Set after 2x05

Skye was surprised to see someone else in the kitchen/dining area this late at night, or rather, early in the morning. Usually she was the only one wandering around the base's common areas while everyone was asleep.

After the impromptu meeting she had with Coulson about his sketches and carvings on the wall, the Director ordered her to get some rest, maybe catch up with the rest of the team. But Skye's mind was too preoccupied with the news of her father and the progress she and Coulson made that she was suffering from yet another sleepless night.

Skye could only make out a shadow of a petit woman and hear the sound of the boiling kettle echoing softly around the large space. She started towards kitchen, the soft glow of the ceiling light above the counter tops guiding her path to approach the woman.

Skye could feel her heart beat racing slightly as she realized who the woman was. The new shorter haircut gave her away. It was Jemma. Oblivious to Skye's presence, Jemma continued to make herself a cup of tea. Skye took this as an opportunity to breathe and calm her heart rate. Glancing at her watch and glad to see her BPM was back to normal, Skye decided to make her presence known.

"Hey."

Jemma jumped slightly at the familiar voice, turning abruptly at the sudden intrusion. "Oh, hi, Skye."

When Skye simply nodded and smiled in return, Jemma broke the silence. "Would you like some tea?"

Normally Skye would prefer a bottle of beer or a glass of whisky, but tea would do this time. "Sure, thanks."

Jemma nodded and turned back to fix up another cup of tea for the other brunette.

Skype walked to the stool by the counter and took a seat. This moment felt surreal. After months of radio silence and thinking that Jemma abandoned the team for God knows what reason, Skye was deeply grateful that Jemma was back in one piece.

"I know I should've come to see you earlier, but by the time I was released from… my debrief with Coulson, it was getting late and I didn't want to wake you."

Jemma turned and headed for the stool next to Skye, a mug in both hands. She placed one in front of Skye. "It's fine, really."

Skype took a tentative sip of her tea. "Can't sleep?"

"Yeah. My brain just won't shut down."

"I know what you mean. Mine too."

Jemma wrapped her hands around her mug, feeling the heat radiate into her palms. She tilted her head in concern. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Don't worry about it."

Jemma's brows furrowed, but decided to let it go. Skye would open up when she's ready. Besides, Jemma wasn't there for Skye during these past few months. Her return doesn't mean everything between them goes back to how it used to be. Just because she wanted Skye to talk to her, doesn't mean Skye would.

Skye spoke again. "I'm really glad you're back, Jem. Things weren't the same without you."

Jemma smiled at that. She missed her team greatly and it felt great to be home. "Thank you, Skye. I'm happy to be back."

The two just sat in their stools and drank their tea in silence, but it was getting to Jemma. She knew she had to say something, anything. At least try to explain her sudden disappearance. Jemma placed her mug on the countertop and swiveled the stool to face the other woman.

"I'm sorry, Skye. I know you must hate me for leaving without any explanation. But when Director Coulson came to me with this mission, I couldn't say no. He needed someone to infiltrate HYDRA, to gain access to the organization's projects and I was the only one suitable for the job, despite how bad I am at lying."

"I know and I don't hate you, Jemma. I totally understand." Skye nodded.

"And it seemed like a good idea at the time, to do something that'll benefit S.H.I.E.L.D. and maybe find a way to help Fitz…"

At the sight of a teary eyed Jemma, Skye immediately put her mug on the table and reached for Jemma's hand. "Hey, I get it. You don't have to explain to me."

Jemma squeezed the hand that was currently in her palm. "But I have to, Skye. I want you to know that I didn't abandon the team, abandon you. It was a difficult time for me and I didn't want the team to know. I didn't want Fitz to know. It would be hard to leave."

Skye squeezed back reassuringly, a smile on her face. "Yeah, I'll probably tie you down to a chair."

Jemma laughed at that and tears slid out of her eyes. She quickly wiped them off with back of her hand. "You being you, I think that's entirely possible."

Suddenly, the humour that was hanging in the air morphed into seriousness with a touch of softness in Skye's eyes. "I just… I missed you."

Jemma squeezed the hand that never left hers again. "I miss you, too."

Both Skye and Jemma knew they had a lot to talk about. Like how Skye became such a great agent, the time she shot Donnie Gill and Jemma's time at HYDRA. But at that moment, they just wanted to spend some time together like how they used to on the Bus before their worlds were turned upside down. For now, they'll joke and catch up.

"C'mon, drink your tea before it gets cold. I'm sure there's a copy of the latest season of Doctor Who lying here somewhere…"