Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lena Oxton, Tracer, was laying in bed fully geared up. Her schedule for the day had suddenly been cleared of all training and meetings early in the morning for one meeting at 0600 with Jack Morrison, Soldier 76, he had only recently joined the reformed Overwatch but he had already assumed a leadership role. It was only natural.

The meeting had no description, no title, and was held in an officially unused conference room. To Overwatch records it seemed like nothing. Which could only mean one thing for Lena. New Blackwatch.

Lena looked to Jack Morrison as she entered the New Blackwatch office, a fittingly dim secluded conference room with no windows. Genji Shimada and Cole Cassidy the other co-captains of the New Blackwatch were already waiting. As she sits she gets a small wave from the ninja and a nod from the outlaw. Morrison merely looks at her and clears his throat.

“I called you all here to discuss the details of your first mission. I’m sure you know I have some reservations about this new division of Overwatch but missions like these are why it was deemed important.”

He turns his attention to the presentation board he had hastily set up before their arrival. “Dr. Mallard in Boston has created a device that has seen successes in a laboratory environment at remotely ending the control Null Sector has been establishing over captured omnics. However, he contacted me when he noticed strange armed men moving equipment into the building across the street from him, that building was recently purchased by a shell company with ties to Talon.”

“And you want us to ensure nobody’s got their sights set on the good doctor then boss?” Cassidy speaks up leaning back in his metal folding chair.

“Unfortunately, we have reason to suspect somebody does.” Morrison responds grimly. “An identity flagged as a potential alias of the Widowmaker recently traveled to Boston. I’ll have more details for you on the flight there. Dismissed.”

Lena’s usual flighty demeanor turned to serious at the mention of her name. A chance to finally right her failures, and to answer the question left open. Why? Why would she kill Mondatta? Why would she destroy the world's first real chance at peace since before everything came crashing down? The walk to the jet was a quiet one. Lena was deep in thought, Genji was never one to start a chat, and Cassidy’s unserious demeanor usually egged on by Lena was left to turn into a quiet focus.

“Alright team” Morrison addresses the trio over the jets video comm system. “I’ve chosen you for this because you’re walking into a residential building with possibly the most dangerous woman in the world guarded by an unknown number of Talon operatives, in a highly populated city center. Your mission is to capture the Widowmaker, and not cause a bloodbath on your way there. You will have no air or ground support, as we can't risk the optics of a loud mission. A fitting trial by fire for the New Blackwatch. Good luck.” His face disappears from the console.

Lena thought it was nice to have Soldier 76 in Overwatch again and it hadn’t taken long for him to get back to bossing people around again. It was nice to have that back as well though. It made Overwatch feel more like her home again, like it was before the fall. He had been nervous about the reestablishment of Blackwatch. He remembered all too well how the old Blackwatch had ended under the leadership of Gabriel Reyes. With Talon acquiring new talent, Switzerland having one less Overwatch HQ, the Overwatch Charter being officially revoked, and Jack Morrison being dead.

Her thoughts soon turned back to Widowmaker. Lena was always excited for a chance to speak to her again. Morrison would tell her the battlefield is no place for schoolyard rivalries but she always knew there was more to Widowmaker than everyone thought. Nobody seemed to care why Amelie Lacroix would suddenly kill her own husband and turn coat to Talon. They only cared that she did and that she needed to be stopped. Lena knew there had to be a reason, and she would find it. Capturing Widowmaker would be the only way to find it.

“Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us then, huh.” Cassidy remarks as he swings his boots on to the dashboard of the craft. “Say Lena, you’ve met this Widowmaker up close right? What's she like?”

Lena pulls herself away from the aircraft controls as her thoughts of Widowmaker turn to conversation. “Honestly not much, she doesn't really talk, all our conversations have been a biiit one sided.”

“You converse with the enemy often?” He inquires, raising his eyebrows.

“No, really just her.” She answers before realizing how that sounds “I-”

“Now just what does that mean exactly?” This time furrowing his eyebrows.

“Well, I was there when she killed Mondatta. All I wanted to know was why she did it. Every time I’ve fought with her I’ve asked but she never answers. It's like she isnt even there. I know there's more to her I just- I don't know.”

Before she could be grilled further on the nature of her relationship with Widowmaker, Genji, who's leaving had gone unnoticed, returned to the cockpit. Laying out blueprints on the center console. Brushing a pair of boots off as he does. “I have acquired a set of blueprints for the building we will be infiltrating and have drawn up a plan.” Cassidy and Lena lean in as Genji explains. “This room will have an unobstructed view of Doctor Mallard’s lab, she will be in here. I will enter through the basement and alert Talon to my presence, hopefully drawing most of her guards away, allowing the two of you to confront and capture her. Tracer will move quickly to get between her and the window and Cassidy will block the door. Sounds good, yes?” Genji looks at his co-captains expectantly.

“Plan seems solid enough, yeah” Tracer assures.

“Good because we are here.”

A driver hired by Morrison takes them in a van from the airport to the apartment in Boston. The three ride in silence. Preparing their gear, and themselves mentally, for what is ahead. Tracer fiddles with a few pulse bombs, and checks her pistols are loaded about 20 times. Genji sharpens the edge of his Wakizashi. Cassidy merely enjoys the ride. Genji finally breaks the silence.

“You two… did not come very equipped for a stealth mission, no?”

Cassidy looks up at him and chuckles. “Always said, don’t need stealth if you’re out fore the cops show up.”

Genji nods. The silence resumes before he breaks it once more. “Are you two sure you can handle Widowmaker?”

“Please Genji, I've fought her dozens of times at this point.” Lena responds dismissively.

“And how many of those times have you captured her?” Genji retorts.

“Fair point...”

Genji starts “Perhaps my plan was-”

Cassidy who was peering out the back window of the van now turns to the argument. “Too late for second guessing y’all, we’re here.”

The driver stops the van behind the apartment allowing Genji to slink out, before pulling around front and waiting for the ninja’s signal. Minutes later a single beep over their comm system informs Cassidy and Lena it's time to go.

They quickly exit the van into the apartment. Lena starts at a run up the stairs but breaks out into blinks as she rushes up to confront Widowmaker. Cassidy stops for the elevator. “I’ll catch up with you I ‘spose” he says at where Tracer used to be.

She bursts through the door with pulse pistols drawn.

Chapter Text

Widowmaker sat in a dining chair facing a window, her rifle propped on the sill. She had been waiting for a clean shot all day but the sniper did not grow impatient. She had waited weeks for a shot before. This was nothing, eventually the doctor would wander a little too close to a window. Then suddenly she's back on a plane to Annecy.

One of the Talon men crowding around her, watching doors, and generally seeking to irritate her once again breaks her focus.

“Widowmaker, ma’am, Genji Shimada has entered the building. It seems we’re under attack by Overwatch.”

The purple skinned woman frowns behind her scope. “Very well, take your men, dispatch of him” She didn't feel she needed them there anyway. They keep drawing her attention. Coughing. Shuffling. Why did they struggle so much with sitting still? She had missed two windows on the doctor already. She wouldn't get a second shot at this.

The man nods and his crew rushes down to the basement. She returns to her mission. The doctor has been avoiding his windows all day. It now seems likely to her that he is aware of her presence. Likely that he was the one that sent Overwatch.

Suddenly her door bursts open. She quickly drops her scope and swaps Widow’s Kiss to machine gun mode. She turns to fight Shimada but is instead greeted by her favorite thorn in the side. Tracer. She doesn't fire her pistols. Of course not, she has to use a much more effective weapon at whittling down Widowmaker's patience. She speaks.

“Hey love, been a bit.”

Widow opens fire on where tracer was less than a moment ago

“Too slow.” Tracer mocks, now behind her.

A graceful kick lands firmly on the blue blur of Tracer recalling back to the door.

“So I’ve been thinking-”

Widowmaker pulls her grappling hook and sweeps it across the room. Tracer attempts to blink away but is caught in its arc. Her legs are swept out from under her as she crashes to the floor. With one hand still on her hook she lights up the now empty floor with machine gun fire. Tracer from behind her easily wrestles Widow’s Kiss out of Widowmaker’s weak grip on it. A quick blink sends Tracer and the rifle across the room.

“Why exactly are you so unwilling to just talk to me? I’m going to start to think you don’t like me all that much soon.”

WIth a grunt Widowmaker lunges across the room at Tracer who simply blinks behind her once more. As she begins to taunt, she is struck across the face by a grappling hook. Widowmaker pounces on her, pinning her to the ground. Tracer's smugness quickly turns to fear as she realises her accelerator needs to recharge before another recall.

“Not so talkative now are we” Widowmaker says gloating, holding her face close to Tracers.

“Funny enough, I think that's the first thing you’ve said to me that isn't a threat or an insult. See, I told you we had something.” Tracer's warm breath feels like fire to Widowmaker’s ice cold face. Her grip on Tracers wrists fills her hands with warmth her body can not produce anymore. Her thoughts of Tracer's warmth are soon interrupted.

Widowmaker feels steel pressed to the back of her head. “Now, bossman told me this is a capture mission. So I’m fixing to capture you. But I don't much like you lady. So go on, gimme a reason.” Cassidy says to her from behind his Peacekeeper revolver. Widowmaker loosens her grip and Cassidy kicks her off, locking her wrists into a pair of cuffs.

A voice sounds from the stairwell accompanied by the sounds of a dozen sets of boots running up stairs. “Ms. Widowmaker, Shimada has fled the building, we're all clear.”

A cold metallic hand is pressed hard against her mouth. Cassidy turns to Tracer. “Well, I ‘spose we jump then.” He turns to Widowmaker. “Come on now, doll” And he crashes through the window behind him with Widowmaker in his arms landing hard onto a car below. Soon followed by Tracer landing hard on top of the both of them. “Wonderful plan Cassidy” she says through labored breaths, rolling out from the top of the two.

“Wasn’t me who did the planning if you recall” Cassidy says standing up and dusting himself off before hoisting Widowmaker over his shoulder and carrying her to the van. “Let's get a move on Lena, I reckon they're going to start shooting soon.”

Genji swings the doors open as the driver begins to accelerate. Taking the restrained assassin from Cassidy’s grip and tossing her into the back of the van, while he and Tracer jump into the van, shutting the doors.

“Nice landing.” the cyborg says mockingly.

“Nice distraction.”

Widowmaker wriggles her way into an upright position leaning against the back wall of the load space of the van. “You will regret this.” She spits at the three of them. She knows Talon will come looking for her. She's their prized assassin, their greatest agent. Her kidnapping will not be taken lightly.

“No doll, I do not imagine we will.” Cassidy says grinning, clearly satisfied with himself at a successful mission.

She turns away from the self satisfied cowboy. Unfortunately locking eyes with Tracer. “Hey!-” She turns the other way once more. Rather the smug cowboy or the road beneath them to Tracer. For once Tracer gets the hint and leaves her in silence. She would be grateful if she didn’t know it was because Tracer was planning on plenty of time to annoy her in the future.

When they arrived at the airport a blindfold was placed over Widowmaker before she was led to a small compartment in a jet. “Where are you taking me?” She demanded. The metallic hand leading her remained silent. The cowboy would have gloated. This was Shimada.

Throughout her long flight back to her new home. She heard many muffled voices, probably of celebration at her capture. She had managed to pull the blindfold off by rubbing it against the wall but the dark coat closet or wherever she was did not offer any more scenery than the covering. As minutes or hours passed she began to feel faint. Her thoughts turned slower and the little breathing she did got harder. As panic set in she began to call for help and bang on the door. She barely heard a set of heavy boots slowly walking towards the door as it opened with a sigh. “What in the world do you want?” Cassidy groans.

The last thing she sees is his frustrated face staring down at her as her vision fully goes black.

Chapter Text

Lena accompanied the stretcher as Dr. Ziegler’s attendants pulled it into the medical bay. The purple skinned woman had been carried off the plane after falling unconscious soon before they arrived at Watch Point Gibraltar. Widowmaker’s condition was unstable. Her vitals were rapidly falling, even with the oxygen mask her brain wasn’t getting enough to function. As the stretcher entered the medical bay, Morrison blocked Lena’s entrance.

“The others have gone to the New Blackwatch office for their debriefing. I expect you to be there as well.” The man says to her coldly as the stretcher disappears into the medical bay leaving Widowmaker at the mercy of Dr. Ziegler.

“But Widowmaker-” Lena begins.

“Is no longer of your concern, Captain. The prisoner is secured and your mission is complete. Now come with me.” Morrison demands walking past her not looking back. Lena looks to the med bay before she relents and follows.

After a long and boring debriefing Lena rushes to the medical bay. She lets herself in and finds Dr. Angela Ziegler presiding over some machinery taking notes. Her Caduceus staff propped up against Widowmaker’s bed with a yellow beam attaching the two. Widowmaker is unresponsive and chained to the bed by every limb.

“Ange what happened to her?” Lena asked worriedly. Angela looks up from her notepad to Lena and then at something behind her.

“Angela, what's the patient's status?” Morrison says in his usual callous tone.

“Good I won’t have to explain twice then.” The doctor begins. “At some point after she was captured, her cells, which appear to have been heavily modified by the doctors at Talon, simply stopped delivering oxygen to her brain. My theory is they designed a remote kill switch for if Widowmaker had ever been captured or defected. She was a prisoner in her own body, and may not have even known. My caduceus staff is stimulating her cells, forcing them to carry oxygen once more, she can not live without my staff attached to her.”

“So you’re saying if we turn off the staff she just-” Morrison is interrupted. “I do not like your implication Jack, I will not take actions that cause a patient’s death on purpose.” Angela retorts adamantly. “No matter how reprehensible she may be.”

“Of course. You’re right, I’m sorry. That’s not who Overwatch is.” Morrison says dejectedly, turning away to leave. “Try to get her to wake up, I’d like to have some words.”

“I can't believe he would imply something like that!” Lena exclaims after he leaves.

Angela looks to the now empty doorway sadly “He went through a lot since the fall of Overwatch, I wouldn’t fault him, he realized he was wrong in the end.”

“We’ve all been through a lot, that's no excuse for considering killing prisoners.” Lena says, crossing her arms.

“But perhaps him the most. He’s hard because he cares a lot. Sometimes a little too much about the wrong things but, we’re all flawed” Angela says softly, Lena hardly listening anymore.

The two hear a shifting as Widowmaker stirs and opens her eyes to find Lena and Angela looking over her expectantly.

“Where am I? Why are you people here? What have you done to me?” She asks, confused trying to sit up but restricted by the cuffs.

“Welcome to the world of the living!” Lena giggles to a groggy confused Widowmaker.

“Don’t try to move, my staff was struggling enough with you asleep, you don't want to put any more strain on it.” She says placing a firm hand on Widowmaker's shoulders before further explaining. “Your cells were modified by Talon to kill you if you ever left their control. The same modifications should have preserved your brain function for if they ever found you for reactivation so there shouldn't be any lasting damage” Dr. Ziegler explains.

“So Talon did this to me then? That makes sense.” Widowmaker sighs laying back in the bed.

“I had a file on you before… you know…” Angela begins hesitantly. “Do you want me to continue with the old one or… open a new one for Widowmaker?”

“Amelie’s file will do fine”. Widowmaker says dismissively

“Right then, Ame-”

“Widowmaker”

“Right then, Widowmaker. I have Winston working on another Caduceus device we can have taken to a cell where you can be let out of your restraints. But for now, I believe Ms. Oxton wanted to have some words with you. So I’ll leave you girls to it.” Angela says as she leaves the cubicle.

Hundreds of questions swirl in Lena’s head. Questions she's had for years, and she finally has Widowmaker as a captive audience. “So… Why’d you do it”

“Do what?”

Lena slams her hand down on the arms of the cot. “Don’t play dumb with me! Why did you kill Mondatta?”

“Because I wanted to.”

It wasn't as simple as that it couldn't be. “I don't believe you. You don’t go from loving wife to killing your husband and assassinating public figures. I don’t believe you.”

Widowmaker turns her cold unfeeling eyes to Lena. “I don’t care.”

Tracer leaves the room. Tears welling in her eyes. She walks until she finds herself in a dark secluded corner where she can’t walk anymore, and she sits. Alone. All this time she thought there was more and there just wasn’t. Maybe there is nothing hidden beneath Widowmaker. Maybe there’s just nobody left. Suddenly a warm light shines into her dark corner. The light of Zenyatta. The Shambali Monk floats closer to her, lowering himself onto the ground next to her.

“I have searched for you Ms. Oxton” his metallic voice rings comfortingly. “I imagine your feelings are about our new guest. This has caused great turmoil within myself. In that it seems we find some common ground. So we shall speak to one another.”

“I spent all this time believing there was something underneath Widowmaker that maybe Amelie Lacroix still… I don’t know. It doesn’t really seem like it anymore” Tracer says, head still between her knees.

“And now you feel your effort has been wasted. Yes I know the feeling. Being a teacher myself I have felt it many times. But dedicating yourself to the betterment of others is never effort wasted. And yet still I have found it is those that believe there is nothing more to them that are often hiding the greatest depth.” Zenyatta places a hand on Lena’s shoulder. “If you truly have spent all this time trying to find hidden depth, why have you let one day with no progress deter you? One’s potential is not a small treasure you uncover and possess, it is a great vein of gold, you must slowly brush away the shell surrounding it.”

Tracer looks up to Zenyatta and smiles. “You’re right, thank you.” She takes a deep breath and composes herself. “It sounded like there was something on your mind too. Wanna talk about it?”

“In due time, Ms. Oxton. Merely helping to resolve your troubled mind has brought me closer to tranquility. My troubles will not be so easy to assuage. But I thank you. I must depart now.”

He floats away leaving Tracer alone once again.

Chapter Text

Widowmaker sat in her cell, her home for the last two days, with a beam connecting her and a box on the wall, containing the same technology powering the Caduceus staff. Little other furniture adorned the cell. A simple metal bed with a thin mattress. A barred window overlooking the Atlantic, and a table with two chairs. On one side Widowmaker. On the other side Dr. Angela Ziegler.

“Now bear in mind Ms. Widowmaker, I am not a psychologist, but tell me more about these feelings you’ve been having.” Dr Ziegler says with a concerned look on her face.

“It feels as if thoughts that are not mine have been growing in my mind. Thoughts that do not come from Widowmaker, but Amelie Lacroix. Or perhaps these thoughts are mine and all this time Widowmaker’s thoughts have not been my own. It has been hard to parse between my emotions recently.” Widowmaker explains, nervously wringing her hands. “I’m just not really sure which version of me is real anymore.”

Dr. Ziegler nods. “It's not my place to tell you what is real or not. That would be the job of philosophers. What I can tell you is what I believe to be the cause. I have two theories. One, temporarily being cut off of oxygen destroyed some of the programming Talon performed on your brain, causing your true personality to be unburied. My other is that the deprivation did in fact cause you brain damage causing you to have episodes of regression to a person you no longer are. Which one is true? I believe that decision rests with you. You get to decide who you want to be.”

“And what will you do if I decide to remain how I am? If these thoughts are a fleeting distraction?” Widowmaker asks, narrowing her eyes trying to force her usual apathy back into her mind.

“I will respect it. Even if it greatly disappoints me. Though as soon as you are stable enough to survive on your own you will be turned over to Interpol.” Dr. Ziegler answers while carefully studying Widowmaker’s expression.

“So then what will happen if I do choose to change?” She asks next, unable to conceal the slight tone of desperation in her voice.

“Then I will be happy to help you dear. We were once friends you know… a long time ago. You’re just as pretty as you were back then Am- Widowmaker, even after all that happened. I won’t force you to change, but I will urge you that the other path ends in only suffering.”

Widowmaker pauses for a second, one final question burning in her mind goes unasked. After a moment of silence Angela stands and gives a slight bow before turning to leave. She looks back to see if the woman will stop her, and shuts the door behind her when Amelie doesn’t. “Goodbye Amelie, Widowmaker. Whoever you may be."

The Talon assassin paces around her room relentlessly for hours. Her usual calm, disconcertingly still demeanor cracked into pieces. She whispers to herself unable to contain her thoughts to merely her own head. She is finally pulled from her manic stupor by a buzz at the door. Her nightly nuisance has returned to annoy her once more. Strangely the distraction from her thoughts brings her an amount of comfort rather than the usual disdain.

“Hey, love. How’s your day been?” Lena asks, sitting sloppily into the metal chair.

Widowmaker joins her across the desk. She closes her eyes and stills her furrowed brow. “Uneventful.” She responds, betraying nothing.

“Yeah, doesn't really seem like much goes on around here. Wanna hear about my day?”

“No.” She lies, trusting that Lena will tell her anyway.

“So so much paperwork. I thought New Blackwatch was going to be badass and sexy. So far it's been about one part badass and ten parts paperwork. Though that one part badass did include you so you know… sexy is covered.” Lena rambled on giving Amelie a sly grin at the end of her rant.

Widowmaker felt a flutter of emotion in her chest that was quickly buried deeply. “Sounds tortuous.”

“You have no idea!” She shouts in response.

“I have an idea. Every Talon mission was punctuated with days of interrogation and debriefing and reports.” Amelie explains while waving her hand idly.

“God you do get it.”

“I’m spent… probably going to turn in for the night. Goodnight Widowmaker.” The girl in front of her says with a yawn and a stretch.

“Goodnight Tracer.”

The woman in orange turns back to her as she heads for the exit. “Told ya, call me Lena.”

Lena knocks on the cell door that is shortly opened afterwards. As she crosses the threshold the woman in the cell calls back to her. “Then you may call me Amelie.”

Lena wheels back around excitedly with a huge smile. “Goodnight Amelie.”

“Goodnight Lena.”

Chapter Text

Amelie laid in bed staring up, examining the ceiling tiles for the twentieth time today. Biding her time for what she knew would come that day. Her judgement day. The commander of Overwatch finally visits her, likely to hand down her sentence. From what Lena had told her, he wasn’t likely to be lenient. A death sentence, life in prison? Hard to say. Regardless, he likely wasn’t going to be informing her of when she would be walking out of this cell. An execution was unlikely at least, given Overwatch no longer had authority to carry out international law. Handing her over to any one of the countries she’d committed enough crimes to get many life sentences in however? Very likely. It would be much harder for Lena to come visit her in an American prison, she thought, beginning to wander off her original course. A British prison would be nice in that regard, she supposed.

The door buzzer sounds. The bell tolls. Two overwatch soldiers enter her room. Between them, Jack Morrison, Soldier 76, the Commander of Overwatch. He takes a seat at her table while his two guards stand at either side of him. Brandishing rifles. Safeties off.

“Good Afternoon, Captain Oxton has informed me you prefer Amelie over Widowmaker now. Is this correct?” He begins, as Amelie gets out of her bed and joins him at the table.

“Yes, it is”

“Why the change? Life as a cold hearted killer start to bore you? Morrison mocked.

“I suppose you and I are not so different in that regard Mr. Strike Commander. What happened to your crusade?” Amelie retorted, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed.

Morrison grits his teeth and scowls. “You know I considered just killing you while you slept. But I didn’t. That's what makes us different.”

“What? That you're too scared to do what you think needs to be done?”

“I’ve killed hundreds of you Talon types.”

“So you’re a murderer and a hypocrite?”

With that Morrison pauses, relaxes his scowl and leans back, sighing. “I suppose I am.”

Amelie similarly relaxes her verbal sparring stance at Jack’s diffusing. She pauses, looking away before continuing. “Do you regret the death you’ve caused?”

“No, because I caused it for the right reasons.” Morrison answers with conviction. He turns to look Amelie in the eyes. “Do you?”

“Perhaps I do… because I certainly did not.” Amelie responds, unable to hold Morrison’s eye contact.

The pair sit in silence for a while. Considering what the other has said. Considering what needs to be done. Of all the uncomfortable silences since Amelie’s arrival at Gibraltar, this is the worst.

“What do you think I should do with you, Amelie?”

Amelie sits stunned. She never expected him to ask for her opinion on the matter. She assumed he already had a clear answer in his mind.

She hesitantly responds. “What I want for myself, and what you and others think to be the right thing to do, are likely very different things.”

For the first time since she's seen Morrison his tough facade finally drops with a single soft chuckle. “I’ve spent my entire life choosing what’s right over what myself or others want.”

He stands and turns away from her. “This has been a productive chat Ms. Lacroix, until next time.” The man who would be her saviour or her condemner leaves her cell, with no clear answer.

Amelie lays back down still with no clear idea of what her future holds, but well aware of what exactly the implication of Morrison doing the right thing is.

Jack briskly exits the prison wing. Making his way back to the staff quarters. With his mind made there’s only one person he has to talk to now. He finds himself inside Lena Oxton’s quarters, Lena sitting up in her bed. She goes to stand at his arrival.

“No, stay Lena, I won’t be here long.” He says as he sits next to her at the foot of her bed.

Lena waits in anticipation as Jack sighs and pauses.

“I’ve decided how to move forward on the Widowmaker situation.” He begins.

“Amelie” She corrects.

“Right, Amelie, Anyway. I’ve spent all this time since the fall of Overwatch deciding who gets to live or die and then killing them. But that's not how we do things here at Overwatch. We’re a team, and if I ignore your feelings to carry out my own will, what kind of a leader am I? What kind of a team are we?”

Lena smiles, and places her hand on top of Jack’s. “So then what’s your idea?”

“Considering the division among our ranks here at Overwatch, it only seems fair we put it to a vote. Now it’s no secret I’ve not been her biggest fan since her arrival, which is why I want you to stand on the panel with me Lena. Keep it balanced.”

Lena stands up. “I’ll do it Jack.”

“Good, I’ll pick seven others from who we have here at base. Meet me in the situation room in an hour” Jack says, standing up and turning to leave.

“Usually we talk in your office, but for once I get to say this. Dismissed.” Lena says standing straight as possible, imitating Jack on the last word. He chuckles as he leaves.

Jack looks out across the situation room at the eight people he has selected. The judges that will decide the fate of Amelie Lacroix.

Torbjorn Lindholm
Winston
Jean-Baptiste Augustin
Genji Shimada
Cole Cassidy
Angela Ziegler, Mercy
Tekhartha Zenyatta
Lena Oxton, Tracer
Jack Morrison, Soldier 76

“I’ve chosen you all to be judges for the trial of Amelie Lacroix, Widowmaker. Some of you I’ve known for many years, and trust your judgment more than anything. Some of you are newer around here but I believe will offer a unique perspective on this matter. We will reconvene to deliver our verdict in two weeks. Until then, do your research, speak to Ms. Lacroix. I expect each and everyone of you to make a fair and informed decision. Thank you. Dismissed.”

Chapter Text

Amelie and Lena sat together in her cell once again, like usual. The panel to decide Amelie’s fate had been assembled last night.

“So obviously I’m on your side. I already spoke to Ange, she’s with us. Genji and Cassidy will be easy to convince, I'm sure, we’re co-captains after all. Winston is open minded and intelligent enough to understand what you went through, we can convince him. Baptiste used to be Talon himself, he’ll understand people can change. Torbjorn is… he’s conservative I guess, he’s Overwatch old guard, I wouldn’t count on him for support. Zenyatta is another one we can assume will vote against you, given your shared past. Morrison seems as if he’s made up his mind on your guilt already as well. But that's a potential 6 for, 3 against! Odds look pretty good!” Lena says referencing a chart with hastily drawn members of the panel.

Amelie takes the chart from Lena’s hands inspecting it. Focusing on a drawing of a purple woman holding what she assumes only from context clues is supposed to be a sniper rifle.

“Is this supposed to be me?” Amelie asks amused.

“Yes! I tried really hard, okay!” Lena responds defensively.

“No, No, it’s… cute.” Amelie assures her.

Lena stands up from the table and paces about. Amelie merely stays seated following her with her eyes. This woman never stops moving. Always tapping her leg. Pacing around. In one of her soldiers Amelie would have found this unbearable. It would have been punished. In Lena it's almost endearing.

Lena still pacing with her hands in her jacket pockets, begins rambling as usual. “It sure is boring in here. I should have them give you something more interesting to do around here I would go mad!”

“I have laid in the same position for a week lining up a shot. This is nothing I assure you.” Amelie responds dismissively.

“Still, it's unfair, it’s inhumane.” A mischievous smile fills her face for a moment before turning towards the door. “I have an idea, actually. I gotta go to a meeting with Jack but after that, I’ll see you again this evening.”

Soon after the sound of Lena’s tennis shoes recede. They are replaced by the clicking of high heels. The door buzzes and Dr. Ziegler and her staff poke through Amelie's doorway.

“Good morning Ms. Lacroix, are you ready for your daily check up?” Dr. Ziegler asks with a cheery smile on her face.

Amelie stands up from her chair and approaches the doctor. Her staff sends forth a yellow beam attaching itself to Amelie. With a yellow beam from the staff and the box on the wall both connected to her, Amelie feels an uncomfortable rush through her body. A harsh tingling permeates her body. She quickly exits her cell, to get away from the box on the wall and to escape the boredom she had downplayed to Lena.

Dr. Ziegler quietly ushers her through the halls accompanied by the guard usually stationed outside the cell. Leading Amelie along by her beam. When they arrive Dr. Ziegler gives the guard a dismissive wave, and he departs.

“Before we go inside I must warn you. Today will not be like your usual check up. I did not want to discuss this in front of the guard in the spirit of your confidentiality. Come on in.” Dr. Ziegler explains as she leads Amelie inside the room.

As Amelie enters she is greeted by a gorilla wearing glasses. “Um. Hello.” Winston says meekly, giving a polite wave.

“I figure we won't have to bother with the cuffs this time what with Winston here.” Angela jokes. “Not that I feel they’re all that necessary usually, it's just, you know how Jack is.”

Amelie laid down in the bed as usual and Ziegler hooks her up to the usual machinery.

“So the reason I brought Winston here with us today is because I want to discuss a potential future where you don’t need a Caduceus machine keeping you alive. Especially if you're going to leave the Watch Point in the future.”

Winston clears his throat and taps a few times on his oversized data pad. Before turning to show it to Amelie. “This is what your cells currently look like. They have reduced hemoglobin count to decrease the amount of oxygen your body can process, your organs have also been modified to require less oxygen to compensate. All of this has been done to make your body more stable and make you less vulnerable to airborne weapons. Your metabolism has been changed to reduce body heat and your nerves function has been decreased to reduce the amount of pain you feel. The goal of these modifications being to make you a better… weapon.”

Amelie nods, none of this is news to her but she allows Winston to explain it regardless. The Doctor at Talon took great pains to explain all of the horrific things she’d done to her body.

“Now if we zoom further in, this little thing in your hemoglobin is not biological in nature. It's a self replicating device that has infected every single blood cell that acts as a remote kill switch shutting off your blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Dr. Ziegler was correct. When Talon learned of your capture they tried to… deactivate you.” Winston continues grimly.

“But it's not all bad news, Angela is a peerless nanobiologist and she has designed a device that could slowly replace your cells with new ones likely in a process similar to what Talon has done to you, but this time giving you freedom instead of taking it. There’s just one thing, before we go ahead with designing and fabricating the cells, we’d like to know. Do you want to keep the modifications Talon designed for you? Sans remote kill switch of course.”

Amelie contemplates for a while. Her life with Talon had been nothing but pain. Surely she wanted more than anything to be normal again. However, her modifications made her powerful, and dangerous. Useful things to be in a world like this one. “I’m not-”

Winston interrupts her. “You don't have to decide yet. Just have your guards give me a call whenever you do. I know this is a big choice. One you can’t easily take back if you change your mind. And rest assured. Though I am not a medical doctor I will hold myself to the same confidentiality Angela has extended you. Whatever you decide. Nobody else will know.”

“Now then, with that sorted, let's ensure your vitals are still stable under the Caduceus.” Dr. Ziegler says returning from behind Winston's massive frame.

“Right I’ll go make sure progress on the device's construction is coming along well.” Winston mutters as he hobbles away. “By the way, Amelie. You have my vote.” He assures her halfway out the door.

Dr. Ziegler does her usual fussing over Amelie and notetaking. Cross referencing her vitals with past records. Despite Winston’s leaving she does not cuff Amelie. A thought crosses her mind. She could easily overpower Angela. Take her staff. The guard outside the med bay hardly poses a challenge. Morrison is busy in a meeting with New Blackwatch, Winston is off in his lab. She stops. This isn’t Amelie, this is Widowmaker. Where would she even go? Back to Talon? In hiding for the rest of her life? Her best chance at moving on to a better life is leaving herself at the mercy of Overwatch.

