Chapter 2 – It's all in the handshake
Coulson watched Sloan as he followed him back through the trees to the aircraft. Skye was talking animatedly to him, although the conversation was decidedly one sided. Sloan, it seemed, was a man of few words, but he was engaging and answered all of Skye's questions with gentle good humour. Skye kept tucking her hair behind her ear, something Coulson hadn't seen her do since she was subject to one of Ward's charm offences.
May dropped back to walk beside him, indicating for him to drop back a short distance with a gentle touch on his arm.
"Thoughts?" she asked him,
"Come on May, I've just met the man"
"So? You're a good judge of character"
Coulson's tone darkened,
"I thought I was"
"You are" May said, her own tone indicating that that was the end of the argument, "What's your initial impression?"
Coulson thought back to the handshake. Sloan's grip had been firm but not hard, he hadn't squeezed or tried to twist his wrist. He had kept eye contact and stood still, allowing Coulson to choose the distance between them so that he didn't loom over the shorter man. He had been respectful, polite and professional with each member of the team but had adjusted his greeting to suit each individual. May, not one for handshakes had received a small bow, Trip, a quick clasp of hands and a professional nod of acknowledgement and Skye; a charming grin and wink of an emerald eye.
"He's text book so far. Respectful, professional, seems friendly enough. The fact that he evaded detection by four pairs of eyes and a thermal scanner indicated his level of field skill. Skye's obviously taken with him and she hasn't got the best track record for trusting people"
May nodded,
"That could be the chiselled good looks, the husky Scottish burr and the rather fine figure influencing her first impression rather than his capacity as an Agent"
Coulson looked at her with raised eyebrows. May shrugged,
"I may be a product of S.H.I.E.L.D Director but I'm still a woman"
"No? Really? Ow!" Coulson winced and sidestepped as May thumped him on the arm,
"I appreciate a good looking man as does Skye...obviously…but I agree with your assessment so far. I'll get him in the gym tomorrow, see how he moves. Fitz and Simmons can do their psych-analysis after we take-off"
Coulson nodded and the pair walked in silence for a moment, then Coulson spoke,
"What is it with the accent anyway? Fitz is Scottish"
"Yes" said May as they watched Conall hold out a hand to help Skye up a slippery embankment,
"But Fitz isn't that"
They arrived back at the aircraft to find Fitz and Simmons waiting for them in the cargo bay. Simmons was smiling as they made their way up the ramp but Fitz looked wary.
"Agent Sloan, this is Agents Jemma Simmons and Leo Fitz,, our science and tech team" said Coulson as he began removing his flak vest. Sloan had never made comment about the team wearing them nor coming armed to meet him. Simmons stepped forward, proffering her hand,
"A pleasure to meet you Agent Sloan, I look forward to working with you"
Sloan smiled and took her hand, turning it as if he would bring it to his lips to kiss her knuckles,
"Likewise Agent Simmons but please, call me Conall"
Simmons retrieved her hand and blushed deeply. Coulson looked at May who shrugged, a small, knowing smile gracing her lips and Skye giggled at her friend's discomfort.
Conall turned to Fitz. The scientist shuffled uncomfortably, keeping his eyes down and arms folded protectively across his chest.
Coulson watched as Sloan's body language changed. He took a step back, dropping his shoulders, his smile changing from charming to gentle. He kept his hands still, down by his sides, his whole posture relaxed and unthreatening;
"Is e urram a th 'ann coinneachadh riut Agent Fitz"
Fitz's head snapped up. He stared at Conall with an expression of incredulity on his face, then he seemed to realise his rudeness and offered his hand. Conall took a small step forward but instead of taking Fitz's hand he grasped his wrist, the position forcing Fitz to copy the gesture;
"Na bi eagal orm. Is urrainn dhomh earbsa a bhith agam agus cha chuir mi air ais e. Tha mi a 'gealltainn" said Conall. To the watching party Fitz visibly relaxed, the ghost of a smile appearing on his face,
"Yes…erm, thank you"
Conall nodded and released his grip. Coulson cleared his throat,
"Agent Sloan, Agent Triplett here will show you to your quarters. Get yourself freshened up, FitzSimmons will conduct a psyche analysis once we're in the air as per protocol and then I'd like to see you in my office"
"Yes Sir"
Once the two Specialists had left Coulson turned to Fitz,
"What was that?" he said, gesturing in the direction that Sloan had gone,
"Scotts Gaelic Sir. It's practically a dead language, not many people speak it anymore"
"What did he say to you?"
Fitz unconsciously picked at the cuffs of his jumper,
"That I could trust him"
Coulson pushed his hands into his pockets,
"Let's hope we all can"
"Come in…ah Sloan, take a seat"
"Please Director, I would prefer it if you called me Conall" the Scotsman said, folding his tall frame into a chair,
"Noted. I see you passed the psyche assessment with flying colours" Coulson closed the report on his computer and fixed Conall with hard, blank gaze;
"I'm sure that you are aware of recent events within my team and why the assessment was necessary"
If Conall was taken aback by the sudden change of tone he didn't show it.
"Yes Sir"
"I'm an easy man to work for Conall but I do expect you to work, this won't be an easy ride. I require complete dedication and loyalty from my team. I expect and appreciate honesty and my orders are to be followed to the letter. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir"
"We have a good team here, despite recent events. We operate as a cohesive unit, we watch out for each other. We fight together, laugh together and cry together."
Coulson paused, waiting to see what Conall would say or do, but he just sat there, hands in his lap, returning Coulson's blue gaze with a steady green one of his own.
"I look forward to seeing what you can bring to this team Conall but know this" Coulson leaned forward,
"If you cause any disruption, if you hurt my team or betray my trust I will drop you back in the back of beyond quicker than you can sneeze. If you are a threat I will deal with you personally, do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal Sir"
"You promised Fitz that he could trust you…he'll hold you to that…as will I"
"I don't break promises Sir"
"I'll hold you to that aswell" said Coulson, standing and allowing his face to relax, his eyes softening as he smiled;
"Welcome to the team"