Five Times Coulson realized that He was Seriously Flummoxed by FitzSimmons and the One time He Wasn't.

(Or so he thought until the very end.)

Part II

He escorts Fitz to the medical area, and being Phil Coulson, the physical embodiment of snark, sass and stubbornness, he refuses to let the medical staff push them outside. He insists on two chairs, and he sits on the outside of Fitz, so the younger man can't make a clean escape as he is boxed in between Jemma, the walls and Phil.

"I just felt dizzy," a wane Jemma explains. "Didn't really eat this morning as I'm in the nauseous stage. I just want to go home."

She strives for a healthy perkiness, so she sits up. Too fast, as she blanches and she nearly swoons, she doesn't murmur a protest when Fitz and Phil assists her back into her bed.

"Don't do that again," Phil whispers as Fitz covers her with a blanket.

"Promise," she agrees. She must not be feeling well, as normally she'd bounce out of bed to prove her health.

There are blood draws, ultrasounds, and other exams. They wait for the results and Jemma insists that Coulson find Fitz something to eat.

"I'll just take a nap and rest," she decides. "Fitz needs to eat."

"I'll go find something," Coulson agrees. His phone buzzes and it's Skye advising that she's in the waiting room with the rest of the irregulars – Blake and Sitwell as May is watching baby Audrey. "Actually, I'm having Skye come in and watch you. Make sure you behave. Fitz and I will go grab lunch."

He then leans over and brushes his lips against Simmons' forehead. He then whispers, "I'm sorry. I still don't remember everything, but I will be here for you. You may need to tell me what I need to do and more importantly, what I've done."

"Never doubt I love," a tearful Jemma whispers.

"That's my line," he playfully reminds her.

"I know."

Actually Fitz looks more than a bit peaked, so Phil decides he'll go to the cafeteria and grab something for them both. Or maybe, he should get him a meal from that restaurant that they had first re-met at, after his second or third resurrection. He remembers what Fitz ordered for his lunch then, but there's a big block that's missing in his memory regarding Fitz. He know Fitz has an issue with textures, that there are some foods he won't eat, and there is a specific sandwich that only Jemma can make for him. Damn him if he knows what that sandwich was.

And Phil knows that he walked out on Fitz.

Fitz softly exhales when Phil leaves the waiting room. Blake twists his lips in disproval and then speaks, "You ok? You look pale."

"Haven't eaten," Fitz admits.

"How's your Bond?" Sitwell asks.

That's the Ying/Yang of the Blake-Sitwell coupling. Blake takes care of thing physically while Jasper is the emotional support.

Fitz grimaces and then Sitwell nods his head towards Blake; a nonverbal reminder to Fitz that Blake has been his Acting Alpha during Coulson's latest flirtation with Lady Death and her cohorts Madame Capture and Mademoiselle Torture. "He needs a hug."

"Where's Coulson?" a leery Blake asks.

"Getting lunch for Fitz. He won't be back for a bit. Hug him. No one's here, so no one will know."

"Phil should be doing this."

"Well, it's obvious that Phil isn't," Sitwell snaps. "Or perhaps, he won't. But you're here, so do it."

"It's not typical for an O to pimp out their A," protests Blake even as he holds out his arms. "Come on."

Fitz gratefully lets Felix embrace him so Felix could stabilize his damnable Omeganess. He snuggles closer and then the older Omega Sitwell positions Blake properly. Fitz's forehead nestles against Blake's chin, and Blake's hands touches his skin.

"We don't have time to do this the correct way," Sitwell reminds Blake. "Get as much skin to skin contact as you two can manage without fear of being arrested for indecent exposure."

"There is no correct way for this, Sitwell. We're merrily shredding the Sacraments and breaking a dozen or so laws. Come on Fitz, you just relax and breathe."

Breathing isn't just what Fitz does. He inhales the spiky, pain-ridden scent of the Alpha, Felix Blake, even as Felix promises that he'll take care of Fitz; that Fitz doesn't have to worry because Felix will protect him. He wishes it was Phil holding him, as sex and snuggle sanity sessions with the Alpha Blake are a temporary stop-gap to stabilize his straining and tearing bond.

He could take the drugs to mediate the Bond fracturing, if he could. However, they're contraindicated in pregnant Omegas and Betas so he's had to make due with Blake.

"Don't worry, kid. I wish it was Phil holding you, too. " Blake whispers. "You need to talk to Phil. I can't keep doing this as it's not fair to Jasper."

Fitz agrees but Jasper softly protests that he doesn't mind.

He listens to the two men bicker about decorum. Blake's voice is soft and … mellow… so Fitz is content to let the sound fill his soul, ease and soothe the aching jagged spots that Phil's non-death had ripped open.

Phil returns earlier than anticipated as the cafeteria is empty and the service is speedy. For his troubles, he receives an emotional kick to the 'nads. Felix Blake, querulous, cranky Felix Blake is hugging Leo Fitz. Not just a quick hug, but a long hug with skin to skin contact that violates every ounce of propriety. There are snatches of conversation that he overhears… he hears his name mentioned several times.

