Resurrection - Chapter 29 (the end)
The nice thing about working for SHIELD is the job security. Yes, you might get killed on every mission, but there's no end of bad guys and evil doers out there. Sometimes you just have to take a break and decompress.
Chapter 29
The following morning no one was awake early. The local members of the group had departed, leaving the bus to the usual suspects, and everyone awoke with a headache. Melinda was still shaking off the effects of the nuralizer, but seemed otherwise completely intact, and the others were nursing the effects of the champagne celebration they'd had for her recovery.
Reluctantly Skye decided it was time to rise, making a quick run to the restroom and shower before heading to the lounge. A quick check revealed that there wasn't really much new. The morning report from the Hub wouldn't be out for a few hours due to the time zone difference, and a quick search of the various news services that SHIELD monitored found nothing remarkable that might infer one of the escapees from the fridge was active.
After a few more checks, she began thinking about something else...something she'd been considering ever since they had left Portland. After a few moments of consideration, she started additional searches, making notes here and there and mapping out her plans. With a little bit of luck she managed to coerce one recalcitrant manager to make some adjustments, and after a quick check of the weather forecast she made the final decisions.
As she completed her work, Jemma wandered in, searching for some sort of remedy for her headache. “I don't think I've ever had that much to drink,” she said, and Skye nodded even though she knew Jemma hadn't had more than a couple rounds.
“The best thing is a good breakfast,” Skye observed, and then something occurred to her. “Hey, let's make a serious breakfast for everybody. I think they could use that.”
Jemma smiled. “I'm not sure my head is up for that, but it sounds like a wonderful idea. What do youo have in mind?”
Skye grinned. “I think we should do a complete fry-up. We have everything we need, so let's go for it.”
Jemma winchst. “I...I'm not much of a cook,” she said, somewhat on the defensive. “I...my mom never taught me. I was too busy in school.”
Skye nodded. “That's okay. I found all the recipe stuff on the computer, so we just need to follow the directions.
Jemma smiled. “Well, in that case...let's go for it.”
It wasn't long before the odors from the kitchen brought the others out of their cubicles. “Whatever are you two ladies doing?” Basil asked, sticking his head into the small space.
Jemma turned and grinned. “We're preparing a proper celebration. Now, if you'll just wash up it should be just about ready to serve.”
Basil smiled. “There is no end to the surprises on this flying vehicle, and I little expected anything like this.” That said, he disappeared and Phil walked in.
“So...now what are you doing?” he asked, addressing his comments to Skye.
“We decided that if we're off to save the world again we should begin with a proper meal, so...we're having a fry-up this morning, and you're going to join the rest of us.”
“Does this mean I have no say in the matter?”
Both Skye and Jemma turned to face him. “That is exactly what it means,” they replied. Skye continued. “The world, for the moment appears to be stable, no new sightings and only the usual trouble spots, none of which require our intervention. Therefore we are going to eat a proper meal, and then we will return to the Sandbox, where we will exchange Sir Basil for another eminent scientist who is, according to all reports, driving them nuts.”
“When we have done that, I have charted another course, which will take us far to the west and new adventures.” Phil started to object, but it was clear that for the moment his voice had been out-voted. As he though further he considered that Skye had actually assumed the role of First Officer, second only to the Director himself.
Melinda had always been his support when times got bad, but Skye was now his alter-ego when it came to operations, and the more he considered that the more he found it comforting. The former Rising Tide hacker had proven she was much more, and although he was still concerned that the combination of her unknown origin and the infusion of GH 325 might affect her negatively, she'd never shown any sign of a problem. Until, or unless she did, his trust would remain in place.
On the screens and monitors throughout the bus a gentle chime sounded, accompanied by a subtle, sexy voice. “Breakfast will now be served in the dinning lounge.”
Unlike the usual “make your own” meals, the table was set with cloth serviettes, a full selection of silverware, and even goblets filled with icewater. At each seat there was a placecard, with Phil seated at the head of the table and Melinda seated at the foot. Sir Basil was seated across from Trip and next to him sat Jemma.
The table was filled with steaming dishes, each odor blending with the others to create a sensory smorgasbord that wafted throughout the main deck of the bus, and as the team gathered it was immediately clear that Skye's idea was universally considered wonderful. Melinda was still a bit unsteady, but of primary importance, she was completely herself, the valued friend and comrade in arms that the rest of the team needed to see once again whole.
