6058/Time and Travails

Time and Travails
Date of Scene:	27 April 2021
Location:	The Lab - Playground
Synopsis:	May checks in with Fitz, who is trying to explain to Daisy just why the new lab setup at the Playground is inadequate, to find out if building a new time machine is possible. He tells her all the reasons why it may not work. That doesn't stop him from working on it, however. Which is just as well, since Daniel and Peggy show up, having gone through an interesting time loop, to ask for Jemma's help with Daniel's leg.
Cast of Characters:	Melinda May, Daisy Johnson, Leopold Fitz, Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter, Jemma Simmons

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Melinda May has posed:
It's been roughly a week since May's encounter with the HYDRA ambush in Hell's Kitchen. Her bruises have faded on her face. Her stitches have started to itch on her arms. And the electrical burns on her ribs are only irritating now, rather than painful. More than that, she actually listened to medical advice and stayed out of the field for a few days to make sure no further damage was done.

Thus, she's actually looking fairly refreshed when she makes her way into the Labs at the Playground, looking for her favourite tech guy. Yep. Leo is on one of May's favourites lists. And not a violent one. Kinda scary, isn't it?

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Daisy is a percher. She was already a percher back at the Trisk and she is continuing the tradition of being one at the Playground. And that means she is hanging out by the labs today. Because someone needs to keep the 'lab rats' fed and happy. Before they start slicking their hair and dressing in black. And she always makes sure to not feed them after midnight.

Food was brought, and left on the tables for Fitz-Simmons. As for Daisy? She is perching up on one of the tables, or sitting on it in this case, eating some food.

"I am telling you Fitz. You won't even notice the difference. This may be a new lab but it's great isn't it?" She had already heard from Jemma about the lab certainly not being up to her standards!

Leopold Fitz has posed:
The last few weeks have definitely been a bit of an adjustment for Fitz. Living life underground feels a little like being undercover. It's exciting at first. But then you end up getting shot at and start missing all the fancy toys you had as an official, legit SHIELD agents. Then all you want to do is go home and curl up in the corner of your multi-billion dollar, state of the art lab.

This? This is decidedly not a multi-billion dollar, state of the art lab. It's not terrible mind. This is still SHIELD, and they do benefit from some of the brightest minds in the world. But Fitz still misses the Triskellion and he would no doubt be shooting Daisy a particular dour look if he had not already been well plyed with food. A secret to dealing with Fitz? He's a lot less grumpy if he has been well fed. "I don't know if I would go that far. But I guess it will do," he allows. Which is a far cry from how he sounded half an hour ago.

He might have reduced Perkins to tears.

When May enters the lab he straightens a little bit, dipping his head in greeting. "Agent May. What can we do for you?" He might be in her good book but he has always found it is safer to assume that he's not. Constant vigilance.

Melinda May has posed:
May feels that familiar nervous energy that is Fitz and the brighter, more playful bundle that is Daisy. It almost makes her smile. Which, for May, basically means an easing around the eyes and a slightly more open expression on her face. It really wouldn't do to make the rest of the lab rats think she was approachable. Her acceptance of Fitz and Simmons in no way extends to the rest of the eggheads.

"Fitz." A glance aside. "Hi, Daisy." Then, back to Fitz. "You remember that time machine you made to bring me home from 1949? Any chance we can recreate something like that?"

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Yea, that's definitely a smile. No need to be an empath, Daisy's just been around May for a good while now to be able to discern what those more open expressions can mean. And that makes Daisy grin at May's entrance, waving a fork in her direction. It's a good thing that no food was there so nothing flies to hit any of the expensive equipment in the lab. No need to give Fitz an heart attack. "Hello, May. Just in time. If you want some food." she always offers!

"And Fitz, you are just as demanding as Jemms was. I swear, she wouldn't stop telling everyone what to do when she was setting up shop here.." a sigh, "But hey, I can't talk much .., I may have soaked our room a few days back..." the infamous fire alarm incident.

When May then breeches the topic about the time machine she peeks back at May, blinking but then again she appears to perhaps be aware on why this is for. "Is this about Daniel?" she asks, curious. Another bite.

Leopold Fitz has posed:
To put it mildly, Fitz is not exactly a people person. He's gotten better, since his first days at the SHIELD academy where he would generally alternate between verging on being too nervous to speak to being utterly insufferable. He's definitely come a long way since then. But he doesn't always get people. And he certainly doesn't always read people. May's version of a smile? He can't really tell that from her smile, or her furious expression. Though he assumes that if nothing is broken -- like say, dozens of our people -- that she's probably not furious.

It's an assumption that has worked out for him to date so he's more then happy to run with it.

