A/N: Okay, guys, thanks for being so patient with me. I told myself that since I was spending the entire weekend at home (being sick) I was going to update all of my AoS fics, and it took me until Sunday night, but I *did it*!

Thank you to all the readers, reviewers, and those who add me/this story to their alerts/favorites. I love receiving reviews and messages and I'm doing my best to reply to them more often.

Enjoy!

Bobbi and Skye went out to the family lounge and Bobbi dealt out a game of rummy. How's it been with Jemma? she asked when the cards were on the table.

Skye's eyes lit up. She's perfect, Bobbi. She's amazing. She's funny, and smart, and patient…

She tilted her head, trying to think of other ways to describe Jemma.

The next thing she knew she was on the floor, her head ringing.

"'Obbi?" she got out, using the voice she hated.

It's okay, Bobbi signed. She was kneeling in front of Skye.

"Jemma," Skye choked out. Her throat felt funny.

You had a seizure. You hit your head on the table, Bobbi signed. She was signing slowly, carefully.

Skye's heart was beating fast and she felt like she was going to throw up. "'Obbi. Jemma."

Someone will get her, Bobbi signed. Don't try to get up.

"'Obbi." Skye couldn't figure out why she was using her voice instead of her hands.

You hit your head and your throat, Bobbi signed. I think you might have pinched a nerve in your neck. Stay on the floor until we can get you checked out.

"Jemma."

Bobbi looked up at the people gathered around. "Can someone go to 802 and wake up the girl in there? Immediately. And please call Beth, the nurse."

A respiratory tech who'd been on his way by said he'd get Beth from the nurses' station, and a kindly-looking elderly woman said she would go and wake Jemma.

"'Obbi."

I'm right here, Bobbi signed. Keep your eyes on me, okay?

"'Obbi. Sc… scared."

I'm sorry you're scared. We'll get them to check you out and you'll be just fine, okay?

Skye could feel vibrations from quickly-moving feet and she tried to turn her head to see if Jemma was coming for her. But it was Beth the nurse, followed by two other nurses and a doctor. She saw Bobbi's mouth start moving, explaining what had happened, and one of the nurses bent down next to her. The nurse's hand snaked out, obviously to take her pulse, and Skye saw it touch her wrist, but she couldn't feel it.

Her head swam and she wanted to throw up. Her breathing picked up and she started crying. If she didn't have the use of her hands, if she couldn't sign…

The nurse barked something at her – she could tell by the way it vibrated against her skin – and it only served to scare Skye further. She sobbed on the floor, wishing they'd at least let her get up, or move her out of the way of all the staring eyes of everyone else's visitors, still gathered in the family lounge.

Then there were more footsteps, and Jemma knelt down next to her. Almost immediately Skye shoved herself up from the floor and wrapped her arms around Jemma, squeezing her tight and sobbing into her shoulder.

Jemma returned the hug, stroking Skye's back, trying to avoid the heavy braid of wires trailing from the girl's head. "What happened?" the Brit asked Bobbi.

"She had a seizure and hit her head," Bobbi said. "I told her to stay on the floor, but…"

"Might as well tell a bird not to…"

"Not to fly back to her Jemma," Bobbi finished. "She seems to be all right, other than panicked."

Skye waited until she felt the vibrations of Jemma talking to Bobbi stop, and then she pulled back a bit. Her hands still felt funny, but she forced herself to sign. I want a promise.

You want a lot of things, Jemma replied, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

I want to go back to the room, close the door, TV on, and just have a cuddle party.

I think I can make that happen, Jemma said. One question.

What?

What will we be watching on the TV?

Whatever you want, Jemma.

It obviously wasn't what Jemma had expected, and she smiled. Okay.

Bobbi helped Skye to her feet and Jemma held her hand all the way back to the room. Jemma slipped her shoes off and one of the nurses rearranged the wires to take some of the pressure off Skye's head. Beth came in and touched Bobbi's shoulder, asking her a question. Bobbi nodded and then stepped into Skye's line of view.

The detoxification medicine is finally here from the pharmacy. They're going to run it into your IV.

Skye nodded.

Also I'm pretty sure I don't know the sign for "detoxification," so ignore if I messed it up.

You did fine, Skye reassured her. Sure, let them know it's okay.

Within twenty minutes the room was full of just her and Jemma, medicine running into the IV port in the crook of her elbow, "Iron Chef America" on the TV, and two smoothies on the table, thanks to Bobbi. Bobbi was still hanging out, sitting in the family lounge, and she'd given strict instructions to both girls to call her if they needed anything.

We'll be okay, Skye had told her.

Now she had her hand firmly clenched in Jemma's, and Jemma kept awkwardly fluttering her free hand up toward Skye's head. The fourth or fifth time it happened, Skye turned to her. What are you doing?

I'm trying to stroke your hair, but it's all covered up with this stuff, Jemma replied, looking frustrated.

You're cute, Skye signed. I could stroke your hand.

With what hand? Jemma asked. You need one to sign and the other one's got an IV in it.

Skye shrugged and brought her free hand up to stroke Jemma's hair. With her IV arm, she signed, Not perfect but okay.

