After everyone had been cleared, Coulson and Mace were talking to Daisy and Jemma about the base.
"So it was destroyed." Coulson asked.
"And so were all the agents inside." Daisy said.
"They were good men and women who dedicated their lives to SHIELD. And it's because of their sacrifice that SHIELD will endure. I'll speak to the president about securing a new base of operations." Mace said.
"Is that all?" Coulson asked.
"No sir." Jemma said.
"Copy that. For now, let's try and locate the nearest SHIELD facility and land there." Coulson said.
Daisy and Jemma both nodded before walking out.
Zephyr One had landed at the SHIELD base Exodus, their emergency base, which Coulson had actually found in Fury's toolbox, which was perfectly suited to serve as a new base of operations for the moment.
"Coulson, can I talk to you for a minute." Daisy said.
"Sure, but don't you want to get settled in?" Coulson asked, since Daisy still had her overnight bag over her shoulder.
"No, because after what happened in the Framework, I think I need to take some time for myself, away from SHIELD." Daisy said.
"So you're quitting and going rogue again?" Coulson asked.
"No, but I am taking a sabbatical. Every time I've worked for SHIELD, I've wound up getting either my heart or my body broken. I need some time to get myself together. You know, figure out who I am without SHIELD and without being superhero before I can go back to saving the world." Daisy said.
"I understand Daisy, truly I do. But what are you going to do?" Coulson asked.
"Travel for pleasure. See the world like Lincoln wanted us to. Maybe try and find someone who doesn't have the same line of work as me. But don't worry, I'll be back someday. Just please don't send the national guard after me again." Daisy said.
"Since this is an authorized sabbatical, you'll be fine, as long as you check in every once and awhile." Coulson said.
Daisy nodded and said "Can you tell the others. I don't think I can handle saying goodbye, even if it isn't for good."
"I got it." Coulson said.
"Thank you and I promise I'll call and send post cards." Daisy said with a smile as she headed for the exit.
The first person Coulson told was Mace, who approved Daisy's sabbatical, understanding her need for it, before he told everyone else.
"So Daisy is going globetrotting?" Mack asked.
"Pretty much. After what happened, I don't blame her for feeling the need to get away again except this time, we know she's coming back." Coulson said.
"And we did this fine without her once, we can do it again, especially since now we're a team that trusts." Mace said.
"Agreed, but still, it won't be the same without her." Jemma said.
"She said she'd call. And she'll be back soon, she just needs to clear her head, finds herself." Coulson said.
"I honestly thought it would be one of us who was actually forced into the Framework that would need that." May said.
"Yes, but May, the Framework hit Daisy especially close to home, since she was in a relationship with Ward. A real relationship where he was the man we originally thought he was." Jemma said.
"No wonder she's so messed up. Ward's betrayal did a real number on her last time, she just didn't show it." Fitz said.
Coulson nodded and said "Which is why we're giving her the time she needs to get herself together."
"And we're giving it to her, regardless of the state SHIELD is in now?" Mack asked.
"We're giving it to her because she's suffering from yet another broken heart. I swear, this will be her third one since joining SHIELD. And I doubt that spending time around couples will help with that. She needs time to get away from being Quake and see if she can still be Daisy Johnson." Jemma snapped, since she was the only one who truly understood what Daisy was going through, due to her being with Daisy the entire they were in the Framework and she knew how hard Daisy had to work to keep herself from falling in love with the simulated environment and more importantly, the simulated Grant Ward inside it.
Coulson nodded and said "Let's just consider ourselves lucky that she didn't go rogue again, so we know that eventually, she's coming back."
"And she'll checking in, but for now, that will have to do." May said, trying to look on the bright side.
Coulson nodded and said "I'll miss her to you guys. But we have to trust she knows what she's doing."
"On a different note, what are the living arrangements going to be? The last I checked, this base is not very accommodating." Mack asked.
"The plan is for everyone to find their own apartments near here. SHIELD actually owns an apartment complex near the base to house its agents." Mace said.
"Great, let's go check it out." Fitz said.