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chapter five

(April 4th; 2017
The Playground, Classified)

    SILENCE.

    Simmons hated silence.

    Especially silence like this.

    She fiddled with her fingers, already feeling a lump in her throat as she glanced briefly at Leith sitting down on the couch beside her. They hadn't said anything for twenty minutes━she's been counting each second on the clock that ticked away on the coffee table of her room. Twenty minutes in painful silence.

    Jemma wanted to be angry━she wanted to take a deep breath through her nose, set her jaw and keep the posture she's been wearing ever since the new Director arrived; the only way she could keep herself sane. But here, alone in this stilling silence with Leith, she slumped with a need to cry━like she was younger.

    One of them had to say something. They needed to, but both of them couldn't bear to open their lips, because they both had a feeling they knew exactly how this conversation will go.

    But in the end, Leith pursed his lips and muttered, "I thought you were determined to follow the law. Didn't know I'd see you help Daisy and Clara break the Sokovia Accords..."

    Jemma glanced at him, something tight in her chest. "Leith━" she tried to keep her composure; act like this was just any other factual talk, but it wasn't. It was far from that. "I ... I didn't mean it that way."

    "You went off at me for breaking the Accords," went on Leith, jaw clenching. "And you went and did the same thing."

    She clenched her fingers into fists at her lap, gripping the fabric of her work pants. "That's unfair," she said. "That was before I knew that Watchdogs were getting Inhuman intel. I was trying to help."

    "And I wasn't?" her boyfriend met her gaze, green eyes flared with anger. Jemma hated it━she never thought Leith would look at her like that; she never thought she'd anger him. She never thought they'd fight. It was a silly, childish thought. But Jemma had a fairytale idea━even after everything, she had imagined her and Leith as some fairytale after years of suffering.

    Jemma set her jaw as well, wishing he could just understand. She told him her fears; her worries━everything that had ached her shoulders these months while he was away. She called him, texted him, vented everything out to him and he still didn't seem to understand why she had been so harsh. It was for him. For them. To keep them all together and safe.

     But was there any use now? Jemma has so many lies to tell tomorrow, and she won't pass them all━everything she had built up was falling away at the very seams.

    Perhaps they could've moved on; they both made mistakes, they both did the same thing━they could be even, now. But there was a lot of unfleshed feelings━she could feel it in the tense air, completely suffocating her. It made her say, "It's different."

     This made Leith's anger flare up. His brows shot up, suprised. "Different?" he echoed, "How is it different?"

     Jemma didn't want to explain it to him━mainly because there was a part of her that didn't know; that just didn't want to admit she made a mistake. She was sometimes terrible at admitting her mistakes. Admitting she was wrong. Like the time she once argued with her Professor back at the Academy when she got some of her multiple choice wrong. And she had been incorrect, but it took quite a few arguments, some tears and stubborn shame before she realised. "I don't expect you to understand━"

     That was the wrong thing to say.

    Simmons closed her eyes, wincing as Leith stood up, storming away from the couch. She didn't know what to say━what does she say to make things better? So far, she's just been making things worse. But it wasn't like it was just her fault! Leith was a problem in this, too━he completely disregarded what they talked about. Went against the law and straining her position despite knowing exactly why she was doing it. He had promised to be smart and rash, not to go off running with his emotions and making decisions with his heart on his sleeve. But he had done it anyway without a second thought to her; to them.

     "I don't understand?" he exploded, spinning back to her. "Did you really just bloody say that to me?"

    Matching his anger with her own that was beginning to rise after her thoughts, Jemma snapped. "Yes, yes, I did. You don't understand what I've been trying to do! You say you do but you don't━if you did, you would have never done what you did in the first place! You just go off and do what you want with no consideration to others what so ever!"

    Leith scoffed, propping his hands on his hips. Jemma's heart pounded as her words flew out before she could stop him. "There's supposed to be trust in a relationship, Leith! H━how am I supposed to trust you if you just━just never take things seriously!"

    He froze. Jemma froze, too.

   That silence returned; the one she hated, but it was worse now as they both realised what she had just said. Jemma's throat burned with the pain, but she pushed it back, not wanting to break down in front of him━not after she said what she did.

     How could she say that? She knew all of his insecurities ... how could she let herself say that?

     Seeing the twist of Leith's face made her heart ache, knowing she was the one who caused it. "Yeah, well," he grumbled, eyes dark, "sorry I'm not perfect for you, Jemma Simmons. Sorry I can't analyze every situation and every outcome━if you hadn't noticed, yet, I'm far from perfect."

     She wanted to apologise━she wanted to tell him ... what? That he was perfect? That he was perfect for her? That he made her feel like a school girl, wanting a perfect fairytale? That he made her heart burn for him just by the way he'd smile or joke or turn something serious into something to laugh about? That he had helped her so much when she needed him most, even when they weren't close? That he was perfect because he wasn't perfect? How does she say that? What could possibly sum all of that up?

    Jemma's voice cracked, "Leith, I'm━"

    "Just take a moment to get down from that high-horse you're on right now," Leith cut her off, "maybe then you'll realise you're not perfect, either."

    And with that said, he grabbed his jacket and left, slamming the door behind him. Jemma's eyes brimmed with tears. She turned away with a deep breath, shooting her gaze to the ceiling as she tried to keep it all in. But it was hard━impossible even, knowing that she had just made things worse ... again.