Lena shows up to her meeting late. Genji and Cassidy are already waiting. Morrison scowls at her, or does he just look like that? She takes her seat, as Morrison shakes his head and clears his throat.

“Now that we’re all here. There's a few things I wanted to discuss. The first being recruitment. You’re hardly a division if it's just the three of you. So I want you all to keep an eye out for some talent. People with skills that would be useful during your missions. But don’t just hire the first murderers you come across-”

Cassidy chuckles and puts his hand on Genji’s shoulder. “He’s talking about us.” Cassidy whispers, rocking Genji’s shoulder back and forth.

Morrison resumes his scowl, or did he just never drop it. “Right, as I was saying. Don't just hire the first murderers you come across because we don't want a repeat of what happened last time. Yes, Reyes’ recruitment methods did bring us some reliable members of the organization, but it also let Talon grow and fester in our very own ranks. I trust you all will have more scruples, but even so, I’ll need to approve all candidates.”

Lena didn’t have the first idea who she would recruit let alone where she would go about finding people to recruit. Old Blackwatch recruited useful scum, people with nothing left to give to society but violence. Even if New Blackwatch was meant to have higher recruiting standards, what other kind of person would work on secretive and dangerous missions with no glory and barely any pay considering Overwatch is no longer funded by the United Nations.

Morrison cleared his throat to signal his topic change. “Now then, keeping recruitment in mind. I have another mission for New Blackwatch. An agent of ours in Germany was on the trail of a few Talon agents before suddenly going dark. Which is very unlike this particular agent. Reinhardt Wilhelm. I’m concerned for his safety but with a matter like this, we can’t just send a whole Overwatch strike team to a small German town with no obvious threat, it would cause a panic and we can’t handle national governments disapproving of our actions, they barely tolerate our existence in the first place. So you three will go alone, and find out what caused Reinhardt to fall out of communication.”

A mission. The very day after the judges of Amelie’s trial were announced. Lena assured herself that Jack would never stoop so low as to order her out of the base for a few days so he could get to the judges first and play politics, but he’s changed since returning.

“Jack…” Lena began cautiously. “This mission’s timing wouldn’t have anything to do with Amelie’s trial would it?”

“Of course not Oxton, I swear, I really am worried about Reinhardt, and you three are the people I trust most to handle this covertly. Missions like this are why we are reforming Blackwatch. Now go get ready and do your job. You leave tomorrow.” Morrison assures, his voice hardening into a command at the end. As the three are leaving he calls back to them. “Cassidy, hang back for a minute, I need to speak with you.

Genji and Lena walk to their equipment room to prepare themselves for the mission. Lena loads pistol rounds into magazines then loops them onto her belt.

“Hey Genji, what are your thoughts on the Amelie case? Can she count on your vote?” Lena asks, trying to act casually.

Genji is loading shurikens into his cybernetic arm, taking a long time to think. His mask shrouds any emotion his face might reveal. “I… do not know, I need to speak to Master Zenyatta first. I know he has some feelings on the woman he has not shared with me yet. I have decided to withhold judgement until he has shared his wisdom.”

Shit. Lena knows a vote with Zenyatta is likely to be a vote against Amelie. Zenyatta was close to Mondatta, the omnic Widowmaker assassinated in London. He was leader of the monastic order Zenyatta now heads. Her prediction of 6-3 is now seeming like 5-4. She didn’t consider the closeness between Genji and Zenyatta.

“I understand Genji, thank you.” Lena responds dejectedly.

“I am sorry I could not give you the answer you were seeking, truly.” Genji says solemnly, finishing his preparation.

At that Cassidy enters the room as well. Pulling some rounds for his Peacekeeper out of a box.

“So what did Morrison want?” Lena asks, trying not to seem too invested.

“Oh nothin, just wanted to know if I had anyone specific in mind for recruitment, asked about people from my Deadlock days.” He responds casually, walking away after stuffing his belt pouches with ammunition.

“I will finish the mission prep, I may not be able to give you my support in the way you wished, but I will give you some time to get your affairs in order before we depart. Go.” Genji announces, lifting a box of food and exiting the room.

“Thank you Genji.”

Lena pauses when she exits the supply room. She has only half a day to do everything she wanted. Does she frantically try to secure votes for Amelie’s trial or does she focus on spending the evening together as she planned. Resolute in her decision now she marches away.

Amelie sits alone in her cell once more. Gazing at the window at the nearly setting sun. Two more weeks, fourteen more sunsets before one way or another, she never sees this cell again. Lost in the quiet contemplation she finds herself in constantly these days she's jolted awake by her door buzzer. Lena enters and shushes Amelie. Shes holding a basket in her left hand with Dr. Ziegler’s Caduceus staff resting in the crook of her arm against her hip.

“Hey Amelie… you coming?” Lena asks, winking.

“Are you sure that's a good idea? If Morrison catches us we can say goodbye to my trial.” Amelie whispers frantically.

Lena scoffs and brushes her off. “That geezer hasn’t left his office after seven 'o'clock since he got here. I think he’s asleep already. So come on, I know a spot nobody will see us.”

Without waiting for an answer Lena spins and leaves the cell, clicking the staff to life. Amelie follows close after her, quietly shutting the cell behind her. The guard posted outside slumped over in his stand.

“Oh, don't worry about him, he's fine.” Lena says, leading her along by the beam. Somehow it feels less like a binding chain and more like a guiding hand when Lena is holding it.

“Feels like I’ve got you on a leash, eh doggy?” Lena says, turning back to face Amelie, now walking backwards.

Amelie covers her mouth with her hand and giggles. “So where are you taking me?” she questions.

“Right here, love.” Lena says manually opening an airlock. Revealing the open sea and a small ledge with a ladder leading down. “I think it's an access point for maintenance to get to the underwater parts of the base, either way nobody else ever comes by here so I like to come here and think.”

The view of the Atlantic was much more beautiful from out here. The cool ocean breeze perfectly complemented the warm Mediterranean air. The two sat together, the small ledge made for a tight fit sitting shoulder to shoulder, Lena handed Amelie the staff which she kept a close grip on. Lena begins fishing for something in the basket.

“Did you steal this?”

“Oh she won’t mind, plus I left a note.” Lena responds as she fishes two plates out of the basket. “I made us spaghetti, I make a mean spaghetti, not much else but uh, the spaghetti is good.”

“Oh fuck yeah, nutrition paste was driving me crazy.” Amelie exclaims.

“I don’t think I’ve heard you say fuck yeah once since meeting you.” Lena giggles. “Maybe I’m rubbing off on you.”

“Perhaps you are.” Amelie says smiling.

The two eat together looking out over the sea. Enjoying each other's company.

“So how was your day then?” Lena asks, mouth full of noodles.

Amelie waits and swallows before answering. “I’d rather not talk about my day.”

“Loud and clear.” Tracer responds finally swallowing her food. “So, you ate stuff like this all the time working for Talon, yeah?” She prepares another fork full of pasta.

“Well I usually ate fancy expensive dinners every night.”

Lena gasps feigning outrage. “Are you saying my spaghetti isn’t fancy?!”

“It's perfect Lena, thank you, I needed this. You were right about being cooped up in there driving me crazy.” Amelie says, bumping her shoulder into Lena playfully.

Lena collects their dishes as the sun sets on their evening picnic. After gathering everything up into her basket Lena leans back resting her hand down next to her to stabilize herself. Right onto Amelie’s. For the first time since becoming Widowmaker Amelie felt a warmth rising in her face. As soon as Lena realizes she quickly pulls her hand back and puts it on the back of her head.

“Oh uh, sorry I didn’t mean to, um.” Lena quickly explains, blushing. Turning to face Amelie who had just done the same, their faces only inches away from each other.

“I don’t-” Amelie begins before being cut off.

“I have to tell you something.” Lena interrupts looking down at her feet. “Morrison is sending New Blackwatch on another mission, I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, a few days maybe.”

“Oh.”

Lena looks back to Amelie, who is now staring out at the Atlantic. “Don’t worry too much about missing me though, I’ve got you another gift!” She exclaims digging back into the basket and retrieving a phone. “I set up the parental controls that way you can only call me so not even Jack can get mad about a security breach, you probably still shouldn't let him find out you have it though.”

Amelie takes the device into her hand and smiles. “This has been a perfect night Lena. Thank you.”

Chapter Text

Amelie sits straight in her chair. Waiting patiently for the man across from her, Torbjorn Lindholm, to begin speaking. He is fidgeting with something beneath the table and Amelie is unsure if he is stalling, or if he’s simply forgotten where he is.

She clears her throat.

“Right, Ms. Lacroix, sorry.” Lindholm jolts upright startled. He puts his contraption back in his pocket and readies himself, returning to reality.

He begins speaking, looking off at nothing behind Amelie. “You know, I knew your husband, a good man, we weren’t close but he tried to get to know as many people as he could. He was friendly like that.”

“I’ve heard.”

“So you really don’t remember much huh?” Torbjorn asks, scratching his neck.

Amelie looks directly at Torbjorn who is now staring out the window behind her. “Talon has done many things to my memory, it is hard to parse what is real and planted.”

“They did quite a number on you I suppose.” He awkwardly chuckles before clearing his throat and continuing. “I’m uh, not too sure what I’m meant to be doing here, I figure Jack picked me because he had no one better lying around.”

“I believe you are meant to learn what kind of person I am.”

“People aren’t my strong suit, Ms. Lacroix, that's why I work with machines.” Torbjorn pulls the gadget he was tinkering with out of his pocket and sets it on the table. “So tell me, what kind of person are you?”

“I try to be a good one these days, even if I wasn’t always in the past.”

Torbjorn sighs deeply. “And do you think trying to be a good person now erases these things you’ve done in the past.”

“I wasn’t really the one doing those things though, I’m not really the same person I was back then.”

“Accountability is a hard thing to take, Ms. Lacroix, doesn’t make it any less important though.”

Torbjorn purses his lip at Amelie’s silence after his last remark. “I’m trying to understand your plight Amelie I really am. But you did those things, and you might tell me up and down it was Widowmaker, but perhaps from where I’m sitting, I don’t really see much of a difference.”

Torbjorn climbs out of the chair and walks about the room, once again resuming his fidgeting.

Amelie looks down at the desk, tears welling in her eyes. “Please Mr. Lindholm.”

“If you need something fixed or built, I’m your man. If you're looking for sympathy or absolution, I suggest you find a priest, Ms. Lacroix. Have a good day.” Torbjorn says solemnly as he turns to exit the cell.

Amelie returns to her bed fighting back tears. Lena didn’t expect Torbjorn to take her side but the string of rejection still hurt nonetheless.

Lena is lounging about on the couch of the common room. Cassidy slumped against a wall, hat over his face, sleeping loudly. Genji is meditating in the cockpit. When suddenly Lena’s comm device alerts. A call from Amelie. With a nervous look around the craft she heads for the coat closet to take the call privately.

“Amelie, what's up?” Lena asks, answering the phone.

“I’ve got good and bad news. You were right about Winston, but you were also correct about Torbjorn.” Amelie says with a disappointed tone in her voice.

“Oh damn, maybe I can talk to Brigitte when I get back, she could knock some sense into him.” Lena offers.

“Didn’t we account for Torbjorn’s rejection? We should still be good, no?” Amelie asks, puzzled.

“Well, about that… Genji might not be as much of a lock as I assumed. He’s voting with Zenyatta. So our lead doesn’t seem as generous as I hoped, but we’ve still got one.”

“Oh, I see.” Amelie says, sounding even more dejected than when the phone call began.

Lena resumes her usual upbeat attitude to try and cheer up Amelie. “Well is there anything else on your mind then?”

Amelie pauses for a moment too long before responding slowly. “Um… no I don’t, I don’t think so.”

“Right, well in that case I’d better get back before people start to miss me. And hey Amelie? I care about you okay.” Lena says whispering but still trying to sound cheery.

“Oh, I… care about you too.”

With a beep the phone call ends, and Lena emerges from the closet. Nobody was disturbed by her conversation, so she resumes laying about on the couch until the jet arrives in Freiburg, Germany. She ponders the mission. It is unlike Reinhardt to go very long without a deeply colorful status report on how many skulls he's crushed or null sector scouts he's destroyed. And a stealth mission is very much unlike him so a lapse in communication could only be a cause for concern.

As Lena’s thoughts linger on for hours she’s finally roused by the jet's AI system announcing that they have arrived on the outskirts of Freiburg. According to the briefing Lena read on the way Freiburg is a quaint medieval style town, there were few omnics here before the crisis leaving the city mostly untouched, with only one proper battle taking place in the cathedral which is believed to now be haunted.

Genji and Cassidy both gather at the door to the plane doing one last check of their gear.

Lena approaches them. “You boys ready?” She asks, sliding both of her pulse pistols into their holsters.

“Ready enough.” Cassidy responds, pressing the release on the door and beginning to disembark the craft. “Now if there's two things I know about Reinhardt, he ain’t quite inconspicuous and he loves German beer. Keeping that in mind, I say we go ask about some bars in the city.”

“This plan sounds certain to bear fruit.” Genji responds. The three head for the town together. Finding a bar within thirty seconds of entering the city proper. The trio enters together and Cassidy makes for the bar while the other two hang around the entrance.

“Barkeep, I’ll have a whiskey, thank you.” He says leaning casually against the bar.

The bartender approaches cleaning a mug. “We do not have whiskey here.”

Cassidy groans. “Well what do you got then?”

“Beer”

“I reckon I’ll have a beer then.” Cassidy leans closer to the bartender as his beer is poured. “Say, have you seen a big German man, like huge, gray hair and beard, scar over his eye.”

The bartender smiles as he hands over the drink. “You have heard of the new ghost in our cathedral, the ghost of a Crusader!”

“No pal, not a ghost, a real living man.” Cassidy responds frustrated.

“Oh, no I have not, but he sure sounds a lot like the new ghost.” the bartender remarks walking away to assist another patron. Cassidy quickly finishes his drink and turns to leave.

“Herr Cowboy, you must pay first.” the bartender shouts after him.

Cassidy stops and chuckles. “Yeah, right.” before digging around in his pockets and looking to Lena and Genji.

Lena shakes her head and sighs. “Of course.” She grabs her wallet and heads to the counter.

“Hey officially speaking I don’t even have a job, I’m not a famous RAF pilot with a fancy government stipend.” Cassidy says dismissively as Lena pays for his drink.

“Freeloader.” Lena muttered, shaking her head as they depart from the bar. “I hope you at least got something useful from that, other than a free beer I mean.”

“You bet I did. There’s apparently a new ghost in town down by the cathedral. A gray haired crusader ghost.” Cassidy says grinning self satisfied.

Genji nods. “This ghost is likely to be Reinhardt.”

“Obviously it’s Reinhardt, that's what I was implying. Come on, let's go.” Cassidy says breaking into a brisk walk.

As the group arrives at the Cathedral they are greeted by a ticket stand. 20 Euros per person to enter. They are the only ones visiting today. Cassidy looks back to Lena again and puts his hand on the back of his head. Genji makes a show of patting his pockets before shrugging.

“Seriously, neither of you have any money? Come on then.” Lena sighs once again pulling out her wallet. “I’m making Jack reimburse me out of your paychecks. I mean it.”

“What, I don’t usually pay to get in places, you know.” Genji calls after Lena indignantly.

Inside the Cathedral is a huge echoing grand chamber. The scars of the omnic crisis still show here. The preservation of the damage done standing as a memorial to the fallen. The three Overwatch agents seem to be the only people inside, as they walk along Genji looks around nervously on edge.

“Boo.” Cassidy grabs his shoulder and the ninja nearly drops him to the ground. “Oh come on, you ain't scared of ghosts are you?” He asks mockingly. “Besides, it's just Reinhardt.”

“This place had a reputation for being haunted long before Reinhardt’s arrival, and if you’d seen the things I have seen, perhaps you would not be so skeptical.” Genji responds, crossing his arms and turning away from Cassidy.

As the three begin to settle back into their exploration of the cathedral, They hear a low grumbling. At the first sign Genji tenses up, puts his hand on his blade, and shields himself behind Cassidy, intent on making the skeptic the first victim. The low rumbling soon turns into the roaring sound of a rocket, and the flash of a huge hunk of steel barreling towards the group.

“BOYS, LENA, OH MY GOODNESS, IT’S BEEN TOO LONG!” The mass of steel bellows, belonging to Reinhardt Wilhelm. The large crusader picks the three of them up in a tight hug, squeezing them nearly to death. “I have missed you all so dearly! But what brings you here?”

The three are finally dropped to the ground with a grunt, all breathing a sigh of relief at surviving the ordeal.

“Reinhardt, it's great to see you too pal!” Lena responds beaming at him. “But we’re here because you stopped giving status updates to Jack, he was worried about you.”

“Oh, I see, my comm link broke, I think, I’ve never understood how this new technology works. I did not think it was that big of a deal. But since you’re here, why not help me anyway?”

“Sure, brother, but you’re an Overwatch agent again, it's kind of a big deal to keep your commander updated when you’re out in the field.” Cassidy explains rubbing his now sore back.

“Right, my sincerest apologies, we will inform the commander of my good health as soon as possible. But for now, I was just about to enjoy my dinner, come friends, you must join me.” Reinhardt shouts, lifting his hammer he had dropped on the ground to hug the trio.

Without waiting for a response Reinhardt saunters away deeper into the decrepit cathedral, stepping over fallen beams and crushed bricks, leading the group into what appears to have been chambers for church workers long ago. Inside is an open fire with a deer roasting on a spit.

“I have been trying to keep a somewhat low profile, yes, very unlike me I know. Normally I would rush in and crack some skulls but I really do think I’ve stumbled onto something big here.” Reinhardt explains as he takes a seat on a fallen pillar. The group joins him in sitting around the fire as he begins carving up the deer.

“It must be something important if you are resorting to tactics so unlike yourself.” Genji comments.

“It is yes. It has not been easy but I simply ask myself, what would Shimada do?” Reinhardt responds, chuckling. “I believe the local government may be collaborating with Talon, I think they may be trafficking arms or possibly even manufacturing them somewhere out in the forest.”

“That does sound serious, of course we’ll help you take care of this partner.” Cassidy assures with a mouth full of venison.

As the four of them finish their meal Cassidy walks away from the fire with Reinhardt to contact Morrison with a status update and Genji leaves without saying a word, leaving Lena alone by the fire.

With nothing else to do her mind wanders to her call earlier, she brushed it off then but it sounded as if Amelie was hiding something. She retrieves her comm device and hovers over the pinned contact, contemplating calling her back. She presses the button.

Amelie picks up in a few seconds. “Lena, what’s going on, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay, I just had some alone time and thought I’d call you.” Lena responds.

“Oh okay then, is there anything you wanted to talk about?”

“Actually yeah, there is. When we called earlier I asked if anything else was on your mind and it really sounded like there was. Do you want to talk about it?” Lena asks.

Amelie pauses for a long moment, the sound of her shuffling in bed uncomfortably is picked up by the microphone. “You noticed… I guess I should talk about it.” She trails off before resuming after another long pause. “Angela and Winston think they can replace the cells Talon modified to make me Widowmaker, the thing is, I have to decide if I want to keep the modifications or become… normal again.”

“Oh wow, yeah that is heavy.” Lena responds grimly. “Well what was your life like before Widowmaker?”

“I was a ballerina, I was married to Gerard, I did not see him much, he was very busy with Overwatch, but our life together was nice I suppose. I always had the feeling of missing him, but Talon suppressed those feelings with drugs. Everything felt so much more back then, my emotions, my sense of touch. The touch of Gerard, it felt like everything. Nothing I ever felt as Widowmaker even came close.”

“It sounds like you loved him.” Lena says, a melancholy note in her voice.

“Yes, I did. What about you Lena, have you ever loved someone?” Amelie asks her in return.

“I did once, I suppose I still do, but she’s gone now, she couldn’t handle what I do, she couldn’t handle who I am.” Lena’s voice trembles at the end.

“I’m sorry Lena.” Amelie pauses for a moment sensing she brought up a sore subject with Lena. “I like who you are, you’re the girl who never gives up on trying to save me.”

Lena smiles, wiping the single tear that ran down her check away. “That means the world to me, Amelie. Thank you. I’m going to get some rest now, you should as well.”

Chapter Text

“So, you came to interview me, yes?” Amelie asks the Haitian mercenary leaned against the far wall as she sits in her chair.

“I am only a field medic, but even I know that blue skin is not a sign of good health.” Jean-Baptiste Augistin comments with a laugh. “What did they do to you at Talon?” He continues more seriously.

“They modified my blood cells, my organs, my nerves, everything about me, to make me more useful.” Amelie explains.

“Yes, Talon only cares for things that are useful, my time working for them taught me that very well.” Baptiste says as he approaches the table and sits, staring into Amelie’s eyes.

“I figured you of all people would understand what I went through at Talon.” Amelie says with a small smile and an internal sigh of relief. Lena had assumed Baptiste would be willing to show sympathy and support them.

“What you went through, huh.” Baptiste whispers to himself, before addressing Amelie again. “You know I didn’t leave Talon because of what I went through, but because of what I would have put other people through had I not left, what I did put other people through and convinced myself was right, a thing I spent a long time trying to redeem myself for. There’s a line Amelie, one that no amount of coercion should make you cross.”

Amelie stares at Baptiste in disbelief. “You should know how blurry Talon likes to make that line, how they mess with your mind, how they move the line for you.” She protests.

“I left Talon as soon as I realized I had crossed that line Amelie, why should I find sympathy when you either weren’t strong enough to do that, or simply didn't want to.” Baptiste says dropping all pretense of his usual joking manner and looking Amelie dead in her eyes.

She looks down at the table. “Is it really that hard to believe I wasn’t in control of my actions?”

Baptiste sighs, also looking off at nothing in particular now. “I suppose it's not that far-fetched, but maybe I find it hard to believe you regained that control the second Overwatch captured you.”

“So I’m either weak for not choosing to leave, or compromised because I was too brainwashed to leave? How do I win?” Amelie pleads.

“It took me a long time to feel I was redeemed for the things I did, a fraction of the things Widowmaker did. Maybe I can’t just say everything is okay because you spent a week feeling bad about yourself. Maybe it takes more than that.”

“Then give me the chance to redeem myself, vote to acquit me Baptiste please.” Amelie begs looking back at Baptiste.

“That’s not how it works Amelie, deep down, I know you know that. Do your time, get some help, then we can talk about redeeming yourself.” Baptiste says to her with a sad smile on his face.

“Please leave.”

Baptiste nods and turns to leave. “I understand you-”

“Please leave Baptiste.”

He leaves without another word.

Hot tears stain Amelie’s face. She hasn’t felt warmth like this coming from her own body since before she was Widowmaker. Widowmaker didn’t cry, but now she isn’t Widowmaker anymore, she’s Amelie, and Amelie doesn’t remember how to stop the tears. With losing Baptiste’s vote Lena’s projection becomes one of failure. Torbjorn seemed unlikely, Zenyatta seemed impossible, Morrison was ready to toss her into the Atlantic before she woke up.

Amelie feels around under her pillow for Lena’s phone and quickly presses on the only contact.

Lena awakens from a rough slumber, constantly interrupted by Reinhardt’s ungodly loud snoring, further enhanced by the hard stone floor she slept on. She awoke to Reinhardt shaking her awake, and the other men having a heated discussion in the corner.

“What are you two so passionate about this early in the morning?” Lena asks, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

“Well first of all, early bird, it's noon. And second of all, we’re discussing who would win in a fight, a cowboy or a ninja. I’m attempting to explain to this uncultured idiot, that most cowboys were herders and mediocre shooters.” Cassidy explains getting frustrated at the end of his sentence.

“And I am trying to tell this uncultured idiot that ninjas were spies, sabotaging equipment and eavesdropping, not killing machines.” Genji responds sounding equally frustrated.

Reinhardt shakes his head at Lena. “They have been at this all morning.”

Lena stands up and stretches her aching back. “Their whole careers more like. For two badass former Blackwatch agents that served under chief badass Reyes, they sure do act like children. Was he like this too?

“Reyes?” Reinhardt asks, then lets out a chuckle. “No, he was a wet blanket, a dour fellow in life, even worse in death, believe me.” He belts out his best Reaper impression. “I am death, fear the shadows.”
Lena laughs. “So what’d you wake me up for? We moving out?” She asks.

“Yes. I’ve been watching the roads into the forest from the church. A loaded truck just left town towards where I suspect their warehouse is. I thought we might check it out.” Reinhardt explains.

“Right, let’s get a move on then team!” Lena exclaims, pumping her fist.

The four exit through a side entrance to avoid anybody noticing the crusader ghost in full armor the town has been abuzz about.

“We should get a car.” Cassidy suggests casually.

“And how exactly do you propose we get one of those? Lena asks.

“I go find one, borrow it.” Cassidy answers with a grin spreading across his face.

Before Lena protests Reinhardt responds. “It's not a bad idea, we could be walking for hours, we can’t miss this window.”

Cassidy shrugs as he walks away from the group. “I’ll put it back. Promise.”

After a few minutes the outlaw returns in a van and stops to let the rest of the team in. Reinhardt piles into the back with Genji squeezing in to join him while Lena gets in the passenger seat. Reinhardt directs Cassidy where to go and soon they find tire tracks leading deeper into the woods.

“Deep tracks. This is a truck, heavy cargo, a few tons.” Genji explains.

The crew follows the tracks to a barbed wire fence with a gate manned by a nondescript man in a blue button up shirt. Cassidy slowly pulls the van up to the gate. The bored security guard doesnt look up from his magazine until Cassidy rolls down the window and clears his throat.

“Sorry this is a private road. No entry without clearance.” The man says dismissively, clearly wishing to return to his magazine.

“Oh trust me boss, we’ve got clearance.” Cassidy responds.

With that comment the man leans forward and inspects the van, seeing the massive gray haired man in crusader's armor sitting in the back leering at him. He freezes and swallows slowly before quickly reaching for something on his desk.

Cassidy is faster. Pulling his gun from his holster and pointing it out the window at the man. “Now whatever you figured you were doing, I don’t imagine ends well. So how about you press that gate open button nice and slow and hop in the back, partner.”

The guard complies, opening the gate and squeezing into the back with Genji and Reinhardt. Cassidy continues further revealing a small warehouse. Outside, a man in a gray suit is conversing with another man in a black sweater and camouflage pants. Cassidy pulls the van off the road.

Noticing the van arriving the men outside of the warehouse rush inside shouting, soon replaced by soldiers with rifles. Talon mercenaries. Reinhart busts out of the van, hammer in hand, as machine gun fire is opened on him he activates his barrier field. With coordination practiced through dozens of operations together the other three climb out of the van returning fire from behind the shield.

With one chamber Cassidy drops six men outside of the warehouse. Genji draws his blade and pursues a truck attempting to escape loaded with crates of illegal firearms. Lena blinks towards the warehouse to pursue the man in a suit.

She enters through a door and is met with more machine gun fire. She rolls behind a crate before blinking behind the gunman, with several well placed shots to his back he falls. The man in the sweater bursts through a door to the back office with a heavy pulse rifle. Lena blinks atop a stack of crates as he lights up the wall behind her in a trail soon to catch her. She dives behind another set of crates, returning fire. While the man approaches her new position with his rifle at the ready she blinks right in front of him, sticking a pulse bomb to his chest before recalling back to the front door. The explosion leaves nothing of the man.

A voice shouts from the back office quivering. “Don’t come in here, I have a gun.”

Reinhardt enters the warehouse having dealt with the mercenaries outside. “And I have a hammer that would be happy to tear down your flimsy door, little mayor, come out.” He shouts full of glee, clearly enjoying the fight.

With Reinhardts threat the man in the suit, the mayor of Freiburg exits the office, tossing his pistol to the ground. Cassidy and Genji both join them in the warehouse.

“So you were right then eh, the local government was working with Talon.” Lena says leaning against Reinhardt’s huge frame.

“Aye. It seems I was.” Reinhardt responds now putting a serious expression on his face.

“Well Mr. Mayor, it looks like your number is up.” Cassidy says with a huff, walking over to the Mayor and dropping him to his knees.

“Wait, you're not going to execute him! We’ve got to arrest him!” Lena protests.

Cassidy sighs drawing his revolver. “Blackwatch doesn’t make arrests. We send him to prison, Talon has him out in a day and spins us to be the bad guys.”

“I won’t have any part in this.” Lena says, crossing her arms and looking to Reinhardt for support.

He merely looks back at her with a sad expression.

Cassidy looks her in the eyes, drawing back the hammer of his revolver. “Then go back to the van Oxton, the adults have business to take care of.”

Lena is sulking about the cathedral. She kicks rubble around in anger as the rest of her team celebrates a mission complete. After a moment of silence in the room Genji approaches her.

“I don’t want to talk.” Lena says turning away from Genji knocking over another pile of stone rubble.

“Yes, you do Lena.” Genji responds calling her bluff.

“Yeah fair, I do.” She relents.

Genji sits down inviting Lena to join him. She crashes down next to him, tired from her earlier rampage through the cathedral.

“He was right, you know.” Genji says, looking at a stained glass window off in the distance.

“Just because he was right doesnt mean I have to be okay with it.”

Genji sighs. “I suppose that is right as well. That is why we are a team, Cassidy and I are willing to do the things nobody else in Overwatch can, and you will make sure we never cross the line, like Reyes.”

“Isn’t that exactly what Reyes did though? He killed a man for that exact reason, an arms dealer working with Talon, one he was supposed to arrest.” She responds adamantly.

“That was a long time ago Lena, before Talon won, back when Overwatch had the authority of the law behind us. This is how it has to be.”

“That doesn't make me feel any better about it.”

Genji puts his hand on her shoulder before standing and holding out a hand to her. “Good, it shouldn’t. You know Cassidy doesn't enjoy this either, he’s just a little too well practiced at sleeping at night afterwards.”

The two return to the revelry together. Evening has fallen on the sleepy German town now. Reinhardt and Cassidy cheer from behind mugs of beer when Lena enters. She gives them a reserved wave before joining them around the fire.

“Lena, I’m so glad you’re here! These two louts have nothing interesting to talk about! Please, you must save the night!” Reinhardt dramatically pleads.

Lena smiles. “Well, I guess I’ve got something. Say Reinhardt, have you heard news of the Widowmaker case?”

Reinhardt raises an eyebrow at the question. No, I’ve heard nothing from headquarters in weeks. What about her?”

“Well we captured her, turns out she was being brainwashed by Talon and really never wanted to do all of those things. We’re holding a vote at the Watchpoint in two weeks about the situation.”

Reinhardt looks thoughtfully at his mug of beer. “I see, if she truly is trying to be better, I don't see the harm in giving her a second chance.”

“Not sure her victims would feel the same way.” Cassidy says from behind his own mug with a serious look on his face.

A horrified expression crosses Lenas face as she begins to feel hot with indignation. “How could you even say that?”

“Perhaps Cole has a point, it's easy for us to offer her a second chance from where we are sitting, but the many who met their end to Widow’s Kiss don’t get to make that choice.” Reinhardt responds, still staring deeply into his beer.

Lena stands up, stammering, trying to protest before turning and storming away from the group.

“It is a difficult situation Lena please com-”

“Let her go, Reinhardt.” Genji says solemnly as she leaves the room.

Amelie calms a little as the phone is ringing. She dries her tears on her pillowcase, waiting for Lena to pick up. The sun has fully set on the watchpoint and the dim ceiling light has kicked on.

“Amelie, it's so good to hear from you again, what's going on? Lena answers.

“Hi Lena, I just wanted to hear your voice. How was your day?” Amelie asks.

“Oh god my day was awful, it’s the last thing I want to talk about.” Lena groans, making a shuffling sound as she adjusts herself.

Amelie lets out a sigh. “Yeah mine was pretty bad too.”

Lena leans forward again. “Oh no, what happened?”

“It was Baptiste. He’s… not voting for me.” Amelie responds, the tears once again flowing.

“Shit, I’m so sorry, Amelie.”

Amelie catches her breath through the tears. “What are we going to do Lena?”

“I don’t know Amelie, Cassidy he… we’re going to make this work. As soon as I get back, I’ll raise hell around the base. They won’t hear the last of it until they promise to vote for you. I won’t let this happen to you Amelie.”

Amelie smiles through the tears at her determination. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

Chapter Text

“You sure you aren’t coming back with us Reinhardt? The mess hall hasn’t been the same without you buddy.” Lena pleaded to Reinhardt, the two exchanging teary goodbyes.

“I am sure, Lena. I can’t lay about on The Rock until the world needs me, my people need me now, and long ago I swore an oath I would protect them.” He responds solemnly. “But fret not dear, when the world needs Old Reinhardt once more, I will answer the call.”

