sir."

"Sit tight, I'm going to check it out," Coulson said eying Mick and Jemma. "We can't afford to lose this package." They both nodded as Coulson left them.

No sooner than Coulson closed the rear door, the front opened, and it was a very flustered Ward. He hastily walked over, then leaned over the table. "We've been compromised. Comms are out."

Mick cursed under his breath while Jemma rubbed his back hoping to comfort him. "We'll locate Fitz and Skye, Coulson is going after the package!" Mick stood with Jemma on his heels up as Ward headed after Coulson.

"Stay with me, no matter what," Mick said sternly as Jemma squeezed his hand tightly.

It was in this moment Mick realized just how badly he wished he brought his backup saber as his side arm would be too much of a risk in close quarters like this. Just before the third sleeper car, a man stepped out with a threatening look in his eyes. He stepped up to Mick, only to be blindsided by a web to the forehead, then followed quickly by Mick knee to his face. The man stagger backwards as Mick then kicked him back into a sleeper room, then webbed him to the bench as he tripped into it.

"Do you think they're ok?" Jemma asked, concern filling her voice.

"Skye can handle herself, I hope Fitz just doesn't panic," Mick said firmly, reaching for the door. He then noticed an attacker in the car head of them.

"Oh bloody hell!" Jemma cried out as Mick released her hand slipping into the car, seeing Fitz and Skye ducked behind cover. Mick grabbed the guy, wrapping his arm around his neck. The guy quickly jabbed Mick several times in the ribs with his elbow, then slammed Mick against the door, narrowly missing Jemma in the process. Mick released him trying to refocus as the man swiped something off his belt.

"It's a grenade!" Fitz called out as the thing began beeping.

"Guys move!" Skye called out as Mick grabbed the man once again and Jemma attempted to help. A loud screech followed.

Mick started to sit up, only for Jemma to slug him in the jaw. "What the heck Jemma?" Mick rubbed his head, feeling pain from not only the aches inside, but now outside as well.

"Sorry!" She said as she clutched the pistol she found in her lap, unsure as to why she's sitting on Mick.

"What's going on here? I thought that was supposed to be an act?" Coulson asked skeptically while walking into the car with Ward only to see the two agents in a compromised position. "What happened to Fitz and Skye?" Mick and Jemma scrambled to their feet, both blushing.

"Last thing I remember was Fitz yelling something about a grenade," Mick said as Ward smiled as if he didn't believe a word.

"I tried to help Mick push the guy out of the car and then you were here," Jemma said staring at the ground.

"So you were hit with one of those night night grenades too," Coulson huffed as Ward shook his head.

"Since when is that a thing?" Mick asked.

"Apparently the Clairvoyant is showing us he's still a step ahead of us," Ward sighed.

"So we're just missing Skye and Fitz?" May asked walking into the car.

"Any chance Fitz would've had a back up tracker?" Coulson asked as Jemma's face lit up.

"Not if it was shot," Jemma looked around the car seeing the bullet holes in the various tablets and screens.

"I don't see his backpack, so it's got to be on him!" Mick said as Ward handed Jemma her backpack. She quickly dug through it pulling out a tablet. She fiddled around for a few moments before clapping cheerfully.

"They're a good bit away, looks like a private residence," Jemma said showing the screen to Coulson.

"We need to get there!" Coulson said firmly as May nodded.

They piled into the SUV parked outside, Coulson giving May the directions while Mick and Ward prepared for combat by loading their night night guns. "What's the sat view showing, Simmons?" Ward asked.

"Still several cars in the driveway, a few guards on the grounds," she replied.

"Any signs of our team?" Coulson asked.

"Nothing Sir," Jemma sighed.

"We'll find them!" May barked, slamming on the brakes as armed guards filed out around the gate of the driveway. "Guess this is the end of the ride!"

"Then let's make some noise!" Ward said kicking the door open, firing and taking down two assailants.

"If that's how we're doing things," Mick shrugged as Jemma ducked down in the seat while Mick followed Ward's example.

They forced their way up to the large mansion with several cars parked in the circular driveway. Mick's gun jammed which frustrated him greatly, causing him to throw it at one of the guards by a yellow car. "What happened Webby?" Ward teased as Mick huffed.

"Guess that grenade messed with my powers," Mick rubbed his wrists as Ward seemed surprised.

"It's about time," Fitz grunted as he climbed out from under the yellow car, surprising everyone.

"Where's Skye?" Coulson demanded more than asked.

"She's inside!" Fitz answered quickly, and very nervously. "Sh-She said she wasn't about to let Quinn escape!"

Coulson quickly motioned for Mick and Ward to find her. Ward lead the way, kicking in the door, then firing at the first two guards, then shoulder charging into the one who was brave enough to peak out of a door to the right. "I'll head upstairs, you clear this floor!" Ward ordered, tossing an extra Night Night gun to Mick.

"Thanks," Mick said as Ward nodded, pulling another from the back of his jeans.

