Chapter 3
Mack was really enjoying having Fitz around. They both focused on their own work, but it was nice to have someone drag him away for a break or that he could complain to about Hunter and Bobbi’s latest fight and how Mack seemed to be their agony uncle of choice. Time spent with Fitz just felt so natural and easy.
The date of Jemma’s departure for her research trip to Venezuela had come around and they were having a farewell meal for her. Bobbi was back but she was currently not getting on with Hunter, so they sat at opposite ends of the table. Mack, Fitz, Jemma and their friend Skye took up the rest of the table. Skye was bubbly and talked a lot, especially after two glasses of red wine, and had turned out to be Fitz’s friend with the van.
‘So, what you have to understand Mack,’ Skye said, ‘is that this van, she is not just a van. She was my home, we have history. I am going to need you to take real good care of her.’
Mack was nodding along, Fitz and Jemma seemed to find it hilarious.
‘Now, you seem like a nice man. A large man. I feel I can trust you with her. If Fitz trusts you, I trust you,’ and Skye turned to peck Fitz on the cheek. He flushed and pushed her away. ‘And Fitz here, he has said some very nice things about you-‘, Fitz punched Skye on the arm to stop her talking, clearly embarrassed.
Mack tried not to notice how cute Fitz looked with his pink cheeks. Hmm, probably best not to have anymore wine if he was thinking that way, he didn’t want to get caught staring.
Skye gave Fitz a ‘look’, and carried on, ‘So, I will bring her round in the next week or so. I just want you to understand how special she is, so that you look after her the way she deserves. Sure, she might have gone through some crap, but she is still here, and she is still amazing.’
Mack felt she was talking about more than the van but pretended not to pick up on it and turned to Bobbi to change the subject. ‘So, Bobbi, where were you this time?’
She smiled, ‘Mack you know the drill. I can't talk about my work. All I can tell you is that it is damn good to be back. Well it would be if I hadn’t found someone,’ she looked over at Hunter, ‘camping out in my apartment.’
‘Our apartment,’ Hunter shouted from the other end of the table.
‘Not since the divorce Lance,’ Bobbi replied. Hunter was muttering to himself but stopped himself from responding directly.
Skye picked up her glass and pinged it with her fork to get everyone’s attention. ‘Children! Let’s not forget why we are here. Doctor Doctor Jemma Simmons, the cleverest person I know, well, apart from Fitz, is leaving us.’ The table made booing sounds and Jemma smiled.
‘The last year has been hard.’ At this Jemma and Fitz exchanged a glance and Mack saw them take each other’s hands under the table. ‘But we have come out the other side strong and ready to kick ass, and I have no doubt Jemma will kick the ass of many Venezuelans.’
Everyone laughed at this as Jemma jumped in to correct her that that was really not the point of her trip. ‘Okay,’ Skye amended, ‘She will kick the ass of Venezuelan science! Speech! Speech!’.
Jemma cleared her throat a little nervously and began, ‘Thank you for your kind words Skye. We have been through a lot together, and you are like my family. I will miss you all so much.’ She looked a little tearful but continued to smile. She raised a glass, ‘To kicking the arse of Venezuelan science!’ and everyone joined in the toast.
There was plenty of laughter and by the end of the night there were also some tears. Mack noticed that Fitz and Jemma were nearly always touching one another, even when they were having separate conversations. There was a hand on a shoulder, or on a knee, as if they couldn't bear to be totally apart. Jemma's trip was bound to hit them both hard.