Chapter Text
Jemma was beginning to feel like SHIELD uniforms were designed to test her patience.
Actually, no. They were designed to test her resistance.
By far, if there was any form of torture, it had come in the form of SHIELD’s diverse and tactile field uniform designs. And of course, by diverse, Jemma meant the mixture of lightweight kevlar, leather, spandex, and did she mention leather already? The leather by far wouldn’t be discounted as her least favorite so far. The uniforms were always fitted.
Too fitted. Perfectly fitted that even the curves of every pectoral or breast can be visually appealing.
Jemma had the trouble of running into that issue the first day she met the Black Widow. Natasha Romanov had been coy and playful. She teased Jemma relentlessly as she fitted her for the uniform and ran tests to make sure the enhancements wouldn’t cause any trouble on her mission.
Now this day was bound to come again. The briefing was last week, after all. She had worked so many long hours with Fitz on the gauntlets for Commander Johnson. All of their efforts were going to be put to the test in the field in a few hours.
She wasn’t nervous. Jemma Simmons nervous?
Nope.
Noooope.
Not one chance.
“Are you alright?”
Okay, maybe she was a bit nervous.
Jemma tapped at the tablet in her hand to distract herself. She should be used to this. Agents go on missions all the time. But this was her Commander going on a mission, one of the most complex and covert missions since Coulson and May’s undercover stint over six months ago.
“Jemma.”
A hand falls on her shoulder gently and Jemma nearly jumps out of her skin. She turns her attention to Commander Johnson standing behind her. A breath escapes her lips.
Commander Johnson looks flawless.
“Help me dress?” she asks Jemma. There’s an innocence in her voice but they both know this whole setup is far from innocent. Luckily, they have the lab to themselves. Fitz had taken the rest of the gear to ready Agent Triplett in the other room.
The Commander is standing before her in tight black shorts and a sports bra as she waits for Jemma to pull off her uniform from where it’s hanging behind her lab desk.
How can Jemma concentrate when Skye is standing there fit as ever? There is a smirk at her lips again that drives Jemma mad.
“You are insufferable,” Jemma voices as she puts down her tablet to grab the hanging uniform. She turns around when suddenly Skye is right behind her. They collide -- well, more like Jemma falling into Skye’s arms with the uniform squished between them.
“Sorry...” The commander has the decency to sound apologetic, but she knows better.
Over the course of a week, their situation has taken a turn for the worse. The more Jemma spent her tea time with her or saw her for meetings, assessments, and tests, the more difficult it became to concentrate on the fact that they weren’t dating. It must have been a cruel twist of fate.
There is so much she wants to say to Skye, so many emotions she needs to express.
It’s strange how her heart can feel so heavy around her. It’s like every time they are near one another, Jemma feels a distinct pull in her heart that draws her closer to the commander. The worst part is that the closer they get the more her heart pounds, her breathing hitches, and her mind fries completely. She can barely even speak. The words are stuck either in the roof of her mouth like peanut butter or expanding in her throat like a live octopus.
Why don’t you just speak to her about it?
Because she would hear me Fitz!
I don’t see how that is an issue. You two are dating!
Fake dating, Fitz. We are not in a real relationship. She just helps bat away unwanted attention.
And yet, you have her full attention. Jemma, tell her that you want her full attention in a non-platonic manner.
Jemma has eternally internally groaned since this conversation with Fitz. It is becoming inescapable. It was increasingly worse as the time continued to tick away. Commander Johnson was leaving on a mission soon. A potentially ‘I don’t know when I’ll be back’ -kind of dangerous mission.
“Hey, you haven’t said a word to me all day,” Skye says carefully as she holds Jemma by her upper arms. Her comforting touches aren’t as soothing when Jemma feels terrified for some odd reason. “Is everything okay?”
Jemma clenches her jaw as she slowly peels herself away from Skye’s grasp. She holds the uniform between them. “Right as rain,” she chirps.
She steps back to let Skye slip on the uniform.
“The way you said that makes me feel really uneasy.”
Jemma stares with her jaw clenched as she watches the uniform slip over the curves of Skye's hips and molds against her breasts as she slips her arms through. Her emotions go haywire once more. She goes from frustrated to terrified to downright turned on. Never in her life has Jemma met anyone that can make her feel all of these emotions. It is extremely unsettling. Worst of all, she can't even express them.
Skye slides her thumb into the insert and moves to zip up her uniform.
At that moment, Jemma moves at the same time. She doesn't want to say anything but a million thoughts of how the woman she's grown to care about is one of the most important figures to SHIELD right now. Even if that might not mean anything to someone else, it meant the world to Jemma. Skye means the world to her, as incomprehensible as that feels.