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(April 5th; 2017
Zephyr One, Classified)

    LEITH had a tendency to pace when something was on his mind; and right now, that was a lot. Glancing backwards and forwards between where he was pacing and the deadly, scientific (and did he mention deadly?) ghost book on the monitor, he tried to keep his anger down. His anger was no good for anyone━it got him into bad places. But he was furious. His argument with Jemma was still fresh on his mind from yesterday, and it made him grind his teeth as he went over their words, again and again and again.

    A loophole of: I should have said this, or why would I say that? Many different scenarioes ran through his head where he could have fixed things, made things better, or sent the conversation in a different avenue. But Jemma's pride infuriated him━couldn't she just admit that they both did the wrong thing? That she wasn't perfect for one second? What was she trying to hide from? They trusted each other, it was a safe place━she's allowed to not be perfect with Leith; he preferred it when she didn't.

    It was the set of her jaw, the flare of her nostrils and the quiet mutter of, I don't expect you to understand like he was trying to listen to her talk about some new discovery in biology. They were better than that. She was better than that. And that was what set Leith off ... which set her off ... and then she said the other thing that made him want to slam his fist down.

     Because she knew. She knew, and she always promised him that he was. Jemma told Leith that he was good, and deserving, and needed to give himself more credit and that she liked his humour, and that he could be serious when needed ... and he had believed her.

    He had believed her so much that now she said that, he felt off-balance.

    Determined to get his mind off all of this, he forced his attention upon the scan of the mysterious book on the monitor: The Darkhold. (If that name wasn't ominous enough to how dangerous it was, the cover most certainly did an equal job).

    "If this thing is that dangerous, then why not tell him?" asked Mack, arms crossed and brows furrowed. "He's the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

    "We don't know if we can trust him," stated Coulson and Leith bounced his brows, agreeing. There was something off about Director Mace━Leith had felt it since he first laid eyes on him. And it wasn't because he was a politician.

    "So why the hell is he here?" demanded May, nodding back at Robbie Reyes━not even trying to be subtle. Leith glanced back too, brow arched at the Ghost Rider. His dark, date eyes scowled at the monitors opposite his seat and his shoulders were rigid and low━as if weighted by a constant, overbearing chip.

     "Without him," said Coulson, "we wouldn't know the Darkhold had resurfaced. But, the fewer people who know about it, the better. Fury had no problem opening up Pandora's Box from time to time, but even he was afraid of this thing. It's powerful, it's deadly, and now probably in the hands of a pissed-off mad-scientist ghost. So ... thoughts, feelings?" he glanced at them each in turn. "This is a safe space."

     Leith raised a finger; they turned to him. "I think we should have another crack at Eli Morrow━well, rephrase that, we need to have another crack." Coulson arched a curious brow. He shrugged. "Well, think about it━he's the one that knows this book. And he'll know what Lucy Bauer wants with it and where she's probably going to next."

     The Ghost Rider flung his head back, letting out an annoyed sigh at them all; meeting their gazes, his dark eyes flickered with the fire inside him. "My uncle is not gonna talk to you."

     "Yeah?" Leith walked up to him slightly━he was not in a good mood, and everyone could tell. "Well, he's not going to have a choice, mate."

     Reyes rolled his eyes━fuck, he's hot (thought Leith in the back of his mind).

     Coulson thought about Leith's words, "Let's inform S.H.I.E.L.D.," he decided, "we're taking an asset into protective custody as part of a routine investigation. May?" he glanced at the Cavalry. "Want to go to prison? Could be Taco Tuesday."

     She was already off, "I'll call the warden and find out."

    Leith frowned at Coulson's smile. "Mate, why are you smiling? She gave no expression whatsoever."

     Coulson just gave him the same smile. Mack sighed, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, "If we're gonna track her down, we're gonna need that antidoite."

    Leith pulled out his phone momentarily, "Clara said that she, Fitz and Simmons were close. That was about an hour ago."

    "I don't want it close," said Couslon, the smile falling off his face immediately. "I want it here."

     As if suddenly realising everything that was happening at all the movement, Robbie Reyes sprung to his feet. "Wait. If we're going to get my uncle, I'm going with you."

    Leith made a noise in the back of his throat, "As much as you coming would seriously pleasure my eyes, Coulson has a no face━so it's a no."

     Robbie turned to him, fierce, "I'm sorry?"

    "Apology accepted."

     This didn't hep the Ghost Rider's anger. Leith just winked. Mack stepped up to his side, "If your uncle can lead us to Lucy," said the mechanic, "then maybe we'll let you out to bust some ghosts."

    "Yeah," agreed Leith, "but until then, your pretty arse stays on the plane."

    The Ghost Rider glowered at him. "I don't take orders."

    "Then this will be a new experience," said Couslon, stepping up towards the cockpit to inform the pilot of their new coordinates.

    "You can't keep me here."

     "Maybe not," the old Director clasped the bar rail, leaning down with no room for amusement━only authority. "But you take this plane down, you'll be burning up the only people in the world trying to help you."

     Robbie was far from happy. But he set his jaw and spun on his heel, storming to the quinjet stairs. As he left, Couslon's eyes watched him with a flicker of amusement. "He's growing on me," he said. "You?"

    Mack just stared at him incredulously.

     Leith smiled, feeling a bit better━until his phone chimed. He looked down at Jemma's message; Can we please talk?

     And while there was plenty he wanted to say; so much he wanted to vent and express, shake his hands in frustration because despite it all, he still cared for her so fiercly it scared him, Leith replied with a quick: I'm on a mission. Later.