“I’ll miss you Reinhardt!” Lena says, throwing her arms around him barely making her hands touch around his huge chest.

“And you as well Lena, now run along. Overwatch needs you.” He says as Lena pulls away. He nods to Genji and Cassidy as the three board their jet, leaving Reinhardt behind in the German countryside.

The plane pulls away, turning Reinhardt into a distant speck in the landscape. Lena at the controls plots a course for Watchpoint Gibraltar. The three settle in for the ride back, all internally celebrating a successful mission. After a while of working up the nerve Lena turns to Cassidy to ask a question that has been burning in her mind since last night.

“Cole, you don’t really plan to vote to turn Amelie over do you?” She asks, nervously.

Cassidy sighs deeply, spinning his chair around to face Lena. “Look, Jack talked to me. She’s dangerous Lena. I know you’re… fond of the woman and all, but just a week ago she was poised to kill a man trying to save the world, and suddenly she’s just on our side now?”

“So that’s what he pulled you aside to talk about. You lied to me, because you knew it would make me mad.” Lena accused.

“He made some good points is all, okay?”

“No, not okay! She’s my friend Cole!” Lena screams storming away leaving the craft to pilot itself.

As the plane lands at Watchpoint Gibraltar Genji Shimada is waiting anxiously by the exit. Lena and Cassidy are sitting far away from each other, Lena still fuming. As the doors open the three are greeted by Morrison, who escorts them away from the helipads.

“My apologies Morrison, I have gravely important business I must attend to, could you hold the mission debriefing without me this time?” Genji asks politely, bowing his head slightly.

“I don’t want to be anywhere near this clown.” Lena spits at Cassidy.

“Well then I reckon it's just you and me today then bossman.” Cassidy says, shrugging his shoulders. Morrison merely sighs and waves Lena and Genji away.

Genji departs the group to go attend to a matter that has been deeply troubling him, since his conversation with Lena about Amelie he has been wrestling with his thoughts on the matter. Zenyatta would surely be in the camp of wanting to see Widowmaker convicted. However, Lena was clearly invested in Amelie, she trusted her, and Genji trusted Lena, and did not wish to fight with her. His thoughts soon carried him to Zenyatta's quarters. He often counselled the members of Overwatch on matters of the mind and spirit. A service Genji took advantage of often, and one he needed once more.

“Greetings Master Zenyatta.” Genji says, announcing his entry and bowing deeply to the omnic.

“Genji, my friend, it brings me great joy to see you again. Come, sit.”

Zenyatta poured Genji some tea, he did not need to eat or drink but he carried it regardless as it often soothed those who came to him in need of that very thing. The two sat in silence together for a long time as they often did. Genji savouring his tea, Zenyatta merely enjoying the quiet company of his long time friend.

“Am I correct to assume that you come to me on the matter of Amelie Lacroix?” Zenyatta asks after some time.

Genji nods. “Lena has grown quite close to her, she was very upset when I told her that I must heed your council before deciding on my course.”

“She assumed I would not be supportive of Amelie then.” Zenyatta says to himself, before turning to address Genji again. “As did you it seems.”

“She killed Mondatta right? Set back omnic rights decades, I figured you would want to see her face justice.”

“Yes, she killed Mondatta, very possibly harming the cause he fought so very hard for. The cause of bringing humans and omnics together into the future.” He begins with a tone of melancholy in his metallic voice. “A cause he fought for not by means of retribution, but through reconciliation. And one does not reconcile with their friends, Genji Shimada, but that which would be their enemy. If I sought revenge, how does that make me different from Null Sector? I do not wish to walk the path of conflict Rammatra set himself on so many years ago, but instead a path of harmony, with everyone.”

“So shall we vote in favor of her then?” Genji asks.

Zenyatta orbs hum as he thinks deeply. “I will not condemn a woman who wishes to walk the path of righteousness.”

“Very well Master Zenyatta, your wisdom brings me great harmony.” Genji sighs, feeling relieved at their conversation.

“Your continued faith in my wisdom brings it to me as well, my friend.” Zenyatta responds, turning to resume his gazing out at the ocean.

Amelie sits on her usual exam table in Dr. Ziegler's office as the doctor checks her vital signs once again.

“So Amelie, have you given any thought to mine and Winston’s question?”

Amelie inhales and readies herself, still nervous, but certain in her decision. “I have. I want you to reverse the changes Talon made to me.”

Dr. Zieglers expression doesn't change at all from behind her clipboard, her bedside manner showing no cracks. “I see, what exactly led you to that decision.”

“Oh, um, well. I talked to Lena.” Amelie says feeling a small amount of warmth rush to her face in spite of her ice cold body temperature.

“Of course, and what about exactly? I just want to make sure you’re making this decision with a clear head is all.” Dr. Ziegler says, straightening her glasses, poorly attempting to conceal her interest in Amelie and Lena’s friendship, her mask of professionalism finally slipping.

“Well, she touched my hand the other night, and It felt like… nothing to me, but clearly it meant something to her. Then I remembered how it felt when Gerard used to touch me, and I wanted…” she trailed off in embarrassment.

“You wanted to see if it would feel the same with her!” Dr. Ziegler says her eyes growing wide as she leans in to grab Amelie’s hand. “You have a crush on her!”

“N-No, we’re j-just very close friends, friends, I’d say she’s my best friend.” Amelie says stuttering, turning away from Dr. Ziegler.

Angela recomposes herself and resumes her doctorly manner. “Ms. Lacroix, I’m your doctor, it's important you discuss, ahem, changes in your mental state with me.”

“It’s just been so long since I’ve really felt someone's touch.” Amelie says, sighing longingly.

“I do believe we could see a return in proper nerve function through this procedure. Are you really sure this is what you want, Amelie?” Dr. Ziegler asks her.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll tell Winston. Now let's get back to your room. I think your girlfriend should be getting back soon.” Angela teases putting extra emphasis on girlfriend.

Lena leans against the door to Amelie’s empty cell waiting for her to return from her daily check up. After ten minutes of waiting she hears the clicking of high heels down the hall Amelie has become accustomed to. She is soon greeted by Angela, Amelie, and their escort returning to the prison. Lena immediately runs to give her a hug catching Amelie off guard with both her arms at her side.

“Oh, I missed you so much.” Lena says face buried in Amelie’s shoulder rocking her side to side.

“Well let me just walk Amelie back into her room and I can leave you two, ahem, friends be.” Angela says with a stifled giggle.

Amelie covers her face with her hand in embarrassment as Lena is seemingly oblivious of the meaning of the comment. The two enter the cell and Amelie’s entourage returns to their daily routine.

“How was your mission?” Amelie asks as she sits down in her bed.

“Oh god it was so exhausting.” Leans says with a heavy sigh as she crashes down next to her.

Both sit in comfortable silence together, neither wanting to broach the subject both painfully on their minds. After a while of stalling and simply enjoying each other's company Lena begins with a groan, leaning back against the wall.

“Well I suppose we better talk about it.”

Amelie swallows uncomfortably and lifts her legs onto the bed with her. “I suppose we must.”

“So we lost Baptiste, and we lost Cassidy too.” Lena says feeling defeated.

“What are we going to do?” Amelie asks with a look of fear on her face.

With newfound courage and determination at seeing Amelie’s fear Lena leans forward. “What we’re not going to do is let ourselves give up, alright!” She takes Amelie’s hand. “I’ll talk to Torbjorn and Baptiste, I’ll flip them I swear.

Amelie leans into Lena who wraps her arm around her. “I trust you.”

Lena and Amelie sit together in the bed in each other's arms in silence. Amelie’s fears sated by Lena’s confidence. As seconds together like this turn to minutes and suddenly an hour Amelie’s already subtle breathing turns slower. Lena looks down at her face. Her eyes are closed, she’s taking deep breaths and leaned against Lena’s chest.

Lena attempts to lay Amelie down into her bed and stand up but she's pulled back in as Amelie’s head hits the pillow. The two now lay together side by side, Amelie sleeping peacefully, arms wrapped around Lena’s neck. Lena smiles as she watches the poor girl sleep like she hadn’t slept in years. It probably felt like she hadn’t, Lena thought.

Lena laid there awake for hours as Amelie rested, soon the sun began to set and Lena’s eyes began to feel heavy as well. Suddenly the woman next to her shifted and with a yelp rolled out of bed onto the floor jolting Lena awake.

“G’morning sleepyhead.” Lena says playfully giggling.

“What happened, when did I fall asleep?” Amelie says confused, standing up and stretching her back.

“Few hours ago, just kind of fell asleep on top of me, pulled me in closer in your sleep.” Lena says stretching out in Amelie’s bed.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It's no problem love, you needed the rest, I. um, should probably leave you to it I reckon then.” Lena says rolling out of bed herself.

Amelie sits back down in the bed looking away from Lena. “Yeah, I’m going to go back to sleep, thanks for coming to visit.”

“Anytime dear!” Lena says cheerfully before leaving Amelie to rest alone.

As soon as Lena leaves the cell she slaps her cheeks with both hands and begins briskly walking back to her own room. “Get a hold of yourself Lena.” She says to herself quietly shaking her head. The base is quiet at night, with most people retreating to their quarters to enjoy a quiet night after a long day of training. As she walks past the mess hall she hears music and smells delicious food. She’s suddenly very aware that she hasn’t eaten all day.

Poking her head inside she sees Lucio dancing to a song he made himself and cooking food on a rotisserie. He doesn’t hear Lena approach from behind over the blasting music still not noticing as she walks up right behind him.

“Hey Lucio, what's cookin?” She asks.

“Damn! Scared the hell out of me.” He shouts before turning down his music to talk to Lena. “Whatcha doing in the mess this late? You hungry?”

“Famished honestly. I heard the music and came to check it out.”

“Is my music that loud? Jack is already up my ass about noise complaints. Anyway, ever had authentic Brazilian barbecue?” He asks. “Was planning on making dinner for everyone but it took a bit longer than I expected, my mother would be laughing at me saying I told you so.”

“I’d love to try some Lucio.”

The two enjoy the music dancing together as they wait for the food to finish, right as one of Lucio’s songs finishes he decides the meat is done, mostly based on his own hunger, and prepares two plates. The pair settles into the empty mess hall together and begin eating.
“So what have you been up to Ms. Blackwatch? Wait, I'm supposed to pretend I don’t know about that.” Lucio asks before cutting himself off.

“God, work is the last thing on my mind right now.” She says exhausted as she bites into the food. “Wow, Lucio, this is incredible.”

“Your compliments may be directed towards Mama Lucio, and I bet it blows your British food out of the water, huh?” He says feeling satisfied with himself.

“Hey, British food isn’t that bad, but yes tell Mama Lucio this is incredible.” Lena says with a mouthful.

“So If it isn’t work, what’s been bouncing around that head of yours?” Lucio asks.

“It's been the Amelie trial. I feel responsible for the girl, given I’m the one who brought her in.” Lena explains.

“Yeah, that make’s sense. How’s it been going? Lucio continues also talking through a mouthful of food.

“Pretty horrible to be honest, but spending time with Amelie has been nice at least.” Lena says resting her face against her hand at the end of her sentence.

“Oh It’s been nice has it?” Lucio asks grinning ear to ear.

Lena hides her blushing face behind a huge bite of meat. “Shut up Luce I don’t mean like that.” She protests before stopping herself. “Oh god, do I mean like that?”

“And The Love God Lucio strikes again.”

Lena turns bright red. “She fell asleep on me earlier.”

“What the hell are you doing here then girl? Lucio asks, outraged.

“Oh god, I’m so stupid.”

Lucio laughs loudly. “You know for a woman yourself, you’re somehow even worse with them than me.”

The two finish their meal together and clean up to head to their rooms. Lucio laughs at Lena’s pain one more time before the two part ways for the night. Lena makes the long walk back to her quarters alone lost in thought about Amelie. When she gets to her room she splashes cold water on her face before laying down in her bed.

“Get a hold of yourself Lena.”

Chapter Text

Lena is staring into her closet shortly after waking up, her workout gear looking sad in the corner. She had neglected her routine in the past week considering everything that has happened. With a deep sigh she grabs the bag and gets dressed before heading towards the gym.

Inside the gym is a tall muscular woman setting up the weight bench, Brigitte. Lena sets up at the treadmill wordlessly, trying to find the courage to ask the woman she had been wanting to talk to about her father, Torbjorn.

“More cardio eh Lena, you should lift some weights, eat some protein, you’re so skinny.” Brigitte jokes at her as she settles in for a bench press.

“Well, maybe the ladies like me skinny.” Lena retorts, sticking out her tongue.

“Trust me.” Brigitte lowers the bar. “The ladies love the muscle way more.” She brags as she finishes her bench press.

“You don’t look half bad I suppose.” Lena says, rolling her eyes. “Besides I’ve got to stay fast, it's not like I wear armor and swing a flail around.”

“If you say so… I’ve got plenty of… protein powder if you… change your mind.” Brigitte says through gritted teeth.

“Thanks for the offer. Oh by the way, have you spoken to your father recently?” Lena asks, feigning casualness.

“Yeah he’s fixing up my shield…. after my last op, why… what’s up?” Brigitte responds.

“Did he say anything about the Amelie trial?” She asks, shutting off the treadmill and riding it back onto the floor.

Brigitte in kind sets her weight bar back down onto the rack and sits up. “You know he doesn’t talk about anything but work, and he doesn’t shut up about that ever. Why what about it?”

“He’s uh, pretty adamant in voting to convict Amelie and well, I care about her, so I was just wonder-” Lena begins before being cut off.

“Ah, she’s the lady you’re trying to stay skinny for, got it.” She says with a sly grin.

Lena blushes and turns the treadmill back on. “It’s not like that.” She says quietly resuming her run.

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him about it, try to get it through his thick skull.” She assures Lena.

“But maybe don’t bring up the part about-”

“Yeah yeah, sure.”
Lena entered the firing range. She had checked Baptiste’s schedule and found he spends every afternoon here. Baptiste stood alone in the firing range, firing on a paper target at sixty meters. He does not react to Lena entering. He finally notices when she approaches and stands right behind him.

“Oxton, hello, you startled me.” he greets her with a smile. “I was wondering when you would come to bother me, Morrison told me to expect it.”

“So you know why I’m here then.” Lena asks with a determined look on her face.

“Please Oxton, you have entered my temple, join me then we'll talk.” He says turning back to his shooting, letting off a three round burst.

“I don’t need target practice, I want to talk.”

“Ah yes, when you can teleport behind a man and shoot him square in the back, aiming is hardly a factor. But landing shots from 30 paces with a rifle, it’s a very different matter.” Baptiste mocks her, goading her into joining him.

“Fine, I’ll shoot, and we’ll talk.” She responds through gritted teeth.

“It is as I said.”

Lena picks up a rifle and puts three shots toward the paper target. Three misses. Baptiste follows with his own volley, all landing perfectly in the circle.

“See I knew you needed practice. Now enlighten me as to why I should join your cause.”

“Amelie is a person. She’s kind, caring, always polite. She likes fancy dinners, nice clothes, and classical music.” Lena responds pleading.

Baptiste lands three more shots in the center of the target. “And all the people who died by her hand, do they haunt her, they were people too, all with their own feelings and thoughts.”

Lena fires off her own shots, peppering the outer circles. “She has regret for what she’s done.”

“Regret is not enough Oxton, we all have to pay for our transgressions. Perhaps prison is how she must do that.” He says as the two continue to fire in between sentences.

“Did you go to prison?” Lena asks.

“No, I did not, but I was never the Widowmaker, and truthfully, I was never caught until long after I turned my gun against Talon. If she had taken up arms of her own accord perhaps I would feel different, but to want to change after being captured, perhaps she regrets not what she did, but that she was caught.”

Lena grunts in anger as she lands three shots perfectly in the center. “God, I just can’t get through to you can I?”

“I believe I am right, just as you believe yourself. It would seem we are at an impasse.” Baptiste says admiring Lena’s shooting.

Lena tosses her rifle down onto the table of her stall and removes her ear protection. Baptise rests his rifle against his shoulder and turns to watch her leave. He watches her angry face with a sad expression.

“I am sorry, this is the way it needs to be.” He says apologetically.

Lena scowls at him and turns away to face the door. “It doesn’t though, you’re doing this yourself.”

“Yes. I am.” He turns and readies his rifle as Lena exits the range.

Amelie sits in nothing but her underwear in Angela’s office hooked up to a strange machine, tubes connecting it to her in ten places. A large gorilla presides over her as doctor Zeigler watches the computer readout on the machine.

“Is it normal to feel a warm tingling?” Amelie asks, a small amount of panic in her voice.

Winston scratches his chin. Uh, I’m not sure. It’s not like I’ve ever done this before. Angela?”

Dr. Ziegler continues watching the computer and noting things down. She looks up for a moment to think before resuming her notes. “Frankly I’d be more concerned if you didn’t feel weird. We are replacing Fifty million cells in your body every second.”

“How long do you think we’re going to need to do this for?” Amelie asks, adjusting herself uncomfortably on the exam table.

“We’ll do two hour sessions a day, in a week we will see how you feel without the Caduceus.” Winston explains, ensuring all of the tube’s connections survived Amelie’s movement.

“What if it isn't done in time for you know, in case I-”

Dr. Ziegler sets her clipboard down and grabs Amelie’s hand. “If Jack tries to take you away before the procedure is complete he will have to contend with Winston.” She says with a small chuckle.

The gorilla straightens his glasses and clears his throat. “I’m sure it won’t come to that. But yes we won’t let him take you until we are certain you can survive on your own. But there’s no use talking like that before the vote.”

Amelie looks down and sighs. Too exhausted from dealing with the situation to share the news with the doctors. She is deep in thought of her own demise when the door to the exam room suddenly bursts open and Lena enters. “Hey sorry I’m late-” Winston quickly moves to block her and scowls at her.

“Don’t you think you should knock before entering a hospital room? Amelie is not decent, and what if we were discussing sensitive medical information?” He says, calmly telling Lena off.

“It’s okay Winston.” Amelie assures him. The gorilla backs off to go fidget with some equipment on the counter to occupy himself while waiting.

As Winstons frame moves from between the two Lena’s eyes grow wide. Amelie is sitting on the exam table wearing nothing but a simple black bra and underwear. Amelie notices her stare and blushes.

Dr. Ziegler stifles a giggle with her hand. “Sorry we don’t have any gowns you could wear.” She says pretending to sound apologetic.

“Didn’t I see-” Winston begins before being sharply elbowed by Anglela.

“No, we ran out.”

“Ow…”

Lena trying to calm her bright red face sits down in one of the chairs against the wall. She grabs a magazine off a rack and flips through pages about golfing. “So how's it going?” She says quietly from behind the magazine.

“It feels weird, like I can feel my blood moving around.” Amelie says.

“Haha, gross!” Lena responds.

“The procedure is coming along nicely, no hiccups, nothing really to report.” Winston says peering at Lena through a tool for inspecting ears. He puts it back in its case with a stern look from Angela.

Lena sat in various positions in the metal chair as she waited with Amelie through her procedure, occasionally peering from behind Angela’s magazine collection she was very intently studying at Amelie when she thought she wasn’t looking. Lena’s eyes met Amelie’s and she very quickly hid behind the magazine as Amelie giggled.

After two hours Winston finally came and disconnected the tubes from Amelie, returning her clothes with a sympathetic look on his face. “Your first session went well. I wouldn’t try to go without the Caduceus yet but I’m hopeful we will see some progress in the coming days.”

“Thank you very much Winston.” Amelie says, giving the gorilla a polite bow as she stands and begins dressing herself.

“Alright let's get headed back to your room. Try not to do anything too strenuous for the rest of the day alright Amelie, we aren’t sure of any side effects you might experience, so just be careful.” Dr. Ziegler says grabbing her staff that was propped against the exam table.

Lena accompanies the two of them on their short walk back to Amelie’s cell. Clearly happy to finally not have to sit in a chair and reread the same magazines over and over again. She walks out ahead of them before turning to wait, displeased with Amelie’s slow pace, but containing herself to walk alongside her. When the three arrive outside the cell Dr. Ziegler turns to look at Lena.

“Go ahead inside Ms. Lacroix I would like to speak to Lena for a moment.”

A flash of panic enters Amelie’s mind. What are they going to talk about? Would Dr. Ziegler tell Lena about Amelie’s thoughts of her earlier? Amelie trusts Angela but the thought of Lena finding out makes her nervous. Does Lena feel the same, or does she just think of her as a responsibility. Somebody to save. Her thoughts are soon interrupted by Lena reentering the cell about ten minutes later with a duffle bag.

“Hey Amelie, can I come in?”

“Always.”

Lena sets her bag down in the corner. “Dr. Ziegler requested you be monitored overnight in case of any changes in your condition. And I, um, volunteered.”

“Oh okay. Make yourself at home then.” Amelie says laying back in her bed.

“I’m just going to get changed, not exactly another room in here so… you know…” Lena says.

Amelie turns to face the wall. “Of course.” She inspects the masonry of the wall before curiosity begins to eat away at her, surely Lena wouldn’t notice if she stole a single look. Her eyes meet Lena’s.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

Lena laughs as she pulls her pajama pants up. “Oh come on now, it's only fair at this point. And I can hardly blame you, I did work out this morning.” She flexes her thin yet well defined arms. “I mean I ran on the treadmill, not sure why I flexed my arms.”

Amelie giggles as she turns to fully face her. Watching as Lena finishes getting dressed. Continuing to look at her as the two sit on opposite sides of the room, Lena settling in on the floor.

“So, what do you usually do around here?” Lena asks.

“Not much, mostly just think.”

Lena rolls back onto her back kicking her legs up in the air before letting those fall as well. “It’s so boring around here! No offence I mean, but jeez. Let’s do something.” She says exasperated reaching for her bag at the end. “I brought a little something for us.”

Amelie climbs out of bed to go sit next to her, watching over Lena’s shoulder as she digs through the bag. She rifles through unorganized unfolded clothes until she pulls out a small device.

“I know you used to be a dancer, so I figured you liked music, sorry I didn’t have time to download anything you like, I hope mine is okay.”

Amelie takes the device and thumbs through the library. “Huh, I never figured you as a fan of late twentieth century alternative music.” She pauses to look at Lena. “I guess I can see it though.” Amelie selects a song at random and closes her eyes as she listens. Lena looks at her nervously waiting to see if she enjoys it.

“Not bad I suppose, the guitar is a little… distorted though.” Amelie says, opening her eyes.

“It’s supposed to be like that, silly.” Lena says giggling. “So feel like showing me some of your moves then?”

“Oh I’m not dancing alone, stand up, I will teach you.” Amelie says matter of factly standing and holding out her hand for Lena.

“Oh I don’t know how to–”

“That’s why I’m teaching you.” Amelie says smiling as Lena grabs her hand and stands up. “Grab my arms, and move your feet opposite to mine. Careful not to step on me.”

The two slowly begin dancing together, Lena cautiously mirroring the movements Amelie is making. Their faces next to one another as they observe the movement of the other's feet. Amelie stops before spinning Lena who barely manages to stay on her feet. Both giggle after she survives the ordeal. Amelie guides Lena to dip her and Amelie lifts her leg into the air while leaning back in Lena’s arms. Amelie holds herself in that position looking up at Lena’s face who has her eyes locked on Amelie.

Suddenly the door buzzer sounds, startled Lena loses her grip and Amelie falls to the floor, Lena following soon after. The two land in a tangled mess as Brigitte barges into the room. She pauses at the scene unfolding before her.

“Sorry, is this a bad time?” Brigitte says still standing in the doorway.

The two women collect themselves and separate from each other as they stand. Amelie nervously rubs her arm as Lena walks over to Brigitte.

“Is this about… you know?”

Brigitte nods and Lena ushers her in and pulls out a chair for her. Amelie sits at the foot of her bed as Lena sits down in the opposite chair to Brigitte.

“So I talked to my father and, I’m sorry…” Brigitte says looking down at the table. The room stays silent for a moment.

“Thank you for trying, I know how he can be.” Lena says, placing her hand on Brigitte’s arm.

“He’s just so fucking blockheaded.” She says with a frustrated groan. “I really am sorry girls.”

Amelie pulls her legs up to her chest and leans back against the wall. Lena stands and escorts Brigitte out of the room. Once the door shuts she returns to sit next to Amelie. She begins to speak but stops herself. Deciding merely to comfort Amelie.

“I think, I’m just going to go to sleep, we can try something else tomorrow.” Amelie says quietly.

Lena begins to stand to leave Amelie to go to sleep but her arm is grabbed and she’s pulled back onto the bed.

“Don’t go.”

Lena looks at Amelie nervously. “You want me to…?” She asks timidly.

“Please.”

Lena slowly lays down Amelie moving down with her. The two lay facing opposite each other, the small bed causing them to be pressed up against each other, Amelie against the wall. The two women lay in bed quietly as time passes unnoticed. After a while Amelie’s breath begins to slow down as she drifts off to sleep. In her sleep Amelie rolls to face Lena. Lena feels two cold arms wrap around her waist. She slowly drifts off to sleep as well.

Chapter Text

“You’re telling me you slept in the same twin sized bed, and she had her arms around you, and you still aren’t sure if she likes you?” Lucio asks, flabbergasted.

“Well you know, she needed comfort, maybe there was nothing more to it than that?” Lena responds putting her hands up in defence.

“You are an idiot.” Lucio says with a mouth full of pancakes.

“I don’t know Luce, I don't want to press anything, considering… the circumstances.” Lena says, laying her head on the table.

Lucio nods sympathetically as the two enjoy their breakfasts together. Lena rarely actually eats breakfast but she promised Amelie she would bring something back for her. With her face buried between her arms Lena’s thoughts began to drift to her morning with Amelie.

Lena awoke slowly and disoriented. Unsure of where she was before she heard the slow and subtle but steady breathing of Amelie behind her. Amelie’s long slender arms still wrapped around Lena’s waist, hugging her tightly. Lena was relieved she could still hear her breathing, no nasty side effects of the cellular treatment. Lena buries herself deeper into Amelie seeking warmth, but the woman's body is the same temperature as the bed beneath them. At the cue of Lena’s movement Amelie lets out a sharp exhale and then a yawn.

“Sleep well?” Lena asks.

Amelie’s arms retreat from around Lena and she attempts to roll over onto her back in the small bed. “Well enough, I suppose. Thank you for staying.”

Lena rolls to face Amelie before pushing herself up into a sitting position. “No problem, it was nice.”

Amelie’s stomach growls. Both are suddenly reminded they had skipped dinner last night. Lena stands up off the bed and walks over to her duffle bag grabbing the clothes she had prepared for that day.

“I’ll go pick you up something nice from the mess hall, I’m pretty sure they do breakfast there.”

“Earth to Oxton, do you read me.” Lucio says waving a hand in front of Lena’s face as she lifts it up from the table. Lucio fades back into her vision as he’s stuffing another pancake in his mouth.

The two are interrupted by Cassidy sitting down next to Lucio. He sighs as Lena grabs her tray to get up and leave, putting his hands up in surrender.

“Just hold on a minute, I know you hate me right now but… I need your help, there’s nobody else I trust enough for this, just hear me out.” Cassidy says quietly, trying not to let anybody hear.

Lena pauses if Cole is asking for help it must be serious, he’s not one to admit when he’s out of his depth. “Fine, what is it?”

“Thank you, I’ve been working on a little side project for a while now, don’t worry Morrison knows about it, it's above board. I’m looking for somebody, and an old contact of mine I asked to keep an ear to the ground wants to set up a meeting about it. Problem is… me and this contact have… history.”

Lena’s curiosity now piqued she inquires further. “What kind of history?”

“Let’s just say she wouldn’t be too displeased if I turned up dead. Her name’s Elizabeth Caledonia Ashe, current leader of the Deadlock gang.” Cassidy explains.

“So if she wants you dead, why’s she helping you?” Lena asks.

“Very likely as a ruse to try and kill me.” Cassidy says with a chuckle.

“So that’s why you want my help.”

“Exactly, a possible lead on this is important, even if it's coming from her.”

Lena thinks over her options before a question pops into her mind. “Who are you looking for?”

Cassidy glances around the room before whispering to Lena. “Not here. Are you in?”

“Sure, Cole.”

Cassidy escorted Lena back to Amelie’s cell as she carried a healthy stack of pancakes.

“So, my target is an ex-blackwatch member turned Talon, Dr. Moira O’Deorain. You’ve heard of her I imagine.”

“Nothing good, but yeah, Angela has told me a bit about her, and the research O’Deorain stole from her.” Lena responds.

“Word is, she’s a top dog around Talon these days, take out someone like that, the whole organization shakes.” Cassidy says grimly as the two arrive at Amelie’s cell.

“You know, Amelie was pretty high up in Talon, maybe she knows something.” Lena suggests eager for a chance to prove Amelie’s value.

Cassidy looks to the door thoughtfully before shrugging and pressing on the door release. With a loud buzzer the door opens. He pushes past the door Lena behind him. At his entrance Amelie quickly jolts out of bed. Cassidy takes the pancakes out of Lenas hand and throws them down onto the table.

“Sit, I’d like to have a little chat.”

Amelie sits down and begins on her pancakes as Cassidy stares her down. The two sit locked in their stalemate for a minute before Cassidy places a recorder down on the table and presses to start it.

“Ms. Lacroix, you are a former Talon agent, yes?”

“I was.”

“Do you know this woman?” He pulls a photograph of Moira O’Deorain from his coat.

Amelie flinches at the picture. “That’s the woman who… made me like this.” She says quietly.

“The record shows the picture was of Moira O’Deorain.” Cassidy says into the recorder before turning back to Amelie. “Do you know where she’s based? Any known associates?”

“I was drugged anytime I was taken to see her, but it was not a base I recognized. As for associates, I heard a lot of voices during my times with her, the drugs made it very hard to recognize faces, though I could never forget hers. I think Ogundimu was there a lot.”

“You mean Akande Ogundimu, Doomfist?” Cassidy asks for clarification.

“Yes.”

“Thank you for your help Ms. Lacroix, is there anything else you can recall about Dr. O’Deorain?” He asks picking up his recorder.

“I don’t know much about the woman, but I will never forget her.”

Cassidy shuts off the recorder and places it back in his coat. “Lena and I have some business to attend to. Enjoy your breakfast Amelie.”

Lena and Amelie exchange a short glance, Lena grabs her hand and squeezes it. “We’ll talk as soon as I get back.”

Cassidy and Lena leave Amelie in her cell once again. The two walk to the Blackwatch jet and settle into the cockpit.

“So where are we headed, cowboy?” Lena says hands on the flight computer.

“Meet is set for Reno.”

Lena plugs the coordinates into the flight computer and begins the take off sequence of the craft. “Why didn’t you bring Genji? Surely he’d be a much easier sell than me.” Lena asks him as the plane lifts into the air.

“I would have truth be told, save me an awkward conversation, but him and Zenyatta fucked off to the Himalayas or something to do whatever those Shambalis do all day.” Cassidy explains resuming his usual position with his boots on the console.

The two settled in for a long trip across the world, in the high speed jet it would take about four hours to cross the Atlantic Ocean and North American continent. Cassidy occupies the trip regaling Lena with stories of his times with Ashe in the Deadlock gang. The two finally touch down in Reno early in the morning local time.

The two walk out of the jet onto the runway and are greeted by a black car with tinted windows. As they exit the car horn sounds and the passenger window rolls down. Cassidy leans forward to speak to the woman behind the window and the huge omnic in the driver’s seat.

“Good morning.”

“Shut up, get in.”

“Yes ma’am.” Cassidy responds grinning.

Lena and Cassidy both climb into the back seat and the omnic pulls away from the airport. Ashe clears her throat and pulls something from the glovebox. At her movement Cassidy tenses and his hand shoots to his belt.

“Relax cowpoke, If I wanted to kill you now I wouldn’t be stupid enough to try and outshoot you. B.O.B would do it.” She says with a laugh, turning around to hand Cassidy a folder. He flips through it to see pictures of a news report with blurry pictures of Moira in them.

“This your gal?” Ashe asks, turning back around to face the road.

“The very one, how’d she make the headlines?” Cassidy asks, handing the folder back to her.

“Big chemical plant robbery, normally not my concern, but we’re being blamed. And you know I’m not one to complain about free cred, thing is, they must have stolen something big. Military’s been hot on our trail ever since the robbery. So I figured you want this woman for something and I want my name cleared, our goals align for once.” She explains as B.O.B drives them through the streets of Reno.

