Date night is ruined once again, but this time not by a mission and not by the Avengers and not by a robbery.

They've ruined it themselves.

They walk a foot apart and steal glances when they think the other is not looking, but they're both frowning and their arms are crossed over their chests. They wait for the crosswalk light to change, and Phil turns to her, almost unsure, and Maria looks hopeful, but he can't find anything to say and she turns away disappointed. He sighs and awkwardly shuffles closer to her. Before the light changes, she nudges his hand with hers, and he threads his fingers in-between hers.

They make it across the street and Phil pulls her towards the park and leads her to a bench. They sit down, and she stares at him. "Are you okay? Is your chest bothering you?"

"I'm fine. I'm healing, not disabled."

"I just worry..."

"I'm fine."

"Just stop pushing yourself! You got stabbed-"

"I made a full recovery."

"And died! Your stitches are still fresh and we should have never-"

"We have been planning this night for a month!"

"Gone out tonight!"

The two realize they're still pushing each other on the issue and turn away from the other. They're so stubborn and they both know it, but neither one is going to give an inch and it hurts to be in a standoff.

"Phil... If you could just be more careful..."

"Maria, we're SHIELD agents. Our lives are always in danger. We can't just not be us."

"That's not what I mean and you know it."

"I am fine. I was released from the med bay and told to take it easy. This is easy."

"Easy is bed rest. Easy is somewhere where there aren't people. Easy is not in Central Park at night, Phil."

Maria knows she is nagging, but she can't stop. He just won't listen to her, and all she wants to do is keep him safe and hold onto him. And Phil won't stop because honestly if he slows down, he knows he's really going to feel this, how he almost died, and he wants to avoid it.

This is why SHIELD agents don't usually fraternize. Because it hurts when you lose each other. So many agents have defected or just gone off the map because of this. They should just end it now and leave each other, because Maria is pretty sure she can't physically handle hearing bad new from another doctor, and Phil has no idea what will happen if Maria is ever hurt.

"What do you want to do with the rest of our night out? Go home early?"

"Is it so wrong to want that?"

Phil sighs and leans back on the bench before putting his arm around her and pulling her close. Maria smiles to herself and relaxes against him. He kisses her forehead and she snuggles into his neck and they finally feel a little peace.

Half an hour passes and Phil nudges her awake. A sleeping Maria is adorable and he hates to ruin it, but she's right, he's still healing and he can't push himself, so carrying her is not an option. She stretches against him and then they use each other to get up, and begin planning their next destination. Phil has a credit card and a hotel is nearby. A little more alone time is just what they need.

But before they even register what is happening, Maria is pulled back by her neck. Phil turns just in time to see they've been cut off by two guys, and a third is holding a pitiful knife to Maria's neck. Phil can tell their muggers are confused as to why Maria isn't even putting up a fight, and Phil is just leaning on one leg and impatiently crossing his arms over his chest.

"Give us your wallet or your lady gets hurt!"

Phil sighs. "You honestly don't want to do that. Just let her go and walk away while you still can."

"Why old man? You gonna take us down?"

Maria rolls her eyes and huffs, and then elbows her captor in the gut. He lets her go, and Maria pulls her gun out of her boot and aims it at the man on her left. Phil already has his gun out and aimed at the other mugger.

"Walk away now, and no one gets shot," Maria growls.

The men run off like scared dogs, leaving Maria and Phil staring at each other, just a little adrenalin running through their veins. They're staring at each other, assessing one another, until they both crack smiles and laugh. Phil offers his arm, and the two head to that hotel room.

The two agents do not return to the helicarrier until mid afternoon the next day.