Fitz's heart was pounding out of his chest by the time he reached the reception desk, where Maria Hill was sat typing away at a computer. He collided into the desk as the full force of his running nearly sent him nearly flying over the top of it, slamming his hands onto the surface as he halted.

"Please tell me I'm not too late." Fitz said, out of breath.

"Too late?" Maria questioned.

"Jemma. She came here to hand in that bloody form. I'm too late, aren't I?" Fitz asked, feeling the defeat lurking in the pit of his stomach.

"Fitz, no one's been here this morning. I haven't seen Jemma since yesterday." Maria said.

"…Then, she must have…where could she be?"

…

Fitz rushed back to his and Jemma's room and checked for her again, but she was still nowhere to be found. He got out his phone and texted her, but no reply came. He called her, but she didn't pick up. His nerves were slowly shifting to fears.

Then, something he'd overlooked previously caught his eye. Scraps of paper torn up in her bin; he emptied it the previous night, so Jemma must have thrown something away recently. Looking into the bin, Fitz tentatively pulled out a few of the ripped pieces together and realised what it was.

It was the form. She'd thrown it out. Did she change her mind?

Fitz was over the moon to see the form where it belonged, but he still had no idea where Jemma could possibly be. He couldn't lose anyone else.

…

Jemma knocked on the door of 2A in the Student Services building.

"Come in."

Delicately opening the door, Jemma entered a small room filled with warm colours; reds, oranges and browns everywhere to be seen from the wallpaper to the furniture. Everything was neat and tidy and had a place; the desk at the back of the room had paper and stationery positioned perfectly and the furniture was placed in a way that felt welcoming, with plenty of space to walk around and take in.

Sat at the desk was a broad man with a small smile on his face as he faced Jemma. He was dressed in smart attire and had the top button of his shirt open. Jemma was still unsure of why she'd taped the business card back together and found herself at the door, but it was too late to just walk away now.

"What can I do for you?" The man, clearly the Dr Andrew Garner named on the card, asked. Jemma took a moment to respond.

"I, um…I don't want to intrude." Jemma said softly.

"You're not intruding; my first appointment of the day isn't until 12pm. I'm Dr Garner, but call me Andrew." The man said gently.

"I'm Jemma. Simmons."

"Oh, I know. I've seen you perform at many showcases. You're remarkably talented."

"Thank you."

"Why don't you have a seat, Jemma? Tell me what's on your mind?" Andrew suggested. Jemma nodded and took a seat in a comfy brown chair just in front of the desk.

"I didn't realise you'd be here. Are you busy most days?" Jemma asked.

"This time of year, with exam stress very much a problem, yes. The first half of the year is pretty quiet, though, so I get to sit back and relax. This year's biggest wave of appointments was when that poor Callum Reynolds died in January. Had a lot of grief counselling to deal with." Andrew explained.

Hang on, I think Leo mentioned seeing him once. Of course, Dr Garner! That does ring a bell. I'm pretty sure Skye said there was a rumour he was married to Melinda May.

"I imagine. He was a good friend of mine." Jemma said.

"I'm sorry for your loss. How are you about that?" Andrew asked.

"Um, I dealt with it in my own way. We can't get over it, just used to it. I guess I got through it by helping my boyfriend through it. Well, he was just my friend at the time, but he was Callum's roommate and he'd kind of had a similar experience before." Jemma said.

"Ah yes, Leopold. I saw him a few times. I'm glad he had someone to open up to, but I hope you didn't hold in your grief just for the sake of others." Andrew said. Jemma took a moment.

"Well, I…I guess I did. In a way."

"And you keep it in? Let it build up, even though you didn't realise it?"

"I…I guess."

"Is that why you're here?"

"…I've had a lot building up inside, I suppose. Exams, Callum, relationships, a fight with my best friend…it's all got on top of me. But I had this image to uphold. Everyone calls me the 'golden girl' and I was stressing out about living up to the name. It felt like an obligation. It still does."

"People call Hitler the most evil human to have lived, and he lived up to that. Doesn't mean it's a good thing to do so." Andrew said.

"Good point." Jemma said.

"So, you've had a lot of stress inside and never released it for the sake of others. And I suppose this made it frustrating and aggravating the more time passed?" Andrew said and Jemma nodded.

