"FITZ, NO!"

Simmons' tortured cry came from the other side of the room as Fitz gripped the barrel of the gun, digging it further into his chest as he stared at the man in front of him. The man who currently had his finger on the trigger.

"She needs help," Fitz said slowly, trying his best to ignore Jemma's desperate protests, hoping she would stay where she was. "You're a good man," he continued, "she's bleeding, just let her go and I promise I'll stay, I'll help you I promise… Just let her go."

EIGHT HOURS EARLIER

"Dr Andrew Reid." The team were gathered around the holocom as Coulson briefed them for their latest mission, which so far was not being very well received. It was the first one since Skye's 'incident', and everyone was still a little shaken. "Founded Chromo-labs several years ago when he managed to activate dormant cancer-suppressor genes in patients. Became a millionaire overnight."

"Oh I've read about him," Simmons broke in rather eagerly, "his work is extraordinary, he's helped so many people,"

"True," Coulson allowed, "he has revolutionised modern medicine, but Big SHIELD wants us to get a hold of some of his files, look up his latest experiments, that sort of thing."

"Why?" Ward asked, frowning. "Everyone's heard of him - notorious good guy, dying daughter, genius doctor who just wants to help people." The rest of the team nodded in agreement.

"So it would seem, and yet he's recently updated his security… in a big way. SHIELD used to monitor Chromo-labs' progress from afar, just to keep an eye on their research, but we can't gain access anymore," Coulson continued slowly, wondering how to break the entirety of the mission to them.

"Seems questionable if he's got nothing to hide," May stated with a frown on her face, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"Exactly, although he's always been private about his research," Coulson replied.

"Well that would be expected," Simmons started, keen to defend Dr. Reid.

"Yeah, don't want other scientists to take credit for your work," Fitz finished.

"Either way, we need to find out what he's up to," Coulson continued, remaining firm on his point. "Reid could be a great asset to SHIELD, and we don't want other… companies to influence him," he said slowly, wondering how long it would take the team to put the pieces of the mission together.

"So what do we do?" May asked, hoping there was another option to the only one she could currently think of.

"It's the opening ceremony for one of Chromo-labs' new complexes tonight, just outside London. Reid's experimental data is only kept on his own personal computer, which stays in his office. We have to get on site to hack his files, but we don't know exactly what to look for, and Reid has to be kept away from the office, to be distracted…" he admitted, looking only at May. He couldn't bear to meet the others' eyes.

A small intake of breath came from Simmons, but it was Fitz who spoke first. "You don't mean…"

"Undercover?!" Skye gasped, incredulous.

"Are you joking?" Ward demanded, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table. Their latest mission had been such a disaster, and Skye was barely through her recovery from, what he could only describe as an extremely close call. His eyes fell on the aforementioned hacker, taking in her sallow skin, tired eyes and the way her arms were tightly crossed across her chest, as if to hold herself together. She was obviously still in a lot of pain.

"No Agent Ward," Coulson replied calmly, staring back at the specialist whose eyes were now locked on him, holding nothing but rage, "I am not joking. Taking Dr Reid in for questioning is not an option, unless we want a public outcry on our hands. SHIELD needs the information on that computer, and there is no other way to get it, so we need someone biologically minded to-"

"Wait, me?" Simmons cut in, unable to supress her panic as she realised where Coulson was headed. Fitz was already shaking his head, and the pair drew closer together.

"No," Fitz said resolutely, "no way,"

"It's non-negotiable," Coulson replied sharply. He didn't like this idea any more than the rest of them, but it had to be done. "Ward and Simmons, you go in the front door, pose as guests and talk to Reid so Skye knows what to look for when she's hacking his personal computer upstairs," he said, pulling up a map on the holocom.

"But why me?" Simmons asked desperately, "wouldn't someone else be better-"

"We need someone who can actually hold a conversation with the guests," Coulson cut in. He didn't want them to argue, since he had only just convinced himself that they could pull the mission off. "As you're aware, Reid is a pioneer in genetic research, many of his guests will also be specialists in their respective biological fields. Simmons, you are the only one capable of keeping up."

"But… undercover's not really my forte," she protested weakly, barely managing to keep the grimace off her face.

"You don't need to create a persona; you can be yourself, so long as you don't let on that you're part of SHIELD. Ward will accompany you, just in case, but this isn't a combat op,"

"Neither was the last one," Fitz muttered bitterly.

Coulson gave him a warning glance, but Fitz was looking only at Ward, who seemed to be just as pissed off as he was.

"This mission has been meticulously planned by HQ, tonight is the only chance we have - there's no other choice," Coulson said through tight lips. "May, you escort Fitz and Skye. There's access from the roof, but every door between you and that computer is locked automatically. The only way to gain entry is via multiple keypads," he said nodding in Fitz's direction. However Fitz was staring intently down at his hands which were balled into fists.

"I'll remain here to oversee the op," Coulson added, glancing at the rest of the team, who seemed to be paying attention, but looked to be in various states of rage or fear. Even Melinda's face betrayed some shock. He didn't want to see their faces like that, to be the one who put those expressions there. He wasn't the bad guy, just following his orders. But wasn't that what Quinn had said to Skye just after he shot her? A voice in his head asked. That's what Skye had whispered to him from her hospital bed.

He had to get out of there. "We'll touch down in three hours, now get ready," he instructed shortly before walking out.

Hopefully this will turn into a full story, if you guys like it. Let me know what you think!