- Situations (Jack Johnson) -

Grant

My cellphone rings as I'm in a meeting with a senator negotiating a bodyguard detail. Normally I wouldn't answer any calls during a meeting, but it's Markham's ringtone so I quickly stand motioning for Aldridge to take over for me while I answer this call. After I step out of my office I answer the call.

"Markham, I was in a meeting. I hope this is important."

I let a little bit of menace seep into my tone. Markham may be my best friend, but he also works for me and it's good to remind him of his place occasionally.

"Sir, it's Dr. Simmons. I was getting coffee today at my girlfriend, Rosie's, café and I saw Dr. Simmons scream, drop her mug and then fall in it. She's bleeding and in so much pain she didn't even respond to me picking her up. 

I have her sitting on a loveseat near the back, but sir, she's hurt. She needs help."

My brow knits in concern as I listen to my best friend explain the situation. What the fuck? Where the hell is Coulson? I pace down the hall before I make the decision to come for her. It could be a trap. But... I promised her I'd always catch her if she fell.

"Keep her there. I'll be along shortly. If you see any of my old team hanging around grab her and drive to the safe house in Jersey. Let her know I'm coming and that I'm bringing a med kit."

Markham signs off respectfully before I hang up and slip my smart phone into my jeans before striding back into my office.

"I apologize Senator, but I have an emergency appointment I have to attend to. Call my secretary, Malia Tate, and she'll be happy to reschedule our meeting for another time."

I reach over and give him a firm handshake before having my guards escort him out. Once he's gone I turn to Aldridge and Hendrix and motion for them to follow me out into the hall.

"Markham ran into Dr. Jemma Simmons and she supposedly injured herself. Jemma Simmons doesn't just drop things. He also said she's in a lot of pain. So much pain that she was unaware that he carried her to a loveseat. This could be a trap, but I doubt it. Something is wrong with my scientist. We're going to find out what that is and then we're gonna punish whoever is responsible for it."

Aldridge and Hendrix follow behind me silently, as part of my inner circle they're aware of how I feel about that tiny scientist. They were there when I got my soulmark. They know the only reason I stayed away was out of respect for her, but now that I suspect someone has hurt her. Well, it's about damn time I claimed my soulmate.

I arrive at the quaint little café to find my soulmate pale, trembling and staring at something no one else can see. My jaw clenches as rage boils beneath the surface. I've seen that look before, someone definitely hurt her. Really bad from the looks of it. I try to get her attention, but it takes a few minutes before she comes back to me.

"Simmons? Jemma, can you hear me? I'm gonna clean and bandage your wounds now. It's gonna sting, but it'll be over soon, okay Sweetheart?"

I clean and bandage her flesh wounds before checking to see if it's what I suspect it to be; her soulmark. The feminine version of mine on her left wrist. I brush my fingers over it gently before I hear her start babbling. Did she just say...? What the fuck?

"Baby I need you to focus. Can you do that for me?"

When she nods shakily I push on while rubbing my hands up and down her arms soothingly.

"Did someone... Did you ask for a rape kit?"

My blood pressure rises as I force my hands to remain gentle and comforting.

She bursts into tears in response. Sobbing hysterically. I immediately release her and lift her into my arms before sitting down where she was sitting. I make soothing sounds while I rock her gently, holding her to me as softly as I can. I stare at Markham once she starts to quiet down. Taking the hint Markham tells me what he knows.

"Dr. Simmons told me I'm the first person to ask her if she's okay since before she went undercover in Hydra..."

I freeze before resuming rocking the tiny woman in my arms.

"What. The. Fuck. Coulson sent her undercover in fucking Hydra? She can't fucking lie! 

I'm gonna have a little chat with that bastard..."

I stop cursing Coulson when I realize Markham has more to say. I tuck her head under my chin while I wait as patiently as I can. I ignore the horrified gasp from Aldridge and the furious growl from Hendrix.

"She also said she got swallowed up by something or someone called Maveth promptly after Hydra. Whatever this girl went through... It fucked her up. And from the sounds of it she has no support system. She's in desperate need of therapy boss. It looks like a major case of PTSD and a whole host of other issues. I mean damn, she literally had a flashback of some terrible event and she barely said anything about the events that clearly traumatized her."

Markham looks stressed and beyond concerned while I attempted to keep my fury under lock and key.

"Boys, I need answers and this just isn't good enough. It's time to visit my old team."

I gently shake Jemma awake before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hey baby, this is Aldridge. She's gonna take you home, to my home, where I have the best on site medical doctors in the business. After you get checked out, you're going to go to bed and rest. Aldridge will stay with you until I get back. How does that sound?"

Jemma nods sleepily before giving me a look that makes me want to wrap her in blankets and never let her leave my bed. I give her a kiss on the head before I let Aldridge take her home. I watch them go until they're out of sight.

"Let's get those motherfuckers."