Time Apart
Summary: Resurfacing memories make Leo doubt Jemma's affections towards him, and he insists on some time apart so she could be sure that he is who she truly wants.
Disclaimer: Anything pertaining to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. does not belong to me.
Chapter 7: The Reunion
Since the after party had lasted well into the early hours of the morning, Coulson had postponed their departure time to 3:00 PM. He'd wanted to give the team some extra hours of sleep before they left the Air Force base (where the BUS had been parked during their stay in Pennsylvania) and headed for the HUB.
Simmons, however, chose not use those extra hours to sleep in. She was up at her usual hour of 7:00 AM and had already showered, dressed, and eaten by 8:00. Despite only having had four hours of sleep, she felt refreshed and full of energy—energy that was fueled by the anticipation of speaking with Fitz again.
After washing the dishes she'd used to eat her breakfast, Simmons grabbed her phone and made her way towards the lab. She hadn't planned on working on any projects or experiments (as uncharacteristic as that was), but the lab would give her and Fitz some privacy. Also, since the bunks weren't soundproof, Simmons would have definitely disrupted her teammates' sleep if she had her conversation with Fitz anywhere on the Upper Deck. (Well, possibly not in the cockpit, but she wasn't about to invade May's sanctuary without her permission.)
Once she entered the lab, Simmons made her way towards her usual chair and sat down. She then lifted her feet up, rested them on the seat, and leaned back comfortably against the back rest. Now settled, she pressed and held the '1' on the phone's numeric keypad, and set the phone to 'speaker' when it began ringing.
"Jemma?" Leo's voice sounded confused when he answered at the end of the second ring.
"Good morning, Leo!"
"Why are you awake? I've just read the email from Coulson informing me that he'd given you guys the morning off."
"He did give us the morning off. But I wasn't going to waste it sleeping."
She heard him chuckle softly.
"Only you, Miss Jemma, would consider sleep a waste of time."
"Don't mock me," Simmons said lightly. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are that I've decided to spend my time off talking to you instead of doing something useful?" She'd meant for the question to be a joke, and her tone conveyed that.
But when Fitz replied with, "I do, actually," his voice was soft and full of sincerity. It caused something in her chest to flutter, and a smile made its way onto her face.
"You sound rather sprightly for having had but a few hours of sleep," he said after a few moments of silence. "Is there a reason for that? 'Cause I don't recall you ever being this much of a morning person. Unless you've had some strong coffee….Dear god, Jemma! Tell me you hadn't had any coffee. You know how badly you crash after a few hours."
Simmons laughed at his panic. But inwardly, she was touched by his concern and pleased that he knew her so well.
"Relax, Leo. I'm not about to make that mistake again anytime soon. And for your information: There is a reason."
"Are you going to tell me? Or did you want me to guess?"
Simmons breathed in deeply. This was it—this was the moment that would redefine their relationship and change everything. (Well, hopefully not everything.)
"It's just…Trip and I finally had our long-overdue talk last night."
"Oh?" Fitz paused for a couple seconds before speaking again. "And did it go well?"
"I'd say so."
Another pause.
"Did it…did it go well for Trip?" he asked hesitantly.
"I guess you could say that. Our talk did end with the outcome he was looking for."
A longer pause.
When he spoke again, his voice was low and filled with anxiety.
"Please, Jemma. Stop being so cryptic. Just tell me whether or not you're dating Trip already." He was practically begging, and Simmons felt immensely guilty for making him so anxious.
"Leo," she said gently. "I'm not dating Trip."
"You're not?" His sounded unsure, yet hopeful.
"Of course not," she said patiently. "He's not the one for me."
"He isn't?"
"When Trip and I were talking, he told me that if he and I had ever gotten together, he believes we would never have lasted long, and the relationship would have ended badly."
"Did he say why?"
Simmons nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her.
"He said he was outclassed by a man—a very brave and kind and handsome man. A man who knows me better than anyone else in the world, and who I trust more than anyone I know or will ever meet. A man who I will always stand by if I am ever given the ultimatum. And then he made me realize how simple the choice actually is. There really is only one man who's perfectly right for me. And he's been beside me the whole damn time."
Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for Fitz to say something.
"I've heard what you said, Jemma. But I just…I need you to spell it out for me, please. I mean, I think I know what you're saying. But if I'm wrong, which I don't think I am but there's still a possibility that I could be, I don't think I could take—"
"—I love you, Leo." She paused to allow the words to sink in. "I'm in love with you."
