It was around 2 AM when Jemma's phone started ringing on her nightstand. She first wanted to let it go to voicemail, she was so tired after leaving the lab so late in the evening when she suddenly straightened in her bed, what if something was wrong with her parents back in the UK? she immediately answered the call and was unexpectedly greeted by an American accent pronouncing her name;
Jemma Simmons?
Yes? her answer was weak as worry kicked in her mind and she started to remember that she hadn't heard back from Fitz since she left the lab.
You're listed as Leopold Fitz's emergency contact. You need to come to George Washington University Hospital immediately, please.
Humm Yeah yeah, is he alright? please tell me he's alright.
I'm sorry but we can't discuss this kind of information over the phone but we will update you immediately when you arrive at the hospital.
When the line hanged up Jemma immediately stood up, grabbed a pair of leggings and one of Fitz's jumpers that were lying around in her room, ran to her door, grabbed her car key, and drove to the hospital on an automated mode. She was physically in the car but her mind was far away in her memories, what if Fitz died tonight? How could she lose her best friend? He was the constant in her life since she joined the academy almost two years ago, he was what she had as close as a family here. No she couldn't think like that, she couldn't use past tense right now, Fitz is still alive and he is going to be fine, he's her best friend and she is going to be with him in a matter of minutes now.
A few minutes later, when she arrived at the hospital, Jemma immediately ran into the hall and to the nurses' desk.
I'm here for Fitz, I need to know if he's okay, please.
Hey hello, I'm the one who called you. Come with me I'm gonna bring you to the waiting room. a nurse said, she was probably in her fifties and had a nice motherly tone in her voice.
Can you tell me if he's okay? What happened to him?
Your boyfriend was caught in an accident, a DUI. He is currently in surgery but the doctors were optimistic. I'll try to go get another update for you.
So is going to be okay right?
I think so yes. the nurse replied quickly squeezing Jemma's arm before leaving the room.
Now that she was alone with her thoughts, Jemma started to analyze what had happened in the last few hours. They had worked in the lab until midnight before calling it a night, then he dropped her at her dorm before he drove to his. This means he had been in surgery for more than two hours now and it couldn't be good. Before she could overthink anymore the nurse came back in the room and called out her name.
Miss Simmons! He's out of surgery and he's going to be okay, he just has a few broken ribs and it perforated one of his lungs that's why he had to go through surgery. He also has a lot of bruises but overall is okay. I will lead you to his room now if you're ready, he should come back any minutes now.
She needed to see him, make sure that he's alive and well. She was scared of what she would see in this hospital room, but she couldn't wait any longer to see him.
Yes please, I need to see him.
Okay, follow me, please.
When they arrived in front of the room the nurse turned back to look at Jemma before she started talking again.
Miss, before you enter the room you should know that his face is really bruised due to the impact with the airbag. It's nothing serious so you don't have to worry about it, it will all disappear in a couple of weeks.
The nurse smiled warmly at Jemma and patted her arm before leaving her alone in front of Fitz's room door. Even with the nurse's reassuring words, she was still afraid of what she would found behind this door. Fitz was her anchor, her best friend, the one who held her when she was homesick back at the academy, her only friend. There was no way she could get ready to see an injured Fitz behind that door.
Eventually, Jemma found the strength to open the door and come in, and as she expected she wasn't ready. The sight of an injured and unconscious Fitz broke her heart, the sound of her sobs now the only sound in the room alongside his heart monitor. She slowly made her way toward his bed, registering his swollen cheek and all the bruises across his face and left arm. When she was finally close enough she grabbed his right hand and intertwined her fingers with his. Tears were still falling freely on her cheeks but she could feel his pulse in her hand and it helped calm the sobs.
She was still standing on her feet when the nurse came back to check on Fitz. After verifying his vitals she pulled a chair from the corner of the room and quietly guided Simmons to sit.
I've talked with the doctors, your boyfriend should wake up in a few hours.
You must think I'm crazy if I tell you that he's not even my boyfriend.
Oh, I'm sorry I just assumed.
Don't be, it happens a lot.
As Jemma continues to look at a motionless Fitz the nurse stayed with her. The older woman had finished her shift, it was way over 4 AM now but the young couple and the distressed woman had caught her attention. It was common in her line of work to see the family of injured patients in this state and she always tried to take care of both the patient and his family, in this case, it was pretty obvious that the young lady wouldn't be able to take care of herself at this time so she had to do her job and help her.
After a few minutes passed, the nurse decided it was time for her to leave and started talking again.
I'm not sure of what kind of relationship you both have, but you could probably lay down beside him if you want you. His right side isn't too bad so if your careful enough you shouldn't hurt him. I'm sure it could help him heal and rest faster.
Do you think so? That I wouldn't hurt him by doing so?
Yes, here... the nurse smiled warmly while she opened the sheets. Slide in.
Jemma carefully climbed into the bed, positioning herself facing Fitz, her head near his shoulder and her hand resting on his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath it. The closeness was all she needed to fall asleep.
When Jemma woke up a few hours later she could see the light from the sun illuminating the room. When she fully awoke she realized that Fitz's hand was now resting on her thigh, he had moved! This was a good sign, he was probably going to wake up at any time now. She slowly moved her hand to his face, slowly caressing his cheek with the tip of her fingers when the door of the room opened and an unfamiliar face entered the room.