He drives them to an abandoned warehouse where a few non descript men loiter about outside, as the car approaches one of them opens the gate. The car pulls into the warehouse which has even more of Ashe’s men inside, they litter the catwalks and warehouse floor all watching the car intently and Ashe and B.O.B exit followed by Lena and Cassidy.

“Welcome to our home for the time being, until this little matter is resolved. Now Cole, who’s she? Another one of your girlfriends you're going to break the heart of? She asks mockingly.

Cassidy laughs loudly. “Her? God no.”

Lena scowls at Cassidy. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well… I, um, hey ain’t you a lesbian anyway? What do you care?”

Ashe laughs at the two. “Cute, now down to business. My intel suggests your target is still in the city, she’s been having trouble getting her spoils out of town, considering the military presence, we don’t have forever though, the military is looking for me, not her.” She explains laying out a map of the city. “We’re set up in this warehouse here. Likely she’s in a nearby one somewhere abouts here. I would have gone and searched but my men are being looked for, and I don’t trust any of my local contacts enough, so that's what you’re here for.”

“So you want us to scout her position, report back to you, we attack together, I get the doctor, you get to return the stolen merchandise back to the government. We all go home happy. Sound about right?” Cassidy says from behind his cigarette.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Ashe says impressed.

“Off we go then Tracer.”

The two head out into the cool morning air of Reno to poke about the warehouse district, peering through windows at rows of nondescript boxes, sneaking their way onto occupied warehouses to inspect them, it’s not until they are thoroughly worn out that they get their first hint of Talon. The outside of the warehouse looks abandoned, but fresh well defined tracks in the sand driveway indicate the gate has been opened recently and often. Lena and Cassidy climb the fence and crouch behind a crate outside listening for any signs of activity. When they hear nothing they both creep towards a window and peer inside. Talon mercenaries patrol the warehouse, with special attention being paid to a certain crate in the far corner.

With this discovery the two immediately exit the warehouse grounds and return to Ashe, the men outside let them in and they return to the base of operations of the deadlock gang. With the findings relayed the gang gets ready. Loading vans and starting up the hoverbikes. The gang rolls out.

The lead van bursts through the gate of the warehouse. Cassidy, Lena, Ashe, and B.O.B are all sitting in the second van through the gate followed quickly by a small fleet of hoverbikes. The gang dismounts their vehicles and rushes to the warehouse. They find an empty building. Coffee still adorning the tables in the corner. Talon noticed their snooping, and made a hasty exit.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Cassidy groans in frustration.

“Is it still here?” Ashe asks frantically. Searching around the room.

“I think it’s that crate.” Cassidy says feeling defeated pointing at the crate he had noticed earlier.

Ashe rushes over to the crate, from a local chemical manufacturer, the stolen crate the government was looking for. Talon took off without it in their haste to get away from them. Ashe breathes a sigh of relief that's soon interrupted by the sounds of heavy armored vehicles outside, soon followed by shouting and boots hitting the ground. A gruff voice sounds over a megaphone.

“Ms. Ashe, we have you surrounded, let’s see some hands out here.”

“Shit. B.O.B be a doll and open a window for me.” Ashe says. B.O.B complies and she stands aside the window shouting out of it. “This ain't what it looks like, General. Why don’t you step inside and we can talk-”

“We’re past the talking stage on this one Elizabeth. Hands up, outside. I mean it. I’m giving you until the count of three. One… Two… Three!”

On three two APCs burst through the wall of the warehouse and soldiers rush outside guns drawn. Immediately the deadlock gang takes cover and returns fire. Lena and Cassidy take cover behind a crate with Ashe.

“Lena, call the plane around, this situation no longer concerns us.” Cassidy shouts over the gun fire and Lena complies.

“Cutting and running again eh, Cole. Whatever, never needed you in the first place.” She peeks over the crate at B.O.B standing around as the gang fights the soldiers. “B.O.B, they’re eating us alive out there. Do something!” With her command B.O.B springs to life and begins gunning down the military but is quickly surrounded and overwhelmed.

Within a minute the Blackwatch jet has pulled up to the warehouse and crashes down through the sky light, dropping a ladder for Cassidy and Lena who both grab it immediately.

“Things seem properly fucked around here Elizabeth.” Cassidy says with a sad smile on his face. “You don’t have to go down with the ship on this one. Come with me.”

“I’m not a traitor like you.” She hisses back at him firing pin point accurate shots from her Viper.

“Look around you Ashe, there’s nothing left to betray, Deadlock is done.” He says holding out a hand to her.

She pauses for a minute before banging her hand on the crate she's behind. “Oh, fuck you cowpoke.” She slaps his hand. “Give me that ladder, we’re getting out of here. B.O.B sweetheart, let's go!”

With her prompting B.O.B barrels through the group of soldiers all firing at him sending them flying up in the air and leaps to grab ahold of the jet. Once everyone is secure it flies away leaving the battle to die down below them.

The three collapse onto the floor as the plane quickly flies away back towards the Watchpoint, first opening the doors to allow B.O.B to climb in.

“You know Ashe, I’ve got a job opening in Overwatch, if you ever fancied working together again.”

Ashe sighs laying flat on her back. “That does sound nice, even if I kind of still want to kill you.”

“All my best friends kind of want to kill me sometimes, ain’t that right Lena?” Cassidy says laughing as she waves him off and heads for the cockpit.

“Oh boy, she does seem mad at you.” Ashe says sitting up.

“Yeah… there’s this former talon assassin we captured, Lena wants to give her a second chance in Overwatch but, I’m not so sure.”

“So I deserve a second chance in Overwatch, but she doesn't? Sounds like bullshit to me.” Ashe says as she gets up to lay on the couch.

Cassidy sighs deeply before standing up and heading to the cockpit.

“You sure she isn’t one of your girlfriends? I seem to remember you always screwing up royally and me telling you how to bail yourself out.” She calls after him with a chuckle.

Cassidy sits next to Lena in the cockpit. She doesn’t turn to face him, instead staying focused on the ship controls.

“Thanks for your help today Lena.” He says quietly.

“Don’t mention it, it's what friends do. They help you.” She responds through gritted teeth.

“Right, they do, and I’ve been a bad friend.” He admits looking down at his lap. “I’ll reconsider my stance on Amelie alright?”

Lena lights up. “You will?”

“Now hold on, I’m not making any promises except that I’ll think about it alright.” He says holding his hands between them.

“Well, that's better than nothing I suppose.” She concedes.

Lena spends most of the flight home listening to Cassidy and Ashe catch up and shares stories of their adventures since his leaving of the Deadlock gang. She feels a sense of tension and animosity between the two of them begin to slowly melt away. Ashe still hasn’t forgiven Cassidy for what he did to her, but maybe they can move on from it.

When the jet lands on the Watchpoint Cassidy takes Ashe to go see the commander leaving Lena alone on the helipad to be greeted by Angela.

“Hey Lena, I had this idea for a test I wanted to run, could you help me?”

Amelie sat alone in her cell thinking about her interview with Cassidy earlier that day. She was shaken by the conversation. Dr. O’Deorain had been a distant heavily repressed memory in her mind before then. Now she sat right in the forefront, once again coming back to haunt her. She laid in her bed beneath her blanket hoping sleep would come take her soon when her door opened, and Lena entered.

“Oh, sorry, are you trying to sleep?” She whispered into the room.

“Not to great effect, but yes.”

Lena walks further in and smiles. “Well maybe I can help with that. Angela wants to run a test to see how you fare outside of the controlled environment of your cell.” As she says that she flashes the Caduceus staff to Amelie. “You interested?”

Amelie smiles, this test sounds less than medically necessary to her, but Lena seems completely unaware of Angela’s real intentions. “Of course! I mean, you know, if Dr. Ziegler thinks it’s a good idea.”

Lena leads Amelie towards her quarters by the Caduceus staff, this time with the blessing of Dr. Ziegler, even if still without the knowledge of the Strike Commander. The two enter Lena’s room, clothes are strewn about all over the floor, records and books line the one desk in the corner of the room. Lena pushes all the clothes into one corner with her feet.

“There, all better.” She turns to lock the door. “Tonight, no one is coming barging in to take you for questioning, or to give you bad news, or to assign me a mission. Just us, two girls, having a nice sleepover.”

Lena sits on the floor, and Amelie soon joins her, sighing deeply in relief. This is exactly what she’s been needing. Then a thought crosses her mind. She looks about the room and sees just Lena’s bed, a small bed carved out of the rock face of the mountain, with a thin mattress that seems like it hasn’t been made in weeks.

“Where am I going to sleep? I don’t mind shar-” She begins timidly, trying to hide her excitement at the prospect.

Lena cuts her off confidently. “You don’t sleep in a bed during a sleepover silly, I have sleeping bags. That’s what the girls in the movies did at least.”

Amelie smiles and laughs, inwardly sighing at how frustratingly oblivious this girl can be at times. “Well since you brought up movies, why not watch one?” She asks changing the subject to hide her disappointment.

“Ooh, great idea, I know the perfect one, it's my favorite movie in the whole world, it's about this- nevermind let's just watch it, here’s your sleeping bag, I’m going to get changed, ahhhh, I’m so excited.” Lena shouts, barely able to control herself or catch her breath between thoughts.

Amelie climbs into her sleeping bag happily, soon Lena puts the movie on and crawls into her own next to Amelie, who subtly inches closer to her to feel her body's warmth. The two enjoy the movie silently, laying on the ground next to each other. Lena suddenly yawns, stretching out her arm and laying it above Amelie’s head. Amelie catches the hint and lifts her head so Lena can wordlessly slide her arm underneath. They both fall asleep fully content.

Chapter Text

Amelie wakes with her sleeping bag she had kicked off of her in her sleep at her feet. Her head laying on Lena’s chest, her arm laying across her as well. She buries herself deeper into Lena trying not to let the moment end. Her movement doesn’t cause Lena to stir, leaving Amelie to continue rising and falling with her chest. Immersed in her body heat and movement Amelie drifts back off to sleep.

After a time back asleep, Amelie is once again roused, this time by a movement beneath her. She wakes to see Lena’s eyes staring back at her. Lena brushes Amelie’s hair out of her face and smiles at her. She pulls herself up into a sitting position leaning against the wall. Amelie sits up with her, continuing to stay leaned against her.

“So how’d you sleep? Feel any different?” Lena asks, her voice sounding sleepy.

“I slept wonderfully, I feel wonderful.” Amelie responds.

“Good, I’ll let Angela know.” Lena says.

“You do that.” Amelie says, giggling at Lena’s obliviousness to the true nature of their night together. “How was your mission with Cassidy?” She asks, trying to distract from her need to return to her cell.

“It went well, he agreed to reconsider his position, and maybe is better than no.” Lena says, rubbing her hand on Amelie’s shoulder.

The two lay together a while longer before finally accepting its time to go. Lena has to attend a New Blackwatch meeting, and Amelie must return to her cell.

Lena headed to the New Blackwatch office after dropping off Amelie to see Genji and Cassidy sitting in their usual spots and Ashe standing next to Morrison at the front of the room. She takes her seat and Morrison nods to her.

“It looks like New Blackwatch has found their first recruit, thanks to Cassidy.” Lena gives a quiet clap to Morrison’s announcement but nobody picks up the applause. “However, given her relationship with Cole, I feel it's unwise to give him direct command over her, So Ms. Ashe, who would you like to work under?” He asks her, waving a hand to Lena and Genji.

“I think I’ll take Lena, Cassidy speaks highly of her.” She says with a smile, winking to Lena.

“Very well, Captain Oxton, congratulations on your first agent.” Morrison says with a polite smile and nod. “Take a seat Elizabeth.”

Ashe sits down behind Lena and turns her attention towards Morrison.

“Before I let you get back to your days I have another announcement. I’m grounding all of you until the trial is over, with it being so close, and all of you being involved, we can’t risk an op running long. Plus it gives some time to train your new recruit. Alright everyone, dismissed.”

The New Blackwatch members stand up and exit the office, Ashe staying close to Lena as they leave and break apart to go about their days.

“So, what should I do boss?” Ashe acts expectantly.

“I suppose a tour is in order.” Lena says with a shrug. “Have you been assigned a room yet?”

“I have not, regrettably I spent last night in Cassidy’s bed, don’t worry though, he was on the couch.” Ashe says with a giggle at the end.

“Well let’s go get you one then.” Lena says, leading her away.

The two women arrive in the office of the base manager. Lena sits down on her desk and leans over to her. “Hey Mei, are you busy?”

The short woman swivels her chair away from the other desk behind the forward facing one. “I suppose this paper could use a break. Do you need something?” Mei-Ling Zhou says, pulling herself away from her computer.

“Would you have an empty room for a new recruit?” Lena asks, pulling Ashe closer to Mei.

“I think we had a room available on -3 let me check.” Mei begins typing at another computer. Mei was a busy woman, working as an Overwatch Agent, the base manager of Watchpoint Gibraltar, and a leading climatologist. She kept her office split into the two different sides of her life, her personal and her Overwatch.

“Yeah, we do, room -310 should be empty. Here let me make you a keycard.” She says typing more on her computer. “And there you are.” She hands Ashe the key to her new room on the base.

“Alright, let's show you to the mess hall, then we will get you set up in your room.” Lena says, leading Ashe out of Mei’s office. They walk down a flight of stairs and around a corner past the entrance to the prison. Lena is about to call that out when she notices Zenyatta entering that very door. She stops in her tracks and her heart begins racing. There’s only one prisoner at Watchpoint Gibraltar.

“Um, the mess hall is further down that way, I need to take care of something urgent, get yourself something to eat, I’ll be back.” She rambles vaguely at Ashe before rushing off to catch up to Zenyatta.

Amelie settled back into her prison cell after the best night she could remember. She could still feel Lena’s warmth in her body, one that still couldn’t produce much heat of its own. After ten minutes of laying thinking of her, Amelie’s door buzzer sounds. She shoots up hoping it's Lena returning but instead she is greeted by Zenyatta. Her heart drops into her stomach.

“Would you mind if I came in Ms. Lacroix?” The omnic asks quietly.

“Be my guest.” She says politely.

Zenyatta floats over to the table and Amelie joins him sitting down. As the two sit in uncomfortable silence Lena bursts in.

“Ah Ms. Oxton, please do join us, I was just about to have a conversation with Ms. Lacroix, one a long time coming.” He says gesturing to the other chair he left empty.

“I had a very fruitful conversation with Genji the other day, we gave each other counsel on the matter I’m sure has been very present in your minds, as it has mine. He seemed very conflicted between his trust and loyalty in you Ms. Oxton and his trust in loyalty to me. And he did as you two seem as well to believe that those two perspectives are at odds.” Zenyatta begins in his usual philosophical cadence.

Lena nervously fidgets in her chair. “What do you mean?” She asks.

“Yes, I have ample reasons to hate Ms. Lacroix, this is true. I have felt this hatred before. But hatred is not an emotion I am proud of. I was relieved when I learned of your desire to walk a better path, one where those feelings I had for you may wane in time.”

“Zenyatta, I'm sorry, what are you talking about?” Lena asks exasperated.

“What I am trying to say if you would be so patient, Ms Oxton, is that if Amelie Lacroix wishes to work towards a better future for herself she will find an ally in me, not an adversary. I knew my desire to see a peaceful future between omnics and humans would eventually test me, it has before, and it does now once more. Can I truly reconcile with those who have stood against my goals in the past but earnestly wish to change now? I am certain that yes, I can.”

“So you’re going to vote to acquit me then Zenyatta?” Amelie asks hopefully.

“I shall, as will Genji, you have our support. I hope you will use the second life I am voting to give you well Ms. Lacroix.” He says. “If any of you need anything, I am one merely question away.”

Zenyatta bows deeply exiting the room silently leaving the two women stunned. The surprise soon gives way to celebration. Lena jumps up and runs to hug Amelie, holding her so hard she lets out a small squeak, prompting Lena to let up.

“If my count is correct, that's five with us, one maybe and and only three against!” Lena says with tears in her eyes. “We can do this.”

For the first time in the past weeks with Overwatch Amelie feels some optimism for her future. In relief she collapses back into her bed. Letting out the biggest sigh of her life. For the first time she felt like she could really win this.

“I’m so happy for you Amelie.” Lena says, smiling through her tears of happiness. ”I wish I could stay and celebrate but I have a new agent under me and I promised her a tour and I really have to get back to it.” She continues apologetically.

“That's okay Lena. I need… time to process.”

“Hey, maybe my next tour will be for you.” Lena says as she leaves the cell.

Lena returns to the mess hall to see Ashe sitting across from Angela looking very disinterested in whatever the doctor is rambling about. Lena swoops in quickly to rescue, sitting down next to her.

“I see you’ve met the new recruit Angela?” Lena says interjecting.

“She sure has, and was giving me an… enlightening lecture on nanobiology.” Ashe says, sounding deflated.

“Yes yes, as I was saying-” Mercy starts.

“Sorry tours gotta keep moving.” Lena says, standing up and pulling Ashe to her feet.

“I’ll come find you after the tour!” Angela shouts as they walk away from her.

“Thanks for the save.” Ashe says with a sigh of relief as they exit the mess hall and continue the tour.

Lena shows her to the training facilities on the base, a gym, a shooting range, and an obstacle course, and outlines the minimum required training regimen for every agent. She shows Ashe to the staff office area, including the New Blackwatch office she had already seen, Commander Morrison’s office, and the Offices of Captain Chase and Amari, both away on missions at the moment. Before finally taking her back to her room, where B.O.B was already waiting.

“You’re free to decorate your room however you wish. Now let's take you to the armorer to make sure your equipment fits Overwatch standards.”

Lena led her to the armory that was on the same floor as Ashe’s room. Inside Torbjorn was hard at work on some piece of machinery. His face dropped a little when he saw Lena.

“Are you here about her again?” He asked, sounding exhausted.

“Not this time, I’ve got work for you.” Lena says, causing Torbjorn’s face to light up.

Ashe sets her Viper rifle and coach gun on to the table in front of Torbjorn who begins inspecting the craftsmanship with a magnifying glass.

“Good quality stuff you have here, could use some maintenance though, I guess cleaning and oiling haven't always been high on your priority list.” Torbjorn jokes.

“Not quite, I also like to use this incendiary dynamite. I was wondering if you could make me some more of that.” Ashe asks.

“No doubt.” Torbjorn says starting his work on Ashe’s equipment. The two women leave him to it in his workshop and return to the outside of her quarters.

“Alright, that should be everything, you’re free to do as you wish on the base, just make sure to keep up with your training. Also, Welcome to Overwatch.”

Chapter Text

Lena woke up to a single message. From Angela Ziegler, “Captain Amari is returning to base, she called Morrison while I was in his office, she doesn’t sound happy, it's about Amelie.”

Lena’s heart sank at the message. Ana Amari had nothing but hatred and animosity left for Widowmaker. The murderer of a trusted colleague, and the woman who took her eye. Her arrival could only spell bad news for the two. With Amelie’s trial tomorrow morning, bad news couldn’t be afforded. Lena quickly got out of bed and called a meeting with Winston and Angela and asked her to pick up Amelie as well. Lena met the three others in Angela’s office all sporting grim expressions on their faces.

“Maybe we’re worried over nothing right? It’s not like she has a vote or anything, sure she’ll pitch a fit but at the end of the day it's out of her hands.” Lena says optimistically.

“We all know she's going to demand a spot on the council, and Morrison will probably give it to her. Let’s get started with your cell therapy early today Amelie, I want to have a free schedule for when Ana arrives.” Angela responds, turning to start up the machine.

Lena leaves to anxiously pace around the base before attending a Blackwatch training exercise. Cassidy and Ashe insisted on group target practice every few days to ensure that Lena and Genji, who often ignored that training requirement, were staying sharp. Lena worked out her anxiety into a paper target for an hour before Ana’s arrival.

Most of Overwatch was crowded around the landing platform. The gossip of Ana Amari’s return to the Watchpoint had spread to everyone by now. She had joined Morrison in finally accepting the recall but chose to stay in the field instead of returning to her duties as an Overwatch captain. She had spent the last few months fighting small Talon cells with her daughter across the world.

Everyone around the helipad was excited as the plane touched down. They all held their breath as the doors opened into stairs leading down. The crowd broke into claps and cheers as a tall Egyptian woman in a suit of blue armor emerged with a serious expression on her face. Her face softened and she gave a cheerful wave to the crowd as she noticed the cheers. Fareeha turned to help her mother disembark herself. The cheers only grew louder at Ana Amari’s appearance but was silenced by her clearing her throat.

“Thank you for the warm welcome everyone, I wish I were here on pleasure so I could stop to say hello to each and everyone of you. But my arrival is one of less than happy circumstances… isn’t that right Jack.” Ana addresses the crowd turning to Morrison at the end.

Morrison shuffles uncomfortably in front of the short old woman. Offering her only a meek smile.

“You did not inform me of this so-called trial of Widowmaker, though I’m sure you knew it would be of interest to me. How would you feel if I decided to forgive Reyes of all his crimes without consulting you Jack? I’m insulted, I will be given a spot on this council.” She demands.

“I chose the council to have an odd number of people so there couldn’t be a tie.” Jack said nervously. “For your spot somebody would have to step down and I wouldn’t ask-”

“Torbjorn will step down.” Ana says with finality.

“I chose Torbjorn for his seniority he-”

“Baptiste then.” She says growing impatient.

“He was chosen for his personal experience in a case like this I-”

“Shimada will give me his spot.” She says finally snapping at him.

Jack offers no retort to her latest suggestion and after a moment of silence Genji bows before Ana.

“Of course, my spot is yours.” Genji assures her.

“There, all sorted, I’m going to be in my office if anybody needs me.”

Lena stood there in dismay. The vote now four to four, with Cassidy still not giving a straight answer on how he planned to vote. Lena awaited Ana Amari’s arrival with as much optimism as she could muster, only to be shot down by the worst possible outcome. As the crowd began to disperse around her a new resolve took hold of her body. She would confront Ana.

Lena collected her courage outside Ana’s office, working up the nerve to finally turn the door handle when it suddenly swung open in front of her. Ana sat on the other side with a confused look on her face. “Lena dear, what are you standing around out there for? Come in, come in.”

With the invitation Lena finally had the inertia to finally enter Captain Amari’s office and sit down in front of her desk.

“I was just about to put on some tea, lucky for you. And the candy on the desk might be older than the collapse of overwatch but, help yourself dear.” Ana says with a smile.

Lena stuffed 3 hard candies into her mouth to quiet her worries. Before working up the courage to try to convince Ana.

“Amelie has-”

Ana scoffed. “Is that what you’re calling her now?”

“It’s what she wants to be called. She’s changed a lot since her days as Widowmaker. She’s trying to turn a new leaf, to be a better person going forward. She was brainwashed by Talon, drugged to be obedient. She’s not who we thought she was.” Lena explains desperately.

Ana places a cup of tea in front of Lena and sits down across from her. “That woman is going to prison, if I had my way all those years ago, she would be dead. That’s final.”

Lena stands without touching her tea.

“Dear, I don’t understand how you can defend this woman after all she’s done, I-”

“Fuck you, Ana.”

Ana looks down somberly at her tea. A deep sigh forming in her chest. “I’m not sorry.”

“Neither am I.”

Lena stormed out of Ana’s office in a huff. She needed to talk to Angela, someone Ana respects more, someone she listened to. All that Ana thought was that Lena was a stupid kid who didn’t know how the world worked. Lena briskly walked down to Angela’s office to find it empty, she wasn’t anywhere in the med bay.

Lena instead went to her quarters, her anger wearing off and replaced by the sense of dread she had become so accustomed to last week. Without thinking she opened the door to Angela’s quarters. She was greeted by Dr. Ziegler and Fareeha Amari laying together in bed shirtless, a blanket pulled up to their shoulders.

“Oh my god, Lena, knock next time, what do you need?” Angela asked, pulling the blanket further up her body.

“Shit, I’m so sorry, I just talked to Ana, I really need your help.” Lena said.

“Oh yeah, mother sure is angry, I’m sure that went great.” Fareeha said as she sat up, the blanket sliding down off her. Lena quickly averts her eyes. Fareeha gives her a chuckle and she stands to get dressed.

“Turn around Lena, I’m getting out of bed.” Angela calls, before also putting her clothes back on.

“I’ll leave you two to talk, good to see you again Oxton.” Fareeha says giving Lena a pat on the back as she leaves the room.

Lena turns back to Angela with a bright red face. Lena is sitting in the bed clothes sloppily put back on her.

“I didn’t know you two were together.” Lena says.

Angela puts her glass back on and sighs. “We aren’t”

“Oh”

“We tried it for a while, but the domestic life of Overwatch’s head doctor just didn't suit her, and I wasn’t happy never getting to see her. It's nice when I go out, or she comes back though, a few nights of pretending everything worked out after all.” Angela continued a mote of longing in her voice. “But you don’t want to listen to an old woman yearn for something that can’t be anymore, we have a woman we can still help.”

“Can you talk to Ana? Maybe she’ll listen to you.” Lena pleads with her.

Angela pulls Lena into a hug. “Of course, meanwhile, you need to go make sure Cassidy is with us. If I can’t convince Ana, it’s all down to him.”

Lena stands back up and nods. “We’re going to do this.”

“Hell yeah we are.”

Lena approached Cassidy in his room, he was talking into his recorder when she arrived but he quickly put it away. He signals for her to take a seat on his couch. Cassidy is seated in his office chair.

“Interesting day huh?” He asks, raising his eyebrows.

“I need to know you’ll vote for her Cole.” She pleads breaking down into tears.

“Lena, I told you, I’m trying here, it’s not an easy decision for me.” Cassidy responds.

“You don’t understand… I-”

“I understand plenty, I sympathize, I really do, but this is a big deal for me, it goes against my moral code to just let her off the hook Lena.”

“Cole! You don’t understand… I’m in love with her.” Lena shouts at him.

“Oh… shit… yeah.” He deflates in his chair and swivels to face away from Lena. “I see that now.”

Lena sighs deeply and lays back onto his couch.

“You’re still asking me to let a woman who’s committed countless murders walk Lena. I’ll know what to say when Jack calls on me. That’s all I can promise.” Cassidy says facing away from Lena.

Lena stands and goes to leave his quarters. “Please Cole.” With no response she simply leaves his room.

Amelie sits alone in her cell, nobody has come to visit her since she got the news of Amari’s arrival. After a whole day of being left to stew in her own thoughts her door finally opens. Lena is here. She enters with a sad defeated expression on her face, she had been crying and had only just stopped right outside Amelie’s door. Lena sat down next to Amelie in her bed.

“How’s it looking?” Amelie asks cautiously.

“Ana replaced Genji on the council and Cassidy still won’t give me a straight answer, it’s looking like a coinflip to me.” Lena responds sounding defeated.

“Shit.”

“Amelie.” Lena begins, a new sense of vigor and seriousness entering her voice. “No matter what happens, no matter how they vote, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“You don’t mean-”

“I do. If they vote to convict you, I won’t let them take you.” Lena says with conviction.

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

Lena leans in closer to Amelie. “You aren’t asking, and neither am I.”

“Lena, I…” Amelie trails off, Lena so close she can feel her breath on her face.

Wordlessly Lena leans further in until their lips touch. Her arms wrapped around Amelie’s lower back pulling her deeper into the kiss. Amelie lets herself be absorbed into the warmth of Lena’s lips. The warmth she first felt back in that Boston apartment. After a while Lena begins to pull away but Amelie pushes forward, until Lena finally frees herself from the kiss.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Amelie, we’re going to win this.” She says, her voice sounding shaky.

Chapter Text

Lena paced around her room early in the afternoon, she tried to visit Amelie but she had been taken from her cell before Lena woke up. The judges had been informed they were not to speak to each other the day of trial and they would be called down one by one. Lena was anxiously waiting in her room for her summons.

The TV was playing nothing of importance, news about a clash in Reno, more growing unrest about omnics in London. Results of a football match in Spain. News of Andalusian politics. The sound of the TV hardly helped Lena’s anxiety.

Finally she heard a knock at her door. She rushed to open it and was greeted by Jack Morrison. “You and I are all they’re waiting on. Shall we?” He says signalling Lena forward, acting cordially in spite of the two’s opposition.

“Yes.” Lena said with determination, taking Jack’s side as they walked to the conference room. Lena carefully took every step as she felt her body’s autopilot shut off and she was in full manual control, feeling every process in her body as she marched to the trial she had anticipated for two weeks.

Every other judge sat quietly inside the conference room, they were soon joined by Tracer and Soldier 76. All nine of them gathered on the day of Amelie’s judgment, for better or worse Amelie’s future would change forever. All Lena could do was hope for the better. The silence is finally broken by Morrison clearing his throat.

“When I call for votes, I’ll do it clockwise starting with Baptiste, and ending with Cassidy. Before we begin, would anybody like to say a few words?”

Lena stands quickly before walking to take her place in front of Amelie. She gives her a weak smile. Her mouth runs dry as she turns to face the panel, the ceiling lights seem blinding from where she’s standing and she can hardly make out anyone’s faces, she can’t decide if that makes it easier or harder. Regardless, she begins.

“I’m not trying to deny Amelie Lacroix’s past as Widowmaker, but what I am asking you to do is to give her a future as somebody else. She spent years under the control of Talon, who deluded her into thinking what she was doing was right, who drugged her into not knowing what was happening at all. If you would honestly deny her a chance at making her own life for herself, an option she hasn’t had for years, maybe you’re the real monster who should be sitting in her chair. Don’t decide for the horrors of Widowmaker, decide for the old Amelie some of you once knew, for the new Amelie you haven’t gotten the chance to know yet. Please vote to acquit Amelie, my friend.”

Tears form in her eyes at the end of her speech, with a long pause she resumes her seat allowing the next person to speak.

Ana Amari stands from her seat. She slowly approaches Amelie, a scowl across her face. She turns to face the panel with confidence Lena could only dream of.

“Lena speaks of second chances, something Widowmaker’s victims will never get, something she took from some of your friends, something she tried to take from me, something she took from millions of omnics around the world with the murder of Mondatta. Widowmaker is a ticking time bomb, a possible Talon sleeper agent, an international criminal. What will you tell the United Nations if they discover we allowed Widowmaker to leave our prison? A vote to acquit Widowmaker is a spit in the face of everyone she hurt, and a vote to destroy Overwatch once again. We already act outside of the law, violating the Petras Act with our mere existence, barely tolerated by national governments. Something like this is all Talon is waiting for to expose us. Vote to convict Widowmaker, or vote for your own downfall.

Ana takes her seat once more. Nobody else stands to speak, and the voting commences.

“Jean-Baptiste Augustin?”

“Convict”

“Winston?”

“Acquit”

“Lena Oxton?”

“Acquit”

“Torbjorn Lindholm?”

“Convict”

“Tekhartha Zenyatta”

“Acquit”

“Ana Amari?”

“Convict”

“Angela Ziegler?”

“Acquit”

“Jack Morrison, Myself, Convict.”

“Cole Cassidy?”

Sweat forms on Cassidy’s brow. He takes off his hat and places it on the table, taking a deep breath. The clarity he hoped would come to him when his name was called seems to have not. The vote was tied, four to four. It all came down to his. He wiped his brow and furrowed it. The whole room in quiet anticipation waiting for his prolonged silence to come to an end. With a deep sigh he finally answered.

“Acquit”

The room was instantly ablaze with argument, unquenchable by Morrison’s shouting to quiet. Accusations of being heartless monsters, and of not caring about the future of Overwatch. Only one thing was on Lena’s mind, the same thing on Amelie’s, each other. Lena ran to Amelie and wrapped her in a tight hug. A downpour of tears soaking each of their shoulders. Finally peeling herself from the cacophony Angela approaches the two.

“Here take my staff, bring her to your room, I don’t think you sticking around here is in your best interests.” She shouts trying to be heard over the arguments.

Lena and Amelie both quickly and quietly exit the conference room. Unaware that they’re being followed. They head straight for Lena’s room and both collapse onto the floor exhausted.

“We fucking did it Amelie!” Lena shouts in excitement.

Lena sat looking over Amelie who was laying flat on her back. The two smiled at each other, for the first time since Lena truly met Amelie, they had nothing hanging over their heads, no little grain of fear in the back of their minds spoiling the few moments of fun they got to cherish.

“Bravo.” Cassidy’s voice calls from the now open doorway.

Lena and Amelie both jolt to attention.

“Thank you so much Cole, I’m so glad you really thought about what I told you last night.” Lena says, wiping tears.

