Torn

A sea of memories laid before him, starting with being at the Stark EXPO in 2011, running toward a girl trapped under falling debris. This was where he first met Daisy, time sped around him, ghost like moments whirling like around until everything settled into a debriefing room. He sat in a small Los Angeles diner across from her, talking about the men in suits and the recent workings of the Black Coat Hero. Things jumped ahead again to the Bus, where they officially joined Agent Coulson's team. 

Another time jump, and he was watching Daisy in a containment unit, she was pale and in a panic. It was right after gaining her powers. A quick flash and he saw her with Lincoln, then they were on the ship with Cal holding his wife as he crushed the life out of her while Mick held the weakened Daisy. Another flash and he was holding himself up in Mission Control, watching Daisy crying her eyes out as Lincoln sacrificed himself to destroy HIVE. 

Things were moving faster now. He then remembered watching her mourning at the funeral they held for Lincoln, trying to reach out to her, explaining that he knew her pain. His mind glitched, showing the image of a lock and key before dropping him back into another memory. Where Daisy was being reinstated to SHIELD by Director Mace. His mind glitched again with images of a dark haired woman, who looked remarkably similar to Madam Hydra, relentlessly attacking him before he gasped with the last thing he heard was the woman's voice, "What is the one thing you regret the most?" 

His eyes shot open. Jemma, Sam, and Skye were kneeling beside him. He stared at Skye, unsure how to speak to her. Was she Skye, or was she Daisy both names were synonymous but this woman, she didn't seem like Skye anymore. She seemed like the woman from his lucid dreams, Daisy. His reality had slowly began to crumble around him. He looked to Sam, reaching for her hand to keep him grounded. 

"Are you alright?" She asked as she patted the sweat off his forehead. It was a much more loaded question than he really knew how to explain. 

"This might make you feel better," Jerren said holding out a cup of water with a bit of hesitation. 

"Thanks," Mick said with a smile, unsure of why Jerren looked so confused at such a normal reaction. 

"You thanking us? That must be some killer headache!" Davis quipped from behind everyone else. Mick sat up, the thick vale of confusion still clouding his mind. Everything was lucid, dream-like, but what was the dream? The Hydra life or SHIELD? The strange lock and key flashed in front of his eyes again causing incredible pain to course through his body.

"You guys have always been there for me, why wouldn't I thank you?" Mick responded instinctively only for Patten, Jerren, and Davis to share the same skeptical look. 

"Is your memory fully intact now?" Jemma asked as Mick turned to her, he smiled half heartedly, glad to see her warm smiling face. His eyes twitched as the pain continued to radiate through his mind.

"It's all very confusing, but I think I have the gist of things," he replied, looking at Sam somberly. "I do still have quite a few questions I'd like answers to." 

"At least you're awake now," Jemma looked at Sam with a strange expression that only made Mick more bothered. "That solves one of our problems, we still have to figure out how to escape."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked curiously.

"I think everything is settled out there for the time being, now we need a plan to get you guys out of here," Ward walked in panting slightly, Mick finally understanding all of the traitor talk from earlier. "I rigged up a few explosives so we'll know if they find us." 

"Our back door device isn't working," Jemma pulled out a small cell phone looking thing, clicking a button that seemed to bother Daisy when nothing happened. "It's like AIDA know's where here." 

"What is AIDA?" Mick looked across the room hoping for an answer. 

"Have we found Coulson or Mack yet?" Daisy asked, Mick perked up at the mention of Coulson, but was struggling to remember who Mack was. Why was this all so hard? 

The ceiling shook, debris began to fall. "I don't think we have time for you guys to sort all of this out. We need to get out of here!" Ward yelled over the explosions as he went to reach for Daisy, who pulled away instinctively. It was clear how much that bothered Ward, and something else was going on that Mick wasn't quite sure about just yet. 

"How could they find us down here?" Patten reached for a weapons cache they had in a small wooden crate, tossing a few guns to Davis and Ward. 

"They probably traced my bike," Mick punched the ground in frustration. 

"Don't stress about it," Sam rubbed Mick's shoulders. 

"We knew this was a temporary meeting spot," Davis popped his neck and racked his gun. "You get them to the Boss, and we'll buy you some time." No sooner than Davis finished speaking another explosion rocked the tunnels.

 "No, you're not doing this alone," Mick pulled himself up trying to stand with his friends. "This is my mess, I'm going to help."

"While it's good to see you coming to your senses and wanting to fight against Hydra," Jerren said placing an arm on Mick's shoulder. "We've got this. Now please, get the heck out of here." Jerren then shoved Mick backwards. "Suit, on!" The other crates around the tunnels rattled for a moment before blue pieces of armor broke free, swirling around Jerren. They began to attach to him, and the designs vaguely reminded Mick of something out of a MegaMan game. 

"Okay, that's pretty impressive," Mick said as Jerren's helmet landed, closing to show a digitalized face. 

"Oracle OS, online. All systems are go!" Jerren's voice was digitized and projected through his armor. "Ready Outcast? Let's light 'em up!" 