Look at you, working it out, Jemma signed.

Skye laughed.

What? Jemma asked with her puppy dog eyes.

I think you meant "figuring it out," Skye signed. I'm not "working out."

She kissed Jemma's cheek.

They watched TV for a while, Skye leaning into Jemma. Then something occurred to her and she sat up.

What is it? Are you okay? Jemma asked.

Skye nodded, and brought both of her hands around in front of her. I have a question for you.

You are very needy today, Jemma signed, but she was smiling.

I'm in a hospital. Everyone here is needy, Skye replied.

Fine, fine, ask your question.

What are you?

Jemma frowned. A girl? she hazarded.

Skye smiled. Of course you're a girl. And smart, and beautiful, and funny.

Okay, sure, Jemma agreed.

I mean, what are you to me? Girlfriend?

Jemma went still as she considered the answer. Finally she signed, Is that what you want me to be?

Skye hesitated briefly, and then nodded.

A slow smile crossed Jemma's face. Funny.

What?

Well, you, Jemma signed. And also, I was thinking the same thing earlier.

So we're agreed?

Girlfriend. Jemma nodded.

Girlfriend.

Now I have a question, Jemma said.

You are very needy today, Skye signed, and Jemma rolled her eyes. Fine, fine, I guess I owe you one. What?

Jemma looked a little embarrassed, and then she hesitantly signed, Will you say my name?

Skye nodded. She swallowed and then said, "Jemma."

Jemma grinned.

"Jemma."

I like when you say my name, Jemma signed.

I want to give you something, Skye said.

Is it another four hours of 'Iron Chef America'?

Yes. But also, a name.

Jemma looked confused. I have a name.

A sign name, Skye clarified.

Jemma's eyes lit up. She had read several sections in textbooks throughout her study with Professor May about sign names. They were extremely personal and had to be bestowed on hearing people by Deaf people. It was common for the process to take time and represent closeness and inclusion in the Deaf community. Though she knew how close she was with Skye, Jemma hadn't ever considered that she'd get a sign name.

Skye brought her hand up and signed a J over her heart. Jemma, she spelled, and then moved her hand back to her heart, repeating her first movement. Same thing, she concluded.

Jemma beamed and repeated her name sign. Thank you, she signed, and kissed Skye on the cheek.

As night fell Mr. Coulson reappeared, which Skye had been expecting. The medical personnel were almost ready to take the stupid wires off her head and let her go home, and she figured an interpreter would be the quickest way to get out of the hospital. He brought Professor May with him, which she was not expecting.

Hi, Skye said to the professor. Were you two together?

Us? No, Professor May signed, far too quickly.

Skye furrowed her brow.

Don't believe her, Mr. Coulson signed. We were at a meeting together. Not a romantic liaison.

Good, Skye signed. Because what would Audrey think?

I'm hoping Audrey's thinking only of Beethoven, Mr. Coulson replied. He's one of the many men I share my cellist with.

Skye laughed.

Where's these doctors, so we can get this show on the road? Mr. Coulson asked.

Still determining whether or not they'll let me go, Skye replied, and she rolled her eyes. They said they'd be here in a few minutes.

Mr. Coulson looked up at Jemma, who was standing behind the chair Skye was sitting in, doing something incomprehensible with her fingers and a comb. "Good evening," he said. "And you are…"

"Trying to remove these electrodes and the remains of this glue from Skye's head," Jemma replied. "The nurses gave me the go-ahead. Do you know what this solvent is made of?"

"Some sort of cement?" Mr. Coulson offered.

"Ow!" Skye protested, and she reached up to slap Jemma's hand away. She turned and signed, They said I'd have to take a shower to get all the glue out. Just leave it.

Jemma took advantage of Skye facing her and grabbed one of the last electrodes.

"OW!" Skye repeated.

Mr. Coulson tapped his ear. Too loud, he signed.

The door banged open and a doctor charged in. "Something wrong in here?"

"Not exactly," Mr. Coulson said, "but if it get us faster service then… yes?"

The doctor had the grace to smile, and he began to explain the results of the EEGs.

As it turned out, the seizures appeared to have been completely caused by the incorrect medication. During the sedated EEG, there were no seizures seen in the brain waves below consciousness, and the only seizures that occurred were not caused by any abnormal patterns of brain waves, which would have indicated a permanent change in the brain. The awake/stress EEG had showed the same thing – the one seizure appeared to have been an outlier, with no minor seizures showing up subconsciously.

So I'm clear? Skye asked, just to make sure.

"Clear, and extremely lucky," the doctor replied.

Skye grinned.

"We'll take the IV out and you can be on your merry way," the doctor said. "I'll have Beth give you a solvent to help remove the glue from your hair."

After that it was just a few quick moments of gathering things up, getting discharge papers, and receiving the special solvent from Beth. Beth hugged Skye and waited until Mr. Coulson could interpret: You are a sweet girl. Best of luck. I know you'll do great – you've got such wonderful people around you.

"We'll take you back to your dorm," Professor May said to Jemma as Skye was getting dressed in the bathroom.

"I thought Skye's sister was coming up," Jemma said.

