The lab is relatively empty this time of day. While it offers a spacious place in which to work, it has an element of near-stillness. And Simmons is working alone. Well !Simmons is working alone. The tracker worn on Teddy's wrist is well in place. The earpiece functions as a good communication device between Teddy and his would-be handler… who is probably the worst handler in the history of handlers.
"Just like… stare at the microscope, yeah? Jemma has been spending a lot of time look at the particulate bits of the samples. We're not quite sure what we're looking at. His name is Sterns, apparently — you can just see the utter — " wait, this isn't what they're doing. "Right," Fitz clears his throat. "So I've left your locator in multiple places." Not that Fitz is on site anyways. "Honestly, they think I'm on assignment so they'll expect Jemma to be working alone. IN the lab. By herself. Because. Jemma."
*
Fortunately, Teddy's used a microscope before though. Even the much more expensive SHIELD issue ones when he looked at his and Fitz' blood that time. Leaning over to look through the magnifier, he adjusts the knob to focus. Or rather 'she' does since he's taken Simmons' form. And he's never going to get used to how it feels to be a girl. Eww. "Uh-huh. Is she any good at fighting or should I just slap them if they show up?"
*
There's a silent uncertainty at the question. "Don't tell her I told you this, but she's not exactly a good fighter." There's evident skepticism around the word. Fitz virtually frowns, "She's scrappy and a bit… squirrelly, but she's not exactly the most competent fighter. Especially if it's unexpected."
Movement down the hall seems to announce that someone else is coming into the lab. Leo Fitz, who was just talking into the earpiece treads into the space. His gait is unmistakable, his plaid shirt well-pressed, and his pocket protector well in place. "Cheerio, Simmons," he says brightly as he leans on the bench to peer at her. "Anything new or unusual in the new samples?"
*
"Right, slapping it is." !Simmons agrees. He's about to go on but the approach of someone else shuts him up and he only looks over when… "What are you…" Wait. Remember what they're doing here. "…studying today? More interesting than what I am, I hope. I haven't been able to learn anything new."
*
!Fitz smirks back at Jemma, "Not really. Unless you count taking Sleepy on another walk. That machine needs rewiring." He sits on the edge of the lab bench and crosses his arms over his chest. "Feel like heading upstairs to get some noodles? Heard there was a great noodle shop three blocks from here. We could go, eat, come back, and settle back in for the afternoon. Er. To fix Sleepy, I mean."
The real Fitz, meanwhile, frowns, "The accent is all wrong. This one needs some serious work, yeah? And I've never bloody-well said Cheerio in my life." Radio silence would probably be smart.
*
"I don't know…" Teddy/!Simmons says slowly, looking back at the microscope. "We really need to figure this out. But I am a bit hungry. A short break probably won't hurt." Stepping back, s/he nods. "Yes, very well. Let's get some noodles." Turning to look at Fitz, she asks "Cheerio? Have you been listening to radio serials?"
*
"A break'll help, anyways. We've been caught up in this lab too long, yeah? Besides, that cat liver you left by much lunch last month still turns my stomach. Eating in here just lacks appeal, yeah?" !Fitz asks with a lopsided grin. He steps to the coatrack and grabs her jacket — which is held out for Teddy-Simmons.
The real Fitz hums, "He's right about that. The cat liver dissection really does kill a person's appetite."
*
"Thank you." !Simmons takes the coat and puts it on. "Yes, well… I should probably have put it in the fridge but the change in temperature could have altered the umm, … liver. Yes, food. All of a sudden, I'm very hungry. Let's go."
*
The pair trail up the stairs into the bullpen before heading out the entrance back to the street. "So, tell me Jemma, you been enjoying here on this side of the pond… yeah?" The blocks pass as they pad towards the noodle place. Except, !Fitz takes a sharp detour towards an alley. "Shortcut," he mutters.
But as they trail into the alley, a large white van without windows pulls up and stops with a screech. The side door opens, and !Fitz attempts to body check !Simmons into the van.
*
"Oh, yes. It's been very challenging and interesting." !Simmons agrees, pausing in her steps as Fitz suddenly changes direction. "Oh, all right." she agrees and follows him into the alley. When the van appears, s/he steps back. "Fitz, run!" Which of course doesn't happen and she makes sure to elbow him hard as she gets slammed into the van.
*
!Fitz groans as he takes a hard elbow into his gut. He, consequently, doesn't make it into the van. Inside the van, two gentleman wearing dark suits grab at !Simmons. One of them reaches for a syringe and attempts to stick her with a fluid. One of the men says, "Go to sleep Agent Simmons."
Ironically, however, Teddy's non-human biology means that the drug doesn't work on him the way it ought to….
*
!Simmons struggles against the hands that hold her, getting a few slaps in as she can. "No, let me go!" If any are near her feet, they're getting kicked. But the struggles stop shortly after she gets injected, the nice aliens kindly letting her know what she should be feigning. !Simmons goes limp and closes her eyes, slowing her breathing into what hopefully appears to be sleep.
*
"She's out," one of them calls to the front. "Get us to the location. Send in the stand-in. We're good to go."
And then the winding drive begins…
*
And !Simmons is going to be very bored for a while.