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(April 5th; 2017
The Playground, Classified)

    "WE CAN learn a lot when someone dies."

    Clara bypassed Simmons as Fitz spoke, barely glimpsing the set of her jaw at whatever message she saw on her phone. She expected her to follow, but she stayed centred at her desk, returning to her paperwork with a rigid grip. Agent Roy picked up pieces of the andtidote, slipping them into the casing for Fitz with her own rigid stance. 

    She didn't want to be angry with him━that was the last thing she wanted. But Roy couldn't help it as Fitz followed her around, muttering and mumbling sentences and words━ones she didn't want to hear at all right now. Clara didn't want anything else to hide. She just wanted to have quiet━to just take a moment and breathe and think of a way out of this. She had to lie for Coulson, lie for Daisy, lie for herself, lie for Radcliffe (which just made her furious in itself) and lie for Fitz━

      Lie for a bloody robot. A.I.D.A. 

     "As was the case when you, Simmons and Radcliffe killed Agent May," went on Fitz, appearing opposite her as he fiddled with more of the anditodes. He pushed them into the black foam casing. "Actually, that was less of a killing and more of a━a full system reboot, which is brilliant. And her brain scan allowed us to create an antidote. Bold strokes. Well-played."

       Roy just placed the last antidote in the case, giving Fitz a blank scowl over the tip of the lid. He frowned at her, lips pursed. She moved along to her desk to sign papers. Fitz watched her go, brows lifting in realisation. He went to say something else, but a communications agent stopped him, asking for his signiature. He scribbled it onto the tablet, not even paying much attention for as soon as he was finished, he swept past. 

      Fitz leaned against her desk, looking down at Roy as she closed a case folder and placed it on top of her pile beside her before grabbing a patient file. 

      He was cautious in his words, seeing the tic of her jaw. "Well, I think we're gonna need bold strokes," he then said, his voice softer. Roy closed her eyes, stopping her writing for just a second as she realised this was going to be yet another lie coming forward. "'Cause, apparently, that thing that Lucy Bauer's after, Coulson is saying it's pretty serious. Something called the Darkhold━"

      "Stop━" Clara finally snapped, throwing her pen down to meet his gaze. "Stop it━please, not another word."

     Fitz's gaze flickered down and he picked up one of her pens, playing with it. "At least you finally said one to me," he mumbled.

      She stared at him in disbelief. Shoulders falling, she leaned in to say in a rushed and harsh whisper, "I have my lie-detection test today! And I don't want another bloody secret. Along with Daisy, Robbie Reyes, and your pet project A.I.D.A━"

     "Oh, come on," he watched her fiddle around her desk for a second, looking for her stapler. He picked it up for her and Clara narrowed her eyes, snatching it with a miffed thank you. "How many times have I got to say it? I wanted to tell you but I didn't━"

      This caused for Roy to explode in a flurry of whispers, "Oh, for the love of━I don't care if you wanted to tell me━"

     "━Want you to worry about anything━"

     "━That's not your decision to make━"

     "━You just got everything back together━"

     "━We're supposed to share everything!"

     Their small, whispered argument came to a halt at Clara's words. Fitz took a deep breath and looked away. Roy hung her gaze, playing with the rings on her fingers. In a soft voice, she mumbled, "We always share everything. Even when we were at the Academy." Her anger fell away for the moment as she met Fitz's gaze shyly. "We share a bed ... but you were lying there keeping things from me ..."

      His expression fell. "Clara..." he breathed and took her hand. Fitz tried to think of what to say. "What ... what do you want me to do? You're angry I didn't tell you, and now you're angry I am?"

      She sighed, slumping. "That's not it ... just ..." Clara chewed her bottom lip, nervous. "Did you not think I was capable to handle it?"

      Fitz's eyes widened. "No! No," he leaned over her desk closer, squeezing her hand. "Clara, that's the last thing I thought. Can't ... can't you just see I was trying to do the right thing for you? I━I knew you'd be a fantastic help and━and that you'd find her fascinating━"

      Clara's hand snapped away from his, hating how she was feeling a churn of jealousy over a robot. "It," she corrected, and he sighed, standing back. "It's fascinating. And now It is going to be the reason why I'll be sacked."

       He looked down and she sighed. There was a tense silence between then before she decided to pull forward her laptop and open it up. "You know that there are over two-hundred-and-twelve micro-expressions that can betray a lie? One eye dot to the left, one crinckle of my nose, and poof! I'm done━and we both know how terrible I am at lying, unlike some people━" she shot him a knowing glance. 

      Fitz shuffled awkwardly, "Well ..." he tried to back-track their argument, fix the tension between them with an awkward compliment: "You did lie to Ward really well━I mean━"

     She cut him off with a glare. That was different. Ward was not a bloody polygraph that could read her every expression! Fitz turned away at her scowl, trying to think of something else to say. "All right, well━okay━well, look, I'll just stay here, and I'll help you practice," he offered. "We━we could do the ... the penny in the shoe thing and the thumbtack under the tongue. W━what about that thing you taught Ward to do? That worked against the one at the ..." and he said the wrong thing again. Her glower grew. 

      "It's the other way around, Fitz," said Clara, deciding to ignore his last sentence. She didn't want to revisit the time she unknowingly helped Ward pass a lie detection test. "And no, you should go. Coulson needs you." Taking a deep breath, she glanced over at Simmons who had been watching cautiously. "Simmons and I'll figure something out." She brought her laptop lid closed with a determined, "I am not getting fired today."

