Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter, sorry for the wait. I have plans for this fic, however long it takes me to write.

Chapter 3

"This is insane."

"You said that this morning."

"Yeah, well, it hasn't got any less insane since then."

Bobbi lay on her back on the grass staring up at the blue cloudless sky through the branches of a tree. Hunter lay by her side. Between them, their fingers were entwined. The park a few blocks from the hospital was filled with people, children and dogs ran around and joggers filled the paths. But this spot was quiet. The two of them went there to talk while they waited to be picked up but so far their conversation had consisted of only a few disjointed sentences and plenty of sarcasm.

Bobbi turned her head to look at Hunter. "Are we nuts? Can we do this?"

"I hope so Bob" was Hunter's honest reply. "We're committed now." He heard Bobbi take a deep breath but didn't look over. He gave her hand a squeeze. He wasn't going to lie too her, he liked to think they were way past that. "Look, it's not going to be easy, you know that. But yeah, I think we can do anything we set our minds to. But right now, can we just lie here staring at the sky and not think for a bit?"

Bobbi moved closer to Hunter and put her head on his chest. Not thinking sounded very appealing, but she seriously doubted her mind's ability to stop. How were they going to do this? What would they tell the team? Where were they going to live, for goodness sake, and what would they do for work? Bobbi had been a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent so long, it was all she really knew, all she was good at. But that would have to change now, it was too dangerous.

"What are we going to tell Coulson?" Bobbi wondered aloud.

Hunter looked down at the top of Bobbi's head. "I thought you didn't want anyone to know?"

"I don't. But I can't carry on doing the kind of jobs I've been doing, the kind of missions..." Bobbi trailed off. "And you, what if something happens to you? I can't..."


"Hey, slow down. Nothing's going to happen to me." Hunter stroked her hair. "One step at a time. For now we'll just say the doctors told you to take it easy. It isn't a lie."

"For 6 months?"

Bobbi's rhetorical question went unanswered. "Are you ready to tell the team yet?" Hunter asked instead.

"No."

"Then we won't. Simple as." Hunter brought his hand up and stroked Bobbi's hair. "We'll think of something, we always do."

Bobbi propped herself up on one elbow and moved so she could look Hunter in the face. "You're being surprisingly non-argumentative today. With me at least. I don't like it, it's unnerving." Bobbi smiled.

"Don't get used to it, love. I'm sure normal service will resume shortly."

Bobbi smiled. "That's better."


The ride back to base had been a quiet one, both of them needing some time alone with their own thoughts. But now, despite what Bobbi had said about trusting her, Hunter couldn't help wanting to know where she was every minute, wanting to know she was safe. The 30 minutes or so they'd been out of each other's sight was more than enough. God knew, Bobbi could take care of herself. She'd saved his arse on more than one occasion. Kicked it too. But even though logically he knew she could handle herself, the image of her bleeding and in pain in his arms had been flashing through his mind all day, ever since their life changing conversation over coffee this morning.

Passing the lab, Hunter was brought of of his thoughts when he heard the exasperated voices coming from within.

Simmons threw her hands up and backed away from the microscope. "It's just a box!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "A heavy, solid, silver box."

Fitz looked over from his computer screen where he was analysing sample readings. "When is anything around here ever 'just a box'?"

Simmons sighed and sat down beside him. "It's bizarre. You'd think there would be something to go on. A trace of particles in the air, or something from the swabs" she pointed half heartedly in the direction the object sitting on the counter. "We've analysed every inch of that room and nothing."

"We'll figure it out" said Fitz reassuringly, though he was feeling just as baffled.

"Any luck yet?" Hunter popped his head through the open glass door.

"No" Simmons said, louder and harsher than she intended. She took a deep breath. "Sorry. It's frustrating."

"Have you seen Bobbi?"

Fitz flashed him an apologetic smile. "Try the gym."


Fresh from her run, Bobbi passed Mack in the corridor, but she had walked at least 5 metres past him before she realised he was calling her name. "Sorry" she said, turning back round. "I was miles away."

He came to her side. "Coulson wants to ask you some questions about the mission today, Fitz and Simmons are having a hard time piecing together events."

"I was unconscious for most of it. I'm not sure how much help can be."

"How are you feeling?" Mack asked, gently placing his hand on Bobbi's arm.

