Despite the overwhelming sadness she started feeling the moment Fitz left her apartment, Jemma managed to keep her head above water for a whole week. The day she would finally learn if she got the job or not was getting very close and now more than ever, she had to be perfect at work. If anything, she worked even harder and longer than she ever did. After all, her passion for her job was what stopped her from having a normal social life and she couldn't even conceive not getting what she'd been working so hard for. Also, getting home so late everyday and going to bed almost immediately at least had the upside of not leaving her much time to wallow over how lonely her nights felt.

But when she got her first real day off work, she had a whole week of cleaning up to catch up on and the very automatic repetitive activity left her ample time to think about what went down with Fitz a week ago. The fact that he said he needed time had given her a bit of hope. it meant that not all was lost, that their relationship could maybe shift to a true "normal" friendship and he would remain in her life. But after a week of not having heard from him, she couldn't help the onslaught of questions invading her brain even as she tried to focus on the many other very important things in her life at the moment.

He said he needed time away, but how much time did he need? It obviously was more than a week -he'd seemed so heartbroken, she wasn't surprised- but was it closer to a few weeks or a month? Several months? A year? The idea of not seeing him or hearing his voice for so long was making her sick. And even if giving him time was the least she could do, was sending him a text just to make sure he was okay considered breaking her promise of giving him time? Probably … They didn't talk about the "details" of that but she was pretty sure she'd have to wait for him to reach out when he was ready.

Another problem nagged at her as she went about her apartment cleaning up everything. She was a smart woman -a genius really- and she'd always prided herself on her brain always being able to perfectly control her body and her baser instincts but as she bent over to pick up the unopened mail that had slipped behind her small living room table, she couldn't help thinking back to the first time they had some of the steamiest, dirtiest sex of her life (at the time at least, over the months they kept on beating their own records) and it sent a wave of warmth through her whole body. And when she went on puffing up the couch cushions or changing the bed sheets, it really didn't get any better. And she couldn't help wondering: if Fitz managed to get over his feelings for her and come back to her as a friend minus the benefits, would she ever forget what it was like to be so perfectly in synch with someone else's body and could she ever not want to be with him that way?

She ended the day feeling awkwardly turned on, frustrated, deeply sad and more confused than she's ever been.

-0-0-0-

After two weeks, Jemma started dreaming about Fitz. Not that it never happened before, after all dreams were a strange mix of things that happened during the day or were occupying a person's mind enough to bleed through her unconscious life. And Fitz had been a part of both her conscious and unconscious life for months now. But unlike the few very hot sex dreams she's had while he was away at the conference -those she could explain perfectly, her mind was only making up for her frustrated sex drive- those dreams were exceptionally ordinary. In one of them, they were just watching Doctor Who while eating pizza together. In another, they were having breakfast and talking about her current projects at work. She tried to explain those by telling herself that her brain was just telling her she needed to relax or that it was using Fitz's personnality to find solutions to her work problems she couldn't find while awake. That seemed perfectly logical.

Of course that was without taking into account the inexplicable feeling of peace and softness that surrounded those dreams. Her brain didn't usually "send" her this kind of dreams. Her unconscious brain seemed just as practical as her conscious one and usually used her dreams to solve problems or filling in for what she didn't have time for during her waking moments. They could sometimes be scary or really weird but they always had a purpose she could understand. But it was like those recent moments spent with Fitz in her dreams were mostly about feelings, like her brain decided to give interpretative theater a try and just illustrate what she considered to represent peacefulness, comfort and happiness and apparently those were all Fitz.

She woke up from those dreams feeling incredibly good, her heart swelling with affection for what was probably the most important person in her life … for a few seconds. And then, she remembered she hadn't heard from him in weeks and might not do for several more weeks or longer and it that wasn't anatomically impossible, she would probably hear her heart break every time it hit her. More than once, she cried herself back to sleep, chastising herself as she wondered when she so completely lost control of her life and feelings.

-0-0-0-

It was quite an ordinary object really: just a slightly bigger pile of paper than the first one she'd signed a few years back. Somehow, she'd thought that as they finally offered her dream job, they would put a little more effort into preparing the contract they'd ask her to sign. They could have used a prettier paper, slipped a small note saying "thanks for working your arse off for the past year" or at the very least a picture of Garrett and Nathanson when they were told she had the job. No actually, she would probably like that much more than anything else.

