Chapter 3

To say that his field of work leaves much do be desired was an understatement. He felt comfortable among gadgets and general engineering but working among other people still put him on edge.

He liked to think that he did a decent job analyzing the crime scene, but there was always that voice inside his head asking was it good enough, making his fingers just a little shaky, his palms sweaty…making him slip when he couldn't afford to.

Kind of like now, he was wiping the sweat of his brow, placing the duffel bag on the table trying not to think what a screw up their first case ever was. They've handled the situation poorly but they were new to it all, training wheels were still on.

The amazing thing was that he and Jemma were on the same wave length. He knew she was good but to really understand things as a scientist to that level impressed him to no end. She was really something else, but he couldn't let things like a perfect person distract him from what he and Ward have come here to do.

He heard the door open and saw her enter followed by an independent hacker, member of the Rising Tide, who helped them today. That hacker happened to be a she. Skye.

"Hello."

His social skills left much to be desired but somehow, he always felt at ease when Jemma was near and now was no different.

"Hey." Skye greeted, as awkwardly as he did.

"So, you two are like the mad scientists with the knowledge that could destroy the world? Kinda cool."

He smiled in return, already liking her cheerful person. She was a newbie in the real sense when it came to Shield and so was he. In that, he felt a sort of kinship towards her.

"Just don't let the bad guys know. We are the real threat to national security."

She laughed at his poor attempt at comedy and he appreciated her effort. In the meantime, Jemma had moved to stand beside him and was already sorting out the information they had gathered today on the computer. He looked at Skye who was pretty much looking lost in the small lab, and after a moment he nudged Jemma with his foot under the table as she looked up at him in question.

When he had her attention, he nudged his head in Skye's direction while mouthing to Jemma 'Do something'. She shook her head a bit in indecision and whispered 'What?' He shrugged his shoulders before turning towards Skye who was looking at them amused by their covert display.

"You guys know I'm here, right?"

They shared an embarrassed laugh before he motioned at his gear.

"Want to see something cool?"

She just nodded her head and smiled at his attempt to engage her with them.

"Sure, why not."

He pulled out his little tracking drones and activated them, motioning at his laptop for her to come and look at the screen.

"Okay, so as demonstrated before, I can fly them remotely or let them do the job themselves all the while scanning and gathering data around them, but they can do much more than that. You can guide them in a hotspot area and let them do the hacking for you. I can easily take the complete control of camera feeds in a matter of seconds and from then you can easily do some serious damage."

Skye looked fascinated and impressed, nodding along. He figured she didn't understand how they all worked mechanically but the computer side kept her attention.

"That is brilliant." he heard Jemma say and felt his breath catch. Her praise meant a lot to him, because she understood the effort behind it. She nudged him with her shoulder and smiled as he smiled in return, lost to the high she made him feel, Skye already forgotten.

"Should I give you guys a moment?"

They snapped from their little moment and jumped away from each other.

"What, no... no."

He sook his head to deny everything that happened and he felt Jemma do pretty much the same.

"No need for anything here. Nothing is happening."

Skye was clearly not convinced, so he walked around her and moved out of the lab, but not before looking back at the two confused girls. He glanced at Jemma and saw his own discomfort reflect in her eyes but he just had to get out of here.

"I just need to check on Ward's gear, he didn't give it for inspection."

With that he walked out and went to the upper deck to meet Ward, who was quietly discussing something with agent May. Melinda May, if anyone was a certified badass on this plane it had to be her. The Calvary, as Ward called her sometimes.

Recognizing a distressed look on Fitz's face, Ward excused himself and walked up meet him. He set on one of the chairs nearby and waited for Fitz to join.

"What is it? You look like you've just been interrogated by an entire KGB squad."

Fitz only looked at him before letting out a slow breath. He kept screwing up and getting distracted and that would simply not do.

"Sorry, just having a tough time fitting in. Also, I came here to inspect your gear if anyone asks."

An obvious lie, but it was all he could come up with. He couldn't tell Ward how close he was to believing this was all real, and that it could last. That he fit in here better than he ever did with those scientists at Hydra compound.

"Another elaborate lie on your side I'm sure. Fitz, keep your head cool. I know it is hard but you have to do it. With time, it will get easier."

He nodded his head, more out of habit then actual understanding. He was close to losing his grip on it all and they've just started this. Before he could respond, he saw Coulson move towards them and swiftly address Ward.

"Ward, you are going to teach Skye how to defend herself properly. Can't have our consultant dying on our next outing. Are we clear? Lose the sour face."

At that exact moment Skye came in and he observed Wards' reaction to it all, in part annoyance, anger and dissipation but also curiosity.

It looked as if he wasn't the only one affected here.