"Good morning, all!" Bobbi sang as she walked happily into the locker room with a spring in her step. Everyone was present except Lance.
"What's got you all smiley?" Daisy asked suspiciously.
"She's got a date with Lance tonight." Leo smirked.
"Shut the hell up!" Daisy grinned excitedly as Jemma's jaw dropped.
"How the hell did you know?" Bobbi asked, turning to Leo.
"You think he didn't text us both the second after it happened?" Lincoln chuckled.
"And how you were both so excited for it you called each other up and scheduled it for the very next evening." Leo smirked.
"Screw you guys." Bobbi said.
"I don't think Lance would approve of that." Lincoln chuckled.
"Is it bad that I'm this nervous? I mean, it's Lance." Bobbi wondered.
"First piece of advice, don't say his name like it's a bad thing. He has a sweet side and you bring that out in him. You two have been giving each other the eye since the second we dug him up…a sentence I never thought I'd say." Daisy said.
"Why don't we come over to yours later and help you get ready?" Jemma suggested.
"That would be amazing! Thank you!" Bobbi smiled as Lance walked in and stopped at the sight of her.
"Hi." He said shyly.
"…Hey." Bobbi blushed.
The others silently stared at them both in turn.
"…Okay, either make out or start talking because this silence is killing me!" Lincoln exclaimed.
"Sorry." Lance and Bobbi said in unison, sharing a smile as they did so.
"Okay, this is too cute for me. I can feel my teeth rotting. Let's go put up some shelves or something." Daisy rolled her eyes and headed out, Jemma and Bobbi following her. As Lincoln and Leo stood up and went to follow, Lance stepped in front of them.
"Right, you two need to come over to my place tonight and help me get ready for this date." Lance declared nervously.
"…Are you nervous?" Lincoln smirked.
"Of course I'm bloody nervous! The confidence, the coolness…it's all a façade! Well, maybe not the coolness. Don't you know me at all?!" Lance exclaimed.
"I'm not sure I'll be of much help. Can't I just-?" Leo began.
"No. You're coming. I need any and all help I can get." Lance ordered.
"But I'd planned a perfect night in doing absolutely nothing!" Leo argued.
…
Jemma rolled her eyes and chuckled that evening as she shut the front door of her house behind her and set off for Bobbi's place. Daisy was running late as ever so told Jemma to go on ahead and help Bobbi out as much as she could until she got there. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable with that; she'd always felt like she was the least glamorous out of the three girls. What good could she possibly do? Daisy would have all the best tips, and Bobbi was beautiful enough as it was. If anything, she was afraid of being a hindrance.
She took a shortcut through the town centre and hurried along, checking her phone and her bag to make sure she had everything she needed for the tenth time. She glanced at any passers-by and clocked any movement as she made her way through what was known to be a dodgy part of the city. Then movement in an unexpected place caught her attention.
The derelict abandoned pub had remained open for quite some time after the rest of the nearby buildings were knocked down, but eventually it too succumbed to the troubled economic times and shut down. Nothing was ever done with it and eventually it became closed off, overridden with plants and graffiti and parts of it had crumbled away. As Jemma glanced at it she could have sworn she saw a shadow moving nearby.
She saw the shadow again and stepped a bit closer. Her eyes adjusted to the dark and she could see what it was. Who it was.
The man in the mask. He climbed down from the top of the building to the worn front door and stepped inside.
Jemma's heart stopped. Without thinking, she kicked off her heels, picked them up and ran towards the building as quickly as she could. She stopped at the door and listened for a few moments. Nothing. Tentatively, she pushed open the door and headed inside. The place stank of rot and barely anything could be seen in the darkness. However, Jemma soon spotted a door at the other end of the room that seemed to have a bright white light shining through from the other side. She carefully made her way up to it and slowly opened it.
She squinted her eyes as the light filled the room. Behind the door were some stone stairs heading downwards and into another room where the light was even stronger.
