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"What have you got, May?"
"Just coordinates. I can't verify their source, but it might be him."
It has to be, she thought. I need something good to happen. I need to be with him. They were at the tail end of a month-long mission and had been trying to locate Fitz and Robin for a week. Hydra now had access to every cell tower and radio signal on the globe, so most forms of communication were a no-go. She couldn't even send him a text for crying out loud! Yes, they had been separated many times before, but this was different. Maybe it was knowing that he was somewhere far off being a total dad and she couldn't see any of it. Either way, she missed her husband and May wasn't the only one who could tell.
"Punching in coordinates now."
Oh, thank God! Something was finally happening aboard this dreadfully boring ship. Her, May, Coulson, Daisy, Mack, and Elena had spent the past month globetrotting and doing recon everywhere they went. They were, as always, trying to stop the immediate threat. And right now, Robin was Hydra's target. So Fitz was sent out to who knows where and was told to strictly adhere to the rule of no communication until a month had passed. She had that date circled on her calendar and had been counting down since day one. They were all exhausted, some physically, others, like herself, just mentally weary. They were all more than ready to settle down for a bit. Fitz had said before he took Robin's hand and left, that he had a safehouse built in Scotland where they could stay. And for once, she felt that he had been a bit more prepared for this than her. Nonetheless, those coordinates must have come from him, leading them to wherever this house was. Because that was the most frustrating thing - being in the dark all the time. Everything was "classified" this and "no clearance" that. It was getting a bit old.
"I bet you're excited." Daisy had walked up to where she was leaning against the pod. "Finally getting to see him..." Oh, Daisy knew better than that. It was a rhetorical statement, one that didn't need to be said. Oh, yes, she was glad that she was going to see him. But she was also looking forward to...
Other things with him. Absence does make the heart grow fonder after all. They talked for a few more minutes. It was mostly about mundane things. They had spent the last month together practically attached at the hip, so they had long since run out of things to say. It was no matter though. She could almost always seek comfort in her friend's presence.
The key word being "almost."
Don't get her wrong. She loved Daisy to bits. But she was severely pent up at the moment and itching to finally touch him again. She didn't mean to be off-putting, but Daisy knew she wasn't up for much social interaction today. Well, interaction that didn't involve him.
"Hey, just don't get your hopes up. This could be another trap from Hydra."
"How could you say that?!"
"Woah, you're the one who's usually rational, Simmons."
"I'm sorry" she sighed. "I'm just tired."
"I know. We all are. May says we'll be down in five. You might wanna..." she gestured to her faded t-shirt and loose slacks. Oh, right. This is not the most presentable attire. But if she had her way, clothing wouldn't be an issue for long.
Freshly dressed and still with a hint of a blush on her cheeks, she watched as the cargo door opened. Her muscles tensed as she fully prepared to run up to him and squeeze him so hard, he couldn't hardly breathe.
Except that's not what happened.
"A farm, seriously?"
"I don't even know how to ride a horse."
"Well, you best get to learning naw." Hear heart rate picked up. It was a thick Scottish accent. And older man, dressed in the roves of a priest, rode to the opening of the door on a Clydesdale. He had come from a few metres away, having just tied up the last horse to a fence post.
"Uh, I'm Agent Coulson. Nice to meet you..."
"Father Murdo" he said politely as he got down and took Coulson's hand in a firm grip.
"Okay, this is not what I was expecting" Daisy not so quietly whispered towards her ear.
"Yeah, Neither was I. A Priest? He's not even Catholic."
They were all lined up, watching Coulson and Father Murdo speak. Finally, the priest led them to each of the six horses he had saddled and ready to ride.
"I'm afraid this is the only way to the monastery. We must leave soon, before high tide." Okay, so they were probably somewhere in the Hebrides. She recalled vaguely how Fitz told her his grandparents on his mother's side lived on one of the larger islands. He had spent his summers there when he was a boy. They were devout Catholics, so that's probably how he met the priest.
She couldn't stifle her laugh, as much as she tried, when Mack attempted to get on his horse. Both him and the rather large animal grunted in protest. It must have been quite a sight for the old priest too. This rag tag group of agents riding horses in the Scottish countryside. Once they were all on and secure, Murdo spoke up again.
"Now for the men, I'd advise you ta lift yerselves up a bit. You'll he regret it if ya don't." He chuckled a bit before continuing. "Fer the ladies, enjoy yer ride." With that, he clicked the sides of his sandals against the horse as it began to trot.