"You're sure?" Awe and disbelief laced his words, and Simmons couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, I am."
"Hmm."
Simmons smirked in amusement.
"'Hmm?' That's all you have to say? Had I really caused Dr. Fitzy to become dumbstruck?"
"Sorry! I'm just…I'm still processing. I haven't the words yet."
"Is it really so hard to believe?" She was genuinely curious now.
The slight delay in his response worried her.
"No, I suppose it isn't. I just wasn't prepared for—"
"—Me to return your feelings?"
"Yeah. I've actually prepared myself for anything except that. Got my speech all figured out and everything."
"Speech?"
"You know, the 'best friend' speech. Where I tell you that I'll always be your best friend—which I always will be—and that I'll not get in the way of you and Trip. Got my email to Coulson saved in my 'drafts' folder, too."
"What email?"
"Nothing you have to be concerned about," he said quickly, and Simmons got the distinct impression that he hadn't meant to tell her about the email. "It's useless now, anyway, and I plan to delete it later."
"Leo, what was in the email?"
She heard Fitz give a heavy sigh.
"A request for transfer."
"What?" Simmons practically yelled into the phone.
"Just a temporary one. And not for long. Maybe a few weeks or so. A month or two max."
Two months without Fitz? Simmons wasn't prepared for the pain that the thought brought her.
"I know that it's running away, and it's selfish," Fitz continued. "And I realize that no amount of time would help me get over you. But it would have at least given me enough time to compose myself."
"Leo, don't."
The words slipped out of her mouth before her mind had processed what she was urging him not to do. Not to leave her? Not to be away from her? Not to run away? Not to stop loving her?
All of the above.
Like always, he'd understood what she'd meant anyway.
"Of course I won't. I'll be with you for as long as you'll have me."
"Forever, then. Because I could barely stand these last ten days away from you." Simmons didn't care how pathetic she most likely sounded.
"I hate being away from you, too. I hardly sleep now as is."
"You've hardly been sleeping? Leo, why didn't you tell me?"
She heard him curse himself under his breathe before he addressed her again.
"Can you just forget you heard that?"
"No. Now why did you not tell me you've been having trouble sleeping?"
"Because there was no point in worrying you."
"I beg to differ—"
"—Jemma, please. Can you please let it go? I don't want to argue with you right now."
Simmons took a deep, calming breathe.
"All right. I don't want to argue with you either. This was supposed to have been a happy moment."
"You told me that you're in love with me," Fitz said, his tone lightening up. "Believe me, you've made me very happy."
Simmons smile at his words. But that didn't stop her from prying.
"Can you at least explain why you thought telling me was pointless?"
He sighed again.
"The reason I have trouble sleeping is because you're not in my arms. I've gotten too accustomed to holding you that I can't sleep without you. But the last thing I wanted was to guilt you into coming home just so I could get a proper night's rest."
"Home?" she'd said aloud without meaning to. It was such an odd concept. Besides the occasional visits, she hadn't lived in her childhood home for several years. The single dorm room at the Academy just served as a place to sleep, shower, and change clothes; so she barely missed it at all. A part of her had missed the apartment she shared with Fitz prior to joining Coulson's team. But when she and Fitz began doing everything on the BUS as they did in the apartment, she'd stopped missing it altogether. And her room at the Playground never felt like home. In fact, Fitz's room felt more like home to her than hers did.
The proverbial light bulb clicked on in her head, and she felt so stupid for not realizing it sooner: Home had always been where Fitz was.
"Did I say 'home'? I'm sorry. I meant 'the Playground.'"
"No. I think you had it right the first time." She hadn't realized she'd started crying until her even breathing turned into sniffles. "I wish you were here right now. Or that I was there with you."
"Oh, god, I've made you cry," he said in concern.
She didn't bother trying to hide it. It wasn't like she could lie to him anyway.
"It's not your fault…or well, it is. You're the one who insisted on the separation. But you were right—I did need it so I could finally see what you are to me. I just miss you so much."
There was a beat of silence before Fitz posed his next question.
"You guys are headed to the HUB next, yeah?"
The question was so random and out of place that Simmons had momentarily forgotten her sadness.
"Yes. We don't depart until 3:00 in the afternoon, though. Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm meeting you there."
"Wait. What?"
"I did the math. The jumpjet's much faster than the BUS. So despite my being a lot farther from the HUB than you, I'll beat you there by a few hours if I leave soon."