She held her breath and silently walked down the steps, down a short corridor and into the brightly lit room. Her eyes widened at the sight; a huge expansive space, the bright lights hanging from the ceiling and light blue walls. A bed was positioned against a wall and one corner of the room had been cornered off with some curtains, but the showerhead attached to the wall just above them made it clear it was some sort of bathroom area. One wall was made up almost entirely of screens; several of them were showing CCTV feeds from the local area while others had what looked like a set of countdowns – bold red numbers ticking down, each one different from the other. Five of the countdown screens had already reached zero while some others still had hours, days or even weeks left.
Finally, Jemma noticed a plastic grey desk underneath where the countdowns were placed on the wall. She walked up to it and made note of a large green leather-bound book, a smaller black notebook and…the mask.
Just the mask. Jemma recognised it instantly as the one the man wore, the mask she'd looked into when he'd saved her life from that car. This place was his home? His lair? His prison? What did all of it mean?
Jemma froze at the sound of curtains being drawn open. She didn't want to turn around; she'd happily just stay there forever or just wait for the man to kill her or…whatever it was he wanted. The only thing that compelled her to turn around was when the man finally spoke, and spoke in a voice she recognised.
"Hi."
It couldn't be him, though. That's not possible.
She turned around and her mouth fell slightly open. It was him. Yet it still wasn't possible. "…How…I…I don't…?"
"It's okay. Take your time."
"…Fitz?"
Leo smiled and nodded. He was still wearing the rest of the black costume the group had been so perplexed by. "Hey, Jemma."
"But…this doesn't make sense. You…you're the man in the mask?" Jemma shook her head.
"…Yeah. I understand this might be quite confusing." Leo said.
"No, you can't be. You've been there when we've seen him. Why are you dressed up in his costume? What are you doing here?" Jemma questioned.
"I am the man in the mask. But not yet, from your point of view." Leo stated.
"What does that mean?" Jemma stepped forward argumentatively.
"…I'm…I'm from the future. I travelled back in time to this time." Leo said.
"You're playing a prank, aren't you? This isn't real. Am I asleep somewhere?" Jemma asked.
"I'm the Leo you know, just from the future, that's all. Surely you've noticed this?" Leo asked, rubbing his chin. Jemma noted that Leo, this Leo at least, now had stubble. The Leo she knew never had.
"Is…is that make-up or fake hair or something? I applaud your attention to detail if nothing else." Jemma said.
"It's real, Jemma. I'm the Leo you know from the future."
"Prove it." Jemma snapped.
"Call me." Leo said.
"What?"
"Give Leo a call. You'll ask him where he is and he'll say he probably shouldn't tell you that and you'll ask him why and he'll say because he doesn't want to drop Lance in it and then he'll get annoyed at himself for dropping Lance in it. Then you get all confused and hang up." Leo explained.
"And what makes you say that?" Jemma asked.
"Because I remember the conversation." Leo said. "Because it happened in my past."
Jemma scoffed and shook her head as she put her heels on the desk to search through her bag.
"Nice shoes." Leo smirked.
"Shut up." Jemma said as she got out her phone and called Leo.
"Hello?" Leo's voice sounded from the other end, yet the Leo Jemma could see hadn't said a word, though his smile got bigger.
Jemma was silent for a short while, in a state of shock.
"…Hello?" Leo asked again from the other end.
"Where are you?" Jemma asked, eyes glued to the stubbly Leo.
"…Hey, Jemma. I, uh…I probably shouldn't tell you that."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to drop Lance in it…oh bloody hell! I always do this! I panic and I'm not good at lying and now you know it's to do with Lance…shit!" Leo cursed. Jemma could barely keep a grip on the phone as she felt herself getting lightheaded.
"…I, uh…oh my…uh…bye." She said quickly, hanging up. "I'm going to be sick."
"Hey, it's alright." Leo said, rushing over to Jemma, pulling out a chair from under the desk and guiding her gently into it.
"…You're from the future? Like…you actually are." Jemma said in disbelief.
"I actually am. I said it myself just then; I'm not good at lying. And if anyone can understand the concept of travelling in time it's you…that's your power, after all." Leo explained.