Gosh, she forgot how much she loved riding horses. She hadn't done so since she was just al little girl. There was a stable just outside the city where she could take riding lessons. And her father gladly paid for a few months worth, also buying her the finest equestrian clothing, in the hopes that she, a shy child, would finally start to come out of her shell. And it had worked. Just not in the way he had hoped. She would only talk to the horses and not the few other girls her age that aspired to be professional jockeys.
The ride took less than an hour if she had to guess. She didn't have much of a sense of time as her mare carried her along the beautiful meadows that seemed to stretch on forever. They even crossed the sand bank that Murdo must have been referring to when he spoke of the high tide. At certain points in their journey, she was able to see faint outlines of the other, more smaller islands, in the horizon. It was picturesque and she was able to gaze upon some of the most beautiful scenery she had ever seen in person. She could see herself and Fitz settling down in this country. Having a home to themselves, and maybe a few children if they could. She almost teared up as she daydreamed about a little girl with blonde curls running through the doorway of a little stone house, her father not far behind. It was so vivid and she was so caught up in it that she didn't realize one of the others came up to her.
"Are you okay?" She looked to her left. It was Elena.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I was just-"
"It's alright" she spoke gently, as if she knew what the other woman was thinking. Jemma was grateful as she heard Elena's horse slow and meet up with the rest of the group, They were all in the back, leaving her to herself, her own thoughts and desires, and memories of their absent team member. The silence was almost calming after such a hectic months. Her emotions were all over the place and she was mentally fried, so she was glad for the few minutes allotted to somewhat decompress from everything.
Finally, finally, the monastery could be seen. Without a second thought, she clacked her shoes against the horse's side and rushed ahead to the priest.
"Father Murdo."
"Yes, child. I know what you are going to ask. And yes, he is. They both are. Safe and sound. And not getting into too much trouble without me I hope." His amused smile told her all she needed to know. Fitz was here. Robin was too and they were both well taken care of. The second Murdo took hold of her mare's reins, because yes, he made sure to go to her first, she ran off into the main building. She only slightly heard the older man's chuckle and subsequent, "Ah, young love." as she all but sprinted towards the old building. She searched the entire front room. There was no sign of anyone having been here for the past couple of minutes. The large dining table was clear and the fire has burned down to just a few flowing embers. She could have dropped to her knees right then and there. She just needed to see him. This was the last time they were going to be separated. She swore to herself on that doorstep that they would always stay together from the moment she saw him.
"Oh, hello" A middled aged man, dressed in his charcoal habit, acknowledged her with a bemused expression and a slight tilt of his head.
"Uh, yes. Hello. Do you happen to know where Fitz nd Robin are?" She started to fiddle around with her necklace, a handmade gift from him, sliding the pendant up and down the delicate chain.
"Aye. Uh..." The man seemed to be searching for words, and her patience was running thin. "Eh. blàr-mòna." She shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand. Could you maybe point me in the direction-"
Oh. man. I'm so sore!"
"I told you to-"
"Alright, everyone. Let's settle down and rest a bit. We're all tired, but we're together."
"Yeah, great speech pops."
The rest of the team made their way up to the main house and she moved into the room to let them all in. Once they were gathered, Father Murdo arrived.
"Hey, where's Fitz" Mack asked, concerned that he hadn't seen the other man yet. I'm wondering the same thing myself.
"And Robin" May added.
"They will be here shortly. They must finish evening chores and will be here for the diathad." She couldn't help but scoff. She felt as if she was being played.
"I'm sorry. Evening chores? He's not-"
"Jemma" Coulson started. "Simmer down." She sighed, She knew he was right, but that didn't make it any easier. She didn't want to wait. She had been waiting for so long. And not only for him, but for the future they could have together, When she finally saw him again, she was going to tell him that she was done waiting.
"We have prepared rooms for all of you. You may stay here for one night. You are welcome to sup with us and join in morning prayers."
Jemma could tell that Coulson and May were growing especially wary of this place. No one had seen Fitz yet and it's not like anyone, herself included, knew what a blàr-mòna was. But Murdo and the other monks that had entered the room could tell.
"Fitz has instructed us to treat you all with the utmost hospitality. I assure you, he will be here shortly. And tomorrow morning, he will take you to the safe house."
