Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all wonderful. Thank you for your kind words. We are still here in the bad timeline.
Conversation 30: Ramblings of a Scientist on the Edge
Hunter: Hey, the boss is coming to visit the kids and is bringing the future boyfriend with him. So I have the night free. I'm on my way, and I'm bringing food. What do you want me to get?
Hunter: Actual food. No cocktails to go. Unless they're virginal, and what's the point. I'll mix up some fruit juice for you at the compound myself.
Hunter: I am up to bringing milkshakes. You could use one or several.
Jemma: I know that Deke is safe in 2018 with Fitz, not that he calls himself that anymore. Although I am surprised he's using the alias he filed his patents under instead of going by Mr. Leo Hunter.
Hunter: That makes this evening slightly less awkward. I am still not bringing alcohol, but I will bring you a double fudge shake. Also, I made your favorite gluten-free chocolate chip cookie.
Hunter: I already made them before Stark called because Robin told me to. She knew you would need them.
Jemma: Cookies can't help at a time like this. I've been trying to find him for five years, and he just chose to stay.
Hunter: Friday has been reading me the notes from the other timeline on the drive up. It seems like it's more complicated than that.
Jemma: The idiot just assumed that he was overriding the timeline and didn't even bother to check. I checked.
Hunter: I know you did.
Hunter: Are you mad at him for moving on?
Jemma: I can't be mad at him for moving on to you. Because that would make me a hypocrite.
Hunter: Everyone is one occasionally. But I mean in general. Are you upset that he chose to move and build a life for himself in the other timeline?
Jemma: I don't know. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the idea that he is not dead.
Hunter: How did you even find out? Friday's said that they were purposely keeping the truth about Fitz a secret.
Jemma: Friday has those orders, but Ana does not. She is the AI in the other timeline. Friday is now an LMD.
Jemma: Ana's orders are to keep Thanos from happening by whatever means necessary. She sent me Deke's text messages.
Jemma: He's very annoyed with Bobo one.
Hunter: So that's what we are calling him.
Jemma: Although Deke still thinks we should try to get the other Fitz back.
Hunter: We will.
Jemma: I am a drunk mess. It's why I wanted us to get Fitz here first. I can't do this without him. But he moved on.
Hunter: Because he didn't think he was ever coming back. I know you made some similar choices in the same situation. So you can't judge him for doing the same thing you did.
Jemma: It wasn't the same choice. I didn't love Will.
Hunter: I wasn't talking about Will.
Jemma: You're different too. This works between us because you love Fitz too. I know you do.
Hunter: Which is why I'm planning to step aside when you bring him back.
Jemma: I don't want you to. Considering he's married to you in another timeline, I don't think it would be an issue.
Hunter: I'm glad to know you're open to it. We'll talk about that when I get to the compound. I'm still on my way. I'm in the parking lot of the diner texting you.
Jemma: Cheese fries. I know not to ask you for wine.
Hunter: Because I'm not bringing you any alcohol even if you asked.
Jemma: My drinking was what Deke was most worried about. Not coming back home, but my drinking.
Hunter: Deke has a right to be concerned. He loves you. You're his only family here.
Jemma: I'm not really his grandmother. I just share the same DNA with her. I'm never going to be his grandmother.
Hunter: Don't say that. We will fix this.
Jemma: I'm late.
Hunter: And obviously not just for an appointment.
Hunter: Do I need to pick up a pregnancy test?
Jemma: I ran my blood work already.
Jemma: I'm not pregnant.
Hunter: I'm not sure how to respond to that. You know I love kids. Which surprised me because when I was with Bobbi, I was okay with us not having any.
Jemma: I drink too much to be pregnant. Even with us, I'm not even sure if we could handle a child.
Jemma: However, my other timeline counterpart is pregnant with a little Fitzsimmons. Their first anniversary was this weekend.
Hunter: Is that why you're upset?
Jemma: I don't know. Reading Deke's words and knowing that Fitz could move forward hurts. It made me realize that I wasted everything wallowing in my own misery. What have I done? Nothing at all. I am either drunk or in the framework all the time.
Hunter: You managed to make a bridge between two dimensions. Imagine what you could do if you were actually sober.
Jemma: I'm not even sure what I actually did. I don't remember.
Hunter: I will help you figure it out. You're still brilliant. You just need to come out of the alcohol fog.
Jemma: Do you think I should go with Laura to her next AA meeting?
Hunter: I think you should go when you're ready.
Jemma: I want to be better. I don't want to stay like this. I don't like this person I've become.
Hunter: Acknowledgment is the first step. I will help you get to where you want to go. I'll be there in 20 minutes, with your cheese fries.
Jemma: Okay. I'll be waiting.
To be continued…