The group settled at some sort of Mexican bar and there was a bit of a problem as Winston, the Giant Schnauzer, was not permitted to join their party at the formerly dog friendly bar. Blake rubbed his head and grimaced, "I'll go."
Coulson and Garrett shook their heads.
"Put his vest on," Garrett hissed. "It's too easy for you to run home. And I know if you bring Winston back home, you're staying in for the night.""
Phil Coulson nodded once in easy agreement and waved his hand.
"Can I speak to your manager in private?" Blake asked the waitress. Winston followed closely behind his owner as they moved away from the crowd.
"Should I help?" Garrett asked Coulson. Jemma noticed that the big man also seemed protective of the slighter Blake.
"Let him handle it," Coulson decided. "If it doesn't work out, I'll get involved."
Dog and owner soon returned to the Elder Agents of Shield and Winston was wearing his very snazzy Service Dog Vest.
"Apparently people bring in Chihuahuas in their Coach bags and claim that they're Service Dogs," Blake hissed. His face was a thundercloud and Winston looked properly affronted at the very idea of his awesome responsibility being managed by a… Chihuahua. In a Coach bag.
"I don't want any teasing," Blake demanded.
"Sitwell says anything I'll use his head as a billiard ball," promised Garrett.
"Not him, you," Blake insisted. "I hate…." He hated having a Service Dog, hated the reason why he had needed one… hated the condescending look from agents when they realized that Winston was sleeping in his office.
Winston's expressive face fell and he pouted.
"Never you, boy," Blake assured his dog with a brisk head rub, who promptly forgave his owner. "It's just too noisy in here for me…."
How he hated the feeling of claustrophobia that was threatening to overwhelm him even now. There were just too many people, too many in his immediate personal space and yet Garrett had been right. If he had taken Winston home, he would have stayed home in the safety of his apartment.
"I never treated Winston like a joke," protested a wounded Garrett. His face was dripping in sincerity, and even Coulson looked convinced at the earnestness of their very own trickster.
Ward and Sitwell had taken their chance to sit next to Jemma Simmons (no offense to the older agents, but they needed to move faster than their arthritic norm if they wanted to sit next to Jemma) and they flirted outrageously. Fitz looked unimpressed while Skye admired Grant Ward's chiseled cheekbones and hoped that Jemma wouldn't pick him as her choice in the sexual sweepstakes known as the Repopulation of America Act.
The three senior agents joined them and Jemma noticed that Winston was wearing a Service Dog duty vest and that greying Blake was stone-faced. Wisely, she said nothing, as she figured she'd get the details later.
"Round of drinks?" Garrett helpfully asked. "I'll pay."
He took orders and Coulson offered to assist, leaving Fitz sitting next to Blake. Blake grimaced a smile and Fitz returned it even while Jasper Sitwell easily flirted with a smitten Jemma (complete with devilish wink and easy smile).
"Time for Plan: Sinking of the Sitwell," Garrett announced when they reached the bar. "I saw a few people that owe me a favor. Promises to be moderately embarrassing and hugely entertaining."
At the end of the bar there was a gaggle of moderately attractive midlevel agents.
"Hello, Margaretta," Garrett smoozed. "I'm wondering if I could call in a favor? Coulson, do you know Margaretta? She works in legal."
A blonde with a full cleavage matched with a low cut top leaned in his direction. As he was a gentlemen, he kept his eyes above her shoulders though Lord, they were doing everything but jumping out and saluting him.
"Yes?" She purred.
"I'll buy your entire group a round of drinks if you could just play a prank on Jasper Sitwell."
The entire group of rather rapacious females grinned and Coulson felt a moment's sympathy for Jasper. But a quick look at Jasper showed that he was moving his chair still closer to Simmons and there was…hand touching. Flirtatious hand touching. And Grant Ward was looking with all calf-eyed adoration at the rather pretty Simmons, and Coulson came to a quick decision.
"I'll throw in another round and assorted appetizers if you pull Grant Ward into your bad girl shenanigans."
"Always a pleasure to help out several senior agents," she purred. She stood and began to saunter over to her friends.
"Margaretta?" Garrett smiled.
"Yes," she asked.
"More hip actionhe suggested.
"Like this?" She did a little wiggle and both older agents stared in fascination at her utterly alluring sway. Seeing the stunned look on her victims' faces, she decided it was just perfect. Her strut perfected, she went towards her victims, followed by her pack of undulating Sirens.
"If Simmons ever moved like that, we'd live in constant fear of dislocating our pelvises," Coulson admitted. "And remind me why are we protecting her from Ward and Sitwell again?"
"As SHIELD Agents, we are sworn to protect the innocent from nefarious souls who would do them harm," Garrett quoted verbatim. "Especially someone who doesn't appreciate the danger she's in."
Jemma blushed at something that Sitwell said and she turned and smiled at Ward.
"Such a complete innocent," the two men softly stated.
They pondered that thought for a long time before Garrett laughed. "I supposed I don't have to buy Sitwell and Ward a drink? I have a feeling that the party train is about to derail."
They toasted each other and decided it best to watch the carnage from afar. Less possibility of collateral damage that way.
"I hope Blake gets a good laugh," Coulson added after he took a very slow sip. "How's he doing?"
"This stupidity is actually good for him, as he is forced to do more than work. He has to meet people and actually talk to them. Winston is also helpful as he distracts him when Felix…."
Garrett stopped.
"Obsessively remembers how he got hurt during the invasion of New York?" Coulson asked. His tone was sympathetic though he never gave Blake any obvious sympathy regarding his issue. They were men, after all.
