Agents of SHIELD : Agent Ravena

Chapter 49 - The End of the Beginning Pt 2

BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN

Jemma and Fitz fumble around with something, stepping away from the window. "All right, we need to hurry," Fitz urges. He flicks on a switch with the defibrillator machine, glancing over at Jemma. "We have to do this soon. There has to be enough oxy..."

"Oxygen to ignite," Jemma and Fitz say in sync. "Yes."

Jemma places the bottles of alcohol along the seal of the window, Fitz checking over her shoulder. "Yeah, okay," Fitz nods. He takes a deep breath, Jemma turning as they face each other. "Now, when I press that power button..." Fitz trails off.

"The window will blow in and water will rush inwards," Jemma finishes.

"Yeah, which is gonna be like 100 punches to the stomach, okay?" Fitz informs. "The wind's gonna be knocked right out of us." He turns away, picking up an oxygen mask and passing over to Jemma. "Now, this is near empty, but I've rigged it to let out a burst of very high pressure," Fitz explains. "Should force a breath into your lungs, but you have to hold on to it, okay? Hold on tight," Fitz urges.

Jemma nods, holding onto the air tank with the mask. But she frowns, finally realizing the words he's said. "Should be enough to get you up the 90 feet or so," Fitz further explains, glancing downwards.

"One breath?" Jemma asks. "But there's two of us."

Tears brim Fitz's eyes, the engineer staring at Jemma lovingly and with so much care. "Yeah, I've done the math," Fitz explains. "That's why you're taking it. You're a better swimmer, anyway."

"No," Jemma says in denial.

Fitz shuts his eyes tightly a moment, but opens them back up to stare at Jemma. "Jemma," Fitz softly says, trying to get attention.

"No. I'm not leaving you here!" Jemma exclaims, her dislike for the plan clear. "That's ridiculous. We need a new plan," Jemma declares.

Fitz shakes his head, not agreeing to that idea. "We're not discussing it, okay? You're taking it, end of story," Fitz orders. He waits a moment, Jemma listening to him. "I couldn't live if you didn't," Fitz declares.

"What? I feel the same way," Jemma reveals. "There has to be another way!"

"You're taking it," Fitz orders again softly, his eyes cast down.

"Why? Why would you make me do this?" Jemma asks. "You're my best friend in the world!" Jemma somewhat shouts, shaking her head furiously.

"Yeah, and you're more than that, Jemma," Fitz admits. He takes in a shaky breath, tears streaming down his face. Jemma is stunned, Fitz's words registering in her mind as she intakes a sharp gasp. Fitz wraps his hand around the air tanker and mask that Jemma holds, his fingers brushing Jemma's hand gently. "I couldn't find the courage to tell you," Fitz informs, shaking his head in disappointment towards himself. "So please...let me show you."

Jemma has tears in her eyes, tear stains down her cheeks as well. A choked sob escapes her lips, Jemma hugging Fitz tightly. She sobs into shoulder, Fitz rubbing her back softly. "It's okay," Fitz assures.

"No," Jemma denies. She shakes her head furiously, kissing his cheek before pressing one to each side of his forehead.

"Jemma, Jemma," Fitz urges. "Jemma, we have to hurry," Fitz reminds her, trying to push her back. But Jemma clings to him softly.

"No, no," Jemma denies.

Fitz's voice drops slightly, much more softly now. "Take it, Jemma," Fitz urges.

"No," Jemma tries to deny it once more.

Fitz finally succeeds in gently pushing Jemma away, the woman still teary eyed. "No, Fitz," Jemma denies. But he forces the canister of air into her hand. She looks at the engineer sadly, giving each other a sad smile. Fitz breaks eye contact first, sharply turning and pressing the button on the defibrillator. "No!!" Jemma cries.