Remembrance.

Day Twenty Three

"Are you all packed up?" Jemma heard a thick Scottish accent say and immediately knew it was Fitz.

She turned her head, glancing at him over his shoulder and responded with a nod. "Yes, I've just finished."

Her voice was quiet and low, afraid that if she spoke any louder she would break down again. She wanted this opportunity, but she didn't want to leave Fitz.

She waited so long for him to wake up and when he did, she waited so long for him to remember her.

Oh, but when he did remember.. Jemma couldn't even describe the feeling she felt when he'd remembered; the happiness she'd felt. She was almost consumed by it.

"I'm sorry I have to go," Jemma spoke sharply, looking down at her hands nervously. "I'll try to be back soon."

Leaving Fitz was the last thing on her plan of ways to get Fitz back to normal but she had no option. Coulson and Fury never gave her one.

"Jem, please," Fitz interrupted her, raising his hand a bit to get her to stop speaking.

"You have to go and you are going. The whole team is proud of you. I'm proud of you, and I'm going to be alright. I have people here who will help me recover." He tried to reassure her but none of it was working. She just didn't trust anyone, at all. Not with Fitz's health.

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Hours later, Jemma was standing at the cargo ramp, two men standing by the black SUV waiting for her. The whole team was lined up, awaiting their goodbye with Simmons.

Jemma first approached Coulson who mumbled a quick apology and reached his hand out for her to shake, to which she did. "Thank you for the opportunity, sir, it's been one of the best opportunities in my life." She said, in reference to her time spent on the team. And it was almost as if she was saying goodbye to her job forever. At least on the team.

She swiftly moved onto the next, May, who's face was still blank and her voice monotone. "Agent Simmons, it's been a pleasure working with you. Your services will be missed," she stated, holding her hand out to which Jemma responded with a hug. But May didn't pull back, she just patted her back softly.

Skye waited, impatiently, tapping her feet against the steel ramp until the young biochemist was standing in front of her. "I'm so sorry, Jemma. I tried to talk to them but they wouldn't listen," she rambled on, causing her to chuckle softly.

"Skye, please.. I'll be back. In a while, just, please take care of Fitz for me, okay?" She dug her fingernails into her palm as she began speaking. "Remind him to take his medication every morning, he usually lets it slip his mind or just doesn't care but he needs to take it."

Skye nodded her head along with everything Simmons' said and managed to wrap her in a tight hug. Jemma's frail arms wrapped around Skye's frame and closed her eyes. "I'll miss you," she mumbled. "So much."

Lastly stood Fitz. He looked as sharp as ever in a plaid button down and bowtie, paired with a pullover sweater. "Guess it's time now, huh?" He asked, laughing softly as if to lighten the mood.

"I'll be back," was all she managed to say before wrapping him in a hug and she clung onto him. "I love you," she whispered quietly, to which he responded with an 'I love you too.'

When Jemma pulled back, it wasn't to let go of the hug, it was to kiss him and she did. She kissed him as if she was never going to see him again, or as if they were off at war.

"Agent Simmons," one of the tall men in black called, tapping his watch.

"I have to go," she concluded, tilting her head. "I'll see you soon."

And with that. she leaned forward and planted a soft and longing kiss on his lips.

"Bye, Fitz."

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Remembrance:
noun
the state of being remembered.