"Wait, this isn't the safe house? We were given these coordinates specifically to lead us to a government-protected-"
"You are safe here Mr. Coulson. You all are."
It was only when she closed the door behind her and places her hand tightly over her mouth, did she allow herself to let a few tears drop. She couldn't afford to waste much time on her overbearing emotions right now. But she was so pent up. So wrought with her bottled up anger and boredom and sadness and loneliness and all the other feelings she was able to put a name to. She couldn't help that her traitorous body wanted to-.
She shook her head and sniffled.
No, Jemma. You need to focus on the task at hand. Stop being such an idiot and make your damn bed.
It was a small room, only holding the necessities. She had a small single size bed and a nightstand with two drawers and an old oil lamp. She began by unfolding the simple linens they jad provided her and made her bed as neatly as possible. She needed something to focus on other than the fact that she was so close to him but yet still so far. There was no mirror in the cell and she would have had to walk past everyone else's rooms to get to the loo. So she couldn't check if her eyes were red and puffy or not. She hoped she didn't look a fright as she finally stepped out of the room and wandered back to the dining room where everyone was gathering. Well, everyone except-
"Ah, ha ha! Fitz! An chuir e an t-anam asam!" She couldnt help but look over when she heard Fitz's name. Oh, but he was only just mentioning Fitz in a story to another monk. They were speaking in Gaelic, as most of the monks do, she found out. It had gotten quite loud in the open room and she was finding it rather difficult to sort out sounds. As the clock ticked, marking each passing minute, she decided she could take it no longer. The sun was just starting to set and she decided to leave through the back door. 'I just need some air,' is what she told Daisy when she gave her a concerned look.
Outside, in the quiet, she could finally calm down. Except when her body again made it known just how much she missed her husband. Dear God, she wanted him right now. It had been so long...
She could just imagine it right now, what they could do together. But her daydreaming was cut short by a long whistle.
"Oh my Gosh." She had to take a second glance. It was Fitz! It took her a few seconds to steady herself enough to race towards him. He had been holding Robin's hand, but quickly let it go to embrace his wife.
"Oh my gosh, Fitz!" She leaned her face up towards his, finally being able to look at him after all this time. She traced a finger over his heavily stumbled cheek. His face had smudges of dirt on them and he was sweaty, but she couldn't have cared less in that moment. It was all she could do to not snog him right there. And she was about to, when he pressed his hands more firmly against her hips and reminded her that Robin was here.
"Not in front of the kid," he lightly protested. She knew he was right. But, she couldn't hold back the shiver when he whispered in her ear, lips lightly grazing over her lobe.
"Later."
Screw dinner! She wasn't going to make it through.
"Go inside and get washed up for dinner," he instructed the young girl while still keeping one arm around her.
They watched as she ran towards the monastery with his arm around her waist and her hand placed on his chest.
She saw the gentle and purely paternal expression on her husband's face as he made sure she got in safely. And she couldn't have felt more blessed in that moment that she was here with him.
"We should go inside," he spoke softly. "They're waiting for us."
"Wait." She faced fully towards him as she placed her hand firmly on his cheek and finally kissed him. He returned it with just as much fervor, pulling her in as closely as possible and firmly pressing his lips against hers.
He was just as desperate, she thought. Good.
"You know I'm all gross and sweaty, right," he asked while still slightly out of breath.
"Like I care about that right now!"
In the distance, the bell rang, signaling to them that dinner was going to start. She silently cursed their interruption, but nearly took it back when her stomach growled. She was rather hungry. And she guessed he had to be too. He told her as they walked up towards the white building, the taigh-geal as he called it, that he and Robin had been working in the peat bogs all day.
"That's why you smell so smoky."
"Eh, it could be worse. I could still be the kid that shovels horse shi-"
"Fitz!"
"What? Like you don't have a- here." He opened the door for her and not so subtly roamed his eyes down her figure. What? He was a starved man at this point.
While Fitz and Robin finished washing up, she finally sat down at the dinner table. The spread looked incredible. She hadn't realized how Americanized her diet had become until she looked and saw all of the British staples. Potatoes. Sausages. Cabbage. Black pudding. Mushrooms. It was all there and she didn't even try to contain her excitement.
Once again, Fitz held Robin's hand as he lead her to the table. Once they sat down, Fitz at the head of the table, Robin to his right and Jemma to his left, the monks sat down as well.
