"You Oughta Know"

I want you to know, that I'm happy for you
I wish nothing but the best for you both

~ Alanis Morissette

It was awkward as the two of them walked out of the restaurant together. Then Felix Blake smirked a smile, or smiled a painful grimace, Jemma wasn't sure which, and asked, "I'm assuming you're staying at the typical place. Where's your car?"

"I walked," she proudly stated. She was certainly able to walk a mile to work.

Felix tilted his head and looked at her as though she had three heads. "I'll drive you," he rumbled.

"That's not necessary," she protested. Really, she'd prefer to leave Felix Blake and the rest of her emotional baggage at the restaurant so she could walk back to her hotel. The cool night air would clear her head.

"Yes, it is," he stated. "You're about to take a nice leisurely stroll through a drug area. I don't recommend you doing that as quite frankly, you'll get robbed. At best. Follow me."

He strode toward the parking lot and she didn't follow him. He stopped after he had taken six long steps toward a Jeep that had a sticker that proudly announced that his rescued pittie was smarter than your honor student. Plus one that suggested that those that taught pit bulls to fight should be the ones euthanized. He pivoted on one foot and glared.

"Seriously? Death wish? Are things that bad with Coulson?" Blake asked.

"I just don't know why you're …" she began.

"Yes, because Felix Blake is the type of man that would let Phil Coulson's Soul Mate get shanked," he dryly stated. When a quick eye sweep of the Jeep was completed, Felix opened the door and gestured. "Get in. Or walk. Get shanked, I won't feel guilty. I offered, you were the one that decided not to accept my rather generous offer to be your chauffeur. "

He made a quick, savage gesture that was obviously a shanking, and Jemma leapt into his Jeep. Really, he was a little too comfortable with that movement.

"Seriously, you bought my dinner and are now giving me a ride to my hotel. What I don't understand is why?" Jemma asked.

"Because you're Coulson's Soul Mate," he stated.

"You don't even like me," she reminded him.

"Because you're Coulson's Soul Mate," he stated.

"You haven't talked to Phil in months," she added. ''Why are you…"

"Because you're Coulson's Soul Mate," he repeated. "Now did you drive, or did you take the train down?"

"Drove," she stated.

He arched an eyebrow. His disbelief was obvious and she capitulated. "I took the train as I wanted a chance to see the scenery. I rented a car once I got to the train station."

Felix Blake rolled his eyes so far back in his head it was a marvel that they didn't pop out of his head and roll under the driver's seat.

"I'll run a query. If there are no cars rented to you or Phil, I will be at the hotel at 7:30 am to give you a ride to work. I hope to God, you're punctual as I have a meeting at eight. Don't take a cab, Dr. Simmons. They find out where you work, they'll kidnap you as some of the drivers work for the Russians, some work for the North Koreans, a few are from China, and I'm pretty sure the local Israeli taxi driver is a member of the Shimshon. I don't really want to rescue you from your own stupidity," he admitted.

"Why?" She asked.

"Seriously, is that all you ask, 'why, why, why'?" He asked.

"Ok, why do you care? Is that better?" Jemma snapped.

"This isn't science, Dr. Simmons, where you need to dissect every single action. You should just gratefully accept the fact that Felix Blake, being a man of rare integrity, is willing to deal with the woman that shredded his life to pieces with cheery 'Wotcha, Coulson?' in order to protect her from her utter naiveté. Oh, here we are, at the Morrison Hotel. Remember, tomorrow, 7:30 sharp," he announced as he pulled up to the door.

She sat in his Jeep and refused to move.

"Do I have to open the door for you?" He growled. "Somehow I believe you were a modern independent, assertive woman. Dare I say, I thought you'd be spunky?"

"Do you really hate me that much?" Jemma whispered. She tried to hide the tears in her eyes, but… Felix Blake sighed.