Agent May's request brings a slight frown to his face, brow furrowing ever so slightly and he shoots a glance towards Daisy at the mention of Daniel. For just a moment he chews his bottom lip thoughtfully before a small shrug ripples across his lanky frame. "Well, we don't exactly have the same resources that we had a few months ago. It might take a little extra work to get everything we need and we might need to... borrow some of components," he says slowly. He means steal. Chances are they won't be giving them back. "But it's at least established technology now. The science, the principles are already worked out. There might be a little work recreating some of what we need, but yeah, we should be able to do it," he says with a firm nod.

And then his eyes start to glaze over and it's not clear that he even realizes that the other two are still present. "Still, finding another tachyon surge like last time... that's going to be tricky to track down with the full array of satelitte coverage. And then there is..." he continues, falling off into incomprehensible mumbling.

Melinda May has posed:
May actually considers the food, but still declines. "No, I'm good. But thanks." She's not surprised to hear Fitz has been complaining about the lab. She just has no control over it. And wouldn't likely be able to help, even if she did. What they have here, they have... unless or until Fury gets them something better.

Still, there's a hangar and a quinjet. It's enough for her.

She nods in answer to Daisy's question. "Yeah. I don't think he can stay here any more than I could stay back there. Which means we need to find some way to control his transfer." Because... there are bullets waiting for him at the other end.

There are other logistics to consider, too, but her first step is just to find out if the machine could be made viable again.

"Did that time brick thingy survive?" she asks. Totally a technical term that. Yep. "We'll need it, too, won't we?" If it didn't survive... that could complicate matters. Still, as Fitz goes off on his internal monologue, she does take that as a good sign...

Daisy Johnson has posed:
There is some worry there on Daisy's expression when May speaks about Daniel not being able to stay here. "Messing with time is not ideal I suppose but ..., after all they have gone through, maybe there can be another solution..." because if there's one thing Daisy is that's hopeful. Specially where her friends and family comes to. Talk about beating them with the power of friendship... "Not that I know what it could be but.., why couldn't you stay back in the past, May?"

She stops eating for now, the talk more interesting than the food so she stores it away for later consumption.

A look to Fitz when he starts going into that monologue. It's usually a good sign. "Fitz got that look again that tells he won't stop until he finds the solution." because that's Fitz! She grins in the man's direction.

Leopold Fitz has posed:
That, of course is the most fundamental question. All the additional technical know how will only go so far without the key pieces of the puzzle afterall. And while Fitz might be the foremost expert on temporal mechanics on the team, this is still SHIELD. And such potentially rare and powerful artifacts tend to end up under lock and key in the most secure facilities, not left in the custody of the science team. That's probably something that he could complain about, but chances are something would have gone wrong if they had control of the elegantly named Time Brick.

"Mmmmm, the time brick did survive," Fitz assures her, just a slight note of apprehension in his voice. "And it is definitely the most important piece we would need to recreate any of that technology," he adds. "After we managed to retrieve you from the past and I completed my examination of it, it was sent back to deep storage. Where it was kept was on a need to know basis, understandably so, given the potential for abuse," he continues. "Just which facility that might be was classified above my level, so I cannot say if it is still in our possession or not. I mean, I presume so and if we can lay our hands on it we will be well on our way to building whatever we need."

Melinda May has posed:
"It's the risk of changing the flow of time," May tells Daisy. "As it is, I don't know that I *didn't* change the flow. I don't know how many of Peggy's memories of that time were buried and forgotten until all that happened, or were made because it happened." She grimaces. "What's more, I have learned that I left some sort of 'echo' back in time. And I have no idea how much *that* has affected things." She suspects, however, the answer is 'a lot'.

She nods to what Fitz says. "I'll talk to the Chief," she tells him. "If anyone can get her hands on it, Peggy can." Or she will, herself. Level 8 has its priveleges, too. Just not nearly so many as Level 9. Her head cants. "What do you think the possibility is of creating another time echo of this?" she asks Fitz. She glances at Daisy. "In dying in 1955, Daniel Sousa became the first SHIELD agent to fall in the line of duty. He inspired generations of SHIELD agents... I don't want him to die. But... I don't know how him staying here and not dying will affect things."

Leopold Fitz has posed:
While Fitz might be the SHIELD expert in temporal mechanics, there is still a heck of a lot of grey area to be filled in still, despite all they learned in their search and rescue of Agent May. He nods as she expresses her concerns, that thoughtful expression still on his face, one that slowly shifts and twists into a near grimace. "Those are all extremely valid concerns Agent May. The truth is that I wish that I had some firm, absolute answers for you. For all that we managed to find a way to communicate through time, to open up a portal to bring you back there is so much that still is not entirely clear. Obviously it is not something that we have ever done extensive experimentation on so mcuh of it is theory, even philosophy as much as true science."