"Something wrong?"

Jemma startled when she heard Daisy's voice as she came into her office, as always, unannounced.

"Uh?"

"Is there something wrong with your contract? Did they try to sneak in some weird clause? You know I have this friend who's a kick ass lawyer, I don't think contracts are his specialty but I could ask him to give it a look if you …"

"Oh no no Daisy, it's all good, it's … great really …" Jemma trailed off.

"Okayyyy … then what's wrong?" Daisy asked, quirking an eyebrow as she flopped down on the small couch in the corner of Jemma's office.

"Nothing, I'm fine Daisy really!" Jemma said, giving her friend a sincere smile.

"Yeah that's the problem …"

"What do you …"

"Jemma!" Daisy cut her off with a roll of her eyes. "You've just been offered the dream job you've been working your ass off for months, you're going to be making an indecent amount of money -that you will be using to buy your very supportive friend a drink or ten tonight- and you don't even look as happy as you were when the coffeeshop around the corner started selling scones."

"But I really do love scones!" Jemma grinned slightly.

"Jemma …"

"No really i'm just tired but I'm actually really happy right now."

"Jemma please, you're annoyingly good at pretty much everything you try but lying is one of the very rare exceptions. You're obviously happy about the job but not quite as happy as you should be. And it's not only today. You've been moody and quiet and really quite snappish those past few weeks. I mean I was willing to believe it was just stress and the amount of work but even the crazy hard-working woman that you are would normally allow herself to take a break and celebrate. So there has to be something wrong. Did something happen with your boyfriend?"

"What? No!" Jemma cried out, her tone way too high pitched after she coughed and wondered how she managed to choke on her own saliva. "I don't … I don't have a boyfriend Daisy!"

"Oh … So he broke up with you …"

"No Daisy, no one broke up with anyone, I haven't had a boyfriend in over a year …" Jemma replied and cursed her milky white skin for always making it so impossible to hide the blush that attacked her cheeks and neck every time she felt the tiniest bit embarrassed.

"Oh come on Jemma. One more thing you're terrible at: stealth."

"What do you …"

"Yoga putting you in such a good mood? Really? I tried yoga a few times Jemma, at best I felt a little relaxed, most of the time I was bored to death!"

"Oh but maybe you went to the wrong class. You know there are many different types of yoga and it can also depend on your teacher, I mean once my usual teacher was ill and she was replaced by this …"

"Jemma don't change the subject!" Daisy interrupted her by sending one of the couch cushions straight to her face.

"Hey!"

"Sorry … But still, it's not just yoga. You had that … glow about you some mornings. And then there was all the texting and giggling and blushing and smiling like an idiot and you never do that! I didn't say anything because I thought you probably had a good reason for keeping it a secret. I thought it was someone from work or maybe someone married or I don't know … Anyway I've seen how you were the last time you were in love and you seemed … even better than that. Until a few weeks ago that is …"

"No I, it's not …"

"Jemma I swear if you tell me you just stopped going to yoga class, I'm going to hack into your phone and I'll find the answer myself. I will do it!"

Daisy leveled her with a fierce look and Jemma knew the young woman would do it. A part of her wanted to shout at her because she had no right to force her to talk or invade her privacy but another, bigger part was somehow grateful and relieved. Because what happened with Fitz had been gnawing at her insides and her self imposed secrecy about it didn't help. Finally saying things out loud to a third person might help her clear her mind after all.

"Fine I … I've been seeing someone just … he was not my boyfriend, we had a different … arrangement" Jemma started, wincing at the word that sounded so business like. "I mean it was perfect this way, we had mind blowing sex, he's really smart and sweet and fun so we also had great conversations but there was no …"

"Sounds like a great boyfriend to me …"

"No Daisy, it's not like that … I mean over time we became friend, really good friends even but it was a friends with benefits kind of situation, no pressure, no strings attached …"

"But then you fell in love with him!" Daisy cut her off and Jemma let out annoyed huff.

"Daisy, do you wanna tell the story yourself?"

"Sorry …" The young woman said with a sheepish smile.

"Thank you! So no, I didn't fall in love, he did, well … he didn't say it in so many words but he said wanted more and I-I just can't." Jemma trailed off. Telling the story made her feel like she really was the bad guy in it.

Seeing that Jemma was taking a break from talking, Daisy decided it was safe to ask more questions.