"Leo, are you being serious? Because if this is a joke, it's really not funny." She couldn't help the bubble of excitement that started forming within her.
"I'm completely serious. In fact, I'm on my way to the hangar right now to fuel up the jumpjet."
Sure enough, Simmons could hear his quick footsteps as he walked.
"Are you sure you want to do this? It's going to be a long, lonely flight. I doubt agent Koenig will leave the base to accompany you."
The footsteps stopped.
"First of all, did you really just ask if I was sure I'd want to be with you today? Really, Jemma? You know I do." He started walking again. "I'll endure anything to get to you. And why would it be a lonely flight? I'll have my phone. You'll be beside me the whole time, right?"
"Right."
She knew that she should be trying harder to convince him not to do something so reckless. But if she had a jet of her own sitting around and she knew how to fly it, she'd have been back at the Playground hours—days—ago.
"Could you ask Coulson to clear the airspace for me, please? And if he could get in contact with air traffic control and the HUB? I really don't fancy getting shot down because they think I'm attacking."
"I'll do that now. The rest of the team should be awake."
"Then I'll let you go. I have to get the jet ready and pack my things, anyways. I'll see you in a few hours, yeah?"
"I'll see you in a few hours," she echoed.
"And Jemma?"
"Yes, Leo."
"I love you, too."
A broad smile made its way onto her face, and she involuntarily let out a giggle.
"Hold on now! Did Jemma Simmons just giggle?" Fitz's teasing comment had her laugh out loud.
"Oh, shut up, you," she said with affection. "Hurry up and get that jet of yours ready so you can leave for the HUB."
"Was that an order?"
"Yes. Yes, it was."
"I better get to it, then. See you soon."
With that, Fitz hung up, and Simmons wasted no time making her way out of the lab and up the stairs towards the Upper Deck. She found the team spread between the galley and dinning area getting ready for brunch. Skye was the first to notice her presence.
"Oh my god, Jemma. Are you all right?" The concern in her voice stopped Simmons in her tracks. Skye stood from her seat and walked towards her. Once she was close enough, she gave Simmons a big hug. "You look like you've been crying."
Belatedly, Simmons realized she should have checked her appearance before making her way upstairs. Before she could say anything to calm her friend's worries, Skye had stepped back but kept a hand on her upper arm. She then turned towards Triplett, who was standing in the galley.
"I thought you said they should be okay now; that you got Simmons to—quote—finally see the light—unquote."
Triplett immediately defended himself.
"Hey! She was all right last night."
"Then why has she been crying?" she demanded.
"I don't know! I've been in bed, just like you. Why don't you ask her?"
"Oh….Right," she said sheepishly. "Sorry."
Triplett just gave her one of his blinding smiles in response.
After a few seconds, Skye seemed to have remembered that she still had a hold of Simmons and turned to face her.
"So why have you been crying?"
"I was just speaking with Fitz—" The intense dread that made its way onto Skye's face caused Simmons to hurry her explanation. "—It was a good cry! Well, not necessarily a good cry. Tears just started falling because I miss him so much. But Fitz and I are okay, I promise. Better than okay, in fact."
Skye's eyes lit up with excitement, and her lips parted into a huge grin.
"You and Fitz are together?"
Simmons returned her grin and nodded.
"Finally!" Skye practically tackled her into another hug, one which Simmons returned.
"Hell, yeah!" Triplett cheered from where he stood. Then he made his way over to her and gave her a hug as well. "Congratulations, bestie," he whispered in her ear before pulling back.
May offered her one of her rare smiles, which Simmons shyly returned.
"I trust that you and Agent Fitz won't let this change affect your work, Agent Simmons," Coulson said, his jaw clenched and his lips a thin line.
Simmons' heart sank.
"Oh, lighten up, AC," Skye responded before Simmons could say anything. "As if FitzSimmons would ever let anything affect their work. Plus, they've always been in a relationship. Only this time, it's all official and they both know they're in one."
Coulson's serious expression morphed into his usual smile.
"Thanks for ruining it, Skye," he said jokingly. "I was just teasing her." Then he turned his attention to Simmons. "You should see the look on your face right now. But seriously, Jemma, congratulations."
"So you're not angry that Fitz and I are violating the anti-fraternization code?" Simmons asked, still worried about breaking protocol.
"Well, I'm the Director, and I say it's okay. If I wasn't fine with it, I would have said something sooner—like when you started sleeping in Fitz's room." He smirked, and so had everyone else.
Simmons felt her face heat up.