     Fitz snapped a finger at her, "Hey, no eye dart to the left! I one-hundred per cent bought that," he held up his hand for a high-five, but Roy just scowled. His arm fell, and he matched her glare. "All right. I'll see you later, then." 

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(April 5th; 2017
South Ridge Penitentiary)

      "LEITH, do you read me? The prison's compromised."

      "Ooh, let me guess?" Leith propped his hands on his hips, staring at the camera feed on the monitor. He watched the ghost-gang walk through the cell block, expecting a call from Coulson sooner or later about this. "Is it Lucy Bauer?"

       "Lucy and the whole 'Peanuts' gang."

      "So," sighed Mack, "she has friends."

      "Well," Leith turned back to Daisy sitting and listening. He tried to keep his anger down, but just staring at her might him rile up. They searched for her for months and now here she was, and she barely even talked, barely gave them a glance and locked herself up in the quinjet unless she was needed. Not to mention she had said some not-so-nice things to his sister (and by not-so-nice, he means really not-so-nice) that sent him on edge anyway. This really wasn't the day for his anger, was it? 

       But Coulson put him in charge━a horrible decision, really, but one he for some reason made. To distract him? Make him feel better? It was a role given at the worst time━Leith's insecurities were at a high after his argument with Jemma.

      (Or perhaps the perfect time, to show he was capable).

      "Let's assume they're targeting Eli Morrow," went on Leith, "because, well━who else would they be targeting."

      At the mention of his uncle, Robbie was on his feet. He stormed up to them, scowling as usual, but his brows were furrowed with worry. "Targeting?"

     Daisy glanced at him briefly. "Well," she said, sarcastic, "he put her husband in a coma, right?"

      Leith held a hand up at her, telling her it wasn't the time━but it also was insensitive. He was starting to get over her 'I don't care' act, because she was here, listening for a reason. He didn't go through Hive's Sway, but he didn't understand what it was like to lose someone as close as Lincoln━but he had also witnessed Clara's growth, and seeing Daisy in comparison made him frustrated. Everyone deals with things differently, but he just wished she'd be truthful for once, and not try to hide it. 

      "Couslon and May are barricaded in the Warden's office━" he led them over to the east monitor that showed a three-dimensional blueprint of the prison. Mack stood at his side, towering but giving him his full attention. Leith wasn't used to it. He took a deep breath and pulled up the office on the west sector. It turned red and enlarged for them all to see, "━here, on the West side. And our Uncle Eli Morrow is located━" he swept the monitor along and it twisted around to the other end, "━is here in cellblock E on the East wing."

       "I swept the prison myself," Leith turned around, tapping to his head. Robbie frowned, confused. "Most of it is pretty much deserted in regards to prison guards━I suspect most of them are all under this ghost fear disease. But that doesn't mean they'll reappear. So, we'll split into two teams. Daisy, you lead one to extract Coulson and May; take her tactical team. I'll lead the second to grab Eli. Mack, you're on mine."

      Robbie surged forwards, "I'm going." They turned to him. "This is my family. You have no reason to keep me out of this."

      Leith quirked a brow, stepping up to him with his arms crossed. Robbie reminded Leith of how he used to be back in Chicago, and that was never a good thing━no matter how sharp his jawline was. "You're right. Except your thing is you only kill people who deserve it, right?"

      Robbie sneered, "Exactly."

      "Well, Ghost Rider," Leith leaned down in closer to him, "down there━everyone deserves it. So, you stay here, pretty boy."

      Daisy shook her head, "No, Leith━" she stepped towards them, "we need an advantage down there. It's him. We can't even touch these things. He can kill them."

       Robbie looked smug. He glanced at Mack, "You said if you needed some ghosts busted..."

       Leith pursed his lips. He was right, but there was some part of Leith that was scared ... that perhaps the Ghost Rider within Robbie Reyes thought that he deserved to die, as well. He wondered whether he imagined it, but the dark gaze of Reyes switched to a spark of deadly flame, as if he could sense his thoughts, too, and was examining him for his next victim. 

      Agent Leith Roy set his jaw. He glanced at Mack, and his friend nodded. So, he sighed and stepped back. "Fine," he decided. "But you're not leaving my sight. And just so we're clear? This is an ICERs-only op, okay? Anyone could have the psychosis, so they can't be held responsible for their actions.

     "S.H.I.E.L.D. is marshalling forces to control the perimetre, but that's hours away. So, right now, we're the only ones going in and we'll be outnumbered━lucky us."

     "Works for me," stated Daisy.

      Leith wasn't amused. At all. "Right..." he murmured. Then, his watch lit up, and he was glad. He checked it, and managed a grin. "Fitz's quinjet is five minutes out. Which means, we leave in six. Gear up, look pretty, we ghost some ghosts to bust."

      Everyone dissipated until it was just Leith and Mack. His friend clasped a proud, large hand on his shoulder. Leith frowned up at him. "What?"

      He just gave him a knowing smile and brushed past, and Leith was alone.

      Letting it be, he glanced down at his phone, and saw no reply to his last message. Jemma had her lie-detector test with Clara today, and despite their argument, he was praying it was going okay. 

      Fitz arrived in the time he said, and the cargo bay of the Zephyr was filled with agents prepping for the mission. Leith strapped the final buckle of his vest, tightening it for extra measure. He glanced over at Robbie Reyes in the containment module, glowering at them. He stated he struck a deal with the Devil, and looking at the way he paced right now, Leith was starting to find himself believing him.