“In recognition of his contributions to our success, and his imminent return to a more controlled and stable environment, this proper breakfast is dedicated to Sir Basil. The entire team generated a rousing cheer that actually caused the man to blush a little.
“I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality,” he said, looking around from face to face. “I suspected my time with you might be stimulating, and perhaps even exciting, but I completely underestimated your ability to create confusion, mayhem, and disruptive prosody. However, that said, I can honestly say that my life has become much richer through meeting each of you. Not only shall I remember each of you, I shall much better understand the implications of my work in the laboratory.”
“Sometimes our research seems far too abstract, unrelated to reality beyond the walls of our work stations. We forget that our findings and creations can have much more serious implications when those of you in the field attempt to apply them in real world settings. Please believe me when I tell you that I shall share your exploits with the other denizens of the Sandbox. Our work will be better for knowing how much we affect your success.”
“Now, let us discovery what these wonderful ladies have prepared, shall we?”
The covers were raised and the questions soon followed. The bangers and streaky bacon were obvious, but most had never seen nor consumed, at least not as a part of the first meal of the day. There were beans, and, of course, tomatoes. While toast wouldn't have been a surprise, the reality of fried bread was somewhat different. Skye had even managed a small jar of marmite, placed strategically next to the marmalade.
The final elements, fried eggs with runny yolks were presented along with both black and white pudding...and proper kippers.
Melinda was somewhat timid, partly because she was not an adventurous eater in the first place and additionally because she wasn't completely certain her body was fully functional. However, she quickly discovered that the encouragement from both Jemma and Basil was not unfounded. Trip had been raised with a much different diet, and while he sometimes regretted that the bus didn't often stock collard greens he was certainly open to new things. He normally ate healthy, but he certainly wasn't above an excuse for a “comfort food” extravaganza.
As Phil ate he wondered what else Skye had in mind. She'd alluded to something else but included no specifics, and he knew she was going to drop that second shoe at some point. Finally, when everyone had consumed their fill, she again took charge.
“We need to go over the plan for the day,” she said without any preamble. “First, we're leaving this sand box and heading to our own Sandbox. Once there we are going to exchange our hostage scientist for someone else.”
“Who?” Melinda asked.
Skye grinned. “According to the reports I viewed this morning, the Sandbox management is begging us to take a certain Leopold Fitz off their hands.” Jemma squealed, and everyone else, Basil included, cheered. “Apparently he's threatened them with the application some unknown scientific principle if they don't accede to his demands, and I believe it is the responsibility of the Director and his team to maintain or restore order through all of SHIELD. So...it seems like the best possible outcome.”
Again there was a cheer and many wide grins.
“Now, once that is completed, we have a new mission.” She seemed to be serious and everyone began to focus. She pulled out a SHIELD folder, clearly stamped with a Level 10 security warning on the cover. “We will be flying further west. There is trouble brewing in a place we recently visited, and it is incumbent upon us to address the issue.” She paused for effect...and generated the desired result.
She turned her attention to Melinda. “You need to generate a complete list of any maintenance that the bus needs. Trip, perhaps you can assist with that.” Trip smiled and nodded. “Jemma, once Fitz is back we need you to go through the stores. We need to restock anything missing, and we'll need to pick up anything that Fitz needs for mission support in the future.” Jemma nodded.
Then Skye turned to face Phil. “Now, while we're taking care of the bus, you have a job too,” she said, pretty clearly stating that his opinion on the matter wasn't needed. “As Director, and as a field agent, you've been pretty busy the past two months. SHIELD cannot function well if you are too burned out, so you're going to take a few days off.”
Phil started to object, but Skye wasn't having it. “It's not a matter for discussion, and I know Melinda will support my opinion here.” In truth she hadn't discussed anything with Melinda, but she was actually quite certain she'd agree.
“Here is your itinerary, starting tomorrow,” she said, handing over the folder. “When we land in Portland you will take Lola and drive directly to Ankeny Street. You will find Audrey expecting you. Then you will follow the outline I just handed you...and spend the rest of the week along the coast. I have arranged good weather, you can go whale watching, have clam chowder at Mo's, walk on the beach, and relax.”
Phil just smiled, believing he should somehow protest but knowing it would only be for show. The folder contained his future; a future he very much wanted. Somehow, as he pushed back the tears that were trying hard to escape, he managed to look at his entire team.