"So how did you do it? How did you travel back here?" Jemma asked, feeling a little better now she was sat down.
"…I can't really say yet. A lot happens from now until where I've come from. I mean, it hasn't been that long, but…so much has gone on. So much has changed. There are things I can and can't tell you." Leo explained, kneeling down in front of Jemma and looking into her eyes. "You feeling any better?"
"Yeah. Thanks. How much further in time are you from?" Jemma asked.
"Can't say."
"Why did you come back at all?"
"To ensure a few things happen when they need to. Keep things on its course." Leo said.
"…The countdowns…" Jemma noted.
Leo grinned. "They help me keep track of when I need to perform a task. I've got everything written down in that black notebook that I need to know. So no, you can't look in there. Sorry."
"Five of the countdowns are already done." Jemma pointed out.
"They are. Remember that Kara girl? Turned people into statues? Was a statue?" Leo asked.
"Unfortunately." Jemma nodded.
"We couldn't work out where she got the name from, and all her paperwork, right? Turns out that was me. Task one was to go to the park on the day of the storm and give her the paperwork and information she needed to know." Leo explained.
"And the only reason we even had that paperwork for you to give her…" Jemma began.
"…was because I go back and give her that exact same paperwork, yeah. In the mask and everything, of course; couldn't have her recognising me when the time came for her to cause us trouble." Leo said.
"Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey." Jemma whispered.
Leo laughed. "Quite so."
"You're a Doctor Who fan?" Jemma asked.
"Of course I am. We have plenty of Who marathons in the future." Leo smiled.
"…Really?" Jemma asked and Leo nodded. "…I'm sorry…this is just…it's bizarre."
"I get it. It's a lot to take in."
"…What's the stubble for?" Jemma wondered.
"…That's your next question?" Leo chuckled.
"It's just…it suits you." Jemma smiled.
Leo smiled back. "…I did it to impress a girl I liked. Kinda grew on me. Literally."
Jemma laughed. "You…you seem so different. And yet exactly the same. It's a good thing, I think."
"Like I said, a lot happens between now and then. We all change. For better or worse."
"…And what about the other four countdowns? Four other tasks?" Jemma wondered.
"Yep. Task two was being on that rooftop for you to all see me for the first time and give you the note about Lance's grave. Thirdly, save you from that car. Forth, give you your necklace back. And fifth, climb around the pub a bit until you noticed me and followed me in here. It was time for you to find out the truth." Leo explained.
"But why me? Why not someone else?" Jemma asked.
"…That I can't tell you just yet. You have quite a special part to play." Leo smiled, his eyes lighting up suddenly. Jemma found the sight surprisingly beautiful.
"My mum always told me I was special." Jemma joked.
Leo laughed lightly. "Well…you are."
"And what will you do when the last countdown is over, the last task?" Jemma enquired.
"That depends on how the last task goes, I guess." Leo shrugged. "There are some things even I don't know about the future."
"…I can't believe this is happening. This is madness." Jemma sighed. "I mean, it's brilliant, but it's madness. I mean, what is this place?"
"It was the old pub cellar. I expanded the space out, got some materials, installed a few things. I knew no one would find it since the place is abandoned. It's just somewhere to sleep and shower in between jobs, really." Leo explained.
"You did all of this by yourself?" Jemma asked, looking around.
"I had to learn a lot, but yeah. I have to learn a lot of things. Well, the Leo you know has to, anyway."
"Yeah, you're like a ninja now with all those jumps and stuff." Jemma smiled and Leo chuckled.
"I wouldn't go that far, but yeah." Leo smiled. "…You know you can't tell anyone about any of this. You can't even hint at it. Especially not to my past self. None of them can know about this yet. It could change the course of our future."
"…Okay." Jemma nodded.
"I'm sorry. I know that's a lot of pressure to put on you." Leo sighed.
"I understand. Time is a delicate thing, as I've discovered. Besides, you've got all this tasks to do at the right times…much more pressure than me." Jemma said. "…There was all of us thinking the man in the mask was evil at first, but then he saved me and…it was you all along."