She needs to focus on the task at hand. Get the commander ready for her mission.
Jemma tugs the zipper up Skye’s chest slowly, watching the composite material pull together as it evolves into leather. She stares at the blocking of the cut. The design is meant for flexibility and protection. She presses her fingers to the leather reinforcement at Skye’s strong shoulders before gliding her palms towards her collar. The trimming changes slightly and Jemma wonders if that will actually protect her from any explosions or burns. Her palms flatten gently against the composite material that is a mixture of light weight kevlar and a new nanotechnology and tries to trust if Skye gets shot her chest will be safe. She feels the leather against Skye's ribs and hopes it'll be enough to keep her safe.
When she reaches the commander’s waist, she realizes that something is missing. She turns to the lab bench and picks up the utility belt. Everything she needs will be in this belt, her gun, her tracker, her communicator, and her cuffs. Jemma reaches around so that she can cinch the belt around her waist carefully.
“Jemma…”
One last thing.
Jemma keeps her focus. She turns back to the bench and looks at the gauntlets. Hours poured into this project. This was it. The moment of truth for Skye.
She picks up the gauntlets and brings them to Skye. The cool metal contrasts against her warm hands. She holds them both up for the other woman to slip her hands into. When they're on snug, Jemma holds Skye’s palm up in her own and clicks the metal latches to secure them. Then she moves to the other hand.
Even as she finishes latching on the gauntlet, she gently touches the cool metal. Her fingers gently carve the pattern that allows for flexibility and control. Her fingers don't fit in the cracks that allow the commander’s power to be released. The gauntlets are there to protect her and help harness her powers.
She should really say something. Anything.
Yet, nothing comes to mind. Her words are lost in the shadows of her emotions.
Just as she lets go of Skye’s palm, she feels a tight grip around her fingers. She looks at Skye's hand firmly, perfectly grasping onto her.
“Jemma, what's wrong?” she asks. Her face is full of concern and hesitation.
Jemma bites her lip and shakes her head. Suddenly, the floor becomes interesting and she notices Skye doesn’t have her boots on yet. “You still need your boots,” she informs as she moves to go grab them.
There is a tug back. Skye doesn't let go and Jemma doesn't make her.
Skye bows her head to seek Jemma’s eyes. Her chocolate brown eyes still twinkle brighter than the fluorescent lights. “Please,” she begs softly, “what’s going on in that brain of yours?”
Jemma readily ducks her head but Skye’s left hand comes up to the nape of her neck to redirect her attention. And she's forced to stared into the commander’s eyes. Even if she doesn't want to confront her, she doesn’t know what else to do. As much as she wants to avoid using her words, Skye's comforting touches soothe her.
“Have I done something wrong? Did I do something to upset you?”
The sound in her voice makes Jemma forget that they aren't really dating because that's all how she can imagine someone she cares about to worry about her. The way Skye sounds just makes her want to let the dam break and the words flow freely.
Jemma shudders as Skye’s fingers twirl the short hairs at the base of her neck.
She likes that a lot. The way Skye looks at her. The way she speaks to her. The way she flirts. The way she touches. It makes her crave more of Skye.
The need is overwhelming. Jemma lets go of Skye’s hand and throws her arms around the taller woman's shoulders and tucks her face into her neck inhaling her scent to commit to memory. She hugs so tightly that she barely notices that Skye hasn't hugged her back.
It's only when Skye stands up straighter and Jemma's chin is digging into her shoulder and she moves to tip toe to meet the commander’s height that she tries to pull away. But the taller woman doesn't allow that to happen because her arms wrap around her waist. Their bodies are flush against one another like puzzle pieces.
Jemma’s heart swells. Being held by Skye makes her forget every fear and worry she's mulled over in her head for the past few days. She doesn't want to let go.
“I am not letting go until you talk to me,” Skye says definitively.
You have a mission, Jemma thinks. She buries her face into her neck. But I don't want you to go.
Skye rubs her back soothingly. “I know this week has been stressful,” she keeps talking. Jemma is sure Skye knows that she feels more comforted when other people talk. She's coaxing Jemma into being ready. It just takes awhile for the gears to turn. “This was a pretty big project for you and Fitz, but you guys did a great job. I feel ready for this mission.”
Jemma’s heart starts to race and she holds onto Skye even more tightly.
She feels the commander sigh, their chest pressing tightly against each other. “Don't worry about me too hard,” she jokes with a cheerful laugh. “The team is going to give me crap about my girlfriend being a worry wart.”
