Fitzsimmons

Maybe

Quick Note: A slightly happier version of my prediction for the next episode. They discuss the pod scene, according to Tumblr, and I'm trying to emotionally prep myself.

Mom, you're forbidden from watching this episode with me, and so is the rest of the family. You'll probably laugh at my crying.

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"Nice dwarves enhancements," attempted Simmons cautiously. Fitz had spent hours with Mack on improving the dwarves for rigging the explosives in the City. They would use an EMP to blow it all up later.

"Thanks," Fitz spat out.

Simmons, accustomed to this type if reaction by now, turned and walked away a few steps. She always gave him his space. Every time.

Mack glanced over at the ex-partners, trying to comprehend why they always acted like this. He had heard they used to be really close, but their interactions were only normal to him. He continued tapping on the control tablet while Simmons watched respectfully from behind.

"You probably need to attach those wires there," she commented over Fitz's shoulder. He took a tense step forward, then replied.

"Yeah, I've got it." Simmons looked down, then brushed her hair behind her ear. Mack barely knew her, but he knew that this was a sign of her uncertainty.

"But I don't," Mack interjected, receiving a confused glare from Fitz. Mack didn't know why he was doing this. He just needed to know what happened between the two of them. "Simmons, would you mind controlling the bots for me?"

Simmons looked unsure, and Fitz stayed rigid, staring at the screen. They had broken apart so badly. Mack felt an overpowering urge to mend them, whether they liked it or not.

"I think Coulson'd prefer a more experienced agent work on such an important task," persuaded Mack. Simmons, after a subtle (but not unnoticed) glance at Fitz, stepped forward.

"If it's no trouble..." Simmons accepted the tablet from Mack, who took her place behind them, watching. She picked up right where Mack had left off, installing the explosives quicker than he had. Fitz kept quiet, only a few feet next to her.

"I'm going to go check the map with Coulson. Make sure we're putting the EMPs in the right places," Mack excused himself. Truthfully, they had already triple-checked everything. Mack was giving them space to talk, and they saw right through him.

Fitzsimmons continued working in silence after he had left. After finishing a few more rigs, Simmons spoke up.

"We haven't really talked much," she started shakily. "How... how are you?"

It was a stupid question, honestly. He was broken,just like she was. She just wanted to speak to him, and maybe have him say something meaningful back.

"I'm fine," Fitz responded, a little of the edge on his voice missing. Simmons took this as a sign he was ready to talk, actually talk.

"You're not fine," said Simmons gently. "And neither am I."

Fitz looked like he wanted to throw the controller. "I don't want to do this now," he stated, trying to push her away.

"You'll never want to do this, Fitz," Simmons countered, observing his face for a second. When he didn't reply, she decided to compromise. Give him a few minutes while they finished their mission, but assert right after.

After they had packed up the equipment, Simmons blocked the exit.

"So you're forcing me?" Fitz asked coldly.

"We needed to talk eventually," Simmons didn't back down.

"I'd rather not talk in an old underwater city filled with explosives, ready to blow holes in the walls and submerge us all. Unless you'd rather drown again?" Fitz said sarcastically.

"Nothing will happen while we're still in here," Simmons pushed. "Now tell me how we can fix this without talking about the med pod," she challenged.

"Simple, we don't talk. Now move, I want to get out of here."

"No." She tried to sound strong, but it came out as more of a sob. She couldn't keep up her shield forever. "I want to leave this place, too. You're not the only one hurt, you know." She was starting to crack, and the tears were seeping through.

"I got that, Agent 'Avoid your Best Friend for Months by Joining Hydra' Simmons," Fitz retorted harshly. "You're really the victim here, aren't you?"

"Don't you see why I did what I did?!" Simmons was shattering now, and everything was pouring out.

"I don't care," Fitz yelled, and she almost believed him.

"The same reason you sacrificed yourself for me. I love you, too, okay? Just not in the same way!" The team could surely here them, now; they were shouting so loudly.

"Not in the same way!" Fitz repeated. He dropped the equipment and started towards her. "That's our whole problem, right there, Jemma!"

"That's not my fault! If you're blaming me for my feelings, I can blame you! You and your damn feelings! It's like anything I want is irrelevant! You're so fixated on your own bloody feelings that you never even bothered to consider mine!"

"Your feelings are all I ever think about!" Fitz argued without a second of hesitation. The silence that suddenly overcame them was louder than anything they could have ever said. Verbal apologies weren't necessary.

"Have you ever second-guessed yourself?" Simmons blurted, back to a normal volume. "I mean, about me. Maybe you aren't completely sure."

"I miss the days when there wasn't a 'maybe' between us," Fitz reminisced quietly, eyes to the floor. He had already determined he was certainly in love with Jemma.

"Me too," Simmons sighed, then turned and exited the chamber. Fitz picked up his equipment and followed closely behind her.

"Are you second-guessing yourself?" Fitz whispered carefully, not really expecting an answer.

"Maybe," Simmons kept her eyes trained forward. Fitz failed at keeping his hopes down in that moment, and he felt his heartbeat spike.

Maybe 'maybe' was okay between them.