FITZ
Miss Simmons,
The computer and hard-drive you left with the IT department are currently undergoing diagnostics. We regret to inform you that the process is taking longer than first anticipated, but you should have the device back no later than December 23rd. We make no guarantees that the device will be returned in the same state it was received, but please be assured that we are doing everything we possibly can to ensure prompt and effective service. We apologize for any inconveniences.
Sincerely, L. Fitz
The email on his screen was burning odd colours into his vision from staring at it for so long. Eventually, he blinked and instinctively rubbed the kaleidoscope of letters from his eyes. He glanced up at the clock. It was 4:45 and he still hadn't sent it. He knew he should. It was his job. He'd spent all day running diagnostics and trying desperately to get the information on the hard-drive back for Jemma, but it was no use.
She needed to know, yet he couldn't bring himself to hit send. The email was too cold and professional. He knew this information would devastate her. Ready by the 23rd according to their system, but her presentation was the 18th. Still, it was his job. And she needed to know.
Fitz leaned forward in his chair and buried his face in his hands, clawing his fingers up through his hair and rubbing his palms into his eyes. A gentle cough erupted near the doorway, making him jump.
"Sorry," she said, chuckling at how on edge he was. "Just me, checking on my laptop. Haven't heard anything yet and I was just getting ready to head out for the day," she peered around the corner with a polite smile. Fitz gave a numb nod. "So. What's the verdict?" She was clearly trying to remain positive. His face fell, and he had to look away. "Ah. That bad?" She looked down with disappointment, reading him like an open book. It nearly tore his heart out. He'd let her down. She lifted her chin quickly again though, and spoke with firm optimism. "Just tell me then. What's wrong with it? How long will it take?"
"It's not so much what's wrong with it as…" he sighed. "That is, it's… all gone." His eyes flitted up to hers and away again. "The entire hard-drive crashed and I've been doing everything I can to get it back."
"I see," she said nodding automatically. "All of the data is gone then?"
"Yeah," he said, wincing.
"All right. So I'll just have to… piece it back together then. Or something," she shrugged pragmatically. "It's not like it's a lot of information. Just the presentation," she looked off distantly, "the entire presentation..." a hint of panic flashed across her face.
"I'm going to keep working at it though," Fitz assured her, standing. "With any luck I'll be able to get some of it back."
"Right," she said again, tilting her head. "What's the likelihood of that, practically speaking? Just give it to me so I know what I'm dealing with. Realistically."
"Realistically?" He sighed. She looked at him firmly, ready for whatever he threw at her. "Realistically… It's about a 20% chance that you'll get the presentation back."
"I see," she said again, nodding.
"But I'm really good at this sort of thing. I'm sure to grab some things from it."
She nodded down at her hands, then looked back up at him. "20%?"
"You must have back-ups of it too though, yeah?" He said, trying to turn this whole thing more positive.
She was silent. "Perhaps. I'll have a look around home this weekend. It's bound to be somewhere," she looked off distantly again. "Worse comes to worst, I can put it all back together from the notes I kept. At least the data will be the same," the corners of her mouth twitched up in a poor imitation of a smile.
He felt awful. "Did you want any help?" He tried. "Like I said, I really am good at this sort of thing and can make piecing it back together go a lot faster."
"No." She immediately shook her head. Then, remembering herself, she looked over at him and smiled politely. "I mean, that's very kind of you, but I tend to work better alone. It will go much faster if I don't have distractions. Thank you anyways for your service."
"'Course," he said miserably.
"Well. I'm off," she said. "Happy weekend."
"Yeah, you too," Fitz winced as she turned and walked quickly away.
For the first time in his five years of working at the company, Fitz stayed late that night. On a Friday. He was neck-deep in code by the time the night watch came in and told him he should go home and get some sleep. He packed his stuff up with him and left. He worked from home over the weekend, but made little progress. He felt rotten.
On Monday morning, he sat on the train numbly, not even bothering to get out his book. He wouldn't have noticed the doors open if it hadn't been for the bubbly woman that jumped on at the next stop and waved incessantly at him. His head jerked up, and there she was. He didn't even have the chance to let the floor swallow him whole before Skye grinned and walked over. Jemma followed reluctantly, avoiding eye contact.
"So you're the reason I had the worst weekend ever," Skye plopped herself into the empty seat next to him.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Fitz looked down sheepishly.
"Seriously, the entire place is a wreck now because of the hunt for phantom notes and thumb drives," she sighed. "I wanted you two to meet, but this was not the way I wanted it to happen."
Fitz shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm probably the last guy you want to see on the train this morning," he said, glancing up at Jemma.