For a moment, there is a raw rage inside Phil as Felix is touching Fitz. Then sanity quickly resumes after that sheer appalling flash of Alpha Aggressiveness. Fortunately, as beating the shit out of Felix Blake might prove somewhat difficult and ego-crushing as they are both old men, with a myriad of old injuries. He knows Blake's war injuries (back and hip) while Blake is familiar with Coulson's rebuilt ankle and knee injury and that entire missing left forearm. His imagination also helped calm him down with a mental prompt of the two of them rolling around like kindergarteners.

Plus, he did ask Felix to take care of FitzSimmons if anything happened to him. He might not remember Bonding FitzSimmons, but he does remember an agreement with Blake over their bond mates.

Blake and Fitz break apart and then Felix gives a rough tussle to Fitz's hair. It's a tender gesture and Phil sees the look of true pain and longing in Sitwell's eyes which is quickly repressed. Coulson decides to take a quick walk around the unit. Not too long so the food is still warm when he sits down between Blake and Fitz.

And yes, he ensures that Fitz eats every single bite.

After far too long is determined that Simmons has a virus, which caused her to become dehydrated. She'll need some fluids and electrolytes plus rest. Skye will stay with her and then bring Jemma home from the hospital as Jemma informs Phil that Fitz requires rest.

And a proper feeding, Phil decides.

Leo attempts a small protest, his points are valid. Phil hasn't been released yet from the hospital, Leo can catch a ride home with Skye. He insists that he'll eat and go to bed right after he gets home.

Jemma ignores him and informs Phil that he is taking Fitz home.

Home is a strange yet familiar place. There are pictures of the three of them, pictures of just FitzSimmons… pictures of Phil and Audrey….There is a large bedroom, and what he views as the room most likely to be Fitz's 'nest' has been cleaned and revamped into a room perfect for being a nursery. He can sleep on the couch, but still he wants to take care of Fitz.

He feeds Fitz, a simple meal of buttered toast, as their refrigerator is almost empty, with the most basic of homemade chicken noodle soup. He would have tossed out those wizened excuses for carrots, but they were vegetables. Tomorrow, he'll stock the kitchen, ensure it's full of antibiotic free protein and organic vegetables. He notices how the young Beta favors his back and he wonders about the propriety of massaging his back.

Leo says very little, so he tries to respect that, but the young Beta is in significant discomfort.

"Would you like me to massage your back? I promise you that I will not force…."

"Please don't recite the Sacrament." Fitz instinctively touches his bonding bracelet. "Just… don't. You never forced yourself on me. You were always…very considerate with me."

Phil feels defeated.

"I know … you won't rape me…" Fitz stutters. "Especially with me looking like this."

He gestures at his equator, but Phil shakes his head. "You can't even tell."

"You knew immediately," protests Fitz.

"How far along are you?" It's a stupid question, Phil knows, but he has no idea. He knows that he disappeared approximately one hundred and three days ago, but … so much is missing.

"About fifteen weeks. Jemma could tell you exactly as you got us both up the duff at the same time. She's been having an absolutely marvelous experience. Glowing. Radiant. Happy."

"Today's events may disprove that," offers Phil which earns him an eye roll from Fitz.

"Me, the buggers…have me spilling every meal."

"BuggerS?" Phil asks. "Twins?"

"Triplets," Fitz snaps which causes Phil's knees to give out. Fitz laughs. It's the first time he remembers hearing Leo laugh and it's probably the sweetest sound he's heard in far too long. Ok, or at least since Jemma had roused from her faint. "Oh God, no. Just one."

"That was mean," Phil protests.

"Well, you went and died on us," Fitz retorts.

"I'm very sorry. I promise not to do that again," Phil sincerely offers.

"Well, you have a history that belies that. This is at least the second time you'd died on us in the years we've known you," Fitz informs him. "Plus you died before we met you."

Well, that's news to Coulson.

There is silence between them, until Phil speaks.

"Why are you angry with me?" Phil asks.

"I'm not," Fitz lies and lies badly. The lie is in his tone of voice, how the younger man stands, how he won't look Phil in the eyes. He remembers insisting that Fitz meet his gaze, because Phil Coulson hates the downturned glance as though Betas and Omegas were second class citizens. As though society has decided that they are not worthy of being treated like they're human. It's one of the few things that he and Blake agree upon but agreement on basic human rights is a firm foundation for their somewhat odd friendship.

Speaking of Blake, time to bite the bullet.

"Do you want to be with Blake?" Phil questions. "I won't protest. I'll turn a blind eye if you two want to continue your relationship."

He wasn't sure what reaction he was anticipating, but it wasn't a somber Fitz playing with his bonding bracelet.

"You w-w-w-ere … -d-d-ddead," Fitz stutters after far too long a silence. "And our Bond was… is… Unraveling…and…and…"

His hands flail about, and the painful sight reminds Phil of Fitz's nervous breakdown after the Framework… after the Fear dimensions… he has to step carefully with the twitchy tetchy tech.

"I know Unraveling hurts," Phil admits. A drunken Jasper had described being Unraveled as being electrocuted, every nerve and synapse on fire.

Fitz nods his head and wipes his eyes with his sleeve.

