"Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged
Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged."
…
The next day, Jemma knocked on Leo's door at 11am and he greeted her with a smile.
"You're probably getting sick of me, huh?" Jemma said.
"Of course not, come on in. A certain little girl is happy to have you here. Cleo will be ecstatic to see you too." Leo smiled and Jemma chuckled.
"At least I have you to make me laugh." Jemma smiled, placing a hand on Leo's shoulder as she walked by him and into the apartment.
"So, how was last night?" Leo asked.
"Trip must have stayed at a friend's; he didn't come home at all. Probably for the best else I'd be in prison for murder right now. Plus, I called Melinda and she says I can have a few days off from the diner, so I have a bit more free time." Jemma explained.
"That's nice of her. How're you doing?" Leo asked as he sat on the couch.
"I'm…okay. As okay as I can be." Jemma nodded, appreciating Leo's concern.
"It's gonna take time, but you'll get there. Soon enough you'll get back on top, back where you used to be." Leo smiled as Jemma sat down next to him.
"You think?" She asked.
"I know."
"How?"
"I'm getting back on my feet just like you will. And I'm only getting my life back and track and doing what I want with my life because of you. You're more than capable of being able to pick yourself back up without having me to drag you down with my troubles." Leo said. Jemma placed her hand on his thigh.
"You don't drag anyone down." Jemma smiled at him. He smiled back, looking into her hazel eyes for a few moments.
He had to admit, it had felt nice to form a bond with an adult for the first time in years.
…
That evening, Jemma had already spent the whole day with Leo and Cleo after she finished school and ended up ordering pizza, all sat on the floor together eating it as they watched TV. The weekend was now upon them, and Jemma was glad to not be alone after the past few days.
"Jemma?" Cleo asked as Jemma finished a slice of pizza.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"Are you still going to live with the bad boyfriend?" Cleo asked.
"Cleo…" Leo sighed.
"It's alright. No, I won't be. It's his place, so I'll be moving out. Hopefully very soon." Jemma revealed.
"Where are you going to go?" Leo asked.
"I imagine one of my friends will-"
"-YOU CAN LIVE WITH US!" Cleo exclaimed excitedly. Leo and Jemma both looked right at her, shocked.
"Oh, Cleo, I wasn't suggesting that I-"
"-You can share a room with me!" Cleo suggested,
"Cleo, I don't think that-"
"-What do you think daddy? Jemma can move in with us, can't she?" Cleo asked. Jemma looked at Leo awkwardly, mouthing 'sorry' as she did.
"Cleo, it's a nice idea, but…" Leo began.
"Please! This could be a way of paying her back for everything she's done for us!" Cleo pleaded.
"Your dad pays me, Cleo, there's no need to-"
"-But it would be SO great! Wouldn't it, daddy?"
"…Yeah, I'm sure it would be, sweetie, but I'm sure Jemma wouldn't want to live in the same place she worked so often." Leo said.
"Oh, I'm sure I'd be more than happy here, I love spending time with you both, but…I think what your dad means is that it wouldn't be very professional. I am an employee, after all." Jemma told Cleo.
"You're more than that, Jemma. You're our friend." Leo smiled.
"And if you move in here you can do it right away and get away from the bad boyfriend." Cleo added with a smile. Jemma looked at her and then at Leo with a light laugh.
"…It's a very nice thought, but I couldn't do that…"
"…Actually, Cleo has a point. I wouldn't want you to stay with Trip until you find somewhere. Even if you stayed for a few days…" Leo began and Cleo started jumping up and down where she sat with excitement.
"…Leo, I couldn't ask you to do that." Jemma said.
"Then don't. You've helped us both more than just cooking and looking after Cleo; I'm pursuing my dream job because of you. I'm getting back to where I used to be. It's the least I could do. Plus, the couch is extremely comfortable." Leo said.
"It would only be a few days, I swear, and the couch is fine." Jemma said, secretly glad to have a way out of Trip's apartment immediately.
"No, no, the couch is for me. You can have my room. Cleo should keep her room to herself to get a better night's sleep. She'd only gossip with you if you stayed in there." Leo teased and Cleo giggled.
"Leo, I'll take the couch. I couldn't ask you to give up your bed for me. This is your apartment!" Jemma protested, but Leo shook his head.
"Nonsense. You're the guest, Jemma. I mean, if you want to stay, that is. It would be a pleasure." Leo said, having come round to the idea.
There were far worse sights to wake up to in the morning than Jemma Simmons. Far, far worse.
"…If you're sure." Jemma said.
"I am." Leo nodded.
"…Okay. Thank you, just a few days." Jemma smiled, leaning over and hugging Leo. Cleo joyfully clapped her hands together in celebration.
…
That evening (after taking hours to get an overexcited Cleo to finally go to sleep), Leo and Jemma were sat watching Doctor Who (of course) with a beer in hand to celebrate the new arrangement.
"You are okay with me moving on for a bit, aren't you? You didn't just do it for Cleo?" Jemma asked nervously.
"Of course I am; it'll be nice to have more company around for a few days. You know, you can stay as long as you need to." Leo smiled. Jemma placed her hand on top of his and smiled softly.
"I can't thank you enough for this. You're too kind." She said.
"For a long time I let bad people turn me cruel; I don't want to see Trip do that to you. Hopefully staying here will help remind you that being kind is one of the greatest things there is." Leo said. Jemma smile and playfully nudged him.
"Hark at you, getting all poetic."
"It happens from time to time."
"…Well, I really do appreciate it. I'll pay my way, of course, but it will be nice to know I can leave him and everything behind as soon as possible. I just…I need to move on. I've been knocked own a few pegs, but I'll get back on top." Jemma said, determined.
"I admire how strong you're being about this; I wasn't when I went through it." Leo admitted sadly.
"Leo, you had a little girl to cope and look after too. You were on your own. And look at how adorable and sweet she turned out; I think you're stronger than you think. Plus, she adores you. You're her hero. And mine." Jemma smiled. Leo smiled back at her.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
"Well, I'm glad she has someone as incredible as you to look up to." Leo said, filled with meaning.
"It's my pleasure." Jemma said softly.
The two took a moment to look at each other. Leo had never appreciated quite how pretty Jemma was before. Jemma hadn't realised just how blue Leo's eyes were, and while she wasn't normally a fun of stubble, it worked well on Leo. Really well.
Leo was momentarily drawn to Jemma's lips before he smiled and stood up.
"Tea?"
Jemma put down her empty beer bottle and nodded, watching as Leo walked into the kitchen area. She already felt at home in Leo's apartment, so she was glad to stay somewhere that automatically filled her with comfort.
After finishing their tea, Leo and Jemma got ready for bed, Leo setting a pillow and duvet on the couch while Jemma inspected Leo's extremely neat room; she appreciated it hugely.
"All good?" Leo asked as Jemma returned to the living room.
"Yeah. Are you sure you don't mind me having the bed, I'm more than happy to-"
"-No, no, you have it, honestly."
"Okay, well, um…thanks again, for all of this. After what Trip did you start to lose faith in people, so thanks for keeping it intact and helping me get myself back together. It feels good to know I can rely on someone I feel so safe with." Jemma said appreciatively.
"My pleasure." Leo smiled. Jemma smiled back.
"Goodnight, Leo."
"Goodnight, Jemma."
With that, Jemma nodded to herself and retreated into the bedroom, closing the door as she took one more grateful look at Leo. He soon got comfortable on the couch, anticipating what the next few days with his new guest could bring.
This was certainly going to be interesting.
