A nice long one for you today, and a fair bit lighter hearted than it has been in the past few chapters. I've had a couple of comments about grammar and I'd just like to apologise as it's really not my strong point, but I am trying. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter :) (Also realised that the formatting on this hasn't let me put in breaks where I wanted them so I've added in a line to split up the time/POV change and at some point I'll go back and do that for all the previous chapters, so sorry if that's been an area of confusion)

Day 32

Jemma was rushing around the flat, cleaning everything up for Fitz's arrival in her pyjamas. Although he'd arrived back from Scotland on Tuesday, he had been playing catch up with the week of work he'd missed and therefore hadn't wanted to meet up until Friday night. It had been nine days since she'd seen him face-to-face and she wanted everything to be perfect. Skye on the other hand was less concerned, lounging across the armchair reading a book in her onesie. After their conversation at the club Skye hadn't brought up the idea of her and Fitz again, but that hadn't stopped Jemma spending every spare moment pondering the idea. She was thoroughly confused about her feeling and she wasn't sure how much of the butterflies in her stomach were just due to the excitement to see her friend again and how much was because of the idea that Skye had put into her head.

'Really Jemma, I don't understand why you're making such a fuss, he's been her before; the first time he came it was a complete mess because you randomly decided to let a stranger into our home. Seriously like that could have gone so wrong, I know he doesn't look the type, but he could have been a serial killer. It's always the quiet ones you know.' Skye joked looking up from her book.

'I just want everything to go well, he's had a rough week and a half and I want to make this as enjoyable as possible.' Jemma tried to reason. They both knew she was just working off her nervous energy, but she hoped Skye wouldn't pry into the reasoning behind her nerves.

'Well all I'm saying is, he's here for a movie night and some beers. And, maybe I'll break out the Bacardi and Coke if we're feeling it. Actually make that a definite, I need to see that boy drunk.' Skye said with a big grin. 'And it'll help take his mind off everything.' Skye added, after seeing Jemma's scowl. 'Just sit down and watch some Jeremy Kyle or something. There was a hilarious episode on the other day, I recorded it for you.' Seeing Jemma's deadpan stare Skye changed her suggestion. 'Or you could watch a nice documentary? I don't understand you, Jeremy Kyle is hilarious, it's really a feel good comedy, fun for all the family.'

Ignoring Skye's continued ramble, about why Jeremy Kyle is an underrated national treasure and the British should embrace it like they do doctor who, Jemma sat down on their futon and put Animal Planet on. She proceeded to take out her phone she respond to some texts and then ask Fitz how long he would be. Her phone buzzed almost instantly and she opened the message.

FITZ [6:02]: I'm running a little early for once.

JEMMA [6:02]: How early? We're not doing anything you can come by earlier than half past.

FITZ [6:03]: I'm kinda sat outside your door… was going to wait till half past.

FITZ [6:03]: I didn't want to intrude…

Jemma sighed at his stupidity and instantly stood up to get the door, causing Fitz to fall back on and into their flat with a grunt. Skye having looked up when Jemma had stood up quickly caught up with the situation. 'Welcome.' She said standing up to greet his fallen figure at the door.

'You're an idiot, you know. Next time you're early you could just text and actually be a civilised person and oh I don't know, come in?' Jemma said with an affectionate smile, helping pull him up and close the door.

'Sorry…' Fitz said with a sheepish grin. 'Nice PJ's.' He smirked, he himself having declined the offer of wearing the onesie Skye had bought him. Noticing the TV and the squirrel monkey on it he quickly made himself at home by jumping over the back of the futon and turning the volume up as he snuggled in. 'Monkeys!'

'Told you to put Jeremy Kyle on, now we're never going to get to watch Star Wars.' Skye said in a mock "I told you so" voice.

'Yeah yeah yeah…'

'Beer and monkeys instead of beer and Star Wars?' Fitz pleaded, knowing full well that neither of them would object after the week he'd had. Jemma smiled in agreement, but mouthed "Bacardi" to Skye, knowing they'd need it with all the facts he was going to overload them with.

'Did you know squirrel monkeys have the largest brain to body mass of all the primates and are highly intelligent? Also, they spread urine on their hands and feet so that they can leave a scent trail as they move.' Fitz said as Skye shoved a beer bottle into his hands.

'Uh huh, cool… How long's this got?' Skye asked, sitting back down on the armchair. Jemma realised that this was most likely a calculated move, making sure she and Fitz ended up next to each other.

'Well the next few programs are all about monkeys so…'

Sighing Skye rolled her eyebrows and got up to pour herself a Bacardi and Coke. 'Want one?' Jemma nodded and Fitz raised his beer, showing her that he was good for the moment. Skye came back from the kitchen she handed Jemma her glass; Jemma gave it a sniff to smell how strong Skye had made it and pulled a face as she inhaled, what she suspected, was equal parts Bacardi to cola.

'You love monkeys too, you're just too proud.' Fitz said with a laugh, having seen them both share a look as they drank.

'Course we do.' Jemma said, ruffling his curls. His hair was softer than expected and left her more confused than before. Damn Skye and her meddling.

'And that, 'Fitz concluded, 'is why a monkey would be the perfect lab assistant.' It was now almost midnight and the pack of beer had been emptied by Fitz as the girls had shared their 350ml bottle of Bacardi between the two of them. The three of them were now passing Fitz's flask of rum, Skye had made her way onto the floor and was now covered in blankets that Jemma had thought to get out of the cupboard, before they had all got too drunk. Fitz and Jemma where sat on the now pulled out futon, with their legs stretched out in front of them, sharing a blanket.