His brow furrows ever so slightly and Fitz sighs, "There is a reasonable chance that plucking him out of the time stream won't ultimately effect anything. That time is a wide, strong river and tossing a rock into the middle of it might create some ripples before being swallowed up without effect. That plucking him out of the past can't effect us because it's already our past. That despite being here he will still somehow end up with the same fate. Or that ultimately something will simply replace his sacrifice and the net change will be zero," he offers up. "Or that could be entirely wrong and if we don't address it we will wake up one morning and SHIELD will have collapsed decades ago and none of us will be the wiser. There's no certainty I can offer," he says apologetically.

"But if we can lay our hands on that stone we will be one step closer to finding out and can prepare one way or the other..." the scientist offers up.

Melinda May has posed:
"And it doesn't help there's magic involved this time," May sighs, her tone dry and just a trifle cynical about the whole thing. Daisy takes this opportunity to slip out, having promised to complete an errand elsewhere. May leans back against a counter, her arms crossing over her chest. "If we knew for sure keeping him here wouldn't affect anything, that would be the best news I've heard... ever." She just seriously doubts it's what's going to happen. Especially given the rest of Fitz's words.

In the end, she just shakes her head. "I'll speak to Peggy about finding us that time brick. You... see what you can throw together. I'll follow up on the other leads I have, too, and let you know what I find." It's the only plan she can think of just now.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel wan't honestly trying to put off visiting the lab and getting his leg sorted out it just sort of kept happening whenever he thought about going something else came up. Most recently those somethings took the form of a trip to California and fighting HYDRA in a time loop, both of which had left his leg in a bad state so when he and Peggy make their way towards the lab he's limping heavily walking with the help of his cane.

"It's okay," he tells Peggy. "You can say you told me so," he offers, a wry grin on his lips as he pushes through the doors of the lab, brows raising slightly to see Agent May waiting for them along with one of the sciences people he hadn't met yet. "Hi. We're here to see about my leg," he announces.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peggy's done her best, but she's not a medical professional and it's been a lot of decades since she helped him take regular care of that amputation. So, while there's making certain he takes the prostethic off every night, the usual, gentle massages, and all the care work they did back in the 50s, none of it compares to what the lab can do. Peg is just happy she didn't have to argue with him this time to convince him to come down to medical. 8 hours sleep after the incident in Coney Park and they're both headed down, she walking close at his side and a little behind just in case his leg gives out. She knows he'd hate that's the reason, but she does it subconsciously by now.

"I wasn't going to say a *thing*, I'm just glad we're *here* now." She comments as they walk into the room. Then she realizes there is already quite a conversation going on. She gives the others a little blink, her head tilting to the side. "Do we...interrupt? Even if this is a bad time, can we just get a few... pain killers, and maybe something to help with abrasions?" She wasn't walking out of here without SOME medical attention for her husband.

Leopold Fitz has posed:
He wishes he had better news for Agent May, for all of them really. But messing with time is very new and very much filled with the unknowns. Fitz is willing to occasionally theorize, but he is a scientist at the end of the day. When he doesn't know something, he doesn't know something and isn't really willing to pretend otherwise. To put a pleasant spin on things to make them a little more palatable. Maybe that's part of the reason he is a little better with the technological component instead of the icky, biological one. Machines don't have a lot of emotions. No feelings to hurt.

The young agent's gaze flickers to the door as the subject of their discussion comes up and Fitz hastily glances away, reaching for the tablet still resting on the work table in front of him. "I'll go start pulling up the schematics and all my personal notes. I'll start putting together any other odds and ends that we might need before this is through," he says quietly. It is likely to be quite the extensive list. "You'll have it in a few hours," he promises Agent May, hastily turning for the nearest store room.

Sure, he could pull up their inventories from out here. But no one is likely to bother him in there. And sometimes being our of sight and mind is not an entirely bad thing to be.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
While the laboratory/med bay is relatively large....it isn't as large as the former R&D labs in the Trisk. So...it is easier to catch a certain British scientist when she walks into the laboratory. Of course, there is a pause...since there really is only one entrance in...and it is currently occupied with the director of the Playground and her husband. "Well, it would seem that I'm late to the party."

Once there is enough room for Jemma to get actually in the door, the doctor actually manages to get in, with smiles at the ready for everyone in the lab. Including Fitz, though he seems to be turning to perform a disappearing act. And Jemma does not do a thing to stop him. "Forgive me, but I couldn't help but hearing that there is a request for medical attention?"

Obivous Jemma is going to be obvious. But hey, at least she is present!

Melinda May has posed:
Indeed. May looks over her shoulder a moment or two before Daniel and Peggy enter, the knot of their combined emotional signatures singing in her mind. She gives Fitz a ghost of a smile, less open than before, but still sincere as she nods. "I'll look for it," she assures him.

