Fitzsimmons

Love in the Time of Hydra

Quick Note: This is best-case scenario for Love in the Time of Hydra, which isn't even premiering for another two weeks. I'll probably post worst-case scenario next week.

Also, do you want me to continue the AU? I can't write those very fast, but I'll continue if it's a favorite. I have a story planned out already, so it's no huge trouble.

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Things were tense at the lab. Fitzsimmons were working together on a device to regulate and concentrate Skye's powers, and Coulson's frequent checkups weren't helping the time crunch. They needed this device finished before the team landed at a Hydra base. The base would only be leaderless for another two hours.

Fitz and Simmons had forgiven each other somewhat since everyone learned of Skye's powers. They were too smart to be at each other's throats when they had mere hours to complete their part of the mission.

"I think this is going smoothly," Simmons commented, editing the document she had open on her computer.

"Yeah, we've got to be nearly finished by now," Fitz answered half-heartedly.

Simmons nodded, then finished the final entry on the document. She faced Fitz's workbench, where he was still tinkering a bit with the energy panel on the back.

"Can we talk about the pod?" she blurted all of a sudden, and Fitz tensed as he swiveled to face her.

"Jemma, we already have," he protested wearily. The truth was that Fitz needed answers from Jemma, too.

"Not for real yet. Fitz, don't look so frightened, we can do this like adults, right?"

Fitz forced himself to relax a bit and nodded.

"Good, okay, I'll start," Simmons breathed deeply. "When did it begin? Was I too... much at the Academy or...?"

Fitz stood frozen for a moment, convinced he couldn't do this. Not when she was just barely recovered with him.

"No, it wasn't you," Fitz stuttered through, and he saw Simmons' face contort with pity. This was a difficult conversation even without Fitz's new speaking struggles. "I think I realized when I was talking to Coulson about Audrey, that cellist he was in love with, and I was, giving both of us advice, you know?" Simmons nodded, though he saw the sadness in her eyes. "Um." His voice cracked, so he restarted. "Um, I think I started feeling it after you jumped out of the plane. I understood how it might feel to live without you, and..." He couldn't finish that sentence, because it would break Jemma even more.

She cleared her throat, then asked softly, voice shaking, "Do you still...?"

Fitz's eyes darted around the lab as tears were unleashed, and they eventually landed on a shaking Jemma.

Something in her eyes gave him the spark of confidence he needed, and Fitz took a subtle step towards her.

"Yes," he said certainly, and Jemma let out a shaky breath. "I still love you," Fitz added, then softened his tone when he realized this was his first time actually saying it. "Even after you left, even after we fought. I don't think there's anything that could stop me."

Jemma's chest rose and fell rapidly, and her hands shook by her sides. Fitz waited for her to speak again, as the silence crescendoed between them. It was all climaxing to something, even Fitz could sense it.

Jemma's steadying breaths hung in the air. She took a quiet step towards him, then swung her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoes to reach. Her lips, bright against her paled face, traced the same line they'd made months ago at the bottom of the ocean, gently searing each inch of skin from his cheek to his forehead and back around.

Fitz stayed silent and still, keeping his arms securely around Jemma. When she pulled back a few inches to look into his eyes, neither were shedding tears. Then she swept her head back in, unable to drink in everything before their eyes closed and her lips connected with his.

Finally. All Simmons could think was how much sooner this should've happened. She cursed their stubbornness, their thoughts that the most perfect thing to happen to them wasn't destined to be.

"Jemma," Fitz whispered against her lips, and she became undone. Her name was so beautiful off of his mouth and muffled by hers.

They ended the kiss not because they couldn't continue, but because they needed their lips to talk about this new thing blossomed between them.

Fitz began eagerly, feeling a whole lot lighter than before. "When did you-"

"About two days into your coma," Jemma said in a rush, then planted another kiss on his lips. She was going too fast, she could sense it as she pulled back. "Is this..."

"It's perfect," Fitz promised hurriedly, eyes on fire with happiness that this would work out. The assurance brought them together again, and Jemma could swear all this kissing was making her lightheaded.

They broke apart in equally relieved laughs, keeping close and breathing each other.

"We should finish Skye's device," Simmons said with a lighthearted grin, stepping to Fitz's workbench and pulling Fitz behind her.

"Skye will be so excited," Fitz commented before taking a place next to Simmons.

"Yeah, and just imagine what Coulson'll say," Simmons added.

"Maybe we shouldn't tell him," Fitz interjected casually, still fiddling with pieces. "Or anyone else on the team. Well, maybe Mack."

Simmons glanced sideways at him. "Why not?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"You know how S.H.I.E.L.D. is about relationships between agents."

"Maybe the old S.H.I.E.L.D.," Jemma objected firmly.

"Still, you know how they'd treat us. I'm already the helpless one." Jemma sighed. "Please, Jemma. Just let it be."

"Fine. Oh, our first fight as a couple!"

"It doesn't seem that different from the bickering we did before..."

"Yeah, but now I can shut you up with this," Jemma said with a grin, then kissed him again.

"I feel like we should fight more often," Fitz replied smartly.