"Hmm. You're pretty important around here if they all stand and wait until you're seated."
"Uh, well..." He placed a hand over to run the back his neck. He was shy, she noted. It was cute. But it was also endearing to know that he was respected. He deserved it, even if he didn't believe all the time himself.
The whole group ate in companionable silence. Only the sounds of their chewing and those of the night time animals were heard. But that's alright. The looks he was giving her spoke volumes. His eyes. He missed her. His smirk. He wanted her.
"Do you need help?" She looked up as the young girl nodded shyly. He grabbed her knife and fork to begin cutting the meat. And if she didn't think she could fall any more in love with him tonight, she was proven wrong by this right here.
He's going to be such a good dad, her mind supplied. They had talked about the topic of children a few times before, but had never gone past, 'yes I want kids, but maybe in the future sometime.' She decided to push those thoughts back and finish her mash before she mauled the man right here in front of everyone.
Suddenly, one of the older priests belted out an intelligible set of words, with the most obnoxious groan she'd ever heard in her life.
She saw the team's equally confused expressions as they sat among the monks, who were.... annoyed?
She was about to ask Fitz when he spoke up.
Gregory, your teeth are fine. You went to the dentist a week ago, remember?
Oh, she understood their annoyed expressions now. He was a classic hypochondriac.
"Ohhhh, but-"
"No. I'm not hearing it." At that, the older man seemed to settle down. She did notice however, that he grabbed another sausage when he thought no one was looking. Cheeky old man.
"So Fitz, we're only staying here one night, right?"
"Correct. I have a safe house in Glasgow, but it's not ready yet."
"Not ready yet?" He looked over at Robin before speaking again.
"Hydra has been trying to find me because, well, you know," he cocked his head slightly in the little girls direction. "They know that I'm from there. Family and all that. They've had some agents posted around the city up until a few days ago. At least, that's when my sister last saw them."
"You have a sister!"
"Dude, since when?"
"This wasn't on your file, Agent Fitz."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I kept her a secret for good reason."
"Omg this is so exciting!"
"Please tell me you did not just say omg?"
"So, how long did you plan to keep us in the dark about this?"
"Uh... til now I guess."
"Well, I for one can't wait to meet her. I bet she's got so much dirt on you!"
"Ha ha, Daisy. She's a spoiled brat too."
"Oh and why do you think that is," she quipped. Fitz looked at her then, glaring at her playfully. He knew full well he could never say no to her. But he could play along.
"Anyways, she lives in the safe house. Her and her baby." He smiled then. And his eyes lit up a bit when he mentioned his nephew. It was endearing. And hot. But so was almost everything else he did tonight.
"Well, I think it's time for everyone to settle in for the night. Leo-"
"No Murdo. Please don't, he groaned."
"You can do the dishes tonight."
"Murdo, come on," he whined.
"Do you need-"
"Nope." He quickly stood up and started gathering the plates. She didn't know what Murdo was getting at, but she seldom saw her husband move that fast to do simple chores.
Dinner had long since finished and all but one of the priests had gone to their respective cells for nightly readings. Most of the team had gone to "crash in their rooms" as Daisy put it.
"Gregory, you know it's your turn to help with the dishes tonight," Fitz said sternly, but gently.
"Oh, but my knees are sore. Can't you-"
"Which is why you can dry these sitting down." He pulled out a chair and placed the towel over it. She had to cover her smile when the older man looked back at Fitz. His expression filled with pure annoyance. She couldn't blame him though. She was not so slightly annoyed by yet another delay in, well... their shared gratification. She decided then to walk over to the other room, trying to keep herself occupied for the next half an hour. All of a sudden, she heard a sort of squeaking sound. Instinctually she reached for her back pocket where she usually held an icer. But there was none. She hadn't brought one in, thinking this place completely safe. But, old habits were hard to break. And years of trauma served to make her frightful and alert at the smallest of sounds. She almost felt guilty when she heard that squeaking sound again as Robin hopped down the steps in her pink polka dot pajamas.
"Robin, why aren't you in bed?" The young girl didn't speak, but rather held up a storybook towards her.
"Oh, you want a story before bed?" She nodded. Her eyes evidence of her excitement and eagerness to be partaking in her nightly routine.
