For once, it was actually silent on the Bus. Having landed in a classified location, the team had some downtime as they awaited orders for their next mission. Whilst Coulson and May were engaged in another of their infamous 'conversations', the remaining agents (and Skye) were assembled in the living area.
Skye sighed, flopping back against the sofa. "This is sooo boring," she complained, breaking the ominous silence.
"Shh," Ward commanded. It was his turn to remove a piece from the precarious tower of Jenga blocks – as it had been for the last three minutes. Three minutes and forty-seven seconds if you had been counting, which Skye had.
"Just face it Ward," Fitz said, looking smug as he grabbed a handful of popcorn, "You're never gunna beat me." It was most likely true. Saying that the tower was likely to collapse was indeed an understatement, for the engineer had managed to remove two of the three blocks from the bottom row without yet bringing it down.
"Don't…be so… sure," Ward replied slowly, removing a piece from the middle with such care, anyone would think he was diffusing a nuclear bomb. His pained expression cleared as the tower remained upright, and he fixed Fitz with a steely, if somewhat triumphant, stare.
"Hmm," Simmons grimaced. Many years of experience had taught her that she had no chance against Fitz, but she was hoping she might get the upper hand on Ward; however that was looking less and less likely. The game was literally hanging in the balance, but her keen eyes spotted a block that could be removed with minimal consequences, and she swiftly did so.
"Aha… there!" She said proudly, grinning as Ward's poker face faltered. For the majority of the game, he had managed to keep up a casual façade, but the frown on his features told everyone just how badly he wanted to win… or just not lose.
"Game too intense for you Mr Action Man?" Skye teased, not being able to stop herself. She had lost out on her first try, and subsequently decided to watch the rest of the team play rather than bring the tower down every five minutes. She found it much more entertaining anyway, winding up her SO as he tried to strategize his way around Fitzsimmons.
"This isn't intense," Ward countered, shooting her an annoyed glance, "I'm biding my time."
A laugh escaped Simmons before she could stop it.
"What?" Ward questioned, looking more than slightly offended at her outburst.
"Oh be realistic Ward," she smirked, "you've got about as much of a tactical advantage as I have; we're never going to beat Fitz… I can't actually recall him ever losing a game."
"First time for everything," he shot back, eyes fixed on Fitz, determined to work out his tactics.
"I detect a hint of bitterness," Skye teased, causing Ward to roll his eyes.
Fitz leaned forwards, smiling smugly as he began to remove another piece.
"Well, you see Ward, one of the first things you learn as an engineer is-" Fitz's words were abruptly cut off as suddenly the tower came crashing down without warning.
The gang sat frozen, the only sound to be heard was that of the wooden blocks as they clattered to the floor.
"What. The. Hell?!" Fitz enunciated each word, his hand still hovering where it had been.
Skye sat up sharply, beginning to giggle. "No way," she covered her mouth, staring at Fitz, "You didn't just-"
"Who bumped the table?" He asked slowly. Simmons fixed him with a nervous glance, knowing he was only seconds from an explosion, since he so hated to lose.
"I didn't-" Skye started, pointing at Ward.
"No it wasn't me," he argued, holding his hands up.
"It must've been one of you," he insisted, his voice steady but with an undertone that almost sounded threatening. Simmons remained silent, knowing there was no way to make this better at the moment and it would be better to just let Fitz have his little rant. "I am an engineer, I know how these things work, so don't tell me I knocked down that tower, because I-"
"Maybe your hands shook," Ward chipped in, trying to calm the situation but inadvertently making it worse.
"Of course they bloody didn't!" He shouted, standing up.
"Oh relax Fitz it's only a game," Skye said, trying to placate him, "So you lost? So what?"
"Yeah, it doesn't matter," Ward added, raising his eyebrows at Skye.
"Yeah well, you would say that, wouldn't you Agent Ward," Fitz retorted, becoming more outraged by the second, "if it doesn't matter to you then it doesn't matter at all. I never get to win, do I?"
"Woah, hey," Ward stood up, moving towards Fitz with a look of concern on his face, "come on Fitz don't be a spoil-sport." He tried to place his hand of Fitz's shoulder, but the scientist brushed it away sharply.
"No, fine, you win." He said shortly, pushing past him, "As always," he added under his breath.
"No Fitz, don't-"Simmons started, instinctively moving closer to him.
"Just leave it Jemma," he muttered, looking anywhere but at the three anxious faces in front of him. "It's always my fault." The last part was barely a whisper, more to himself than the others, but of course they all heard. His words hung in the air, footsteps being the only remaining sound as he stormed out.
The three stood in silence for a minute, trying to absorb the quick turn of events.
"What was all that about?" Ward finally asked, looking to Simmons.
She shook her head slightly, looking down. She was just as confused as the rest of them, but she knew Fitz, and it didn't take a huge guess to work out what thoughts might've been behind his actions. He only ever stormed off like that when he was mad - really mad - but recently it was happening more and more. Something was eating away at him.
Skye stood up. "Maybe we should go-"
"Oh, no, trust me it's better to let him cool off for a bit," Simmons cut in hastily, "he's never been much of a gracious loser," she chuckled, trying desperately to lighten the mood. "How about we clean this mess up?" she suggested, picking up a few of the wooden blocks that now lay strewn across the floor.
So, will Simmons find out what's up with Fitz? What do you guys think? Reviews are always very much appreciated! x