"I…I was going to drop out yesterday. I had the form filled out and everything. Leo and my friends did everything they could to try and change my mind, but I was just blinded by the fears I had. The fears I still have." Jemma explained.

"What changed your mind? I mean, you're still here." Andrew commented.

"Last night, I got your card through my door. I ripped it up at first, but then I got to thinking. If someone felt like I needed professional help, I'd clearly gone too far and lost my way. In a weird way, it made me see sense. I'll have to thank whoever it was." Jemma said.

"And the form?"

"I tore it up and threw it away."

"And how did that feel?" Andrew asked.

"Well, um…I didn't really think about it at the time."

"Okay, go back to that moment. Think back to it. Did you tear it up once or twice or more?" Andrew questioned.

"Quite a few little pieces." Jemma said.

"So you got an enjoyment out of it? The need to keep ripping it up?"

"…Yeah, I guess so. Yeah."

"Why do you think it felt good?"

"…Well, I'd started to realise it was a mistake to even request the form, more like fill it out. Coming here was a dream come true, and I was about to throw it all away because I was afraid. I would've wasted two years of my life. Tearing it up was eradicating a mistake I'd made. It felt good to let go of something negative."

"So, you tearing up the paper and throwing it away was symbolic of you moving on and letting go of a bad feeling? Letting go of your troubles?" Andrew said and Jemma nodded.

"That's good. And how do you feel about it now?" Andrew added.

"I feel good. I feel like I'd become a different person. Getting your card made me snap back to reality. It was stupid to even consider quitting after everything I've done. I mean, everyone has problems, especially Leo. The things he'd got through…he's amazing. I guess I was being selfish to think my problems could justify such drastic actions." Jemma said.

"It's not selfish at all. Everyone has their own troubles, but we deal with them in different ways. It's what makes us unique. People do tend to overthink how bad their situations are when a chat or a cup of tea or…a business card through the door…could solve it."

Jemma smiled, bringing a sense of relief to herself and Andrew.

"…So, has anyone else gone through this sort of thing?"

"Jemma, it's very common; you're not alone. This is a stressful period of a person's life; they have a lot of pressure on them to do well as it's their futures on the line. All you need to remember is that a day is coming where everything you're worrying about now will seem so tiny and insignificant. I'm telling you it's going to be okay, but it IS going to be okay." Andrew said. Jemma found so much comfort in his words.

"…Thank you." Jemma said. Andrew smiled.

"Anytime. Exams start in a few months, right? How about we meet once a week and talk things through. Sometimes talking about something, anything, will help. You have every right to be stressed and want to run away, but you need to think about yourself too. So what if you're not everyone's 'golden girl'? What matters is who you are to yourself. And I know Fitz, and he'll be on your side the whole way. To quote a wise man, 'happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light'."

"Wasn't that Dumbledore in Harry Potter?" Jemma asked.

"Yes, yes it was." Andrew smiled and Jemma laughed.

"So, um…it is okay if I keep coming here? It wouldn't be a waste of your time?" Jemma asked.

"Would it be a waste of your time?" Andrew asked and Jemma shook her head.

"Then it couldn't possibly be a waste of my time. How about this time again next week?" Andrew suggested.

"Okay." Jemma smiled.

"Excellent. And how about I get you to do one thing after you leave?" Andrew said, ripping a piece of paper from the pad in front of him, folding it in half and handing it to Jemma.

"Take a look at that when you get a moment. Decide what you should do with it." Andrew said. Jemma nodded and put the paper in her bag. She smiled at Andrew again and then noticed he was wearing a ring, making the rumour about him and Melinda May spring into her mind.

"Oh, you're um…you're married, then?" Jemma said.

"Yeah. Lucky I'm a counsellor, I can stop myself from going nuts. You know, this ring, this tiny little thing, it changed everything for me. My whole world, my whole life, in a magical way. Even the little things have a wonderful habit of doing that." Andrew laughed.

"Is it true that May's your wife?" Jemma asked.

"I couldn't possibly discuss my personal affairs with students and clients." Andrew said as Jemma smiled and walked out. A grin spread across Andrew's face as Jemma closed the door.

…

"Do we really need a name for it? It's just a plan. Call it a plan." Fitz said as he stared at his notepad on his desk with Grant sat next to him. After texting Grant for help, the two boys had come together to work out a plan of making sure Jemma stayed after their previous attempts failed. They'd had no ideas yet, as they'd been debating for twenty minutes whether or not they needed to name it.