"I spoke with her this morning and she agreed that if there were no residual effects or negative long-term prognosis, she didn't need to come up," Professor May answered. "Since it looks like this was just a serious mistake, and Skye won't have any further side effects, I told Summer she could stay home. She'll see Skye soon enough for Thanksgiving break."

Skye reappeared from the bathroom looking extremely happy, in regular clothes and shoes, putting her hearing aids back in. She had tied her hair up in a knot on the top of her head, trying to hide most of the remaining glue from the electrodes. Let's go home, she signed. I want this stuff out of my hair.

The girls were driven back to Castell Hall in Professor May's meticulously maintained Volvo, and Mr. Coulson leapt out to help them with their luggage. "Girls certainly don't travel light," he grunted and signed as Skye handed him her backpack.

And men do? I've seen that show about men's camping. That guy takes a whole entourage.

I don't know what show you're talking about, but I think they refer to that as 'glamping,' Mr. Coulson signed, spelling the last word.

Skye laughed.

At her door Mr. Coulson looked at her seriously. I'm glad you're all right. Life on campus would be pretty boring without you. And now that we've got this stupid seizure stuff out of the way, we'll concentrate full force on this Grant Ward asshole.

Okay, Skye agreed. Thank you for supporting me through all this.

You're an important person to a lot of people, Mr. Coulson signed.

Impulsively Skye leaned forward and hugged him. He returned the hug, giving her a kiss on her cheek. See you Monday, he signed when she pulled back.

See you Monday, M.C.

When the two girls were alone in Skye's room, Jemma became extremely business-oriented. Find some pajamas and then I'll help you get the glue out of your hair.

And then? Skye asked, because she was almost positive Jemma wasn't paying much attention.

And then we'll… Jemma looked up at her.

Skye grinned.

And then we'll probably watch some horrible cooking show.

Skye stuck her tongue out and laughed.

Jemma clapped her hands. Come on, come on – that stuff's going to stick in your hair forever.

Skye sighed, but there was no arguing with Jemma. She fished her hearing aids out and found some pajamas, then took them in the bathroom. She had her socks off and the water running before she realized Jemma had followed her in.

I think I remember how to shower, Skye informed her.

That's really good, Jemma replied, but someone has to help you rub this stuff into your hair.

What? Skye rolled her eyes.

You can't see all the glue spots, Jemma pointed out.

You are such a hussy, Skye signed, giggling. She had to spell the last word for Jemma.

I am not! Jemma protested.

And you're cute when you're fake mad.

Fine. Leave the glue in your hair and you'll look like a troll doll forever.

If you want to see me naked, all you have to do is ask, Skye replied.

You're impossible. I don't want to see you naked.

Are you sure? Skye wiggled her eyebrows. Also, you just said you don't want to see me hockey.

Jemma froze. Damn it! I keep messing those two up!

Skye laughed. Just for that, I'll let you help me. But you have to promise not to look.

You're impossible, Jemma repeated.

It felt amazing to let the hot water pulse over her body, and Skye loved the feeling of scrubbing the hospital off. She meticulously cleaned the spots where her IV and the heart monitor stickers had been, getting rid of all of the gray gritty adhesive leftovers. She washed her hair with her favorite raspberry shampoo, knowing that she'd have to do it again after getting the glue out, but she couldn't take the feeling of her disgusting, greasy hair any longer.

She stuck one hand out of the shower. Okay, I'm ready, she signed.

Jemma approached with the solvent, and began carefully applying it to each of the globs of glue on Skye's head, working it through with her fingers and a comb. She used her fingers on Skye's bare shoulders to instruct the deaf girl to turn, her only focus finding and eliminating all of the gritty clots of adhesive.

It was warm in the shower and Skye liked the feeling of the water sluicing down her back and standing so close to Jemma, looking up at her girlfriend – her girlfriend! – as Jemma fastidiously applied the solvent to all of the electrode glue. Skye loved the feeling of Jemma's breath on her face, loved being able to watch Jemma without Jemma watching her, loved all of it. It was a complete excess of sensory indulgence, and it was perfect.

Suddenly Jemma looked down at her and Skye jumped. She must have moved backwards a few inches, because Jemma's hand on her head wavered, and then panic crossed Jemma's face as she realized she was falling into the shower.

Skye tried to catch her, which went about as well as a child trying to catch a greased pig at a fair, and they both ended up on their backsides in the shower. Skye was hideously embarrassed, and she tried to cover her face, though she had no idea why – she was the naked one. Jemma was fully clothed.

A shaky hand reached for hers, and Skye looked up. Jemma was laughing hysterically.

It's okay, it's okay, Jemma signed, still laughing. Only my pride is hurt.

The water was still pouring down on them, and Skye reached up to turn it off.

Don't you dare! Jemma signed. You have to get that stuff out of your hair. Your beautiful, beautiful hair.

What about your beautiful, beautiful sweater? Skye asked mischievously.

Not as pretty as you, Jemma replied, and she leaned towards Skye.

Skye grinned, and leaned in, and in the shower, in the most unlikely place for it and certainly a place Skye had never anticipated, she kissed Jemma Simmons for the very first time on the lips.