"Oh, alright. Let's sit over there." She pointed to the small pewter gray chair. The upholstery was in need of repair and there were a few rips where the monastery's cat decided to be naughty, but it was loved. So she sat down in the surprisingly comfortable chair with Robin climbing atop her lap and proceeded to open to the first page.
"No!" She almost jumped when she heard the girl speak. It was the first word she'd said all night, and she was hardly expecting her to shout.
"What is it? What's wrong?" She was terribly worried now. Had she done something wrong? She knew the girl was sensitive and she didn't want to ruin such a nice moment.
"Page 11." She was so caught up in her surprise that she didn't register the girls words.
"Hmm?"
"Page 11."
"Ohhh, that's where we left off. We read ten pages of a book each night." Fitz had rushed in to the seating room upon hearing her little outburst. He sighed. "Robin, we don't yell, okay?"
Again, the young girl nodded. With the situation quickly forgotten she tapped on Jemma's shoulder and pointed to the book again.
"Aren't you eager?" She was relieved that everything was well again and flipped the pages until she reached number 11, upon which time Robin crossed her arms and looked up at her. Her and Fitz both chuckled. Oh right. He was here. In the same room as her. And since Gregory was occupied in the other room, the only thing standing between her and her husband was a child's bedtime story. That shouldn't be too much longer, she thought. No time at all.
She should just stop making assumptions now. What was supposed to be ten pages turned into 15, then 20, before she finally set the book down and made Robin go upstairs.
"It's nearly 10 pm sweet girl and you need your sleep."
She shook her head in defiance, though the way her eyelids kept drooping, it wouldn't be much longer before she'd have to carry her up.
As it turned out, it was Fitz who finally rangled her into bed. He had showered and changed into a sweats paired with a simple white vest which allowed her to gaze upon his arms as he carried her up. The poor girl was dozing off before he even got upstairs! She watched as he lay her down and nearly teared up as the girl, in her sleep, still reached out towards him, not wanting to let him go. She knew the feeling.
And yes she was tired. Yes she was emotional. But she was also sick of waiting. They were finally alone. She tried to convey her desire in a coy smirk as Fitz closed the door behind him. Lucky for her he seemed to catch on and took hold of her hand as he guided her down the stairs. All the while, her brain was screaming at her. Oh my God, it's finally happening!
She only gave him a bemused expression when he opened the front door to lead them outside.
"I know a place," he whispered, as if keeping it a secret between them. She nearly shivered in anticipation. He grabbed a few blankets from the chest beside the door as she got her coat on. He led her past the barn and stables, taking her far enough away, she was sure no one would hear a thing. Finally, they reached a large meadow, covered in fine blades of grass and shielded only by the darkness of night.
"Now, I know you never said anything about it, but I know you Jemma. I've seen your face when I mention it." Huh? If she was wasn't confused before, she surely was now. Were they on the same page here?
"Mention what?"
"The lights." He smiled softly at her then, a smile she had seen more in the past few hours than the last several months at Shield. He spread out the largest blanket and gestured for her to sit. He set the other two blankets on the ground before lying down with a groan.
He turned his head towards her and grinned. He had a plan.
"And now we wait." Wait! Wait?
"I'm tired of waiting, Fitz." She knew she sounded a bit on the desperate side. But that's what she was. Entirely desperate and needy for only what he could give. And she-
He leaned up then, slowly turning over and hovering atop her now too warm body. Yes, yes, yes!
He kissed her fully then, because they had time. They didn't have a care in the world and that made it so much better. They could take time for themselves tonight. She shakily brought her hands down from where they were pressed against his warm chest. She was just about to undo her zipper when he leaned back and turned on his side facing towards her. She couldn't help but make a small noise of protest. How dare he? And when she was so worked up too.
"Look." He smiled as he watched her eyes light up.
"Oh my gosh" she gasped. "Fitz!" She glanced at his loving expression before turning her face back up to the sky. "Oh, Fitz, I've always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis in person!"
"Yeah, we've got good visibility too. No clouds." They simultaneously looked at each other then. "That's rare."
"It seems even less likely that we get to spend any time together." She sighed as she immediately regretted her words. Now, why did I have to start on about that? I've gone and ruined everything now. "Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't want to ruin the mood." With his thumb, he gently swept a lone tear off her cheek.
"Oh, yes," he began sarcastically. "My mood is so ruined. We can do something about that you know."
