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I own nothing...but you already knew that. Because if I did, FitzSimmons would already be together.
"What?!" Fitz and Simmons said at the same time, clearly shocked and confused.
"The two of you are going undercover...as a married couple." Coulson repeated.
"We heard what you said, but what? Why?" Fitz said.
"We're clearly not undercover agents." Simmons said at the same time.
"We have intel of a scientific gala being held in Greece. Only for Doctors. The reason for you two, is because you'll have to be able to participate in intellectual conversations while there, pertaining to your respective fields. It would be too difficult to have someone else on the team go, with you two feeding them lines. You two will be the only ones inside, as it shouldn't require any muscle, you'll just be collecting information." Coulson said.
Fitz and Simmons faces lit up, the idea of a scientific gala, piquing their interest.
"The reason for your cover identities being married, is because you will seem like less of a threat. These galas always have spies infiltrating for intel, but if you go as a couple, people will pay less attention to you, making it easier for them to trust you and ultimately giving more information." He continued, "Skye will be setting up fake identities in your respective fields."
Simmons was suddenly very interested in this mission. Not only was she going to a scientific gala of the highest regard, she was posing at Fitz's wife, AND it was in Greece. She got goose bumps at the thought of being in Greece, with Fitz.
"Here," Coulson dropped a large stack of papers, "is everything you need to know about Jeff Gloemas, the world renowned scientist. You have three days to learn everything you can about him and learn how to dance."
"Oh I've heard of Jeff Gloe—" said Fitz. "Wait a second, did you say learn how to-"
"Dance?" Simmons finished.
"Oh, did I not mention that?" Coulson started, "Yes, dancing is required, and you must be fairly good. We don't want any awkward waltz's like on that video—"he paused and looked over at FitzSimmons, where they were now beet red and staring at the floor. "Also, Fitz, you need to be sized for a tux, and Simmons for a dress. You have three days, better get to it!" he said with a clap of his hands, making them jump.
Dance. Seriously?
Fitz and Simmons were then rushed around, getting sized for their outfits, while Skye started on their fake identities.
"We should start with the dancing first," Ward said. "That's muscle memory and will take the longest. I bet they can read that biography and memorize it in no time, but this is going to take a while." He said, dragging them off to the cargo bay.
Soft waltz music drifted from the cargo bay, with the sound of Ward's agitated voice, "No, no, no, no! Guys, the Waltz is in the shape of a BOX! Not a triangle! Oh I give up," said Ward, putting his head in his hands.
"Well I'm sorry we're not dancing professionals like yourself Agent Ward!" said Fitz in an angry tone, "Is Waltzing an essential part of being undercover, or are you purposefully trying to embarrass us?"
"You have no idea how important it is to dance properly when in the field Fitz. There have been many times when I have had to dance my way out of a bad situation to avoid conflict. It is essential to undercover work, and you need to learn how!" he said, raising his voice.
"I don't see what we're doing wrong," Simmons said quietly.
"Well first of all, you're standing so far apart, that you can fit another person between you, get closer!" he said, as they slightly shifted closer to one another.
Ward sighed, "like this", he said, pushing their bodies together, putting them in contact with each other.
Fitz always liked the idea of dancing, but he knew he wasn't particularly the greatest at it. And he wanted so badly to dance well and impress Simmons, and even though he was clearly embarrassed at his lack of Waltzing skills, he was glad to be holding her in his arms.
"And Fitz, honestly, you're holding her like she's going to break. You need to have a firmer grip on her back," he said, positioning his hand properly, and putting pressure on her back, causing her to arch her back slightly, bringing them even closer together.
"There. Now that' the proper position," Ward said, looking happy with himself.
Oh my gosh, this is the proper position? Simmons thought. She felt like she would internally combust from being within such close proximity to Fitz for so long. His hands felt as if they were burning a hole through her clothing, his breath, lighting her skin on fire.
He wanted to kiss her so badly. There she was, in his arms, dancing the Waltz with him, trying to ignore Ward's incessant barking about legs and arms and whatnot. This was the most romantic thing they'd ever done. It would be a lot more romantic if Ward weren't around.