“Thank you.”
Chapter 29
The following morning no one was awake early. The local members of the group had departed, leaving the bus to the usual suspects, and everyone awoke with a headache. Melinda was still shaking off the effects of the nuralizer, but seemed otherwise completely intact, and the others were nursing the effects of the champagne celebration they'd had for her recovery.
Reluctantly Skye decided it was time to rise, making a quick run to the restroom and shower before heading to the lounge. A quick check revealed that there wasn't really much new. The morning report from the Hub wouldn't be out for a few hours due to the time zone difference, and a quick search of the various news services that SHIELD monitored found nothing remarkable that might infer one of the escapees from the fridge was active.
After a few more checks, she began thinking about something else...something she'd been considering ever since they had left Portland. After a few moments of consideration, she started additional searches, making notes here and there and mapping out her plans. With a little bit of luck she managed to coerce one recalcitrant manager to make some adjustments, and after a quick check of the weather forecast she made the final decisions.
As she completed her work, Jemma wandered in, searching for some sort of remedy for her headache. “I don't think I've ever had that much to drink,” she said, and Skye nodded even though she knew Jemma hadn't had more than a couple rounds.
“The best thing is a good breakfast,” Skye observed, and then something occurred to her. “Hey, let's make a serious breakfast for everybody. I think they could use that.”
Jemma smiled. “I'm not sure my head is up for that, but it sounds like a wonderful idea. What do youo have in mind?”
Skye grinned. “I think we should do a complete fry-up. We have everything we need, so let's go for it.”
Jemma winchst. “I...I'm not much of a cook,” she said, somewhat on the defensive. “I...my mom never taught me. I was too busy in school.”
Skye nodded. “That's okay. I found all the recipe stuff on the computer, so we just need to follow the directions.
Jemma smiled. “Well, in that case...let's go for it.”
It wasn't long before the odors from the kitchen brought the others out of their cubicles. “Whatever are you two ladies doing?” Basil asked, sticking his head into the small space.
Jemma turned and grinned. “We're preparing a proper celebration. Now, if you'll just wash up it should be just about ready to serve.”
Basil smiled. “There is no end to the surprises on this flying vehicle, and I little expected anything like this.” That said, he disappeared and Phil walked in.
“So...now what are you doing?” he asked, addressing his comments to Skye.
“We decided that if we're off to save the world again we should begin with a proper meal, so...we're having a fry-up this morning, and you're going to join the rest of us.”
“Does this mean I have no say in the matter?”
Both Skye and Jemma turned to face him. “That is exactly what it means,” they replied. Skye continued. “The world, for the moment appears to be stable, no new sightings and only the usual trouble spots, none of which require our intervention. Therefore we are going to eat a proper meal, and then we will return to the Sandbox, where we will exchange Sir Basil for another eminent scientist who is, according to all reports, driving them nuts.”
“When we have done that, I have charted another course, which will take us far to the west and new adventures.” Phil started to object, but it was clear that for the moment his voice had been out-voted. As he though further he considered that Skye had actually assumed the role of First Officer, second only to the Director himself.
Melinda had always been his support when times got bad, but Skye was now his alter-ego when it came to operations, and the more he considered that the more he found it comforting. The former Rising Tide hacker had proven she was much more, and although he was still concerned that the combination of her unknown origin and the infusion of GH 325 might affect her negatively, she'd never shown any sign of a problem. Until, or unless she did, his trust would remain in place.
On the screens and monitors throughout the bus a gentle chime sounded, accompanied by a subtle, sexy voice. “Breakfast will now be served in the dinning lounge.”
Unlike the usual “make your own” meals, the table was set with cloth serviettes, a full selection of silverware, and even goblets filled with icewater. At each seat there was a placecard, with Phil seated at the head of the table and Melinda seated at the foot. Sir Basil was seated across from Trip and next to him sat Jemma.
The table was filled with steaming dishes, each odor blending with the others to create a sensory smorgasbord that wafted throughout the main deck of the bus, and as the team gathered it was immediately clear that Skye's idea was universally considered wonderful. Melinda was still a bit unsteady, but of primary importance, she was completely herself, the valued friend and comrade in arms that the rest of the team needed to see once again whole.