Mick cleared two rooms, before hearing chatter coming from another. He eased forward as a hand touched his shoulder. He quickly spun around, his finger on the trigger, exhaling as he saw Coulson, releasing the tension on the trigger.

"We'll do it together," Coulson smirked as Mick nodded, easing open the door. He quickly fired along side Coulson taking out all of Quinn's henchmen, until they all collapsed, leaving Quinn to slump down in the chair behind him and roll his eyes in defeat.

Mick without hesitation, shoved his pistol in Quinn's face. "Where is she?" Mick growled, itching to pull the trigger out of spite.

"Agent Coulson," Quinn sneered. "Perhaps you should train your agents to know when they should be brash, and when they should stand down."

"Don't you tempt me pile of crap!" Mick squeezed a hand around Quinn's throat, only for him to smile darkly.

"Mick, use discretion," Coulson urged as Mick looked at him, then back at Quinn. He pulled the gun away, shoving Quinn backwards, only to see the blood on his sleeve. He smiled darkly as Mick's temper then spiked, firing three shots into Quinn, much to the shock of Coulson.

"She's hurt!" Mick pointed at the sleeve.

"We need all hands! Skye is hurt somewhere in this place!" Coulson called over comms, then lead the charge as they began searching frantically.

Mick followed Coulson into the basement, seeing bodies thrown about which surprised them both, then split up as they began checking rooms.

"Oh God no!" Mick spun around as he heard Coulson a little way down the hall. "She's been shot! Simmons get to the basement now!"

Mick walked in to see the large amount of blood underneath her. His heart sank as he looked at just how pale she was. "Coulson," Mick muttered falling to his knees rubbing his hand across her face.

"Hang on, please Skye," Coulson begged as he pulled her onto his lap.

It seemed like an eternity before Simmons ran in with the rest of the team with her, each mortified by Skye's condition. Simmons then slipped in as Mick reluctantly moved. "Her vitals are so weak, and she's lost so much blood," she bemoaned.

"Come on Jemma, you've got to be able to do something," Mick pleaded, with tears steadily streaming down his face.

"Mick," Coulson said softly, only for Mick to look up at him, seeing the tears on his face as well.

Mick's mind jumped back many years, to the point of when he lost Sam. He vividly remembered clutching her, blood trickling out of her mouth, the way her eyes faded, the paleness, the heaviness of her blood on his hands. Every emotion swirled around his mind, his heart grieving, his thoughts reeling, his body trembling violently as the icy rain fell as his first love faded away leaving him to regret ever becoming Recluse.

"Help get her into the hyperbaric chamber," Simmons nudged Mick pulling him back to reality. He swallowed hard fighting back the imagery of Sam as he, Ward, and Coulson laid Skye in the chamber. Simmons quickly closed the glass chamber, then began tapped a few keys on the pad. Mick's body began to tremble as his mind kept jumping back and forth from Sam's death to now as he couldn't take his eyes off the blood now staining his shirt sleeves.

Ward then laid an arm over Mick's shoulders which surprised him, although he was grateful.

"Temperature is dropping," Fitz noted.

"Pressure is stabilizing," Jemma added.

"So it's working?" May asked, FitzSimmons stayed quiet.

"Is it working?" Coulson demanded an answer.

Mick leaned his head on the glass in defeat, only to see Skye's lips part, and steam from a breath release. "For now," Jemma said full of uncertainty.

"May, I'm going to need you and Ward to get Quinn in containment, then bring the Bus," Coulson said shakily.

"Let me," Mick snarled.

"No," Coulson said sternly. "You're in no shape to handle him."

Mick's fists were clenched, his jaw locked tight, the only thing keeping him from going up stairs and killing Quinn was his hand sitting on the pod Skye was in.

"I can only imagine where your mind is right now," Coulson said as Ward and May left. "I remember that look, the scared little boy who had just lost his family, and the girl of his dreams. She's going to make it, things are different this time."

"How do you know?" Mick snapped.

"We just have to believe it, Mick," Coulson said softly as he placed a hand on the glass next to Mick's.

"And what if she dies too?" Mick's armor shattered as he began to sob.

"We're not going to let that happen," Coulson embraced him in a way a only a father would. Mick lost himself as he cried into Coulson's shoulder, just as he did as an eighteen year old boy all those years ago.

Once they had the chamber placed in the lab, Jemma began fumbling around clearly anxious about how to pull off the miracle of keeping Skye from dying.

"Her core temperature's hovering around 44 degrees Fahrenheit. If we don't bring her back up to temp in the new few hours she could sustain permanent brain damage. We need to get her to a medical facility and fast. Until then I'll do everything I can to keep her alive," she explained as Mick, Ward, and May stood back watching helplessly.

"It's not your fault," May nudged Ward as he huffed in disagreement.

"If I trained her better," he started as May shook her head.

"You can't blame this on yourself," she interrupted. "If you want to blame anyone, blame the man that shot her." May finished as Mick's eyes narrowed. She was right, this wasn't their fault, this was all on Quinn. And he was going to pay for it, especially if Skye died.