Then, he's bustling off and Jemma's coming in behind Peggy and Daniel, and May finds herself dancing to the side to simply get out of the way. "What did you do to your leg?" she asks Daniel. She knows how it was before he went back to New York to see about that mirror sliver in Abcde's arm. But it seems worse now. Her eyes dart between them. "Was this because of New York? What happened?"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel looks behind him when Jemma appears, he gives the scientist a smile and steps aside before watching after Fitz's departure. "Does he do that a lot?" but really compared to Samberly, Fitz vanishing as soon as people came in was refreshingly normal.

Then as to May's question. "HYDRA, apparently they thought it was a good idea to run a bunch of volts through the frame of that mirror that got me here, apparently time didn't like it, kept looping us back over and over again so we were reliving the same moments. Came in handy with dealing with HYDRA," a nod to Peggy for the slick plan to use the loop to their advantage once they were outside its effects. "But I put my leg through a lot right after California, so, getting the consequences of that now."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"In his defense, I did make him run about half a dozen city blocks, climb a fire escape twice, and take out half a HYDRA regiment. It was... a long day. But the mirror's frame is back. The young witch has it. I'd prefer to get it into WAND hands but I wasn't going to fight her about it. Not right now. And she can keep it warded and under protection." Between her and Daniel's words, that's about as full a report as May needs or is going to get, and a decent summary of a messy situation.

She's then looking back to Jemma, a slightly softer smile on her lips, since Daniel hasn't actually said what is *wrong*. Just how it got there. "I was hoping... *we* were hoping, we might be able to put together something better as a prostethic. At least for use on SHIELD missions modern day. What he has was great for 1955, but the blisters are getting bad and... well. I know we can help his amputation a bit better than they did back in the day."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
There is a mild blink of surprise. "Magic mirrors? Really..." There isn't the usual slight distain of magic that is usually present in Jemma's tone, nor the slightly unsavory sense in Jemma's emotions. There is just a mild interest to the point of dismissal. Sure. There's magic mirrors now. That's normal.

That slight musing is shunted to the side as Peggy addresses Jemma directly, with Jemma turning her attention to her British compatriot. "A better prosthetic? Yes, I think we can manage that. It may take a little time to manufacture, if that would be alright?" Those brown eyes shift from Peggy to Daniel. "I mean, certainly not weeks or so like one would expect at a public hospital, but a little bit of time." She holds up her hand, teetering it from side to side. "About a week or two? Would that be okay?"

There's a glance over towards the medbay portion of the lab, then back to the SHIELD power couple. "It wouldn't do to fit a new leg without tending to those scrapes, though. We oughta do something about that, first. If you please?" A hand extends out towards the opposite side of the room...towards one of the medical beds.

Melinda May has posed:
May cants her head slightly at Jemma's unusually blase' reaction. Look at how those emotions get swallowed again. It distracts her from the mild pique she feels at having had to sit out the mirror incident. Especially where time loops are involved. (Though it doesn't distract her so much that she doesn't register some mild surprise that Peggy fought 'half a HYDRA regiment' and didn't end up perforated, herself.)

Her lips press together and she takes another step back, out of the way. That it happens to position her to be able to observe it all without impedement, well... put it down to the fact she's been a spy for 30+ years, now. It's *habit*

And May being taciturn isn't necessarily out of character, either.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"It was for a good cause," Daniel says with a smile for Peggy about everything they had to do. "HYDRA are the last people we want to have messing around with time or magic." The way Daniel says magic makes it sound like he himself believes, if only just. "And yeah, what Peg said, kinda think I need an upgrade if it's not too much trouble." There's a blink for the time frame. "Two weeks would be great. It took them a couple of months to dig up my first prosthetic," but then it was '45 and demand was high.

Then it's back to the magic, "Yeah, with djinn in them," he says knowing how crazy it sounds. "Like Arabian Nights? if that book is still around. It's what brought me and this other guy to the future...present...whatever?" he says then he's more than happy to move to the medical area and with a bit of effort hop up on the bed. "I guess I should strip a bit? Don't worry put the leg over some PT shorts to make this less awkward for everyone." Especially now that he was going to have an audience.

Assuming he gets the word he sheds his slacks to reveal the prosthetic and his PT shorts, as one would expect it's practically prehistoric compated to what can be achieved today, there's actual wooden parts in there and all the rest to say nothing of barely enough padding and uncomfortable leather straps. All of which explains the state of his leg, the stump is raw and blistered in multiple places and looks like injury after injury has been piled on without a chance to heal.