"You all are going to take the mickey out of us, aren't you?" It was rhetorical. But Triplett found the need to answer her anyway.
"You bet your British accent we will. I just can't wait until we're back at the Playground," he said excitedly. Then he turned to Skye. "It will be so much fun seeing how red we can make Fitz turn." He slapped a high five with her.
At his words, Simmons remembered why she'd gone upstairs in the first place. She turned to Coulson.
"Sir, before I forget again, I have a request—"
"—You don't need to say any more. Trip already informed me that you and Fitz would like some time off to go home and visit your families. I've already approved two weeks of time off for you both starting the beginning of next month. I'd like to have given you more, but—"
"—Two weeks would be wonderful, sir. It's more than we were hoping for. Thank you." She bit her bottom lip before continuing. "But that actually wasn't what I was going to ask."
"Okay, then. Ask away."
"Could you please clear the airways between the Playground and the HUB? And could you also inform the HUB to expect another visitor?"
"Fitz is heading to the HUB?" Triplett asked, a huge grin spreading across his face.
"Yes. By his calculations, he'll beat us there by a few hours."
"Wheels up in fifteen," May said suddenly. Then she left towards the direction of the cockpit.
Simmons turned in her direction.
"What?" she asked in surprise. But May was already gone, so she turned to the others.
"We don't have to leave right now. I didn't mean to imply that we should."
"You didn't imply anything," Coulson reassured her. "You aren't the only one who's been missing Fitz. We all want to see him as much as you do…well, maybe not as much as you do."
If he wasn't the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Simmons would have punched his arm.
"But…your morning off…. We could just leave at 3:00 as planned. Fitz and I—we…we could wait a few more hours." She was fidgeting her hands as she spoke, and the three people before her stared at them.
"We've really got to work on your lying," Coulson said, breaking the silence. "I'll be in my office making a few calls if any of you need me." Then he gave her one last smile before heading towards the staircase that led to his office.
Since the BUS left the Pennsylvanian Air Force base five-and-a-half hours before their scheduled departure time, Simmons and the team were able to beat Fitz and the jumpjet to the HUB by about a half-hour.
During their respective flights, Fitz and Simmons remained in constant contact with one another, but not through their usual means. Not liking the idea of Fitz removing his aviation headset so he could use his phone, May had invited Simmons into the cockpit so she could communicate with him using another pair of headset. The gesture was not lost to either Fitz or Simmons, and they thanked her profusely.
They only stopped their communications when Fitz was nearing the HUB. That way, he'd have all his concentration focused on landing the jumpjet. Also, Simmons wanted to be outside so she'd be able to greet him once he stepped off of the jet.
Not soon enough, the moment was finally there, and Simmons' heart rate picked up in anticipation.
Fitz had successfully landed the jet and had taxied it into the same hangar as the BUS. Then the jet made a complete stop and powered down. Shortly after, the aft ramp started to lower.
And there was Fitz…
…in his black suit.
His eyes immediately met hers. The grin that made its way onto his face caused Simmons' heart rate to speed up even more.
Before the ramp had completely lowered, Fitz had already started walking down on it. By the time he reached the end, the ramp had touched ground. He took five more steps, then stopped when he was a half-step in front of Simmons.
"Hi," he said, still grinning. And Simmons was quickly finding that she loved that grin.
"Hi," she said back.
"I really do love that smile of yours."
Simmons hadn't even realized she'd been smiling.
"I was just thinking about how much I really do love your grin."
They were quiet for a moment, each studying—memorizing—the other. Then, as one, they moved forward.
Simmons sighed as she found herself in Fitz's arms again. Her arms wrapped around his neck just as his encircled her middle. Each pulled the other close and held on.
"You're finally here," she whispered just below his ear. She felt more than heard his chuckle.
"Yeah. Sorry for taking so long," he whispered back.
She frowned.
"Actually, I believe I was the one who took so long."
He shook his head slightly.
"Doesn't matter. We're finally at the same place." He leaned back slightly so he could look at her. "That's what's most important, right?"
"Right." She smiled up at him again. "Not that I'm complaining, but why are you all dressed up?"
"Because he's taking you out," Coulson's voice said from behind her. Only then did Simmons remember that they weren't alone. She turned around, still in Fitz's arms, too see their teammates all looking at them with smiles on their faces.
"What was that, sir?"
Her question was answered by Skye instead.
