Chapter 1:

A/N: So, I have been wanting to do a FitzSimmons story for a while, and then I got the idea of doing one with them at the academy. I'm excited about it, so I hope you like it! (Note: I may not be completely canonically accurate all the time...sorry.)

Disclaimer: I own nothing. At all.

"I still think you're wrong." Simmons objected, leaning against the wall and rubbing her temples. It was yet another late night spent working on exorbitant amounts of homework courtesy of the rigorous Academy curriculum.

Tiredly, Fitz flopped down face-first on the bed next to her. "Mmm." The sound was muffled. "Can we think about it later?"

"I wish," Simmons said fervently, "but, unfortunately, class starts in four hours.'

"S'okay. Who needs grades?" Fitz mumbled, sitting up. His shirt was now rumpled and he looked like he was on the verge of falling asleep where he sat.

Simmons rolled her eyes. They had this same conversation a couple times a week - every time that they were up at 4am still doing homework, as a matter of fact. And the ending was always the same as well - Fitz complained, she insisted, and they managed to somehow finish it just before the start of class. As painful as this pattern was, they were the top in all their classes because of it. They continued until dawn.

"So, since we're both stressed and exhausted, do you want to take a break tonight?"

Simmons looked up from her lunch, surprised. "Tonight?" She squeaked, feeling her face flush ever-so-slightly.

"Yes?" Fitz made it sound more like a question. "It is Friday, after all."

Simmons took another bite of pizza - pepperoni and mushrooms, her favourite - and chewed it thoroughly before responding. "I don't think…"

"Why not?" Demanded Fitz, cutting off her excuse. "It's okay to take one night off."

"No, Fitz, it's just…" SImmons tried again to explain, but nothing brilliant occurred to her.

He leaned towards her, his expression earnest. "Glow-in-the-dark bowling. My treat." He grinned, obviously fully aware that Simmons loved bowling and that it would be a hard offer for her to pass up.

"Err...can we talk later?" Gathering up her books and stuffing them into her already fell backpack, Simmons bolted from the table before Fitz could say anything else. He'll be upset, she thought, and I don't want that. Can't I just keep him in the dark?

She had three hours of classes without Fitz that afternoon, which she spent agonizing over the best way to tell him. As she left her last class for the day, Advanced Molecular Biology, she saw him leaning against the wall in his usual spot. Every day, without fail, he waited for her to get out of class so he could walk her home. Usually, she found it sweet and appreciated the gesture, but today it just ruined her plans of avoiding him.

"Jemma," Fitz greeted her brightly, falling into step beside her.

"Hi Fitz." Despite her best efforts to act normal, her voice came out as a higher pitch than normal. A dead giveaway to someone who knew her as well as Fitz did.

Sure, enough, Fitz put a hand on her arm, stopping her. "Spill."

"Err…" Jemma looked away, wishing that she was anywhere but there right now. "It's just...I can't…" She stalled.

"Go bowling tonight," Fitz finished her sentence. "I know that you are worried about Mechanics and Engineering of Basic Weaponry." He put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "I'll help you - I'm good at that stuff."

She smiled apologetically at him. "It's not that, although, yes, that class is killing me."

"Then what?"

"It's just...I have a date tonight." Simmons blurted out, feeling her face grow hot. She and Fitz were closer, but this was still awkward for her.

The expression on Fitz's face became unreadable. "A date." He repeated, his voice flat.

"Yes." She smiled weakly. "With Mike. From my Genetics class. We're going to dinner."

"Oh." The strange expression transformed into a smile, but his eyes were still unreadable.

"That's great, Jemma."

"Thanks." The walk back to her dorm room was silent - unusual for them. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course." This time the smile reached her eyes.

I hope you enjoyed! Please review and then I'll update quickly =).