Cassidy shuts the door and leans against the wall observing the two. “Yeah, I thought about it, and to be honest I disregarded it pretty quickly, but then I had another thought. About Ashe, about myself, about your speech today Lena. You know, Amelie a long long time ago, a man named Gabriel Reyes approached me in a maximum security prison, and offered me an ultimatum. You can rot in a maximum security prison for the rest of your life or, you can come work for me. So I got to thinking…” Cassidy announces pausing at the end.

“You can spend the rest of your life running from Talon and the law or, you can come work for me, in Blackwatch.”

Amelie sat stunned for a moment before the only answer she could think of formed on her lips. “Yes.”

“Ana won’t be happy about this.” Lena remarks.

“She has no authority over New Blackwatch recruitment.” Cassidy says with a confident smile. “Let’s get one thing straight though Lacroix, you work for me, not Lena.”

“Yes sir.”

Chapter Text

Amelie pressed both of her pillows to her ears to drown out the loud noises coming from next door. At first she was excited to get a room next to Angela, one of her only friends on base. That feeling changed when she learned Fareeha Amari’s assigned room was purely ceremonial and she would spend every night of her visit with the good doctor. She tried very hard not to eavesdrop but was not given the option.

“Tell me I’m better than all your other girls Amari!” Angela moaned audible from across Amelie’s room.

With that Amelie had finally had enough and grabbed one of the heavy stress balls Angela had given her to manage her anxiety and threw it across the room into their shared wall with a respectable thump. Finally prompting the two to quiet down some. Amelie needed her rest that night. Her first New Blackwatch meeting would be tomorrow. It had been about a week since her trial, and she was given an adjustment period to get used to her new life before having to start work. It had also been about a week since Lena had kissed her, but Lena seemed intent on pretending it had never happened. Lost in her thoughts of her moment with Lena, she finally drifted off to sleep.

Lena sat with Lucio at breakfast as she had grown accustomed to doing this past week. The two sat eating eggs and potatoes in a silence that Lena was trying very hard not to break, because she knew what Lucio would say when it was. The same thing he was nagging her about all week.

“Have you talked to Amelie about it yet?” He asks, sounding disappointed in Lena.

“No we haven’t talked about it…” Lena says looking down at her plate and fidgeting with her food.

“Well, do you regret it?” Lucio asks.

“God no, it was one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.” Lena says with a longing look in her eyes.

“So then talk to her about it! What is your deal? You already made the first move!” Lucio demands growing frustrated. “Wait, Shut up.” He says quietly and curtly.

Angela and Fareeha sit down next to the two with their trays. They seem far more enamored with each other than invested in the conversation, but Lena would still rather Angela not find out about her kiss with Amelie. She couldn’t handle two people nagging her about it. Soon the four were joined by Amelie, sitting next to Lena.

“Sorry about last night Amelie.” Fareeha says with a chuckle, clearly proud of herself. “I seem to have that effect on women.”

“Me most of all.” Angela giggles into Fareeha’s ear but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Amelie buries her face in her hands. Lucio high fives Fareeha over Angela’s head. Angela blushes obviously when she realizes everybody heard her. The group continues chatting about nothing in particular for a while as they all finish their breakfasts.

“Alright Amelie and I better take off, big meeting today.” Lena says, picking up her tray. Amelie follows suit waving bye to the other three left at the table.

“Hey Lena, come find me tonight, we’re going to hang out.” Lucio calls back to her as she walks away. Lena can only imagine what that means.

The two walk to the New Blackwatch office together in silence, eventually joined by Ashe who they ran into along the way.

“Hey girls.” Ashe calls to them as she jogs to catch up. “You think we’re finally getting a mission?” She asks with excitement in her voice.

“That or it's just going to be Amelie’s orientation.” Lena says as the three arrive into the office.

Lena sits in her usual spot. Ashe takes the seat behind her. Amelie sits down in the chair behind where Cassidy normally is, but rather than sitting he’s standing in Morrison’s usual spot with the commander nowhere to be seen. Genji was already waiting for the briefing to begin. The four all wait with bated breath to find out why Cassidy was heading today’s meeting.

“Good morning everybody, Morrison gave me the go ahead to take point on a mission I’ve been working on for a while, and to loop the rest of Blackwatch into this. Our target is Moira O’Deorain, now that we have a bit more manpower I want to take my hunt for her more seriously. She’s been involved in a string of chemical plant robberies across North and South America, and now, Australia. If she’s risking this much exposure we can only assume she’s working on something big, something we probably need to put a stop to. Given her pattern, I figure she'll make a move on this plant within the next few days. Get your affairs in order around the base, we’re wheels up tomorrow morning at 0600. And sorry Amelie, you still haven’t been cleared for the field by Dr. Ziegler, you’re going to have to sit this one out.”

Cassidy began collecting his presentation from the board, as the others all got up to leave. Genji announced that he was going to do some training, and Ashe quickly jumped to join him. Amelie approaches Lena.

“Hey I’ve got my cell therapy with Dr. Ziegler, wanna come hang out with me?” She asks, trying to sound casual.

“Oh sorry, I’ve got plans with Lucio tonight so I better get my training done now.” Lena responds scratching the back of her head and slowly backing away.

Amelie walks away disappointed, not only is she being left behind by New Blackwatch, Lena has been avoiding spending time with her since the night of her trial. Amelie can’t help but wonder if she did something wrong, if she was right about Lena not really liking her like that and only viewing her as someone in need of help. Why did Lena kiss her then?

Amelie enters Angela’s office to find her and Winston waiting. Winston had been joining fewer and fewer of their sessions and Amelie was surprised to see him here. He sat holding a large box in his hand.

“What do you have there Winston?” Amelie asked as she sat down on the exam table as she had everyday for weeks.

“Well, given the therapy is taking a bit longer than we wished, and you still can’t do much strenuous activity without the Caduceus, I made you something. I figure this is better than having to lug around a big staff.” Winston says as he opens the box, revealing a chest mounted Caduceus.

Amelie takes the device in her hands, it looks a lot like Lena’s chronal accelerator. It’s surprisingly light. As she marvels at Winstons creation a thought crosses her head.

“If I wear this could you clear me for field duty?” Amelie asks hopefully to Dr. Ziegler.

Angela thinks for a while as she powers up the cellular therapy machine. “If it works, I suppose I can give you the go ahead.”

Amelie straps the device to herself with direction from Winston and once it's secured presses the power button. It whirs to life with a yellow glow in the central chamber. She feels the familiar warm glow of the Caduceus staff she had gone without for the past week. Her malaise and lethargy she had gotten so used to fades in a moment, replaced by a feeling of strength and energy.

“I feel amazing.” Amelie says with wonder.

“Alright I’ll let Morrison know youre ready for the field then. Now take it off, it's time for your session.” Angela says.

Winston nods and adjusts his glasses. “Just make sure the central chamber doesnt get damaged.” Winston bids the pair goodbye and exits to return to his daily routine.

Amelie and Angela sit together as the machine does its job for the day. “Can I ask you about something, Angela?” Amelie asks timidly after a while.

“Of course.”

“So you remember how I told you about how Lena and I kissed the night before the trial? It feels like she’s been avoiding me since then. I’m worried it's my fault.”

Angela sits on the table next to Amelie and places a hand on her thigh. “Oh sweetheart, sometimes people simply grow distant, it’s got nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.”

Amelie did not comment but there was a silent understanding that Angela was speaking from experience.

“If she really does care for you she will come back around whenever she has worked through whatever is going on in her head.” Angela explains further.

“And what if she doesn’t.”

Angela deeply sighs and stands up to return to the machine. “Then you will find happiness in other things.”

Lena is laying in her bed as she has been for most of the day since finishing her work out. The monotony of watching random channels on TV was finally broken by a call from Lucio. Lena slowly rolled over to pick it up.

“Hey Lena, I’m right outside your door.”

“You know Luce, I’m not feeling very well-” Lena begins before being cut off.

“Well that sucks cause we’re going out.”

Lena finally drags herself out of bed and lets Lucio inside.

“You can’t wear that, we’re going to a club. There's this nice one on Gibraltar I heard about, a gay bar. I figure I take you there, you remember how good of a catch you are and you finally nut up and talk to Amelie.” Lucio explains.

“That sounds like a horrible plan. Wait, why do you know about a gay bar, Lucio?” Lena asks.

“You don’t know what I’m about girl, now get dressed. We’re going.”

Lena and Lucio arrive at a big club with neon lights outside. Lena is dressed in a leather bomber jacket and jeans, with aviator sunglasses tucked into her shirt. Lucio is wearing a denim jacket over a mesh shirt.

“Now when we go in there, I’m going to be your wingman. Okay, I got you sister, it’s you and me.”

Lena nods nervously and the two pay the cover to get inside. As they enter Lena is assaulted by colors, sounds, and smells. She turns to Lucio who has his arm wrapped around a guy and is walking away.

“Hey short stuff, haven’t seen you around here before.”

“I’m a famous musician, you know?”

Lucio disappears into the crowd leaving Lena alone in the busy club. She scans the room in a panic, finding an empty corner booth to sit down in. She squeezes into it and puts her head in her hands preparing for a disaster of a night, when suddenly a woman sits next to her in the booth holding two drinks.

“Hey, you looked lonely.”

Lena sighs and takes a sip from the fruity concoction. “I suppose I am.”

“Not over your ex yet?” The woman asks with a light chuckle.

“Even better, not over my ex and I’m not over a girl I haven’t even dated.” Lena says, laying her head down on the table.

“Classic lesbian drama. Wanna tell me about it?”

“I guess that’s easier than talking about it with her.” Lena says sitting up and taking another long sip of the drink. “So things ended not great between me and my last girlfriend, she just couldn’t handle how busy I was with… work. And I finally found a girl I like in the same… field, and she seems to like me too. Then I found out one of my best friends had similar issues, and she tried dating someone in the same field and they still couldn’t make it work. I’m not giving up this job, so I guess I’m giving up love.” Lena explains quickly sucking down the drink in between sentences.

“And you figure because your friend couldn’t make it work, it’s better if you don't try?” The woman asks sympathetically, sliding the rest of her drink over to Lena.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“That’s pretty fucking stupid.” The woman responds with a quiet laugh.

“Hey!”

“Just because it didn’t work for her doesn’t mean you can’t make it, if anything you get to learn from her mistakes. Don’t be a pussy, go for it.”

Lena sits up and smiles, quickly finishing the woman’s drink as well. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

“Hell yeah, wanna have sex?” The woman asks, putting a hand on Lena’s shoulders. When Lena doesn’t respond immediately she stands up from the booth. “I respect it, my bad. Good chat, girlfriend.” The woman walks away leaving Lena alone once again.

Suddenly Lucio reappears at the booth with two girls in tow. “Lena, you better not be sitting here all alone.” He turns to the women then back to Lena. “Oh them? No they’re for me.”

“I wasn’t alone.”

“Oh shit, so you did find someone.” Lucio says excitedly, pumping his fist.

“Sort of, can we just go.”

Lucio looks back to the women who seem to be growing bored. “But-”

“Please.”

“Fine.”

Lucio and Lena exit the club together with Lena feeling a new sense of confidence and Lucio looking disappointed. As the two walk away a guy waves at Lucio from across the street who returns it with finger guns.

“Why’d we have to leave early? It was just getting good.” Lucio complains.

“We went to help me with Amelie, right? Mission accomplished.”

Lucio claps. “Oh shit, you’re going to talk to her?!”

“I am.”

“Hell yeah. And I guess it wasn’t a complete wash for me, I did get like 5 numbers.” Lucio says fanning out a bunch of scraps of paper.

“We were in there for ten minutes…”

“Like I said, you don’t know what I’m about.”

Amelie is organizing the collection of records she had been gifted by various members of Overwatch, her new Caduceus pack sitting on the desk next to her, it wasn’t quite her collection back at her old home, but there was no going back to that place. She thumbed through a collection of Classical music to decide what she wanted to listen to tonight. She had taken dancing back up to try and keep herself flexible. Her browsing is suddenly interrupted by a text from Lena.

“Hey, wanna hang out?”

“Yes, come by my room, I’d love to show you something.” Amelie texts back. She throws her phone across the room in excitement and quickly decides on a record. A collection of compositions by Bach, performed by an orchestra in the 1980s.

Lena shows up at her door in a leather jacket and jeans. Amelie welcomes her inside and signals her to sit on the bed.

“You look wonderful Lena, but not the best attire for tonight, we’re dancing again, this time to real music.” Amelie explains clasping both her hands together.

“I can take off the jacket, but the pants, I mean I guess I could take those off too.” Lena says getting quiet at the end. ”I’d feel a little silly though.”

“Yes, the jeans won’t work at all for what we’re doing, don’t worry I’ll take mine off too, then we’re both silly… though now it feels a little weird to still be wearing shirts, huh?”Amelie says as she gets undressed.

Lena giggles uncontrollably as she follows suit, removing her chronal accelerator as well and placing it on the bedside table next to them.

Amelie puts on the record she selected and holds out her arms to Lena. “Remember, just follow me.”

Lena hesitantly takes her arms and the two begin slowly dancing around the room. Lena is barely able to keep up with Amelie’s fluidity and grace, multiple times stepping on both of their feet.

“You’re doing great, now I want you to try and spin me okay, just push me out and lift your arm.”

Lena follows her directions and holds Amelie through the most beautiful spin she has ever seen. As Amelie is recovering she trips on a foot Lena places too far forward and comes crashing down. Lena, not one to let her go down alone, allows Amelie to pull her to the ground. She lands on top of Amelie who pushes and rolls over so she’s laying on top of Lena.

"I guess it wasn't Brigitte that made you fall last time, huh?" Amelie teases.

"If I recall it was you that fell." Lena retorts.

"After you dropped me."

Lena giggles her face close to Amelie’s “We’re not getting back up are we?”

“No. We are not.”

Chapter Text

Lena awoke with her back killing her. Sleeping on the hard stone floor of the Watchpoint was certainly not advised. Though it all became worth it as she opened her eyes though. Amelie peacefully lying atop her. A jarring alarm sounds interrupting Lena’s moment.

Amelie groans as she’s woken up. “Ugh, I’ve got to go get my gear from Torbjorn before we have to leave, and Angela wants to make sure my replaced cell count is high enough that the treatment won’t start to reverse.”

“I’ll come with.” Lena mumbles through a yawn.

“Nonsense. This may very well be your last chance to sleep in a bed for a few days. And you didn’t get the privilege of sleeping on top of a very comfortable English woman. So, my bed, two hours. I’ll be back.” Amelie says matter of factly as she gets dressed in something comfortable.

Lena crawls into the bed to savor her last precious moments of sleep. Drifting away as Amelie leaves the room.

Amelie heads to Torbjorns workshop, the man keeps strange hours but being up this early is not usual for him. Amelie is certain he is doing it as an apology, trying to reconcile now that they have to work together. She enters to the sound of grinding.

“Ah, Ms. Lacroix, just one moment, smoothing out an edge for you. Those Talon lab coats were quite ingenious in their design of Widow’s Kiss, but Lindholm is better let me tell you.”

He lifts a rifle, a sleeker, smaller design. Matte black instead of purple. Amelie carefully takes it into her hands and braces it against her shoulder. It’s lighter than she was expecting, Widow’s Kiss was bulky, designed entirely for long range kills. This was clearly made for more adaptive combat but still with long range in mind.

“I shaved down on some excess frills from the last build, but it’s still the same basic platform, capable of automatic fire, or slow charged shots. I also added a gas release right there to help with automatic fire accuracy, just uh, don’t put your hand there. Feel free to test it out.”

Amelie lets off three charged shots, removing the heads of three mannequins. Next she fires a volley of shots all landing in a tight spread in one of the mannequins' chest.

“I am impressed Mr. Lindholm.” She says placing the rifle back down on his workbench with a whistle.

“I had hoped so, I also created you a new suit, you mentioned you felt the v-neck was a little excessive, and I was inclined to agree. I always say, I wouldn’t design a suit I wouldn’t put my daughter in. I also thought the purple was a little frivolous, so I went for a more tactically minded black and gray, I can add some purple back in the future if you want. You agents do love your bright colors. The high heels had to go as well, they were ridiculous if you ask me.”
Torbjorn pulls a body suit matching his description from a drawer and hands it to Amelie before turning around. “Go ahead, try it on, press in the button on your lower back to expel the excess air.”

Amelie does as instructed and the suit conforms perfectly to her body, most of the suit is made of flexible material allowing for freedom of movement but the chest and abdomen areas are slightly more rigid and tough. The suit hugs her curves tightly but it’s significantly less humiliating than what Talon had her in. She refits her Caduceus pack to her chest. Amelie clears her throat signaling for Torbjorn to turn back around.

“It fits well, the flexible bits will block grazing shots from small caliber bullets, the harder part can stop direct hits but I don’t recommend you test that. Here are your visor and hook, I didn’t make any changes to those, if it isn’t broken and all that.”

Amelie for the first time since that fateful day almost a month ago is fully suited up. Grappling hook on her arm, visor over her head, and rifle slung over her shoulder. “Thank you Torbjorn.”

“The only thanks I need is you coming back with everything intact and to clean your own rifle.” Torbjorn says with a curt nod before heading back to his quarters to catch up on sleep.

Amelie exits the workshop to head to her neighbors room. Her next stop is to see Angela for assurance that she won’t come back worse for wear. Remembering what she’s had to sleep through the past few nights she politely knocks on the door and is greeted by Fareeha in her suit of armor.

“Hello Amelie, she’s expecting you.”

Angela is sitting composed at her personal desk with an extra chair pulled up. Amelie thinks she might look a little too tightly composed, like she’s hiding something deep inside her. Fareeha sits on the bed and inspects her rocket launcher while the two begin.

“I just want to make sure you have enough of my cells that they won’t be replaced by the Talon cells reproducing faster and undo all our hard work. If you could just unzip your suit a bit so I can take some blood.” Angela says keeping a calm demeanor.

Amelie complies and unzips her suit in the front just enough to get an arm out. The button on her back clicks back up as air rushes back into the suit. Angela gives her a quick prick and Amelie redoes her suit. Angela places the blood in a machine on her desk that begins making whirring noises.

“So what are you two doing this morning?” Amelie asks, trying to casually pry into what Angela is very clearly hiding her feelings towards.

“Mother says it's time to get back out in the field, says she doesn’t want to be around the base anymore given, well… you know.” Fareeha explains and she attempts to retighten one of her pauldrons.

Angela grabs Amelie’s hands while Fareeha is intently fiddling with her armor. “It’s not your fault, okay Amelie. I don’t blame you.” She drops Amelie’s hands back into her lap. “Stop that dear, let me help you.”

As she is helping Fareeha the machine beeps and the whirring ceases. Angela peaks from over Fareeha’s armored shoulder and asks. “What’s it say?”

“1 over 5. Is that good?” Amelie calls back to her.

“Could be better, should be fine.” Angela says back through gritted teeth as she pulls hard on a strap. “Alright, you’re free to go, thanks for putting up with my fussing, Amelie.”

Amelie smiles and nods before leaving to let the two enjoy their last moments together before Fareeha has to once again fly away.

Amelie returns to her room next door to find Lena snoring peacefully in bed. She sets her rifle down against the wall and sits on the bed next to Lena, running her hand through Lena’s messy hair, accidentally waking her.

“Is it time to go yet?” She asks sleepily.

“Not quite, but I’m not falling back asleep any time soon, I’m going to get some target practice to work out my nerves, you’d best get up and get your gear ready soon.” Amelie responds, moving her hand from Lena’s face and standing up.

“Wait up, I’ll come with you.” Lena calls back with a yawn rolling over.

“No you aren’t”

“No I’m not.”

Lena falls back asleep once more.

Lena wakes to another alarm set by Amelie, one announcing it was finally her time to get up as well. Putting on her clothes from last night she makes the trek back to her room to get ready. Checking the time in her room she had ten minutes, pretty generous for how much time Lena usually leaves herself to get ready for things. She quickly squeezes into her orange body suit and throws on her classic bomber jacket. She straps her chronal accelerator back onto her chest and blinks across the room to grab her bracers, and finally the last touch, a stylish pair of white tennis shoes. She grabs her pulse pistols and races out the door.

She meets the rest of her team at the helipad at the agreed time, Lena the last to show as usual. Everybody is here for the mission. She pauses when she sees Amelie all geared up.

“Wow you look…”

Amelie giggles. “Scary? Frightening? Or were you going to say beautiful?”

“All of the above, though I do sort of miss the old suit.”

Amelie playfully punches Lena’s shoulder. “I wonder what part of it you mean.”

“Alright, everybody ready?” Cassidy calls out. With four nods he heads aboard the jet with the team in tow. Before Lena can make for the cockpit Cassidy stops her.

“Change of plans. I got word from our contact in Junkertown, Dr. O’Deorain’s team was intercepted by the Junkers with the spoils from their past robberies. She’s a prisoner of the Junkers now. So let’s go make the Queen’s acquaintance.”

Lena finally settled into the cockpit with the rest of the team strapping in for take off in the main room. She flies the jet away from the base and plugs the coordinates in for Junkertown, Australia. As the autopilot takes over she returns to the main cabin with the rest of the team. They are all discussing something, everyone watching Amelie for a response.

“What are we talking about?” Lena asks sitting to join the group.

Cassidy responds. “Waiting on her to pick a callsign.”

“You and Genji don’t have callsigns. Why does she have to pick one?” Lena asks.

“We are too cool for call signs.” Genji responds high fiving Cassidy.

“Come on, Ashe already picked one, get this… Calamity.” Cassidy says, waving his hands dramatically at the reveal.

“It's what some folks in Deadlock used to call me, it’s a silly name but it stuck.” Ashe explains.

“Well, I used to be called Widowmaker but… I do not care for that name anymore, I do not wish to make any more widows than I must.” Amelie says thoughtfully.

“How about just Widow then? You’re not going to make anymore, you just… are one now.” Lena responds.

“Widow, I like that.” Amelie says, smiling at Lena.

“I think it’s badass.” Ashe says, holding out her fist for Amelie to bump.

“It’s okay I guess, it’s no Genji though.”

Lena rolls her eyes. “That’s just your name!”

“Exactly.”

The group laughs and relaxes preparing for an eight hour flight to Junkertown. Amelie and Ashe both lounge on the coach while Lena paces about rambling and telling jokes as the television plays nothing of extreme interest. Cassidy and Genji are sitting on crates arguing and telling stories as usual. Once Lena finally wears herself out she lays on the coach, her head in Amelie’s lap and legs in Ashe’s. Ashe places a hand on her legs.

“You know, you’re lucky you’re endearing, I’ve broken legs for less.” Ashe says placing a hand on Lena’s legs.

Lena gives her a mischievous smile and giggle that turns into a yawn and stretch. Lena buries her face in Amelie’s stomach. “Wake me up when we get there alright.” Lena quickly falls back asleep immersed in the scent of Amelie, roses and vanilla, mixed with the metallic smell of the workshop.

Lena wakes to a dim room and a dark sky outside. Amelie slowly rising and falling beneath her. Ashe lying asleep on the floor next to the couch. Cassidy is leaned against a wall with his hat over his eyes. Genji seems to be sitting upright completely still on a crate. Lena slowly removes herself from the couch and stretches. She heads over to the flight computer to check their position.

The plane is flying steady over the west Indian ocean, they were an hour off landing. Lena stays in the cockpit so as not to disturb the sleeping passengers. She leans back into the pilot’s chair and loses herself in thought.

Amelie wakes suddenly to a jarring movement. She opens her eyes to Lena shaking her awake. Everybody else on the team is up and stretching themselves, checking their gear one last time.

“Are we there?” She asks sleepily.

“Yup.”

Amelie stands up and grabs her rifle, which was propped against the couch. She reattaches her visor to her head and slings her rifle over her shoulder. Once the team is all prepared the doors to the craft open, and they all step out into the hot air of the Australian outback. Amelie feels a slight sting in the back of her throat as she breathes in for the first time.

“There should be an Inn somewhere deeper in the town, my contact is there.” Cassidy explains pulling a bandana over his mouth.

The team walks through the outskirts of Junkertown on edge. Nobody else is in the dusty unpaved roads with them, but that doesn’t mean nobody is watching them. They arrive shortly at a rundown looking bar with a second story housing a few rooms.

As they enter Ashe is quick to sit at the bar. “I’ll take whatever tastes the least shit.” She slaps a few American dollars onto the counter. The bartender shrugs and takes them, before pouring her a murky shot.

“Alright, me and Amelie will meet my contact, the rest of you wait down here.” Cassidy says quietly.

As everyone settles into a small rickety wooden booth and Amelie heads up the stairs with Cassidy she notices the only other patrons in the bar. A scrawny junker with singed hair, and a hulking behemoth of a man wearing a mask.

Cassidy knocks on one of the four doors up the stairs causing it to slowly creak open. He draws his pistol as he slowly pushes into the room. Amelie lifts her rifle to the doorway, watching his back. He calls out in the room to no response. Before slowly turning the chair to face him. Revealing a junker with a scrap knife sticking out between his rib cage and his neck cut.

“Shit.”

Amelie suddenly hears a creak behind her and sees the two other bar patrons behind her. The scrawny one walks forward and looks through the doorway at the scene inside. “Oooh, the Queen won’t be happy you killed one of her own.”

“See that knife, does that look like mine?” Cassidy asks, still holding his pistol pointed at the living Junker in the doorway.

“Oh… shit.”

Suddenly Lena bursts into the upstairs with pistols drawn and pointed at the two men.

“I saw them follow you up-”

She’s cut off as the large one grabs her with a single hand lifting her off the ground by the arms. Lena struggles, kicking at him but they all bounce uselessly off his massive gut. He simply laughs as he dangles her above the ground, his voice muffled by his mask.

Cassidy slowly puts his pistol back in its holster and puts his hands up. “Woah there partner, we’re all friends here. Just a misunderstanding.”

“Put her down, Roadhog.” The small one says, Roadhog drops her onto the ground and Lena lands on her feet, holstering her pistols as well.

“I’m Junkrat, this is my partner in crime, Roadhog. There’s only one reason the Queen would have one of her own killed, he’s a rat. And judging by the five outsider’s what showed up to meet him, I don’t figure she was wrong.”

Cassidy sighs. “Why don’t we all go downstairs, have a drink?”

Roadhog grumbles in agreement and Junkrat shrugs. The five upstairs rejoin the rest downstairs and all sit together. Cassidy orders a round of the same murky shots Ashe had choked down earlier.

“So what brings you lot to good ol’ Junkertown?” Junkrat asks, throwing back the shot without so much as a shiver.

“Well I’d heard-” The shot attempts to fight its way back out Cassidy’s mouth mid sentence but he stifles the gag. “I’d heard that the Junker Queen recently came into possession of a prisoner I wanted to meet.”

“Well how convenient, Roadhog and I were planning on sneaking in to return something we erm, found, that belongs to the Queen. You could come with us.” Junkrat says his eyes lighting up with a cackle that makes everyone uncomfortable.

Roadhog collects the drinks of Lena, Amelie, and Genji who haven’t touched them yet and downs all three in a single gulp. He then lowers his mask back over his mouth.

Cassidy, not fancying their odds at the main gate, after their only friend in Junkertown was murdered for merely speaking with them, sighs and holds out a hand for Junkrat to shake, the Junker gives an uncomfortable enthusiastic handshake in return before slamming his glass down on the table and standing up.

“Just pay for our bar tab and we’re out of here!”

The group gathered below a large gap in the wall surrounding Junkertown. Amelie launched her grappling hook into the gap, and after ensuring it was secure, everyone started climbing up one by one, Amelie going last leaving only Roadhog down on the ground.

“Alright buddy, toss up the bag.” Junkrat quietly called down. Roadhog tosses up a large sack with a green dollar sign up and Cassidy catches it. “Okay hide down there, I’ll be back soon.”

As Junkrat calls back down a spotlight shines on the group up on the wall. Three trucks pull up surrounding Roadhog on the ground. A massive muscular woman with a blue mohawk pops out the roof of one of the trucks.

“I see you brought some friends this time, Junkrat. And Mako, it’s been too long. Still haven’t ditched this deadweight? Bit late now though, eh.”

Lena stood in handcuffs before the Junker Queen with her team and their two companions. The Queen was sitting spread out as wide as she could on her throne, contemplating the people who stood before her.

“So you come back to steal from me again, Fawkes.” The Queen says with disdain in her voice.

“We were actually, funny story, putting it back.” Junkrat says with a nervous laugh.

“So you did steal from me then?” She responds, met with only a whimper from Junkrat. “And you lot, who are you?” She asks turning to the Overwatch agents.

Cassidy begins to respond. “We came here-”

“Oi, pretty one, speak up. I can’t hear you.” She shouts over him.

“Are you talking to me?” Cassidy asks, pointing a cuffed hand at himself.

“You’re the pretty one aren’t ya?” She snaps growing impatient.

“I prefer handsome, maybe dashing.” Cassidy says grinning at the Junker Queen with a wink.

“Pretty is more accurate. I never liked the pretty ones.” She responds with a yawn.

“I always preferred the beautiful type.” She points a finger at Amelie and whistles. “Like you, you could warm my bed tonight, gorgeous.” She continues as she lowers her hand to her groin.

Lena scowls and begins to respond indignantly but is cut off by the Junker Queen.

“What? She yours? You can join, I guess. The Queen doesn’t mind an audience.”

Cassidy interjects before Lena can get any more heated and puts up his hand diplomatically. “We’re from Overwatch, we just came to speak with you, about a guest you have.”

“Overwatch? I thought you lot were too good to pay tribute to the Queen. Why the hell did you sneak in you idiots? Uncuff our guests, and take the other two to the gallows. I’ve had enough of their antics.”

“Wait! We’re with them!” Junkrat desperately calls as he’s lifted up by one of the Queen’s guards.

“Is this true pretty one, is ol’ Junkrat an Overwatch agent?”

Cassidy laughs and puts his now freed hands on his belt. “Yep, he sure is.”

With a deep sigh the Junker Queen and a movement of her hand Junkrat and Roadhog were unhanded. “Overwatch can get its audience with me in the morning, I need some shut eye. Offer still stands though beautiful, the Queen accepts all kinds of tribute.” She says with a wink to Amelie, receiving another scowl from Lena.

“Alright, Alright.”

Amelie arrived at the Junker Queen’s grand hall in the morning with her companions after a long restless night, she walked close to Lena, their arms touching and their hands brushing occasionally. Amelie loosely attempted to grip her hand a few times but Lena seemed not to notice.

Amelie stops in her tracks when she enters the room. Sitting next to the Junker Queen at her table was Dr. Moira O’Deorain. When the doctor noticed the team enter the room she stood and a wry smile broke out across her face. Amelie’s throat ran dry and her heart fell into her stomach. She tightly gripped Lena’s hand, causing the woman to shoot a concerned look at Amelie.

“Ah, so many old friends, what a pleasure. Cassidy, it’s been too long.” Moira said feigning politeness.

“Doctor, you seem… you’ve looked better.”

“Shimada, how’re your implants holding up?” Moira said with her self confident smile growing larger.”

“They’re fine, how’s your arm?”

“Ah, and I see you’ve brought my pet back to me. You ready to come back home Amelie?” She says leaning forward and holding her arms out.

“Surprised to see me still alive?” Amelie says standing up straight but looking away from Moira.

“I figure a certain angel had something to do with that.” Moira responds, once again taking her seat.

With a gesture of the Queen’s hand the team sits at the same table across from Moira and her entourage. Amelie sits next to Lena still tightly gripping her with a sweaty hand. Though Amelie’s heart rate is decreased and her emotions dulled, she can feel it racing and full of fear.

“I see you lot have already met. Good. I trust you respect I can’t allow my guests to be harmed. That means no fighting, alright.” Junker Queen demands as she returns to her seat as well.

“This woman is an international criminal and a disgraced scientist, hardly esteemed company, please Your Highness, allow us to arrest her.” Lena says not taking her eyes off Moira.

“Your Highness? That’s good, I like that. As for your request, sure Overwatch is big fish, but Talon. Talon’s a shark, and the Doctor offered me double anything you could for exactly the opposite. To allow her to capture the violators of the… what’s it called?”

“The Petras Act.”

“Right, that.”

The Overwatch agents strongly felt the absence of their weapons as it became clear the Queen wasn’t planning on letting them walk away. Junkrat nervously laughed as tensions rose in the room. Cassidy tensed preparing for a brawl for his life when suddenly Genji sprung up.

