"If plan A isn't working,

I have plan B,

Plan C,

And even plan D."

// Serena Williams //

I wake up at 6:30AM like I do every single morning. I go for a run on my treadmill for two miles before my smart watch beeps, reminding me it's time to go shower. I slowly turn off the treadmill, allowing my heart rate to get back to normal before I fold it up and rush around and grab my towel, undergarments, deodorant, razor, perfume, and curling iron. After I've gathered everything I need I get in and take a hot five minute shower. I dress quickly and put on minimal make-up before I start tidying up around the house and make a list of all the things I need, to reapply for citizenship, if Lincoln's plan fails. God, I hope it doesn't fail. At 8:45AM my alarm goes off, it's time to leave. I grab my purse, cell phone, keys, and taser before I look at myself in my floor length mirror one last time.

I look pretty. It's been a long time since I've worn a skirt this short, it's nice. Somehow, I don't feel quite as nervous or skittish today. The Lincoln effect really is quite phenomenal. Daisy is a lucky woman. I text Lincoln for the address of the diner we're eating breakfast at, which he promptly replies to. I program the GPS after I'm buckled up and my cell is resting safely in the center console. As I'm backing out of my driveway, I get a call from Lincoln. I quickly put him on speakerphone before focusing on getting out of my pretty cul-de-sac.

"Jemma! Have you heard from Daisy this morning?"

I drive past my neighbors and wave at the Parker children as they play on their swing set. I wonder where their parents are...

"I haven't heard from her since last weekend, but that's to be expected when she's leading a team of her own, as well as being the best Hacker in S.H.I.E.L.D. Have you talked to Coulson? I know you don't like him, but he is her adopted father and boss. If anyone knows where she is, it'll be him."

Lincoln sighs wearily as the sound of jeans zipping filters through the phone. My forehead wrinkles in concern as I wonder why Lincoln doesn't know where his own girlfriend is at almost nine in the morning.

"Daisy didn't come home last night. We had a big fight yesterday. Well actually, we've been fighting a lot ever since Coulson put her in charge of that inhuman dream team of hers. Did you know that she asked me to quit my job at the hospital? I'm a fucking medical child prodigy, full-time doctor and oncall general surgeon. And she wanted me to fucking quit so I would join her stupid team. Daisy just doesn't understand that I don't like S.H.I.E.L.D. Hell, the only reason I'm even working here part time is because of you. And my girlfriend is incredibly pushy."

I can't help, but gasp as I quickly start to realize the gravity of the situation he's in. Looks like their relationship isn't all rainbows and roses like I thought. I hope Daisy is okay. Of all the people that could understand why he wouldn't want to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. it should be Daisy.

"I can't believe she would do that! You save lives every single day! Your occupation is just as important as hers!"

Lincoln let out a relieved laugh as if to say; yes, finally someone understands!

"I'm sorry, I know Daisy can be... Stubborn and single-minded. I know this must have been incredibly frustrating. The two of you clearly need to sit down and have a chat, I understand if you need to cancel to go look for her."

I'm waiting at a stoplight about fifteen minutes from my destination as the sunshine beams down on the surrounding cars. Bloody hell, it's like the sun is trying to blind me. Lincoln sighs for the second time as I hear him spray on some cologne before he locks up and walks quickly to his car.

"No, I'm just gonna be a little late. So it's looking like it's gonna be me, you, Mack, Yo-yo, and the files of your potential future husband. So get us a table that seats four. I'll call you if I'm going to be any later than twenty minutes. Everyone else should be on time so order whenever you're ready."

I nod to myself before I let him know I'm agreeing to do as he ordered. It's a relief to have someone else to rely on for a little while. After the uprising and again after I was rescued from Maveth, I isolated myself from everyone, not that they noticed. After the uprising I was afraid to trust anyone so I threw myself into science when I should have been seeing a therapist. After Maveth, my body was hypersensitive to anything and everything, it took months before I could wear anything, but the thinnest material without pain. Even now I shy away from touch most of the time.

"Is there anything you want me to order for you? Coffee? Pancakes? Eggs?"

The light finally turns green as I go a little over the speed limit to make it to Steve's Diner in time. I quickly find a parking spot near the entrance, turn off the car, take my phone off speakerphone, and continue the conversation as I exit my car and walk towards the entrance of the retro diner. Lincoln seems surprised that I offered to get him food. Apparently, this isn't a normal occurrence for him. Or maybe he's just surprised that I offered since I am being threatened with deportation next Monday.

