A secret agency like S.H.I.E.L.D rarely ever gave days off. So the fact that they were given the day off meant something big was coming, and it did. The next few months, training turned up a whole 100 degrees, pushing the NATs to the extreme. They were given new SOs, new partners, and new tactics almost every week. After each lesson, the stimulations were more difficult than the last. After the training months, the agents were classified into brain and brawn. Teams were made from people from each academy department; a few technical geniuses, science pros, and field agents, and a commanding officer.

Garett was stationed together with Hand in Lisbon. Coulson was made commander of his team and Hand teased that Coulson's first pick would be agent May, given how close the two had become in the last few months, but Phil was assigned on a retrieval mission to Sausalito, and Melinda was assigned a different team with a mission to China (not because she's Chinese, just that her awesomeness was more suited for THAT team).

One the free day, Coulson hung out with Garett and the boys, and despite the day off, they mostly traded fighting tips and practiced with random partners. Blake was teased for his über seriousness, and Sitwell for his bald head and glasses. Garett's bullheadedness was often pointed out, but Coulson was teased the most. He was joked at for his "over" fondness of Captain America, who Garett and Sitwell didn't seem to be too fond off ( I wonder why 😑). But he was most teased about his anticipation for having Agent May join him at dinner. To the surprise of all, especially Coulson, she had shown up at the dinner.

Since their "date", May and Coulson hung out a lot. She would pick his side in any argument, and, well, no one wanted an enemy out of Melinda May. May also gave Coulson one on one lessons, which Garett picked him about, teasing that their sessions were each less professional than the last one had been.

Garett was, evidently, in his own way, jealous of Melinda May. In the time he had known Coulson, regardless of the bullying, they'd become best friends. It bothered John that Melinda was starting to know Phil better than him, a disturbing fact given that the two were roommates.

Soon though, Garett was distracted from his envy when he was partnered with Victoria Hand, preparing for a stationing in Lisbon, popular for its organized crime, and being a hot spot for black market activities. Hand was the brains, making the plans and knowing who to send out where. Garett was, surprise surprise, the lead muscle, who just wanted to, and got to, go in all guns blazing, blowing off heads of bad guys, and whoever got in the way. It was a relief for him, to be able to be on his own without being haggled by Coulson, though they were still best friends. It was an especial freedom to get away from Nick Fury, for both Garett and Agent Hand.

May was packing her bags when her door knocked.

"All packed up for California, Phil?"

Coulson smirked, pleased that she knew it was him without looking back at him.

"Shorts and tees don't take much space," he joked as he grabbed her weapons and put them in their appropriate cases.

"And you're going all the way to China. I'm almost sure it has nothing to do with your heritage."

May scoffed a laugh.

"You can never be too sure with the government!"

"You get to lead your first mission, congratulations!" May said as she zipped her last bag and swung it over her shoulder, heading out.

"Yeah, it's just an exchange and drop off at a coffee shop."

"No DJs?"

"No DJs, sadly."

"Hmm...bring me back souvenirs from California."

"Hǎo yùnqì zài zhōngguó."

"You do your research!" May said, noticing his Chinese good luck.

"What can I say? I do things for people." Coulson smiled back at her.

"Never say that again," A new voice interrupted as they were standing in the doorway.

Maria Hill stood across them, her hair in a bun behind her, her arms crossed over her chest, as usual.

"The planes are ready. You are going to hold up for 15 hours in a plane, Agent May."

"Piloting a big plane should be distraction enough." Melina said as she handed over her bags to another agent in the carrier of the plane.

She walked away from Hill and back towards Coulson.

"Promise you won't die without me?"

"We still have a second date to go out to."

"I'll look forward to it." She kissed his cheek and returned back to the open panel of the plane.

"Don't get sunburned in Sausalito!" she shouted over her shoulders as she disappeared into the jet.

"Don't get swordchopped in China!"

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Sorry this chapter was short and so stupid. I have written parts farther ahead, so this is just a filler chapter. Haven't published in a while, so wanted this up now. Will DEFINITELY be edited later.