Chapter Text
There wasn't enough time for this. At 1900 hours on 31st December, 2014, there really wasn't enough time for this. Skye sighed heavily and rested her forehead against the cool, polished wood of her apartment door. Having returned from her job just in enough time to take a shower and then head out to celebrate the New Year in New York , which is probably what every young blood in the city would be doing, Skye didn't count upon herself to forget taking the apartment key. She had left it inside the apartment when she was in a hurry to get to work.
Having moved to New York only recently, Skye was new at this building. She didn't think the landlady or neighbours would still be hanging about, especially today. Besides, she was new and was yet to make introductions, nobody would trust her. The only solution was to either break in or interrupt someone else in their celebrations just because she had the memory of a goldfish. She wondered whether Ward had already left for the club they were going to meet at, which was on the other side of town, and whether he would come and pick her up.
"Are you OK?" she was interrupted in her thoughts by a distinctly foreign accent. A British accent. Startled, she looked up. Nothing in the world could've prepared her for the sight before her eyes. A girl, slightly shorter than her, with shoulder-length hair and the most beautiful face Skye had ever seen, stood with two grocery bags in each of her hands and a concerned look on her face.
"What," Skye blurted out having realized that the girl was waiting for her to respond.
"I said, are you OK? You looked really frown-y," the girl repeated with a small frown of her own.
"Oh, yeah," Skye said and then looked in the direction of her door. Shaking her head she continued, "actually no, I'm locked out of my apartment because I forgot to take my keys with me in the morning. Stupid, I know." The girl nodded in understanding.
A few moments passed before the girl spoke up.
"I'm Jemma Simmons," the girl said, trying to balance both grocery bags in her left hand and bringing forward the right one for Skye to shake. Skye shook her hand and made a mental note of how soft Jemma Simmons' hand was. Seriously, Skye? She thought. You just met her and you're thinking about how soft her hands are. She mentally kicked herself.
"You're new here, right..," Jemma asked Skye. It was only a few moments later that Skye realized that she hadn't told her name and the girl was waiting for it.
"Skye, yeah I moved here two weeks ago," she said with a smile, still shaking Jemma's hand. Jemma's soft, warm hand. Ugh, brain stahp, Skye mentally cursed.
"Skye," Jemma repeated with a smile. "So you're new. Well I'm not sure whether anybody told you yet, but the landlady isn't home today and nobody besides her has a duplicate key. I know because I've been locked out before," Jemma chuckled. The sound was like music to Skye's ears.
Skye smiled at the absurdity of her situation. Here she was, locked out of her apartment on the last day of the year but all she could think about how much she wants to hear Jemma Simmons laugh again.
"I'm locked out for the day then, just fucking great," Skye said suddenly with realization, cursing under her breath. She was really looking forward to hanging out with Ward and Tripp today and welcoming the new year here in New York.
It would've been the first new year in 8 years which she wouldn't celebrate alone. Ever since Ward had turned 18 and moved out of the orphanage she and Ward had grown up in 8 years ago, she had been looking forward to the day she'd turn 18 and follow Ward to New York. He was like her brother and they constantly looked out for each other. Unfortunately, she didn't have the money for it until she was 20, having worked two jobs five days a week. After she had enough money, she moved to New York where Ward helped Skye find her own apartment, since he already shared his with two other people. He also got her a job as a "hacker extraordinaire" at a law firm called Coulson & May. Her job consisted of digging up information on cheating spouses, etc., but hey at least she was doing some good. And the bosses were really chill.
Jemma saw the frown on Skye's face and suddenly felt a little sad for her.
"I'm sorry. Did you have plans?" Jemma asked, bringing Skye back to reality.
Skye nodded and said, "yeah, I was going to hang out with a few of friends of mine. I can't really make it to the club in my current state so I guess I'll just watch the ball drop on TV," Skye spoke trying to sound cheerful and then frowned, "oh wait, I'm locked out. I can't watch TV."
Jemma nodded sympathetically until a brilliant idea occur to her.
