Jewel watched closely as her daughter ate her dinner. She didn't like having these new sets of members wandering around her house as they chose to stay longer for dinner. This made Jewel reluctant but she had to make food enough for all of them, not that she didn't have the items already in their pantry, it's just the hospitality that was the issue. She chose to stay closeby to their daughter while the others seemed to have sensed this and kept their distance as well. She was grateful for that but still made her uneasy.
Something definitely happened with the rest of the team, that Jewel definitely gathered from the wild card group that Coulson presented. May was as loyal as they come and not seeing her around caused a red flag to go up in her brain. Not only that, where was Simmons? She couldn't have gone undercover once again?
She turned to see Grant walk into the room, getting off of a green cellphone. She knew whose number was connected to that line as Grant gave a small smile and greeted Jasmine. He turned to Jewel and planted a small kiss on the top of her head and ran a hand down her back.
"She'll be here in 8 hours" Grant whispered.
"Good" Jewel said, "I'm sure she's pleased that they didn't find her"
"Kind of insulted, actually" Grant went over to pour himself a glass of wine, "She thought that she and Coulson were on good terms"
"She never came back after she found us" Jewel sighed, "Muna never knew their plans as well"
Grant shrugged, "I guess it makes me feel better that she never went back… but I kind of wish I knew what we were up against"
"You think they're lying still?" Jasmine turned to her boyfriend.
"Of course they are," Grant said, "You sense it too; something doesn't add up. They're keeping us on a need to know basis but I think they're treating us nicer because of you"
"Me?"
Grant leaned on the counter, "You never once turned on them, they turned on you"
Jewel shifted uncomfortably as she looked over to Jasmine, unaware of what was going on. For all she knew, there were guests in their house for the first time.
"Do you honestly think they will give you what you want?" Jewel asked, "What if they bring up TAHITI again?"
Grant shrugged, "That's why it's better to know that you were in the room during negotiations. You will be there for my protection so if they put me under TAHITI at least I know that you will make sure to see it done that he holds up his end of the bargain-"
Heavy footsteps stomped through their house as Fitz and Mike stormed in, looking just as angry as hours before.
"Who did you contact?" Mike demanded.
"A friend" Grant said, simply, "Someone who will help us"
"Muna?" Coulson came in from the other end, "She's coming to join?"
"She's coming to babysit" Jewel informed, "I'm not leaving our daughter unattended with just any caretaker while we go and fight for your mission"
"We could've really used her," Coulson said.
"I have a feeling you tried searching for her" Jewel leaned back, "She's more in the wind then we are"
"It's just a precaution" Grant said, "You'd understand"
"Yeah, like lying to us and trying to kill one of your so-called friends," Fitz fumed.
"I know you probably have a lot to say to me-" Grant started.
Fitz didn't even let Grant finish his sentence as the young man tried to lunge at the specialist. Grant didn't move a muscle but Peterson and Hunter pulled him back as Jewel got up and aimed her gun at Fitz. He looked around bewildered but when he saw Jewel aiming a weapon at him, he seemed shocked and a little bit surprised. Jewel's face didn't falter as she had herself positioned behind Jasmine, making sure their daughter didn't see her with a deadly weapon. Grant picked up his hand and motioned for his girlfriend to lower her weapon.
"Don't even think about doing that in front of Jaz" Grant said but Jewel didn't move a muscle so he said more firmly, "We promised to not do this in front of our daughter, Jewel, now lower your weapon"
Jewel glanced over to Grant before she mumbled, "Fine"
"Seriously?!" Fitz exploded, "You'd side with him? After what he did!"
"Last I checked, you were part of the tightly knit crew that was going to fake my daughter's death" Peterson seemed stunned as Jewel said, "What? They didn't tell you? They were going to sell my daughter and give me a life-like dead corpse to make me believe my daughter died in childbirth"
"It was to protect both of you!" Coulson argued.
"That wasn't your decision to make!" Jewel screamed out.
The sound of her mother's raised voice made Jasmine jump and let out a cry of her own as the baby started to have a fit. This made Jewel soften as she picked up Jasmine and attempted to calm her down but she knew that Jewel wouldn't get nearly as far as Grant would. He walked around the small island to Jewel and Jasmine's side as he picked her up out of Jewel's arms. Grant rocked her gently and shushed her, kissing her over and over on her curls which started to work wonders on the infant.
"You're right," Coulson sighed, "I should've been more honest with you. Hell, I should've never even thought up that kind of plan. I was just scared of the outcome, I thought you wanted Ward out of your life and having his baby would've complicated things. I'm sorry"
Jewel formed her jaw as her first thought was to not say anything but Grant nudged her, making Jewel do an ugly sigh as she said, "I can't forgive you for what you did"
Coulson reluctantly nodded as Jewel continued, "But I will help you in retrieving Skye to help clear Grant's name"
"Understood" Coulson said, "I hope that after all this is over, we can move on"
"Let's see" Jewel said, "But I hold no promises"
Grant sighed from behind Jewel before he said, "You shouldn't have expected a warm welcome"
Honestly, Coulson was expecting a bullet in his head but from Ward, not from Hansen. He was grateful at the extra bodies they now have for his cause but it was clear that Grant was more of the forgiving type now that a year out of the field and with his daughter somewhat has softened him. But, in turn, it seems to have given Jewel an exchange of power as she seemed more tough and protective of her family. He knew it wasn't going to be easy convincing them but he wasn't expecting Jewel to have more resentment.
"We'll let you guys stay the night" Grant spoke up, "But you will have to sleep outside… in the quinjet"
"Pfft, that's even better" Hunter shrugged, "Their wine cellar is out on the side"
"Be careful" Jewel warned, "Some of the bottles aren't what they seem to be"
Hunter let out a laugh like it was the funniest joke that he ever heard, but when Grant and Jewel's face didn't change, his own face dropped. He glanced over to Mike as if he would know more about the booby traps around this place. Hunter looked around the room as he realized everyone was taking their warning sincerely.
"Seriously?!" Hunter asked.
"I'm sure you can refrain from alcohol for one night" Jewel smiled.
"You're starting to sound like my ex-wife," Hunter pointed at her.
"Hunter"
"What?"
"Not this again," Coulson said.
"What? I can't have an honest conversation to diffuse the tension?" Hunter asked.
"About your ex-wife?" Grant asked.
"She was a real she-devil that one" Hunter sat down, "Always nagging, never happy, you get the idea"
"Good night, everyone," Jewel announced.
It was barely 8 at night and Jasmine was up way past her bedtime. Plus, she was hoping that with her announcement that it meant everyone was going to have to leave her home.
"Right, we should go" Peterson seemed to catch on, "It's been a long day for all of us"
"We'll strategize tomorrow" Coulson agreed, "Hopefully Muna will be here by then"
"She's helping us, not you," Jewel objected.
"Maybe she'll change her mind" Fitz mumbled.
"Highly unlikely" Jewel answered, "If she wanted to be found my SHIELD she would've made it known to you guys"
"She should be here in the morning" Grant informed, "Until then, we'd like to tuck our daughter in for the night. We also have a lot more to discuss afterwards"
The group walked to the kitchen exit but Coulson stopped and turned to the couple, "For what it's worth… welcome back"