"Funny how life works out, huh?" Leo smirked. "And if it ever gets too much or you have any more questions, just pop in. If I'm not here just wait around and I'll never be too long."
"So I can just come whenever I want?" Jemma asked. "You'd be okay with me invading your man cave?"
"…I'd love it if you did." Leo smiled. Jemma smiled back. They lingered for a moment too long and Jemma snapped back to reality, standing up and pointing at the leather-bound book. "What's that then?"
Leo looked at the book and smiled, almost sadly. "Reminders of home. And what I'm going back to when this is over."
"And who you're going back to?" Jemma asked.
"Sorry?"
"Earlier, with the stubble…you mentioned there was a girl you liked. Is she still around in your time?" Jemma asked.
Leo stared at her for a moment. "Yeah."
"…Do you miss her?"
"Every second."
"…Oh god, I was supposed to be going to Bobbi's! I'd better go. I, uh…after all of this it seems weird for me to just hurry off to get Bobbi ready for a date but…" Jemma began as she gathered up her things and put on her heels.
"It's alright. I've got some preparation to do anyway." Leo nodded, glancing at the remaining countdowns mounted on the wall.
"Thank you…for saving my life that time. And for all of this. I don't know everything you're doing but I can tell it's important." Jemma said. "And thank you for trusting me with this."
"Thank you. There's no one I trust more." Leo smiled.
Jemma felt her cheeks redden so headed for the exit. "It's all very impressive, but I'd say the lighting could be more…subtle."
Leo grinned. "Noted."
"I, uh…I'll guess I'll see you soon, then." Jemma said, feeling slightly shy for some reason she couldn't explain.
"You'll see me tomorrow, technically." Leo smirked.
"…Oh yeah, Past Leo, right. My Leo. Not that you're my Leo, I mean, we're not…hell, you know we haven't…"
"Remember the days when it used to be me who talked like that?" Leo grinned.
Jemma held back a smile. "…Shut up."
"Maybe one day." Leo chuckled. "Be careful out there."
"Well if I'm ever in danger, the man in the mask can come and save me, can't he? He's a ninja, you know." Jemma smiled and walked out looking very pleased with herself.
"I'm not…" Leo shouted after her, giving up in the argument and laughing to himself. He looked around at the now empty room, and at the chair where just moments ago Jemma had been sat. It had been the first conversation he'd had in weeks.
There was a time when he never talked to anybody. A time when he didn't have friends. Now he was in a time when he couldn't live without them. Now he was in a time where he didn't truly belong.
He picked up the leather-bound book from his desk and flipped through it with a sweet smile.
…
"THERE YOU ARE!" Daisy exclaimed as she opened the front door to Bobbi's house. "Where the hell have you been? I left ages after you did!"
"Something came up, sorry." Jemma said, rushing into the house and up into Bobbi's bedroom with Daisy close behind. "How's it going?"
Bobbi turned to face Jemma the instant she entered the room, holding up a dress in each hand. "Purple or green?"
"Green." Jemma shrugged.
"But I like them both…" Bobbi sighed.
"Then pick the one you prefer." Daisy said.
"But I like them both equally…"
"Bobbi, seriously. You'll get a chance to wear them both at some point, so just pick one." Daisy grumbled.
"Okay, fine. Green….green! But the purple shows off my legs better. Or does it?" Bobbi asked. Daisy snatched the purple dress from Bobbi's grasp and tore a strap off.
"Oops. Guess it's gotta be green." Daisy shrugged.
"DAISY, WHAT THE HELL?!" Bobbi shouted.
"I'm making sure you're ready before the sun comes up and a new day dawns, calm down. I'll pay you back. How much was it?" Daisy asked, holding up the ripped dress.
"Seventy five." Bobbi groaned.
"…Yeah, I won't be paying you back." Daisy said.
"I, uh, I just need to make a quick phone call. Be right back. You look stunning, Bobbi!" Jemma said, quickly walking out of the room and shutting the door behind her.
"What is up with her tonight?" Bobbi wondered. "Is it a guy?"
