A/N: I don't know exactly what was told to the team about Dr. Hall after the events of this episode. I suppose since Coulson doesn't know he was sucked into the gravitonium, they either believe he's moved on with his life, or he was killed in the destruction caused by the element. For the purposes of this story, Fitzsimmons believe him to be dead. Please comment if I'm forgetting something from the episode if he's referenced in a future episode as being alive.

"Simmons?" Fitz said softly, his focus not wavering from the glass clutched in his hand.

"Yeah?" Simmons echoed, just as quietly. She reached for the glass and took another sip, wincing only slightly as the liquid burned her throat. She had years of practice drinking Fitz' lab-brewed alcohol, but she still occasionally found it a bit too strong.

She never said anything though, as Fitz' Scottish roots had him drinking the stuff like water. And she would never want to offend him - he was rightfully quite proud of his concoction, all smooth and silky - but the alcohol content was off the charts. Simmons returned the glass to his hands.

"What would you do if you had gravitonium?"

"What?" Simmons asked, surprised. Her voice returned to its normal volume in shock. She had expected him to be grieving Dr. Hall, as she was. It was so unusual for her mind not to be on the same track as his, she had to take a moment to gather her thoughts.

"I mean," Fitz glanced up guiltily, instantly understanding her surprise. "I'm sad about Dr. Hall, obviously," he said, nodding toward their shared drink, "But I can't turn off the scientist part of my brain. I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities of his discovery..." He trailed off, seeing her surprised expression softening. "I feel sort of bad about it, actually," he admitted, ducking his eyes back away from her.

"Oh, Fitz, don't feel bad," Simmons said, reaching out and resting her hand on his forearm. "Dr. Hall would be thrilled at your interest! And with your inquisitive nature, I don't think it's even possible to 'turn off the scientist part of your brain,' as you said. That would be your whole brain!" She smiled kindly at his huff of displeasure. "Okay, fine," she admitted, lightly squeezing his arm, "You have space in your brain from extreme kindness and humor and loyalty... But the rest is all science."

Fitz rolled his eyes but Simmons could see the smile he tried to hide every time she complimented him.

"Now, what were you saying?" She encouraged, trying to get them back on track. She removed her hand and reached for the glass again, determined to finish her half.

"I was saying, what would you do if you had gravitonium?" Fitz repeated, taking the glass back from her and taking a much deeper gulp than she had managed.

"Well, I," Simmons started, then halted. "Fitz, that's much too dangerous to even consider!" She exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at her partner. "You saw what happened out there!" She placed her hand back on her arm, squeezing it again, much less gentle this time. "Please tell me you're not planning to try to recreate it!" She pleaded.

Fitz shook off her arm and snorted. " 'Course not, Simmons," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm not stupid, you know."

"I know, but -"

"But I was just asking for scientific purposes."

"I know, but -"

"But nothing. It's not freshman year anymore, you don't have to treat me like I need protection."

"Oh, Fitz, I know! But-"

"You know, one of these days, I'm going to protect you and then what will you do, huh?"

Simmons crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips, saying nothing. She allowed Fitz to ramble on for a few more moments before he finally ran out of steam and fell silent.

"Are you quite done, then?" She asked, eyebrow cocked.

Fitz nodded and flushed, busying himself by taking another sip of their drink.

"I was merely saying, Doctor Fitz," Simmons began softly, quickly correcting herself to sound more professional than condescending, "that I know you. I know you very, very well. Which, by the way," she said eying him carefully as he finally looked back up at her, "is how I know you are perfectly capable of protecting me, if the situation every called for it. I don't know where you got it in your head that I doubted that," she said, quickly holding up her palm and signaling for him to remain quiet as she continued.

"And since I know you very well, I am very aware of your desire to explore and discover. It is a trait we share, as you know. So I was merely saying, before you got excited about the possibilities inherently available within the discovery of gravitonium, that I would urge you to be very, very careful."

"Simmons, I know-"

"Not because it's proper lab procedure," Simmons caught him off. "But because I don't want to see me best friend get hurt. Can you do that for me?" She asked, eyes starting to well up.

Fitz stilled at the sudden seriousness of the conversation, realizing suddenly that Dr. Hall's death had a bigger impact on Simmons than she had allowed anyone to see.

He smiled lightly and reached forward, grasping her hand in his. " 'Course, Jemma," he said. "And I'm sorry I snapped at you."

She sniffed and blinked the few tears away before they could fall. "It's fine," she said, squeezing his hand.

The pair remained holding hands for a moment, smiling at one another before Simmons finally broke the silence. "I'd steal a monkey."

"What?!" Fitz exclaimed, completely confused.

"Before, when you asked me what I'd do with gravitonium. I'd steal a monkey out of the zoo for you. We saw it lift a tractor trailer, I'm sure a monkey would be child's play!" Jemma said, like it was the most obvious thing int he world.

Fitz looked at her in utter astonishment before breaking into a huge smile and raising the glass in a toast. "To Dr. Hall. May his advancements in science always be remembered as the way Leo Fitz finally got a monkey."