"Don't think we're friends again just because you're becoming a turn coat," Davis shoved Mick as he started to follow Jerren. "But, don't die either." 

"We'll see you at base," Patten nodded. "If what you said is true Miss Simmons, I really hope you can save the world. Maybe then ours won't be so bleak." Patten followed Davis and Jerren out without another word, leaving Mick to feel like this was the last time he was going to see them.

Mick looked at Ward and Sam; "So what's our plan now? Are we just trusting that there's really two worlds, somehow I exist in both of them, and Jemma seems to know how to get me out of here so we can save this one?"

"That seems to sum it all up," Sam said with a semblance of a smile. 

"We need Coulson, he's going to know what to do," Daisy said as Ward and Jemma shook their heads. 

"Those two already tried that," Ward stated bluntly as he led them through the tunnels opposite of where Jerren's crew went. "You don't see him here now do you, that means they failed." 

"That's not exactly true," Jemma said with a sigh. "I'm the only one that spoke with him, Mick really just stood on guard." 

"Maybe we should let Skye, er Daisy, try," Mick said struggling to try and recall how to address her at this point.

"That sounds too risky," Sam said as Ward nodded in agreement.

"Risky or not, he's worth it. He'll come around, I just know it," Daisy said with a grin. "Besides, I'm sure with the two of us, it'll be fine."

"I don't like this idea," Mick said nervously, his feelings for both Daisy and Sam causing a major conflict inside him, one he didn't feel like dealing with, nor did he fully understand.

"I don't like it any more than you do," Ward said as he looked at Mick. "But, I don't think we have too many options. Sam and I can keep Jemma safe and get her into SHIELD's base, once we do that, I'll come back for you two." 

"And your thoughts?" Mick looked at Sam, who had an eye on Daisy as she stayed close to Mick. 

"I think we'll be just fine without you," Sam said in a strange tone that ripped Mick to his core. "Go be the hero I know you are." 

"Sam," Mick started to protest as Sam pulled off her ring, and unlatched her silver necklace Mick had recently given her. 

"You can wear it like a good luck charm," She smiled at him, covering his mouth with her index finger. "You be sure to bring it back to me, ok?" She kissed his cheek leaving the jewelry in his hand as he nodded to her. 

He felt the tears in his eyes, something deep in his heart ached, something about this promise felt harder than anything else he ever did. He looked over to see Jemma whispering something to Daisy, which bothered him. Every time he and Sam spoke since Daisy came around, Jemma did that. What were they keeping from him? What is the big secret about this other world that he doesn't know? Did it have anything to do with the strange lock symbol in his head? 

"Hey, you keep her safe, got it?" Ward nudged Mick out of his thoughts. 

"You too," Mick said as the two fist bumped. This was another one that hurt, too bad his memories from the other world were so hazy or maybe it might make sense. It didn't matter now, this Ward was his friend and that's what mattered. 

The reached a fork in the tunnels, the explosions and clashing a distant echo now. "That way should lead you back into the city. I wouldn't advise any transportation. Stay low and out of sight. I swear I'll come find you and Skye," Ward said sternly. "I'm sorry, you told me that you prefer Daisy. It's just hard looking at you and not seeing my Skye."

"Thanks Ward," Daisy said smiling affectionately. "If the real you was like this, things for us would've been a lot different." 

"I mean, before all of this crazy stuff, Skye and I were a thing," Ward teased. 

"Go get 'em Tiger," Sam said brushing Mick on his shoulder as he smiled at her. 

"Good luck," Ward said as he, Sam, and Jemma started off the opposite way leaving Mick and Daisy alone to venture out into the city. 

The made their way out, staying low as Mick took point. He had to be mindful of how little gear he had on hand. Ammo was extremely limited, his sabers weren't charged from the last battle, so they wouldn't last too long either. Fighting would be hand to hand which would be bad if they brought out the drones. 

"Do your powers work here?" Daisy blurted out as they snuck into an alleyway. "Mine don't. Good thing too, because I'd have quaked Ward and Jemma right out of the building when they showed up at my apartment."

"You don't have," Mick's mind flashed with several memories, dropping him to his knees. The pain in how they kept coming back indicated whatever kind of block was put on him clearly wanted him to forget all about the other world.

"Hey, why do you keep doing that?" Daisy reached out for him, helping back up.

"I guess it's conflicting memories," Mick shrugged it off. "Do you have powers?"

"Yeah," Daisy looked at him sympathetically. "They really did a number on you when they put you in here, didn't they?" 

"I guess so," Mick felt a little guilty about the fluttering in his heart as Daisy held him up. "It's all really confusing, like, I can't figure out what's real and what's not." 

"I'm sorry," she said, Mick unable to feel as if it were much more weighted than he could imagine. 

"Don't be," Mick said as he started forward, leading Daisy across the street into the next alley. 

"You have to know this," Daisy broke the silence as they walked onto the sidewalk. "I never meant for you to get hurt. You're one of my best friends, I shouldn't have blown you off like that. I see now just how similar we are." 

"You and Jemma both say we're good friends, but you're both keeping something from me. Tell me the truth, all of it. Where's Sam in your world, and why in every strange dream I have with you people do I never see her?" Mick paused as they reached the school. 