Peggy Carter has posed:
While the mirror is a concern and Peggy has just accepted the very strange state of their lives, she seems more worried about Daniel's leg. It's not until he's stripping down and getting comfortable that she looks back to Jemma and May. The displeased look on May's face gets a long smirk from Peggy, "You took two days off. I'm *practically proud*, and it means I'm not going to have to drag you in here to get seen to as well. I'll get the whole damn team drug in by their ears if I must, all of you walking around on injuries like we are immortal or something." Peggy chuffs a bit, but she stands by her decision, on both accounts.

"And yes, the fight was... Interesting. The whole world, from what I can tell, reset itself dozens of times until we could figure out how to get the mirror out of their hands and the machine powered down. Though," Peg gives a little laugh, "I'd take the chance again to watch a battle play out five times before making the best decision about how to go in. Once the plan was laid out, it only took once to get it away from them." Her eyes then trail back over towards the place where Fitz disappeared. "...and just what did we miss here?"

Peggy steps over to settle on the bed behind Daniel while he's getting seen to. She doesn't stare at his leg, but the worry is there, gently radiating off of her to Melinda, if no one else. She settles one hand on his shoulder, a silent weight of support and reminder she's there. When Melinda felt them coming in together, it's probably growing increasingly clear that yes, they are knotted. Joined. They operate in such comfortable tandem that one being missing would be a gap of functionality. It's amazing Peggy pulled herself together after his death the first time.

Melinda May has posed:
May feels all those emotions coming from Daniel and Peggy. And only the ghost of emotions coming from Jemma -- aside from that perpetual calm, professional curiosity that only verges on the edges of concern. See... that's just not right. She's fairly certain Jemma's not a chronocom. There *are* some emotions there, after all. But... not enough.

"I have Fitz working on a contingency," she tells Peggy, her attention still partially on Jemma. Silently, she reflects that a call to her ex-husband might be in order. If he'll even take her call.

God. Has it really come to that?

"Do you think you can track down that time brick from the Mojave? He said it was put into top secret, undisclosed storage." A beat. "He said it might help us stablize things, if time starts going wonky again." Sure. Fitz used the term 'wonky'. Absolutely.

Just go with it. She's paraphrasing. (Paraphrasing herself, really, but never mind.)

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"It seems I miss out on the most interesting of situations. Not that I am complaining at all." There is a laugh in there that sounds sincere enough...but then clipped off as Jemma actually gets a good look at Daniel's leg...and his prosthetic. "You was running....with that?" The amazement is blindingly clear in her voice. Even those susceptible to the emotions of others can tell...that's a true reaction. The shock is actual...no faking or withdrawing that.

The surprise dissipates...and Jemma seems to regain control again of her emotions. "Right. Well, we need to treat those abrasions first. Then we can take some measurements and fit a proper leg for you. If you have any particular requests on what you would like, now's the time to ask." And, with that, Jemma gets to work. She moves from Daniel, shifting to gather her supplies with precision...each movement measured. No action wasted. It is as if she designed the layout of the medbay.

Which Jemma had, of course.

One of the items gathered is not the usual tablet that Jemma carries, but instead a notepad. Apparently, she intends to write out her observations.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel grins, "Gee Peg, wonder where we got an idea like that?," he asks her of them running around with injuries, though he softens his teasing by reaching out to briefly squeeze her hand. "But it looks like I'm going to to be okay all the same." For now at least.

"Wonky as in the time loop?" Daniel asks, "Or as in wonky as in me and that other guy here in the future?" he asks, frowning a little.

Jemma's exclamation brings Daniel back out of his head. "Yep, been doing it for about 11 years now," he says of running on the prosthetic. "Well, more like nine, Howard got me an upgrade to this after the whole Isodyne mess. It was nice to get rid of the crutch."

There's a nod about the abrasions. "All yours Doc," he says with a smile. "This stuff is sort of old hat to me by now."

Peggy Carter has posed:
As her hand is taken, Peggy happily weaves her fingertips between Daniel's. It is, by far, the softest *either* of the woman have ever seen her, but May might be getting used to it by now. Peg is simply a different person when she has nothing to do but be a wife and support. But it's not something she's done in an incredibly long time. "..Fitz used the word 'Wonky'?" She asks with an amused bit of a smirk. Still easier to concentrate on business than think about the injuries Daniel's running around on. He still gets a good cuff to his shoulder as he banters about her own injuries, "Oh, come now. I'm not *that* bad." She huffs.

Then she's looking back to Jemma, bittersweet smile on her lips. "Our medical staff did their best to take care of things, but we were never going to tell Daniel to stop being a field agent. Still doesn't mean I wouldn't be relieved if we didn't end up needing to soak his leg after every mission. Really. What Howard made him was top notch for the time. We...kept talking about upgrading again. Before 1960. That's what Howard kept saying."

Melinda May has posed:
"Wonky," Melinda repeats. "They're all connected, aren't they? The mirror, him, you. The loop, too, I imagine. If it can help us stablize things, maybe it can help us *solve* things."

