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After getting pinched, the drive seemed to last into infinity. The van that housed Teddy-Simmons bumped and careened through numerous roads, passes, and interchanges. There'd been quiet chatter about imminent plans and the Simmons-replacement mission. But finally, they had stopped. The van slowed upon entering some kind of facility. The temperature seemed to drop, and the first passage had a nearly dank smell - like the recirculated air of a cold storage room or basement buried deep within the ground.
Yet Teddy-Simmons didn't exactly have the capacity to move. He was supposed to be asleep. And sleeping bodies don't react to everything around them. But even in his not-slumber, he can feel the change in the lights, the strange crispness in the air, and the incredibly stark smell of bleach that permeates every inch of the creaking ground beneath him.
The displacement feels almost familiar, and the way the gurney he's been set upon weaves through the hall has a nearly reminiscent frame. But even in the reminiscence, something unsettles. There's familiarity. He, on some level, knows this place.
The sound echoes with marching feet and marching orders in a language he can't understand. But then, after a moment, the bed comes to a stop.
SHIELD - The Triskelion Lab
The crunch of crisps echoes through the microphone of Fitz's ear piece as he nomnomnoms nervously. To the side of the room, the constant banging of someone in the closet has him twitch slightly; grateful that Sterns had laid waste to this lab only days earlier. No one is around to hear !Simmons struggle against her closet interlude. Instead, the real Simmons remains safe and sound, and Leo Fitz the worst spy in the history of SHIELD.
Rumours of a plan to rescue Peggy had reached most people's ears. It's likely why the Skrulls had sent in !Simmons to spy on things, and it's fortunate that Leo already had a man on the inside to replace real Simmons.
The number of Jemmas out and about makes him overwhelmed. Or, it would if he weren't such a wreck about it.
BANG BANG BANG
The whack against the door of the closet prompts Fitz to wince. "Fitz! I don't know what you think you're doing but you have to let me out of here!"
Leo squints and glances towards the stairs as something begets his attention, "…this probably looks really bad…." His nose wrinkles. "Uh… that's not Jemma." He points towards the door.
*
As he gets wheeled through… wherever they are, !Simmons tries to resist the urge to wrinkle his nose at the smell of bleach. When the gurney comes to a halt, he waits. Go away, aliens. Go away.
*
The pause, however, appears to be short-lived. The simple keystroke of a keypad allows them to open another door — access to which appears (based on both the pause and lack of motion) to be restricted. But then there's a buzz. The room virtually whirs with ambient noise that, for Teddy, hasn't yet faded into the background. The lights above flicker and pop, faintly thrumming with predictable energy. And the white motif with its white on white ceiling, floor, and walls can almost be felt behind Teddy's eyelids. Unquestionably, it doesn't feel quiet right.
The noise of the aliens ceases, and Teddy can hear them shuffle away. They've left him alone. For now, it would seem.
When Teddy opens his eyes, the light and its reflection from one wall to the next nearly blinds. The buzz of the room almost seems to launch itself upwards, and he can feel his centre of gravity move as it does so.
Finally when his eyes adjust to the light, he can see that obviously he's been left in some kind of medical lab. But where that is and on what kind of transport remains in question.
*
Cracking one eye open just slightly, Teddy sees he's finally alone and sits up on the table to look around. Slipping off the gurney, he goes over to inspect the door they came through then glances up at the ceiling. Rocket ship? Are they really going into space? They must have artificial gravity. How cool is that? … Wait. Is there a camera in this room?
*
That's a thought likely worth having. The movement does inspire a change in the lights, and they begin to hue red. But as some semblance of stability appears to take over (they're no longer ascending), the glow is accompanied by an alarm of sorts. Either someone is onto Teddy or something else is going on in the facility.
The sound of movement can be heard outside the room as groups seem to be descending upon the room.
*
Oh shit. He's so bad at this spy thing. And on his very first mission too. As if he's dizzy, !Simmons reaches up to put a hand on her forehead and leans on the gurney.
*
A man trails into the room wearing Coulson's face. He holds out a clipboard and issues Jemma faint smile — the smoothest, most polite uptake of lips, "Agent Simmons. You had a fall. We've been on hand and taken you to a facility to get checked out. I apologize if any of this seems untoward. We are trying very much to ensure that you receive any treatment you need."
*
"What?" !Simmons asks, turning to look at Coulson. "A fall? Where am I? My head… feels very strange. What happened? I was with Fitz. He asked me if I wanted noodles." Since the alien is making up a story, he assumes there's supposed to be some memory loss.
*
"Indeed. Agent Fitz helped get you back to SHIELD. He was incredibly concerned about your troubles and aimed to help you. For now," his eyes turn towards the door and two nondescript (very human looking) medical staff tread back into the room, "we'd like to put you to sleep for further observation. There are concerns that the fall was a symptom rather than a cause of other problems. As you know, Doctor Simmons, these things can't be left for long."
*
"Sleep? No." !Simmons states firmly, while still trying to sound dazed. "Definitely not. Sleep is not good for a possible… head… thing. You should know that. I'll just lie back down and rest. I could use some water though."
*
!Coulson stares openly at !Simmons. "Of course," he says smoothly. Slowly he treads to a side of the room where he taps a device and water runs through the tap. He reaches for a small plastic cup and fills it with the fluid before returning to Teddy offering the cup.
The two lab personnel almost fade into the background.
"Well, I'll have you lay down. And we'll move you in short order. I trust that you're happy in the hands of Doctors Morris and Holstead?"
*
Teddy takes the cup and sips from it. "Thank you. Morris? Holstead?" Rubbing he forehead, she winces. "It's so hard to think. I feel so fuzzy." Taking another sip, he holds the cup out to Coulson. "You should wake me if I fall asleep."
*
"Of course," !Coulson soothes as he takes the cup. "Believe me," he virtually chuckles we will do whatever we need to keep you well. That's why we're here." He glances over his shoulder towards the other personnel. "They'd like to check you over. There's," his throat clears, "protocol for these things Agent Simmons. You, of course, know that they need to ensure you are in tip top health despite your stumble." He manages a tight smile.
The others walk towards Teddy, and !Coulson lifts a hand, "Just remember to take her to the nursery after. I'm sure she will be able to relaxamong some of her colleagues."
"
*
"Of course. And I do feel very strange." !Simmons agrees, continuing to lean on the gurney with a hand. "But… nursery? We don't have a nursery in the complex."
*
"Nicknames," !Coulson says easily. "All spaces should have names of their own, shouldn't they." His hands clasp lightly behind his back. Of course when he sees !Simmons holding the gurney, he closes the distance between them and offers her a hand. "Please, let me help you onto the bed."
*
"Oh, yes." !Simmons agrees. "Like calling the lab… Dr. Frankenstein's lab. I guess that's not really a nickname." Taking !Coulson's hand, !Simmons gets onto the gurney and lies back. "Thank you."
*
The appearance of a door earns the ire of those present, and at least one of them straightens towards it. One of the lab coats turns in place, shifting to eye the now present entrance that seemingly treads to nowhere…