This almost feels normal, Skye thought as the team stood around the holo-screen where Coulson was about to brief them about a situation that had arisen recently with HYDRA. No, it wasn't exactly like it was before - after the big takeover and SHIELD's official breakup, nothing could be - but now, looking at the old team, minus one, plus a few, she could almost pretend they were back on the BUS and the world was okay. Even Fitzsimmons was standing next to each other, something that hadn't happened in a while. After all the crap they'd gone through, they deserved to be friends again.

And so, Coulson went through the briefing motions, as did the rest of them: he'd explain something, she'd add a bit of lighthearted sarcasm, Trip would make a sassy comeback, and May would say something to shut them up so A.C. (or D.C. at this point) could continue. Lather, rinse, repeat. Yeah, this was just like old times.

"Alright, then, team," Coulson concluded. "Skye, you're on gathering data from the incident. Anything you can find. May and Trip, prep for recon. Fitzsimmons, you'll be-"

"Actually-"

"If you wouldn't mind, sir-"

Both scientists had interrupted the director at the same time. They turned to each other, as if startled the other had spoken. Fitz gave Simmons a little nod, as if prompting her, and she nodded back. A tiny thought popped into the back of Skye's mind. Maybe they're announcing that they're finally engaged. I bet Simmons had to propose. She smiled to herself.

"Director Coulson," Simmons began, somewhat unsteadily. "I know it's doesn't directly pertain to the matter at hand, but-" She took a deep breath. "Fitz and I have been talking, and...and due to the seriousness of the task at hand, the maintenance of a professional atmosphere, and the fact that both of us are approaching age thirty, there will no longer be a need to call us by a silly portmanteau nickname." Her eyes were glassier than usual, and she was blinking rapidly. "Our separate surnames will suffice."

Fitz was staring pointedly at a bit of scrap metal in his hands. "Yeah," he muttered. "What she said. That." He fiddled with it, refusing to look up.

There was a momentary pause that felt like an eternity. Coulson finally broke the silence. "Well, then. Okay. So. Fitz...and Simmons...will be analyzing the samples we were able to retrieve from the site. Come straight to me with any new developments. Mack will be outfitting the SUVs with our new tech…"

Meanwhile, Skye's stomach had dropped. She watched as Simmons tried to discreetly wipe away a tear and Fitz pinched the bridge of his nose, obviously agitated. They didn't interact for the rest of the meeting, and when Coulson finally announced break, they parted ways, one presumably going to the lab, and one to the garage, without so much as a glance.

She couldn't believe it. Fitzsimmons was dead. It was just...Fitz and Simmons. That was weird. It was borderline unnatural. Since she'd met them, they'd always been like one entity walking around, joined at the hip and finishing each other's sentences. Ever since that traitor she was determined not to name went and dropped them into the middle of the ocean, however, things hadn't been right between them. She'd always had hope for them, but after today…

Trip nudged her as they headed out of the meeting room. Seeing the look in her eyes, he patted her shoulder. "They're gonna figure this out," he whispered. "Give it time." She shot him a half-smile before they parted ways and she headed to her room.

One thing's for sure, she thought as she flopped onto her bed. This is definitely not normal.