OUT OF TIME

There was so much he had to look into.  Now that Nat had released all the files into the open, he had access to them all.  And he was sure going to look this up.  To find out just what else they had kept from him and everyone else.  He took in a breath, looking back at Daniel at his question.  “The first team up of what would become the Avengers.  Facing an actual God, some aliens, and some robots."  It had been a battle and a half.  "It destroyed part of the city, by the time we were done."  

A lot more deaths than he would have liked.  Even one, was too many.  "We were still finding our footing as a team.  I hadn’t been out of the ice all that long.  It was all a lot all at once."  He still hated that any of it happened.  Especially all at once.  As they reached their destination, he opened the door to the pub, and headed inside, finding a booth in the back to be open.  They would need the quiet, if they were going to continue this line of conversation.  

Okay, now this was sounding more familiar to him. He had heard stories or at least parts of them, the Avengers rang a bell but he didn’t know Steve was involved. Granted, he still didn’t know the whole list of members or what exactly happened. All he remembered from what they told him was how aliens had come to Earth before and New York City had suffered a large attack. Knowing the Captain was there made Sousa understand better how things swung in their favor. He had the mind of tactics along with the strength of the serum and the heart to protect those around him. A nod was what Sousa gave him in reply, showing he understood. “Right, I’ve heard about that in passing. Didn’t know the details....A god?” He questioned. And he thought aliens were the most insane thing.

A carefree chuckle fell from Daisy’s lips when Daniel agreed on family free time. As much as she loved being able to teach her sister a better way and watching her grow, it would be nice to just get away for a while, not just for them. Everyone on board the Zephyr was excited to be back on a known planet, where family and friends were waiting for most of them. It was the perfect opportunity to recharge their batteries and catch up with what had happened on their home planet in the time being, before SWORD undoubtedly would find new ways of keeping them occupied very soon. Until then, Daisy was determined to enjoy herself and spend some much needed quality time with Sousa. It was a relief to know that he agreed with her, given he was a big part of her vacation plan. She would have understood if he had needed a break from HER after all this time, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

“There are many quiet places on earth. I know just the spot where I’ve wanted to go for a while”, she said with a smile, nodding slightly, arms wrapped loosely around his neck, as her eyes trained on the planet before them. Tahiti. The team’s history with the island was questionable, but she wanted to see it herself. To know where Coulson had spent his last days and found so much peace in a time that should have been devastating and frightening to him. It also offered lovely beaches and mostly warm temperatures, so she felt like not much could go wrong there. “I would LOVE a trip to the beach. Last time I visited one for fun, was at the age of…13? When I was in a foster family in LA. Never been since and I miss hot sand under my feet and falling asleep to the sound of waves”, she explained and sighed softly, resting her own head on top of Sousa’s for a moment. “I’m sure you would like it there, too. Although it might be a bit of a culture shock…I guess women in your day and age were more CLOTHED at beaches”, Daisy teased, laughing softly, although it was probably not even a lie. 

Glancing over her shoulder, she moved around his seat and sat down on his lap with a grin. “I guess we’ll have to use that, then”, Daisy stated, cupping his face in her hands to give him a gentle kiss. He was right, as soon as the others started trickling in, the overall excitement about returning home would definitely ruin their quiet time for two, so she hoped they had a couple more minutes to spare. Drawing back to look at Sousa, Daisy ran her thumb along his cheekbone with a fond smile. “Can’t wait to have you all to myself for a week - or at least a weekend. The things we could do!” She knew it sounded rather ambiguous, but was true for a lot of things. Having a meal in peace, sleeping in a bigger bed together than a bunk, not having to tiptoe around each other out of courtesy for everyone else around them, being able to just sleep in, eat normal food, look outside a window and see blue skies instead of stars - there was a lot they would be able to enjoy soon.

The sound of her chuckle warmed his heart, it was always nice to know he could bring about that reaction from her. Sousa never got tired of it, her smile was something else even if she didn’t let people see it too often. Not unless they were close of course, having seen it plenty of times behind closed doors. The smile she put on for others was a bit different and sometimes he felt he got that genuine smile out when they were alone. Of course it wasn’t reserved just for him, plenty of others she considered family saw it as well. It was how you knew you made that special place in her heart. At least that was how he looked at it and from what he experienced, he wasn’t too far off. Plus, seeing a smile stress free from working with fellow agents was very appealing. 

“Well I figured there were quiet places, just didn’t know where they’d be.” He answered back as eyes looked up not directly at her as she was behind him before looking out towards space, seeing Earth grow closer. “You pick the place, I trust your decisions and the fact you’d know more about where to go more so than I do.” It was true, how could he not trust her choice when his experience in this time was extremely limited. At least it was on Earth, most of his time was in space. Not that it was a bad thing, space was only a dream and a goal to achieve in his time and now he had explored beyond even the moon. “The beach is a good idea, I’ve been to the beach you’re thinking of but uh a long time ago. Back in the 40s and it was mostly for work. Seems we both deserve an actual beach vacation.” He chuckled himself at his own thoughts and her tease. “I can’t argue with with that, I can only assume you’re right. I haven’t exactly seen a beach yet.” With his head turned now to face her, dark eyes watched her leave the position from behind and make her way over to his lap. 

Daisy was shocked to see Daniel still in the Zephyr, she was so sure that he was going to stay in town and yet here he was. For a small moment she was speechless, Daisy blinked a couple of more times to make sure she wasn’t dreaming and soon her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water “What are you doing here? I.. I thought you weren’t coming with us.” she asked. Though she didn’t mean that she didn’t want him here- in fact she was hoping he would stay, there was this connection between them even before they knew what was happening. 

