She'd never regretted her decision. To become a biochemist; that was. How could she? Nature had so much to offer. So much it did offer. She never felt regret until today. She had gotten the promotion of her dreams. A new lab. Equipt with anything she could ever dream of. She could design anything she wanted, so long as she made a profit for the company. With two doctorates in her back pocket, it was about time. She was so thrilled when the opportunity came, that when she found out she'd have to work in close quarters with someone for the entirety of her agreement, she hadn't given the idea a second thought, despite her usual distaste of working with partners. They never kept up with her and often disapproved of her ideas claiming she was too young or some shit. It frustrated her.

So, due to her lack of care and attention, Jemma found herself stood next to a grumpy, Scottish engineer. He refused to talk - work talk or small talk. He seemed to make an effect to avoid her throughout the day. He always stayed away from her in the lab and never questioned anything she did. At the end of the day, after she'd finished packing away her belongings, she walked confidently up to the engineer. 'Fitz, right?' she thought. How would she know anyway? He never spoke.

She was behind him as he worked, watching as his unruly mop of curls inclined sideways. He'd sensed her presence. He slowly turned around stepped back into the desk he was just working at. She hadn't noticed their proximity. They hardly even knew each other. Looking at him from such a short distance, she saw the true blueness of his eyes. The shadow of a stubble on his cheeks. The definition of his strong jawline. He was actually awfully attractive. A little pasty, but attractive nonetheless. The slight mutters she'd heard of his home-sickening accent didn't help either.

"Fitz," she greeted flatly.

His eyes finally met hers. "Simmons," he said tentatively. 'Was he scared? Why would he be scared?'

Jemma smiled slightly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Fitz." She thought, if he was anything like her, that it would probably take some time for him to warm up to working with her. She resolved to give him some time. She would give him to the end of the week. If he didn't approach her by then, she would approach him.

Thankfully, like she'd hoped, he did approach her. Eventually. He hesitantly walked up to her. She could feel him move. Hear him. Sense him. In her peripheral vision, she watched him duck his head and fumble with his hands as he mustered up the courage to speak with her. "Eh, Simmons?" His voice was quiet, she had to strain to hear him. "I have an idea, but I need a hand."

She turned around to face him. "What's up, Fitz?" She smiled at him, trying to welcome him. Allow him to feel comfortable.

"I'm building some drones. To scan nature. Identify viruses, diseases, and dangers; smoke. You know. Flood warnings. All of that," his voice lifted as he spoke. "To help people. I, uh…" he trailed off. "I need help with the sensors; scanners," he admitted, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "I don't know specifically 'what' to test to identify anomalies."

"Oh! I'd be happy to help, Fitz. But, I'm going to need your help with something too," she smiled brightly.

For the next week, they'd worked on his project. He'd turned out to be incredibly insightful and intuitive. They'd developed a habit of finishing each other's sentences and knowing exactly what the other needed before they even asked. They'd made a habit of breaking for lunch together and discussing possible solutions to issues over their food. And at dinner, too. Jemma had started to notice the little things Fitz did as he thought, worked, ate. She noticed that he'd scratch his head when he was nervous, that he'd tap his mouth and chin when he was deep in thought, and that he'd wince every time she'd mention home or her parents. It was like fate; as if they were destined to meet.

So soon, came Friday. Lunch came and went. Too busy to care for lunch, they'd continued, hunched over Fitz's desk trying to solve the last flaws and errors in his designs. They'd continued until the time came for their, much needed, evening meal. He'd moved away from her, toward the door and looked at her. He was scratching his neck and he'd looked a little flustered. "Dinner," he'd said, tentatively. She'd nodded, her mind still focused on her current problem before her. "No… dinner," he'd said more forcefully, but still with obvious hesitation.

She'd looked up at him briefly. "Yes, it's fast approaching. I'm sure we'll eat it." She'd unintentionally dismissed him, not registering his distress.

"No, dinner." Now, she looked directly at him, frustration and tiredness splayed across her features. "You and me; maybe we could eat somewhere else…" He paused when she didn't verbally acknowledge his proposal. 'Was he asking her to dinner?' "Somewhere nice," he clarified. 'So he was asking her to dinner.'

Gobsmacked, with a severe lack of anything to say, she opened her mouth to speak and instead, mumbled, "oh." ''Oh'? Really Jemma?'

A flash of a smile spread across Fitz's features. He started backing towards the door, nodding his head in the same direction. Jemma watched his smile grow as she placed the equipment on the desk and followed him. He started to turn around and waited for her to catch up. When she did his smile beamed, brighter than she'd ever seen it before. His teeth shone like a bright neon light. His eyes were a beautiful blue, though they were mostly darkened. Being a biochemist, Jemma knew exactly this was.

Entering the restaurant, Jemma was blinded by the absolute stunningness of the restaurant. Themed by red and gold, the restaurant featured golden chandeliers falling from the ceiling and velvet cloths clothing the tables. The waiter was dressed in a black suit and offered them leather menus as they sat. The place was peaceful and not too-

Jemma was knocked out of her reverie by the cute Scotsman in front of her. "Hey, Simmons!" he called quietly. When she looked at him, he continued, though stumbled over his words, "I just wanted to say thank you… for everything," he paused. "Jemma," he finished, a shy smile spreading across his face. He was her fate; her destiny.

She'd only once regretted her decision. To become a biochemist; that was. Nature had so much to offer. Nature had so much it did offer. She knew so much of nature. Despite this, she'd always perceived nature as the flora and fauna around her. She'd never considered that true nature was fate; destiny. Nature had offered her an amazing opportunity and she'd taken it without a second thought. She was regretful at first, even considering a transfer of some kind. Though, later, she would be thankful for nature, yet again.

Nature had so much to offer. So much it did offer. She looked at the small diamond pendant on the equally small ring circling her finger. So much it had offered. She was forever grateful for nature's donation.