Jemma and Ward were released shortly from quarantine after they landed and met up with Skye, Triplett, and Fitz in the cafeteria while Coulson and May finished up with their meetings with the other team leaders. Jemma and Ward sat on one side of the table while Fitz and Triplett were on the other side and Skye sat on one end between Jemma and Triplett.
"I'm surprised you two weren't bored out of your minds by time they said you were clear." Triplett said not knowing that Ward and Jemma got along just fine without things to keep them busy.
"It wasn't that long." Jemma said with a small smile.
"We were just fine." Ward said as he squeezed Jemma's hand under the table.
"So what did you guys talk about?" Skye said knowing they had talked from the video feed that was in the holotable room.
"We talked about different things." Jemma said not wanting to give any information on Ward's past without his permission.
"Really that's all I get?"
"Yep." Ward said with a smile.
"Coulson said we have a few hours before we have to be back at the bus, so what do you guys want to do?" Fitz asked.
"I want to go to the nearest mall." Skye said quickly, "You want to go with me Jemma?"
"Sure." Jemma answered.
"I'm going to work on my robot." Fitz said.
"Could you teach me a little about it? I think that'd be really cool." Triplett said interested in how Fitz was going to make a robot.
"That'd be cool mate."
"I'm going to work-out and then take a nap." Ward said, "But after I'm finished with lunch."
"A nap does sound good." Jemma said with a smile as she glanced at Ward.
"Oh come on Jemma. Please come with me I promise I'll have you back in time for a nap." Skye begged.
"All right." Jemma said and then gave Ward's hand a squeeze.
Once everyone was done with lunch Skye and Jemma headed off to the mall; while Fitz and Triplett went to build a robot, Ward joined them for a little while before heading to his pod to take a nap. Skye and Jemma first went to a dress shop because Jemma needed a summer dress for the family reunion.
"Are you taking Fitz with you?" Skye asked.
"No, actually I'm taking Grant." Jemma said as she blushed.
"Grant? Grant Ward?"
"Yes, Grant is going with me."
"Since when? Are you two an item now?"
"Since I asked him. And what is an item?"
"An item is another term for going out, dating Jemma. Are you dating?"
"Skye I just asked him today. We haven't even gone on a date to be considered dating."
"But you want to date him?"
"Well yes I do."
"Oh my God! This is so exciting." Skye squealed with excitement, "We have to find you the perfect dress."
"Skye you can't tell anyone, especially not Fitz, he'd give Ward the big brother act." Jemma said in a very serious tone.
"I thought you and Fitz were like partners."
"No, no he's like my brother. We even had this talk before and we decided we were more like siblings."
"But didn't he go with you to all your family things?"
"Yes normally he does, but I've asked Ward and occasionally Fitz didn't go to every family event."
"Okay. Come on there has to be a good dress in here." Skye said as she dragged Jemma into a store that had a lot of summer dresses.
Back on the bus Ward was watching as Fitz and Triplett began to strategies exactly what they were going to use for their robot; Fitz was drawing in a notebook, while Triplett gathered some tools. Ward watched them with interest as they moved around a small lab table. Soon Fitz and Triplett were putting pieces together that looked somewhat complicated. Ward continued to watch till he got the courage to ask Fitz a few questions.
"So Fitz have you ever been to any family events of Jemma's?" Ward asked as if it were nothing.
"Yeah, her mother and aunts keep trying to set us up." Fitz replied.
"Oh, so what are they like?"
"What's your sudden interest in Jemma's family?" Triplett said curiously.
"Umm…. She invited me to go with her." Ward said with a hint of blush in his cheeks.
"You're going with her to the family reunion." Fitz stated as he looked up from the notebook.
"Yes."
"As in a date?"
"Yes."
"You know if you hurt her I'll kill you, right?"
"Yes I do. Is that your version of big brother talk?"
"Yes, but I do know how to kill you and make it look like an accident."
"I'm in on that. Jemma is very special, so hurting her." Triplett said adding his input.
"I know guys. She is very, very special to me. I would never do anything to hurt her." Ward said strongly.
"Okay." Fitz said as he looked back to his notebook.
"Okay?"
"Yes, okay. Jemma's a big girl she can take care of herself."
"Okay."
"All of her family are great, but you might want to take her on a date and talk more with her about them and about yours. It might help you."
"Good idea. Thanks Fitz. So tell me a little bit about them."
"Well you know about her brother?"
"Which one?"
"Alex."
"Yes. I do."
"What about Alex." Triplett asked.
"He was Jemma's younger brother. He was gay and committed suicide because he was bullied at school." Fitz answered.
"Oh. That's horrible."
"Yeah." Ward said.
"Her father is Tom, he's a doctor and works at the children's hospital." Fitz said to Ward.
"Okay."
"Her mother is Catherine; she works at nursing home, as a nurse."
"Oh wow. Both parents help people."
"Yes, that's part of the reason why Jemma joined SHIELD."
"Thanks Fitz. I'm going to go take that nap."
"See ya." Triplett said as Ward left the lab.