Fitzsimmons

Another AU

Quick Note: If you like this, I'd gladly make it into a series. If you'd rather I spent time on more season two predictions or academy headcanons, I'm fine with that, too.

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Jemma stepped out of her carriage and onto the damp ground of her late uncle's country manor. She was extremely anxious, and several of her nephews and nieces awaited her presence inside the older house. She had agreed to become a governess once the war started, and the children's parents had to stay in town and work. Jemma's family was a smart one, so they knew the best option was to send their children away to the country, where there were less bombings. Jemma had to leave her fiancé behind to take this job, but her family, as well as her own safety, was most important.

Jemma nervously dusted off the front of her plain navy blue dress, then forced a smile onto her face. These children needed to see her as the epitome of hope. They needed to keep faith, even as their mothers and fathers could be cowering in bomb shelters at any moment. She then plucked up her two suitcases, thanked the coachman, and walked cheerily to the front door of the manor.

"Jemmy!" her youngest niece, Beth, greeted at the door, flinging herself at Jemma's legs.

"Hello, little Betty," Jemma returned with a sweet smile, then crouched down for a proper hug.

"I'm four," Beth said with a grin, and Jemma laughed.

"Where are your cousins?"

"They're in Leo's bedroom," Beth replied, then brought her thumb into her mouth.

"Leo?" Jemma questioned quietly. None of the children were named Leo, and as far as she knew, she was only taking care of her nieces and nephews.

"He's funny," Beth said with a spewed giggle before shoving her thumb back in her mouth. "He gave me a piggyback ride."

Now Jemma began to fret. Was there another person here? Nobody had told Jemma there would be another adult staying here.

"Is that so?" Jemma inquired softly, and Beth nodded. Jemma set her bags to the side and hung up her coat on the coat rack just to the side of the door. Beth grabbed at her newsboy hat (that had belonged to her fiancé), and Jemma placed it on her too-small head.

Then she picked up Beth and walked cautiously up the stairs. She had read all sorts of newspaper articles on houses haunted by spirits, and, despite her better judgement, she began preparing for a ghost attack. Once she reached the rickety-floorboard hallway at the top, she heard the sound of children laughing and a man's voice among them. Jemma picked up her pace to the end of the hallway and swung into the bedroom there, half expecting to see a kidnapper or a German soldier trying to break in.

Instead, she found a fairly tall young man wearing a dress shirt and suspenders, telling a story to the kids. He didn't look threatening at all. In fact, he looked anti-threatening, sitting there with six-year-old Henry giggling in his lap.

"Excuse me," Jemma interrupted, and the man looked up.

"Leo!" Beth erupted, and Jemma placed her lightly on the floor so she could run over to Leo.

"Hey," Leo spoke, and Jemma noted his harsh Scottish accent. "I'm Leo Fitz. I'm assuming they didn't tell you about me?"

"No, they certainly didn't," Jemma replied, and Leo's face softened.

"I apologize. You're probably so confused." Jemma nodded, then approached the group of kids on the bed. "I'm your brother George's apprentice in his print shop. He sent me here when he enlisted."

"I'm Jemma Simmons, George's sister. They're my nephews and nieces." She reached out and shook his hand, which was calloused from fixing different printing machines. He smiled at the touch, then pulled his hand away to tussle Henry's hair.