"Jasper recognized what was happening before I did. Took me to Blake for…." Fitz withdraws as though he fears Phil's reaction.

"Fucking," Phil easily says. He keeps his tone soft and nonjudgmental. "The drugs that are used for Bond Breakages are pretty nasty. Jasper told me it turned him into a Zombie the one time he took them."

Fitz puts his hands over his midsection, and begins to stutter. "The drugs would have hurt it… but the breaking just hurts so badly, and he could stop it."

By fucking Fitz, Phil tries unsuccessfully not to think. Well, yes, because the entire Alpha, Beta and Omega hierarchy was based on chemoreceptors, hormones and other biochemical compounds.

Phil inhales and exhales, and then slowly counts to twenty seven little chimpanzees.

"You're angry." Fitz whispers, and retreats both emotionally and physically.

"If Blake did anything to hurt you, I'll be angry with him, not you," admits Phil. "Do I need to kill him?"

"No," Fitz admits. His tone sounds almost… fond….of the irascible Blake. "Oi, the look on your face. Do you want the sordid details?"

"No." The response is immediate and most assuredly not true. He wants to know everything, if a post-coital Fitz fell asleep snuggling Felix while wearing that sweet, stupid blissed out smile of his… did Fitz have to be asked to touch Felix? Did he do it willingly? Did Fitz ever miss Phil?

"He was…" Fitz shrugs. "He and Jasper are..are…. and there wasn't just f-f-fucking not with b-b-blake.."

"Lovemaking?" Phil offers another word. The interrogation is making everything worse, but he needs to understand what had happening, what was happening with Fitz and what Blake did to help Fitz.

"Jasper and I …. We… f-f-fucked. Blake… h-h-he… …" Fitz flutters his hand and Phil shakes his head.

"You lost me. Who do I have to kill?" Phil is joking. Possibly. Maybe not.

Fitz recoils even further and Phil puts his hands out. "I was kidding."

He embraces Fitz carefully with his one good arm. The younger Omega is trembling so hard that Coulson fears he may fall apart.

"I'm here… I'm here…. Not leaving."

"You left before," Fitz's voice rises in volume as he protests. "You walked out."

Phil bites his tongue, refuses to voice, 'Because I wanted more than you could ever give me. I should have accepted that you are not capable of giving me what I wanted'.

"I know I did. This time I won't leave," Phil promises. "Now, get changed and go to bed. Get some sleep. I'll be here if you need anything, but tomorrow morning, while you two are staying home from work, I'm food shopping. You'll need to tell me what you can eat and what I should avoid."

For a moment, it appears that Fitz wants to protest. Instead he nods and pads off to the bedroom. Within a few minutes, he's back in the room.

"I-i-i stole one of your nightshirts, while you were gone."

"Which one?" Phil asks, as he stares at the couch as he remembers how uncomfortable it was to fall asleep on it.

"The Howling Commando one," admits Fitz.

"That's my favorite one," protests Phil. It's soft and broken in from years of wear.

"You weren't using it," is Fitz's immediate retort.

Phil laughs, as Fitz is correct. He waves his one good hand in easy defeat, "It's yours. Now go to bed."

There is a jangle of keys at the front door, and Fitz's face lights up. "Must be Jemma."

Jemma has already heard from a panicking Fitz. A long rambling text that details how Coulson plans on sleeping on the couch; that Coulson knows about Blake; that he's being understanding about everything, how Fitz is making everything worse and she needs to get home immediately. Skye is aware of the escalating situation, so she doesn't insist on coming inside with Jemma.

"Don't break Dad. He's being noble," Skye reminds her BFFF.

"He's being the quintessential Coulson, and Fitz just can't come out and demand a cuddle because he's that worked up. I'll just have to handle it," Simmons announces.

"How?" Skye asks.

Like magic, Jemma's expressive eyes well up with waterworks and a solitary yet perfect tear rolls down her cheek. For add inducement, her eyes seem to be full of horrible, horrible pain that requires every bystander to immediately console her.

"Please tell me that you only use your powers for good," requests Skye.

Jemma blinks and her eyes return back to normal. "You can cause the Earth to shake, I can make grown men break by turning on the tears. We each have our own superpowers. I only use mine when absolutely necessary."

Skye snorts and Jemma laughs as she exits the car. She manages to school her expression so that she appears wane and faint when she greets the worried Coulson and Fitz at the door.

"I'm off to bed now. Doctor's orders," she announces. "I'm glad you two stayed up for me, because I wouldn't want to disturb you when I slipped in our bed. Now, I think it would be best if Phil was in the middle. We'll have to spoon because of your left arm. Fitz will be the big spoon and I'll be the small spoon."

Silence.

Then both men begin blabbering over each other, so Jemma turns on the tears and pretends to misunderstand.

"I know you two want to stabilize your Bond by cuddling, and making love, but…I've missed you also, Phil. Now, bed. I know you still have problems with your memory, but you will be sharing our bed. In time, we'll start making love again, but for now… just cuddles."

Phil's jaw drops and he appears confused.

"I'll never win with you two, will I?" he whispers.

"No."