She didn't even try to be discreet when eyeing the tent in his trousers. It was going to happen. She wasn't going to let anything else get in their way.
"Okay, but can you be on top? I'm really tired tonight."
"I think that can be arranged" she said coyly as she swung her leg over his waist, gently gliding her knee over his bulge. She shivered when he moaned lightly and gritted his teeth to keep from rutting up. His face mirrored hers, giving a small smile as she righted herself atop him.
"Okay, but you're going to have to do something quick because its really starting to get cold out here and my dick is about to disappear."
"Ever the romantic," she sarcastically replied as she lightly smacked his chest. He chuckled and took hold of her hips.
The next morning at breakfast, most everyone well-rested and hungry enough to rival an entire army, gathered at the table.
The monks of course had been up since dawn. Elena attended their morning prayers and was currently gushing about it to everyone.
"Their singing was so beautiful. It was almost like being home."
"It is nice, isn't it," Fitz asked fondly.
"Yes! I have never heard such a thing."
"Let me guess. Psalm 22 in Gaelic to the tune of Bangor?"
"How did you know?"
"Hmm." He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Lucky guess."
"So, when do we get to meet this sister of yours, Turbo?"
"Soon, Mack. I promise."
Soon enough, Brother Gregory made his presence known, groaning and dramatically complaining of his aching back.
"I told you, you should try that salve my mum made."
"It wouldn't be hurting so much if I could've gotten some sleep last night," he spoke as he peered at them both. "Talking all about the mirrie dancers and all that. Hmph. No respect for yer elders, young man. I see how it is."
"Mirrie dancers," Daisy asked?
"Do I even want to know," May quipped?
"Oh," Jemma spoke up. "Fitz took me to see the Aurora Borealis!" Daisy's face fell.
"You mean to tell me," she started as she pointed to the both of them. "That you two, after not being able to see each other for the past month," and yes she emphasized the word month, "that you watched the northern lights? You two should be working on giving me a niece or nephew," she said exasperated.
"Uh... "
Fitz, who had just taken a sip of milk nearly spit it out just then. Despite their shocked and increasingly red faces, she continued.
"You two have known each other for how long?" She eyes Jemma's flat belly. "I expect to see a positive pregnancy test soon."
Neither of them have said a word yet, both too stunned to speak, not knowing what to say. But just then, Gregory, who never was quiet, retorted.
"Ah, yes. The Lord said to be fruitful-"
"Let the kids make their own decision, Br. The creator will allow her womb to receive-" if Fitz's eyebrows raised any more they'd be in his hairline- "when He wills it."
She just chuckled nervously. Not wanting to seem rude, but also not expecting breakfast to be conversing about her and her husband's marital activities.
"Okay, let's not torture them any longer. Fitz." It was May. "I'll need coordinates for the safe house. And, how were going to get there. I don't plan on riding a horse all the way to Glasgow."
"Please, not again, man."
"Uh, yeah." He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out-
"Fitz! Are you smoking again?"
"What, no!" He opened the box to prove it to her. There was a small folded piece of paper inside. Here, he reached over the table and handed May the box. "For no one's eyes but yours."
"Understood."
"When did you start smoking, Agent? This was not on your medical records."
"Uh... It's complicated. But I haven't smoked in three years," he said hopefully.
"Wait," Daisy interjected. "You were still smoking when you joined? Dude, I never would have guessed."
"Well... uh, it wasn't exactly cigarettes that-"
"What?"
"Oh my gosh, that was you that took from my stash?"
"Simmons? You too? We need to update your files asap."
"I pegged you two as boring nerds. Little did I know," she said as she rubbed her hands together.
"Ahh. I too like to partake in such an elusive recreational activity."
"Gregory!"
"Okay, when did this conversation get out of hand," Jemma asked rhetorically.
After a short ride on the Zephyr, they split up in to groups. They took 3 separate taxi cabs to a residential part of the city. Fitzsimmons were in one. May, Robin, and Coulson in another. And Mack, Elena, and Daisy in the third. They sat in companionable silence, not feeling the need to fill the this time with small talk. They were however, taking some advantage of the closeness they now had. Her head rested on his shoulder for most of the drive, their hands clasped tightly together and even their breathing synchronized. He was pretty sure they fell asleep at one point. Neither of them had gotten much sleep the night before. He blushed like a teenager with their first crush when he remembered what kept them awake.
