Chapter Text
"Agent Johnson," came the loud, buzzing voice as Daisy scanned her S.H.I.E.L.D. ID to open the door. She had just disembarked from the Zephyr, the aircraft used for their missions, after successfully completing a challenging stealth operation. Alongside Agent May and a team of tactical reinforcements, Daisy had infiltrated and dismantled several remaining HYDRA compounds they had recently discovered. The mission had been intense and exhausting, but their efforts had paid off in taking down another threat.
It seemed like they really couldn't stamp them out hard enough.
Daisy let out a tired sigh as she stepped into the chamber, waiting for the security system to grant her access to the base. Agent May followed closely behind her, both women visibly exhausted from the mission. The silence between them spoke volumes; there was no need for words. Their fatigue was evident, and both were eager to finally be back in familiar surroundings after the intense and draining operation.
Daisy cast a glance at May, immediately noticing the hint of pain etched in her eyes. May's arm bore the fresh evidence of a gunshot wound, hastily bandaged during the mission. Despite the makeshift treatment, it was clear that May was still in considerable discomfort. The sight of her colleague and friend's injury added to Daisy's own weariness, a stark reminder of the perils they faced together.
Daisy had sustained a few scratches during the mission, minor injuries that she could easily clean and bandage herself. As they walked into the base and made their way through the hallway, she rubbed her temples, feeling the onset of a small headache. The strain of the mission and the exhaustion were beginning to take their toll, adding to her overall sense of fatigue. The familiar surroundings of the base offered some comfort, but the weight of the day's events still lingered heavily on her shoulders.
Daisy had turned away, unaware that May was watching her. May's observant nature meant she rarely missed anything, a trait that often left Daisy feeling like May was perpetually in a "mission ready" state of mind. Despite the numerous occasions Daisy had witnessed May with her guard down, it was hard to shake the impression that May was always alert and prepared for any situation. This constant vigilance was both reassuring and intimidating, a testament to May's dedication and experience as an agent.
The pair rounded a corner and entered the door into FitzSimmons' lab, where they were greeted by Jemma. She had prepared some medical supplies, having been informed of their arrival beforehand. As Jemma turned to face them, her face lit up with a delighted smile, offering a warm contrast to the exhaustion and tension Daisy and May carried from their mission.
"Daisy, May, oh its amazing to see you two. It's been very lonely without you two since you'd left," She began to ramble.
Daisy allowed herself to give Jemma a soft, warm smile as she nodded subtly in May's direction. It was clear that May was not in the mood for a cheery welcoming speech, and Daisy's gesture served as a gentle cue for Jemma to keep things subdued. Despite the exhaustion, Daisy's smile conveyed her appreciation for Jemma's readiness and support.
Jemma took the hint rather quickly.
"Right- May, come over here so I can stitch you up and check your wound to make sure there's nothing too serious."
Daisy watched as May reluctantly moved over to sit on a table, positioning herself so Jemma could examine her injured arm. Their eyes met, and Daisy tilted her head slightly, her expression conveying an unspoken question: "Will you be alright?"
May blinked once and gave Daisy a small nod. That was confirmation enough for Daisy. Satisfied, she clapped her hands together softly and began to turn to make her way out of the lab.
"I'll leave you to it," Daisy stated as she walked over to the door, her footsteps echoing lightly in the lab. Before she exited, she turned back, her expression softening into a welcoming smile. "Come visit later, Jemma?" she invited warmly. It never hurt to catch up with a friend, especially one as dear as Jemma, who felt almost like a sister to her.
Jemma glanced at her, clearly pleased. "I won't be long."
Daisy nodded in acknowledgment and quietly left the room. As she made her way down to her quarters, she couldn't help but notice the surprisingly empty halls. A sense of confusion briefly crossed her mind, but then she remembered that Coulson was leading another mission elsewhere with a significant number of reinforcements. This realization eased her concern about the unusual quietness in the hallways, reassuring her that the reduced activity was simply due to the majority of agents being deployed on the mission led by Coulson.
It wasn't long before Daisy was plopped down on her bed, face in her pillow.
It still smelled like Lincoln.
From the one night he'd stayed with her in her room.
Daisy didn't dwell on it. She just closed her eyes, hugging the pillow close as exhaustion hit her like a wave.