"Mmhmm…" she said absently. She sounded like she was going to say something else, but instead trailed off and looked away.
Skye waited a beat, then sighed. "Well, you're absolutely the last guy she wants to see now, but that's not necessarily your fault," Skye leaned forward and whispered loudly. "Jemma's got her eye out for a secret train suitor," she giggled and sat back. "With this mess-up you caused, I've given up trying to hook you up with her!"
"You what?" Fitz coughed.
"Skye!" Jemma blurted out, head whipping round to face her friend. There was a definite blush creeping up her neck. Fitz felt his heart soar and sink at the exact same moment.
"What? We're all adults here," Skye waved off. "Oh, he's not here is he?" she looked around her. "Whatever. If he is, this is me giving a public service announcement that he has to make the first move, okay?" She said loudly. "I'm tired of waiting to go on double dates because this one doesn't know how flirting works!"
"Skye, please stop," Jemma said, looking mortified.
"You were trying to – me and her?" Fitz asked, mouth hanging open.
"Well yeah," Skye said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You're both the biggest nerds I know, so I figured you'd hit it off. Obviously not happening now, so. Sorry for stepping on toes!" She crossed her arms and looked out the window.
There was a loud silence as Fitz tried desperately to think of something to say to that, and Jemma hid her face in her hands, hoping they would magically transport her far away. The silence stretched on.
"So, uh…" Fitz started, hoping that at least opening his mouth would give him inspiration for a subject change. "How is, er, how's your presentation coming along then?" He wilted internally. That was the topic he chose? The one reason this beautiful creature had to hate him, and he brings it up first thing. He winced.
"Could be worse I suppose," Jemma said politely. "Obviously the events of Friday were a large setback, but I've still got the data and the outline. Should be ready to go for Friday."
"Good, good." Fitz bobbed his head encouragingly. "What's the presentation on, if I don't mind my asking?"
"Efficiency, mostly." Jemma said. "I'm explaining how all the systems work together and making suggestions on how to keep the company on the cutting edge of the security game."
"Well that's at least interesting," Fitz brightened, leaning forward. "Everybody wants mobile access to every quantifiable thing, but are afraid to give it to others. If we really wanted to go top of the line we'd have to embed biological scanners into the more affordable consumer products."
"Biological scanners?" Jemma said, mouth dropping open slightly.
"Not just video and motion sensors," he pressed on. "We could make fingerprinting and facial recognition available in homes, make it so your security system recognizes Aunt Mildred if she happens to collect your mail while you're on vacation. If she has a crowbar with her, maybe it doesn't let her in. That sort of thing."
Jemma blinked and cocked her head to the side. "Well yes, I go into biological scanning a little bit… But don't you think that's going a bit far with it?"
"Everybody's going to think something or other is too far," Fitz waved off. "It doesn't mean it shouldn't be available. We're talking future here, top of the line. Progress."
"And don't you think we have a responsibility to make sure that what we offer is actually-"
"In the best interests of our customers?" Fitz shrugged. "That's not up for us to decide though, is it? We're just the ones making it."
"Or at least thinking it up. Skye, what do you think?"
Their friend looked at them, bewildered. "Don't look at me, I'm in HR. I lost you the moment you said quantifiable."
Jemma rolled her eyes and turned to face Fitz as though she was trying to figure something out. "You talk like you know more about this than an incompetent IT technician should. Don't tell me you actually make these things on the side too?"
"If only," Fitz shrugged. "I did get a degree in it all once upon a time. Engineering. But it's not exactly a booming field at the moment so…"
"Perhaps that's best for us all," Jemma winked. "I'd be terrified to see what you would mess up on home security if you can't handle a buggy laptop."
Fitz opened his mouth to protest.
"Okay you two, we're here," Skye said, standing. "Save the bloodbath for later, will you?"
Fitz sighed as they all got off the train. They walked the rest of the way to the office in a heavy awkward silence, none of them sure how to continue the conversation.
JEMMA
Jemma found herself at the help desk. She wasn't entirely sure why, but there she was: standing in the doorway to the IT department. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then knocked against the wall.
"Hello?" a smooth male voice echoed from around the corner.
"Yes, hi, just… checking something," Jemma started. The man that edged around the corner was good-looking and had a very nice smile. Jemma grinned politely. "Actually, I just wanted to see if-"
"Oh right," the man lifted a finger for her to pause her rambling. "Fitz! It's for you," the dark man's eyes twinkled as he called over his shoulder. He leaned down on the counter and gave her a measured look. "So you must be Jemma Simmons," he said finally. "The new girl we've all been hearing about."