"So who is he? Is he someone from work? Is that why you've been keeping it a secret?"

"No it's no one you know … well you've seen him once but quite probably from afar …"

"Uh?"

"Remember that time we went out to let out some steam a few months ago?" Daisy nodded. "Remember that cute guy I was talking to when you left the bar?"

"Oh yeah that adorable little Scotsman! You looked so cute together, I could already picture what your babies would look like but … Jemma!" Daisy cried out as she jumped up the couch. "You told me nothing happened with him!"

"I know I know sorry … just it was supposed to be one time thing, well one night cause it was quite a bit more than one time …"

"Urgh!"

"Sorry … Anyway, in the morning he asked me out, it was rather adorable really ... but I told him I didn't have the time and we parted ways and I wasn't supposed to see him again so there was no reason to talk to you about it because you would have insisted I called him …"

"Yeah probably …" Daisy shrugged.

"Anyway ... one month later, I met him at the coffee shop and one thing led to another and we slept together again …"

"Jemma, you naughty girl!"

"Daisy …" Jemma sighed before continuing. "This time he said he was alright with casual sex and we started seeing each other more often. And like I said he was great and we became really good friends and suddenly, he said he wanted to take me out on a date …"

"That monster!"

"Daisy please?" Jemma said with a sigh that was apparently sad enough to bring a sympathetic smile to the young woman's face.

"Sorry … so he fell for you and you don't feel the same about him? Is that it?"

"It's not that Daisy I just …"

"Oh good cause you're obviously completely in love with him, haven't heard you talk about any one of your exes so highly … or about anyone else actually."

"No it's not like … I don't have time for a relationship, I wouldn't be able to give him what he wants and it would end terribly. I care for him deeply, I'd rather keep him in my life as a friend than not at all …"

"Oh Jemma!" Daisy sighed as she came to sit on the chair opposite Jemma's desk. "Is that about Milton again?"

"It's not just Milton and you know it. It's also about Jake and Liam before that …"

"Oh god Jemma … Liam was when you were seventeen, he was just an immature little asshole, doesn't mean there's something wrong with you!"

"But what about Milton and Jake? They were adults and it still ended up with them basically asking me to choose between them and my carreer ..." Jemma retorted, still feeling bitter about it several years later.

"Well that just makes them adult immature assholes ... still not your fault. It's not like you pretended to be more available than you truly are ..."

She supposed Daisy had a point but still, she remembered the hurtfull words about how she treated books better than people and how she'd never find someone who would accept her, that she'd die alone with her books and stupid biological samples. But even though it hurt, she knew that she had more to offer than time spent sleeping in late every week-end or hours drinking beer after work every night. She didn't have a lot of spare time for other people but what little did she have was quality time. So she still tried.

But then there was Jake who sounded like he'd just updated Liam's speech. But she still tried again and found Milton. He was a scientist just like her so she thought he'd understand. And he did at first. Admiring her brain and seeming like he could never get enough of her talking about pretty much anything. But then maybe it was out of jealousy for her fast advancing career or because he wasn't as modern as she thought he was but he started reproaching her the exact same things than Jake and Liam did. Their relationship hit a brutal stop when she decided to surprise him one night she was supposed to work late and found him in bed with another woman. One who had a 9 to 5 job with plenty of time to go for a week-end away every month.

And then she started believing it. That maybe she wasn't made for love. That relationships weren't for her as long as she would make her carreer a priority. And since she wouldn't sacrifice her career and her passion for science for anyone or anything, she sacrificed love. She started compartmentalizing, this she was good at. She could still have a sex life but no pressure, no attachment, nothing romantic, just fun and stress relief.

And then Fitz came along and things got in the same time amazing and incredibly complicated.

"Maybe you're right Daisy … but that's still how men are so why should it be any different with him?"

"Not men Jemma, three of them … Couldn't this …"

"Fitz" Jemma supplied. Daisy quirked an eyebrow at the unusual name but didn't say anything and carried on.

"Couldn't this Fitz guy be different from them? I mean even physically he doesn't look anything like those beefy idiots you've always been with. From what I could see he was adorable and if there's a Scottish accent on top of that …" Daisy trailed off and Jemma couldn't help feeling a pang of irrational jealousy.

"Yes he is different, really adorable, handsome as well, he's got the most amazing blue eyes I've ever seen and god his hands … you see he's an engineer, a really good one, so he knows how to use … WHAT?" Jemma cut herself off when she saw Daisy's smirk.