     Mack muttered to Daisy, concerned for her arms━even with the new and improved gauntlets, she wouldn't be able to quake anything without shattering her bones and being crippled for life. But she just rolled her eyes and walked past him with a, "I didn't always have powers, and I did all right."

      Stepping into the cargo bay, finally appeared Fitz, waving the case in his hand. "Cases of sanity, as ordered." He passed them off and walked up to Leith slipping a gun into his holster.

     "Hey, mate," he greeted as he did, "I'm going to need you up here on comms. You know the gist ... call the shots, captain." 

      Fitz passed him the final case and together, the two of them walked to the containment module where everyone was filing inside to be dropped down. "I thought you were the captain."

      "Okay, then you can be like my ..." Leith thought about it, "... right-hand Scotsman? Future brother-in-law? Side-kick━Mr Engineer-Man?"

     Fitz just sent him a incredulous scowl, "You can stop now."

     "Yeah," agreed Leith, stepping into the module. "Not my best, I'd admit."

     "So," spoke up Davis, frowning at the case in Leith's hand, "these work like EpiPens?"

     "Almost," said Fitz, "but more efficient. To counteract the psychosis, the serum needs to be delivered directly into the brain stem, so ..." he pulled out one of the injectors he kept in his coat pocket, showing them, "the injector needs to be placed━" he set it behind his head at the top of the neck, "━at the base of the skull."

     Mack's eyes widened a little, "Oh━ho━ho, no," he quickly interjected. "Now, you know I don't like needles."

     "Well, I mean━" Fitz fiddled with the injector, "━it's a bee sting, really━" the needle shot up with multiple spikes. 

     Mack went pale, "Oh, hell, no━"

     He didn't get to finish his sentence, for the module doors closed and they were dropped down to the prison below. 

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(April 5th; 2017
The Playground, Classified)

     SO FAR, Clara's lie-detenctor test was going well. Since it was her first time in this chair (in this situation, of course, it wasn't the first time she's been strapped to something like this), they formed a basis; double checking her name, her address, her early life. They asked questions she answered before━the difference between an egg and a rock, the box question, why she was here ... she felt exasperated to answer them, but in the time since she was that girl trying to figure out everything in the lie detector chair; innocent to everything she'll experience the next few years, her answers changed. Clara has grown up, a lot. But there was one thing that stayed constant: you wash up on a deserted island alone. Sitting on the sand is a box. What is in that box?

     (Fitz and Simmons; that was her answer, and it will always be).

      The room around her was dark. She was in one of the vaults━Vault E. Situated in a chair and wired up to monitors to watch her heart rate, blood pessure, cameras━for everything; her eyes, her face, her fingers, her lips, her nose ... even if she tried to do what Ward had done, she'd be caught out. Clara was stuck, and she was trying not to stress.

      Agent Harlan checked his montiors, and Clara felt the need to itch her nose. "A few more questions," he said. "Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of HYDRA?"

     "Weren't we all at one point?" Clara tried to crack a joke. Harlan gave her a blank look, and she faltered. "Er━no, never."

      Agent Harlan nodded, "Okay. Well, almost done. Have you ever obtained sensitive information that you are obliged to report up the security spectrum or to the Director?"

      There it was. Before Roy could even think of a way to lie, her hesitation caused for a spike on the polygrah. Harlan pursed his lips, glancing down at his readings. "Agent Roy, would you like me to repeat the question?"

     Quickly, she assured: "No, no, it's just ... it's a very wide-ranging question. I'm just trying to think━so much on my mind at the moment━"

      "Agent Roy," hearing Director Mace's voice, her gaze snapped over to the door. Her breath fell away seeing the look of stern disappointment on his features. Oh, no ... "I'm gonna need you to come with me. Now."

     I'm going to die, was Clara's first thought.

     Being led up to the Director's office, her heart was racing. She did her best to stay alm, but the tense silence between her and the stiff figure of Mace was not helping. She's never really been up here since Coulson resigned his position, and she could see how much it changed. It was no longer calming, but instead industrial with sleek contemporary designs━cold and operational. Playing with the rings on her fingers, she shuffled through the door Mace held open for her. 

      Her eyes widened, however, when she saw Simmons waiting, looking just as nervous as her.

     "Jemma?" she let out, confused. 

     Mace followed into the room, closing the door behind them.

     What was happening? Roy wrung her hands, standing beside Simmons with a twist in her stomach. This is not good, this is not good━she was going to get fired. She was going to get fired and lose practically everything left in her life. 

     "I get it," said Mace. Roy and Simmons shared a wary look. A silent conversation passed between them: you failed the test, too? then We're going to die, and finally stop being so dramatic, Roy. "You and Phil Coulson are close. I'm the new Director, your boss, so you think there are things I don't need to know. But I do."

     Roy's mind was going over plenty of ways she could plead to keep her job. She had a whole speech ready in the time it took to travel from the vault and up to here. But now, she was ready to plead Simmons' case, as well. 

     Director Mace looked directly into their fearful gazes and said, "Agents Simmons, Roy, can I trust you?"

     Simmons nodded, "Yes. Yes━definitely."

     There was a pause as Mace waited for Roy's answer. She wanted to say the same, but was struck with silence. Maybe it was her nerves, or maybe she knew she would lying again━how could Mace trust her when she knew that deep down, she barely even trusted herself?

