After a week of luxuriating in The Haggis, relishing some much-needed time alone, FitzSimmons thought they'd take this rare opportunity to explore Chile. Not only did they survive the drive south from the Atacama to the beautiful Chilean city of Valparaíso, they thoroughly enjoyed it. They took shifts, alternately driving and navigating – a test that throughout history has been the undoing of many a fledgling relationship. But Fitz and Jemma's love was one unperturbed by bickering – they'd already had years to perfect the fond squabbling best observed in the homes of elderly co-dependent spouses over biscuits and daytime television.

They stopped and drank tea while they watched the sunset over the gently undulating desert hills of Moon Valley. They marvelled at the flamingos grazing around the ultramarine-blue lagoons of the Atacama Salt Lake. They bathed in blissful Puritama thermal baths. And each night, finding a remote place to stop, they lay in one another's arms on the roof of The Haggis and viewed the galaxies through the lens of the world's clearest skies. But despite the fact that they were scientists, and despite the fact that the Atacama Desert provided the absolute finest viewing platform in the world for the heavens above, some nights, of course, they were far too deeply captivated by one another to even look up.

Arriving in Valparaíso at last, they were charmed by the densely packed and brightly coloured hillside buildings that made up the bustling sea port.

"It looks a bit like the Lego towns I used to make when I was a kid," laughed Fitz.

"And every aspirational Pinterest travel board I've ever seen," muttered Jemma. "But can you believe we're actually here, not just pathetically salivating over other people's photos?"

While Fitz took the wheel, Jemma took up her device and investigated the details of Coulson's wire. It was a significant amount of money. The bank transfer contained a short message from the director which Simmons read aloud:

FitzSimmons,

This sum is to allow you to acquire a long-term vehicle vault for The Haggis through Banco Santander. S.H.I.E.L.D. has found their service to be perfectly satisfactory in the past. It should also suffice for some extremely comfortable accommodation, vehicle hire, all food and entertainment, any additional clothing or equipment you may require and, of course, your travel costs to return to base. Skye has a theory that the two of you may like to take a short leave of absence. Consequently, I will expect you back on base in one month. Additionally, in consultation with our Director Emeritus, it has been decided that the pair of you are owed some compensation for your recent trauma. Due to Fitz's longer lasting challenges, his sum is considerably larger.

If Skye's hunch is right, may I recommend that you investigate Valparaíso's Palacio Astoreca? They have some magnificent suites. And make sure you try their wild albacore sashimi with pea tendril salad and melon cilantro vinaigrette – it's to die for. If, on the other hand, Skye's hunch is misguided, forget I said anything and return to base as soon as convenient.

Thanks again for your care of Skye,

Coulson

"How much is it, Jemma?" Fitz asked, pulling up at traffic lights.

Jemma didn't speak, she simply turned the screen and showed him the figure, her wide eyes peeking over the top of the case.

Fitz gave a low whistle. "Well," he shrugged. "Let's get this old girl settled into el banco, hire ourselves something a little bit sporty and then fire up the GPS and get directions to Coulson's hotel."

"Really?" she asked, excited. "I just Googled it. It's a castle!"

"You didn't pick that up from the Palacio?" he asked, laughing.

"My high school Spanish is somewhat rusty," she admitted.

"I'm impressed you picked up any high school Spanish given that you skipped high school entirely on your way to Oxford," Fitz suggested. "Anyway, I have no idea how much S.H.I.E.L.D.'s been paying me over the years – I've never had any time to spend it," he reached over and took her hand. "But now I suddenly have a month's leave in exotic South America with the unparalleled woman of my dreams."

"Sounds like we have Skye to thank for that," Jemma observed. "We obviously weren't as covert as we thought we were."

"Well, I suppose she is training to be a sort of spy," Fitz shrugged. "And as the practically-adopted daughter of the top dog, if she wants to use her influence to swing us a holiday, who are we to argue?"

Jemma nodded. "Though I guess we can rely on Skye to have ensured that everyone now knows about us."

Fitz leaned over to kiss her. "Let them know," he grinned. "When we get back, it's going to be all I can do not to go shouting it from the rooftops!"

ooo

Fitz and Jemma wandered wide-eyed into their sumptuous suite. The views over the city and ocean were breathtaking.

"Coulson has wonderful taste," Jemma breathed, stepping out into the warm salty breeze that stirred the potted palms on their large private balcony.

Fitz followed her out a moment later and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Expensive taste," she added. "But wonderful."

"Have you seen the bath?" Fitz asked. "It's the size of a Scottish loch."

"Mmmm," Jemma mused. "I think a long hot bath is just what I need." She turned her head to find Fitz's eyes. "Join me?"

He nodded vigorously.

ooo

Later that evening, clad in the gauzy knee-length emerald-green gown and bronze sandals that Fitz had only let her wear for a short time a few nights previously, Jemma explored the winding alleys and walkways of Valparaíso. Fitz followed not far behind, so mesmerised by the vision of loveliness ahead of him that he kept tripping himself up. Occasionally, she would turn to him to point out a sight that pleased her or to make a witty comment or astute observation. On one level, he took it all in – gave the right answers, even asked intelligent questions. But there was another level on which, despite the occasional stubbed toe, he felt as if he floated, his feet several inches from the surface of the Earth.

Jemma emerged from an unassuming alley to a staggering view of the vibrant city and the ocean below, all abruptly laid out at her feet.

"Leo," she gasped. "Look at this!"

Oddly, for such a busy city, in the little square into which they'd stumbled there was not another soul to be seen. He followed her gaze to the sights below but judged them to be relatively unimpressive next to his view of her.

Pushing back his perpetual flood of conscious thought, Fitz found himself acting on instinct. He took each of Jemma's hands in his and held them gently as they hung relaxedly by her sides. She turned her face from the spectacle below and smiled at him, radiant.

"Jem?" he whispered huskily, summoning the courage of William Wallace from deep within his highland veins. "Could I be your husband? Would you be my wife?"

The tears sprang to her eyes and she flew at him with kisses in reply.

Overjoyed, he foraged about in his pocket and produced a crumpled scrap of paper. On it was his latest sketch of the ring.

"I'm still in the design phase, but one day soon, I hope to be able to give you something that might look a bit like this," he offered, somewhat apologetically. "Mum's got an enormous stone of my Nan's tucked away in a drawer at home." He gently touched the full skirt of Jemma's dress and rubbed the fabric between his fingers. "At least I can be sure you'll like the colour."

Jemma lifted the hand that held the sketch briefly to her lips. "You'll make a ring for me yourself?" she asked.

"With my bare hands," he nodded, grinning. "Well, within reason."

"It still counts if you make the tools with your bare hands, remember?" she laughed, her eyes shining. Suddenly, she grew earnest. "Leo, I can wait for the ring. But I don't want to wait any longer to make you really mine." She squeezed his hand. "What if we just got married here?"

"We can do that?" Fitz's face looked boyish in his excitement. "We can just get married?"

Jemma shrugged. "I don't see why not! We'll just drop by the British Embassy in Santiago on our way back to base to make everything official. I remember reading an article that said British Embassies were a bit like Las Vegas chapels anyway. Presumably with less Elvis impersonators."

"So," he said softly. "It looks like this leave of absence has suddenly become our honeymoon."

"If that's the case, Leo," she whispered seductively in reply, "You better take me back to that enormous bed of ours right this instant."

"Whatever you say, Simmons!" he cried.

Without warning, he lifted her clear off the ground, scooping her into his arms so that her bronze sandals glinted in the very last light of the fading day. She let out a shriek of laughter as Fitz broke into a brisk jog heading in what he hoped was the direction of their hotel.

Four...