"Yes, I suppose so," she said uncomfortably. "And you must be…?"
"Trip. Call me Trip," he reached out a hand for her to shake. "I work in IT with Fitz," he said. There was a scampering of feet around the corner, and Fitz' face appeared around the wall.
"Jemma!" Fitz said, surprised. "Just the person I wanted to see, actually," he muttered.
"Oh?" Jemma brought her hands together. Trip shook his head and slinked back around the corner, leaving the two of them alone.
"Yeah. I've got a backup computer for you," he said, lifting a black bag from beneath the counter. "Not as nice as the one you left here, but at least then you're not working with paper and pen on your presentation."
"That-that is ideal, actually. Thank you," she looked from the bag to him, and smiled.
"Welcome," he said. "So what was it you-"
"Right. No, sorry," she shook her head. "Just wanted to see if there was any progress on my laptop, really."
"Ah," his face fell. "Not much, unfortunately. Sorry. It really will be a lot longer." Fitz frowned. "Difficult to re-image a computer after the Blue Screen of Death fries everything."
"I assumed so," she nodded and pressed her lips together in a firm line. "Just miss it is all, I suppose," she shrugged.
"I really am sorry," his brows knitted together. He looked really quite pained. "Wish there was something more I could've done to prevent it."
She shook her head. "No use dwelling on it now, is there?" She offered him a warmer smile. "What's done is done. It probably would have happened if I'd kept the computer with me anyways as I'd originally intended."
"I guess we'll never know," he said. "Sorry either way. Hope the new laptop helps."
She nodded and reached for the new bag. Strictly speaking she should walk back to her desk now. They'd dealt with what they needed to deal with, and there was no need for the conversation to continue. Save for handing her old laptop back, their business was done. Still, she lingered.
Jemma took a breath, then looked right at him. "Did you want to meet me for lunch?" He froze. "That is, I want to run a few more things by you about the topic of progress in security," she explained. "What we were discussing on the train really got me thinking, and maybe I could use a different perspective as I go over the presentation again, is all." She could hear herself start to babble, and he still looked like a deer in the headlights. "No obligations or anything," she said quickly, giving him an out. "Just colleagues talking shop, nothing else."
"Of course," he said, bringing his hands together and fidgeting with his fist.
"It just might be nice to chat about it with someone that can… you know, keep up… You really don't have to-"
"Yeah," he said, nodding.
"I'm sorry?"
"Lunch would be nice," his mouth curved into a smile. "I should warn you that I won't hold anything back, though. A debate's a debate whether or not sandwiches are involved."
"Naturally," she grinned back. "A debate it is. Shall we say 1:00?"
"Great,"
"Great." She nodded, then turned and walked back down the hall with a smile on her face.
"But I do know exactly what you meant," she said later, unwrapping her sandwich. "Earlier that is, about your job. Here I am working in administration on a temporary basis, meanwhile my background is in Biology and Chemistry!" She tipped her fries out onto her plate and motioned for him to help himself. "So much of me wishes I could go back in time and tell my younger self to go into business or finances. There's just no jobs in the things you dream about when you're young."
"Don't say that," Fitz grimaced. "You'll make me start feeling old and hopeless. Life's not so bad in administration, is it?" He picked up some fries from her plate and shoved them into his mouth between bites of his own sandwich.
"Not all bad," she chewed on her bottom lip to keep from grinning. "Now let's get down to business," she leaned forward and lifted an eyebrow. "Tell me. What are your thoughts on automation?"
The two of them continued to meet over the next few days. All coincidentally at first, of course. They happened to see each other at the coffee cart at work, or on the train. But their conversations always felt cut off. So they began to go out of their way to continue their discussions at lunchtime, then they exchanged emails about different aspects she should focus her presentation on. It was surprising how easy it was to talk with him. She hadn't had this level of intelligent conversation since, well, ever. They matched each other beat for beat, building off of the other's ideas and challenging any preconceived notions they might have held. To say it was refreshing for her was perhaps the greatest understatement that could be made. And they had barely known each other for a week.
The Thursday before her presentation, Jemma stood in a shop over lunch hour waiting for Skye, smiling at her phone. She had just received Fitz' latest email detailing the many ridiculous uses of thermal scanners.
While useful for places such as refrigerator companies, a thermal scanner at a mall would be about as effective as a mouse in a cheese factory.
Jemma laughed aloud.
"There you are," Skye grumbled, clutching desperately at the items in her overflowing arms. "Something funny?"
"Sorry, I've just got this email from-"
"Fitz. Of course. Say no more," Skye sighed. "Can you at least give me a hand with these things?"
