Epilogue Chapter Two

Grant and I woke up early the next morning to get in a good workout before continuing with our day. It was Saturday, but we needed to keep in shape even though we weren't in SHIELD anymore. We lifted, ran, and sparred, then once we got home we packed for the beach.

"Got the sunscreen?" asked Grant.

"Yup."

"Towels?"

"Yup."

"Good food?"

"Yup."

"Slater."

"What?"

"Do you have your swimsuit?"

I paused. I was in charge of packing everything else, but I guess swimsuit just slipped my mind.

"Are you kidding me Slater?"

"Ugh. I'll be right back."

I could hear Grant laughing as I dropped our beach bag by the door and went back to the bedroom to change. I shook my head at myself, and did my best to ignore Grant's smirk when I came back out.

"Got everything this time?"

"Yes. Shut up."

"I'm just trying to help. Don't want you to forget your head next time."

"Yeah yeah yeah. Whatever Oompaloompa."

Grant sighed heavily. "Am I ever going to hear the end of that?"

"Absolutely not."

****************

A few hours later, Grant and I were kicked back on beach chairs in the sand and enjoying the day.

"I am so proud of you right now," I said, turning to look at Grant.

"For what?"

"You're not canvassing the beach. It only took you six months to calm down, but you finally did it."

"Damn. I guess I haven't canvassed yet. That's not good."

"What?"

"I need to keep my skills sharp just in case."

"Oh no. You've got to be kidding me."

Grant sat up in his chair and started scanning the surf, then turned around to check out the parking lot.

"Grant!" I whacked him on the arm, but he just waved me off. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"I'm glad you said something. We can't start slipping just because we're not agents anymore."

I flopped back in my chair and rolled my eyes.

"Long-term retirement with you is sure gonna be a blast."

Grant shot me a look, then went back to his canvassing. I sighed, then went back to relaxing and resting. I wasn't gonna win this battle.

"Let me know when you're done with your scan," I said. "I want to go swimming once you're finished being weird."

"Will do."

Thankfully, it didn't take Grant long to scan everything. He said he was getting rusty, but as far as I could tell his skills were still at peak performance.

"You satisfied now?"

"I guess."

"Great. Then let's go swimming."

Grant smiled as I hopped up and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the water.

"This remind you of anything?" he asked as we waded into the surf.

"Costa Rica, for sure. Although this time, it was much easier to convince you to get into the water."

"We're not on mission this time."

"Yeah, that's true. I like to think it also has something to do with how much time you've spent with me learning to be more fun and relaxed though."

"Alright Slater, whatever you need to tell yourself." Grant shook his head and smirked, so I splashed him with as much water as possible. He wiped the water out of his face and raised both eyebrows at me. The look he gave me made me kinda regret splashing him.

Slowly, Grant started walking towards me. I started backing up, nevertheless grinning from ear to ear.

"Okay, okay, just calm down Grant," I started, putting my hands up. "Just listen."

Instead of saying anything, I splashed him again. I didn't even bother trying to contain my cackle.

"Oh, you're gonna pay for that Slater."

"Yeah? Bring it."

Grant smirked, and then tackled me around the waist, taking us both under water. When we finally popped back up, we were both dripping wet, Grant's arms still around me.

"Checkmate." Grant grinned and pulled me closer.

"What? Your plan backfired. You got soaking wet too."

"A sacrifice I was willing to make."

"Ah, whatever. Call it a tie?"

"Sure." Grant leaned in and kissed me, and I could taste the saltwater on his lips. He stopped for a second, mumbling without pulling back, "If a tie means I won."

My mouth dropped open and I shoved back against his shoulders.

"Jerk!"

"You know you love me."

"Alright, yeah. You're still a jerk though." I grinned at him, and he shrugged.

"I'll take it." He pulled me in for another kiss, and this one lasted much longer.

****************

"This is the life," I sighed, cracking open my book. After an hour or so in the water, Grant and I had dried off and were making a dent in our TBR piles. He'd finally finished the last book from Garrett, and I think starting something new was helping him put that whole mess behind him.

"It really is." We were kicked back in the sand, Grant leaning back against a dune and me in his lap leaning back against him. We had chairs, but we both liked this arrangement better.

I tried to twist around and look at Grant without being obvious, but it wasn't easy. I was trying to see if he was actually relaxed or still canvasing, but I couldn't do it covertly. When I'd finally twisted around enough, he was staring down at me with both eyebrows raised.

"You doing okay Slater?"

"I'm great! How are you?"

"Good... are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you were actually relaxing, and not freaking out."

"I don't freak out."

"That's not true, but I'm glad you're good. Ignore me, go back to reading."

"I've tried ignoring you, it's impossible."

I grinned. "Well, just try your hardest then."

I felt Grant take a deep breath, his chest rising and falling and moving me with it, and I could feel him relaxing. As much as I missed Coulson and Skye and all our friends sometimes, I couldn't help but think how right this felt.

Me and Grant and nothing else.

****************

The next morning was Sunday, and although we could've got ahead in the job hunting department, we decided to stroll around town window shopping instead.

We looked at furniture and all kinds of house stuff, planning out a future house that we'd buy and settle down in one day. We walked past a pet store and almost broke down and bought a dog, but we weren't sure yet we were staying in San Diego or staying out of SHIELD. We decided adopting a puppy was the first thing we'd do when we were sure our retirement was permanent.

We wandered the streets all day, finally ending up at a new bar we decided to try.

"Think we'll manage to get kicked out of this one before the night's over?" asked Grant.

"Maybe if we make it our goal..."

With all our training and practice at all kinds of skills, we'd gotten really good at pool and darts. So, we'd never technically been kicked out of a bar, but we'd pissed the patrons off enough that we knew better than to come back.

"Let's do it," agreed Grant.

"Those guys aren't gonna know what hit 'em." I grinned and Grant pushed open the doors to the bar. I moved to claim a spot at the pool table, and Grant went to get us both drinks.

"You owe me a lot for all the looks I get ordering you a Shirley Temple every time we go out," Grant muttered as he passed me my drink.

"Oh stop whining," I teased. I leaned in and kissed him, and when I pulled away he had a grudging smile. "Now will you shut up about it?"

"Until the next time I have to order."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, I figured. Now rack 'em up, it's time for us to run the table."

We spent a couple hours destroying anyone that challenged us in pool, and then did the same in darts. A few hours later, I was half-supporting a tipsy Grant as we left the bar with the glares of angry patrons at our backs.

"Mission accomplished," Grant chuckled, leaning on me heavily with one arm across my shoulders.

"Darn right. Can you imagine if all our friends at SHIELD could see you right now? Mr. Superspy can isn't impervious to alcohol," I laughed.

"What are you talking about Slater? I'm perfectly fine."

"Oh really?" Grant nodded, so I stepped back. He managed to stay standing, but he was swaying back and forth and he refused to move forward.

"I'm waiting for you. Like a gentleman," he excused.

"Okay, whatever you say tipsy," I said, pulling his arm back over my shoulders and wrapping my arm around him. "Let's get you home."

We walked for a while in silence, enjoying our own thoughts and each other's company. When we got within a few blocks of home, Grant spoke up again.

"We didn't accomplish anything this weekend. We need to find jobs."

I sighed heavily. "You're right, but I'm glad we did nothing this weekend. We can start the search tomorrow."

"Great. I can't wait," Grant grumbled.

As much as I tried to be positive, I had to agree with him. This was gonna be a long, tough road if we couldn't find something less horrible and easier for us to hold down.