The next morning, Jewel was the first to wake up, finding it weird that no one was on watch the first night. The team agreed that since the Inhumans and the new SHIELD didn't seem to care that the small group escaped, it would be nice to lay low for tonight. After suffering the defeat on Coulson's part everyone tried to make things as normal as possible for the man, even watching a movie together. While there were some small talks about the movie, Jewel couldn't help but look over to Coulson who was watching the movie but not really paying attention. For the first time since she's been on this mission, she actually felt sorry for the man.
Jewel sighed as she made her way into the kitchen and started to assemble her ingredients to make her fruit and veggie muffins. She knew Simmons and Fitz missed her cooking and she hoped that by making something for everyone, it will put them all into good spirits. It's not everyday where the leader of a group says that it's time to end things. She saw the panic in their eyes as the others thought of ways to say goodbye.
She didn't know why she blurted out about staying in their home but it felt like it was the right thing to do. She couldn't leave her former group with a wave of loss and defeat like the way they were right now. It even surprised Jewel herself but she had to make sure they were going to be okay.
Something shifted in the corner, making Jewel look up to see Coulson trudging into the room, looking like he barely slept at all the night before. He slowly came to the chair and sat down in front of Jewel's messy display as he watched her prepare their breakfast.
Jewel turned and poured Coulson a glass of water as she started to prepare coffee for them.
"Thanks," Coulson mumbled.
"How are you feeling?" Jewel asked, "Ready to look for another job?"
"I don't think I can" Coulson took a sip, "I'm technically dead, remember?"
Jewel nodded, "Right, forgot about that part"
"Still, maybe I'll just travel and see the world" Coulson mused, "Maybe start with Mexico, Hunter kept talking on and on about going there. Are you and Ward going to leave soon?"
"In a couple of days, after we figure that no one is going to be following us home" Jewel said, "God forbid those two groups decide to join forces"
"Can you imagine?" Coulson huffed, "I'll bet we'd be the first on their list to get rid of"
"Which is exactly why we are making sure there will be no more surprises," Jewel said.
Coulson absentmindedly nodded as he continued to drink his water, Jewel felt like she was looking at him for the first time. She never would've guessed that this man was once the Director of SHIELD. He just looked like a man who lost everything in a divorce, sad and pitiful. It almost made Jewel uncomfortable to look at him as the coffee brewed, more than likely stirring people awake. She tried to fill the void by preparing her food.
"You know, I never understood why Grant decided to suddenly take you up on your proposal when you first came knocking on our door" Jewel began, "I thought it was stupid and reckless for him to expose everything we fought so hard to keep a secret from you guys. But when I saw how he comforted you about your loss for Skye, I realized that it was more on a level that I would never understand. He knew before I ever did that Skye was more than an agent to you; she was like your daughter. He was willing to sacrifice his own safety to help you because he understood that love and need to protect"
"And I will never forget it" Coulson said, "He proved that he can change, you saw that before anyone else did almost a year ago"
"I was gambling on that one" Jewel huffed out with a slight smile on her lips, "But I'm glad I did, Jasmine got a great father that sometimes, I even forget all the bad things he's done. It's hard to put those two pictures together and remember that that was the same Grant Ward"
Coulson looked up to her, "I just have to ask; why are you so okay with Ward killing your SO? You just swept it off of your shoulder like she was nothing"
Jewel paused, "Many people believe that Supervising Officers have meaningful relationships with their protege. That wasn't necessarily the case for me and Hand. I was excited at first, knowing her reputation and glad that she saw potential in me but when I was under her wing, it was almost like I was back in boot camp all over again. Everything I did was wrong and no explanation why, she would have me by her side if it made her look important but nothing more. I was just a pawn to get her to move up in the ladder because I was a protege of African descent. Do you know how many Agents take in someone of a different race than themselves? It's rare and Hand saw that opportunity to better herself in a professional limelight. When I heard Hand was murdered, I felt nothing because I knew I meant nothing to her"
"Well, sure, she was hard on you but-"
"She told me, Coulson" Jewel said, "She told me almost every single day that I was nothing more than an agent lower than her"
Coulson stared at the woman as she moved off to the side and poured him a cup of coffee. He never knew Jewel had such a horrible relationship with her SO, it was never hinted until now. Everyone hated bootcamp and to hear Jewel regard her SO as a bootcamp memory gave him all the answers he needed from her incident. When Jewel turned around, she seemed to have tears in her eyes about the experience.