"Nothing … just … if you don't want him, can I have him?"

"NO!" Jemma cried out. Something that came directly from her heart without letting her brain process it.

"Thought so …"

"No Daisy it's not …"

"Listen I know you're not the "If I can't have him, no one can" kind of person so I'm going to assume you actually want him … SO …"

"But Daisy that's not the problem …"

"Jemma please!" Daisy cut her off with a firm tone but a warm friendly smile. "Let me just ask you two questions and then I'll leave you be. Because you're going to go on and on about how it's all your fault and you're the reason for all the bad things happening in the universe and I don't have time for that and neither do you because we need to go out and celebrate this new job, alright?"

"Fine!" Jemma sighed. She supposed she could live through a couple more questions.

"Thank you. Well first of all, nothing that happened with these men is your fault, you shouldn't change a thing about yourself and the only thing wrong with you is that you always want to take the blame for things you're not responsible for. That said … imagine we lived in a civilized country like … Norway or Finland or something, where you wouldn't have to work crazy hours to have a fulfilling career, thus giving you ample time for a romantic relationship. Would you give Fitz a chance?" Daisy finished.

"Yes …" Jemma didn't really have to think to answer this one. Of course she'd give him a chance, she would have given him one after that first night to be honest.

"Okay. Now you seem to care a lot for him, to the point where you don't want to risk ruining your friendship by taking your relationship one step further even though you're obviously completely hooked on him."

Jemma could only nod along. Well, this was nothing new, she'd just never completely admitted it to herself yet.

"So when was the last time you saw him and how's that friendship going?"

"Mmm … almost a month ago but that's not … he said he needed time to get over it, over me ... but I'm sure he will contact me as soon as he feels better." Jemma said, trying to sound as convincing as she could.

"But do you think he will? Get over you I mean. A month is a long time … and anyway do you think you will be able to see him as just a friend and not want his magic hands all over you?" Daisy asked and once more Jemma huffed in annoyance. Her friend had a very confusing way of reading her mind sometimes but she still couldn't exactly see the point in her questions except pointing out the obvious and making her feel even worse.

"I don't know … maybe not, I don't … what's your point anyway?"

"Well it's only logical Jemma. If you don't want to give him a chance at a romantic relationship because you're scared of losing him completely but you might have possibly ruined the possibility of a friendship already, the only thing left to do is to date him. Worst possibility, it won't work out but it won't be any worse than it already is. But there's also a big chance that it will work out and then you'll be just as happy as you should be right now and I'll get to be godmother to beautiful babies or dogs or plants or whatever living creature you decide to name after me."

The only thing missing from Daisy's speech was an actual mic drop but she settled for a wide shit-eating grin.

She couldn't believe it. Not only did Daisy outsmart her but she reminded her of who she really was. Daisy was right of course, she wanted Fitz in her life, wanted him in every way he would still want her back. And even if she could play it safe and just wait a little longer to see if he would get over her and they could just remain friends, this was not who she used to be. From a young age, she'd wanted to travel the world, to go and talk and do science all over the world. She'd left home when she was seventeen to go to a new country and new continent because even though it was a little scary, it was mostly exciting and an opportunity she couldn't miss.

And there she was, too scared of taking a little risk because of what three stupid men said when this new adventure might prove to be an exciting one and the most beautiful relationship she's ever had.

"Did I do it? Did I out logic you on this one?" Daisy asked enthusiastically, interrupting her in her musings.

"Yes … " Jemma sighed.

Her voice was barely more than a whisper but it was still enough for Daisy to clap and squeal in excitement.

"We're not going out tonight, are we?" Daisy asked with a knowing grin. Jemma wished she was as confident as Daisy about this. Realizing her feelings was one thing, confessing them to him when she'd hurt and rejected him was another. How could she know he hadn't actually moved on and realized he didn't even feel friendship for her? Or maybe she'd hurt him too bad for him to trust her again …

"I … guess not but I don't know … I don't even know if he'll answer the phone or …"

"No no no Jemma! You're not calling him, you're going to tell him face to face!"

"But I don't even know …"

"Jemma you rejected the guy, if you want him to believe you really changed your mind, you're going to have to make a gesture, something a little more dramatic and romantic than just calling him and say "Hey my bad, I actually love you too, wanna go out?""