The ninja ejected three shurikens from inside his arm and threw them all at once at the Queen who narrowly ducked under them. He threw another volley of five at two of Moira’s guards who rose to stop him dropping them to the floor. Junker Queen stands up, knocking her chair to the ground. She raises her arm causing a knife to come flying into her hand. Cassidy stands up as well throwing a punch at her gut. Junker Queen doesn’t even stagger and effortlessly knocks the cowboy to the ground without a single look.

Amelie quickly dives across the table at Moira, who fades into a black cloud, disappearing from the room. Leaving Amelie to land on the floor quickly recovering and getting back on her feet, just in time to duck beneath Junker Queen throwing a knife at her. Ashe and Lena both bolt away from the table to get distance from the Queen. Junkrat leaps into Roadhog’s arms as he waddles away from the scrap.

One of the Queen’s attendants approaches handing her a scrap axe that she takes in both hands and flourishes. Genji prepares to face down the Queen. As she winds up a swing towards Genji, Cassidy finally finds his feet again, but drops back to the ground to avoid the axe.

Genji ducks beneath the blade and throws three shurikens into the Junker Queen’s flank. As she recovers from her swing she merely brushes away the shurikens poking out of her side, unfazed by her own blood.

As The Queen slowly walks down at Genji, Lena, and Ashe she’s stopped in her tracks by a loud thumping accompanied by shouting through the walls. Suddenly a torrent of dust and bricks explode from the wall as B.O.B bursts into the room. Tackling Junker Queen on his way. He’s followed by Junkrat riding on Roadhog’s shoulders.

“Ran into this charming fellow on our way to… get your ship started for when you made your daring escape. Yes.” Junkrat calls back to the team. The armory is this way, come on.”

“Keep her busy B.O.B. We’ll be back to help.” Ashe calls as the team runs through the hole to get their weapons back. As they rounded the corner they heard an echoing crunch of metal slicing through metal.

“B.O.B…?” Ashe calls quietly.

“Keep running, we can’t help him like this.” Genji says, grabbing Ashe’s wrist and pulling her along.

Junkrat led the team to the armory where their weapons were being held. They all geared up and loaded their weapons, preparing to return to the throne room to assist B.O.B when a hulking figure blocked the doorway. The Junker Queen brandished her axe, Carnage.

She lifted Carnage up preparing to drop it on Junkrat when the blade was grabbed by B.O.B. A huge gash marked his torso with sparks flying and wires exposed. He flung the axe across the room, then grabbed the Queen and sent her towards it as well.

“B.O.B you’re okay!” Ashe shouted, running to hug the bot. Their reunion was cut short by the Junker Queen rising to her feet.

“Run!!” Junkrat shouted bolting out through the hole in the town wall B.O.B made during his entrance, with everyone else in tow. They had nearly made it to the ship when B.O.B stopped in his tracks. As the team made it back to the ship they turned back to see B.O.B kneeling, struggling to move forward, and the Junker Queen with an outstretched arm, the metal wall of Junkertown warping and bending down towards her.

With her magnetic arm band set to the highest setting she was threatening to pull B.O.B back towards her to finish what she started. Ashe looked on in horror as she fired shots from her Viper not even phasing the Queen.

Amelie kneeled down and lifted the scope of her rifle. Charging a shot she sent it straight into Junker Queen’s magnetic bracer, ripping a hole right through her arm. With B.O.B now free he ran towards the ship, collapsing as he made it inside.

The rest of the team followed his lead and fell to the ground exhausted. Lena instructed the AI to take them back home. As everyone laid on the ground together Junkrat sat up.

“Any chance you were serious about us in Overwatch?” He asked, a hint of optimism in his voice.

“Not a chance.” Cassidy said through labored breaths.

“Well there goes out shot at going legit eh, Mako. Very well,you can just drop us off in Nigeria if it isn’t too out of your way, we have a business opportunity to follow up on.” Junkrat said, laying back down. Roadhog merely grumbles in agreement.

“Yeah, sure.”

“And if we shall meet again, then Jamison Fawkes and Mako Rutledge, famous heisters and odd jobsters will be at your service. “

Amelie lifts herself off the ground and heads to the cockpit to escape the clamor of the mission’s resolution. Lena notices her leaving and follows. Amelie sits down in the co-pilot’s seat with Lena taking the pilot’s chair. She quickly sets a stop to drop off the pair of heisters.

“You feeling okay, love?”

“Just a little shaken up seeing… her.” Amelie says trailing off, imagining Moira.

“I won’t ever let her take you again alright?” Lena says, taking her hands.

Amelie smiles and takes her hands back, putting them on her lap. “I’ll never let her take me again.”

Chapter Text

“Alright Lucio, what are you being a baby about this time?” Angela said with a sigh and a bored look on her face.

“I think I pulled my muscle dancing a few nights ago, I was hoping it would go away on its own but no luck.” Lucio said, holding his thigh in his hand.

“Lucio, I am the world’s leading nanobiologist, and one of the most senior members of Overwatch, I don’t deal in pulled muscles. See a doctor in town. Besides, what were you doing dancing? You are supposed to be a soldier now, you know.” Angela said, her frustration growing at the man as she tells him off.

“I was taking Lena out, trying to get her to stop being a bitch about Amelie.” Lucio responds.

“Wait, what do you mean by stop being a bitch?” Angela asked, leaning in close to Lucio.

Look, I probably shouldn’t say anything, buuuuut… Lena has feelings for Amelie but she’s too scared to do anything about them.” Lucio explains, saying the last part extremely quickly.

“Well I probably shouldn’t say anything, and I won’t considering confidentiality, that’s right I won't say anything about feelings Amelie has expressed to me.” Angela says with a mischievous smile.

“Is that so?” Lucio asks, mirroring her smile.

“I will neither confirm nor deny.” Angela says rolling away to pretend to organize papers. Lucio stands up out of the exam table, wincing slightly.

“You know, I’ve got dinner reservations for tonight in town, but no one to go with, what if-”

Lucio gasps. “We go to dinner together and come up with ideas to get Lena and Amelie together!” He says looking proud of himself.

“No Lucio, we get Lena and Amelie to go together.” Angela says, shaking her head.

“Oh, yeah… way better idea. Oxton might pussy out though, I’ll tell her she’s meeting me there instead.”

“And I’ll tell Amelie she’s meeting me.” Angela says her smile is growing more mischievous.

“Boom.”

“Boom indeed Lucio.”

Amelie calibrated her rifle's scope with a serious look of concentration on her face. She takes a shot. Half a centimetre off. She scrunches her face in frustration before returning to adjusting her scope.

“You know, a good shot doesn’t need all this fancy scope nonsense.” Ashe says lifting viper over her shoulder.

“Let me know when you find a good shot, maybe then I’ll take their advice.” Amelie says as she takes another shot and furrows her brow again.

“Oh so that’s how it is then? I suppose you wouldn’t say no to a little competition then. See who the real best shot in Blackwatch is.” Ashe says one hand on her hip, the other gripping her rifle.

Amelie fires another shot at her target and smiles. “As long as you aren’t a sore loser.”

“Alright little miss big shot. Cassidy you wanna get in on this?” She calls back behind her shoulder.

“Oh that’s not a question I need answered, y’all do a competition for the fastest draw, you let me know.” Cassidy says leaning against the back wall watching the women.

“Yeah, I’ve heard you’re very fast, cowpoke.” Ashe says, turning to Amelie and giggling. “So, we’re on?”

“Damn right.” Amelie says, looking down her scope again.”

The two women readied themselves for paper targets to come up from the ground. Ashe stood with her rifle resting against her shoulder. Amelie kneeled, her rifle against the table with a bipod. As the paper begins to rise Amelie rips a shot perfectly through the middle before the target is even fully in view, long before Ashe reacts, who fires a shot also dead in the middle.

Ashe curses under her breath, as Amelie smirks from behind her rifle. “Two out of three.” Ashe demands.

Amelie sighs. “You can lose as many times as you want.”

Ashe scowls as she readies for another target, this one quickly moving across the range. As she stares down the range waiting for the targets to appear a shot rings. She quickly snaps to the left as another shot rings. Ashe fires off a shot landing in the second innermost ring on a target with the bullseye already missing.

Amelie stands up from her rifle with a smug look on her face as Ashe grumbles and lowers her rifle to her side. Cassidy begins to clap but is quickly silenced by an angry look from Ashe.

“Well, Calamity, I’m sure you were the best shot in… where are you from? Right, Bumfuck nowhere. But nobody stacks up to the greatest in the world.” Amelie says her smugness only growing as Ashe stomps away.

“You could have let up on her a little bit, given her a round maybe.” Cassidy said, putting out his cigarette on the table next to him.

“I don’t lose.” Amelie said coldly.

“Right answer, there’s my girl.” Cassidy said, feeling pride in his recruit.

Amelie’s celebration is cut short by Angela poking her head into the range. “Hey Amelie, let’s go out tonight!”

“Come on Winston, karaoke would be so fun. You have to come, Jack said he would only go if you did.” Lena pleads to the gorilla.

He scratches his head as he tinkers with some prototype. “Gorillas don’t sing, Lena.”

She blinks onto his back, her arms gripping his neck, Winston barely feels the disturbance. “Gorillas don’t talk either, come on buddy.”

He adjusts his glasses and grabs Lena off his back placing her in a cross legged sitting position on his desk. “I don’t know, I wouldn’t be very good at it.”

Lena leans forward making sad puppy dog eyes. “That’s the point, nobody is good at it.”

A knock on the lab door is eagerly met by Winston opening the door and welcoming the visitor inside. Lucio walks in and sits down on the table next to Lena.

“Lucio, are your skates acting up again?” Winston asks, following Lucio back into his laboratory.

“Luce, you’re coming to karaoke right? Jack, Genji, Mei, and plenty more people I haven’t asked yet are coming!” Lena asks, not giving Lucio a moment to answer Winston. “And so is this sad sack.” She continues pointing to Winston with a thumb.

“Of course I am, unless it’s tonight, we have dinner reservations.” He responds.

“No it’s not tonight, what’s this about dinner?”

“Come on, we’re leaving now.” Lucio says standing up and grabbing Lena’s arm.

“Don’t think you’re off the hook Winston, I’m coming back!”

Lena followed Lucio through the streets of Gibraltar. He had made her throw on her definition of a nice outfit quickly before they left. She had a black leather jacket over a plain white shirt, dark jeans and large boots. Lucio rolled his eyes and made many comments about her wardrobe and sexuality but eventually approved the clothing and they were off.

When they finally arrived at the restaurant Lucio suddenly stopped on the sidewalk. “Go on ahead, I gotta… do some stretches.”

Lena raised her eyebrows giving Lucio a confused look before heading up to the door.

“Wait, the reservation is in Angela’s name. She made it for me. You know me, never called to make reservations before.” Lucio calls back to her as she grabs the door handle.

Lena’s confused look intensifies but she shrugs him off and enters the restaurant. She informs the waitress of her reservation and is led deeper into the restaurant. Her confusion suddenly vanishes when she sees a woman with a light purple hue to her skin. Wearing a dark red silk blouse and black pants with high heels waiting impatiently at the table. Her eyes widen in shock as they meet Lena.

“I’m going to kill Lucio.” Lena says as she sits down at the table.

“Can we do Angela next?” Amelie asks.

“So they both know then.” Lena says letting out a short exhale.

“Know what? Oh…” She scratches the back of her neck nervously before they’re both bailed out by the waitress.

“Good evening ladies, can I get you two started with some wine?”

Amelie looks at the wine menu and grins widely. “We’ll have two glasses of your 2020 Chateau Beychevelle. Actually, just leave the bottle.”

The waitress nods and hurries away.

Lena looks at Amelie nervously. “That sounds expensive.”

“Oh very, but if Angela wants to trick us into going out to dinner together, surely she won’t mind paying for it.” Amelie responds, winking at Lena.

“I’m down. You said you used to eat at fancy restaurants. What's something expensive I can get?’ Lena asks leaning towards Amelie with her menu giddily.

“Perhaps… we shall both get the lobster ravioli? How’s that sound, my good lady?” Amelie asks.

“Very well, madam. That we shall.”

The two laugh and smile at each other. The atmosphere turning from awkward towards a fun evening together of spending Dr. Ziegler’s money. As the wine arrives Amelie pours two healthy glasses of wine and raises her glass.

Lena follows suit. “To our hosts this evening.” She says pressing her glass to Amelie’s.

“And to us, and you aren’t actually supposed to clink glasses Lena, it's considered impolite.” Amelie says giggling.

“My apologies Lady Lacroix.” Lena says with a mocking bow.

“I actually was a Lady once, Lady Guillard though. Lacroix is my married name.” Amelie says, taking a deep sip of her wine.”

“I thought you used to be a dancer, not royalty.” Lena responds.

“Aristocracy, not royalty. And yes I was a dancer, I was both.” Amelie explains matter of factly, followed by another swig of her wine glass.

The two had each finished two glasses of wine by the time their pasta had arrived. Both feeling fairly tipsy they ate together slowly, continuing their conversation.

“So your chronal accelerator lets you control your own time?” Amelie asks, a hint of amazement in her voice.

“Yup, by default it keeps me calibrated with how Winston experiences time, how most people do. But If I think really hard I can kind of, pull myself back in time but still in the same time for everyone else. And I can slow it down really slow for a second but move at the same speed, that’s how it looks like I teleport.” Lena explains stuffing pasta and lobster in her mouth the whole time.

“God, everyone at Talon hated you, nobody could get a shot on you!” Amelie says laughing.

“Not even the legendary Widowmaker huh, and what did you think of me?” Lena asked leaning in close, nearly spilling her wine.

“I thought you were a complete nuisance to be honest.” Amelie responds leaning with her.

“I tried my best.”

The two laugh and finish their meal together. Amelie pays, intending to collect her debt from Angela in the morning. They polish off the wine and leave the restaurant. The two taking to the streets of Gibraltar to return to the base.

“Wanna walk me to my room Lena?’ Amelie asks as they arrive back at the staff quarters.

“Sure thing.”

As the two enter Amelie’s room, she turns back to Lena and removes her jacket, tossing it to the side. “The night doesn’t have to end yet, let’s hang out a while longer.”

Lene watches her jacket land on the floor and turns back to Amelie.

“Tonight was wonderful Lena, thank you.” Amelie said as she crashed down into her bed. As Lena sits next to her Amelie leans her head onto her shoulder.

“It was, so were you.” Lena says brushing a strand of hair out of Amelie’s face.

“Lena...” Amelie says, picking her head up and turning towards Lena. “What was that? What… are we?”

Lena sets out an unsteady sigh. “I don’t know Amelie.”

Amelie looks down at her lap, before she can respond Lena grabs her hands, pulling her gaze back to Lena’s eyes.

“But we aren’t nothing, I don’t know what I’m ready to be together, but it’s something.” Lena says certainty in her voice as her hands tremble.

“Well, is it okay if your something does this?”

Amelie wraps her arms around Lena’s neck pulling her captain down on top of her in bed. She slowly runs her hands down the side of Lena’s body until she finds the shallow curves above the hips. Lena lets out a heavy exhale as she holds herself up above Amelie with her hands next to the girl's head. She places a hand onto Amelie’s shoulder and cautiously moves it down her body across her breasts still contained in the fancy blouse she wore to dinner.

“I’ve thought about this moment for a long time.” Lena says in a breathy voice, blushing deeply, and close to Amelie’s face.

Amelie smiles, grabbing her by the collar and gently pulling her further in. “How long?”

Lena leans in with Amelie’s guidance until their lips meet. Amelie feels nothing like she has before, no kill as Widowmaker compared, not even the kiss she already shared with Lena. She can’t contain the shiver that runs through her body as their lips meet, nor the moan that escapes her mouth. Lena pulls away and smiles sheepishly.

“To be honest… long before I captured you.”

“You thought of your greatest rival flat on her back in your bed, your hand creeping further and further down her body? I thought you were the paragon of virtue. Come to find, you’re nothing but a pervert, Captain Oxton.”

Amelie’s hands leave Lena’s hips to grip her shirt lifting the fabric to her shoulders. Lena sits up to remove it. Amelie unbuttons her own and slides her arms out.

“You know, I’ve always thought you ran your mouth too much, why don’t you use it for something more productive tonight?”

Chapter Text

Lena awoke immersed in the scent of her lover from last night mixed with sweat. She pulls herself closer into the source of warmth next to her. She hazily opens her eyes to see Amelie laying facing away from her. Her skin tone is much warmer than when she had arrived on the Watchpoint, her body temperature matched it. Lena laid there basking in her warmth a while longer until Amelie jolted awake. She suddenly gasps loudly.

Lena held her tighter as she began breathing heavily. Amelie’s breathing soon relaxed and she leaned back into Lena. She sighed deeply before pulling away to roll over and face Lena. She smiled weakly at Lena, her head falling back into the pillow.

“You okay?” Lena asked, running a hand down Amelie’s cheek.

“Just, haven’t been having the best sleep since… seeing her again. I’m fine. I promise.” She responds, closing her eyes again and pressing into Lena’s hand. She opens her eyes again when she feels the blanket lift.

Lena is peeking under the blanket at Amelie’s naked body beneath. Amelie rolls her eyes at Lena’s amazement. “Just wanted to make sure I didn’t dream last night… and I didn’t mind another look.” Lena said with a sly grin on her face.

“Speaking of last night, I'm going to take a shower… and wash these bedsheets.” Amelie said, groaning as she climbed out of bed.

“I’ll come with!” Lena said, her eyes glowing with excitement.

“You wish.”

Amelie walked to the bathroom and started the shower leaving Lena to decide whether to continue lazing in bed or to start her day as well. For once choosing not to endlessly delay Lena leaned forward against her body’s protest. She sat at the edge of the bed with her head in her hands until she heard an urgent knocking at the door.

“One moment!” She called as she hastily put her pants and shirt back on. She poked her head through the door where she was met by Cassidy. A surprised expression crosses his face as he is greeted by Lena. He steps across the threshold of the room and Lena waves him in.

“Who is it?” Amelie calls from inside the shower.

“It’s Cassidy.” Lena responds shouting over the sound of falling water.

Cassidy’s expression twists and he rocks on his feet before exhaling loudly. “Look I don’t want to know what's going on here, but we’re leaving in 30 minutes. There’s a situation with our target in Japan, and it can’t wait. I’ll get y’all’s gear ready I guess.” He says quickly turning from the situation he walked into and leaving.

Lena and Amelie walked out onto the landing platform together, the jet’s engines already running. Cassidy hands them their equipment as they board the plane with the rest of New Blackwatch.

“Where’s B.O.B?” Lena asks as they all settle into the plane already set for take off.

“He won’t be joining us this time around. Those axe wounds are proving… hard for Torbjorn to repair.” Ashe says with sadness in her voice.

Cassidy gives her a pat on the shoulder before standing to give the mission briefing. “It seems we’re going to learn about Dr. O’Deorain’s plans sooner rather than later. Genji got word from a contact in Japan that she’s thrown in with some local muscle and has gone real quiet since. She’s likely planning something big, we’re going to stop it and capture her. There’s more though, a Talon enforcer by the name of Mauga is her personal bodyguard. I’m sure you’ve all heard from Baptiste, he is not a man to be taken lightly. Regardless, we’re moving now. Thank you.”

With that he returns to his seat as the team mentally prepares for the mission ahead of them. Lena leans into Amelie, wrapping her arms around Amelie’s left arm and resting a head on her shoulder. Genji paces back and forth around the craft, uncharacteristic of the ninja who rarely wastes a movement. Ashe is lounging spread out across the rest of the couch Amelie and Lena aren’t taking up, the two practically sharing one seat. Cassidy, much like Genji, is acting abnormally, but instead of staying in motion he sits in quiet contemplation.

“So, who’s your contact Genji, just like to know, considering the state we found our last informant in.” Ashe asks.

“Just a man who served my family long ago, a nobody, with no name, who works in the shadows. I asked him to keep an ear to the ground about Moira at Cassidy’s request a few weeks ago.” Genji says curtly, his mind clearly elsewhere.

“And where in Japan are we going?” Amelie asked, sensing Genji’s rising unease about the mission.

“Kanezaka, old territory of my clan… I have not been since I last talked to my brother… I am not sure how he will receive me should he learn I have returned. We left our last meeting on… uncertain terms.” Genji explains, finally stopping his pacing.

“A family reunion, how charming.” Ashe says as she turns her focus back to the television. A news report about more omnic protests in London, and rising unrest. Followed by an announcement of which countries qualified for the Eurovision Grand Finals.

The team all pass the time of the flight together. They converse and play games. Genji does not participate at first but is finally goaded into joining by a challenge of his skill by Ashe. For the remainder of the flight their troubles that lie ahead are forgotten. Until the craft finally touches down in Kanezaka late at night.

Genji leads the team to a hotel where they will be spending the night. The team plans to rest up before they begin their hunt for Moira. They arrive in a small single room hotel. Barely enough room for the five of them to stand.

“Well, this is… charming Genji, nice hotel you booked.” Cassidy said as he settled down in a corner on the floor.

“We are working on a limited budget, so I chose the economical option. You people have grown too accustomed to luxury.” Genji explained as he pulled 3 beds out of the closet. “Ah, that may be a problem.”

Ashe was quick to snatch one out of his hand. “I’m not sharing, y’all figure it out.”

Lena and Amelie share a look before they smile and both go to grab the same bed from Genji’s hand.

“I insist Cassidy, you may use the bed, I will be fine on the floor.”

“No no buddy, you deserve it, go ahead.”

“Shut up you two. You can share for all I care.” Ashe said, her eyes closed already trying to sleep.

“Okay fine, I’ll take it.” They both say in unison.

Lena and Amelie laid close to one another on the small mattress. Ashe lay spread out wide on her own. Cassidy and Genji each lay facing away from each other as far as possible on the edge of the same bed.

The sun rose on Amelie’s face, but something else roused her from her sleep. Lena lay tangled in her arms. One leg wrapped around Amelie’s and one between her’s. Amelie soon realized the sound that awoke her was caused by Genji crouched next to the door blade drawn. He quickly shushed Amelie when he noticed she had awoken. Amelie quietly and with the elegance of a ballerina pulled herself from Lena, quickly grabbing her rifle and taking Genji’s side.

She heard shuffling outside the door.

“You sure this is the room boss?” A muffled voice called from behind the door.

“This is the one the receptionist said.” Another voice called before louder shuffling and a bang.

The door swung open suddenly. Genji plunged his blade through the door, finding a soft target on the other side. Amelie swung fast into the doorway lighting up the men outside with machine gun fire. Three men fall to the ground to the combined attack. The others sleeping in the room are suddenly awoken and prepare for a fight, only to find their assailants already dead.

“What the hell just happened?!” Ashe called brandishing her viper at the empty doorway.

“We made the acquaintance of Dr O’Deorain’s new friends, the Hashimoto.”

As the sounds of more footsteps thundered up the stairwell Genji ran to open the window. “We must jump, we can’t kill them all in a place like this.”

Lena leapt out and grabbed a ledge on the other side of the alley the window overlooked. She quickly scaled down the three stories to find herself on the street again. Amelie fired her grappling hook into the same ledge and held a hand out to Ashe, who wrapped her arms around Amelie’s neck as she lowered them both down into the alley.

Another group of Hashimoto appeared in the doorway. Cassidy looked down into the alley and cursed.

“There is that pile of garbage.” Genji says preparing to climb down himself.

“Fucking hell, I should have done more stretches.” Before he leaps out the window and crashes down 3 floors into a pile of garbage bags. He lands with a loud crash and a groan. Genji helps him to his feet and helps pat the garbage off his clothes.

“Not bad form.”

Amelie, Lena, and Ashe are gathered at one of the exits to the alley. Checking to see if the coast is clear. Suddenly Hashimoto burst out of one of the hotel exits and into the alley, splitting Cassidy and Genji off from the rest of the team.

“Go, we will find you!” Genji calls to the other three as he grabs Cassidy and flees from the alley.

Amelie leads Lena and Ashe out of their own end of the alley away from the Hashimoto down the street. Ducking into the first shop they see. A small souvenir store manned by a small old lady. She puts her hands up as the three armed women quickly enter her shop and begin peering out of her windows, shouting something in Japanese.

“I’m sorry ma’am, the Hashimoto are after us. Can you help?” Lena says to her desperately.

“Hashimoto!” The woman shouts, opening her register and trying to hand Lena money.

“No, we’re not Hashimoto. Help, we need to hide.” Lena continues to plead.

The woman seems to understand and nods. She quickly moves a shelf full of dvds revealing a small door, leading to a back room. The three women pile into the small closet. The woman closes the door after they finish squeezing in and moves something in front of the door. Followed quickly by the sound of men bursting into her shop. They argue loudly in Japanese. The sound of glass breaking and more shouting sets Lena on edge. She lunges to open the door but Amelie puts a hand over her mouth and pulls her back in.

“The last thing this lady needs is a bloodbath in her shop Lena.” Ashe whispers as Amelie continues to hold her back.

Lena relaxes into Amelie’s grasp and is let free. The three women continue to hide in the back room until the men leave the shop. They emerge into the shop to smashed trinkets and knocked over displays, the register looted.

“We’re so sorry ma’am we-”

“Go.” She says pointing at the door with a stern look on her face.

Lena hangs her head as Amelie puts a hand on her shoulder leading her back out onto the street. After ensuring the men had moved on the women exit back out onto the narrow street, lined with other tourist shops and restaurants.

“We should find the guys.” Ashe says as she looks back over her shoulder.

They head through a different alley to get back on the street they saw the two run away onto. They search up the street until they find the two men sitting at a table in a coffee shop. Genji conspicuously waves back at the women, who join the two at their table.

“You mean while we’re running from gangsters you two are having some coffee?” Lena asks with anger in her voice.

“It’s hot chocolate.” Genji said in a joking tone, met with a strong punch in the arm from Lena. “What? The men chased you instead of us.”

“Alright, what’s the plan now?” Amelie asks, taking a sip from Genji’s hot chocolate in spite of his protests.

“The Hashimoto know we are in town so, no reason to sneak around. These men are not warriors, we go to their base, kill them all, capture Moira.” Genji said, a cold tone in his voice.

“I thought we wanted to avoid a bloodbath?” Amelie asked further.

“In these people’s homes, yes. In the Hashimoto’s home? A reckoning they have been asking for that for decades.” Genji says standing up followed by the rest of his team.

Amelie followed Genji with everyone else in tow. He led the team through the streets of Kanezaka, dodging into alleys to avoid being stopped by the Hashimoto. As they arrived at the large building the Hashimoto called their headquarters Genji gave a deep sigh, before drawing his blade.

As the men outside called out to Genji he lunged at them, cutting through the two of them like butter, before rushing to the next group of thugs. The rest of the team drew their weapons ready to support Genji as he approached the door. The rest of Blackwatch provided covering fire to Genji as he danced through the rooms of the headquarters with his blade, dropping everyone who tried to stop him. Flashes of his slaughter of the Shimada clan entered Genji’s mind as dozens of men fell before him once more. Before long Genji finally fought his way to the bosses office.

Before pushing inside he paused and turned back to the rest of his team. “If she is here, this is the room.” He said matter of factly. Cassidy nodded and prepared to breach the door.

The team swings into the room fast weapons drawn. Greeted by Moira O’Deorain clapping dramatically. Her usual smug look adorning her face. She is flanked by a mountain of a man, sitting on a desk, an evil smirk on his face, two heavy machine guns resting by his side.

“What a show Shimada, almost makes you think of the old days doesn’t it? Would you call the strike on Hanamura your finest day Genji?” Moira mocked. Canisters with hazard symbols lined the whole room. Moira wore a respirator on her face.

“What are you planning Moira?” Lena shouts her weapons pointed at the doctor.

“Oh how wonderful… a volunteer.” Moira fades into a shadow, reemerging behind Lena. “This is what I’m planning.” She holds a cloth to Lena’s face as she struggles against the doctor's grasp collapsing to the ground. Cassidy turns and lets a shot off at her but she once again fades away, reappearing behind Mauga.

“Mauga dear, ensure they don’t leave my game early would you, and clean up after her please.” She says as she leaves through a door in the back of the room.

“With pleasure doctor.”

Chapter Text

Mauga opened fire on Overwatch with both heavy machine guns. Genji swung his blade deflecting the bullets to the side as they all took cover, aside from Amelie and Lena. Amelie fell to the ground next to Lena trying to shake her awake as she remains unresponsive. Mauga ignores the two as he approaches the rest behind cover. As he rounds the corner to open fire once more a flashbag goes off in his face. Genji plunges his sword deep into Mauga while he’s stunned.

Mauga simply laughs at the blade deep in his stomach. With a brush of his huge hand he flings Genji into a wall, and slowly pulls the sword from him, tossing that aside at Genji’s feet. Ashe raises her Viper ready to unload it into Mauga who simply grabs the barrel and rips it out of her hands.

Amelie continues to shake Lena trying to get her to wake since Moira made her collapse. She finally gets a response as Lena stirs and her eyes open. Amelie smiles and brushes her hair out of her face.

“I was worried Le-”

Lena’s hand grabs Amelie’s throat and squeezes. Amelie struggles trying to pull herself away from Lena’s grasp, pushing back against Lena’s shoulders as she feels her brain running low on oxygen. She elbows the crook of Lena’s arm hard and rips herself out of Lena’s hold. She stands up and readies her rifle as Lena blinks away.

“What happened?”

Lena appears to Amelie’s left pistols drawn. Amelie dives away landing in a roll as Lena opens fire. As Amelie lands she fires her grappling hook at Lena hitting her in the head, knocking her off balance. Amelie dives to tackle Lena as she blinks away.

Ashe pulls her coach gun from her hip holster and blasts mauga with in point blank. The blast sends her backwards not even causing Mauga to flinch. Cassidy begins to quickly fire his revolver at Mauga who shrugs off the first bullet, a punch sending Cassidy into the wall next to Ashe. His gun barrels begin to spin as he prepares to open fire on Cassidy and Ashe.

Genji leaps towards Mauga’s legs with his wakizashi drawn. A clean slice to his calf distracts the brute, who turns his focus towards Genji, trying to squash the ninja. Ashe and Cassidy run for cover again.

“You people are like rats…” Mauga says, slowly turning to find what shadow Genji was hiding in. The mercenary lunged at a subtle sound pinning Genji to the floor by his foot. “You can slink around, but you’re gonna get caught.”

Lena blinks right in front of Amelie. Amelie grabs her wrists pushing her pistols away as she opens fire. Amelie knees Lena in the stomach and pulls her pistols out of her hands while she’s reeling. As Lena begins to blink away Amelie connects a kick onto her head.

Cassidy rolls out from behind cover and quickly fires his revolver’s entire cylinder into Mauga’s side, causing him to stagger just enough for Genji to roll out from underneath him. The barrels of Mauga’s guns start to spin on Cassidy now standing in front of him out in the open.

Lena blinks into a wall, Amelie’s kick causing her to crash as she lands. Before she can collect herself she’s hit in the face by a grappling hook. She recalls back to a second ago and is met with the butt of Amelie’s rifle, knocking her out.

Amelie catches Lena as she falls to the ground, slowing her descent and preventing her from landing hard. She turns to the rest of her team to see Cassidy running from Mauga’s chainguns and Genji diving to retrieve his blade.

Suddenly Cassidy vanishes. Followed by Genji. Then Ashe. Amelie finds herself holding Lena outside of the building suddenly. She sees a woman in a fox mask collapse into another masked teenager’s arms. The fox girl collects herself and returns to her feet.

“We need to get out of here, I wasn’t able to take you all far, and I won’t be able to do it again. You can come to our camp.” She says through labored breathing.

Cassidy kneels beside Lena and Amelie and places a hand on Lena’s shoulder.

“You did good, Lacroix. I’ll carry her from here.” He says a warm smile on his face as he hoists an unconscious Lena over his shoulder, and the team rushes away from the scene of the fight.

The group collapses to the ground in what appears to be a shanty town. The base of the Yokai, a gang of teenagers dedicated to disrupting Hashimoto control over Kanezaka. The fox girl directed Cassidy to lay Lena on a cot and pulled papers from inside a pocket. She placed one on Lena’s chest and it turned gold. Lena suddenly gasped awake.

“What the fuck just happened?” Lena asked, shooting up into a sitting position.

The girl guides Lena to lay back down by a hand on her chest. “You were infected by the doctor’s poison, it clouded your mind. It's been happening all across Kanezaka. Just lay down, I cleansed the poison from your system but it still took its toll on your body.”

She turns to the rest of the group. “Any enemies of the Hashimoto are friends of ours. But even so, are you sure that massacre at their headquarters was the right way to handle it?” She asked them removing her mask, showing an expression of concern.

