"Is there any change is Daisy's vitals?" Coulson asked Jemma for the 10th time that day.
While normally, Jemma would've been annoyed by that, she understood Coulson's impulse to know if Daisy was alright. After all he felt responsible for Daisy being in her current state. So did she. And so did Mack, May, Fitz and Mace.
The reason for this being that while Daisy and Jemma's plan to infiltrate the Framework had been a success, since they managed to guide their team out of it, Daisy had been attacked by one of AIDA's safeguards, keeping her trapped in the Framework and leaving them unable to unplug her from it, as the back door Jemma had created was sealed before Daisy could use it, leaving Daisy in a coma like state while her consciousness was trapped inside the Framework.
"Are you sure there's no way to pull her out of the Framework? I thought that Fitz was able to reconfigure it." Coulson began until Jemma interrupted him.
"Reconfiguring the Framework simulation is easy, since that uses the same software the original prototype used, but as I've reminded you countless times, whatever Radcliffe used the Darkhold for, it changed the overall program, since rather than just giving Daisy the experience but still keeping her aware that it's a simulation, Radcliffe found a way to actually transfer someone's consciousness into the Framework, and since AIDA shut the back door I created, Fitz and I have no idea how to pull Daisy out. The only thing we can do to keep her alive is keep her plugged into the Framework. As long as she's alive in there, she'll stay alive out here." Jemma said.
"What did Fitz program the Framework to be for Daisy, since all he said was that he designed it specifically for her?" Coulson asked curiously.
Jemma smiled and said "He gave Daisy a perfect life. A life where her parents are still alive and together and she still has Lincoln. We literally gave her everything her heart desires, since after all the pain she's endured, especially since she joined SHIELD, Fitz and I felt this was the least we could do for her."
"So she's happy in there at least?" Coulson asked.
"Yes, which is why even if we are successful in finding a way to save her, I'm hesitant about pulling her out, since we will literally be yanking her out of heaven. The psychological trauma of losing her family again, of losing the love of her life again, I'm afraid of what that'll do to her." Jemma said.
"Does she even know she's in the Framework?" Coulson asked.
"Who knows. All I know is that she's happy and if I can keep her that way until Fitz and I can find a way to bring her out of her coma, that's all I need to know." Jemma said as she turned back to her work.
"Keep me posted." Coulson said as he exited the lab.
In the Framework
Daisy was having a lunch with her parents at the same cafe she met Mike Peterson in.
"Daisy." Jiaying said, hugging her daughter.
"Hi mom." Daisy said with a smile.
"There's my girl." Cal said as he got his hug next.
"Where's Lincoln? I thought that you were the one who with the dangerous career?" Jiaying asked of her daughter's boyfriend.
"Relax mom, he got caught up at the hospital. Apparently being the top inhuman doctor in the country is a busy profession." Daisy said.
"And what about you? How's the leader of SHIELD's Secret Warriors doing?" Cal asked.
"Well I'd be fine except for the fact that it's supposed to be a secret." Daisy said, rolling her eyes at her dad.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, it's just, we're so proud of the woman you've become. And I'm glad that we raised you to be who you are today." Cal said.
"Me to." Daisy said with a smile, completely unaware that the reality she was living in wasn't real. She was still in the Framework.
"How are things between you and Lincoln anyway? I mean, between him being a doctor and you being a spy, it doesn't seem like you have much time for each other." Jiaying said, concerned.
Daisy smiled and said "Things between Lincoln and I could not be better. We've actually started looking at houses."
"You 2 are moving in together." Cal said.
"I assume you approve, since you both love Lincoln." Daisy said.
"Of course we do. Besides, you and Lincoln have been together ever since he came to Afterlife 5 years ago." Jiaying said.
"Yeah, I'm honestly hoping that he'll pop the question soon. I love him so much, I just want to spend the rest of my life with him." Daisy said.
"I'm sure it will happen soon sweetheart, now, let's order before your father reveals more about your career." Jiaying said.
Daisy laughed and smiled. She had everything she'd ever wanted. Loving parents, a wonderful boyfriend, a great job, a Phd in computer sciences. Her life was perfect. Too bad she didn't realize that it wasn't real.