     Director Mace walked up to her, stern, "Agent Roy, I know you and I have perhaps gotten off━what's the word?━on the wrong foot. But you understand why I am wary? You are capable of dangerous things."

     "You can trust her," said Simmons quickly. "She's not that person━that was Hive."

     "Wanda Maximoff is an Avenger," rebutted Mace, "but I don't trust her to save the world━not when she shows explicit meanings to have the ability to destroy it. I believe greatly she wouldn't, but there is always the slim chance. Agent Roy here nearly did destroy the world under Hive's Sway. Who's to say there won't be another experience? One wrong move, and you could take down this entire base."

      Roy clenched her hands, feeling her heartbeat rise. "I don't have the power of the bloody Mind Stone."

     "No," corrected Mace, "you don't need it."

      Clara wanted to snap something back, but she stopped. Hugging her stomach, she took a deep breath and set her jaw. She hated this. "I'm a doctor," she said, but it was weak. "That's all I am━that's all I want to be."

      "Which is why I'm going to ask you again," Mace now stood over her. Clara tried to ignore how he was an Inhuman capable of the strength to completely rip her apart. "Can I trust you, Agent Roy?"

      "Can I trust you?" she countered. "You're dangerous, too. We're all dangerous━every Inhuman has the capability to do the worst."

      There was another pause, and Clara found herself wanting to shrink away. Mace watched her━searching her, even; for a reason to trust her? Or a reason to send her walking out of the door? She never could tell. 

     Then, there was a quirk of a smile on Mace's face, as if he was proud of her response. He snapped his fingers at her, "Yes━there it is. That━I need that."

      Clara froze, very confused. Her mouth went agape, watching him step away and back to his desk. She glanced at Simmons and saw a very similar expression upon her face. Mace heaved out a sigh of relief, his strong and stiff facade falling. "Great," he let out, "'cause, boy, do I need your help." He chuckled and Roy and Simmons followed along, albeit very nervous and very bewildered.

      "I'm debating Senator Nadeer on television about the 'Inhuman War On Humans'. I hate that the media's calling it that," Director Mace sat on the edge of his desk. "Burrows says it's terrible branding. But either way, this is a battle for hearts and minds."

      Roy was still trying to comprehend his sudden change in demanour. She hunched forward a bit, eyes wide and mouth still agage. Simmons nudged her harshly, and she coughed, standing back up straight while her friend spoke for them, nodding eagerly. "What can we do?"

    "Facts," said Mace. "I need cold, hard, scientific facts to back up our case during this debate."

      Clara tilted her head, "O━Okay," she said, frowning in thought. "Well━erm━I'm sure Simmons and I could put together a powerpoint on━uh━Inhuman genetics, biology, sociological impact━"

     "Yeah, here's the thing," he stopped her, "I think it might be better if I literally had what's in your head, in my head."

      The girls faltered, wondering whether he was being serious. "Uh ..." Simmons tried to think of the right thing to say. "Even S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have that kind of technology."

     "Oh, sure it does," he grinned at them. Reaching behind him, he held up a set of comm receivers. Passing over two with a microphone, Roy and Simmons realised with a oh ... The Director slipped the silicone reciever into his right ear. "So, all you need to do is listen in, tell me exactly what to say━try not to speak all at once and do your ... what do people call it? Fitz-Roy-Simmons━ing?" the two scientists arched brows, glancing at each other again. "And know that any error, slip-up, or mishap could endanger the lives of humans and Inhumans alike."

      Roy gaped, not sure how to reply to that. That ... that sounded like a lot of pressure. She let out a nervous chuckle.

     Mace's grin broardened, thankful. Another thought crossed his mind, "Oh! Also, we're live in fifteen minutes."

     Clara stared at him and she couldn't help but say, "Wait━what?"

✲══〖✰〗══✲

     "CAN you hear us?"

     Director Mace winced in his chair, his hand flying up to the comms in his ear. "Yep!" he replied to Roy who stood with Simmons at the side. "Yep, I can. You can back off the mic."

     Clara went red, moving the mic away from her with a sheepish apology. Fixing her tablet in her hands, she met Jemma's gaze again. She believed that the both of them were more nervous than the Director himself who was the one talking and sitting in front of the camera. But Roy couldn't help it. She didn't want to ruin this; this was her chance of keeping her job, and perhaps giving Mace a better impression on her reliability━or was it her she was trying to convince these days? Clara didn't know.

     "Everyone set?" called the Stage Manager, and everyone nodded. "Quiet, please. We're about ready to roll."

     "Our end is live in four, three, two ..."

     At one, the intro to ABC This Week news sparked throgh the speakers. Roy's breath hitched high in her throat, and she━if it was even possible━held her tablet even closer to her chest until she remembered she needed it to research and so she fixed her position.

     "Many of you are familiar with Senator Ellen Nadeer," started George Stephanopoulos. "She's head of the finance commitee and outspoken advocate of the so-called Inhumans First Movement."

     "Thank you for having me," replied Senator Nadder and Roy narrowed her eyes in on the senator. She couldn't help but feel a hatred rise up━she hated people like Roy; called them horrible things, but she was also smart. She backed up those horrible things with reliable and strong information. 

     "And, of course, our next guest needs little introduction," continued Stephanopoulos, and Mace shifted in his seat. "He is a patriot, a public servant known all over the world. He put his life on the line to save others during the U.N bombing in Vienna. He's now the Director of the newly reformed S.H.I.E.LD.: Jeffrey Mace."