Genji stepped forward. “We needed to try and stop the doctor, besides those men brought that upon themselves.” He said with conviction in his voice.

“I guess I can’t disagree there, somebody was going to give them a taste of their own medicine soon enough. I’m Kiriko by the way, these are my Yokai.” She said panning a hand across the shanty town.

Genji’s eyes narrowed beneath his mask. The name Kiriko was familiar, a childhood friend. He trained under a woman who had a daughter named Kiriko. He doubted they were the same girl though. His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice he heard often in his waking thoughts and his dreams.

“Brother… is that you?” The voice of Hanzo rang out across the camp, the sound of a small wooden object clattering to the ground ushers in silence over everybody in the conversation.

Genji removes his mask, revealing his face, half marred by cybernetic implants, but still his face. “Hanzo I-” He is cut off by his brother wrapping him in an embrace.

“It is good to see you after all this time Genji, I am glad you have returned home.”

Genji stood shocked, slowly returning his brother's embrace before the two break apart. “You are… happy to see me? I assumed you would be angry.”

Hanzo’s wide smile gave way to a sad one, a look of melancholy in his eyes. “I was, truthfully I still am. But you are my brother, and that means more than a lifetime of anger.”

Genji’s eyes reflected Hanzo’s own emotion. “I missed you brother.”

“Likewise.”

“Wait, that's Genji?” Kirko asked incredulously. “You told me he looked different now. I expected him to just be old like you. Oh my god Genji it's been so long.” Kirko rushed to Genji and wrapped her arms around him.

“You are that Kiriko…” Genji said, returning her hug, lifting her off the ground and spinning her before placing her back down.

“Of course I am dummy, what other Kiriko could have saved your life like that.” She said a confident grin across her face, clearly proud of all that she had accomplished since she last saw Genji as a little child.

“And what of you brother? I see you’ve been off saving the world. Glad to see Mr. Overwatch didn’t forget about his home.” Hanzo said with a chuckle.

“And you two have been right here, protecting our people.” Genji said a hand on each of their shoulders.

“Aww, someone lift me up I want a group hug!” Lena called from her cot.

“Please, join me in my tent for the night, I want to hear everything over some sake.” Hanzo said, leading Genji away from the group.

Kiriko turned to the rest of the group and sat on the ground leaning against Lena’s cot. “You planning on taking another pass at the doctor? She’s been poisoning my people, bringing them under her control with some toxic gas. She’s started with the homeless, most of the people you see here in this camp were cleansed of her control just like your friend here. Soon she’s going to start casting her net wider, now that she knows how well it works. You guys are just the backup we’ve been needing.”

Amelie grimaces, Moira planned to bring more people under her thumb, just like she did with Amelie all those years ago. Ruining just one life was never enough for her. Amelie clenched her fist and exhaled heavily.

“We aren’t done with Dr. O’Deorain.” She said through gritted teeth.

Kirko smiled and stood up. “Good, but not tonight. Your friend here needs to rest. We’ve got two spare tents you all can use. Come have dinner with us first though.”

Lena and Amelie sat up around the fire of the camp. Lena placed her weight against Amelie as she tried to eat a bowl of stew. Her arm shook as she tried to lift the spoon to her mouth, failing to bring it all the way. Amelie set her bowl down and took Lena’s. Lena blushed as Amelie lifted the spoonful to her mouth.

“I’m sorry, I just feel so weak.” She said as she put her mouth around the spoon.

Amelie filled the spoon with stew again and lifted it back to Lena’s mouth. “You don’t need to be sorry Lena, I know how you feel.”

Lena ate another mouthful. “I guess you do huh? Is that what it felt like, her voice in your head, telling you to do awful things, and your body moving to follow?”

Amelie sighs deeply, preparing another spoon. “It was… it still does honestly. Sometimes I still hear that voice in my mind. But I realized I don’t have to listen, that there is a different future for me.”

“That sounds so awful Amelie, I’m really sorry.” Lena said as Amelie continued to feed her, eating her own bowl once she was finished.

“Let’s get you to bed, you’ll feel better after you’ve slept.” Amelie says as she lifts Lena with both her arms.

“Is this what it felt like to be a princess, Lady Lacroix?” Lena said her arms around Amelie’s neck to keep herself in her hold.

“Princesses and Ladies are different things, Lena.” Amelie said with a giggle as she lowered Lena to the floor of the tent. “Now go to sleep, Princess Oxton.”

Lena awoke to Kiriko poking her head into the tent the two agents shared. “We’re getting ready to move on the doctor again, you feeling up to it?”

Lena springs up out of her sleeping bag. “You betcha!”

Blackwatch assembled in the courtyard of the Yokai base, this time joined by Kiriko and Hanzo. Hanzo is preparing an arrow over the campfire, waiting for the Overwatch agents to join him. He stands as they all gather, with a nod they depart.

They make their way back to the Hashimoto base to confront Moira once again. As they approach the remainder of the Hashimoto forces stand down, allowing the team to pass, fear in their eyes at the sight of Genji. Before they enter the room Moira is waiting for them in Kirko passes out gas masks. Everyone aside from Genji who is protected by his cybernetic enhancements don them and enter her office.

They are once again greeted by Moira and her bodyguard Mauga. “Ah, Overwatch, I see you’ve thrown in with a few of the local nuisances. How characteristic. And you came prepared this time I see, no matter. If my gas won’t affect you… I will do it myself.” She melts into a shade reappearing behind Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko. Mauga with a roaring laugh rushes in, cutting the remaining four off from them.

“You all can play with me, while the doctor entertains the rest of your friends.” He says with a sadistic smile on his face. He tosses down a portable shield generator that creates a cage around them, trapping them inside.

Kiriko fell to her knees gasping as Moira drained her life energy with a gleeful look on her face. She ducked beneath an arrow from Hanzo, and faded out to avoid a volley of shurikens from Genji. The momentary break from having her vitals drained allowed Kiriko to jump to her feet and throw a Kunai at where Moira faded to, only for it to be caught by the doctor with her scarred hand.

Amelie quickly dropped to the ground on her side and charged a shot aimed straight for Mauga’s head. Cassidy tossed a flashbang at his face, catching him off guard allowing Ashe to set him off balance with a blast from her coach gun. Lena takes the chance to rush forward and stick a pulse bomb to his chest before recalling back to behind Cassidy. As the bomb detonates Amelie pulls the trigger. A fully charged shot hitting him square in the face.

As the dust of the explosion settles Mauga laughs. His chest is scarred and burnt but he’s still breathing. He spits out a crushed rifle bullet from his mouth. “Both hearts still beating, gonna have to try a little harder than that.” The explosion was enough to destroy the shield generator however, allowing them to run and take cover from the volley of machine gun fire he releases on them.

Moira fades deeper into the room to gain more distance from Genji’s blade, only to be met with an arrow in the calf by Hanzo, followed by a kunai in the shoulder by Kiriko. Genji leaps towards her sword in his hands as he is intercepted by Mauga who catches him in both hands. Mauga smashes Genji into his knee before tossing him aside.

“Come Mauga dear, time for the back up plan.” Moira said, breathing heavily as she leaked dark blood from her wounds.

“Sure thing doctor!” He called as he unleashed another torrent of bullets to cover their escape.

When the firestorm finally ends the team stands to give chase. Following the two Talon operatives deeper into the base and to a back exit. Leading to a helipad. Another flurry forces them to cower inside the base as their quarry boards an aircraft and flies away.

“Morrison, come in!” Cassidy shouts over his handheld comm device. “Moira just escaped on an aircraft from Kanezaka can you track it for us?”

“Okay, one moment.” A gruff voice responded through the device. “Alright, looks like their course puts them towards Korea. Likely towards a known Talon stronghold in the mountains.Let me pull up some-” The voice pauses for a moment.

“Jack? What is it?” Cassidy asks.

“Abort the mission, do not chase her to that base Blackwatch do you hear me!” Morrison shouts.

“No! We’re so close! Why?” Lena shouts while Cassidy holds his finger on the talk button.

“That Talon base is the last known location of Reaper, do not engage, he’s too dangerous!” Morrison responds, a commanding tone in his voice.

“We’re too close Morrison, we won’t disengage.” Cassidy says grimly.

“Damn kids, fine! I’m dispatching another agent in the area for support. Rendezvous with Agent Hana Song in Busan before attacking the base.”

Chapter Text

“Kiriko, Hanzo. Please come with us. We could really use your help.” Lena pleaded as the team boarded their plane.

“I’m sorry Ms. Lena, the people of Kanezaka need us.” Kiriko responds.

“The Hashimoto are all but vanquished, the world needs you Kiriko.” Genji says, placing a hand on the young woman’s shoulder.

“Maybe, you’re right. The least I can do is see this to the end. I’ll come.” Kiriko says determination on her face.

“Hanzo?”

“The world may need you and young Kiriko, but Japan needs a protector too, and I swore on our father’s grave it would be me Genji. Good luck. Maybe one day, when the world can no longer wait… I will answer the call. Goodbye my brother, I wish you could have stayed longer.” Hanzo said, a sad smile on his face.

“And I as well. But in my eyes, the world can no longer wait. May your arrows strike true.”

“And your blade as well, Genji.” Hanzo called back as the doors to the aircraft shut.

“Alright, we stop by Busan, pick up D.Va, head to the Talon base and finally kick Moira’s ass!” Lena says as she punches in the coordinates for the rendezvous point.

Kiriko sits down on the couch in Ashe’s usual spot, met with a scoff from her and a dirty look. Kiriko plays on her phone unaware of her standoff with the older woman. Ashe paces around the craft shooting glances at her, eventually catching Kiriko’s confused attention. “Can I help you?”

“You’re in my spot…” Ashe says, narrowing her eyes.

“Oh, sorry I guess.” Kiriko says before returning to playing on her phone. When she looks back up she sees Ashe still staring at her. “Sit next to me then…”

“I can’t. That’s Lacroix’s spot, and then Lena’s going to whine that they can’t sit in each other’s laps the whole flight giggling.” Ashe responds, crossing her arms.

“Sit somewhere else then I dunno…” Kiriko says with a shrug still staring down at her phone.

Ashe storms away to the cockpit to get away from the girl as Lena is leaving. Amelie takes her spot on the couch next to Kiriko, soon followed by Lena yawning and stretching before falling on top of her laughing.

Kiriko gives a light chuckle as the two do exactly what Ashe had predicted. Cassidy goes to the cockpit to sit with Ashe as Genji perches on a crate next to Kiriko on the couch.

“What are you looking at?” He asks her politely.

“Nothing you’d understand, old man.” Kiriko says with a smirk.

“You are probably correct.” Genji responds, returning Kiriko’s smile. “So, healing papers, teleporting around. You have learned a lot since we trained together.”

“I have, and I know plenty about fighting to kick your ass too.” Kiriko says, putting her phone down in her lap.

“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” Genji says, putting his hands up feigning surrender. Kiriko gives him a playful punch.

Suddenly an alarm sounds on the jet. “Small personal aircraft approaching, identified as affiliated with the Korean Army Mobile Exo-Force. Shall I engage defensive manoeuvres?” The plane’s AI announces.

“No, open the doors when it arrives.” Lena shouts in response. The doors to the aircraft open and the wind whips hair and clothes around. A large mech flies into the plane and lands gracefully on the floor. The doors close behind it as its pilot exits the mech. Cassidy leaves the cockpit to investigate the commotion.

“Omg Cole! It's been forever!” Hana runs to hug the cowboy who barely budges as the girl throws her full weight into him. “Hope you didn’t miss me too much.”

“The base definitely has been quieter since you left to run exercises with the new Exo-Force.” Cassidy says with a chuckle wrapping an arm around her.

D.va pulls away from the hug. “Sounds awful.”

“Certainly.”

“Lena! What’s up girlfriend!” Hana shouts, waving both hands at her. Lena claps enthusiastically.

“S’up Genji.” She says, dropping her voice to sound nonchalant.

“S’up”

“Who are the new girls?” Hana asks, pointing to Kiriko and Amelie.

“This is Kiriko, she's going to be helping us this mission.”

“Wait, you’re D.Va, like Hana Song?” Kiriko asks, her eyes lighting up.

“You’re a fan?” D.va responds, sounding full of herself.

“Oh you’re just the super badass super sexy Meka pilot who saved Korea, I guess you could say you’re something of an inspiration.” Kiriko says standing up.

“I am all of those things, yes.” Hana says, crossing her arms. “And the other one?”

Lena’s throat runs dry, she feels nervous introducing Amelie to another Overwatch agent who may not have heard the news yet. She stutters a response before beginning more confidently. “This is, Amelie. She’s a new Overwatch agent.”

“Sick, what’s your like, fake name?” Hana asks.

“My callsign is Widow.” Amelie answers.

“Wait… like Widowmaker? Like the Talon agent Widowmaker?” Hana inquires with a confused look on her face.

“She used to be yes… but she’s on the right side now.” Lena explains grabbing Amelie’s hand.

“Tight, now somebody scoot over because I’m gonna fall backwards, and I’m landing on the couch.”

Kiriko inches closer to the armrest of the couch as Hana squeezes in between her and Amelie. Hana sits pressed up tightly against Kiriko, her arms against the backrest of the couch to make herself small enough to fit into the gap. One of her arms finds its way around Kiriko’s shoulders. Kiriko blushes and quickly pulls her phone back out to distract from it.

Hana leans in close to Kirko’s face to see what’s on her phone. “What’re we looking at?”

“Oh just social media.” Kiriko responds quickly.

“Sick.”

The plane continues flying over Busan and heads towards the Talon base in the Korean mountains. The craft is a lot more crowded than usual with three new guests, including a full sized Meka. As they approach a sense of unease falls over the group. Cassidy, Genji, and Lena know all too well how dangerous Reaper is. Gabriel Reyes, the former head of Blackwatch was already a dangerous man and since becoming Reaper he has only grown more insane.

“Warning, surface to air defense system detected. Engaging defensive manoeuvers, and missile countermeasures.” A red alarm blared through the craft. The sound of flares dispensing from the craft and rockets bursting in the air beneath them shake the craft.

“Tokki and I will intercept what we can with the defense matrix, but I suggest you make a quick landing.” Hana says springing into action and reentering her Meka. Lena jumps up and takes manual control of the plane, steering it down to make an emergency landing. Below she sees D.Va intercepting more surface to air missiles with her defence matrix and her own micro missiles.

As they approach the ground she feels control give out from under her as the plane shakes violently and begins to tilt to the left. The display informs her that she’s lost the left engine. The ground closes in faster than before as the plane begins an uncontrolled descent.

“Strap in, hold on, just… fuck!” Lena shouts as the ground below grows larger and larger in the cockpit window.

Kiriko closes her eyes and stretches her arms around the agents huddled in the cockpit. As she opens her eyes they glow a bright blue. The team vanishes from the cockpit and a nearby explosion sends trees toppling. The group find themselves in a forested clearing near the crash site. Tokki lands next to them.

“What in the world? What just happened?” Hana asks incredulously over her mech’s speaker.

“Oh, no big deal. I can just teleport and totally saved everyone’s lives… again.” Kiriko brags as she staggers to her feet, collapsing after a single step. Hana extends one of Tokki’s fusion cannon arms to catch her. Kiriko finally stabilizes and catches her breath leaning on Tokki’s arm.

“Alright, well if we’re all in one piece, there is still a Talon base to tear up.” Cassidy says, putting his hand on his revolver and looking to the nearby fortress. A metal bunker dug into the side of a mountain. Likely meant as a hideout for Talon executives after ops gone wrong.

The group makes their way towards the complex, when they arrive the metal gate hangs open. The exterior is devoid of all life. They continue to find no Talon operatives as they enter the building. Soon after they cross the threshold the intercom crackles to life.

“Ah, Overwatch… I see you survived your encounter with our defense system. Your continued nuisance ends now. Meet me in the hangar on floor three, I have a surprise for you.” Moira says cooly over the speakers.

The team makes for the hangar for their confrontation with Moira. They are greeted by Mauga standing at the ready with his two chain guns. He grins ear to ear when he sees a Meka enter. Moira overlooks the meeting from a balcony on the next floor. As the squad enters a dozen talon soldiers rush into the room with guns drawn. Forcing everyone to take cover, except for D.va.

“I’ll take the big guy. You can worry about the rest.” Hana says smugness and confidence in her voice.

“Alright, Ashe, Lacroix, and Kiriko. Can you hold off the soldiers so they don’t overwhelm D.va? Oxton, Shimada and I are going after Moira.” Cassidy says, pulling out his revolver.

With a nod from Amelie, Cassidy and his group take off up a ladder after Moira. Ashe and Amelie begin taking shots at the soldiers, as Kiriko darts from cover to cover throwing kunai.

Tokki boosts in at Mauga to quickly close the distance to avoid being shredded by chaingun fire. At the mech’s aggression Mauga tosses his guns to the side and grabs Tokki’s arms. Its boosters send him back a step but he grits his teeth and plants himself lifting the mech off the ground by its fusion cannons. A sadistic smile grows on Mauga’s face before he slams his head into the window, creating a crack in the armored glass and causing blood to drip down his forehead.

Ashe attempts to incite a competition over who can kill the most Talon soldiers with Amelie as the two defend D.Va’s flank. Amelie is unfazed, she knows her own skill and she is entirely focused on the mission. She doesn’t take the same pleasure in combat Ashe does, she kills them because people are counting on her too. For the mission, for Overwatch, and for Lena.

Lena runs forward in chase of Moira, she fled into a corridor away from the battle in the hanger. Lena knows it's a trap, she’s leading them towards Reaper. Lena can feel the same coldness she felt before, in the museum. The same dark shadow over her mind, and over her shoulder that wicked man always casts. As they finally reach the end of the corridor Lena cautiously opens the door. She is greeted by the same skull mask she expected.

Moira stands confidently behind Reaper with her arms crossed. “Gabriel do be a darling and deal with these pests. I’ll meet you at the evac shuttle.”

The masked man reaches into his coat retrieving two black shotguns. “With pleasure.”

He quickly raises a shotgun to Cassidy who redirects it with his arm. His other hand firing a shot at the black smoke that used to be Reaper’s head. With both hands Cassidy unloads the rest of the revolver into Reaper’s chest only to connect with more black smoke. He rolls behind a desk to reload.

Reaper rematerializes in front of Lena, his shotgun only a foot away from her face. He pulls the trigger before she can react to blink away. Genji slides in between them, spinning his sword deflecting as many pellets as he can back at Reaper, the rest hitting the wall behind Lena.

With Tokki’s arms bound Hana directs the mech to throw a kick at the brute. Mauga sweeps the leg, sending Tokki crashing to the ground on its back. He slams a foot down onto the window further growing the crack he caused.

Hana activates the boosters to escape Mauga’s attempt to smash the pilot’s window. The mech shooting out from under him causes him to stumble giving Tokki enough time to fly to its feet. Hana presses both fire buttons lighting Mauga up with her twin fusion cannons.

Two soldiers approach Amelie’s position. She lowers the rifle from her face and swaps it into automatic fire mode. She slowly peeks around the crate she is hiding behind but ducks back to avoid a third soldier creeping towards her. She pops out above the crate and opens fire on the two soldiers grouped together. A few bullets connect but one bats the rifle from her hands before she can finish them. She throws a solid punch at one of the men, knocking him out but the third from behind grabs her, locking her arms to her side. She looks to Ashe for help to find her facing her own close quarters assault.

She helplessly kicks at the Talon mercenary in front of her only to have her leg caught. Suddenly the man holding her foot falls to the ground as a kunai is lodged in his neck. Amelie elbows the man holding her in the stomach freeing herself then elbows him in the head knocking him unconscious. She grabs her rifle off the ground and kills the men Ashe is fending off with a second of machine gun fire. The woman gives her a nod in thanks.

Reaper doesn't flinch as his own hellfire pellets are deflected back into his body. Lena blinks across the room to flank him as Genji continues his attack with a sword slash directed at Reaper’s chest. Reaper collects into a cloud of smoke on the ground reforming in front of Lena. He shrugs off her machine pistol fire, clubbing her hard against the head with the barrel of one of his shotguns. Lena feels a ringing in her head as she stumbles backwards away from Reaper. A boot is placed on her back, a hard shove from it sends her crashing into a wall.

Reaper lets out a maniacal laugh, his mask making his voice sound almost mechanical. He lets out a heavy exhale as he imagines how he will dismantle his former underlings, now that Lena lay dazed on the floor.

Mauga grimaces as he takes a full frontal assault from Tokki’s fusion cannons. He endures the searing heat and stinging pellets as he picks up his chainguns to return fire. The barrels spin to life and bullets begin to shred into Tokki’s chassis, forcing Hana to cease fire and activate her defense matrix. The hard light based matrix sends projectiles to intercept every bullet Mauga is firing, but the onslaught of lead slowly begins to overwhelm the system.

“Reactor heat approaching critical.” The Meka’s AI announces.

“Shit, Tokki no no, hold on.” Hana shuts off power to every function except the defense matrix but the core temperature continues to steadily rise.

“Tokki, assess his ammo count against matrix uptime!” Hana shouts.

“Target’s estimated sustained fire time is seventeen more seconds. Estimated matrix uptime before critical failure is five… four.”

“Damn it Tokki! No!” Hana slams her hands on the controls.

As the reactor enters cooldown mode the defense matrix goes off line, the cracks in the armored glass grow as more bullets pelt the mech. D.Va screams in frustration trying to think of a solution before her heart drops. She raises her friends on the mech’s comm system.

“Kiriko, can you teleport us out of the hangar?” She asks.

“I can, what’s going on though?”

“I’m so sorry Tokki…” Hana says as she begins punching buttons on the control. “Meka, activate self destruct sequence.” A bullet rips through the mech’s glass and into D.va’s shoulder.

“Self destruct sequence begun, ejecting pilot. Please evacuate to a safe distance.” The mech announces, launching D.Va out of the back.

Mauga grins and lets out a belly laugh. “Self destruct huh? You think that’s gonna stop me?” He mocks, activating his implants to send his body into overdrive. He spreads his arms ready to take the blast head on.

Kiriko grabs D.va, Ashe, and Amelie and teleports them away from the hangar. A huge explosion shakes the mountain, the whole fortress rattles as the Meka’s reactor overloads. The four women return to the hanger to learn Mauga’s fate.

Genji rushes at Reaper with his sword drawn. The masked man turns to face him, catching the sword on his metal gauntlet. He bats the sword away with the same hand and throws a punch at Genji’s head, sending the Ninja reeling. A direct shot to the chest drops Genji to the ground.

“Quit cowering and face me like a man Cole.” His voice crackles across the room. “Death stops for no one.”

“I reckon not Reyes.” He says as he emerges from behind the desk, pistol drawn at Reaper. Suddenly the whole facility shakes. Reaper is caught off guard by the sudden blast giving Cassidy the chance to land a shot square on his chest. Reaper groans as the bullet sends him staggering back. Cassidy throws a flashbang at the masked man and darts for the door back to the hangar.

Hana returns to find Mauga crouched near the edge of the hanger, still breathing. The blast nearly sent him careening over the ledge, and off the mountain. He struggles to his feet as he sees the girls reenter.

“I told you, it’ll take a blast a lot bigger than that to drop Ol’ Mauga.”

Hana screams. “You killed Tokki! I hate you!” She rushes straight at Mauga to the man’s surprise. Before he can brace himself she crashes straight into him, sending both of them falling out of the hangar bay. She pounds her fists on his chest as they both fall before she feels something wrap around her leg. She suddenly stops as Mauga is left falling into the trees below alone, yelling. She looks up to see Amelie holding her up by a grappling hook. Ashe helps pull Hana back onto solid ground and she collapses.

Kiriko takes Hana’s head into her lap and places an ofuda on her bullet wound. Hana giggles. “That feels funny. Your lap is really comfortable you know…” She blinks as the ofuda clears her blurry vision. “You’re really pretty by the way, I think I’m gonna fall asleep.” she yawns burying herself deeper into Kiriko.

Ashe prods her with a foot. “Not yet. We gotta go make sure the captains haven’t made a mess of things.”

Kiriko nods as she helps Hana to her feet. “I’ll take us there.”

Reaper slowly approached Cassidy as he fled down the hallway. Eventually the cowboy slowed to a stop and wheeled around to face Reaper. “I ‘spose running’ll only serve to make me die a coward, huh Reyes.”

“That’s the spirit boy, face your death with some courage. I cross three names off my list today.”

Suddenly Kiriko appears in the hallway behind Cassidy with Hana leaning against her, light blaster drawn, and Amelie and Ashe with rifles ready at her sides. Reaper turns to face the sound of footsteps behind him. Lena is there with pulse pistols drawn. Genji at her side, one arm leaning against a wall, the other gripping his blade.

“Well, isn't this touching?” Reaper mocks.

“Give it up Gabriel! We have you beat!” Lena calls from behind.

“You cannot defeat death.” Reaper says turning into black mist, rising to the ceiling and vanishing.

Any celebration from the team is headed off by a deep rumble in the mountain. The force of the blast from the Meka damaged the base’s supports. A loud crashing is heard nearby as a ceiling collapses in a different room. The team all looks around nervously at each other before rushing back into the hangar. Inside is only one aircraft, the one Moira arrived on. The chassis is scarred and torn, clearly destroyed in Tokki's self destruction. As the feeling of despair grows and Reaper's words feel like they're going to ring true a rumbling from outside is heard.

Suddenly a Korean personal carrier flies into the hangar flanked by a dozen of mech’s belonging to Korea’s Mobile Exo-Force. The team boards the shuttle and narrowly escapes the hangar bay collapsing. As everyone relaxes nervously the craft takes them back to the Exo-Force headquarters where they can finally relax and celebrate surviving, even if Moira did get away once again. Their mission may not have been a complete success but they foiled her attempted terrorist attack, and lived to fight another day.

Genji lies flat on his back groaning in pain over his bullet wound. Kiriko’s ofuda does nothing to soothe the pain. Cassidy is too frustrated over the mission’s failure to celebrate any minor victory. Hana is spread across a couch, dramatically playing up her own injury as another medic is helping her.

Lena sits on the armrest of the couch next to her. “Hana, you think you’ll come back to the Watchpoint with us?”

“Probably not, going to have to get a whole new mech, and the Exo-Force still needs me to lead training exercises and do press events, you get it.”

Kiriko looks up towards Lena, Genji still laying on the floor in front of her. “You know I was thinking, this whole saving the world thing seems pretty cool, maybe I’ll join up.” She suggests with a shrug.

“On second thought, there were some upgrades I wanted to run by Torbjorn and what better time than a whole new mech to try new things.” Hana says quickly.

Lena gets up to sit next to Amelie off in a corner by herself. She is much like Cassidy brooding in her own world at her failure to capture Moira. Lena offers her a hand and she takes it.

“How ya feelin?”

Amelie sighs, not looking at Lena. “She got away, again.”

“Yeah, but with Mauga dead, no more Junker Queen to hide behind, she’s running out of friends. We’ll get her next time.”

Amelie turns to look into Lena’s eyes. “You think so?”

Lena leans in to kiss Amelie, enjoying her warm lips for a few seconds before pulling away. “I think so.”

Chapter Text

Tracer blinked onto the rooftop Widowmaker had perched on for the past few hours, waiting to get the perfect shot. A deep sigh left Widowmaker’s body as her personal orange menace once again attempted to prevent her from completing her mission.

“Stop villain!” Tracer shouted, taking a fighting stance.

“Ah, if it isn’t my least favorite Overwatch brat.” Widowmaker said with a groan, springing up from her prone position to brawl with her rival.

Tracer threw a punch that Widowmaker easily redirected, and with a push to the back, Widowmaker turned her momentum against her, sending her rolling on the ground. Tracer quickly found her feet before Widowmaker could launch a follow up attack and blinked away atop a chimney.

“You’re smooth Widowmaker, but I’m too fast for you!” Tracer mocked, until she felt the chimney begin to give way beneath her. One of the wooden supports of the platform she stood on collapsed sending Lena falling to the ground.

“Shit, wait-”

Widowmaker seized the opportunity and pounced on Tracer, pinning her wrists to the roof. “Too fast for me huh?” She teased pinning Tracer’s legs with a knee.

“I've been waiting a long time to catch you in my web, little agent.” She breathed onto Tracer’s neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Fuck, please.”

“You’re not very good at this game Lena.” Amelie said with a disappointed sigh.

“Sorry!” Lena whispered back. “Keep going.”

Widowmaker lowered her head to Tracer’s stomach, still holding her wrists down. She gave a soft kiss to Tracer’s tight abs forcing a quiet moan out of the agent. Widowmaker grabbed Tracer’s shirt in her teeth and began slowly pulling it up.

“Wait, we really should do this in your room, what if someone comes in here?”

“Nobody is coming to save you on this secluded rooftop, Tracer.” Widowmaker responded Tracer’s shirt still in her teeth.

Tracer whimpered, feeling Widowmaker's lips on her body once more, just beneath her chronal accelerator. She struggled against the hands holding her down but couldn’t force the taller stronger woman to budge.

“Please Amelie?”

“Fine, I suppose Widowmaker can take you prisoner.” Amelie responded with a sigh.

Amelie helps Lena back up to her feet and straightens her shirt back out. Lena grabs her hand and allows herself to be led outside the basketball court. As they reach the door it swings open in front of them and Commander Morrison walks through.

“Ladies.” He says with a nod as he passes them in his workout clothes.

Lena exhales loudly and shoots Amelie a relieved look as they walk past him to leave the gym. “I’m actually your favorite Overwatch brat right?” Lena asks with a giggle as the door closes behind them.

Tracer feels hands grabbing at the buckles of her chronal accelerator before the door to her prison cell even closes. As soon as the device is removed the hands move to her shirt. Quickly tearing off her workout clothes.

“Is this how Talon treats their prisoners?” Tracer asks as she is pushed onto the bed.

“Only very special ones.” Widowmaker whispers into her ear.

Lena wraps her arm around Amelie’s shoulder as she rests her head on Lena’s bare chest. Amelie pulls the blanket up over them and closes her eyes. Lena kisses the top of her head, enjoying the scent of roses on her hair.

“How’d I do?” Lena asks.

“Wonderful Lena, thank you for humouring me. For some strange reason I have a lot of pent up frustration for people wearing orange.” Amelie says with a giggle as she lays an arm across Lena’s chest.

“I always did try my best.”

Amelie sighs and quickly starts to drift off to sleep contended. “I love you, Lena.”

Lena pauses, unsure how to respond, Amelie doesn’t notice the silence as she has already fallen asleep. Lena lets out an uneven exhale as thoughts swirl out of control in her head. She pushes them all down and resigns to her tiredness as well.

Lena wakes up in her apartment. She feels the bed next to her to find it empty, but still warm. With a groan she rolls out of bed and heads out to the living room. Emily is sitting on the couch wearing nothing but one of Lena’s shirts. She’s watching the news but when she hears Lena enter the room a scared expression appears across her face and she scrambles to find the remote.

“What’s going on?” Lena asks sleepily. “Any big news?”

Emily sets the remote she just found back onto the armrest. “There uh, was a null sector invasion in Chicago…”

Lena jolts awake and rushes to her work bag, finding her communicator and checking for messages. Just one from Winston. An order to return to base, and information on when she would be picked up. Lena quickly began to change into her fighting equipment eliciting a sigh from Emily.

“Sorry, hon. The world needs me.” Lena called back to her as she put her legs in her jumpsuit.

“I know, it’s just… it feels like the world always needs you.”

Lena walks back over to the couch as she attaches her chronal accelerator, sitting next to her girlfriend. “It does, my love. I’m sorry, as soon as Null Sector is defeated, I’m yours. I’ll retire.”

Emily turns away from her. “But then it’ll be Talon, and even when you were retired, you never stopped trying to save the world. I know the world needs heroes, but I need you. Somebody else will save the world.”

“If I don’t go, and somebody I care about gets hurt I’ll never forgive myself.” Lena said, placing a hand on Emily’s shoulder.

Emily grabs the hand and turns towards Lena. “If you do go, somebody you care about will be hurt.”

Lena pulls her hand out of Emily’s and stands up. “I’m sorry Em, I’ll be back.”

Emily turns away as Lena walks out the door. “Don’t bother.”

Tracer shuts the door to the apartment behind her.

Lena wakes up with a gasp in Amelie’s bed. She checks the clock to see only 30 minutes had passed. Amelie was still deep in her nap. Lena attempts to slowly slide out of bed without waking Amelie, ensuring to place her head on the pillow. Lena puts her gym clothes back on and quietly slides out of the room.