"I'm sorry" Coulson apologized, "You're an exceptional agent and I don't believe it was because of her molding. You created yourself from a horrible situation and I wish she treated you better"
Jewel nodded, "Thank you, the thing is, Grant never knew of Hand's treatment toward me but when I heard of her death… I almost felt relieved"
"Because of the way she treated you" Coulson said, "I figured as much… I always thought that you would've named your baby girl after Hand but now it makes sense"
Coulson thought about that memory as everyone was in the lounge area, looking through different books on girls' names. Skye made a joke of naming the baby a very maculine boy name and Fitz took it seriously due to his injury. The small group let out a laugh as Fitz wondered what was so funny.
"Here's an idea," Coulson said, "How about Victoria? Like Victoria Hand"
"Oh, that's a lovely name" Simmons smiled, "Victoria Hansen, and it gives back to your SO"
"Yeah, I don't think so," Jewel waved off.
"Why not? It's a very feminine name" Coulson turned to Maye, "Don't you think?"
"I actually do like it" Maye agreed, "It's a tribute to something you lost that's very important to you"
"I want to name my baby something else" Jewel said forcefully, "I never liked Victoria"
At the time, Coulson thought she meant the name, "Okay then, we can keep Victoria off the list"
Muna had stolen a glance to Jewel who shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she asked, "You need to pee again?"
"Oh shut up" Jewel smiled and threw her book at Muna as she left the room, never to return for the rest of the night.
Now it all made sense as to why Jewel never liked that name. Coulson finally took a long sip out of his coffee.
"Good morning, my love" Grant came in, "Coulson, didn't expect you to be up so early"
"Hard habit to break" Coulson shrugged, "Plus I was getting a private cooking lesson from Jewel"
"She has many things up her sleeves" Grant looked around, "What are you making us today? Muffins, I'm assuming"
Jewel only smiled at him as he placed both of his hands on her forearms and kissed her gently on the temple before making himself a cup of coffee.
"I just have something to say to both of you for the record" Coulson announced, "I really appreciate all that you both have done for me when I didn't even deserve it. I placed so much hell on your relationship and there was no way for you guys to trust me ever again. I was worried the first couple of days that you would kill me in my sleep but I never thought to think you both would be my most loyal agents. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart"
Grant nodded, "When it comes to damage, I'm the one who's done the worst. Truth is, I was waiting on an opportunity to get my slate clean for the sake of our daughter. Not that I'm happy that this has all occurred but I'm glad it got us to come together to prove to you that I have changed for the better"
"We're more than happy to help with your cause, Coulson," Jewel said.
Coulson smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, we'll find a way to clear your name… just give me some more time"
"Understood, boss" Grant accepted, "So what's going to happen with the new SHIELD and the Inhumans?"
The feeling in the room changed as they all remembered what was happening while they were leaving. It was utter chaos with people with abilities attacking unarmed agents, they couldn't help any side because they would've been as good as dead. If they helped the new SHIELD the team would've been put back in their cells as the Inhumans were "tagged" or worse. If the team helped the Inhumans, who knows what they would do to the SHIELD members and if they even wanted help from "normal" people. As much as it didn't sit right with everyone in the room, it was better to leave when they had the chance; to fight another day.
"I don't know" Coulson sighed, "Maybe later today we can have Fitz-Simmons investigate with one of their drones"
"Whatever it is" Jewel sighed, "It'll be a total blood bath"
"I wonder if Skye is okay," Grant mused.
"Or Maye" Coulson brought up.
"Mostly Skye" Grant quickly objected, "Maye can take care of herself"