"Absolutely. Here, use this basket," Jemma offered the object she'd been sent in search of a few minutes prior.
"A basket! Genius!" Skye glared dryly. "Where were you with that ten minutes ago?"
Jemma winced. "Sorry, I guess I was a little distracted and lost track of time," she said, slipping her phone away into her pocket.
"You've been distracted a lot this past week," Skye said, scrutinizing her friend's expression.
"It's this presentation!" Jemma shook her head, helping Skye transfer her items to the basket. "It's coming up much faster than expected, and needing to throw it all back together at the last minute has really thrown me for a loop," she explained. "You know what it means to me if this all goes well."
"Yeah, yeah. Promotion, Visa, long live America, we all know the drill," Skye muttered, tossing her candles and dreidels into the basket as Jemma held it out. She looked up and narrowed her eyes at her friend. "It has absolutely nothing to do with the co-conspirator on the presentation at all, of course."
"I'm not sure what you-"
"Please, Fitz may as well do the presentation for you with all the times you two've gone over it together," Skye laughed as Jemma's mouth fell open with indignation. "All I'm saying is, you weren't nearly as interested in presenting to the board before he got involved."
"Well that was before I knew how much was riding on it," Jemma said, finding it difficult to keep the offense out of her voice.
"Stop, okay? I see the way you two look at each other. You, like, light up!" Skye nudged her arm supportively as apprehension flooded her friend's expression. "And it's nice, Jemma. I haven't seen you look at anything that way other than your old university textbooks."
"He really is very smart," Jemma conceded. "It's nice to have a friend that can keep up with me intellectually-" Skye gave her a pointed look. "Not that you can't, of course, it's just, you know, different," she tried to back-track. "You know that I think you're highly intelligent, Skye..."
"Mmhmm. Regular Einstein, that's what they call me." Skye rolled her eyes. "You don't think there's anything more to it than that with him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, more… You know…"
"Please, Skye! I hardly think he thinks of me that way. We're work colleagues. Not everything has to be about sex and romance."
"Who said anything about sex?" Skye howled. The other people in the lineup turned and stared at the two of them, and Jemma turned away, covering her face apologetically. "Alright, geeze, forget I mentioned it," Skye said. They waited in silence as the line moved along the checkout counter. "Can I just say one thing, and then I'll drop it?" Jemma glared patiently at her friend. "It just looks like it's a little more than friendly office talk," Skye held her hands out. "That's all. Subject dropped."
They walked out of the store and round the corner. Jemma wasn't quite ready to talk to her friend yet, but they both still had some shopping to get done before heading back to the office. Suddenly a man rounded the corner into them and her bags fell to the sidewalk in a mess of baubles and glitter. It was Fitz.
"Oh god, I'm sorry. I thought I might run into you here, but this is not what I'd planned."
"It's fine," they all bent down and picked up the things that had tumbled onto the sidewalk. When he wasn't looking, Skye mouthed over to Jemma, You keep tabs on eachother? Jemma shot her friend a look that warned her to leave it alone. Skye rolled her eyes.
"So I have a surprise for you," Fitz said, dropping the last red-envelope of coins into the bag.
"Oh?" Jemma looked up politely, focusing on him and not her roommate.
"Your laptop is ready," he beamed. "I managed to fix it."
"Well, that's great news!"
"Yeah," he nodded, hands resting on his hips. "So, uh, I was wondering…" he stood awkwardly, "I know your presentation is coming up tomorrow, and maybe you, uh," he lifted an arm and scratched the back of his head. "Maybe you wanted help transferring everything back to your old laptop? You should really do it all from the computer you know instead of the crumby one I loaned you."
"Oh. Well, I-" Jemma blinked, still refusing to look at the grin that creeping up Skye's face.
"It wouldn't take long," he added quickly. "I'd do it all myself, make sure it's all copied over so it won't take any extra time. You can use me to practice too if you want," he looked down. "Just an idea."
"She would love that," Skye said cheerfully. "In fact, why don't you come over tonight and set it all up? I'll be gone most of the night to work on this giant festive party thing anyways. Simmons could use the company."
"Yeah?" Fitz' eyes lit up, turning to Jemma hopefully.
Jemma glared at Skye, who shot her an innocent grin back. She then turned back to Fitz, quickly molding her expression into a warm smile. "Yeah, come on over. That would be lovely."
"Alright," he nodded and settled his hands back on his hips. He abruptly started walking away, then stopped and turned back. "Oh, should I bring anything?"
"Just the laptop," Jemma offered. "That would be helpful."
