Chemistry 101
Summary: When Nell, Eric, Fitz and Simmons sit next to each other on the first day of Chemistry 101, they have no idea of what the semester will bring.
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS: LA, Agents of Shield, or any of the characters of either show.
Author's Note: Between Wolfram and Ununoctium & and the wonderful science duo, I started having all these ideas of what these four characters might have looked like if they had been in college together. Follow them through a semester of introductory chemistry, with plenty of guest appearances along the way.
Prologue: First Day
"Good morning, Jemma," Fitz greeted, walking across the seats to the center of the row. Nell's head, which had faced her notebook as she wrote the date, turned sharply when she heard his voice.
"Leopold?" she asked, shocked. Fitz's jaw dropped. Jemma looked from her roommate to her former classmate.
"Nell!" he exclaimed gleefully. She jumped up out of her seat and leaned over Jemma to give him a hug.
"You two know each other?" Jemma asked, standing so that she and Fitz could switch seats.
"Nell and I grew up together. Our mothers are old friends," Fitz explained, shuffling around her. "Jemma and I attended the same boarding school in Scotland," he offered to fill in the gaps in Nell's knowledge. "And by the way, I go by 'Fitz' now."
As Nell reclaimed her seat, a tall boy walking down the opposite set of stairs caught her eye. He happened to gaze in her direction at the same moment, and a look akin to relief passed over his face when he recognized her from their class the day before. He approached their trio from the other side.
"Mind if I join you?" he inquired. "I'm Eric. Eric Beale." Fitz and Simmons greeted him kindly, but Nell averted her gaze. "We've met," Eric explained a bit awkwardly.
"We're both in Computer Science on Mondays," Nell added, still refusing to meet his gaze. Simmons' eyes swept to both sides.
"So," she started, attempting to break the tension. "Where are you living on campus, Eric?" They ran through the usual gambit of questions, leaving Fitz and Nell to catch up, until the professor entered the room and began to outline the syllabus.
"We covered most of this in AP Chemistry last year," Nell complained as they walked out of the lecture hall.
"Our IB curriculum was the same way," Jemma agreed. "At least we should have an easier time in this course. Some of my other classes will be killer." Fitz nodded in agreement.
"I'll catch you all later – I'm meeting my roommate for lunch," Eric interjected.
"I'll walk with you," Fitz offered. "I'm heading that way as well." The girls waved to the boys as they walked away.
"Should we get some tea?" Jemma suggested. Nell nodded, and together, the roommates walked off to the café.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed the prologue! I just wanted to introduce the characters and such – the real fun will start in the next chapter.