"He's quite claustrophobic now. Can't blame him as he did have a building fall on him." Garrett explained. "I was there when they found him and I stayed with him until they got him out. He was …. Completely catatonic as he had been under the rubble for almost two days. I thought the building was gonna come down on me, but I couldn't leave Felix, not under the rubble when he was so terrified that… he was trapped in his own head."
Phil nodded.
"And you were dead, supposedly. I thought I had lost my two best friend," slowly admitted Garrett.
"Sentimentality? At your age?" Coulson quipped.
"Fuck you, Coulson," snapped Garrett.
"You offering?"
Jasper Sitwell snarked a witty comment and Jemma found herself laughing. Really, this dating thing wasn't as bad as she had though as both Jasper and Grant were handsome and rather funny. However, Felix was a bit grim, and Winston rested his large head in his lap even while Felix compulsively stroked his head
There was a loud disturbance as a flock of scantily clad female agents descended upon the unsuspecting agents; much like the Avengers intent on Avenging New York City.
"Jasper Sitwell!" A female voice excitedly exclaimed. "You are such a naughty, naughty boy! You never called me like you promised. Didn't our fabulous night together mean anything?"
Meanwhile Grant Ward was also busy being assaulted by Lynette, a very buxom analyst who was sitting in his lap. There were multiple accusations of his infidelity and his lack of commitment by several women.
Jemma Simmons lost her brilliant smile. Instead, she looked at both men, realized that the only dog she liked at the table was Winston, who had snuggled his head in her lap. 'Don't worry, I love you best, besides Dad that is, as he needs me', his dark eyes informed her.
Really, her womb had been bartered off, without her permission and she was dealing with…. BOYS. Who had cared not a bit that she fainted (TWICE), who couldn't have been bothered to send her flowers (really, she possessed such low expectations from the grinning and smirking and winking Sitwell and Ward that a dandelion would have been nice) and who flaunted their numerous flings in her face….
Decision made, she kicked Jasper Sitwell and Grant Ward off the Isle of Possible Victors for Jemma Simmons's Eggs.
If she was forced to breed the future generation, she'd want a MAN, not a BOY.
"Felix, would you care to dance?" she asked.
The older agent looked confused so Simmons stood only after giving Winston a pat on his adorable little black nose.
"Get rid of them," she hissed at Skye. "They'll be gone before I come back."
"But, but, but…" Skye protested.
"Cross them off the list," Jemma insisted. "I am not wasting my time on them. I don't want flirtatious boys, I prefer established men because they have bigger pensions and bigger penises!"
Hopefully Felix Blake hadn't heard that.
"I think our Plan: Sinking of the Sitwell worked better than anticipated," Coulson informed Garrett while they watch Felix struggle to dance with Jemma Simmons. "Is that the merengue?"
"I think so," Garrett assured him. "Though he's not holding her very closely."
"Respectful distance," Coulson heartedly approved. "Kids look pissed. What's the next plan?"
"Befriending of Fitz," suggested Garrett. "He's a fierce little lion cub, he wanted to murder Sitwell and Ward when the gaggle of their discarded exs descended. You do realize that Sitwell and Ward had dated most of those women?"
"I don't keep track of their sex lives," a primp Coulson retorted.
"I do. It's better than watching drinking beer and watching really bad K-dramas in Korean sans English subtitles. I'll invite Fitz to meet us with tomorrow for some drinks."
"So, Felix," Jemma asked in a very bright tone as Felix led her to the dance floor. "How long have you had Winston?"
Blake swallowed and softly admitted, "When I was in the hospital after New York."
He was close to shutting down on her, completely, and she realized that she needed to tread very carefully. Fortunately Skye had hacked the system so she had an extensive biography of her various 'suitors'.
Felix Blake, 50. Level 7. Single. Never married. Trapped in the debris at SHIELD HQ for almost two days. Widespread injuries including multiple long bone fractures. Completely catatonic after extrication. Extensive therapy. Prone to claustrophobia, panic attacks in confined spaces. Therapy dog placement deemed a successful match between both.
"He's such a sweet dog," she said even as she placed his hands on her. Close, but not too close, she hoped as she began to sway to the music.
"Is," he finally agreed.
"On our date nights, you'll bring him, won't you?" she asked.
He nearly stepped on her foot but he nodded.
"Good, he's such a lovely dog. Perhaps we can have a picnic and you can bring a Frisbee."
She chitchatted while they danced, and then someone tapped on Felix's shoulder.
"May I cut in?" John Garrett asked.
Felix nodded and returned back to the table.
"Would you like to samba, Simmons?" he grinned even as he placed his hands just so. Close but respectful.
John Garrett, 55. Level 7. Single. Never married. Multiple commendations for various missions. Refuses to leave the field. Has a tendency of repeating war stories. Extensive stay in burn unit after experiencing third degree burns.
"Are you the dangerous one of the Three Musketeers?" Simmons questioned.
He gave her a wolfish smile, "You'll have to figure that out yourself. If you're partial to bad boys, go with Sitwell and Ward."
"And you're not a bad boy?" Simmons teased.
"Most assuredly not a bad boy, Simmons." He grinned at her and she felt her heart skip a beat.
No, no, no, he was most assuredly a man.
Fortunately, she was passed off to Phil Coulson shortly afterwards.
Phil "Zombie" Coulson, 50. Level 8. Single. Never married. Commendation for attempting to take on Loki one on one. Was severely injured, rumor is that he was dead for weeks and that whatever came back, really isn't the sane,
His hands were cooler than she anticipated, and she realized that she was shaking.
"Nervous? It's ok."
He possessed a very kind smile and gentle eyes, and that just made her fear even worse.