Two hours later Ward was somewhat satisfied with their progress. "Good job guys, you have the steps down. But it's missing something."
"What?" they both asked at the same time.
Ward took a moment to think. "Passion. It's missing passion. You two are portraying a newly married couple that are deeply in love, dancing a romantic, passionate dance. You need to look the part." He said, looking at them, "that's something you can work on, during your own time," he finished. "But one last thing for today, then we'll start up again tomorrow. The Dip."
"The wha-?" Fitz said, already knowing the answer, but dreading it. He knew what the dip was. The ultimate moment of the dance where the song was about to conclude and the man dipped the woman in a slow and sensuous manner. He was going to drop her, and he knew it.
Simmons had always wanted to be dipped ever since watching Zorro as a little girl. The dance scene was something she fantasized about so many times. Images of Fitz dipping her clouded her thoughts.
"Guys, I'll show you first, ok? It's a bit tricky and if the weight isn't displaced properly, you're going to drop her." Ward motioned Simmons towards him, and dipped her, giving detailed instructions while doing so. But Fitz wasn't listening. Fitz was brimming with jealousy, jealously that she was being dipped by another man, and that man wasn't him.
"Ok, you try now," Ward said, ripping Fitz from his thoughts, with a smiling Simmons walking towards him.
"Ok now, regular Waltz...turn...good...and now dip," Ward said.
Since Fitz wasn't paying attention when Ward had explained the dip, Simmons went to lean back, and Fitz wasn't ready – and he almost dropped her.
The only way to keep her from falling, was by enveloping her in a sort of bear hug. It worked, but he had spooked her a bit – not exactly the romantic Zorro dip she had been hoping for.
"Sorry Simmons! I just wasn't ready. Can you show me again Ward?" Fitz said, turning a deep shade of red. This time he paid attention.
When Simmons came back to try again, even though it was stiff, Fitz was successful in not dropping her. He was very proud of himself.
"Alright, good job guys. That's all for today, now I think you have some homework on Gloemas to do. When you're not learning about that Jeff guy, practice as much as you can." And he left. They got to work, learning about Gloemas and his theories.
The next day, FitzSimmons continued their dancing lessons with Ward, they were getting better, and not having to look at the floor for every step they took.
"Ok that's good, now the main other thing is, Simmons, you have to let Fitz lead. I know it feels strange, and you want to control where you're going, but he can see where he's going, you can't. You need to trust him. And for the dip, you need to relax. Completely relax into it, otherwise it looks too stiff. Ok?" Ward said.
"Ok, I'll try," she said.
"Try? There is no try. There is do, or do not." Fitz said in a Yoda voice with a snigger, and tightened his arms around her, playfully.
"And...that's my cue to leave...I have no idea what you're talking about," Ward said as he turned around to leave.
"How can you not know Star Wars?" they both yelled after him at the same time, and looked at each other with a smile.
"Alright, shall we give it another go?" Fitz said, taking her hand.
They danced to the soft, soothing sounds of Waltz music, wrapped up in each other, and so clearly in love with one another, but too stubborn to do anything about it. They danced for another hour, perfecting their steps, but still not really "feeling" the dance. They decided to take a break by studying up on the scientist Jeff Gloemas.
"Did you know he has probable research to confirm he's solved String Theory?" Fitz said, his eyes scanning the paper.
"Really? That's fascinating! I'm sure you're going to have an interesting conversation with him." She said. Truth is, she didn't want him to talk to Gloemas all night, she wanted to be with him. She knew they had a job to do, but she wanted to spend quality time with Fitz outside of work. In a romantic setting – yes, science is romantic, with a boy whom she now realized she fully loved, in a romantic city.
"I'd rather spend the night talking with you, actually." Fitz said, lifting his eyes towards hers. Simmons looked up from the paper, her eyes meeting his, heart pounding so loudly in her chest, she was sure he could hear it.
Neither of them said anything for a while, until Fitz broke the silence, "You know...I was thinking..." he broke off.
"What?" Simmons asked, getting concerned. He looked slightly uncomfortable.
