For the first time in a while, Hill and Coulson are sent out on a mission together. An arms dealer is planning a sale in Aspen, under the guise of a family vacation. Coulson and Hill will run surveillance and reports on the sale, and after the transaction, apprehend everyone involved.
Their cover story is not an accident. They are Phillip and Mary Johnson, a newly wed couple on their honeymoon. They live in Ohio and have a terrier named Frank. Mary's parents love Phillip, but Phillip's parents disapprove of Mary. Maria and Phil find it hilarious, but in public, they are indifferent.
They and dropped off and the airport, and as soon as they're out of the car, they're in character. Phillip struggles to carry both of their bags and Mary is digging through her purse looking for their boarding passes.
"I swear they're in here somewhere."
""We're almost to baggage check, dear. The sooner you find them, the better."
They pass baggage and security like a breeze, and as they board the plane, a flight attendant comes over the speaker to announce that a pair of passengers are on their honeymoon. Maria looks for the pair, but is stopped by Phil pulling her up out of her seat. Mary is embarrassed and waves politely, and everyone is chanting "Kiss!" Phillip lays one on her hard, and her toes are curling when they pull away from each other and take their seats again. After the plane takes off, the flight attendant brings them complimentary champagne and Phillip doses off on her shoulders halfway through the flight.
They land in Aspen, check in with SHIELD, and take a taxi to their hotel. They're a giggling mess in the backseat, and they apologize and inform the driver they're in their honeymoon. He understands and gives them a discount.
As they check into the hotel, Hill spots the arms dealer. Mary kisses Phillip on the cheek and informs him she's going to get something to drink in the hotel bar while he finishes up. Maria tails the arms dealer into the bar and sits five stools away and enjoys a glass of iced tea. The dealer glances at her, and Mary smiles and waves. He comes over and sits down next to her and introducer himself.
"Hey there, little lady. Name's Michael Figuari. Pretty little thing like you here all by herself?"
Mary giggles and blushes, before looking towards the doorway and spotting Phillip. She looks back to Michael and smiles. "I'm actually here with my husband. We're on our honeymoon."
"Well, if you change your mind, I'm up in room 35."
"She won't."
Michael turns to see an jealous Phillip glaring daggers. He eases off and laughs.
"Don't worry, man. I'm just playing with your little wifey. Got a cute one," Michael jokes, and then heads for the door, but not before winking at Mary.
Mary kisses Phillip hard and then pulls away, still holding onto his button down shirt. "Phillip, honey, you know you're the only guy for me." They both smile and head up to their room, kissing and laughing in the elevator. Phillip carrier her into their room, and once the door is shut, they start unpacking.
Hill unpacks all the surveillance equipment and sets up to monitor room 35, while Coulson goes ahead and starts assembling their gear and weapons.
"The deal is taking place on the top of the double black diamond trail in two hours."
"What is it with dealers and black diamonds?"
"I have no idea, but we should probably start putting on our ski gear and head out."
"We have some time before..."
An hour and a half later, the two are dressed and sitting on the ski lift for the trail. Alone in their chair, Phillip pulls out their phone and snaps a shaky picture of the two of them kissing, and then Coulson and Hill are going over their plan.
The exchange goes flawlessly, and Hill and Coulson grab the dealer and his buyers with little to no effort. In hindsight, this mission was far below their skill set. It only makes it more obvious that this is a set up.
They needed a vacation, but they're both too attached to work. They got just what they wanted.
When they return from their mission, Fury congratulates them on a job well done, and then sits everyone down to talk about the genius weapon designer Tony Stark's return, and sends Coulson out to debrief Stark.
A year later, when Coulson is in California and Hill is running the helicarrier, they both remember their vacation. Maria brings it up in their daily phone call, and Phil sends her the picture he snapped aboard the ski lift.