     Mace plastered a sophisticated smile for the camera, "It's an honour to be here, George."

     "Let's get started. Director Mace━"

     Nadeer cut him off with a quick snap of: "After an intro like that, I think I deserve some equal time. I'd like to ask the Director a question."

     She was like every other politician━great. George Stephanopoulos pursed his lips, but nodded. "Go ahead, Senator."

     The Senator straightened her shoulders. "Just what is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s purpose if it's not protecting us from the Inhumans? Why are human lives not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s prioity?"

     Roy couldn't help but snap stiffly into her comms, "Imhumans and humans share ninety-nine-point-eight per cent of the human genone..." as she did, Mace was quick to answer back in a similar response:

     "Inhumans are human, and the science is in agreement with me," he said as she finished. "In fact, we share ninety-nine-point-eight per cent of the human genome."

      "It really is that close?" George's brows jumped. "I had no idea━"

     "Genetics can't explain the blackouts that plunged parts of the world in darkness," stated Nadeer shortly. "People were terrorised. Lives were lost."

     "Two people died in a helicopter crash," said Simmons as Roy scoffed, "while seventeen Inhumans were murdered."

     "Let us never forget ..." said Mace, "... that more Inhumans than humans were lost during that crisis."

      "And yet every day, there are reports of disturbances in Hong Kong, or blue-skinned killers in Wyoming."

     Clara stiffened at that. She gripped the tablet tight, trying to control the spin of her heart-rate as her mind suddenly flashed back to that moment in the garage and her mother's death. She set her jaw, taking a quick breath through her nose to refesh her head. Not now, she told it.

     Mace scoffed a chuckle. "Well," he said, "if I was to respond to every tabloid story ... and━and sasquatch sighting, I couldn't do my job, which is to protect this great nation."

     Nadeer arched a thin, pointed brow. "What about the very real situation happening right now outside of Los Angeles?" Roy frowned, and immediately, started to check their database with Simmons as Nadeer continued. "Is it true that S.H.I.E.L.D. has compromised a prison?"

     "We have no data on that, do we?" Roy muttered to Simmons, feeling her chest squeeze.

     "It's our policy not to comment on ongoing operations," Mace saved the conversation quickly and firmly, "but I can assure you that S.H.I.E.L.D. has the situation completely under control."

      Nadeer wasn't happy with that response. Her next words were more aggressive, and Roy hped that would be her downfall in this debate. She prayed━and to be honest, she would love the satisfaction. "People are scared that Inhumans don't share our core values. And who can blame them? How many of our citizens have died under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s watch?"

     "Fatalities have decreased since the signing of the Sokovia Accords," quickly said Clara.

     "We're proud to say that fatalities have actually decreased sharply since the signing of the Sokovia Accords. Its a legacy I hope to build on."

     "Treaties mean nothing to the Inhumans," snapped Nadeer. "We're dealing with something different here."

      George frowned, "Senator," he said. "When you say different, that sounds like a dog whistle aimed at hate groups."

     Roy was satisifed at Nadeer's slip up━she'll admit it. It felt good to see her falter. But she was just as good as Mace, her political skills coming out with a swift reply to contradict, "There is no dog whistle needed, George. Just the word Inhuman is frightening enough, and yet they choose to define themselves that way."

      Clara scoffed to herself, turning a little to Simmons with a shake of her head. Jemma rubbed her shoulder with a, just breathe. Mace pursed his lips, trying to hide his anger━for just like her, he was an Inhuman, too. "See, that kind of comment━uh━illustrates the problem. If we can't talk about Inhumans with respect━"

     "You can't talk about them with honesty," the Senator fired back. "How can people trust you?" Mace let out a dry chuckle. "Director Mace, you take a damn good photo, I'll give you that, but that doesn't make you the man for this job."

     Seeing the tick of his jaw, Simmons's eyes widened and she rushed softly into her mic, "Stick to the facts. Since S.H.I.E.L.D. as been re━"

     But he just turned his earpiece off with a discreet scratch to his ear. Roy frowned, taken-aback to the spike in movement that hit her comms. She shared a, what? With Simmons who closed her eyes, exasperated. "So," said Mace, his gaze hardening at the camera, "you don't think I'm the man for the job ..." he pursed his lips and sighed. Leaning forward slightly, he continued. "Well, I became Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. because I believe in their mission. Protecting and integrating Inhumans is part of that. Senator, I promise you that I'm the man for the job, because I'm not just a man.

     "I'm an Inhuman."

     The outside camera crew began to mutter amongst themselves. Simmons glanced over at Mace's propaganda agent, wondering whether he was just as confused and worried about this decision as she was. He was telling the whole world that the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was an Inhuman. This could either go very well in their favour, or drastically the opposite.

     "Director Mace," said George as Nadeer was forced into surprised silence, "just to be sure I'm hearing you correctly, you're saying that you are literally Inhuman."

     "Yes," said Mace. "I'm an Inhuman. You know," he leaned back in the chair, "my life didn't just change when that bomb went off in Vienna or when I shielded htat woman from harm. It also changed when I went through Terrigenesis. So, yeah, this is personal. And people like me that are different should not be hunted down."

     It could've been an inspiring, tunnel-twisting statement for the papers and news, but Roy was distracted. She frowned at Mace, and her heart fluttered in shock ...

     Because when he said those words about Vienna, his eyes darted to the left. 