"I feel great". Bobbi found that her answer which had formed in her mind as a lie to cover up what was going on was actually the truth. "My headache's gone completely."

Mack studied her for a moment. "You seem distracted." Bobbi offered him a smile which she hoped would allay his suspicions and divert his line of questioning. Instead he continued "Is everything okay with you and Hunter? I've seen you two whispering..."

Bobbi shouldn't have been surprised Mack had noticed. They were all spies after all. "Absolutely."

Mack did not look convinced. "Okay... But I know how things go with the two of you." Mack stopped himself, realising that his question was inching over the line of concerned colleague into the realms of gossip. "I'm just saying, if you need to talk to me I'm here."

"Thank you" Bobbi replied, feeling guilty. There was a time when Mack was her go to guy for everything, both personal troubles and work troubles. When she and Hunter fell apart the first time it was he and Isabelle Hartley that had been there for her. Since Isabelle was gone, Mack should have been the one she went to but things had been so crazy she'd neglected their bond. "I mean it Mack. Everything with Lance is perfect." She paused. "As perfect as things can ever be with us anyway. Are you ok?"

Mack nodded. "Keeping busy, nothing to report." He had never been one to talk about anything personal, but Bobbi could tell he appreciated his concern.

"Where are they? Coulson and Fitz and Simmons I mean."

"The lab."

"Ok, I'll just grab a shower..."

At that moment, Bobbi saw Lance come around the corner and even before he had set eyes on her, she knew she was in for an ear full.

Mack and Bobbi made eye contact before he made a hasty retreat. "I'll see you later."

"What are you doing?" Lance clocked her gym clothes and the towel slung around her neck and asked the loaded question with a distinct hint of disapproval in his voice.

"Right now, heading the the shower." Hunter stood in front of her with his arms folded, waiting for more. "I've been in the gym. Running helps me clear my head."

"You have concussion, Bob. And the baby..."

"Shh" Bobbi said, hushing him in case anyone was within earshot. "Relax, I'm being careful. I just had all this energy, I was going crazy."

"I think you should take it easy today at least."

"Lance, I feel great. I promise. I know you want to take care of me but if you try to wrap me in cotton wool for this entire pregnancy that will drive me crazy."

Hunter relented. Bobbi had always been fiercely and annoyingly independent, he should have guessed she wouldn't put up with being mollycoddled. But he also knew how stubborn she could be, if she wasn't feeling okay would she admit it? This is where the trust came in, he supposed. They were still finding each other again, learning how the other had changed and rediscovering how they fitted together. He needed to know when she wasn't ok, but he would just have to be stealthier about it than asking her outright every five minutes. Because that would piss Bobbi off, that much he knew.

"The only reason the doctor let you leave is because I said I'd keep an eye on you. Don't make me break my word to a medical professional." A glint flashed in Hunter's eye. "I'm more than happy to watch you shower."

Despite her annoyance, Bobbi smirked. "You can get that thought out of your head right now" she said as a warning, but the effect was lost somewhat as it was clear she didn't completely mean it. "I have to go and see Coulson in the lab first anyway."

"I'm coming" Hunter said. It wasn't a question.

Bobbi didn't bother arguing, she knew it would do no good. "Fine. But stay out of the way."


Simmons shined a torch in Bobbi's eyes then jotted something down on her notepad.

"I got checked out at the hospital" Bobbi protested, "they gave me the all clear." That wasn't exactly true, but Bobbi didn't want them to start running tests and asking questions.

"Just being thorough" Jemma said with a smile.

Coulson interjected. "Did you see anything before the blast?"

"Not see" Bobbi tried to search for the words. "It was more of a feeling. Like there was someone else in the room. A presence." Bobbi cringed at that last word, it sounded so hokey.

"Do you think that thing... Whatever it was... was inhuman?"

Hunter sat on a stool at the next work bench. He'd promised to keep out the way but wasn't doing a very good job.

"It wouldn't be wise to jump to conclusions" Coulson said, looking over at him. "But given where we were and what we were retrieving, I think it's a safe assumption to make."

Simmons interjected. "But I've already checked over Daisy and Lincoln, and whatever was released into the air by the explosion doesn't seem to have had any ill effects on any of you." She faced Bobbi. "You will let me know if you experience any odd side effects?"