"I wouldn't have put it like that Daisy!" Jemma sighed as she rolled her eyes. "But anyway I don't even know where he lives …" Jemma started and when she saw Daisy's eyebrows quirk up, she added: "It's always been at my apartment."

"Well that shouldn't be a problem!" Daisy declared as she stood up and walked around Jemma's desk, bending over her computer. "Move!"

"So I'm gonna need a full name, job and more details about this mind-blowing sex and magic hands of his!"

"And how is that last part going to help find his address?" Jemma asked, a small smile finally tucking at her lips.

"It's not but it's the least you can do after keeping it a secret all this time!"

-0-0-0-

Jemma spent the whole walk from her office thinking about how Fitz would be happy to see her and already wondering how their date would be, what she would wear, if he'd pull out her chair for her and all other sort of things. By the time she got close to his place, her nerves had been mostly replaced by excitement so now, she couldn't possibly be intimidated by a building. Fitz being head of mechanical engineering at Stark's industries, she knew he had to be rich, but he was so humble and happy with the smallest things that she kind of pictured him living in a cute cottage somewhere in the deep of Scotland. But this building was something else, in the middle of the nicest part of manhattan, it looked like it could be the headquarter for a secret private gentlemen's club. Knowing Fitz, she supposed it was mostly out of practicality since it was so close to Stark's tower. And she supposed he felt more at home in this four stories building than in the kind of huge tower she lived in. And at least, considering that Daisy couldn't find which floor he lived in or his apartment number, it would make things easier for her.

Once inside, Jemma could easily find his floor and apartment number (number 404, Daisy would probably have a joke about that) and a minute later she was standing just outside his door. Her nerves tried to stop her from ringing the bell for a second so she took a big gulp of air and did it before she might start second guessing herself once more.

For a moment, she didn't hear anything from the inside of the apartment. How ridiculous would it be to have prepared for a big romantic moment to realize Fitz just wasn't at home! But then, she heard footsteps coming towards the door and cleared her throat. She couldn't have her voice going all squeaky while she confessed her feelings for him. There was a pause when the footsteps stopped just on the other side of the door and then she heard the bolts turning -at least he didn't hesitate long before opening the door for her- and finally the door creaked open to reveal … a tall blond woman.

Looking sideways to the little plaque indicating the apartment number then back at the woman who had a small questioning smile on her face, she was about to say she made a mistake and probably read the apartment number wrong when a very familiar Scottish accented voice said something from the inside of the apartment.

"Is this our food? Make sure they didn't forget the fortune cookies this time, what's the point of eating chinese if you don't …"

"No Fitz!" The woman cut him off. "It's not chinese food, actually I don't know …" She started before turning back towards Jemma. "I'm sorry did you want …"

"No no … hum sorry …" Jemma cut her off before Fitz decided to come see for himself. "Must have had the wrong apartment number. Sorry … have a good evening!" She finished, her voice way too high pitched before she turned around and started walking back towards the stairs as fast as she could without running.

She thought she'd considered all the possibilities: Fitz not even wanting to see or talk to her, Fitz saying it was too late and not wanting anything more than friendship anymore, Fitz being angry and of course she'd hoped he'd just be happy and take her in his arms and kiss her but not for even a second she thought he'd be so over her that he'd be seeing someone else already.

As she exited the building, she just kept going without making the conscious decision to do so, half walking, half running and glad at least that Fitz's neighborhood was so calm that very few people could see her cry.

The woman looked so comfortable too, acting like it was her place as much as Fitz's. God, he must have moved on so quickly if she already felt at ease. As bad as it hurt to imagine Fitz suffering all these weeks because of her, in a very selfish way it hurt almost as much to imagine that he might have only been sad a week or so before moving on to someone else. And she supposed she could only blame herself. All this time, in the back of her mind, a small voice kept repeating that Fitz was too good and that the moment he decided their relationship wasn't enough, someone would steal him away from her before she even had the time to blink. If only that voice had made itself louder …

"Jemma!" Fitz's loud breathless voice cut her off in her internal rant of bitter self recriminations. Obviously, the blond amazon had told him of the crazy looking British lady at the door and he'd made the connection. But she couldn't face him, not now at least so she just kept on walking.

"Jemma come on …" His voice was closer now, he'd started running and he was gaining on her. If she could only get to a busier street, she might lose him in the crowd but this bloody neighborhood was ridiculously calm for this time of day.

