Fitzsimmons and May stared, gobsmacked, at their new director. They had just received their orders for the next two weeks, and none were particularly happy about them.
Fitz got his wits back together again first. 'But sir-'
'No objections, Agent Fitz.' Mace cut him off with a wave of his hand. 'Remember - a team that trusts is a team that triumphs. Or in this case, a team that learns from each other is a team that triumphs. Understood.'
'Yes, sir,' they chimed.
'Good,' Mace said, walking back to his seat at the Coulson's - no, the director's - desk. 'Dismissed.'
They traipsed silently out of the office and waited until they were on another floor before they spoke. Well, Fitzsimmons started speaking at exactly the same time. May watched them in exasperation.
'Honestly, this is ridiculous-'
'Ike. Interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. He couldn't have thought of a better name.'
'-bloody bureacracy.'
'How does he expect us to manage-'
'Three years of SHIELD academy, not to mention prior knowledge-'
May waited patiently until they were in the lab before cutting them off by walking between them. They fell silent immediately.
'I'm right here, you know,' she pointed out. 'And I'm not exactly thrilled that you're supposed to teach my how all the gadgets in our field kits work. But you have to admit - a little extra field training for you two lab rats wouldn't go amiss.'
Fitzsimmons did acknowledge that she was right. They'd gotten infinitely more competent in high-pressure, high-stakes situations, but they still had a long way to go. A week's worth of training with May was invaluable to them. Even if it did come at the cost of a week's science education for May herself.
'Right then,' said May in her quiet yet authoritative manner. 'We'll do field skills this week. Lab stuff next week. Okay?'
Fitz nodded.
'Thank you, May,' Jemma said.
Seeing solemn assent on both faces, May turned on her heel and left the lab. She made sure her back was facing them before breaking out into a smile. This was going to be fun.