"Absolutely."

Hunter could tell from her slight hesitation that she was lying but bit his tongue.

"Great. Well, Fitz and I will continue running tests and will let you all know if we find anything."

As they walked out of the lab, Hunter laid a hand on Bobbi's back and she stopped to face him. "Even if you won't tell Simmons if anything weird happens, I hope you'll tell me" Hunter said matter of factly, searching Bobbi's face for any sign that she might not be telling the truth. "Not that I don't trust you" he added hastily, "I'm just making sure."

"Hunter" Bobbi started, and he braced himself for a tirade. But she only said "I'll tell you." She took a deep breath, trying to find the words, then added in a hushed tone "I am just not ready to tell everyone about the baby, and to be completely honest with Simmons, I would have to do that. That's all. You have to stop being so paranoid."

"It's bloody hard" Hunter said, evidently relieved. "I know what you're like, unwilling to show weakness... But it's me. You can show weakness in front of me."

"Can stop being so serious now. It's unnerving me. I'm fine, we're fine, everything's fine. People will begin to get suspicious if they see you being so nice to me." She smiled a quiet smile, and the atmosphere immediately lightened. "I'll see you later, I have to change. And no you may not watch!" Bobbi silenced Hunter's objections with a quick kiss. "I'll see you at dinner. Mack's cooking."

"Come on May, have some wine."

Melinda waved away the bottle that Daisy was holding over her glass. "No, thank you. I have an early start tomorrow."

"That's just not good enough." Coulson took the wine out of Daisy's hand and poured the dark red liquid into May's glass. "We've all had a long and bizarre day. Just relax. That's an order."

Bobbi watched Coulson fill May's glass despite her protests. She watched Daisy take her seat besides Lincoln and smile as he whispered something in her ear. She watched Fitz and Mack share a joke, and Simmons asking Joey to pass the water. She was sitting around the table sharing a meal with her team, her team who she had spent more time with than her own family, had gone through more with than any group of people should ever go through, and yet she felt as though she was watching them as an outsider.

She blinked. Coulson was saying something to her.

"Wine, Bobbi?"

Hunter took a swig of his beer and reach a hand to cover Bobbi's empty glass. "No. Not with concussion."

Coulson poured himself a glass then set the wine back on the table, turning to May to say something.

"Thank you for covering for me" Bobbi whispered to Hunter.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"I think I'll call it a night." Bobbi put her napkin on the table and slid her chair back, standing up. "Thank you for dinner Mack, it was delicious. Good night everybody." She turned to go, but bent down to whisper to Hunter. "Are you coming?"

Hunter did not need to be asked twice.

Later on, entwined in Hunter's arms, listening to him quietly breathing, Bobbi lay awake. Something was off, and it was more than the shock of finding out about the pregnancy and more than the stress of keeping it secret. She was a spy, she kept secrets all the time. It wasn't even the fact that she'd spent a portion of the day unconscious. It was something indefinable. She wrapped the covers around herself and the movement caused Hunter to shift slightly in the bed. He hugged her tighter in his sleep. There was nowhere Bobbi felt safer in this world than in Hunter's arms. Even when their marriage was falling apart, when their arguments were at their worst, she never once felt unsafe in his presence.

Was it the anxiety of opening herself up to Hunter again? She didn't think so. It was more physical, the uneasy feeling she had, although she felt perfectly well. That, she realised, was the problem. Bobbi Morse had been battered and bruised and knocked unconscious enough times to know that it took longer than one afternoon to recover. Sure, she pushed through minor injuries all the time, the job demanded it. But this was different. She had no injuries.

And in a flash, she knew that was it. Her headache was gone. She reached to the back of her head, where she'd grazed her scalp on impact, and felt her wrist that she'd sprained when she hit the floor.

Bobbi carefully disentangled herself from Hunter's arms and made her way to the bathroom. She closed the door and switched on the light, squinting as the brightness flooded her eyes. She splashed water on her face and starred at her reflection in the mirror, willing her thoughts to organise themselves into some semblance of sense. Her gaze drifted down to her left shoulder, and with a jolt she was wide awake.

A piece of metal had ripped through her flesh and left her fighting for her life, and yet she looked at the spot where the bullet had left her body and there was no trace. Her scar was gone.