"Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Hey Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder."

…

Leo and Cleo were sat at the kitchen table scoffing down their breakfasts when Leo's phone beeped, signalling he'd received a text. His heart fluttered a tad when he saw it was from Jemma.

'Hey, there's a party tonight at the diner at around 7pm that I completely forgot about and promised Melinda I'd show my face. Skye said she'd watch Cleo tonight if that's okay?'

Leo smiled slightly before replying.

'Cleo loves Skye; that's no problem. Have fun!'

…

Jemma blushed as she read Leo's reply, sat on the couch in Skye's apartment. Skye watched her with a grin.

"What did he say?" Skye asked.

"He's fine with it." Jemma replied. Skye continued staring at her.

"What?" Jemma asked.

"Come on, Jem! Use this to your advantage! So, even if he's not into you now, maybe spending quality time with him will change that." Skye suggested.

…

"Will Skye let me bring my drawing stuff?" Cleo asked Leo as he got his things together to take Cleo to school.

"Of course she will. She'll probably join in with you." Leo smiled as his phone went off again.

'You could always take a break from writing and come with me? If you want to, that is. Don't worry if not.'

Leo read the message from Jemma over and over as he pondered what to do next.

"What's wrong?" Cleo asked, folding her arms.

"Nothing. It's just…Jemma's asked me if I wanted to go to the party with her tonight." Leo revealed. Cleo's face lit up.

"Yes! Go! You haven't left the house in ages, and then you can tell Jemma that you love her." Cleo teased with a smile.

"Shush, you! I guess I could go, as her FRIEND, since I could do with a break. We've been through this time and time again, sweetie. I can't tell her." Leo said.

"Well, at least enjoy yourself. And bring the ring, just in case." Cleo ordered.

"Cleo, I don't have a ring because I'm NOT gonna propose to Jemma!"

"…Well, I think it's a good idea."

…

Leo picked Cleo up from school later that day and took her straight to Skye's apartment before rushing off in a panic to buy new clothes that may or may not be fashionable; honestly, he had no clue what looked good and what didn't. He'd just have to pray.

Jemma turned up a little later, two hours before she was meeting Leo at the diner, and Skye and Cleo were prepared from the moment she walked into the apartment.

"Okay, prep time! We're gonna get you looking beautiful for tonight. Cleo and I have picked out a few dresses for you to try out, then I'm gonna do your hair and make-up. First of all though, have a shower. You still reek of the sweat of customers." Skye explained.

"Oh, right…" Jemma said and Cleo smiled enthusiastically.

"Skye, can I talk to you quickly?" Jemma asked. Skye nodded as Cleo settled down to do some drawing.

"What's up, lover girl?" Skye teased.

"You didn't tell Cleo, did you? About my…feelings?" Jemma whispered.

"No, she just wants you to look nice, that's all! Blimey Jem, I'm not stupid! She's ten years old; I know she'd just blab to Leo if I told her!" Skye said.

"Right, good, sorry…actually, I was thinking of wearing the blue dress I got on sale a few years back." Jemma said.

"Yeah, yeah…NO. That doesn't show off enough flesh. Leo's an emotional guy, of course, but he is still a guy. You need to show him what you have to offer if you want to get under his kilt." Skye smiled.

"Don't make it sound so disgusting." Jemma said, but was still unable to keep the smile off of her face as she headed towards the bathroom.

…

Leo stood outside the diner in the freezing cold ten minutes before he was due to meet Jemma. He'd bought an entirely new outfit for the occasion. He had a matching burgundy shirt and tie (he was pretty sure Jemma mentioned liking anything burgundy once) with smart black trousers and shoes. A brand new, comfy brown jacket also kept some of the cold out as he looked around for Jemma.

He was surprised at how busy the diner was getting; looking inside he saw most of the tables had been cleared to the sides, a dance floor and flashing lights were present and lots of people were already inside drinking. A banner plastered over one wall read 'TEN YEARS AND COUNTING!'.

As Leo continued looking inside through the window, he didn't notice Jemma walked up behind him with a nervous look on her face. She gently tapped his shoulder and sent him turning around to face her.

"Hi, Leo."

"Oh, hey Je-"

He was literally lost for words; the mere sight of her had stolen his entire vocabulary from him.

Her hair was tied up and brought out the beauty of her face, none of her hazel eyes, button nose or radiant smile being covered up. She clutched a small brown bag with a strap over her shoulder. She was wearing a short red dress that stopped just above her knees and it was quite low cut (not that Leo minded; he wasn't normally a leg man but hot damn).

"You look stunning." Leo said, amazed. Jemma smiled and blushed slightly.

"Oh, really? I just threw something on…"

"Well, you look…wow."

"…Thank you. You clean up nicely yourself. Loving the burgundy!" Jemma grinned.

Leo smiled at that. Jemma hoped her attempts at casually complimenting him were successfully hiding the urge she had to drag him by his tie all the way back to her apartment and-

"So, what's the occasion?" Leo asked.

"Oh, the diner's been open ten years today. May's very proud. All the staff were invited, but Skye said it would be a 'snooze fest'. That's why May doesn't like her most of the time." Jemma explained.

"Ah, I see. So, shall we?" Leo suggested, opening the door for Jemma to walk in.

"We shall." She smiled.

…

They had only been at the party for just under two hours, and they'd had a bit too much to drink. Jemma had already murdered 'I Will Always Love You' on the karaoke and Leo had eaten more in the duration of the party than he had in his entire life.

