Anger and frustration bubbled over and Ward slammed his hand down on the railing next to Skye, irritated at how much he actually just wanted to smack her. But he wasn't going to do that. He wasn't going to hurt her -- at least not physically -- because she was right that he did have some choices still, and that was one he didn't want to have to make.
Unfortunately, his time was running out and she might not realize it, but when it did who knew what sort of choices he would have. Garrett had always watched out for him and Garrett had never asked for anything that wasn't needed. Ward knew that, but what was needed was the data and Garrett might know that Ward had a fondness for Skye, but he also knew Garrett wouldn't hesitate at ordering her harmed if he thought that was what was necessary to get the information out of her.
He breathed out, glaring at Skye. Angry at her for seeing his weakness and angry at himself for having one.
"I need that data," he punctuated the end of every word with a pause, regaining his emotional control. "You're right, I have a choice. I need the data, and our time is about to run out. I don't want to see you hurt, Skye, but if you don't give it to me, it will be out of my hands."
It was the truth and part of Ward wondered at his telling it to her. But it was perhaps too late to backtrack into something else that wasn't truth. Whether he liked it or not, he'd already made his feelings about Skye fairly clear and there wasn't much point in back-tracking. Perhaps if she could believe that he did care and see that he was trying to protect her, she'd be more willing to listen to him.