She continues to observe Jemma, though. Notepad? Not tablet? What the hell? Since when to either Fitz or Simmons not rely on digital technology? A crease appears between her brows.

"And, yes," she says mildly to Peggy. "You *are* that bad. You got shot twice in the two months I knew you in 1948. You set precident." Seems she can still tease her friend, even in the midst of all this.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Oh, we can most definitely do better. Of that, I am absolutely certain of." A flicker of pride colours the emotionally sparse landscape within Jemma's psyche, before that, too, is taken in and replaced with focus upon the matter at hand. And, at this point, the matter at hand is Daniel's leg. The methodological approach that Jemma takes is practically textbook med school. With a soft murmur of apologies, Jemma first attends to the abrasions, dressing the wounds with what can only be attributed as surgical precision. It is certainly apparent that the medical skills are top notch.

And yet, while Jemma is dressing the wounds, she is measuring. Numbers are being jotted down in that notebook of hers, the pencil flickering as the doctor does her business. Leg circumference, diameter...even the length of the leg that Jemma has to work with to fit a new prosthetic...all written in Jemma's neat script. Even a rough sketch of what the leg prosthetic could look like.

And, even during this, Jemma speaks. "Now, in regards to a prothestic, we can make this as realistic as you would like. Even do a couple different models. But yes, that chaffing is going to be a thing of the past. Though, I was serious. If you wanted something that would be worthy of the future you find yourself in, just let me know."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Right, says the woman who wanted to be the one to get space goo out of a crazy woman less than 24hrs after getting a rebar through her stomach." Mentioning that mission brings to mind their compromise and with it a frown to his lips. "We check out that pie here yet? Or got any leads on Dottie?" he asks both her and May before his attention once again rests on Jemma, "That makes two of us," Daniel agrees with Peggy of not needing to soak his stump post mission.

Falling silent while his wounds are tended to except for a few involuntary gasps when things sting, before listening to what Jemma has to say, his eyes cutting to May thinking about what she said about the time brick before he answers.

"Well anything that doesn't chafe, and gives me better mobility on missions would be great for now, and if it's not too much maybe looks and feels a little bit more real than my current one?"

"Just need to be able to put the old one back on at the end of all this, at least for now."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peggy's worried mind then seems to realize that she didn't quite answer the question of the 'time brick.' She's been a bit too distracted, but Jemma's methodical care of Daniel is truly reassuring. Even if the notepad is odd. Peggy doesn't know the woman well enough, and prefers to write notes in her own neat cursive as well, so that feels normal to her. She just knows that Daniel's in good hands, so Peggy's mind can go back to business. "Oh hell. I'm Chief now. I... should be able to get access to the Time Brick again. The question is if we hid it somewhere we now *currently* have access to or not. When I'm back in my office, I'll try and track down what I can find. I'll be quite frustrated if we did the awful thing of hide it somewhere even I cannot find it." She smirks.

As both Daniel and May bring up all those old times, Peggy gives a little chuffing sound at them, rolling her eyes to the ceiling, "I was *young* and rather intent on proving myself. That was a VERY long time ago, thank you very much. I've gotten better." She probably hasn't, but she will swear up and down the wall she has.

The question of pie makes her eyes go wide, "Oh god, no, the pie. I entirely forgot about it. And... well, if it was still there and a racoon didn't make off with it, I'll be in shock. However, Jemma, if we brought you a possibly posioned coconut cream pie, could you confirm for us if it was or not? Even if it's... rather moldy by now?" Peg asks with an odd little laugh.

Melinda May has posed:
"No you haven't," May tells her friend mildly.

But, still, her attention is on Jemma. She cants her head curiously. "Don't you have a scanner that does all that?" she asks the scientist, stepping towards her. "That's what you did with Evans. 3D scan, custom fabrication. You said it was more accurate than calipers and pencils." There might be a message in what she said. Or it could just be idle curiosity.

But her new found powers are actively actively engaged now. She's never really concentrated on one person quite like this before. With Vogel it was poke and react. This... this is different. This time, she wants to *know*. Is this really Jemma Simmons?

Because, if it is, she's *definitely* calling Andrew.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
The mention of a coconut cream pie draws a rather...perplexed expression from Jemma. "You want me to perform an analysis on a pie? Yes, I could confirm if the pie was poisoned...but if it is moldy, then that may degrade the testing. But, if you already threw it away, then I really don't see the need for testing, other than for pure curiousity's sake. Which, I can appreciate." The jotting of the measurements continue....

