Fitz was very nervous about this. It wasn't like a normal first date but that didn't stop him shaking as he answered the door. He'd known Jemma for almost a year now, they worked together and took the same train to and from London to get there, and they had been close friends for ages. Fitz had always felt something more and clearly Jemma had too because a few weeks ago she had asked him out. It had taken forever to find a day and time that worked because they were both so busy but eventually they'd found one. Tonight,8:30, Fitz's house. He knew pretty much everything about Jemma already but he was nervous because he wanted it to go well, and it had been a long wait. This date was long overdue.
So when the door opened and Jemma smiled at him in her beautiful red dress Fitz had to smile back, because he realised that as much as he was nervous, he was also excited.
"Hey," Jemma mumbled, rather awkwardly.
"Hey," Fitz replied.
Then it went silent. They looked at each. It was probably just a few seconds but it felt like hours. It should have been awkward but it wasn't. Fitz thought it was perfect.
The moment was ruined by Fitz's phone going off very loudly. Fitz grimaced as though it caused him physical pain. 'Why now?' he thought, desperately. Apologizing to Jemma, he picked up his phone, he didn't recognise the number. Feeling like an idiot he told Jemma to wait in the car and that he'd be there in a second. Jemma nodded, understanding, she really was perfect.
As soon as Fitz answered the phone he heard Hunter practically shout, panicked, on the other end. "Fitz, it's Hunter, don't hang up!"
"Why would I hang up?" Fitz asked, curious.
There was a pause. Not a really long one but enough to be noticed, and enough to be awkward.
"No reason." Said Hunter. And even over the phone he sounded unsure of himself.
This wasn't the first time Hunter had called Fitz in the evening. Normally it was because he was drunk in a bar somewhere and needed Fitz to come and pick him up. If Fitz was sensible, once in a while he would refuse to come get him so that he could face the consequences of his actions, but Fitz was too nice and so found himself, more evenings than not, picking up a very drunk Hunter form a very dodgy bar and dropping him home.
This time felt slightly different though. Something about Hunter's tone made Fitz slightly worried. Hunter was hiding something, but right now he didn't have the time.
"What's up, Hunter?" Fitz asked, rather harshly.
"Can you come and get me?" Hunter asked, almost nervous.
Fitz inhaled deeply, attempting to stop himself from shouting. He didn't get angry often but right now he was very annoyed. Tonight of all nights was when Hunter had to be rescued from one of his bars again. Could he maybe call someone else, or just not get drunk for one night.
"Look I'm sorry about your situation but I can't come and get you from whatever bar you are at right now-"
Hunter cut Fitz off, "No! Please don't hang up! I've only got one call."
Fitz stopped talking. What did Hunter mean by 'I've only got one call'? Come to think of it, why wasn't he using his mobile? Fitz would have recognised his number.
"Hunter," Fitz started carefully, almost not wanting to know the answer, "Where are you?"
There was a pause, a really long one this time. So long that Fitz had to interrupt Hunter's thoughts.
"Hunter…" Said Fitz almost in a warning tone.
"Fitz…" Hunter said, barely audible. Fitz could almost feel Hunter's pain over what he was about to say. "I'm in prison."