This one was longer than expected, folks, so there will in fact be one more "epilogue" chapter. I felt I should do a better job than TV shows usually do explaining the logistics of keeping an organization secret. Enjoy!
Leo continued to open his eyes sporadically, but it was three more days before he was able to stay conscious for more than five minutes. Sharon and Jemma were both with him for most of that time, in much better spirits now that they had reason to hope.
Finally, on the eleventh day since his drowning, Leo Fitz was alert for a full 10 minutes. He even managed to speak. "J-Jemma," he croaked. "Mom? W-where . . . are . . . we?" And thus, the slow, painful process of his rehabilitation began.
Two weeks after her arrival at the Playground, Sharon was finally satisfied that her son was out of danger—at least, out of mortal danger. The aphasia, the tremors, the confusion, and the unsteady gait all spoke to the difficulties ahead. Still, she thought, At least he's alive. He has a chance. It's up to him to make something of it.
As she watched him struggle through his first physical therapy sessions, his mother turned her attention to how to get him the best care. Back home with her the treatments would be free, but as a fugitive wanted by both the authorities and Hydra, she knew that wasn't an option. This is why they call what happened to S.H.I.E.L.D. a "fall." He—they—we can never go back, any more than a man can fly back onto a cliff.
He could start over somewhere no one knew him, with a new name and a faked backstory. But that would mean starting over with no support at all. Out of the question.
By the time Sharon's work leave began to run low and she announced her attention to return home, there was no doubt in her mind: her son had to remain with S.H.I.E.L.D., for better or worse. So, that's what she told Director Coulson when they met in his office to discuss the cover story she should use when she returned to her (allegedly) normal life.
"Thank you for understanding," he replied, "I hoped we wouldn't have an argument about this. For now, Fitz needs S.H.I.E.L.D. and we need him." He took a deep breath before continuing: "Unfortunately, the situation is rather dangerous, and I'm afraid we're going to have to ask you to do more than just leave without him."
That sounds ominous. "I don't mind leaving him in your capable hands," she said slowly, "But I'm not going to cut all ties, no matter who thinks my son is a terrorist. I'm going to want to see him again, talk to him, be a part of his life."
Director Coulson gave her a knowing smile. "Did you really think we'd ask you to do that? Of course you're going to have to maintain contact with your son. I have Agent Skye arranging a secure line so you can talk anytime you want. She'll explain the technical details once we're done here.
"But this situation has led to my sharing information with you that could be dangerous in the wrong hands. You know what country S.H.I.E.L.D. is based in. You know how large the base is and, broadly speaking, what our capabilities are. And a clever man could still connect you to S.H.I.E.L.D. Skye erased all online records of Leo Fitz, but she can't erase the physical birth certificates and school records back in Scotland, or other people's memories, for that matter. We've been informed that the people pursuing us were able to salvage some personnel lists from what Black Widow posted online last month, so I have to assume that when you reappear in Scotland after 'visiting your sick son,' the authorities are going to have some questions for you."
Sharon breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that's easily handled. I'll just tell them the truth."
"And what's that?"
"An agent met me at the airport. He blindfolded me and then we drove. I'm not sure how long we were in the car because I fell asleep. I think we may have headed north because I felt the sun warming my right side. But I can't tell you what turns we may have made. When we got out of the car, I was led indoors still blindfolded. For security reasons I was never allowed outside, and we kept the blinds down in all the windows. From the size and style of the rooms it seems like some old office complex. S.H.I.E.L.D. medics were tending to my son in a makeshift hospital room. As soon as he was out of danger, I was blindfolded, sedated, and dropped off at the airport in time for my return flight."
Director Coulson looked surprised. Didn't expect it of me, did you? Sharon thought with a certain sense of pride. Yes, I can sell a lie when I have to. I've done it before.
The director cleared his throat. "You're a cool liar, Sharon. I'll have to ask you to review that story with my security experts, of course. We may need to provide a way to verify one or two details, maybe add some flourishes for authenticity. But the basics should work very well."
Sharon nodded her understanding. The director added, "But there is one aspect of the story we're going to have to change. Your son isn't out of danger. He died."
Sharon stared at Coulson in shock. "What? Why?"
Coulson sighed. "It's the only way to guarantee that Hydra and the authorities will stop chasing him. We can't convince the world he never existed. But we can convince them he's gone forever."
Sharon felt her eyes fill up with tears. "There will be questions. We have friends, neighbors, distant relations who were all very proud of my wunderkind. What am I supposed to tell them?"
Coulson's features were completely controlled, and she realized he'd braced himself for an unpleasant conversation. "You're going to tell them that he died after a bad car accident. We'll provide you with a death certificate and ashes in an urn. Scatter them, or put them on a mantelpiece, whichever is better for you. Hold a memorial service. If anyone presses you for details on Leo's last days, tell them it's painful to talk about. Mourn as publicly as you think you would if he were truly dead. This has to seem real, to everyone. Hydra has eyes in many places."
Sharon choked back a sob, picturing her friends' faces when she told them. "But what will happen once Hydra is destroyed? Leo has a right to live his life, even if he doesn't stay with S.H.I.E.L.D. forever. What cover story will we come up with when we bring him back to life?"
"I'm flattered by your confidence that we'll beat Hydra eventually," Coulson said wryly, "But it could take years. We're going to have to cross that bridge when we come to it, assuming we even make it that far."
In other words, he can't come home again. "This is too big a lie to sell!" Sharon protested. "I know you've trusted me with cover stories, but I'm hardly a brilliant actress. I can't fake mourning my son's death."
"Can't you?" Coulson asked. "Your son has been seriously damaged. He may never be the same again. You're not going to be able to be with him for his recovery. You're not going to see him in person for at least a few years. Don't you feel sad? Can't you channel that grief for the life that's gone forever, and make it seem like you're grieving a death?"
Dammit, he's right. "I don't want to," she said feebly.
"But will you do it, to save your son's life?" Coulson was trying not to be harsh, but failing miserably. "Because those are the stakes."
"Yes," she whispered, "Yes, I'll do it to protect him. But I won't ever like it."
Coulson sighed. "I don't like it either, Sharon. But we've all been forced into the shadows. We're all going to have to do a lot of things we don't like."
Sharon put on her bravest face and said, "Well, that's the human condition, isn't it?"
The director grimaced. "Some days I'm afraid that it is."
"Is that all?" she asked, barely even trying to hide the sarcasm.
If Coulson heard it, he chose to ignore it. "There's just one more thing, Sharon. Hydra may try to use you for information. If you see anyone following you, or notice strangers hanging around, use that secure line we talked about to call us for help. And I need you to take this and keep it in your pocket at all times," he said, holding out an American coin. "Press the hidden switch here, and it becomes a radio tuned to S.H.I.E.L.D. emergency frequencies. Just in case you can't get to that line for any reason."
Just in case I'm kidnapped and tortured for information on the whereabouts of my undead son.
My life is so bloody odd these days.