Hey guys! I was thinking the other day about Fitz's unwaivering faith in Ward, and how interesting it would be to see him interacting with Ward again, even if he doesn't remember him. So this happened. Sorry for some clunky writing in the beginning, it's hard writing background when someone barely remembers themselves :P This will be split into 2 chapters. Rated T for mentions of murder and minor violence. Enjoy, and feel free to let me know what you think!
Fitz sat up in bed, waiting for Agent Coulson to return. Or, the man that introduced himself as an agent named Coulson. Not like he'd remember, anyway. He let out a frustrated breath. Fitz had never been a particularly patient man, and having to relearn so much information that was meaningless to him was frustrating. Partially just because he knew it should matter. The sympathetic looks from people he'd been told was his team should have moved him. But they were strangers. He remembered his name, vaguely remembered what S.H.I.E.L.D. had been, but besides that… he was lost.
Amnesia. He'd woken up from the coma and been told by doctors – not S.H.I.E.L.D. doctors, he'd been told - that he was going to be back to normal soon. But when he asked who the nurse helping the doctor was, and why was she was grinning at him, a horrified silence fell over his hospital room. She'd rushed out, and he'd been asked question after question he couldn't answer. And soon the word 'amnesia' was floating around, along with whispers of "someone has to tell Dr. Simmons," and "poor Dr. Simmons."
The doctors were confident that it would go away soon. They told Fitz that his memory could be jogged by something, or it would just come back gradually. And told him that he had five visitors.
Agent Coulson was the first person Fitz met, and definitely the most positive. He told Fitz a story that felt foreign to him, about a young engineering genius who was also a secret agent. About how he joined a team of five other people, including his best friend. He also mentioned that one wasn't around anymore, but he'd "explain all of that later." It was a nice story, but that's what it felt like; a story. But he just nodded along, trying to take in all of it. Later, he met people named May, Trip, and Skye; the last of which he awkwardly received a hug from the second she walked in. He knew not to introduce himself, but could tell the people felt strange telling him their names. He did meet Dr. Simmons eventually, who introduced herself as Jemma. She didn't stick around long, starting to cry towards the end of talking to him. And she was indeed the nurse that had smiled at him. He didn't recognize her, but boy, she was beautiful.
He had wondered if this was the person Coulson had called his best friend.
Right now Coulson was the only one he really felt comfortable around. He had a friendly but honest voice, and was patient with Fitz. He'd been talking with Fitz about taking a trip out of the hospital, and Fitz was waiting eagerly for him to come back and say that it was happening. He'd been dying to stretch his legs and get out of this hospital.
And soon, Coulson was coming down the hallway. But he wasn't alone. May, the one that had been quiet and had little to say when she checked on him, was next to him. The door opened, and Fitz sat himself up, careful of his arm. It was in a cast, and the doctors said it was healing well and had let him take walks around the facility. Still, he wasn't taking any chances.
"Agent Coulson," He addressed him, then glanced at Agent May.
"We're going, Fitz," The Agent's tone was less than excited, and he noticed May was looking down. "You've been cleared. Fitz, there's…" He paused. "There's someone you haven't seen yet, and I think… Seeing him may jog a memory. And if not, May and I would like to speak to him about your condition."
Fitz nodded and stood up. "At least tell him who it is," May said, almost pretending Fitz wasn't in the room.
"If he doesn't remember him, I'm not addressing it right now. He has enough to worrying about without that." Coulson turned for the door. Fitz could tell from their tones that the two of them had been arguing, but he said nothing. It felt like a strangers' fight to him. May gestured to Fitz, who hurried after the two of them.
"Where are we going?" Fitz asked as they walked down the corridor.
"One of the few remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. strongholds. It's been converted into a prison facility." Coulson said.
"A prison?!" Fitz's voice cracked. "Sir, I'm not sure I want to have a meet and greet with a prisoner of S.H.I.E.L.D. right now."
He thought he saw a small smirk cross May's features as Coulson continued. "You won't have to talk to anyone. I just want you to see him, in case you remember something. Simmons needs us to try." Fitz wanted to ask about that last part, but Coulson's glance to May told him that it was more to her than him. "The flight's barely an hour, and the rest of the team's at a base on assignment. We can show you around your old lab while we fly." Coulson smiled at him, and he gave him an attempt at a smile back.
Coulson was right, the flight wasn't long. He spent part of it being shown around the huge plane by Coulson. The man kept giving him hopeful looks after saying things like "Here's your holo-table," and "You and Simmons used to eat lunch at this counter together sometimes," but Fitz recognized none of it. So, eventually, he'd left Fitz alone in the lab.
Walking through it, he felt like some sort of ghost who couldn't remember his life, but was stuck in the building he'd lived in. He opened cabinets, played with vials and the holo-table, looked through data and projects and blueprints, but nothing seemed familiar. Just a lab. Someone else's lab.
But deep down, he knew Agent Coulson wasn't lying to him. This had been his. Even if it looked like someone else's workspace, or some random lab, it was his. He swallowed, putting his hand down on the holo-table. I'll remember it soon. He hoped. But he wasn't sure he believed it.
May and Coulson appeared from the doorway. "Ready?" Coulson asked.
Fitz nodded, and followed the two out of the plane and to the huge building.