Heck Daisy was still trying to figure out what was going on between them- was is just friendly flirting or was it something more? Nonetheless she gave him a smile before letting her head fall back on the pillow “I..” she started “A dream woke me up.” she admits, it was more a nightmare more than anything. 

She hated feeling weak like that but she was thankful for what Daniel had done for her, his story was enough to keep her hanging on even if it was by a thin thread “I wanted to thank you.” she whispered “For what you did..” her throat tighten at the memory “You helped me stay grounded to you.”

It didn’t EXACLY surprise him to see how caught off guard she was by his presence. Last she had heard him say he planned on staying back in the 1970s. However, he had changed his mind after helping Daisy back to the Zephyr and reuniting with the REST of the team. That was when he saw where his true purpose was needed, where he could do the most good now that he was plucked from his own time. The rest of the team didn’t seem to mind and practically couldn’t help but JUMP at welcoming him aboard, especially Coulson. Only after that was it explained to him as to why. “Changed my mind, figured I could do some good with this version of SHIELD seeing as I’ve already managed to help some.” He replied with a SMALL gesture towards her. 

He kept the part out where he felt a connection to the other agent, her practically having caught his attention the moment they met. God, did he have a TYPE and it got him in more trouble than anything. Not that he minded, in the end it usually was worth it. However, he wasn’t going to jump to anything yet and that meant for now making sure she got the rest she NEEDED seeing as no one else was giving her the nudge to do so. That and she wasn’t doing it on her own so someone had to help her. But as she answered, he slowly nodded showing that he understood. He’d been there before and no doubt this wasn’t her FIRST time. She did mention something like that in the barn. 

Alya nodded eagerly at Sousa’s question, BEAMING at his praise. “Mumma an’ papa teach me LOTS of things,” she informed him, a small finger pointing up to Fitz, then down the hall towards where she’d last seen her mum.

“But my favorite things to learn is STARS,” she added. “Mummy says I’m named after the brightest star in the conste… consell…” She frowned for a moment, tilting her head back to look at her FATHER, who simply nodded.

“No, go on,” he hummed. “Con-stell…”

“Consolations!” Alya cheered, her pronunciation nearly there. “The consolation Serpens.” Her grin never wavered. “Is Auntie Daisy back yet?”

Fitz glanced at one of the monitors, searching the SCREEN for the Zephyr’s tracking device. They’d entered the atmosphere again, thankfully. “Almost, monkey. Jus’ a bit longer, then y’can meet y’Auntie Daisy.”

Sousa’s gaze followed her finger, showing he was listening AND engaging with what she had to say. She was absolutely adorable and smart for her age, it did bring a smile to the tired agent’s lips. “Oh I don’t doubt that, they even teach ME some things.” He pointed out before nodding along to hear how much she loved the stars. His grin only widened as she worked on pronouncing long and hard words. She was definitely smarter than he was when she was her age. It WAS amazing. 

He won’t be able to stop the spread of relief that cascades down his shoulders. Victories were few and far in between and seeing Daniel Sousa in the flesh – alive and well brought Danny a hell of a lot of joy. The hand extended is immediately met with Danny’s own, shaking it firmly as he steps forward to give the other a quick, but firm embrace. 

It takes him a couple of moments to regain his composure; can’t quite stop the huge grin on his face as he shakes his head, beaming at Sousa. 

                     “Mate, I thought you were dead, I -…” A loud breath of air as Danny exhales, whistling, “Shouldn’t have doubted you I guess, looks like you’re alright, ey?” Danny returns, shaking his head. As for his own whereabouts, he gives a small shrug, the bright smile dimming just the slightest bit. “Oh – I thought a hop across the pond might do me some good; change of…scenery, but oh my days, Sousa, I – Jesus, mate, it’s great to see you.”

The irony was astounding, standing in FRONT of him was one of the very men he had been wondering about. Daniel hadn’t known if Danny survived or if he did, what he was even up to after the war. He had been one of those contacts that just fell through when life was returning to normal. It was NEITHER of their faults, the world was recovering from a mess and Sousa didn’t blame the other one bit for what happened just as he was sure Danny didn’t blame him. What mattered was his dear friend was ALIVE and giving him a firm handshake at that. 

      “Says   the   one   who   slapped   me   in   cuffs!”   She   chuckled   as   if   the   two   were   even   remotely   comparable.   Oh   how   those   maniacal   gears   TURN!   Be   careful   Sousa:   Felicia   is   oh   so   eager   to   even   the   SCORE.   “Besides,”   that   gloved   paw   swings   again   in   a   mean   right   hook.   “We   both   know   you’re   not   going   to   let   me   DO   my   thing!”   Considerably   kind   of   the   Cat,   when   she   was   about   two   CALCULATED   blows   away   from   trying   to   land   him   on   his   ASS   

❛ yeah, i’ll be there as quick as i can, ❜ she replies, finding it just slightly amusing that he kind of putting a time limit on her. then again, considering the fact that where they’re standing could have very well been blown to smithereens, herself included, she understands his antsy response. she waits just as long as it takes for him to clear the room, before she’s pounding the pavement herself, so to speak. handing over the device and offering as much information as she could to the bomb tech, jane finally hops in her car and heads back to headquarters. despite the deplorable destruction that would have occurred had they not intervened, she can’t help but sigh contently in the knowledge that she loved her job and that it’s because of it that she was able to prevent travesty. well, sousa did the legwork, but it was a team effort. one that wasn’t over just yet… making her way upstairs, she’s sending a message to maura when she steps out of the elevator and heads into brick, where sousa, frost and korsak were working together. ❛ what’s the word? ❜ she asks, clipping the phone back onto her belt, as she lifts her head to look at the different possible unsubs on the screen. ❛ what am i looking at? ❜ this time, she turns back, hands on her belt, as she asks sousa for clarification.