The search for an answer was not going well at all. The team had become more solemn and she realized that none of them would look her in the eye anymore. The problem was, she didn't need their pity. She needed Fitz.
I bet you could've figured it out by now, she thought to herself.
Whether this was true or not, every day that Jemma searched for answers and still came up short was like a slap in the face. All she wanted to do was help her friend. She had never felt so powerless.
Every once in a while, Daisy would check in and try to help, but as much as she wanted to help, all of Jemma's biology musings were beyond her. Coulson would peep his head into the lab as well, but usually with a task for her that only irritated Jemma further. She didn't have time to waste.
One night, as Jemma was running on fumes trying to figure out a particular theory in her head about the way that Hive was able to occupy a living mind, Daisy walked in with a mug of tea. It wasn't prepared quite the way that Fitz used to do it, but it was appreciated nonetheless.
"Thank you, Daisy," Jemma said with a smile. Something about Daisy's stance told her that she had something to say and Jemma had the feeling that she wasn't going to like it.
After a few uncomfortable moments, Daisy finally said, "Look, Simmons. I just want you to hear me out, OK? I am not telling you to give up on this, I wouldn't dare. Plus, we owe it to Fitz to keep trying. But I think you should consider maybe slowing down and thinking about how to take care of yourself. When was the last time you even ate something? You can't keep going at this like Fitz did!"
That's when Jemma interrupted her, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible. It was true that she hadn't been maintaining her health properly, but there was time for that when Fitz was safe. "And why not?" she said, with a not-so-subtle, restrained outrage.
"Because we almost lost him, Jemma! You have no idea how hard it was for the rest of us to just watch him tear himself apart looking for answers everywhere under the sun. You can't do that. He wouldn't want you to."
Jemma couldn't speak anymore. She heard what Daisy was saying, understood the intent, but couldn't bring herself to acknowledge any of it. Sure, she was probably right. She shouldn't keep going on the path she was on. But she also couldn't stop. It simply wasn't an option.
"Thank you, Daisy, but I have work to do," was all Jemma said as she returned to her computer screen.
"Just consider taking a rest, OK? I'm worried about you. We all are. But I know you can do this."
Jemma felt like the lack of sleep was all catching up with her at once. "You really think so?"
Daisy sat down on the table and looked at her straight in the eyes. "Jemma, I'm convinced that your brain can solve any problem. But your heart is what keeps it going. You care so much about Fitz, and the rest of us. That's what separates you from all the crazy things we've faced."
That's what separates you….That's what separates you….THAT'S WHAT SEPARATES YOU!
"Oh my god. Oh my god, Daisy… What if that's it?! What if that's the way to get Fitz back?"
"Um, what?"
"Daisy, Hive said that Fitz was still talking to him, that Fitz was begging him not to hurt me. That means that Fitz could see! That means that Fitz was conscious enough to communicate with Hive!"
"Yeah, that's how we know that Fitz is still alive in there," Daisy said, still not quite comprehending.
"Daisy, what if Fitz just needs to gain motor control? Hive is in charge of Fitz's body right now because he's supposedly the stronger mind or just somehow asserted dominance, so maybe the solution is for Fitz to takeback control himself?"
"Is that even possible? I mean, Jemma, if Fitz can take back power over his body then why hasn't he done it yet?" Daisy asked, raising a valid question.
Jemma frowned and thought for a moment, her brain racing almost as much as her blood from all the adrenaline she was feeling. "Maybe it's because he needs to think or…or to feel something that Hive isn't compatible with. Something so strong that Hive can bear to stay in Fitz's mind. Fitz just hasn't figured out what it is yet…"
Daisy looked at her expectantly. "So what is it?"
Jemma felt her hopes fall. "I have no idea."