Fitz walked into the hangar at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, hoping to find Mack. At first glance, the hangar seemed deserted, but soon Fitz spotted the mechanic bent over the quinjet's engine. As Fitz approached him, he started having second thoughts. He considered Mack a friend, someone he trusted, but was this really a topic he should discuss with him? What if it made things awkward between them? He didn't have many people in his life who he could call friends; he couldn't afford to lose one.

Fitz had turned around to leave the hangar when Mack saw him. "Hey, Fitz." Mack put down his tools and smiled at the engineer. "What are you doing here?"

"I was going to talk to you about something...but it's not important. You look like you're busy. I'll see you later." He started to walk away.

"Hold on, Turbo," Mack said. "I was busy, but I could use a break." He picked up a rag and wiped the sweat from his brow. "What's on your mind?"

Fitz looked away as he contemplated his response. Should he tell Mack the truth? Or was it better to lie? Would Mack know if he was lying?

Eventually Mack broke the silence. "Okay. You don't have to tell me. I think I know."

Fitz shifted his weight from one foot to another. "You do?"

"You and Simmons are finally dating."

"How did you know?" Fitz's cheeks reddened. He had thought that he and Jemma were being discreet about the change in their relationship.

Mack grinned. "You used to try to play it cool, but now you smile whenever she walks into the room. I'm happy for you, Fitz. It's been a long time coming."

"Thanks. Simmons and I have been getting closer, and it's been great. Really great. But..."

"But what?"

"I'm worried about what happens when our relationship becomes…" Fitz lowered his head, not wanting to meet Mack's eyes. "...more physical."

"What? Because S.H.I.E.L.D. regulations say you can't have a romantic relationship with a fellow agent?" Mack laughed. "Coulson won't stop you. No one will. Everyone is rooting for you two. And I mean everyone. I can't tell you how many times I've overheard agents tell each other that they 'ship FitzSimmons.'"

"They ship us? W-What does that mean?" Fitz asked.

"It means that they want you two to get together. I know at least a couple agents have placed bets on when it will happen."

"You're serious?"

"Completely serious."

"I didn't know that there were so many people who cared about our personal lives."

"Why wouldn't they? From what I've heard, you and Simmons were legends at the Academy. A lot of people look up to you guys and want you to be happy. If Bobbi and Hunter were here, they'd be thrilled. You and Simmons have something special, something some people spend their whole lives searching for. Don't let regulations stand in your way."

"We won't. That's not what I'm worried about."

"Okay. Then...what's the problem?"

Fitz took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "Jemma had boyfriends at the Academy. And she had Will. She has experience in being intimate. But I never had the opportunity to...gain experience."

"You're saying that you've never…oh. Wow."

Fitz wrapped his arms around himself. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you that. I knew it would make things weird." He started to walk away again.

"Fitz, wait! You didn't do anything wrong. I was just...surprised, that's all. But it makes sense. You were a child genius at the head of your class; you couldn't have had much time for dating."

"Yeah. I spent a lot of time alone as a kid. There were a few girls in school that I liked, but none of them liked me back. They thought I was too brainy, too weird. Jemma was the first person in my life who understood me. She's the first person I can imagine having a relationship with...the first person I can imagine having a future with. So I don't want to disappoint her. I was thinking that…if it's not too awkward...maybe you could give me some advice...so I won't be bad at it."

Mack was quiet for several seconds. "You know those scenes in TV shows and movies where a couple falls into bed and everything is romantic and perfect?"

"Yes."

"Don't expect your first time to be like that. Getting to know someone in that way...it's going to be a little awkward and embarrassing at first. You'll be nervous and she might be too. Be honest with her and you'll figure it out together; you always do. You'll be alright, Turbo. Just give it time."

Fitz nodded. "Thanks, Mack."

As Mack patted Fitz on the shoulder, he heard footsteps behind him. "That must be Agent Simmons."

"How did you know?" Asked Simmons as she approached the two men.

"Fitz's smile," answered Mack, turning to face her. "I'll let you two talk. I should get back to work." He picked up his tools and returned to the quinjet's engine.

"Do you need me in the lab?" Fitz asked the woman he loved.

"No, we're still waiting on test results. I was about to eat lunch and I wondered if you wanted to join me."

"I'd love to," Fitz said, impulsively kissing her cheek.

"Fitz!" Simmons blushed and took a step back. She stole a glance at Mack, who was trying to pretend he hadn't seen anything. "I thought we agreed to be discreet in front of our colleagues."

"I know, but Mack already figured it out and I haven't been able to kiss you all day." He took her hands in his. "Will you forgive me?"

Simmons sighed. How could she stay mad at Fitz when he looked at her like she was the most important person in the universe? She closed the distance between them. "Always."

Hand in hand, the smiling scientists left the hangar together.


Thanks for reading! All comments are greatly appreciated.