Girlfriend. It hits her like a freight train. Jemma suddenly wants to let go of Skye. She's overstepped her boundaries. Skye isn't her girlfriend, no matter how much Jemma thinks she is.
She has to do it. She has to say something.
She quickly pulls away from Skye.
“I can't do this anymore,” Jemma declares as she tries to catch her breath. Leaving Skye’s grasp made her world spin. Her head was suddenly in another universe. And worst of all she starts to ramble, “I am so sorry, Skye. I don't know what's going on with me. I-I know that we are dating--well, fake dating. But I am not entirely sure what that constitutes. Be-because sometimes you flirt or at least I think you do? I am not sure. And sometimes you-you-ugh-you touch me and I feel so strange. Like you've flipped some switch in me.”
“Jemma, I am sorry if I've made you uncomfortable,” Skye tries to interject quickly.
Jemma shakes her head furiously, “No, no. No, it does not. It absolutely does not make me feel uncomfortable. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I like it a lot. I like you a lot. You make me feel comfortable and happy. You say all these nice things to me. You look at me like I mean something. And it makes me flutter with all of these feelings for you. I want to stare at you for hours on end. I want to hold you until tomorrow.” Her eyes sweep the commander and she's reminded about that form fitting uniform. “God, I really want to tear that bloody uniform off of you right now.”
Skye looks stunned the minute the words tumble from Jemma's lips.
Jemma's eyes widen. She is mortified by her statement.
“Oh lord...that...is my cue to shut up.” She can feel the heat rush to her cheeks. She cursed herself over and over as she turns away from Skye quickly. She can't look at her. The embarrassment is far too great. “I'm a bloody idiot. What is wrong with me? How could I have said that out loud?”
She tries to busy herself left and right and doesn't notice as Skye comes up behind her. The minute she feels a hand on her shoulder, she nearly jumps out of her skin.
She spins around.
Suddenly, Skye's lips are against hers and she is pushing back against the lab bench. Just as she suspected. Skye's lips are so soft. And she's an excellent kisser. She unconsciously squeals in delight because her heart pounds in her chest and this is more than she could ever ask for. Skye has that effect on her again. As much as she drives Jemma’s mind up the wall, there she is catching her excess emotions with her lips.
Her sense of reason, rationality, and fears are tossed into the wind. She lets her body take over and pulls Skye even closer.
Skye slides her tongue across her bottom lip to elicit a gasp. She takes full opportunity and slips her tongue against Jemma’s for a guttural groan.
She doesn't even know where the primal sound comes from. Jemma just flattens her hand against the leather pattern across Skye’s shoulder blades and gently scratches at the seams as Skye deepens their kiss.
One moment she feels the commander’s hands at her waist and then she's being hoisted to sit on the lab bench.
Their lips part for air but Skye doesn't stop there. She takes advantage of Jemma’s new height and attacks Jemma’s neck with hot, open mouth kisses.
Jemma grips the leather at her shoulders tightly as she futilely bites back a moan. Her eyes roll back when she feels Skye lick her neck before sucking on the pulse point. Her hands thread through the commander’s short dark locks to keep her in place as she continues her assault.
Skye has her hand at Jemma's waist and her fingers are tugging at her dress shirt. When the shirt comes untucked, Skye takes the opportunity to seek more skin.
Jemma whines at the touch and guides Skye’s lips up her jaw and back to her lips. Her hand moves to tug the collar of her uniform. She clenches and unclenches her fist around the leather, unsure how much further she can advance. The way Skye’s warm hand feels under her shirt makes Jemma want to feel how warm the rest of her is.
Just as she goes for the zipper, there is a loud clatter that distinctly sounds like a crack that breaks their impromptu makeout session.
The alarms instantly go off in Jemma’s mind because she knows exactly what that was.
The tablet!
“Oh no!” she exclaims as she extricates herself from Skye and hops off the lab bench. Bloody fuck. Bloody hell. “No, no, no, no, no! Fitz is going to kill me!” There’s a small whine that comes out as she picks up the fallen tablet.
Just as she suspected. It sort of makes her cry. There is a huge crack across the screen.
“Oh...Jemma…” Skye scratches the back of her neck.
It's not as if either of them expected that to happen.
Jemma feels terrible. Her body is buzzing from Skye but all of her attention is on the tablet. More specifically, Fitz's tablet. Granted SHIELD has a stockroom full of them but it's not easy to replace Fitz's technology.
She has to let him know. Oh god. She has to tell him.
