Here it is, the penultimate chapter! This has taken longer than expected, but I can promise that it is definitely going to be completed. I got in a car accident this week, which is going to extend my surgical recovery time, so the bright side is that I may well be spending more time typing up the fics that pop into my head. Thanks to everyone who has favorited/followed this story and myself as an author. Enjoy!
Buoyed by hope, Sharon practically floated to the kitchens that afternoon. Her mind was racing ahead of itself as she fixed a cup of tea and heated up some leftovers for her lunch. He recognized us, that's a good sign for cognitive abilities. Still a lot to learn. Physical therapy's a given, might need speech and occupational as well. I probably can't stay for most of it, I'll have to get back to work once he's out of danger.
Then, the penny dropped: when will I even get to see him from now on?Taking her plate out of the microwave, she reminded herself: worry about one thing at a time. We don't have the energy for more.
Footsteps in the corridor broke her reverie. "Sharon!" Trip's smile came into view. "I just heard the good news! I'm so happy for you."
She hugged him. "There's nothing certain yet. But it's good news, all the same."
"I know no one can wait to have him back in the lab. We've recruited a new engineer, but there's no one quite like Fitz. I just hope his mind recovers well enough to help us out." Suddenly Trip looked uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?"
Trip clearly wanted the earth to swallow him whole. "I…that came out wrong. Obviously Fitz's recovery is more important than how much use he is to S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I'm not offended," Sharon said reassuringly. "I know that if he's well enough, he'll want to keep working for S.H.I.E.L.D. He's always been very proud of his work."
Trip smiled but still seemed to think he'd put his foot in it.
Time to change the subject. Again. This is a big day for changing topics mid-conversation. "By the way, Jemma and I had a little chat before Leo opened his eyes. Of course I can't indulge in too much gossip, but there are two facts I think you'd be interested in knowing."
"All right," Trip said, "I'm listening."
Sharon leaned back in her chair and slipped into her best marginally-older-and-wiser-woman tone. "Fact one: my son has had a crush on Jemma for a very long time. Maybe as long as they've known each other, and that's nearly half their lives. But they've never been an 'item.'"
She watched Trip's face carefully as he absorbed the news, but still couldn't tell if he was excited or frustrated by that information.
"Fact two: you should not take that as a reason not to pursue her." Now he just looks confused. Confused about the rules of relationships, at his age? "Because it's up to her to decide how she feels about Leo, and how she feels about you. She's not spoken for, at present," Sharon clarified.
"Oh," was all Trip managed in response, at first. For a long moment, he just sat there looking thoughtful. "Well . . . thanks for the advice, Sharon," he finally added.
"Oh, anytime. I'm the mother of a grown son and a counselor. Advice is my specialty." They shared a smile, and the conversation turned to other matters.