"No way, she'd tell us if it was a guy. Right?" Daisy speculated. "If it is, he'll need to survive my thorough inspection to make sure he's good enough. I'll mess with his head."
"I believe you. You don't even need powers to make a mess, as it turns out." Bobbi complained as she stared at her ripped dress and set about putting on the green one.
Outside, Jemma got out her phone and dialled.
"…Hello?" A voice asked on the other end.
"Sorry, me again." Jemma said timidly.
"Oh, hey. Sorry about before. You didn't tell anyone that we're helping Lance get ready did you?" Leo said.
"Well, you didn't exactly say that's what you were doing…but thanks for the confirmation." Jemma smirked.
"Oh bloody hell!"
"It's okay, don't worry. It's obvious Lance would get you guys to help him anyway. We're here with Bobbi and if someone who looks likes Bobbi Morse thinks she needs help to look hot than Lance definitely does." Jemma chuckled.
"Good point." Leo laughed. "Everything alright?"
"Oh, yeah, uh…I was just wondering how things were going, really."
"Not too bad, I think." Leo said.
"OW! NO, IT DOESN'T GO IN THAT WAY!" Jemma heard Lance shout in the background.
"What was that?" Jemma asked with a smirk.
"Either Lincoln and Lance are useless at tying ties or they're doing something I don't want to walk in on." Leo joked and Jemma laughed. "I didn't even want to come, to be honest. Not that I didn't want to help, it's just I knew I wouldn't be helpful in any way. This isn't my forte."
"I feel exactly the same way, don't worry." Jemma said. "And hey, you're useful…who knows what you'll do one day?"
"That's very nice of you to say, but right now I don't think I'm the expert in style and fashion and, as Lance said, 'looking foxy'." Leo sighed.
Jemma giggled. "Don't be so hard on yourself, you're a handsome guy."
"…You think?"
"…Well, uh…yeah. I like your style, and there will be plenty of girls who will too. I mean, maybe…maybe you could try sporting some stubble? I don't know, maybe. It…it might suit you. Who knows?" Jemma blabbed.
"…Really? I, uh, I guess I could give it a go." Leo said.
Jemma didn't know how she knew, but she could tell Leo was smiling. She also didn't know why she felt the need to call him and compliment him quite as much as she had been. "Any tips to throw my way?"
Leo laughed. "Sorry, I'm not much of an expert. I find it hard enough to hold a conversation with a beautiful girl like you, more like offer them beauty advice….um, uh, I mean, not that I'm saying, uh…"
Silence for a while until Leo spoke again.
"…Oh dear, I, uh, I think Lance just died again probably he's making a habit of it okay bye."
Leo hung up suddenly, leaving Jemma with a confused smile on her face. She didn't know what the smile was for. She walked back into Bobbi's bedroom and saw Bobbi fully made up for her date.
"Wow. You look beautiful!" Jemma grinned.
"Thank you!" Bobbi smiled. "Still terrified though."
"You'll be fine, it's only Lance. I'm like ninety percent sure he's much more afraid than you are." Daisy said.
"I'm one hundred percent sure." Jemma smirked and the girls laughed.
The time quickly passed and Daisy and Jemma hid in Bobbi's bedroom, watching slyly from the window as Lance arrived to pick her up and take her to a restaurant. They chuckled at the pair's awkward hug and kiss on the cheek, and laughed even more when Lance sped over a speed bump down the road and head-butted the windshield. Soon, the car disappeared from view.
"So, do we wait for her to get back and get the gossip or head back and sleep?" Daisy yawned.
"I think we both know the answer. I'm exhausted. We can get the gossip tomorrow." Jemma said.
"You'll see me tomorrow, technically." Leo smirked.
The image of Leo left her head as quickly as it entered, but the fact that it was there at all kept Jemma up for most of the night. The Leo she had met that night had been so different from the one she knew and yet so much the same man.
She could only wonder what she'd be like where he'd come from. What all her friends would be like one day. She hoped she'd dream about them.
Yet she only ended up dreaming about him.