His eyes lit up when he saw them. She was standing in the small front porch, not even enough room for a lawn chair, holding his now one-year-old nephew. And while he wouldn't admit it even to his wife, the minute he stepped out of the cab, the high pitched baby voice and grabbed hands came out.
"Oh, I'm so happy to see you. You've gotten so big, young man."
"He was always a fat little baby."
"Oh, I know," Jemma said as she walked up and hug her sister in law. "I'd buy him so many clothes online and by the time they got to you, he had practically grown out of them already." Fitz handed her the baby then, knowing that she was positively giddy at the prospect of cuddling him as well. She had been gushing about it for the past ten minutes in the car ride here. Yeah, she would be a good mum.
"Hi. Agent Coulson. This is May, Daisy, Mack and Elena."
Yeah, I actually know who you all are. I'm Carrie. This here is Brodie," as she pointed to the smiling baby in Jemma's arms. "Come on in. Make yerselves at home."
"So how was it being up with the monks again, Leo" he asked, looking over her shoulder with a knowing smirk
"I hate celibacy," he deadpanned.
"Alright, everyone, I've got to go to school. But, uh. Have fun. Lots of beds to choose from." She raced around the house, grabbing items from one room or another. Sunglasses from the coffee table. A granola bar from the kitchen, and so on. Jemma made a mental note to talk to her tonight. Carrie seemed stressed. The life of a young mother going to uni full time was no easy task.
"Oh, hey, did you remember my-"
"Ugh, yes I did. It's in the fridge. Stop being so annoying," she teased.
"Oh my God, it looks like we do share a gene."
She rolled her eyes before grabbing a satchel off one of the kitchen table chairs. "Hey, wait."
"What now? I'm kind of running late, Leo." He grabbed his wallet out of his pocket and grabbed a few bank notes from it.
"Here. For lunch. Make sure to eat something that's not complete sugar." She smiled softly.
"Thanks," she said meaningfully as she looked up at him.
The door closed behind her, and the team had all but two seconds of precious silence before the baby screamed at the top of his lungs.
Oh no," they said in unison.
"Carrie said that he's teething."
"Uh, teethers in the freezer."
"Yep." She grabbed the frozen silicone silicone of what she proclaimed was an, anatomically incorrect fish.
"You know he doesn't care about the number of scales or the-"
"Yes, but I do."
"Okay," he held his hands up in surrender.
"You two practicing already," Daisy asked as she came out of her room. "Getting ready for when, you know," she clicked her tongue a few times.
Neither of them gave her the satisfaction of a reply.
But they didn't have time to as the baby started crying again, this time gripping tightly onto the neckline of Jemma's jumper.
"Oh, I think he's hungry," she said as she tried to pull away his little clenched fist.
"Uh, yeah. Yep. I got it." He sprinted into action, grabbing the formula from the cupboard. He knew where it was because that's where he kept it when Carrie was a baby. Grabbing a glass bottle from inside the sink (there were no clean ones) he placed it into the pot that Jemma had just put on the stove.
"Yes. Practice makes perfect."
"Daisy, don't you have things to unpack?"
"Simmons, I pack lightly. You know that."
"Really? I've never seen you with less than three bags."
"That was not a necessary comment, Fitz."
Jemma had handed Brodie to Fitz, now carefully measuring the formula according to the packages instructions. He had calmed the boy down enough that he was only whimpering now.
"Whew! That is a nice crib upstairs."
"Crib," Fitz asked.
"He means cradle Fitz."
"Oh. Thanks Mack."
"Wait, you built that?"
"Don't seem so surprised. The guy literally builds things for a living, same as you," Daisy retorted.
"The longest part was doing all the carvings."
"Those are incredible man. You should really think about being a carpenter."
"Uh, okay."
Just then, Jemma slid the bottle towards him at the end of the countertop before placing the container back in its rightful place. He shook the bottle and effortlessly positioned the baby in his arms to start feeding. It was a sight that made Daisy beam and Jemma daydream.
"Okay," Coulson announced walking down the stairs into the kitchen area. His gaze shifted to Fitz, but quickly went to the rest of the team that had all made their way to the room. As much as he relished the sight of something so normal and domestic, because if he hadn't already known about Carrie, he would have thought Fitsimmons had this house built for themselves, post Shield and ready for a family, he didn't need to be distracted. "We need to talk about our next steps."