"Why would I hate you? You're Phil's Soul Mate. He's very romantic, you know, and I'm sure he's over the moon that the two halves of his soul are now combined. You've completed him, Dr. Simmons. Why would you believe that I would be angry? Phil's happiness was always my first concern, and you've made him happy. That means, I have to keep you alive so Phil stays happy."

His tone was flat, and she found the door handle. It was past time to leave.

"Tomorrow, Dr. Simmons," he stated. "Try to be on time."

She nodded.

She skyped Phil after she returned to her hotel room. He warmly greeted her but he immediately knew that she wasn't in a good emotional state.

"Jemma? What happened?" he asked. His voice was soft and affectionate, and her eyes teared at his emotional support.

"Felix Blake is stationed here," she softly stated. "I met him earlier today."

Phil leaned towards the monitor as though he could offer her physical support.

"I thought he was at the Triskelion. Has he been… difficult?" His soft voice was almost a caress to her strained nerves. Really, dealing with Blake was… quite unsettling. She could understand Felix being angry, but his brusque protectiveness as he had decided to protect her for PHIL was like a knife in the heart.

"No, he bought me dinner." That was admitted with a disbelieving laugh.

"What?" Phil interrupted.

"Then he thoroughly chastised me for planning on walk back to my hotel tonight. He wished to know if I had a death wish, as he promised me that I'd get shanked if I walked home. He also told me that he will be my chauffeur to work tomorrow as he believes I would be kidnapped by the Mossad tomorrow if I took a taxi. When I asked him why he was getting involved, his response was, quote, just gratefully accept the fact that Felix Blake, being a man of rare integrity, is willing to deal with the woman that merrily shredded his life to pieces, end of quote."

Phil sighed. "Would you like me to come down? I have some PTO. I hope you understand that Felix is furious with me, and… you're there. I can come down and he can direct his anger at me."

"No, no, no, I'm only here for a few more days. He's not being nasty about it, he's just being… brusque. He informed me that the only reason why he cares if I get shanked or kidnapped is because I'm your Soul Mate and that I've completed you. He claimed that he only wants you happy and since I've made you happy, that means he makes sure that I stay alive as I am apparently completely naive about personal safety. Maybe if I can survive the Hub and Agent Blake for the next few days, we could go away for a holiday."

Phil smiled and made a suggestion, "I know this great place. Has this huge bed and … maybe we can take our relationship a little further."

"How much further?" she asked.

"It's been six months, and I think you've been rather patient," admitted Phil. "I'll think of something romantic to make up for this hellish week. I give great back massages."

"Sounds absolutely lovely," she admitted. "It's been rather hard…"

A chuckling Phil dimpled and Jemma pointed her finger at him. "I hope you are. I've been wanting that since I met you, and you've been insisting on waiting … You're a man of… rare integrity."

Her smile faded and Phil shook his head.

"Jemma, I promise you an absolutely incredible weekend. Just stay strong and keep smiling."

They talked for two hours, Phil keeping the conversation light and affectionate. She felt better when they ended their conversation.

She was ready at 7:25 AM for her ride. Phil had texted her a quick encouraging message earlier that morning, along with a warning that traditionally Felix didn't speak until his blood was sufficiently caffeinated. Usually around eleven or so, so she was safe.

He pulled up promptly and she was greeted by a sunglass wearing Blake who handed her a hot cup of brewed tea. He had two cups of coffee in cup holders and there were two dogs in the back seat. One was the pit she had met previously, the second one was a white terrier with a black face. The two dogs wagged their tails at her, but remained in their seat.

"Wasn't sure how you liked it," he growled. "Lemon, sugar, cream are in the bag. The kids are off at day camp today, so I needed to pick up breakfast. There's a muffin and a hard roll. Take your pick. Leave what you don't want."

That was the extent of their conversation until they reached the Hub. Felix handed her a card with his office number on it. "When you need a ride home, call me."

It wasn't an offer, but a statement, a command. You will call me.

That done, Felix Blake left.