"There's an awesome, gourmet Italian restaurant about twelve miles south of here. Or at least the reviews I've read online said it was awesome. I've already programmed the address into the GPS. When you get there, tell them the reservation is under 'FitzSimmons.' But that's not until 6 PM, though, so lunch is up to you." A smirk appeared on her face. "Then you're going to have to find some way to occupy yourselves until 6:00. I sent the restaurant's phone number to your phones just in case you need to postpone or cancel the reservation for any reason."
Simmons glared at her.
"And don't worry about your things," Triplett continued. "We'll get 'em and place 'em in the room you'll be assigned to. Yes, I said 'room.' As in, singular. I'll make sure you get a big bed, too. And make sure that it's away from any of our rooms."
Simmons turned her glare on him, but he retaliated with a cheeky smile.
She broke eye contact with Triplett when May stepped forward and handed her something. It was a credit card.
"Don't forget to tip generously. I went deep undercover as a waitress for a week a while back. I hated people who didn't tip. And buy yourself something nice to wear so you don't look so underdressed next to Fitz."
"I-I couldn't. I've already gotten a dress—"
"—Which you've worn most of yesterday and part of today." Then she gave a teasing smile. "Do you really need me to make this an order?"
Simmons gave her smile and shook her head 'no.'
"Thank you."
"Oh, and Fitz?" Coulson called out. Then he threw something to him, which Fitz expertly caught.
It was a key attached to a keychain shaped like a miniaturized version of Captain America's shield. Simmons looked up at Fitz and noticed his confused expression.
"Uh, sir?" he began. "This isn't the key to the SUV."
Coulson gave him a smile.
"I know," he replied. "We'll properly say hello to you tomorrow." With that, he and the rest of the team turned and walked away.
Once they were left alone, Fitz and Simmons turned to each other as one and laughed excitedly.
"I can't believe he's lending us Lola," Simmons said after getting a hold of herself.
"Neither can I." Then, without warning, "I'll race you!"
He was off before she fully processed what he'd said.
"You cheat!" she exclaimed once she was seated in the passenger's side of the red Corvette.
"You're just mad that you didn't think of it first," he jested as he reversed Lola from the BUS's loading ramp. Simmons responded by childishly sticking out her tongue at him.
He drove forward until they were out of the hangar, then stopped the car. He turned to look at her.
"Before we head off," he said, "I need to hear you say it again."
"Say what, exactly?"
She tried to look puzzled, but a smile formed on her lips, effectively giving her away. Fitz gave her a pointed look.
"You know what." Then he pouted. "Please?"
Simmons laughed again; but inwardly, she melted.
"All right, fine." She paused to calm herself. "I'm in love with you, Leo."
She smiled at him, and he beamed at her.
"Okay, then," he said simply. Then he shifted gears, and started driving forward.
Simmons frowned.
"You know, it's customary to say it back."
"I know." He turned to her briefly to give a teasing smirk. "I just don't feel like it."
Simmons' jaw dropped, and she punched his arm.
"Ouch!" he cried out even as he laughed.
"Serves you right!"
"Don't you know never to punch the driver? Seriously, woman, you're lucky I love you so much."
Her heart fluttered at those words, and all her irritation vanished. He turned to Simmons and gave her the grin she so loved.
They drove a bit more until they turned out of the secure zone and the high security wall hid the view of the HUB from them. Then Fitz slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the deserted road. Simmons furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"Why'd you stop?"
In response, he leaned towards her. It took a split second for Simmons to realize what he was doing.
"Oh."
"Yes, 'oh.'" He grinned again. "Now are you going to meet me half-way?"
"Well, if you're going to be all bossy like that, I might as well make you do all the—"
His lips were suddenly on hers. It took her a second to respond. When she moved, so did he. And a delicious shiver traveled up her spine as he deepened the kiss. Needing more, she turned more towards him and brought a hand behind his neck to gently pull him closer. Taking the hint, Fitz leaned more into her, pressing her against the door panel. She encouraged it by moving her hands to his back and hugging him close.
The need to breath was the only reason they pulled apart. But they stayed close together with Fitz resting his head on her chest and Simmons running her fingers through his hair, something she'd been secretly wanting to do for months.
"Wow," he said breathlessly.
"Mmm hmm," she hummed in agreement.
"You don't think we're moving too fast, do you?"
"Not at all. It took us eight years to get to this point. And according to Trip, we should have shared a drunken kiss or woken up naked in bed together years ago."
"Maybe we'll do both within the next eighteen hours," he said jokingly.
Simmons flicked his ear for it.
But she didn't necessarily disagree.