“I am sure he will understand,” Skye offers as she takes the tablet from her hands as a means to calm her down. “I see him drop his stuff all the time. Usually, he is tripping all over the place but I mean--”
Jemma pouts as Skye takes the tablet from her and sets it on the table. “He is just particular.” She stares at the cracked screen. Damn.
Skye grabs Jemma by the shoulders and redirects her attention. “Jemma, you are overreacting. It will be okay,” she calmly says. “We just got a little carried away and things happen.” There is a sly smirk at the corner of her lips and Jemma blushes profusely.
“Skye…”
“Now you are getting shy on me?” she teases as she moves into her personal space.
Jemma steps back unconsciously.
Skye winces.
“I’m sorry,” Jemma quickly tries to ameliorate. She scrunches her nose up as she thinks of her words. “This is just different for me. I-I-” she exhales “I am just not sure what this is. All of these feelings are just things I’ve read about, heard about, or just seen but-” She trails off because Skye is just standing there listening. It feels odd being able to explain herself without feeling judged.
“We can take it slowly,” Skye offers. She rubs Jemma’s shoulders comfortingly. “I just hoped that you were okay with that. I can see where it can be much.”
Jemma nods and exhales in relief. “Slow is good,” she agrees. Even if her body is betraying her and wants to be in contact with Skye again. Emotions are overwhelming.
Skye smiles and pulls Jemma into another tight hug.
God, why is she perfect?
Jemma buries her face into Skye’s chest this time and feels the warmth of their bodies bringing her comfort. She could do this forever.
The door hisses open.
“Hey Simmons, Trip was asking me to--oh…”
The two pull apart quickly. It was different when they weren’t really doing anything but Jemma easily recalls the heated moment they just shared moments ago.
Agent Morse stops dead in her tracks. She is unsure if she should awkwardly back out or if she should continue.
Skye clears her throat and her commander voice comes back on, “Mockingbird.”
“Heh…” Morse responds with her head quirked.
Jemma has always thought she was the awkward one.
“Quake,” the blonde agent regards playfully. “Sorry to interrupt your moment, but I can see why Triplett didn't want to come check on you."
Skye glares.
“Oh right, whenever you are ready to deploy,” Morse adds playfully, unbothered by the younger woman's face. “I am sure the missus has a lot to say about this dangerous mission.”
“She isn--” Skye stops herself from denying anything. It was evident Agent Morse and the commander had a different relationship as opposed to her and Trip. “I will be there in 5.”
Mockingbird says nothing further but makes a whipping noise as she walks out of the lab. There is a raucous laugh as she gets out the door.
Jemma raises her eyebrows at Skye quizzically because she is sighing and shaking her head.
“I wasn't kidding when the team makes fun of me for my girlfriend.”
Jemma’s first instinct is to apologize.
“No, don't worry about it. It's just playful.” Skye moves to get her boots on. “Are you going to be okay?”
Jemma nods. Agent Morse wasn't incorrect in assuming Jemma was going to worry. That's how point A led to Point B led to Point Skye is kissing me and hoisting me up unto the lab bench.
Just ask Skye finishes tightening the straps to her boots and secure the blades, Jemma throws her arms around Skye again.
The most she says, barely audible as her face is pressed into the commander’s chest again, is, “Stay safe.”
Skye doesn’t say anything for a moment. But just like that, she understands it. She gets Jemma. She nods and kisses the top of Jemma’s head. “I will be back. And then maybe, we can talk then?”
Jemma internally groans. Feelings. She nods regardless.
“Oooor we can do other things?”
Jemma pulls away and slaps Skye’s chest.
She just laughs in response. “Whatever you want, I promise.” Her hands reach to clasp Jemma’s and she brings it up to her lips. “See you soon.”
Jemma swoons at the sweet gesture. She leans forward quickly to kiss Skye on the cheek. “See you soon.”
Skye smiles radiantly at her as she lets go of her hands. For a second, it feels like Skye isn't going to leave, but she has to. She grabs her gun off of the table and slips it into her thigh holster as she walks out of the door. She throws another smile over her shoulder as she disappears around corner.
She’ll be back.
Jemma sighs wistfully.
Fitz enters the room quickly and his eyes lock onto Jemma. “That prep took a bit longer than expected,” he instantly leads with. “I take it you two talked?”
Oh god. Jemma scrunches her nose again in distaste because he looks eagerly at her to answer. “We are going to?”
He rolls his eyes, but something catches his attention. He darts closer to her and she steps back quickly.
“What?!” she asks in alarm.
His jaw drops before a huge smile spreads across his face. “Jemma, what is that on your neck?”
Her hand shoots to her neck. The ghosting thoughts of Skye kissing her fill her mind.
Oh, they are so going to have a talk about this.