'You have a very good argument, Mr Fitz.' Jemma responded after giving his idea serious consideration.

'You' Skye pointed at them, 'should suggest it to your lecturers.' Skye added, sitting up straight with excitement.

'Yes! Most definitely. We should write an email.' Jemma said, trying to stand up off the futon without falling over.

'Maybe in the morning would be better Jems?' Fitz suggested, slightly less drunk than the other two. He leant over to pull her back down onto the futon and she ended up falling on top of him.

'Well this is rather interment…'Jemma mumbled as she pulled herself off of his chest. Fitz felt his heart beat quicken, but put it down to the alcohol, not their sudden intimacy. 'Skye?' Jemma whisper shouted at the clearly sleeping Skye. She was now lying between the armchair and pulled out futon. 'I think she's asleep…' Jemma murmured, now sat back against the back of the futon.

'I think you're right…' Fitz said as Jemma leant down to rest her head on his lap and curled up. His heartbeat sped up again, he only hoped she wouldn't notice. There was a lull in the conversation for a minute or two and Fitz just sipped at his flask. 'Jemma?'

'Yeah Fitz?'

'What am I going to do when…' He trailed off, unsure if he really wanted to ask the question.

'When what?' Jemma said dreamily.

'When my, my mum… when she goes…' Fitz could almost hear the cogs whirring away as Jemma tried to figure out what he meant.

'Oh…' Jemma said, realising what he meant. 'She might… she might get better…'

'It's Parkinson's.' Fitz slurred. 'You don't get better.' Fitz felt the pressure of Jemma's head leave his lap and turned his head to look at her, now sat back up and only a few inches from his face.

'I don't know.' Jemma grabbed his hand. He could smell the alcohol on her breath, he was sure is smelt almost as strong. 'But we're here for you every step of the way.' Jemma said, sounding almost sober. She whipped away his tears and gave him a hug. He froze for a second before wrapping his arms around her, letting himself fall apart. She murmured soothing words as she rubbed his back with one hand and stroked his hair with the other. For a few minutes they stayed like that, wrapped in each other's embrace before he finally pulled away.

'Who would be your perfect lab assistant?' Fitz asked as she whipped away his remaining tears.

'I don't know… that's a hard one. Let me think…' Jemma said, taking his flask as he offered it to her. Skye let out a loud snore, sending them both into a shushed fit of laughter. 'I'd have to say… Baymax. He would be good at analysing everything and if the lab got attacked, then he'd go all badass and save the lab and all my hard work.'

'Why's the lab being attacked? What top-secret work are you working on that's made it vulnerable to attack and who's attacking it?' Fitz asked, although it probably came out far less coherently that that, he realised.

'A ro-rogue Nazi group... because I've dis-discovered how to grow a whole new arm in twenty-four hours.' Jemma responded, evidently struggling with her words too.

'Wow, Nazi's, this is serious, do you think Baymax is strong enough to take them all on?'

'Well…'Jemma said, adding in more syllables than Fitz thought possible for a one syllabled word. 'Worst case scen-scenario, he fly's away with all my research to take it to safety.' Fitz nodded his head in agreement to her story, finding it believable.

'Syll-sylleb-syllable is a hard word to say, ya know.' Fitz said, mind quickly distracted.

'So's Dyslexia, hard to spell too, for all those dyslexics.'

'It's a metaphor for life. The world likes to highlight what you're bad at… or something…' Fitz muttered.

'You're a metaphor for life.' Jemma retorted. Fitz scrunched up his face, thoroughly offended by her insult.

'Well you're, you, you are a… simile for life.' He countered, smiling at his wit.

'What? You make no sense.'

'Well you make less sense.' Fitz stuck his tongue out, to add affect.

'Hmph.' Jemma turned around it mock anger and Fitz just proded her in the side above her hip, making her squirm and giggle. 'Shhhhhh! We'll wake Skye.' Jemma whispered, reminding Fitz of her existence.

'Oh yeah…' Fitz said before covering Jemma's mouth and proceeding to tickle her until she licked his hand. 'Eww, gross!'

'Well don't do that then.' Jemma pouted.

'I want popcorn. Can we make some?'

'What? No. It's noisy with all its popping and pining.'

'Popty ping.' Jemma looked at him as if he'd said gibberish. It then occurred to him that to her he had. 'Microwave, in Welsh.' He clarified. Her lips formed an "o" shape and she shrugged. She then slid down the back of the futon and snuggled under the thick blanket they were sharing.

'Are you going to take your top off again?' Jemma asked. Looking down at her own pyjamas and realising he was still in his shirt and jeans.

'I don't know…' Fitz said unsure if it was appropriate.

'You can if you'd be more comfortable. And, jeans are horrid to sleep in. So, I don't mind.' Fitz considered her words for a moment before climbing off and unbuttoning his shirt. He was aware of her eyes on him as he stripped down to his boxers, but quickly forgot all about it as he tripped over backwards whilst taking his jeans off. Opening his eyes he was that he was now looking at their kitchen ceiling. He could vaguely hear a grunt from Skye and Jemma's muffled giggle as he righted himself. He decided to use the opportunity to turned the light off at the switch on the wall that split the lounge and the kitchen before awkwardly shuffled back to the futon, trying not to trip in the dark. Dropping his jeans next to his shirt, he slid back under the blanket and faced Jemma. 'You're radiating heat… no wonder you got too hot last time.' Jemma murmured. She let out a yawn, which was shortly followed by a burb and a giggle from both of them. 'Good night Fitz.' Jemma said rolling over to face Skye's direction.

'Good night Jemma.'

I Hope you enjoyed, please let me know what you thought :)