And suddenly, she found herself drifting into a dreamlike state. In her dreams, she revisited memories of Ward, reminiscing about the way he once loved her before his path took a dark turn. Surprisingly, the image of Miles also danced through her mind, a peculiar addition to the mix. She recalled moments with Andrew, his comforting presence during her toughest times, before he transformed into Lash, a destructive force that shattered everything she had built. Then, Lincoln appeared in her dreams, his love depicted in ways she had imagined before his tragic demise. Each memory and person intertwined in a complex tapestry of emotions, as Daisy's subconscious unraveled the threads of her past experiences and lost loves.
And then, abruptly, the dreams ceased, leaving Daisy suspended in a serene void of nothingness. It was as if she were floating weightlessly through an endless expanse, free from the burdens and worries of the waking world. In this tranquil state, there was no need to worry about missions, losses, or the complexities of relationships. It was a moment of pure tranquility, a respite from the turbulence of her subconscious mind.
And when she woke up, she wished she hadn't.
As Daisy swiftly ducked to avoid a swinging leg above her head, she instinctively twisted her body, seizing the opportunity to grab hold of it before it could retreat to launch another attack. In a calculated move, she used the leverage to trip up her assailant, sending them crashing towards the ground. However, before the impact could land, her opponent rolled with the momentum, smoothly transitioning into a counterattack. With Daisy momentarily disoriented by the unexpected turn of events, they seized the opportunity to grab hold of her, expertly flipping themselves over her body. The sudden shift in weight caused Daisy to lose her balance, and with a grunt, she found herself tumbling backward, landing hard on her back.
They remained still for a moment, the intensity of their struggle still lingering in the air as both caught their breath. After a brief pause, her assailant extended a hand towards Daisy, a silent gesture of respect. Daisy accepted it gratefully, allowing herself to be pulled up from the ground. As she rose to her feet, she met their gaze, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. With a nod, Daisy conveyed her appreciation for the challenging encounter, silently acknowledging the skill and determination of her opponent.
"You can't let yourself get distracted by your opponent rolling into an attack."
"What, like I can't think that was impressive?"
"Daisy."
"May."
May sighed, the exhaustion evident in her movements as she turned away to retrieve a water bottle from the floor. Daisy and May had been training for quite some time, pushing each other to their limits. As Daisy turned to search for her own bottle, a flicker of unease crept into her mind. She could have sworn she brought one with her, yet it was nowhere to be found. Suppressing the rising sense of unease, Daisy shrugged it off, deciding to focus on the training session instead. With a determined expression, she turned back to face May, ready to continue their rigorous workout regimen.
"Look, you'll get it eventually if you focus," May spoke, her voice calm and encouraging, as she faced away and opened her water bottle. Daisy watched as May raised the bottle to her lips to take a drink, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of something moving, a flicker of movement that seemed out of place. Her heart skipped a beat as a shiver ran down her spine, a sudden sense of unease gripping her. Without thinking, Daisy whipped around, her hands instinctively raised defensively. The motion sent a sharp spike of pain shooting through her head, a reminder of the persistent headache that had been plaguing her. She quickly dismissed the unsettling sensation as a byproduct of her exhaustion and lack of sleep, but the brief moment of fear lingered in the back of her mind.
"Daisy? Something wrong?" May's voice cut through Daisy's thoughts, pulling her back to the present moment from the haze of confusion. Slowly, Daisy lowered her hands, her gaze still lingering where she thought she had seen something moments ago. However, there was nothing there now. Blinking away the remnants of confusion, she turned back to face May, forcing a smile onto her lips. "Ah- No. No, everything's good," she replied, her voice a touch strained as she attempted to reassure May. Despite her best efforts to mask it, a hint of uncertainty lingered in Daisy's expression, a silent reminder of the strange occurrence that had momentarily shaken her.
She could sense May's lingering skepticism, the faint furrow of her brow hinting at her uncertainty, but to Daisy's relief, May didn't press further. With a nod, May accepted Daisy's reassurance, choosing not to delve deeper into the matter. As the tension eased between them, May signaled the end of their training session for the day, silently acknowledging the need for both of them to take a break and regroup. With a grateful nod, Daisy watched as May left the training area, leaving Daisy to ponder the strange occurrence in peace.
Daisy shook her head, feeling the tension knotting the muscles in her neck. She couldn't deny that she had been avoiding sleep, subconsciously dreading the return to that blissful state of nothingness that had haunted her dreams. But she pushed those thoughts aside, reminding herself that she had to be fine—for her team. With a determined resolve, she straightened her posture, steeling herself to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Everyone was counting on her.