Fitzsimmons

Nightmares

Quick Note: Part Four of Stars. Bit of a warning: there is FitzSkye in this chapter. Interpret it as you wish.

(All of their relationship development seems to happen when they're collapsed on the floor.)

By the way, I've started a separate book for the Summer Camp AU, and I'll be updating that every Tuesday. :)

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"He can't keep doing this," Skye whispered to Mack. Both were just outside the room in which the charcoal black space rock stood in its case. Fitz was in the room, like he always was these days, and his face was growing more and more upset as the days passed by. Though, that might have to do with the fact that he hadn't eaten nor slept in three days. And he knew what was coming. He knew he'd only have three-day periods to work, then he'd be captured, nourished, and put to sleep for a day, and he'd have to start all over.

"Just give me five more minutes," Fitz called as his fingers tapped away furiously at the screen in front of him. He didn't notice how raw his voice sounded. He didn't notice the heavy saltwater tears pounding down his cheeks. He didn't notice the raging headache fighting for simple unconsciousness, destroying what little healthy brain cells he had left.

"C'mon, Turbo, you know how this works," Mack said almost silently. Fitz's harmful obsession has taken its toll on Mack, too. He couldn't stand to see his friend like this, a complete mess with no regard for his health.

Skye knew how much Mack's job had worn him down, so she came with him for the day, taking a break from her inhuman team. She was hardly shocked to see Fitz so distraught over losing Jemma. Skye was distraught, too. She just wished Fitz would move on a bit, take the time he needed to replenish himself before Mack had to force him.

So Skye took a step into the makeshift lab, despite it being against Coulson's rules. The rock started shaking slightly, but she didn't let that scare her. She approached the spot where Fitz was huddled over a holotable, rotating a projected model of the rock frantically.

She tapped him on the shoulder and he lunged away instantaneously, then attempted to run before his exhaustion caught up with him and he fell to the floor. He crumpled into a ball, pulling his knees up to his chest. He was biting his lower lip hard, but it didn't quite keep down the sobs.

"Skye, please," Fitz begged, voice cracking as tears flew hysterically.

"I miss her, too, Fitz," Skye replied, almost angry at him. "Do you see me lying in a fetal position, whimpering? I've moved on in my life. I have an entire team of people with superpowers and not a clue how to use them. Can you not get over your heartbreak enough to do some good for the people still here on Earth? The team needs you, Fitz, and you need to stay strong for us."

Fitz shook his head spastically, repeating the same mantra he'd told himself every time he felt like giving up. "It's my fault Jemma's gone."

Skye sighed, then knelt down beside his shivering body. "Fitz, you can't peg all of this on yourself."

"I'm the one who unlocked the box, I'm the one who left her alone, I'm the one who caught her off guard-"

"Yeah, and I'm the one who got us all involved in this inhuman mess." She took a deep breath before bringing a hand up to stroke through Fitz's hair. To Skye's surprise, he let her.

"We both miss her so much, I know, but our family needs us here. I, for one, could use some help with harnessing devices for me team." Fitz nodded gently.

"I'm sorry I have to ask you to do all of this," she whispered, then placed a soft kiss to his forehead. His eyelids drooped, and Skye smiled.

"Ready for a nap?" she asked, grinning.

"More like hibernation," Fitz whispered back, then began to sit up. "But first, I eat an entire pizza."

Skye laughed, and Mack smiled from where he stood in the doorway. "Let's get to it, Turbo," she said louder, then started helping Fitz up. Mack rushed to his other side quickly, and together they essentially carried Fitz towards the exit.

"Mack, could you open the door?" Skye grunted, struggling a bit under the weight.

Mack was about to reply when a giant smack sounded behind them. Skye glanced back to find the clear door of the rock container hanging wide open, despite the numerous latches previously holding it closed. The latches had all been broken.

"What happened?" Fitz asked, planting his feet and trying to turn his head.

Skye glanced around the room, but nobody else was there. Then she noticed the rock. It was moving.

"Get out!" Skye shouted, then heaved Fitz's arm over her shoulders. The three of them quickly reached the hallway, wear Fitz was leaned against the wall while Skye and Mack closed the doors and locked them.

"Why'd we run?" Fitz demanded, eyes wide.

"The rock moved," Mack explained while Skye kept watch through the window.

"It's not just that," Skye corrected, voice wavering as she realized what had happened to the rock's shape. "There's handprints in it, now."