"Uh, I'll have coffee, black. I'll also take some scrambled eggs, no hash browns, and banana pancakes if they have them."

We talk for a few minutes longer before I step inside and notice Elena waiting at a corner booth with plenty of seating. After Lincoln and I say our goodbyes, I make my way towards her. The petite Hispanic woman jumps up to give me a sweet hug.

"Jemma! I'm so sorry those hijos de putas are trying to deport you. Lincoln called Mack and I yesterday. He was very upset."

(sons of whores)

I smile gently at Elena and rest a comforting hand on her shoulder. She must have been so worried! It warms my heart to know that there are people that are just as upset as I am about this. I pity the poor men if they ever have to deal with her. That woman has a temper to match Daisy's.

"Oh Elena, I knew this was going to happen at some point. I just didn't realize how soon or how little time they would give me. I sincerely hope Lincoln's plan works."

Elena snorts at the ridiculous plan the tall blonde has created. A few minutes later the waitress, a pregnant woman in her early thirties, comes up to take our orders. Elena orders a large meal of pancakes, eggs, hash browns, and sausages for her and Mack to share. I order a yogurt parfait, pancakes, and eggs for me and then I take out the notepad with Lincoln's order. The woman makes sure to copy that down before she reads the orders back to us. After she's done, the pregnant waitress walks away rubbing her stomach. I watch her go as my heart aches for what she has, a loving husband, a baby on the way, and permanent American citizenship. Lincoln chooses that moment to walk in and our eyes lock from across the room, I immediately get up to meet him. His hair is messy like he's been running his hands through it, his black button down and dark wash jeans are wrinkled, his blue eyes aren't as bright, and the dark bags beneath his eyes tell me he didn't sleep well last night. He looks so sad and stressed out that I'm overwhelmed with the urge to give him a hug and promise him that everything will be alright. Impulsively, I throw myself into his arms and give him a comforting hug. The tall and muscular blonde catches me easily. Lincoln laughs before he lifts me off my feet and spins me around playfully. After he sets me down I lead him to our booth where Elena and Mack are watching us with calculated eyes. I clear my throat awkwardly before Lincoln takes control of the situation.

"As we all know, unless Jemma is married to an American citizen, she will be deported first thing Monday morning. So my plan is to find her an American husband with a clean record. Elena, the file."

Lincoln holds out his hand and she slides it to him. He opens the thin manila folder with a list of names, pictures, and personal information. I look over and scan the names, these are a list of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and assets.

"Robbie Reyes, asset, twenty-eight. He has a younger brother, loves his car more than anything, and he lives in the rough side of town."

"Brock Rumlow, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, Marine Corp. veteran, STRIKE Commander, forty-seven. Commander Rumlow was deep undercover in Hydra for three years. He fought Captain America and survived with only minor injuries. Commander Rumlow lives in Phoenix and he's an only child."

"Lance Hunter, asset. Thirty-six, ex-military, divorced and he has two homes. His primary residence is in L.A. His secondary residence is in London. Lance Hunter has three younger sisters."

"Dr. Cristo Evans, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent in Bioengineering. Thirty-five, divorced twice and he lives on base in Las Vegas. Dr. Evans has two older brothers."

"Brett Anderson, S.H.I.E.L.D Agent, Financial Director. Thirty-eight, divorced, he lives in Washington D.C. Agent Anderson is an orphan without any siblings on record."

We spend the rest of the day going through photos and bios of single men. By the time we get to the end of the list, I'm mentally exhausted, but I now have a list of qualities I want.

"Alright, this is what I want in my husband. He needs to be educated, never married, no kids, physically fit and I need to feel comfortable enough around him to pretend I'm in love with him."

Lincoln nods and writes everything I say on a napkin. Elena takes another napkin and starts jotting down important details to note like his income, any debts or other vices.

"I'll set up an interview room and you'll get to meet the final contenders."

I smile and thank Mack for his help. A few minutes later the couple leaves, Mack's younger brother needed his help with a college assignment and Coulson called Elena into work for an assignment. Once they're gone, I offer to help Lincoln find Daisy.

"Thank you, let's take my car. We'll come back for yours once we find her."