@irongenious
Just two years ago, had she been told she'd be working with Tony Stark, she would obviously have expected to be there as a biochemist-consultant from SHIELD’s science department - one who would be fired over asking too many questions, possibly - and certainly not a bodyguard of sorts; yet there she was, ready to fight anyone, at least to give him time to suit on or defend himself in whatever way he chose. But she knew it was also a way for SHIELD to not fire her but keep her away from where she could get in trouble and hurt other agents. So Jemma was trying to do her job, working on 'self-care' with therapy and tai-chi during her time off, following Tony Stark around but being mostly quietly aside from the occasional order to other people who worked there. She had been awkward before, when happy and relatively innocent, now it was just best not to speak. Anyway, she missed her friends and was mad at everyone there most of the time.
But that day, as Mr. Stark showed off the project he was working on, explaining it to others, she didn't need to listen to the words to understand, she already knew what it was about and was amazed by his results, even stepping a little closer and admiring the lights above her, lips twitching into a rare smile. At least until one of the other scientists who worked there spoke up, not understanding something so stupid, and asking what they'd have to use next - Jemma's head turned in the direction of the flame there, they had to eat the water up - and then another lab assistant interrupted, coming up with problems that weren't relevant there, and her expression turned back into a scowl, but her eyes flickered back to the flame. It was so bloody easy. It wasn't even really a work in progress anymore, it was done. And she wanted to see it. She accidentally glared at another lab scientist, who predictably shifted back since they were all quite intimidated by her, and tried to calm down, looking up at the pretty lights, the hologram there, and then towards Tony Stark, who was more patient than she was given that he hadn't killed everyone there yet, and who had the answer to their questions. Tell them. Tell them. Heat up the damn water. They have the equation right there, it should be hotter.