Until May brings up her doubts. A flash of worry, almost too quick to grasp, before that calm, slightly detached demeanor takes its place....that doctor persona that Jemma uses so, so well. "Well, Commander May, we did just moved in to our current surroundings, so there is a matter of slight unfamiliarity with the scanning capabilities of the Playground. The equipment, while state of the art at the time, are still less than what we had available previously. Also, there was the matter of tending to the lacerations and open sores of Agent Sousa's leg that must be tended to before an appropriate scan could be performed. Any deviations from normal would cause the prosthetic to not be perfect, wouldn't you agree? That would include bruising and imperfections due to chaffing. I was merely taking preliminary measurements now, while properly dressing the wounds, so that I can start to design the prosthetic while Agent Sousa heals. Once he has fully healed, then proper scans can be taken and adjustments to the virtual model may be performed, which should be must shorter than a complete design from the ground up." That....certainly sounds like Jemma Simmons. Slight annoyance tinges her next words, backed with the corresponding emotion. "Unless, of course, you feel it necessary to question my medical expertise in this particular endeavor? I could certainly acquiesce to performing scans now....then scans again after the abrasions are healed and the swelling reduced. Is that what you wish?"

The words are not there...but the tone is. And the tone is clearly stating to back off and let Jemma do her job. Which....is not unusual for Jemma to do, though perhaps not quite to that extent to May.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel just smirks silently in the face of Peggy's protestations of having gotten better since '47, at least when it came to carrying on while injured, then May pretty much says what he's thinking and he gives a little shrug and a genuinely warm smile. At least some things remained constant this past 65 years.

As for the matter of the pie, he clarifies, "We didn't throw it out we left it on the porch," a beat. "We thought it might be a bomb." Another beat. "It wasn't. An old 'friend' of Peggy's dropped it off for her."

Picking up on Jemma's tone if not the cause Daniel holds up his hands. "I am sure whatever way you want to do this is fine," he tells her. "You're the doctor."

Though his eyes cut to May and Peggy for some clarity. What's going on here?

Peggy Carter has posed:
While Peggy doesn't know Jemma well, the tone she's just taken with May is a bit of a shock. Enough to stop her from her worry cycle and make her forget entirely about the pie. She blinks, looking from Jemma, back to May, then back to Jemma, "...Simmons, are you... feeling alright? It's okay. However you want to manage Daniel's care... Hell, I brought you my *husband*. I trust you to give him the best care. You just seem...on edge?"

Melinda May has posed:
Normally, May would back down when Jemma gets snippy like this. Normally, May would let Jemma do her thing without protest, in the first place. Especially since the idea of preliminary measurements is entirely normal. But *normally* May isn't purposely trying to provke a strong emotional response from the woman. "You arranged and installed most of the scanning capabilities in the Playground. There's not a scanner in the world you're unfamiliar with," she scoffs. Is she calling Jemma a liar?

She can accept the idea of 'preliminary' measurements, however. It's just... she caught that flash of worry that bloomed and faded so quickly. And it's found a home in her. Albeit born of her own psyche and not Jemma's. Nevertheless, she backs off enough to keep from provoking a response that's detrimental to Daniel. "Bandaging aside, in all the time I've known you, I've never seen you work without a piece of technology in your hand. Even when you're doing prelims."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Despite the provocation, the emotional resonance from Jemma remains even. If it wasn't for the rises and dips that May had possibly sensed, albeit fleeting, there might have been reasoning to believe that it was an automaton, rather than a flesh-and-blood personage. Yet, the doctor is not backing down. She tackles May's veiled accusation with a simple, yet effective tactic for Jemma.

Jemma uses the truth.

"Yes, I arranged most of the scanning capabilities. However, the fact still remains that I have yet to ensure proper calibration of the scanners. Taking notes is merely a method to ensure that everything is in proper working order." No fluctuation in Jemma's mannerisms at all. "The notepad was merely the most readily available tool at the time. Partly because I had intended it to be." A smile creeps onto Jemma's face. "It is possible for me to work without an electronic device...once in a while." There is humour there, with even the amusement felt for those sensitive to that. Though it, like the rest of the feelings from Jemma, is quickly muted, all for the sake of allowing her to concentrate on her job.

Which is tending to Daniel, for the moment.

And there is no denying the medical skills. Jemma has the leg properly tended to and dressed within a manner of minutes. "Since you know the drill, Agent Sousa, I won't bother you with the particulars. Try to avoid running if at all possible, and certainly avoid magic mirrors, djinns, and Hydra squads. The sooner we get that leg of yours back to health, the sooner we can refine our specifications to give you a proper leg that will allow you the physicality necessary. Certainly...one without the threat of leaving splinters in its wake." With that, Jemma taps the leg, specifically the wooden pieces with the pencil in her hand. "Once we are ready, we will introduce you to the wonderful world of computer scanning and instant 3D printing." A pause. "Well...almost instant 3D printing, at least."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel's eyes turn from Peggy, to May, to Jemma before saying, "Oookay it sounds like you folks have some things to work out here, should I head on back down to Peggy's suite and come back tomorrow?" he asks the women. "I really don't mind" Though his curiosity and concern is readable in his eyes and likely palpable to May's Inhuman senses.

