#agentmacmurray

"August 20th, 2012." He said without a moment's hesitation, even throwing in the day. The date was burned so deep into his mind he actually rubbed his forehead as if recalling the memory lit the fires anew.

"I believe it was Agents Coulson, Morgan, Ellis, and Winchester... I think that's all. The actual memory of it is a little fuzzy but I've read the report so many times I should be sure by now.

One year. It had been one year to the day that Penelope and Ellis had gotten married. The year had been so hectic, that Penelope hadn't even remembered until just after lunch when she'd checked the calendar. She'd felt horrible, but it was understandable. So the red head, had asked Ellis to bundle Melody up and take her out on a walk with Pup. A little bonding time would do them good. She'd smiled as they left, but rushed into the kitchen immediatly after.

She didn't have a present for him, but knew what she could do. Penleope spent her time cooking up one of his most favorite meals, spaghetti and meatballs. It was simple, but she wanted to make it feel special .She set out their best china, and wine glasses. She couldn't drink since she was breast feeding, but a bit of sparkling cider would go good with it. 

The garlic bread out of the oven, and the cookies cooling on the counter, Penelope heard the door open.

Yank!

"Huh?" He had to snap himself out of it. Lately, all he could really think about was SHIELD. The fact that somewhere out there, or underneath, rather… they were building. Growing. And after his chat — argument — chat with Sterling, perhaps even helping. He didn’t know. He was… confused. More so than ever.

But lips…

"Blame genetics." Ellis turned to smile at her, straightening up again, and patting his wife’s head, if only to emphasize her point. "Poor thing. You’re not planning on becoming a professional basketball player, are you?"

Penelope rolled her eyes, before poking him in the stomach, "No, but I'm already a professional kick your ass-er, so watch it!"

She said it affectionately though, and leaned again him. She loved her beanpole of a husband, and little by little each day he was more and more himself. Even if sometimes there were huge steps back, as in the argument with Sterling. Though she believed that was good for him, face his problems, own up to the things that made him angry and scared.

She was angry too. SHIELD was gone, the safety she felt she had with them, gone. And now they were back? She'd heard Congressman Ward, said they were gone, but she could read between the lines. She'd lost so much, and to just know they were there, bubbling under the surface. 

There were two large boxes wrapped up in the living room, perfectly wrapped with bows. There were a few other gifts wrapped up as well, likely from Fay.

Penelope also had his birthday dinner sitting on the counter. She hadn't actually made it, it was the one thing she couldn't make, but she'd helped Ellis put it together, so it counted. It was a tiered pizza cake. Several pizzas stacked on top of one another. It was so unhealthy it screamed TJ.

Which was why a bowl of salad sat next to it. To try and offset the clogged arteries.

     Angie'd dragged him out to her apartment. It was a first, but might as well invite someone over to her place, right? Anyway, they were partners. And while she couldn't afford this place on their pay check, her trust fund definitely could. Dropping her bag onto the table, she hurried off to her kitchen.