“In recognition of his contributions to our success, and his imminent return to a more controlled and stable environment, this proper breakfast is dedicated to Sir Basil. The entire team generated a rousing cheer that actually caused the man to blush a little.
“I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality,” he said, looking around from face to face. “I suspected my time with you might be stimulating, and perhaps even exciting, but I completely underestimated your ability to create confusion, mayhem, and disruptive prosody. However, that said, I can honestly say that my life has become much richer through meeting each of you. Not only shall I remember each of you, I shall much better understand the implications of my work in the laboratory.”
“Sometimes our research seems far too abstract, unrelated to reality beyond the walls of our work stations. We forget that our findings and creations can have much more serious implications when those of you in the field attempt to apply them in real world settings. Please believe me when I tell you that I shall share your exploits with the other denizens of the Sandbox. Our work will be better for knowing how much we affect your success.”
“Now, let us discovery what these wonderful ladies have prepared, shall we?”
The covers were raised and the questions soon followed. The bangers and streaky bacon were obvious, but most had never seen nor consumed, at least not as a part of the first meal of the day. There were beans, and, of course, tomatoes. While toast wouldn't have been a surprise, the reality of fried bread was somewhat different. Skye had even managed a small jar of marmite, placed strategically next to the marmalade.
The final elements, fried eggs with runny yolks were presented along with both black and white pudding...and proper kippers.
Melinda was somewhat timid, partly because she was not an adventurous eater in the first place and additionally because she wasn't completely certain her body was fully functional. However, she quickly discovered that the encouragement from both Jemma and Basil was not unfounded. Trip had been raised with a much different diet, and while he sometimes regretted that the bus didn't often stock collard greens he was certainly open to new things. He normally ate healthy, but he certainly wasn't above an excuse for a “comfort food” extravaganza.
As Phil ate he wondered what else Skye had in mind. She'd alluded to something else but included no specifics, and he knew she was going to drop that second shoe at some point. Finally, when everyone had consumed their fill, she again took charge.
“We need to go over the plan for the day,” she said without any preamble. “First, we're leaving this sand box and heading to our own Sandbox. Once there we are going to exchange our hostage scientist for someone else.”
“Who?” Melinda asked.
Skye grinned. “According to the reports I viewed this morning, the Sandbox management is begging us to take a certain Leopold Fitz off their hands.” Jemma squealed, and everyone else, Basil included, cheered. “Apparently he's threatened them with the application some unknown scientific principle if they don't accede to his demands, and I believe it is the responsibility of the Director and his team to maintain or restore order through all of SHIELD. So...it seems like the best possible outcome.”
Again there was a cheer and many wide grins.
“Now, once that is completed, we have a new mission.” She seemed to be serious and everyone began to focus. She pulled out a SHIELD folder, clearly stamped with a Level 10 security warning on the cover. “We will be flying further west. There is trouble brewing in a place we recently visited, and it is incumbent upon us to address the issue.” She paused for effect...and generated the desired result.
She turned her attention to Melinda. “You need to generate a complete list of any maintenance that the bus needs. Trip, perhaps you can assist with that.” Trip smiled and nodded. “Jemma, once Fitz is back we need you to go through the stores. We need to restock anything missing, and we'll need to pick up anything that Fitz needs for mission support in the future.” Jemma nodded.
Then Skye turned to face Phil. “Now, while we're taking care of the bus, you have a job too,” she said, pretty clearly stating that his opinion on the matter wasn't needed. “As Director, and as a field agent, you've been pretty busy the past two months. SHIELD cannot function well if you are too burned out, so you're going to take a few days off.”
Phil started to object, but Skye wasn't having it. “It's not a matter for discussion, and I know Melinda will support my opinion here.” In truth she hadn't discussed anything with Melinda, but she was actually quite certain she'd agree.
“Here is your itinerary, starting tomorrow,” she said, handing over the folder. “When we land in Portland you will take Lola and drive directly to Ankeny Street. You will find Audrey expecting you. Then you will follow the outline I just handed you...and spend the rest of the week along the coast. I have arranged good weather, you can go whale watching, have clam chowder at Mo's, walk on the beach, and relax.”
Phil just smiled, believing he should somehow protest but knowing it would only be for show. The folder contained his future; a future he very much wanted. Somehow, as he pushed back the tears that were trying hard to escape, he managed to look at his entire team.
“Thank you.”