"Jemma, will you please stop running, I haven't had any exercise in weeks, I'm gonna have a heart attack!"

It wasn't the fear of a heart attack that finally stopped her -she knew he was much fitter than he liked to let on- but the teasing, almost amused tone of his voice. Was there something funny in this situation? Did her misery amuse him or was she missing something?

Finally stopping and turning around to face him as he walked the few meters separating them, her face must have shown her confusion, slight anger and sadness because the smirk she could hear in his voice earlier disappeared and his face (his still ridiculously handsome face) grew more serious.

"Why did you leave so soon?" He asked. "I didn't even have the time …"

"Oh you were obviously occupied, I didn't want to impose on you while …"

"Jemma! That was Bobbi. I've already told you about her, remember?" He cut her off once more with a small smile.

Of course, the way he'd described her, she should have made the connection. Also, they always seemed to be really close, it made sense that …

"Yeah, yeah I remember. Well that's good for you Fitz" She answered, trying her best to keep her voice steady. What was the point in fighting anyway? What could she do against a woman like Bobbi? "I'm sure she'll be good for you …"

"WAIT WAIT WAIT …" Fitz cut her off, his eyes going comically wide. "Did you think we were like … on a date or something? With Bobbi?"

"Well, it certainly looked like …" Jemma started a little weakly, suddenly not so sure anymore about what she thought she saw.

"Jemma!" He cried out. "That's Bobbi for god's sake! Have you seen her? We barely look like we're from the same species!"

At that, she allowed herself a small smile. She really did look like an amazon with her athletic build and ridiculously long legs, not to mention the several inches she had on him -and probably most people she met- when Fitz looked just so … cute. His hair had grown a little bit more since last she saw him, letting the curls really show now and he was wearing an old grey cardigan that made him look distractingly cuddly.

"Oh …" Was the only thing she could say, now feeling utterly ridiculous for jumping to conclusions so quickly.

"She said that if I wanted to spend all my evenings at home being Scottish -whatever that means- at least she'd come and keep me company …" He said, rolling his eyes. "So is that why you ran away like a crazy person?"

"Hey!" She protested but he kept on talking anyway.

"Because you thought I was with her? because you were jealous? Did you really think I could move on from you so quickly?"

Suddenly, he wasn't teasing anymore. The hurt she could see in his eyes the last time he left her apartment was back again. But there was also a little anger there. If there was something more positive like happiness or hope, she couldn't see it at this precise moment. God, she'd come to confess her feelings and ask him out for good and she managed to hurt him again.

"I don't know Fitz … I'm sorry …" Tears were starting to pool in her eyes again and it was like her cheeks were catching fire. She never felt so small and exposed in her entire life.

"Why did you come Jemma?" He cut her off.

Finally, it was now or never. Even if it was too late, she came to tell him and she would do just that. At least, she wouldn't spend the rest of her life wondering how he would have reacted or for what it was worth, at least he'd know his feelings were reciprocated.

"I miss you. There it is I miss you." She started and his face remained the same but she barreled on. "I've missed you so much. I was stupid and scared, scared of getting hurt again and instead I hurt you and I'm so so sorry. I have a history of things getting real bad but I … you're worth the risk Fitz. I want to be with you, in every way. I want to go out on a date with you, I want you to spend the night and stay well after breakfast, I want to see where you live -from the inside I mean-, really meet your friends -even though I don't think I've made a really good first impression- but yeah I want all that … if you still want it too?" She finished, feeling at the same time breathless and like she had to hold her breath, waiting for his answer.

"I don't know Jemma …" He finally let out with a sigh and she felt her knees go weak. "I've confided in you, I told you things I haven't told anyone before and you rejected me and it hurt like hell. And I've been doing my best these past few weeks to try and get over those feelings I had for you …"

"I know Fitz … I'm sorry, I should have … realized it sooner. God I'm so … I should probably …" She started as she moved to walk past him, not even knowing where she was going.

"Are you free tomorrow night?" He cut her off and her stomach did a funny little flip at the sudden lightness in his voice.

"What … I … yeah?" She stuttered with a tentative smile.

"I'll pick you up at eight. Wear something nice."

"Okay …" She answered feeling hopeful but still pretty confused.

"I said I've been trying to get over you … but obviously I failed because I stil want you more than anything Jemma …" He added, his lips finally ticking up into what was probably the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen.