Though when his leg is attended to he makes no move to leave just shooting some confused looks to May and Peggy over Jemma's shoulder before his attention returns to the scientist.

"Understood," Daniel says about the running before smiling at the rest. "And believe me I'll be doing my best to avoid all three."

3D printing gets a raised brow. "What does printing have to do with making me a leg? It's not going to be paper is it?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
There is worry in Peggy's features. Honest to goodness worry, but she simply doesn't know Jemma quite well enough to know how bad it is. Her head tilts a bit more to the side, studying the other woman like trying to put pieces of a puzzle together. Then she's looking over to May, her brow just slightly arching for any indication of does she find something else wrong? Jemma seems her rather professional self again.

Then Peggy is looking back to Jemma and Daniel, a bit warmer a smile on her lips, "Thank you, Jemma, and no, darling, she means... They have 3-D printing now. Of any material you like. You put in blueprints and it just... is made down to the exact specifications. It's really quite fascinating." Peggy has caught up a lot in her year of life, but the look on her face says he's adorable when she realizes how much he's still to learn. She leans up and kisses his forehead. "Don't suppose I can talk you into a pair of crutches so you can *actually* stay off of it for a few days?"

Looking back to Jemma, she adds, "That is, if you have a pair around here. God, we probably have some of the old medical supplies still down in storage..."

Melinda May has posed:
The words are right. The tone of voice is not right. And it frustrates May. But... she glances between Daniel and Peggy. Now isn't the time to push. She'll talk to Peggy about it later. Or, maybe she'll talk directly to Jemma about it later. Either way... She should probably call Andrew.

Damn it.

She doesn't miss the look from Peggy, telegraphing with a quick glance and shake of her head that they'll talk later. Other than that, she backs off. "I've got some things to check on in the hangar," she says. "I'll leave you to this." Because there's nothing more she can do until she figures out what the hell is going on inside her head. Or inside Jemma's.

Does this have something to do with Foster's ghost or just the stress of resettling the Playground? God damn it, SHIELD has got to rein in the weirdness one of these days.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Oh, I am sure that there are a pair of crutches over in the medical supply closet that you are more than welcomed to." Jemma indicates towards a door just two beds down from where the quartet is at presently. "And yes, Agent Sousa, the Research and Development department has access to 3-D printers that uses computer assisted design and various extruders of materials to create literally whatever object we can think of. It will certainly speed up your prosthetic creation immensely."

If Jemma caught any of the exchange between chief and commander, she is not showing it. There isn't a flicker of discovery or concern within that psyche of hers. She does cast a glance towards May as she declares her intent to check the hanger. "Thank you, Commander May. " Then a turn back to regard Daniel and Peggy together. "If you wish to wait here, I can go check the supply closet for you. You could also use your current prosthetic, should you wish. The dressings should provide the necessary cushion to allow at least minimal use. Again, as long as you do not go running marathons with it." There is a hint of a tease there...good-natured ribbing that does seem more Jemma's speed for those that know her.

Perhaps it was all just stress. Resettling the Playground, sure. Surely the idea of being an international criminal known by name could be something, too. But, no answers are available from Simmons presently.

Maybe they won't come willingly at all.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel's eyebrows raise at the explanation. "Wow. Colour me impressed, Howard would have had a field day with that." Then he catches Peggy's look and shakes his head with a bit of a wry smirk. He knew what it meant.

As for crutches he makes no argument. "Sure thing, Peg," he says, a little bit of tension coming away from his shoulders as he does. Perhaps Peggy wasn't the only one who wanted him to get him off his leg like that. As to the old supplies, "I'll take whatever I can get."

May gets a nod as she departs

Then looking back to Jemma he says, "Right no marathons, but I better take a set of those crutches or I might not live to come back and get all those fancy scans for my new leg," he says with a grin for Peggy.

"And thank you Dr. Simmons, all of this? I really appreciate it."

Peggy Carter has posed:
The comment about not living gets him a smirk, "I just want to drag you out into the field so we can ALL live to see another day. Don't want a good resource going to waste because he's working on old technology." She leans over to kiss his temple again, waiting for the crutches to appear before she stands up. "Truly, Jemma, we... Really do appreciate. And May, we'll talk later." Peggy calls after the woman, as she's leaving.

With that, Peggy nods for the door. She doesn't offer to help Daniel, she knows he can absolutely handle it on his own, but she hovers close enough to say they're probably headed back to quarters together. "Come on. Maybe we'll tuck in before midnight for once, old man." And with that, they disappear out the door.