"Say Skye, why don't you stay at my place until the landlady returns? I can cook you dinner and you can watch the ball drop on my TV. You can even crash on the couch if you want. And I promise I won't murder you in your sleep," Jemma said with a big smile on her face. Skye was quite taken aback by the offer, less than the radiance of Jemma's smile, but quite.
"Are you sure? You won't mind? Don't you have plans?" Skye smiled, feeling nervous butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of spending the night in Jemma's apartment. Or with Jemma. Either way.
"I was going to stay in and cook dinner for Fitz, but some company will be delightful." The mention of a "Fitz" disappointed Skye because as creepy as it sounds, she thought Jemma lived alone. "Fitz is a dear, but after how long I've known him I'd rather talk to you than him," Jemma said only realizing what she's said after a moment. This caught both the girls by surprise and while Jemma blushed, Skye's mouth opened in surprise.
"I mean, Fitz is really bad company unless we're talking about cars or machines or physics and even though I do enjoy talking to him I don't think he has anything new to say to me other than what happened on one of those horrid TV shows he watches.." Jemma rambled. Skye smiled and kept staring at Jemma as she continued to ramble. God, she looks cute when she rambles, Skye thought.
"..which is why Fitz should never have control over the remote really." She took a deep breath before saying, "which is why we would love to have you over. I mean, I would, but Fitz wouldn't mind. We're neighbours anyway, what better occasion to get to know each other?" Jemma finished smiling expectantly at Skye.
"Okay then, but if you try to kill me, I'll come back and haunt you," Skye said playfullu. Jemma grinned and moved past Skye towards her apartment. Skye couldn't help but notice how nice Jemma smelled. Stop being a creep Skye, she told herself.
Gathering her stuff, Skye stood behind Jemma as she unlocked the door and held it open.
Skye walked in and Jemma closed the door behind her.
"Fitz! I'm back from the grocery shop," Jemma yelled and went about tidying up the room as if it wasn't already clean.
Wow, Skye thought. Jemma Simmons is neat. And cute. And like, very pretty.
"Did you remember to bring chips," a male voice with a Scottish accent yelled back, obviously Fitz.
Jemma rolled her eyes and said, "yes, I did".
Skye stood awkwardly facing Jemma's back, listening to the exchange between Jemma and 'Fitz'. In the little time Skye had talked to Jemma, Fitz had been mentioned more times than she could count. What if he was her boyfriend? Or worse, husband. Not that Jemma looked that old, she was probably in her mid-twenties. Not that people in her mid-twenties didn't marry, but still. What is she thinking?! Suddenly, Skye felt uncomfortable. She should've called Ward and insisted that he drive back and pick her up.
Jemma turned to face Skye and found her looking at her thoughtfully, even though she wasn't really looking at her but more through her.
"Earth to Skye, you alright?" Jemma said playfully bringing Skye back to the present.
Skye smiled, "you really don't mind? What if I am a serial killer?"
"You're too pretty to be a serial killer," Jemma replied and realized she'd done it again as the colour rose to her cheeks.
Thankfully, before Skye could respond Fitz walked into the room saying, "Jemma, who are you talki-" but stopped as soon as he noticed Skye.
"Oh, hi," he said looking confused.
"Fitz, this is Skye, she moved next door a week ago. Skye, this is Fitz, my roommate slash best friend," Jemma said making the necessary introductions. The latter part mentioning "best friend" wasn't necessary, but it made Skye just a bit more hopeful.
Skye held up her hand in a small wave and said "hello" as Fitz replied in kind.
"Skye forgot her key in the apartment and Lady Land is out, so Skye is stuck with us for the time being. You don't mind right?" Jemma said.
"Oh, okay. I don't mind," Fitz answered looking at Skye suspiciously.
"She's not a serial killer Fitz, stop looking at her like that!" Jemma said.
"Sorry, it's just unusual. You bringing a girl home," Fitz replied with a small grin.
"Oh, shush you. Don't pay attention to him Skye. Sit down and make yourself at home. I'll go cook dinner," Jemma smiled warmly at Skye.
Maybe I won't be alone today after all, Skye thought looking at Jemma with a kind of adoration in her eyes as Jemma went about the house gracefully.