"Right, of course, definitely the laptop." They nodded at each other, then he turned and began walking down the street again.
"She'll see you at six," Skye shot over her shoulder. "Come hungry!"
"Skye!" Jemma shoved her friend and walked forward with her hand covering her face.
"What?" Skye scampered after her.
"Six it is, then!" Jemma heard Fitz call back. She turned and saw him wave from down the street before pedestrians and shoppers stepped through the path and blocked her view.
FITZ
Fitz held his breath outside the door of the brownstone and rubbed his hands together. It was snowing. He was here. There was no turning back now. The seconds ticked away like hours, but eventually he heard footsteps and saw movement from behind the tinted glass window on the door. It swung open, and there she was. Her hair was loose and her shirt was un-tucked from her tight jeans. It wasn't how he was used to seeing her, so relaxed and comfortable, but he liked it.
"I brought some refreshments," he said, lifting the pack of beer up from the cold ground. "I hope that's okay."
She beamed and held the door open for him. "It'll be needed. So long as it's anything but Scotch," she laughed.
"The drink of my people?" He walked past her and gasped in offense.
"It tastes like nail polish remover and bad decisions," she wrinkled her nose. "I've had one too many experiences with it for my liking."
"An intriguing way to begin any tale," he observed suggestively.
She winked as he slipped his shoes off. "Maybe I'll tell it later…"
He stood back up, not sure how to respond. He nodded and then handed her the case. "Just beer though," he managed. "So you'll be fine."
She grabbed the beer and moved further back into the apartment. "I hope you don't mind. I already ordered us some Chinese," she said over her shoulder
"Right. Perfect." He stood in the foyer beneath an old staircase and marveled at the beautiful space. How had she managed to find somewhere like this?
"I also took the liberty of digging out some old Christmas films for when we need a break," she said, coming back with a big grease-stained paper bag. She motioned to a table in the living room. "I've got all the classics."
He stepped into the other room and picked up the old DVD cases while she unpacked the food. "Scrooge, Grinch, Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman…" he said, sifting through the pile. "No Doctor Who Christmas Specials?"
She laughed. "I haven't been able to find those particular classics over here yet."
"Well we'll have to take care of that," he scoffed. "Give me ten minutes and I'll locate them online for you, easy…"
She nodded to the briefcase in his hand. "Is that it?"
"What? Oh, the laptop. Yeah, here it is," he said, placing it on the table between the takeout containers and DVDs. "Good as new, as promised."
"Before the deadline, even," she grinned, stepping closer. "I must say I'm impressed."
He shrugged. "Would have been better last week, but at least you get to use it like you planned. I managed to give it a few upgrades, so you won't have any more problems with speed," he pointed to the laptop, resting his other hand on his waist. "I also gave the battery a bit of a boost while I was under the hood, so..."
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
"Nah, it's my job," he shrugged again.
"No really, thank you for all of this," she said, holding his eyes with hers. "Your help with the presentation has been beyond obliging, and I can't begin to repay you enough for it." She glanced down and pulled a pack of cue cards out from her back pocket, fumbling with them. "It's far better than the rubbish I was going in with before you got involved, anyways." She sat down on the couch, and he immediately followed. "I'll be a shoe-in for this promotion, so with any luck they'll let me stay," she smiled hopefully.
"They'd be fools not to," he pointed out. "That'd be payment enough."
They sat, blushing next to each other for a few moments. Then he reached over and grabbed a box of noodles from the table. "Alright then, Simmons. Let's get started," he opened the box and motioned for her to stand. "Show me what you've got for this presentation."
"Right now? Just like that?" She laughed.
"What are we waiting for? C'mon. Time is of the essence. Wow me."
"Okay…" She got up from the couch and shuffled her cue cards. She walked over to stand at the front of the room and rolled her eyes as he beamed back with a mouthful of noodles. She cleared her throat and adjusted her posture. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the board…"
"I can't say it straight when you keep making me laugh!" She chided him later that night, trying not to giggle.
Empty Chinese food boxes and bottles of beer were strewn about the living room. They'd gone over the presentation more times than either of them could count, and he was now attempting to improve her stage presence by getting her to do different impressions.
"No no, see, if you want to impress May now, you've got to do it with a completely stone-cold face. Like this," he stood up next to her and smoothed the lines out of his face. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the board," he spoke in a strict monotone. "I'd like to introduce you to the most exciting and revolutionary technologies in home security systems today." He nodded over to Jemma with a straight face, and she had to bite her lip to keep from bursting into laughter again. "You see," he continued, "they'll know it's exciting by the words I use. No need for intonation or expression."