After Jemma took part in a hilariously bad rendition of the Macarena on the dance floor (in her drunkenness she'd made up most of the moves), she plonked herself down in a booth where Leo was sat, four empty pint glasses in front of him.

"Jemma?"

"Yes, Leo?"

"These glasses are staring at me." Leo whispered, eyes wide. Jemma giggled for a moment before her face dropped.

"…Oh my god, they are."

"Bad, bad, glasses. We've only just met." Leo mumbled.

Suddenly, two people sat down in the opposite seats of the booth and Jemma's face lit up.

"Hi! Leo, these are two of our best regular customers, Bobbi and Lance Hunter. Bobbi, Lance, this is my dear, DEAR friend and employer Leo Fitz." Jemma said, introducing the newcomers to a giggling Leo.

"I see you two must be having fun." Bobbi smiled.

"Oh, oh, Jemma! I'm sorry, I've been SO RUDE! This is Bobbi and Lance Hunter, they're regulars here." Leo smiled and Jemma burst out laughing.

"Leo, I just introduced them to YOU." She giggled.

"Blimey mate, how much have you had?" Lance asked, his voice causing Leo to sit up straight and grin widely.

"JEMMA, HE'S ENGLISH TOO! JUST LIKE YOU! Say something else!" Leo chuckled.

"Like what?" Lance wondered. Leo spat out his drunk and slammed his hand on the table repeatedly as he continued laughing. Bobbi watched on, a mix of amused and scared.

"'Like what?'. THAT is gold, my friend…GOLD. Wait, wait, Jemma!" Leo exclaimed.

"What is it, Leo?"

"These glasses are staring at me." Leo whispered. Jemma chuckled again.

"I've never seen Jemma like this. So…cheery." Bobbi commented as Leo and Jemma continued laughing together.

"I know, it must be the alcohol." Lance said. Bobbi only had to catch the way Jemma looked at Leo to see that wasn't the case.

"Or maybe not." Bobbi smiled.

"It's Lance, isn't it?" Leo asked, leaning across the booth.

"Uh, yeah."

"…Can I touch your beard? That's a lovely, lovely beard."

"Honestly, mate? I'd rather you didn't, it's just that…oh, you're touching my beard."

…

Leo stumbled back into the booth, having been sick for about the hundredth time that night. Time was getting on by now and while he knew Cleo was staying over at Skye's so didn't need to worry about her, he was getting desperate for sleep himself.

"Look, I'm very drunk and I'm not gonna remember doing this but…but I need to. I may never find the courage again." Leo said boldly, looking down as he gently grabbed the hands of the person next to him.

"Jemma, I like you. Lots. Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you because you're smart and gorgeous and wonderful and kind and funny and I'm saying 'and' a lot. One day I hope to gain the courage to tell you this when I'm sober, but…I think you're the greatest person in the world, besides my little girl, and I can't put into words how much I want to kiss you and be with you. And I know you don't feel the same way, but…I love you, Jemma." Leo said meaningfully, slurring and stammering on the occasional word.

He took a deep breath and looked up towards the person who's hands he was holding and caressing throughout his speech.

He didn't expect to see Lance staring at him with a huge grin on his face.

"…You're not Jemma." Leo said casually.

"No, I'm not. She's still at the bar with Bobbi where she's been for half an hour, remember?" Lance asked. Eventually, Leo nodded.

"Maybe you should stop with the alcohol now, mate." Lance suggested.

"…Look, look! The glasses are staring at me! BEGONE, FOUL DEMONS!" Leo exclaimed.

"Okay, Leo. I've never met you while sober but I'm guessing you're a stand-up guy. So I want to give you some advice but please just listen, okay? Hopefully you'll remember it in the morning. Everything you said to me just then? Tell her as soon as you can. Just tell her how you feel." Lance began. Leo's face grew a bit more serious as he gave Lance full, concentrated eye contact.

"I can see the pain in your eyes, the mask you put on pretending you're okay when you're not. I've been there. Bobbi and I got divorced for a bit then got back together and married again; I've been through the rough patch. It was a hard time for me, but I had to learn to take something bad or evil or sad and make it better. I did that by letting Bobbi back in. Let Jemma into your heart, and things will get better. Don't be afraid, mate. You only get one life and limited chances of a happy ever after. Seeing you two together tonight, even when you're both off your faces, it's like you're linked. Like you belong, you were made to find each other. Embrace that, Leo. Soak her in. Let her under your skin." Lance explained.

Leo listened and digested every word Lance said, sobering up with every syllable; Jemma certainly had an amazing power over him.

"When Bobbi and I split up, it was like a constant pain. I grew colder, shut people out, and carried too much weight on my shoulders. When I eventually let her and everyone else back in, this weight was lifted and my cold heart was thawed. All of that pain and anger and pressure gone in an instant, just by letting my heart do the talking for once. I know it isn't easy, but it makes things better." Lance said.

"…W-what if she doesn't feel the way I do?" Leo asked, worried.

"Even if she doesn't, it's better than a life of 'what ifs' and regrets. Tell her, bud. Just tell her." Lance said, patting Leo on the back and getting up to join Jemma and Bobbi. Leo watched him go, his doubts still remaining.

Jemma turned to face him and waved. He waved back with a smile. Suddenly, he saw her walking up to him and panic started to fill him.

I can't tell her. I CAN'T. No, you can. You should. Tell her!

By the time Jemma reached him, he was throwing up under the table. Again.

Maybe another day.