✲══〖✰〗══✲

(April 5th; 2017
The Playground, Classified)

     THE REVEAL was a success. Returning to the Director's office, Roy saw Burrows in a happy frenzy, sending her an excited thumbs up as she entered. Clara replied with a nervous smile, watching him rush away with a skip in his step. Mace walked up to her, and Roy bounced her brows at Burrows's retreating figure.

     "Sounds like everything went well," she said and Mace grinned.

     "Oh, this is your victory, too, Agent Roy," he told her. "You and Simmons were a great help. In fact, I brought you here separate from Simmons to give you something━" he reached behind him and Clara's brows shot up to see a orange-coloured sector lanyard. At her surprise, Mace chuckled, amused, "You have shown me today Agent Roy that you are more than your Inhuman powers; it is true when they say that you, Simmons and Fitz are the brightest minds of S.H.I.E.L.D." He passed it over to her and she stared at the symbol of her promotion, gaping. "We did get off on a horrible start, Clara, but I assure you that we can begin to fix that━us Inhumans, we must stick together, and we can with you in your new position: Special Advisor to the Director in Medical Biology━both human and Inhuman."

     She was so shocked she didn't shake his hand back when he gave it a vigorious, strong clasp. In the end, she managed to force out an, "Er━thank you. Really. I━I don't know what to say ..."

     "You've earned it," assured Mace. "It's like I always say, a team that trusts is a team that triumphs." Roy could hear the 'but' screaming in the tense air, and she knew exactly what it would be about. "But━" there it was, "━trust must be earned ... with random non-invasive tensing," his gaze flickered over her shoulder and Roy glanced back to see Agent Harlan standing at the doorway. She pursed her lips. She couldn't go back━neither her or Simmons couldn't. Then they'd most definitely be found out (and not just them, but their whole team━especially Fitz with A.I.D.A.).

     Mace sighed, and she returned her gaze to him. "Your, uh ... your poygraph this morning generated some alarming results, so I'd like you to give it another go." He gave her a cheerful smile before spinning around to go back to his desk.

     But Roy wasn't going to let herself go this time━not that easily. She took a deep breath. Her time at S.H.I.E.L.D. has made her a lot of things; but what a scientist made her was smart. Very smart. So, tilting her chin up, she pursed her lips, "About that ..." she started and Mace stopped, giving her a frown. 

     Clara smiled sweetly. Glancing back at Haraln, she carefully walked up tot he Director, a posture of casual conversation━but her tongue was producing something much different: a cunning venom that has developed vastly over the years. She was going to get herself out of this; she was going to get Simmons out of this, and she was going to protect her friends. She was going to protect Fitz ... she didn't like the idea of A.I.D.A., but she wasn't going to let a stupid andriod be the end of her boyfriend's career. "Can I ask you something?"

     Director Mace arched a brow, "Sure, anything you wish."

     She brushed the edges of her lab coat, coming to a happy stop right in front of him. "Do you happen to know what a micro-expression is?" his frown deepened and Roy titled her head, her eyes glittering with a slither of malice. "It can be the smallest of things, really. The tensing of a forehead, the crinckle of a nose ... the dart of an eye," she chuckled. "It's fascinating how the littleset thing can say a lot. Or more specifically," she lowered her voice, "they can say when a person is lying."

     Realising the underlining threat, Director Mace took a step towards her, the frown turning into a strained smile that any one would usually be scared of. But Clara has stared directly into the eyes of Grant Ward, Hive, many people far scarier than Mace in front of her. She had stared at herself under the Sway through a mirror. She just returned with one of her own, quircking her brows ever-so-slightly. People often underestimated Clarissa Roy, which was their mistake. She didn't need her powers to be intimidating. She didn't need to be an Inhuman to be powerful. She always has been. "What are you getting at?" Mace asked her dangerously.

     "I think it will be best for you not to strap either me or Simmons back into that machine," Roy nodded subtly back at Harlan standing by the door, unbeknownst to the conversation they were having. "Because if you did, he may ask me what I hought of the charming, heroic story you told on television today. You know, the one about becoming a hero in Vienna?" Her hands clasped polietly in front of her, but her eyes were dark. "Because if asked, I would have to tell the truth ... and of course tell me if I'm wrong, but I have the icklest feeling that you did not do any of that. Am I right?"

     He stared at her, his jaw clenching. Roy's sweet smile just broardened to know she was correct. She had forced him into silence. She might as well━at this moment━have made him have his tail in between his legs. Would Mace really risk losing his position and popularity over this? No, Clara doesn't think he will.

      And she was right. Mace's gaze snapped to Harlan, and at the mention of his name, he looked up: "Harlan ... I'm gonna exempt Agents Roy and Simmons from any further testing."

     Roy gave him a happy, toothy grin. "Thank you, sir." She held up the new lanyard. "And thank you for the promotion. I really hope this is the first step on a road towards a long-lasting friendship. For like you said, us Inhumans must stick together." She started to walk out of the room. Passing Harlan, she decided to dig salt into the fresh wound even further. "He's right, you know. A team that trusts is a team that triumphs!"

     Leaving the director's office, Agent Roy had a proud, satisifed smirk on her face. 

✲══〖✰〗══✲

     a/n: clara you're a little sweet badass i love you. 

     leith led his own mission! i wish i could've done more on his side, but we don't want these chapters to be too long. i have so much planned for leith, though, like ...

      also, there are fights with both our fav couples, noooooooo...

     hope y'all enjoyed the chapter, sorry if there are mistakes. i'll see you all soon *kisses* *hugs* LOVE YOU!!!!