"You're awful!" She erupted into a fit of giggles and swatted him on the arm.
He fell back down to the couch and rubbed his arm in mock offense. "Hey! No need to get physical, I'm only helping."
She rolled her eyes joyfully and flopped down next to him. "Sure you are. These are such wonderful tips. I'll be sure to use as little intonation as possible tomorrow."
"Only when talking to May though," Fitz held up a finger. "When you address Coulson, be sure to make it seem like this is the last presentation anyone one Earth will be hearing, it's that important."
"They'll think I have multiple personalities or something," Jemma giggled, taking a sip of her beer. She then leaned towards him and raised an eyebrow. "So tell me, what if you were my audience? What then?" She placed a hand on his knee, and to his surprise left it there.
"Me? Well…" he peered down at her hand quickly, then back up to her smiling face. "Well, all you'd need to do with me is smile and I'd be hooked."
She considered him for a moment. "No, that's far too easy," she said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear to hide her smile.
"It's true," he grinned. "I'm far too easy to impress. It's why they lumped me in to the IT department for the rest of my days. I'd say yes to absolutely anyone with a decent idea and a good personality."
"A good personality is it?" She shook her head with a grin, and turned. She adjusted herself so that her back was leaning against his side and her feet dangled off the arm of the sofa. Her head fell back against his shoulder, and he carefully adjusted his arm so that it was along the back of the couch. She sighed and curled into the cozy position, lifting her beer bottle to her lips.
"Can I ask you a question?" Fitz said after a few minutes.
"Absolutely," she took a sip. "Fire away."
"What did you see your life like when you graduated? You said you were in Bio-Chem?"
She sighed. "Oh I don't know. I had a million questions back then. I wanted to see the world, help people. I guess that's what brought me to America. All those bright-eyed things young people hope to achieve before life gets in the way."
"Cheers to that," Fitz clinked his bottle to hers. She looked at him sideways. "So what happened?"
"Well," she sighed. "It took me a while to find a job at first. But that's no surprise, it took everyone a while then. Except Skye. She was one of the lucky ones. But me, I joined the masses of the unemployed and over-educated, and took any job that would have me, really."
"What made you stay?"
She considered silently for a moment, then said, "my parents."
"Not welcoming?"
"No, it's not that," she said, swinging her legs back to the front of the couch. "They'd take me back in a heartbeat, it's just… Well. They always had very high expectations of me." She looked at Fitz. "They're both doctors, and pushed me to excel. I enjoyed it, really. At the time. I always got the top grades in class. Finished my degrees at a young age. Everyone expected me to save the world, and I guess I kind of thought I should too." She took another sip of beer and shrugged. "Maybe it's my pride more than anything, but how can I go back to them with my tail between my legs when they had such high hopes for me?"
Fitz nodded slowly, looking down at his hands. "I know what you mean there."
"Your parents high achievers as well?"
"Well, not particularly," he shook his head. "It's always been me and my mum for as long as I could remember. She's the hardest worker I know, and very supportive. She never expected much of me other than that I would do my best," he sighed. "It wasn't until one of my teachers came up to her and told her exactly what my best was that she realized I needed a better education," he paused and took a sip. "She was proud, sure, but I know affording the new school nearly broke her." Fitz sighed heavily and brought his shoulders up next to his ears. "Then Gran died, and she left us some money. More than we expected, actually. And being the grateful son I am, I decided to bugger off to America to find my fortune," he said, dropping his shoulders again. "Same as you, though, I don't have the heart to tell her the bargain didn't pay off. No jobs and no money to be had. The tragedy is that of course I love it here now. It feels like home. She made some good investments though, so she helps out by sending her 'care packets' for me to make rent." Jemma nodded, understanding, but Fitz stood and began to pace. "Of course now she's got it into her head that she's coddling me, though. She's said the care packets are going to stop in the New Year so that I'm forced to live up to my potential."
"Oh, Fitz." Jemma said. "Can't you talk with her?"
He chuckled. "Wouldn't that be the thing?" He sat back down on the couch next to her. "Do you ever wish you could just skip forward a bit? Like this isn't the life you're supposed to be living, that you're meant to do so much more? I'd give anything to happen upon a time machine or something and just… see what I'm doing a few Christmases from now. See if I get it right eventually…" Fitz gazed distantly ahead in silence.
After a few minutes, Jemma leaned into him. "Well. For what it's worth," she sighed, "I know you're destined for far greater things than just the IT department."
"Thanks," the corner of his eyes crinkled. "You too, Jemma. I'm sure Shield won't be complete idiots and will keep you on. It'd be nice having you around the office," he smiled, lingering on her eyes probably longer than he should.
