Title: In the Still of the Night
Author: Alysia
Summary: Daisy and Daniel have a late night conversation on the bridge of Zephyr 3.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters familiar to Marvel.

Sitting on the bridge of the ship, Daisy Johnson sipped her tea, gazing into space. She'd been unable to sleep and had offered to watch the bridge if Agent Crane wanted to take a long lunch. Considering the late hour and rare offer, he gladly accepted the overture and rushed off.

When she was on the bridge during the day it was always so loud and busy. Usually she was always on guard, ready to for whatever could arise. Sometimes, it was nice to just sit and enjoy the silence. Other times, it wasn't so nice. However, in that moment, she was perfectly content in it.

"Hey, everything okay?" Daniel Sousa asked, appearing behind her.

She looked to him. "I couldn't sleep. I thought my tossing and turning would wake you up, so I decided to get up instead. I'm sorry, I didn't wake you, did I?"

He shook his head in negative. "You weren't there when I rolled over. When you didn't rejoin me, I wanted to make sure that you were okay."

Daisy smiled into her coffee cup. Even a year and a half into things, he was still looking out for her. She didn't know what she'd done to have someone so special, but she wasn't complaining. Until Daniel, it had been such a long time since someone put her first in their consideration.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not. But I should warn you, I told Agent Crane to take a long lunch, so I can't guarantee when he'll be back."

"I think I'll take my chances," he shrugged as he moved to claim the seat next to hers. "You've been staying up later and rising earlier every day," Daniel sighed, letting her know that he was completely aware of it, even if he hadn't called her on it prior to then. "Is something on your mind?" She'd been particularly introspective since her meet up with the team a few weeks ago. He'd wanted to question her about it, but he hadn't wanted to be nosy.

Daisy set her cup down. She swiveled her chair in his direction, but she kept her gaze focused on view. "Do you want to get married?" It was the first time that she'd uttered the question, but it wasn't the first time that it had entered her thoughts. Until Daniel, she'd never considered the idea of marriage. Maybe it could have progressed so with Lincoln if he hadn't died, but she'd still been young at the time.

Of everything she could have asked, that particular subject hadn't crossed his mind. Did he want to get married? Yes. He'd always imagined one day getting married and having kids, or at least one kid. The idea never completely went away, it had just been delayed. Even after his journey into the future. He hadn't completely given up on the idea.

Daisy was unlike any other woman he'd ever met. When he'd finally started a relationship with Peggy Carter, he'd entertained the idea that she was it for him. It wasn't until he got involved with Daisy that he realized Peggy had just been practice for dealing with a strong willed, stubborn woman.

He'd never forgotten his conversation with Mack when they were on their way to rescue Agent Simmons and Deke. And it wasn't so much the warning against him that he thought of, but the revelation that Daisy had been hurt. Because until then, he never would have guessed. She didn't appear to guard her heart or hold back. How wrong he'd been at the time. Because he'd since learned that Daisy didn't do things half-way. It was all or nothing with her. Yes, she still 'ran' when things got tough and she needed to deal, though on a spaceship the best she could do was disappear for a bit.

Not knowing the best way to proceed, he went with humor. "If this is your way of proposing, I should let you know that I expected more candles and roses, even if the view can't be matched."

She appreciated his attempt to keep things light, but she was looking for a response with more depth. "You were engaged once, what? Eight…nine years ago?" He nodded. "Is that something you still want?" Had he felt like that since Violet? "Has that thought even crossed your mind since we've been together?" Or did he not have the same inclination with their relationship?

"Yes," he responded immediately. "I've always wanted to get married and share my life with someone. I realize that it needs to be with the right someone, which, looking back, I know that Violet wasn't." Daniel shook his head. "I knew it then that she wasn't that person for me, but I ignored the thought. As to whether I've thought about it since I joined you, the idea has crossed my mind," he admitted. "You never alluded to things one way or another, so I never broached the subject."

Daisy nodded slowly. "And kids?"

"They are a part of that idea," he admitted, though he was willing to negotiate on the amount. "What's your thought on children?" Did she even want children? It was another subject that they hadn't discussed.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "When I was growing up, I never embraced the idea of having a family." She hadn't been like other girls her age that knew they would have kids one day, despite whatever other dreams they had. "I didn't want to chance having a child and then something happening where they could end up in the system."

He had to admit, it was a valid point and an understandable fear for someone that grew up under such circumstances. Was it an idea that she still held? "And now?"

A smile crept onto her face. "Subtle, Daniel."

He shrugged and smiled back. "Just curious," he excused in an innocent voice.

Daisy picked up her cup again and took a sip from it. "Mmm-hmm," she hummed into it, not believing him. "They're not off the table." It was all she could offer him at that moment.

She didn't appear to be nervous about the direction their conversation had gone, and he felt a flash of hope. "Hey, Daisy?"

"Yes?"

"When the time comes, let me be the one to propose?"

"Okay," she agreed softly. "But just so you know, I'm expecting candles and roses."

He scoffed in amusement over having his words thrown back in his face. "I'll keep that in mind."

The pair slipped into companionable silence.

The End