"Actually I'm also free tonight …" She said as she took a tentative step forward.

"I'm not!"

She would have felt a bit hurt that he'd rather spend the evening with his friend after she'd just confessed her feelings for him if he didn't have that annoyingly attractive and teasing smile on his face.

"Been thinking about that date for quite some time, I need time to plan it properly!"

"Oh but Fitz I don't need anything special, I just want to …"

"But I do … like a fresh start you know. Not that I want to forget everything that's already happened between us but after this past month … I think it'd be nice to do something really new and different. Don't you think?" He asked with a softer smile as he took one more step closer.

"Yeah … yeah you're right. I guess I don't completely dislike the idea of seeing you in one of those extra nice suits and wearing some of those ridiculously expensive dresses for you …" She answered, her voice low and seductive as she loosely snaked her arms around his waist and he chuckled.

She could see there was a little nervousness under his cool attitude but she decided not to say anything.

"Right …" He answered, his gaze not leaving hers.

"Can I … hum … can I still get a goodbye kiss before I go home?" She asked a little bashfully.

"Probably yeah … I mean who knows what might happen if tomorrow's date goes well …" He grinned and she pouted and rolled her eyes.

Chuckling at her slightly childish reaction, he took his face in his hands and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before taking a step back.

She almost groaned in frustration at the contact that was both delicious and not even close to being enough. Well she made him wait a month, it was only fair to make her wait one more day for a kiss.

"Well I'll see you tomorrow then …" He said with a soft smile as she took a few more steps backwards.

"Yes, see you tomorrow Fitz." She answered and turned around to start walking. If he wanted to play hard to get, at least she wouldn't give him the satisfaction to keep looking longingly at him as they moved apart.

"Jemma?" He called her after a few seconds and the way she turned around quickly with an hopeful smile definitely ruined her attempt at being dignified.

"Your apartment is that way …" He said, grinning as he pointed to the opposite direction.

"Oh … of course"

She honestly had no idea where she was supposed to go. She hadn't planned this evening further than going to Fitz's apartment. But at least this scenario was much better than the other ones involving her going home alone.

Giving him a slightly sheepish smile, she walked past him and started moving in the direction he'd indicated her. She didn't know if she was supposed to turn left or right at some point but she decided she'd take her phone out to check that once Fitz would be out of sight.

"Jemma?" He called once more and honestly, it was starting to be a little annoying. If he wanted her to go, he should just let her go for good or just invite her in once and for all.

"Fitz, what is it you …" She started but never had the time to finish as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. The wind was knocked out of her as she hit his chest harder than he probably planned it would and before she had the time to catch her breath, he pressed his lips to hers in a slow but sensual kiss. She would have pushed him away and scolded him for playing with her like that but she was too busy slipping her hands into his soft curls and her tongue between his sinful lips. And however ridiculously romantic the notion was, when he held his arms tighter around her, enveloping her completely, she felt more at home than she did for the past month.

After a moment though, she had to reluctantly let him pull away from her and it took her another few seconds before she thought of opening her eyes. When she did, he was looking at her with a slightly smug but fond smile.

"Fitz?" She sighed, still feeling a little dazed after the rollercoaster of emotions her heart had to go through in the last fifteen minutes or so.

"I just thought I could be optimist for tomorrow and give you a goodbye kiss in advance. If it doesn't go well, I guess you'll have to give it back to me …" He grinned, obviously really pleased with himself and she chastised herself for finding it so cute and charming. God, dating Fitz was really going to turn her into a complete sap.

"Mmmh … makes sense …" She replied, affecting an exaggerated nonchalance. "But you know I'm a prudent person so maybe it would be safer if I gave it back to you … for now."

"Good point … although you know I always tend to lose things so maybe you …" The rest of his sentence was lost as she crashed her lips to his once more.

In the end, they lost count of who got to keep the kiss but they both went home with kiss swollen lips and a smile that wouldn't go away and that was all that mattered.

Wrote this chapter a little faster than the others, didn't feel like leaving them in such a heartbreaking situation. So this was the only smutless chapter but I hope it still makes up for the previous one and there's one last big one coming after this ! And thanks again for everyone commenting and leaving kuddos, that's actually what made me write a little faster this time 3

For those of you also following my story Full House, I'm writing a new chapter at the moment but it's a big one so it's going to take a little more time before I can post it in here ?