"Yeah?" She blushed, and he couldn't help but admire how beautiful it made her.
"Yeah," he looked down. "I know I'm not the only one that'd miss you if you were sent back."
He lifted his eyes, and she was staring back at him. They stayed like that for a few moments, and Fitz felt his heart start beating faster in his chest. His mind began to race. As in other moments of stress, he began to calculate. He calculated the distance between them. He calculated the exact velocity needed for him to casually lean forward and close that distance. He calculated the time it would take for him to reach for her face without ruining the moment. He calculated the pressure he would need to softly place his lips against hers. But in the time it took him to do all of the calculations, she looked away and stood, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.
"Do you by any chance want a hot chocolate?" She asked. "I'm beginning to feel a bit chilled."
"Sure," he said, releasing a heavy breath. "Absolutely, hot chocolate sounds nice."
"And why don't you start one of those Doctor Who Christmas Specials while I get it ready? I think we've earned our break, don't you?"
JEMMA
Jemma pulled the blanket up over her chin and inhaled deeply, letting the sleep wash away from her in the dim morning light. She lifted her hips slightly, and felt a warm body pressed against her back. An arm draped over her waist, and it absently pulled her closer when she moved.
She opened her eyes, remembering. She and Fitz must have fallen asleep on the couch watching Christmas specials. She lifted her head slightly. He had one arm tucked beneath a pillow on the couch behind her, and the other was wrapped around her, his hand clutching the hem of her shirt beneath the blanket. She smiled faintly. She should probably wake him.
Before she could think any further, though, his hand began to move softly against the skin of her stomach, his fingertips drawing sleepy circles just above the hem of her jeans. It felt very nice. She turned her face towards him on the couch. His eyes were still closed. He looked so peaceful, the hint of a smile on his lips. He didn't appear to be awake.
She moved her hand to his shoulder and shook it gently. His eyebrows furrowed as he began to wake. He buried his face in her shoulder and clutched her hip tighter, his fingertips grazing just beneath the hem of her jeans. Her breath hitched, and he froze. He lifted his head to face her. His eyes immediately focused when they saw her staring back. He looked down at her from the pillow, and his breaths grew deeper, realizing their faces were inches apart.
"Good morning," she breathed, smiling.
He licked his lips and smiled back. "Morning," he grumbled.
She could feel her heart racing, and was sure he could feel it too. His hand was still pressed firmly against her skin, and she held her breath, wondering what he would do next. His eyes glanced down at his hand with apprehension and fear, not entirely sure how they'd ended up in this position. But when she smiled up at him beneath her lashes with a blazing look, longing etched into his sleepy face and his eyes held hers. He shifted slightly. They were far too close now. She lifted her face, brushing her nose against his in a silent pleading nod.
He swallowed audibly, then reached out and tentatively pushed his hand further down her waist, pressing it beneath her jeans. Then beneath the silky fabric of her underwear. She tilted her chin up in anticipation as his hand moved deeper, but he held her bright gaze and let his fingers linger against her hot skin for a moment. She bit her lip, and he slowly pushed down.
Then a loud bang came from the stairs. They both jumped apart and sat up on the couch.
"It's okay, it's just me," Skye grumbled from the stairs. "Don't let me interrupt anything! Just grabbing coffee." She stumbled around the corner through to the kitchen, covering her eyes. Jemma stood immediately and straightened her clothes. Fitz stayed seated on the couch, his head resting in his hands.
"Skye," Jemma snapped, glaring at her friend. "Skye! Open your eyes and don't be such a prat."
The girl moved her pinky down and peered between her fingers. "You sure I'm not interrupting anything? I can leave and come back again."
Jemma rolled her eyes. "Absolutely not. We just, ah…"
"Where is the bathroom, actually?" Fitz stood from the couch, his hands in his pockets.
"Just around the corner there. Same as last night…" Skye said as he sprinted down the hallway. She turned her cheeky grin to her roommate who was busying herself folding the big blanket.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Don't look at you like what?" Skye shrugged with glee. "I'm not looking at anyone like anything. What would possibly make my face look anything other than innocent on this beautiful December morning?"
"Nothing happened."
Skye held back a beaming smile and nodded. "Yeah. You just stayed up all night chatting. That's all right?"
"Exactly!" Jemma countered defensively. "We must have fallen asleep watching Christmas specials. Nothing hap- Will you stop that?"
"Sure. Well you tell nothing that you've gotta move fast to catch the train. You do have a presentation this morning still, don't you?"