"We're going undercover as husband and wife. We may have to kiss...to ensure our cover is solid." He said slowly. He meant it truthfully. They were to portray a newly married couple, if they weren't affectionate in their cover, they wouldn't be believable. He would love to be affectionate around her, and shower her with kisses, but he didn't think Simmons would particularly enjoy that. "We may have to practice so it doesn't look awkward..." he finished.
Simmons heart leapt inside her chest. This would finally be their chance.
"I'm ok with that," Simmons said cooly, "for the sake of the mission, our lips will lock once more!" and she elbowed him, giving him a flirty smile. At least, what she thought was a flirty smile. In all honesty, she didn't really have any experience flirting.
Fitz was shocked to say the least. Was Simmons...flirting with him? No. She wouldn't do that, she's just trying to relieve some of the awkwardness. He thought.
"Come on, let's try one more dance before bed –it's midnight, I'm sure most of the ship is asleep by now." Fitz said, taking her hand.
As they walked out of the lab doors, he flicked on some Waltz music, pulled Simmons firmly by the hand, causing her to spin towards him, in which she landed against his chest with a small thud and looked up at him. Both their hearts hammering in their chest.
"Let's do this right. Do you trust me?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes.
With all my heart, she thought.
"Yes." She simply said.
"Let's try...passion. I'm not really sure what Ward meant by that, but lets try it. Let's just—" he didn't know how to continue.
"Feel the moment" she finished for him, and he nodded.
They started dancing, slightly stiff and mechanical at the beginning, but Simmons relaxed into his arms, which allowed him to pull her closer, making the electricity between them almost unbearable.
Simmons looked into his eyes, then settled on his lips, where hers had been only a week ago, and her breathing became heavier. Little did she know, Fitz was going through the same problem. He was having an internal conflict in his brain.
Grab her and kiss her. You're so close, just do it.
No, don't do that. That's a bad idea.
Kiss her, you know you want to.
No, you can't.
Now they understood what Ward meant by passion. They didn't take their eyes off each other, slowly becoming more and more wrapped up in each other's eyes, the world dissolving around them, while moving around the floor. Ward meant sexual tension. And there was plenty of it.
Simmons felt it in the air, but she wasn't sure if he could feel it too. It was intoxicating. His smell, his hands...
Fitz felt himself losing control. This woman in front of him was driving him crazy.
It's time to end the dance, before I do something foolish, he thought.
"Time for the dip," he said, giving her warning, and then slowly lowering her in his arms. The dip was perfect. Simmons completely relaxed, making it so that the only thing keeping her from falling was the boy's arms around her. He brought her back up, slowly, sensuously, and when her head came back up, she was only inches from his face.
They stared at each other, hungrily, each wanting to kiss one another.
They're not sure who moved first, their lips met in a frenzy, Simmons throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her, Fitz's hands all over her back, tightening her to him. All their bottled tension coming through the passionate kiss, their mouths discovering each others, but it didn't last nearly long enough.
They pulled apart ever so slowly in a daze, and wide eyed in wonder at what they had been missing for so many years.
How have we never done that before? They both thought.
When reality hit them, they both racked their brains for a good excuse as to what just happened, Fitz was first to think of something.
"That was good practice—for the marriage cover, wouldn't you say?" he said awkwardly, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Yes, it was," said Simmons, still slightly out of breath from the intense kiss. "We should get to bed though, long day tomorrow."
They packed up the lab in silence, and shut off the lights, making their way to their cabins, reaching Simmons first.
"Goodnight Simmons—Jemma," Fitz said, looking deeply into her eyes, burning with desire.
"Night Leo."
He came towards her and gave her a small peck on the cheek, letting his lips linger for an extra second, Simmons eyes fluttering closed upon contact.
"I look forward to our mission tomorrow..." he said, with double meaning behind it, and started to walk away.
"Me too," Simmons said.
Me too.
Please let me know what you think! Reviews are hot chocolate on a cold day. Beautiful.
I've had a request from a fellow reviewer, I'll try to put that in later chapters! Thanks for the idea!
Next chapter coming soon.