Good morning. said the new nurse. She was younger than the one from last night but her smile was still as warm.
Hello. Jemma said softly as if she didn't want to wake up Fitz.
It's a little after 10 AM now miss, the doctor should come by in a few minutes to check on his situation.
Okay.
After the nurse left, Jemma reached for her phone that was laying on the hospital nightstand. As she expected at this time in the morning she had a couple of missed calls and texts from both her supervisor at SciOps and some of her colleagues, all wondering where she and Fitz were. She quickly texted back to her boss explaining that she was at the hospital after Fitz got injured in a car accident. She wasn't going to leave him for some lab work.
A few minutes later the doctor entered the room. she smiled at the sight.
Hello miss, I'm Doctor Stephen and I performed the surgery on Mr. Fitz last night. How is he today?
Well, I don't know, he hasn't woken up yet.
That's weird. He was supposed to wake up early in the morning. The doctor started to look at Fitz and the devices next to him while Jemma started to feel the panic building up in her chest. after a few seconds, the doctor looked down at Fitz and asked
Did you move his hand on your thigh miss?
No, I think he did it himself.
Well in that case it's more than probable that he already woke up once. Patients rarely move while in post-surgery sleep. If you want you could try to wake him up but considering that he fell back asleep it's very unlikely that he's in pain.
That's great then! Jemma whispered with a wide smile on her face.
It is yes. I'll leave you both and come back in the afternoon.
Thank you, Doctor. Jemma turned to face Fitz again, he looked so peaceful here sleeping with a small smile on his face. She doesn't understand why he didn't wake her up when he did, she would have called a nurse for him or just be happy to see his eyes open.
She was pulled out of her thought by her phone buzzing on the table, she looked at the caller ID and it was her boss. She answered and tried to be as quiet as possible to not wake up the sleepy head next to her.
Hello? She whispered.
Simmons? Are you okay? Her boss's voice was slightly panicked.
Yes, I wasn't with him in the car when it happened.
That's good, how is he?
He's good I guess. He should wake up soon.
Good, don't come to the lab until he's back home. We'll see from then.
Okay, thank you, Sir. She was glad he gave her some days off to stay with him. She doesn't how she could work knowing he was alone in this hospital.
Take care, Simmons. her boss said before hanging up.
While she turned to put her phone back on the table she felt his hand slightly squeeze her thigh, she immediately turns around to look at him, and here it was, his green eyes looking at her and she felt her own eyes becoming watery.
Jem... he said in a breath, he sounded like he was struggling to speak due to his bruised cheek.
Fitz, I'm so happy to see you awake!
I can't tak very we Jem.
I know Fitz, it must be the bruised jaw, I'm gonna call the doctor okay?
M okay
Yeah but just to check you up, you really scared me here so I ain't going to take any risk.
Fitz tried to move his right arm and stand up in his bed and felt a huge pain in his chest while doing so.
Arff! Fitz yelled in pain making Jemma jump out of the bed and pressing the call button to call a doctor.
Fitz are you okay? What's happening?
Hummmm. Fitz looked frustrated, probably due to his inability to talk clearly without being in pain.
I'm gonna ask them to bring paper and pens so you can write okay? Should ease the pain.
After a quick discussion with the doctor and nurse, they assured them that Fitz should be able to talk correctly by tomorrow morning if he takes his meds correctly, in the meantime they provided him with a tablet so he could talk with them.
So how do you feel now? Jemma was back sitting in the chair beside his bed now, too scared to hurt him again.
Fitz quickly typed his answer on the tablet and showed her the screen.
I'm okay, and you, how are you?
He looked worried for her, classic Fitz, he was the one in the car accident but was still more worried about her than he was about himself.
I'm better now that you're awake. Did you wake up while I was asleep?
Yeah. This time Fitz spoke by himself.
Why didn't you said anything?
You looked like you needed the sleep and you looked peaceful so I didn't want to disrupt you.
Well next time wake me up, will you? Not that I ever want you back in this bed you know, I like you better on your feet and all healthy...
while she was speaking without even breathing. Fitz was writing on his tablet and she stopped when he showed it to her and saying her name.
Jem, do you want to climb back in the bed?
You sure I won't hurt you?
He nodded and gestured to his right side, she climbed back in the spot where she was before, and this time he put his good arm around her shoulders and she slightly moves to settle in.
Are you good? She could see the tablet as he typed now.
Yes, Fitz, it's perfect. And she meant it, It was recomforting to be this close to him right now after last night.
I'm sorry I can't even say your name completely now. he typed looking at her.
Ohh it's okay Fitz, what matters is you're okay. She looked at him kindly and added, plus I really like it when you call me Jem, that's how my grandmother used to call me when I was little. she said with a wide smile
He looked at her with a look that said "Really? You're serious?"
Yes Fitz I'm serious, now let's turn on that TV, I think they might have BBC America so we can watch some Doctor Who.
Fitz held her tighter while she turned on the TV to search through the channels to find their favorite show.
They were in the second episode now both feeling sleepy and warm when Jemma turned to fit her head in his neck and said
I love you, Fitz, don't ever do this again alright?
He managed to say I love you too Jem. but he deducted by her slow breaths against his neck that she was already asleep anyway so he followed her.