Clang!
Aaron dropped a glass straw into a drink made from Rainbow Fruit and took a deep pull. The layered flavors made him smile in satisfaction.
Across from him, Miles and Skye sat stiffly on the sofa, their faces clouded with worry like prisoners awaiting judgment.
More than ten minutes later, the door opened again, and Coulson entered with the rest of the team.
When they saw Skye sitting beside Miles, they seemed to understand something, their emotions turning indescribably complicated.
"Everyone." Aaron looked at them sympathetically. "I know you don't want to believe this painful truth, but facts speak louder than words."
"Sigh!" Coulson let out a deep breath, then ordered Fitz and Simmons to inspect their computer equipment while he casually flipped through the other records.
"I know this looks..."
Skye was interrupted midway through by Coulson raising a finger. "How long have you been in contact?"
"We spoke once on the day I joined, when I told him I was okay, and then again earlier today."
"You tipped off a suspect?"
"It's not what you think." Skye explained, "Miles and I... when we met, we were both in a bad place.
No, he was in a bad place. I was in a terrible place.
But we always looked after each other. That's why I warned him. Not because we were accomplices, but because we were... friends.
I'm really sorry."
"Understood." Coulson said calmly. "If not you, then who was Lydon working with?"
"No one. He's an idealist. He believes in freedom of information."
Aaron spat out a mouthful of colorful juice. "Hahaha! Did I hear that right? There are still idealists these days?"
"That information cost a man his freedom, and you ruined our chance to make things right," Coulson said.
"No, I came to find out