"I-" Daisy looked at him unsure of how to answer. 

"You didn't recognize her! You've never met Samantha Bellouve have you? That's why I'm so torn up inside, why there's these weird feelings for you and hurt when I think of Sam!" Mick's desire for answered overthrew his desire to be discreet. He didn't care if they made a scene, this was important to him. It could make or break everything. 

"You're right," Daisy said somberly. "I don't know who Samantha Bellouve is. You mentioned a Samantha Lane a few times, and you tried to open up about her when Coulson brought us out after Lincoln died. You kept trying to tell me you understood how I felt, and that you were there for me, and all I did was push you away." 

"So Sam is dead," Mick's mind began to swirl, the lock and key glitched several times before his eyes. His stomach turned. "No, I'd remember," he murmured as he fell to his knees. He began dry heaving. 

"I'm so sorry," Daisy knelt down, rubbing his back. Mick's breathing began to slow as he recomposed himself. 

"Coulson works right over there," Mick pointed at the school in front of them. He stood with Daisy's help, recomposing himself once more. "Sorry I made a scene, I was trained better than that." 

"I can't imagine being force fed memories and having the real ones clash with them is easy to deal with," Daisy said with a half smile. 

"It really sucks," Mick admitted. "One more question before we go find Coulson; Were you and I ever a thing?" 

"No," Daisy said giving Mick a rather peculiar smile, as if there was a secret she was keeping that she wasn't quite ready to admit to yet. "Although I do believe you just admitted you have confusing feelings for me." Daisy smirked as Mick stared at the ground with a touch of embarrassment. 

"Oh look at that," Mick pointed over toward the school seeing Coulson walking from his car to the building, clearly bringing things back and forth. He was grateful for that to be over. "Go, I'll make sure everything is good. If you need me, just signal me. I don't want him freaking out again." 

Daisy walked over stealthily, peaking around then climbing into the back seat of Coulson's sedan. Mick kept watch on her, images of several times of trying to track her while she was on the hunt for the Watchdogs, at least before he was forced to sign the Accords and Director Mace assigned him to May's team. The clarity of the memory was shocking, it was almost as clear as his memories here. It was so strange having two sets of memories, both in complete conflict with one another. As if you'd lived two different lives all at once. 

Daisy and Coulson climbed out of the car, which surprised Mick, as he didn't even notice him get in. She motioned for him over, to which he obliged. Coulson stared at him momentarily. "I think I know you." 

"Yeah, I brought the other girl that tried to talk to you earlier," Mick said flatly. 

"That's right, the Hydra Agent," Coulson stated, leading them into his classroom. 

Daisy then broke down everything she knew about the Framework, how she and Jemma used a back door entrance to log in to find them. How in reality they were with Agents Davis, Piper, and Yo-yo on the Zephyr. She started telling them about how they found out they were replaced in the real world with LMD's, but most of all she explained they were SHIELD agents, not part of the Hydra hellscape. The strangest part was how easily Coulson seemed to just accept all of it, where Mick struggled. Could that be because they were given different treatment? Mick was a Hydra Agent, while Coulson was a teacher? 

"I knew Hydra was lying about everything!" Coulson said smugly. "They must have brainwashed us with that weird blue soap. That's why I make my own, and you should too." 

Mick looked at Daisy with sheer confusion and quite a bit of doubt. This wasn't acceptance, this man was a blazing lunatic. A conspiracy theorist, an absolute nut job! "Um, we don't make soap," Mick said hesitantly as Coulson looked at him and nodded. 

"That's just what they want you to think, use your head Mick. How else would they control you?" Mick's mind drew a blank. How did this man know his first name? Protocol, if he gave his name, it would've been Agent Bellouve. This gave more validity to Daisy's story, which brought more confusion and concerns to Mick. He didn't really want to leave this world, because now leaving meant losing Sam. 

"So you remember us?" Daisy beamed, then Mick clutched his head, dropping to his knees once more.

More memories flooded into his head brining with them more pain and suffering. He watched vividly as his mom, two sisters, and father tied to posts like witches in Salem, went up in pillars of flames set off by the psychopath Jake Carson. The memories jumped to Coulson standing by his side at the large funeral for all five of the lives lost that day. It was Coulson that got him through it all. He was the father figure to Mick throughout his training at the Shield Academy, the one there for him when everything fell apart. He always could put Mick back together. Mick gasped as he looked up as Coulson with a new found reverence and Daisy at his side.

"Not everything, but apparently some things, like your names," Coulson said. "You sure he's ok?"

"I'll be fine," Mick grunted as Daisy helped him up. "If you can jump on board of this crazy train, I guess I'll go all in too," Mick said with a smirk, until Daisy's phone rang to cut the moment short. She was silent as she looked at the window, then back at Coulson.

"Looks like our reunion party is going to be cut short, you and I are needed back at base, and we also need to get Coulson to Jemma, Sam, and Ward before the Enforcers arrive," her tone was slightly concerning. It wasn't enough to dissuade Mick. He'd figure this out. Maybe there was a way that he could help them and save Sam and Ward?