X marks the spot

Rise and Shine

It was weird, seeing his younger self, close to death. The wounds were healing, but Simon was running low, very low, on his.

"Did you know, about Fitz?" Daisy asked, standing next to him as they looked through the window to the boy who was asleep.

"I tried to stop it a few times," he admitted.

"'Tried'?"

"Failed. Got shot. Strangled. I couldn't save you. One time I killed him."

"You did?"

Simon nodded, still looking through the window, "Jemma helped you get it out. Less stressful on you. She cracked. I can't tell you how it went wrong that time because I left before I could see."

"Why?"

"Because when Jemma Simmons hates you, she'll try and wipe you out."

"Did she...?"

"Aaron bit the bullet. I didn't wanna see how that branch ended. But, look, point being, I'm sorry. I wanted to help. I do want to. I can hit him for you?"

She scoffed, "I'll do that. If you want a go, go for it. But, I don't know. It's just a lot, you know? Hale has Coulson. I'm in charge, and everything's crumbling... You know, Fitz was one of the first guys I knew who were fully soft. Just, like a small teddy bear. Smart, but gentle," Daisy looked to the ground, arms folded, "I guess some people have too many dimensions."

"If he dies," Daisy nudged her head to her friend in the bed, "is that a paradox?"

Simon looked up, trying to figure that out himself, "I guess. But I don't know how many times I can do this for –"

"Then don't," she suggested, "stay for this one. We could use your help. We need Hale, and Coulson. And the Gravitonium –"

"One thing at a time," Simon advised.

Daust took a breath, "I wish it were that simple. I mean, you being here fixes that. You have knowledge. Not all of it. But it's something. With age does, apparently, come wisdom."

Simon nodded, "Sure...But, I ain't done this in a while."

Daisy nodded. She knew that. But, the older version of Aaron being here gave her some hope. He wasn't dead, he made it.

"It's unique, you being here. Maybe this can be the one. Can't you see that being true?" Her own voice showed her small doubt in that suggestion, but he also heard the paradoxical hope in there too.

Simon shrugged, "maybe," he conceded, "if not, I'll just do what I can to make it less...painful."

It wasn't exactly comforting, but Daisy found herself nodding. As she went to talk, her stomach grumbled.

"You hungry?" Simon asked.

Daisy shook her head, "I'm good. We've got more important things to –"

"Nope," Simon interrupted with, "you're not doing that. Not to me."

"Doing what?"

"What I do."

Daisy sighed, she knew he had a point, "I don't even know what I'd want."

"Well, I mean, I can't bring a feast. But I can try find something."

"You're saying that like we're back in the lighthouse."

Simon nodded, "I mean, technically we are," Daisy rolled her eyes, "But its just instinct. I mean, we are in the end times, technically, right?"

Daisy let out a humoured scoff.