"No, we should name it. The last time we didn't name the plan, and it went wrong. Maybe this was why." Grant said.

"Operation: Blue Eyes." Skye's voice suggested as she appeared at the open door of Fitz's room. The boys jumped then looked at her.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. Answer your phone." She added as she walked up to the boys.

"Sorry, I was busy with this." Grant said.

"Oh, yeah. That's the best blank page I've ever seen." Skye said sarcastically.

"Skye, be serious. We need to make sure Jemma doesn't stop it. She could easily get another form and hand it in without us knowing." Fitz said.

"I suggested a name, didn't I? I'm good with names." Skye said.

"It did sound pretty cool." Grant nodded.

"Why 'Blue Eyes'?" Fitz asked.

"I remember Jemma telling me it was her favourite thing about you." Skye explained. Fitz smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Though that was before you'd slept together, so I imagine it's probably her second favourite thing about you now." Skye said suggestively, making Fitz roll his eyes and Grant chuckle.

"You're disgusting." Fitz said.

"Oh, hello."

The new voice made the three turn around and see Jemma standing in the doorway. Skye quickly averted her eyes away while the boys smiled.

"Hey, you're alive." Grant said.

"Yeah, sorry. I was um…well, I was with Dr Garner." Jemma explained.

"Really? Why?" Fitz asked.

"Someone put his card through our door last night. We just talked some things through. I'm sorry for putting you through all of this in the past few days. I've come to my senses. I'm gonna keep seeing Dr Garner to handle my stress but…I think I can make it. I've got some wonderful friends on my side." Jemma smiled. Fitz stood up and kissed her.

"I'm sorry I didn't notice how bad things were getting." He whispered.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I love you." Jemma said.

"I love you too." Fitz replied, kissing her again.

"Well, I better get to class." Skye said, kissing Grant and walking by Fitz and Jemma.

"I'm uh, I'm glad that you're staying. It would be been stupid to drop out now." Skye said, glancing at Jemma for a quick second before walking away. Jemma watched her go with a sad smile.

…

As Fitz was in his final lesson of the day, Jemma was sat at her desk when her eyes were drawn to the picture of Jamie that Fitz had on the wall. She smiled as she thought of what he must have been like. She knew she'd spent the rest of her life wishing she could've known Fitz's first best friend; a huge part of his life she could never talk to. She longed to ask him about what Fitz was like when he was little, and what embarrassing stories about him he could tell her. Sadly, those times could never come.

As she thought back on the crazy last few days, she found herself thinking of Jamie a lot. While his leaving the Earth was tragic and incredibly sad, he gave her the chance to meet the boy she loved, and she'd always be grateful to him for that. Jamie spent all of his life looking after Fitz and guiding him home, but it was her turn to do that now. And she couldn't let him down.

"Thank you." Jemma whispered, hoping Jamie could hear her.

Suddenly, Jemma remembered the paper Andrew had given her, and took it out of her bag. Unfolding it revealed Andrew had written a list on it; all of Jemma's problems.

-Exam worries

-Keeping up a relationship

-Grieving for a friend

-Fight with best friend

Knowing what Andrew wanted her to do, Jemma smiled as she tore up the paper, and his troubles, into tiny pieces and threw them away with a satisfied smile.

Sometime later, Fitz returned and was met with a warm hug from Jemma, which he gladly received with a grin.

"How about we go out and have that dinner we didn't before?" Fitz asked.

"That sounds so incredibly perfect." Jemma smiled, kissing Fitz and rushing to the bathroom to get ready. Fitz watched her go, feeling positive about things for the first time in a few days.

…

Skye and Grant were sat eating in the café when all of a sudden Grant stopped and looked at Skye.

"Whoever left Jemma Dr Garner's card must have known her pretty well. Well enough to know that would be the push she needed to realise what she was doing was wrong." Grant commented.

"I guess." Skye said, her mouth still full of food. Grant still stared at her until she noticed.

"What?" She asked.

"Was it you? Did you leave her the card to make sure she stayed?"

"Of course not." Skye said and continued eating. Grant shrugged and carried on with his own meal.

A grin spread across Skye's face.