"Oh god," Jemma brushed the hair back out of her face. "What time is it?"
"8:30. You've got time. Unlike me, who has the rest of the week off to do whatever I please until the party..."
"8:30? Why didn't you wake us?!"
"Excuse me for giving you some much-deserved privacy!" Skye placed her hands on her hips. "You'll be fine. The presentation's not until 10 anyways, right?"
"Yes, but I need to get changed, and then have to set up, and… Fitz!" Jemma shouted. "We have to move!"
The two raced down to the train station and stood, waiting with the rest of the morning commuters. They stared anywhere but at each other in an awkward silence. When the train finally arrived, they stepped through the doors and found a place to stand, holding onto the pole. After a few stops, she glanced up at him shyly, only to catch him staring back at her. He smiled. Jemma felt a wave of relief wash through her and actually began to feel a little giddy.
"See? I told you we'd be fine," he said, nudging her shoulder. "We even made the earlier train. No need to be so stressed out."
"I'm so sorry for making you rush like that," she blushed. "I just get so panicked when it comes to things like this."
"Don't apologize," he said. "You've got plenty of reasons to be nervous, but this isn't one of them. We're almost there, and we'll get in with lots of time to spare. We'll grab coffee and tea at the cart, and then you can relax until the presentation starts. You have all your cue cards?"
She nodded to the laptop bag. "They're in here." She let out a deep breath. "You're right. It will all go well. Positive thinking. No need to be nervous. I've got this."
"You'll do great," he beamed. "Trust me."
Jemma smiled back, melting under the crinkles at the corners of his eyes. "Coffee!" she suddenly cried.
"What?"
"Your coffee," she explained. "You can't get in to work and have the coffee there. You hate it. I owe you something better than that."
"Jem, you don't owe me anything for-"
"For fixing my laptop against all odds? For helping me make the presentation at least twice as good as it would have been?" She shook her head. "This is bound to get me the promotion, so I think a coffee is the least that I owe you. Here, hold this," she said, thrusting the laptop bag at him. "I'm getting off at the next stop and I'll be back with your favourite. No arguments."
"Jemma, don't. I can live with the regular stuff for a day, and those lineups can get pretty long. It's not worth it."
"Nonsense, I said no arguments. Like you said, we're early. It won't take forever, and you can just set up the presentation if I run behind. You know it well enough anyway."
"Jemma-" he warned.
But the doors opened and she was off into the snow before he could stop her. Wasn't everyone always telling her to take more chances in life? To go after the things that were important? She was feeling invigorated this morning, and needed to let off some steam. Maybe it was the nerves talking, but she would not be able to just sit in her office for an hour waiting for the presentation to start.
When she got to the coffee shop, she didn't let the long lineup deter her. She had plenty of time, and this was what she had expected. Even when the woman in front of her threw a fit and demanded that her the ten complicated lattes be remade, Jemma didn't bat an eyelid. She still had a forty minutes, and the office was only a few blocks away.
She was more concerned, however, when she finally exited the shop with her two coffees and tried to maneuver through the crowds. How had the street suddenly become teeming with shoppers? Hadn't people done their shopping yet? Christmas was only seven days away after all!
It was a series of stops and starts, ducking and weaving as shoppers rushed by or randomly turned to race into a shop ahead. She looked at her watch. Twenty-five minutes to ten. This was impossible. She glanced down the street, and thanked the stars when she saw the steps leading to the subway. It would be faster than walking through this mess. She pulled out her phone and sent Fitz a quick text.
Jemma: (9:37) Slight delay, but on my way. Shouldn't be long now.
She slipped her phone back in her purse and turned towards the stairs, just as a pedestrian jumped into her path. Coffee spilled all down the front of her crisp white jumper, and she cringed. She tried desperately to hold onto her good mood, even as the shopper snapped at her for being in the way. It was fine. There was still time. She shook herself off and raced down the stairs. She hopped onto the train just as the doors were closing, and allowed herself a moment to relax. It would all be smooth sailing from here on out. She was only two stops away.
Somewhere between the next stop and her destination, Jemma was doing everything she could to keep her mind from spiraling out of control. The driver's frequent updates that there was an unexpected delay due to track-level injury did not help the trains move any faster. She had tried to send Fitz another desperate message asking him if he could reschedule the presentation for her, but her reception was patchy, being stuck underground between stations. Her phone said the message had sent, but she hadn't heard back from him yet. Pacing didn't help. She fiddled with her watch again, and finally looked down at it. Only then did she concede defeat. Only then did she let it sink in that this was, in fact, her nightmare. It was 10:49. She had missed the presentation.