She walks aimlessly around the base. Everybody else is looking busy quickly passing her in the halls. She simply walks forward looking down at her feet, until she finds herself at the med bay. Shrugging, she decides to head inside. She sees Angela inside presiding over Genji, laying on the table, his outer casing removed and many of his internal parts laying on a tray next to him.

“Hey, Genji, Ange. How’s it going?” Lena asks absentmindedly.

“According to Angela, It feels a lot worse than it is, which I suppose is some kind of consolation.” Genji lets out a small yelp as Dr. Ziegler tugs on a wire to inspect something beneath it.

“Genji should consider himself lucky, these pellets are designed to make organic tissue unhealable, but because they only connected with his cybernetics, he should be fine. Just have to design the repairs and send the blueprints off to Winston.” Angela says still giving her full focus to her work.

“I was uh, wondering if we could talk maybe?” Lena asked, once again staring down at her feet.

“Sorry, I still have a ton more work to do here, and I can’t just leave Genji in pieces on my exam table unfortunately.” Angela said, giving Lena a sympathetic look.

“You can speak, just pretend I am not here. I will sit very still.” Genji says.

Angela gives Lena a shrug as Lena laughs and takes a seat to watch the doctor at her work.

“It’s about Amelie, she uh… said she loved me. And I just kind of froze.” Lena said nervously scratching the back of her neck.

“How’d she react to that?” Angela asked before putting a piece of metal between her teeth to continue inspecting something.

“She didn’t notice, she kind of fell asleep.”

“Well, that saves an awkward moment I suppose. How’d it make you feel?” Angela asks, returning the part she removed back into Genji.

“Nervous… you know how things ended with Emily, I’m just worried that… I don’t know.” Lena said, pausing to sigh deeply a few times.

“That she’s going to make you choose between love and Overwatch, like Emily did.” Angela finishes Lena’s sentence for her as Genji groans from a poke to something in his insides.

“Yeah, I guess so… it feels like nobody understands that I always have to choose Overwatch, it’s my life.” Lena said tears welling in her eyes.

“Forgive the intrusion, but if anybody did understand, I think it would be Amelie. Her life from before Overwatch is gone. Gerard, Talon. Like you, Overwatch is her life, her friends and her home.” Genji says, his head laying flat on the exam table.

Lena thinks for a while in silence before responding. “I guess you’re right.” The room sits in silence once again before Lena speaks up. “Have you ever been in love before Genji?”

“Me? Oh yes, long ago.”

“What happened?” Lena asks.

“I didn’t ever give it a chance to work for fear it wouldn’t”

Lena sighs and stands up. “I know what I have to do.” She quickly exits the room, leaving Angela to continue poking and prodding at Genji.

“Is that story true Genji?’

“No, I made it up so she would feel better.” He said with a grin.

Lena rushed back to Amelie’s room before she could wake up. Brushing past confused people in the hall. Nearly knocking Mei over. She calls back an apology as she continues jogging through the halls. Lena quietly reenters the dark room to find Amelie still peacefully sleeping in her bed. Lena removes her clothes and carefully slides back in next to Amelie who stirs next to her.

“Where’d you go?” Amelie asks groggily, lifting her head up.

“The bathroom.”

“Oh okay.” Amelie lays her head back down on Lena to continue sleeping.

“Could we talk?” Lena asks nervously, causing Amelie to lift her head again and fully sit up.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Before you fell asleep, you said you loved me…” Lena said not looking into Amelie’s eyes.

“Oh, I did? I don’t even remember that.” Amelie said with a nervous laugh.

“Did you mean it?” Lena asks, finally making eye contact.

Amelie returns the stare and places a hand on top of Lena’s. “I did. I do.”

“It kind of made me panic in the moment to be honest, but I thought about it some more, and I realized it shouldn’t because… I love you too Amelie.” Lena said with a shy smile breaking across her face.

Amelie smiles back as happy tears well in her eyes. She lays back into the bed pulling Lena down with her.

“Do you think you’d want to… you know, be my… girlfriend?” Lena asks while trailing off multiple times

“Asked with all the confidence of a scared middle schooler.” Amelie teases leaning in to kiss Lena.

Lena pulls away from the kiss, not allowing their lips to touch. “Well, I’m not confident, okay? I am scared. This level of commitment is scary to me. But I want it anyway.”

“I’m sorry, it’s okay Lena. Of course I’ll be your girlfriend silly, I love you.” Amelie assures wrapping Lena in a hug.

“I love you too.” Lena kisses Amelie deeply, slowly falling back to sleep next to her.

Chapter Text

“You wanted to see me Morrison?” Amelie asked as she poked her head into his office.

“I did, sit down.” The commander says back not looking up from his computer. He continues typing as Amelie sits in silence, tapping her leg.

“Right, I wanted to ask you something Lacroix.” Morrison continued leaving another pause at the end. “I was planning on visiting Gerard’s grave, and I was wondering if you wanted to come.”

Amelie was taken aback. Since the trial her and Morrison had kept their distance. She assumed he hated her. “Can I ask why?”

“I’ve felt some animosity between us… I fear this is my fault. It’s true we have our differences, but I’m your commanding officer. If I’m not the bigger man and refuse to extend an olive branch, what kind of commander am I?”

Amelie sits and thinks for a while. It’s been a long time since she’d visited Gerard’s grave, and then it had been mostly a performance for Talon. Amelie was never sure how to feel about Gerard, most days she didn’t really feel anything. He simply was a person she used to have emotions for, but those emotions had long since been repressed to cope with the actions Talon forced her to commit. She wasn’t sure what would happen if she visited his grave.

“I noticed roses on his grave when I visited once… I assumed it was you, I was just wondering if you wanted to go together this time?” Morrison continued after Amelie didn’t respond.

“It was, Talon made me go on occasion, I think Moira wanted to test how I would react.” Amelie said, sounding and feeling distant from Morrison.

“I’m sorry, if I misunderstood and you don’t want to go-”

“I’ll come with you.” Amelie said, giving Morrison a weak smile.

He returns her smile with a curt nod. “Get ready then, I want to be on the road as soon as possible.”

“Wait, road? That’s like a fifteen hour drive…” Amelie said as she was standing up.

“I won’t approve the use of Overwatch aircraft for a personal trip. That a problem?”

“I guess not.”

Amelie returned to her room to find Lena laying on her bed reading a book. She looked up and waved at Amelie before returning to her reading. Amelie gave her an exasperated look and tossed a pile of clothes from her closet on her bed landing on top of Lena.

“You know you have your own room, yes?” Amelie asked, feigning annoyance.

“Mine doesn’t have you in it!” Lena said, smirking from behind her book.

“Neither did mine until just now.”

“Yeah, but much higher chance of you randomly walking into this one.” She said flipping the page to her book before tossing it to the ground. “Reading is so boring, how do you do this?”

Amelie picked her book off the ground and returned it to its rightful spot on her shelf. “Because some of us can sit still for more than three seconds. Were you like this before you could teleport, or did it just happen to a very fitting person?”

Lena blinked to Amelie’s chair causing it to spin wildly as she landed and sending the clothes previously on top of her across the floor. “You know you love me.”

Amelie walked over to Lena and took the woman’s face in both her hands. “I do.” Lena took the chance to bury her face in Amelie’s chest. “By the way, Morrison invited me on a trip, we will probably be gone for a few days.”

Lena sprung back up with a concerned look on her face. “Why? Where?”

“He invited me on his trip to Gerard’s grave, he wants to see if we can make up I think.” Amelie explained squishing Lena’s cheeks as she continued to hold her face.

“Sounds pretty heavy.” Lena said seriously as her face was being rolled around in Amelie’s fingers.

“Yeah, I think it will be good though.” She kissed Lena’s forehead and dropped her face. “Things have been weird between us.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

Amelie placed her suitcase in the trunk of the car Morrison had rented. She put it next to the small duffel bag already in there before closing the trunk. Morrison leaned against the rear fender of the car waiting for her. He spun the keys on his finger before standing up when the trunk latch closed.

“We’re gonna be gone for three days? How could you possibly need that many things?” Morrison asked as he sat in the driver’s seat.

“Perhaps I’m not willing to wear a black t-shirt and the same jacket every single day.” Amelie retorted.

“Hey when you're a vigilante on the run, clothes tend to stop mattering.” He said as he started the car and pulled away from the desolate parking lot outside of the street entrance of the Watchpoint.

“You aren’t anymore.”

Morrison grinned and turned onto the streets of Gibraltar. “Old habits die hard I guess.”

The two sat in a half awkward half comfortable silence as Morrison drove through Gibraltar. Soon they crossed into Spain and city turned to country. Buildings turned to single story, and infrequent. Morrison sighed as they passed a farm.

“Reminds me of home.”

Amelie sat leaned on her arm and looked over to her companion. “Where are you from?”

“The great state of Indiana, grew up on a farm actually.” He responded, the roads empty enough for him to steal a glance out across the fields.

“Aren’t you just the picture of the American Dream, bet you played football, joined the military right out of high school.” She teased lightly.

“Coach said I was the star of the team.” He said with a cocky grin.

The two resumed their silence, now much more comfortable with the ice broken. They both ignored the difficult emotions and intertwining of their past that lay ahead, and focused on the empty road in front of them. Amelie pulled out a book not long into the car ride, to occupy her mind.

“What are you reading?” Morrison asked idly.

“A book about a human who loved an omnic, and was killed for it. Lena was pretending to read it to impress me earlier, reminded me how much I enjoyed it.” Amelie explained not looking up from the page.

“Sounds like a… nice story.”

“It is not meant to be nice, it’s meant to be meaningful.” Amelie responded annoyed.

“Right… so, what is the deal with you and Lena anyway… you seem close.” He asked.

Amelie closed her book and looked out the window facing away from Morrison. “We are, she’s my um… girlfriend.” She said getting quiet at the end, unsure how Morrison would react.

“Oh, sounds nice. Glad she’s happy.” He responded genuinely as he adjusted himself in the seat.

Another moment passed with Amelie reading and Morrison occupying his mind as the road stretched endlessly. They passed through a small town of a few buildings, but before long the road grew sparse once again.

“So… you and Lena… are you bisexual then?” Morrison asked casually.

Amelie paused, she had considered this question before, though she did not enjoy how thinking of it made her feel. “I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure how?” He responded furrowing his eyebrows.

“Well, I loved Gerard but…” Amelie trailed off at the end.

“Ah, I think I get what you mean. I’ve been there too, you loved him, even if you didn’t like men. You cared about him, so you did things he wanted to, even if it… didn’t do anything for you.”

“Yeah, I guess you do get it.” Amelie turned towards Jack and gave him a genuine smile.

Jack pulled his eyes from the road to return Amelie’s look before straightening and continuing. “Obviously the other way around with me though, before Vincent I was with women, you know, star football player, they basically threw themselves at me, but it never made me happy, not like him.”

“Was Vincent your… someone you loved?”

“Someone I still love, though I haven’t seen him since the war. You were just a kid back then I guess but, the Omnic Crisis, it wasn’t the kind of time a First Sergeant of the U.S Army could focus on his love life.”

“Why not go to him now?”

“I’m sure he moved on, to the world I died after all. Him and whoever he made a life with, they don’t need old ghosts showing up on their doorstep.”

Jack sighed deeply. Amelie could tell he didn’t like thinking about this part of his past. She didn’t press him further. Jack relaxed back into his seat, appreciating Amelie’s understanding that the conversation was ending.

“I’m proud of you and Lena though, making love work in times like these, in our line of work, it isn’t easy. I’m rooting for you two kids.”
The two continued their car ride, sometimes in quiet, sometimes in light conversation. A new understanding formed between the two. Amelie wasn’t a dangerous Talon asset, she was a woman who enjoyed expensive things, she liked to tease, but understood when to let up. Jack wasn’t hateful, he cared about his friends, and wasn’t going to let anything else hurt them.

Jack stopped the car in a small town on the border between France and Spain. He pulled into a hotel parking lot. Jack fetched both of their belongings from the trunk before they headed inside. A bored looking young woman worked at the desk, barely looking up at their approach.

“We’d like a room for one night please.” Jack said politely reaching into his wallet for money.

“One or two beds?”

“Two”

“Alright, hope you and your daughter enjoy your stay. Here’s your key, Room 112.”

Jack pulled Amelie’s suitcase with his bag over his shoulder as they walked to their room. An entirely unremarkable hotel room with two twin sized beds. Jack set the luggage down and collapsed into the bed closer to the door. Amelie grabbed a change of clothes from her suitcase before heading to the bathroom.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

Jack called back confirmation before switching the television on. He turned it to the news and laid back into the bed.

Amelie turned the shower on to hot. She used to always take cold showers, with her body temperature the heat always bothered her, it made her feel tingly. Since the treatment with Dr. Ziegler, the warmth felt nice on her skin, it relaxed her. She lowered herself to the floor and sighed deeply as the water ran over her body. She wasn’t sure she was prepared for whatever emotions lie ahead for her. She learned to repress everything she felt, she was conditioned to feel less in the first place. Her time at Overwatch slowly broke that shell, her emotions were so much realer now. She didn’t know if she was ready for whatever Gerard’s grave would make her feel.

She thought of her own name. Amelie Lacroix. She still bore his name, the thought crossed her mind to change it many times over the years. The few times she brought it up to her handlers at Talon it was denied, and she was evaluated afterwards. She realized they would never let her bury that part of her past, they wanted her to remember what she did, to make her feel like there was no going back. Now that she found that way back, it felt disrespectful to change it. Agent Lacroix was back in Overwatch, she hoped that would have made him proud.

Amelie shut the shower off. She stood naked before the mirror for a while. Examining herself, her skin was pinker than she was used to. The purple face that looked back at her was so ingrained in her mind it was strange to see the face of a normal, almost healthy woman looking back at her. Sometimes, back then, she convinced herself she was actually dead, and that’s why she looked like that, everything was all a dream, it brought her comfort during her time at Talon. She quickly shook her head and got dressed returning to the main room.

“What’s on the news?” She asked as she climbed into bed placing the powered off Caduceus pack on the nightstand.

Jack sat up against the headboard, blanket pulled up to his waist. He wore an undershirt and shorts. “Usual stuff, omnics in London aren’t happy, European football is stupid, and something in spanish.”

Amelie gave a little laugh, she climbed in her bed and laid her head down facing away from the rest of the room. Jack shut off the television, followed quickly by dimming the bedside light.

“Goodnight Amelie.”

“Goodnight Jack.”

Amelie approached the car from the hotel suitcase in tow. As they neared the vehicle Jack threw her the keys. She caught them with a single hand and gave him a confused look.

“Your turn.”

Amelie tossed him the keys back. “I don’t exactly have a licence.”

Jack throws the keys to her again. “Me neither. You can drive right?”

“I can.”

The two pile back into the car after returning their luggage to the trunk. Jack settles into the passenger seat and turns towards Amelie. “Look at us, two formerly dead people, out for a drive.

“We’re going to jail if we get pulled over.” Amelie said with a laugh as she turned the keys in the ignition.

“Better drive safe then.”

Amelie drove the two through the french countryside. It had been her first time back in her country since Overwatch. The two drove past a castle as she navigated through winding roads up and around mountains.

“Is that like the one you grew up in?” Jack asked, pointing to the castle.

“Not quite, Chateau Guillard was less of a fortress and more of a home, and it was in better repair than that… though not by much.” Amelie answered, giving the castle a brief inspection before returning her eyes to the road to make another tight sharp turn.

“What was it like growing up in a castle?”

Amelie thought for a while before answering. “Lonely… and cold.”

“Sounds a lot like a farm.” Jack said with a wistful chuckle.

“I imagine so.” Amelie says, shaking spotty memories of her childhood from her head.

Amelie turned on the radio to fill the silence of the long drive. It crackled to life greeting her with a static filled french pop song, as they drove along it slowly increased in clarity. She remembered this song from her childhood. It was very popular, one of her favorites.

“Is this what you kids listen to these days?” Jack asked with a scoff.

Amelie laughed. “This song is over twenty years old Jack.”

“Yeah, these days.” He said with a chuckle met by an eye roll from Amelie.

The radio filled the drive with music as they carved their way further north through France. They passed through cities that looked familiar to Amelie, though she had never been to them. She travelled a lot as a dancer, but her time in France as Widowmaker was mostly spent under watch in Chateau Guillard.

“Was it you who had him buried in Annecy?” She asked.

“Huh, so that’s how you pronounce it?” Jack said with a chuckle. “No, I wanted him buried in Rome. Near the Blackwatch facility he founded. He was damn proud of it. I wanted him to be near his life’s work, but Angela said he should be laid to rest near his home, so he could finally take that vacation he always wanted.”

“He did always promise he would take a long vacation, and we would see the world together. I told him I just wanted to stay home with him for as long as he could.” Amelie said with a sad smile. She quickly wiped away the tears forming in her eyes.

“He always told me that was his dream vacation, guess it was your idea.”

Amelie did not incite anymore conversation as they continued further toward Annecy. As her thoughts of her scarce memories with Gerard grew, she felt less able to speak of him without crying.

After a time she began to recognize the streets she drove through. She remembered long road trips as a child starting and ending on these roads. The streets leading to Annecy. She steeled herself as mountains she recognized became buildings she recognized. Stores she recalled the names of. Shops she had been inside countless times. She focused on driving through the traffic of the late afternoon weekend streets of Annecy. Before long she pulled into a parking lot outside a cemetery she had visited many times before.

With a heavy sigh she killed the engine and turned to Jack. He looked straight ahead as he slowly exited the car. She followed suit and the two walked in silence towards the cemetery. They stopped at a small stand quietly selling flowers outside.

Jack purchased lilies.

Amelie purchased roses.

They continued to a small grave. Gerard Lacroix, husband, and Overwatch Agent. Amelie left her flowers before the headstone, off to the side, leaving room for Jack. He left his lilies next to hers. She had seen the lilies here before. She smiled, now knowing they were from him.

“I’m sorry Gerard.” She said quietly. Tears flowed from her eyes uncontrollably. All the tears Talon, Moira, had suppressed inside her leaked freely out, her quiet crying soon turned into an uncontrollable sob, for all that she had done, for all that had happened to her. When she finally ran out of tears, she felt Jack put a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s too late for that Amelie, you just have to keep living for yourself and try to make up for what happened. It's what Gerard would have wanted for you. Even if I can’t find it in myself to forget. I know he would have wanted for me to move on too. To accept you.” Jack responded with a low tone.

“Thank you Jack.”

The two stood in silence for a long time, each talking to Gerard in their minds. Soon Jack put his hands in his coat pockets and sighed loudly, leaning over to Amelie to whisper something in her ear.

“There’s five men approaching from the same entrance we did. I saw their van tailing us through the town. I don’t think they have guns, they’re here to capture us.” Jack said.

Amelie cursed to herself. She should have spotted the van tailing them. She should have noticed the men entering the cemetery behind them. She was off her game, Widowmaker wouldn’t have made that mistake. Before she could beat herself up for growing soft, Jack whispered to her again.

“We should head for that tree line, breaking up the battlefield will mitigate the numbers advantage. I won’t let them take you Lacroix.”

Amelie narrowed her eyes and began walking briskly towards the trees. “I can take care of myself.”

“I’m counting on it.”

As they made it to the forest Jack quickly ducked behind a tree, Amelie following suit and hiding behind her own tree. Jack broke a branch off above him and held it in his hands. With a deep breath he jumped out from behind the tree with a yell.

Jack blocked a strike from a baton with the branch before swinging it back at the face of his assailant so hard it splintered. As the man reeled from the attack Jack planted a boot on his head and drove him into a nearby tree. With an unsettling crunch the attacker fell limp.

Amelie’s stunned gawking at the sixty year old man’s unbelievable strength was soon interrupted by another mercenary attacking her with a baton. She ducked the swing and retaliated with a punch to his kidney. She met an attack from behind with a swift kick to the face. With her attacker from behind stunned she caught another strike from the baton to her front, pressing the weapon into the stomach of its wielder she pushed him into a tree and wrestled it from his hand. She swung it in a wide arc behind her catching the other Talon operative in the face. With the man from behind going limp and falling to the ground she follows up with a pommel strike to the one pinned to the tree, defeating both of her attackers.

She looked to Jack to find him standing over the bodies of three men panting. Blood marking his jacket. Amelie spins at the sound of a twig snapping behind her. She is met with a pistol 4 meters away. In the hands of a sixth attacker.

“Drop your weapon Widowmaker. It’s time to come home.” He said with a self satisfied grin on his face. “And you too old man.”

“Alright buddy, you got us.” Jack said as he lowered his stolen baton to the ground slowly. As he drops it his hand finds a rock. He quickly flings it from the ground at the gun, showering dirt over the man. The attack causes the gun to discharge pointed above Amelie’s head. Amelie quickly rushes to tackle him, taking him to the ground. He wrestles his arm with the gun free from her and lifts it. Jack drops it back to the ground with a stomp, a crack makes his hand go limp. Jack takes a glove out of his coat and puts it on, picking the gun off the ground.

“You work for Talon?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Another shot from the gun makes the rest of the man go limp. Amelie flinches narrowly avoiding blood splattering on her face.

“Pretty obvious he did.” Amelie says as she picks herself up from her pin.

“Needed to find out if he would cooperate. He wouldn’t. Let’s go, I’m driving back home. No more hotels.” Jack said, dropping the gun and returning the glove to his pocket. The two quietly and briskly walk back to the car. Jack speeds out of the parking lot. Police pass them on the way to the cemetery, sirens on.

“Guess you’re glad I came along after all huh?” Amelie said with a laugh once they cleared Annecy.

“I could have handled that alone. But yeah, the rest of this was nice I guess.” Jack said, his voice softening as he relaxed back into the seat, the adrenaline of their encounter wearing off.

“It was nice indeed.”

Chapter Text

Lena walked into the vehicle bay to find Hana tinkering under her new Mech. A base model with unpainted armor. Kiriko, the girl she was looking for, sat cross legged next to her.

“You should make Tokki 3 a fox!” She suggested excitedly.

“Um, Tokki 3 kinda has to be a rabbit, it’s in the name, and in all my branding.” Hana responded, holding a wrench in her mouth.

“Okay what about you call her Tokkthree?” Kiriko continues.

“Lol, nice.”

Kiriko suddenly springs up when she notices Lena. Hana slides out from under her mech at the sudden sound. Kiriko awkwardly salutes before scratching her neck and letting her hand fall to her side.

“Hi, Ms. Lena.”

Lena laughs and puts a hand on Kiriko’s shoulder. “It’s just Lena, love. And we don’t really do the salute thing around here.

“Oh, okay. Well what’s up then?” Kiriko asks, relaxing visibly.

“Let me take you out somewhere, celebrate your joining New Blackwatch, Genji is still recovering, everytime I go out with Cassidy or Ashe they start a fight, and Amelie is away on a trip so… looks like it’s just you and me.” Lena explains.

Kiriko rubs her arm with her hand before nervously suggesting. “Hana could come maybe.”

“Omg, there’s this arcade in town, we should totally go! They have pizza too.” Hana suggests sitting up on her garage roller.

“Yeah that sounds pretty cool.” Kiriko says, giving a shy smile.

“Tonight is whatever you want Kiriko!”

Hana wipes the oil off of her hands. She runs off to go get changed and Lena follows Kiriko back to her room. Kiriko pulls everything out of her closet and lays it out on the bed, she scrunches up her face as she struggles to decide what to wear.

“We’re just going to the arcade? You can wear anything.” Lena jokes.

Kiriko furrows her eyebrows. “I need to look perfect.”

The three girls arrive at the arcade. A brightly lit neon building with dozens of game machines. As soon as they make it through the door Hana grabs Kiriko’s hand and pulls her away, excited to show her something, leaving Lena standing alone in the doorway.

“I’ll get us a table… I guess.”

Hana and Kiriko both settle onto a ring toss machine, taking turns trying to use a launcher to land a ring around the rim of a bottle. Hana is struggling while Kiriko is landing every shot, to Hana’s frustration. After a game Hana points to a different machine, before the other girl follows her off.

Lena sits down at an empty booth and sighs. An older woman sitting next to her leans in. “Are they your sisters?” She asks loudly over the music blaring.

“What? Oh, I guess they kind of are, we take care of each other.” Lena responds.

“I see, but they’re not related?” She continues.

“No, we’re just all sticking together. That’s Hana, and that’s Kiriko.” Lena answers back.

“I’d say they have a crush on each other then.” The older woman says with a smirk. “The way Hana acts so confident but keeps looking back at how Kiriko reacts. And how Kiriko smiles and nods and happily does whatever Hana suggests. It’s cute.”

“Huh.”

“It’s nice to see young people acting like kids again isn’t it?” She asks, continuing her rambling.

“Yeah, I guess it is. They both had to grow up so fast.”

Hana rushes back up to the table where Lena is sitting with Kiriko in tow. Lena’s hand is grabbed and she’s pulled from the booth. With a wave from the woman sitting next to her, Lena is whisked away deeper into the building. Being pulled along by Hana and pushed from behind by Kiriko.

“Where are you people taking me!” She yells, feigning fear.

“They have bowling, it’s time to teach you chumps a lesson.” Hana explains, as they shepherd Lena into the bowling alley.

Lena presses her card to the machine and it spits out three balls. Lena takes hers and prepares herself. She draws it back and sends it into the gutter five feet in front of her. Hana pushes her aside, wielding her own ball. She pulls back and swings it forward, releasing too high, causing the ball to come crashing down and slowly roll into the gutter, even closer than Lena’s.

Kiriko laughs at both of them as she holds her ball in front of her. She closes her eyes and quietly chants something in Japanese before opening her eyes, revealing bright blue orbs. A path of the same color covers the lane and a fox spirit bounds down it. She unleashes the ball with amazing speed and power straight into the gutter ten feet down the lane. She hangs her head and sighs as the other guests in the bowling alley look at her in shock.

“Man we suck. Okay, next game.” Hana calls as she quickly leaves the bowling alley pulling on Kiriko’s hand while Lena follows the two of them, a smile on her face.

Hana leads them into a booth labelled Virtual Reality. She chooses a game about killing aliens from a large library. The walls around them turn into that of a dilapidated building. Kiriko looks around in amazement, as rifles materialize in their hands. Suddenly a bipedal green alien pops out through the ceiling screeching. Hana quickly raises her rifle and blasts the Alien, disintegrating him.

“Noob down!”

More aliens swarm the room as the three open fire, backs to each other. All of them killing swaths of alien monsters. Green goo gushes from the Alien’s wounds. Hana yelps, an Alien jumped from a hole in the ground right in front of her. She flinches and steps back, tripping over Kiriko’s legs. She falls to the ground. Kiriko spins around and shoots the Alien looming over her before getting to her knees to check on Hana.

“You okay?”

Hana smiles meekly. “Yeah, I meant to do that.” She looked up at Kiriko as the girl kneeled over her. She quickly broke eye contact and blushed lightly. “This kinda reminds me of back at the hangar.”

“You gonna call me pretty and try to fall asleep in my lap again?” She says back, giggling.

Hana’s subtle blush turns a bright red. “I did that?!”

Suddenly the scene vanishes. A victory scene displays over the once again white walls of the virtual reality booth. Lena lifts the nothing in her hand that used to be a rifle over her shoulder.

“While you two were, I dunno making out on the floor or something, I killed the aliens.” Lena said feeling proud of herself.

Hana quickly stood back up and stomped her feet. “We weren’t doing that… I tripped!” She shouted indignantly.

Lena laughed as she exited the booth, the two girls following. They returned to their table, The older woman from before having vanished. Hana ordered a cheap pizza. Lena sat spread in the booth, while Kiriko and Hana sat on the opposite side of the table on metal chairs. They enjoyed the mediocre pizza while the loud music blared. After the meal the three made their way outside into the now night time air.

“Hey Kiri, wanna play Mecha Guardian V tonight?” Hana called back as they walked back to base, with Hana pulling out ahead.

“I’ve never played before.” Kiriko responded nervously.

“Omg, you gotta then I’ll teach you how, I’m like the best player ever, but like actually… I’m the number one player.” Hana bragged.

“That’s so cool!”

Lena put an arm around Kiriko’s shoulder. “Kiri huh? Cute.”

Kiriko punched her arm and ran out ahead to catch up with Hana. When they all made it back to base Hana ran off to her room, calling back to Kiriko to video call her when she got back. Lena walked Kiriko to her room heading inside with her.

“So, you and Hana huh?” She asked with a knowing smirk.

“That obvious?”

“Oh yeah. I think you two are cute.” Lena says as Kiriko slumps to the floor. Lena drops down to join her.

“She’s just so, ugh I don’t know… I’ve always been this confident, clever, leader, warrior, everything. But the second I saw her she made me feel… weak.” Kiriko said with a deep yearning sigh.

“She’s clearly got it pretty bad for you too.” Lena teased holding Kiriko’s face up as the girl attempted to melt onto the floor.

“You think so?” She asks excitedly.

“You haven’t noticed how she just loves to show you everything she enjoys, and keeps looking back to make sure you’re having fun, that’s how she shows affection.” Lena assures her letting the girl go, causing her to finally finish collapsing onto the ground.

“Enjoy your Mecha Guardian V.”

Chapter Text

Lena laid her head back into Amelie’s lap as she sat up in bed reading a book. Lena let out her third deep sigh in the past ten minutes, prompting a brief glance from Amelie before she returned to her book. Lena looked up at her eyes, focused intensely on reading. She sighed even louder.

“Yes dear?”

“I’m bored, let’s do something.” Lena groaned loudly.

“I am doing something.”

Lena’s continued complaints are cut off by the sounding of an alarm, and a voice over the loudspeakers. “Emergency, doctor needed at the landing zone, emergency.”

Lena quickly shot up and shared a confused look with Amelie. She climbed out of bed and put her shoes back on. Amelie set her book down and followed suit. The two briskly walked to the landing zone to discover what was happening. They arrive to find a small crowd has formed around an overwatch aircraft. Angela Ziegler, flanked by two assistants, rushes on board the craft, pushing a stretcher. Amelie looks to Lena with concern. An agent has been injured badly if Angela herself is pulling her off the aircraft. Lena returns her worried look. She tightly grips Amelie’s hand as the crowd awaits Dr. Ziegler’s return.

After a minute of the crowd waiting in silence, Angela reemerges.

“We don’t need an audience, clear the way!” She shouts.

As the crowd begins to disperse the stretcher is rolled out, carrying Fareeha Amari. She is unconscious, stripped of her armor, wearing nothing but a heavily torn bodysuit. Crude bandages cover the rips in the fabric. Ana exits the plane behind her, a grim expression on her face. The five rush off to the medical bay, leaving Lena and Amelie alone on the landing platform.

Amela and Lena walk into the medical bay, the usual quiet atmosphere of the lightly staffed military hospital replaced with a frantic rushing of surgeons and attendants. Amelie and Lena head to Dr. Ziegler's office. Talking in a hushed tone can be heard, silenced by a knock from Amelie.

“Come in.”

The two enter to find Angela sitting in her chair, eyes puffy and red, Ana leaned close to her, a hand on the doctor’s shoulder. She signals to two chairs across from them, Lena and Amelie take a seat.

“Hey girls.” Angela says with a sigh, wiping a tear off her cheek.

“How is she? What happened?” Lena asks.

Angela breaks out into a sob again and leans further into Ana’s support. The older woman answers for her.

“We were helping a local militia assault a Talon base, we had intel it was only lightly staffed and housed an important asset. We were wrong. Fareeha got lured out into open air, and a whole squad opened fire on her, she took a lot of hits, and a pretty nasty fall.” Ana explained grimly.

“But she’s alive?” Lena asks, leaning forward on the desk, fear in her voice.

“Yes she is.” Ana rubs Angela’s shoulder. “And she has the surgeons you hand picked operating on her. She will be fine, darling.”

Ana set Angela into a sitting upright position and removed her arm from around the woman. “Angela dear, go to my office, make yourself some tea, I will be with you soon. I have some business to take care of.” She turns to Amelie and Lena. “I’d like to have a meeting with your people, gather them in your office.”

Ana stood up and walked out of the doctor’s office, an angry and determined look on her face. Angela follows her out, looking back to Lena and Amelie as she leaves. Amelie gives her a smile, which Angela weakly returns. Amelie and Lena share a glance before standing up to exit themselves to gather New Blackwatch.

Jack and Ana enter the New Blackwatch office as everyone is seated talking in hushed tones. They both stand up in front of the audience before Ana gives him a pat on the shoulder, and signaling for him to take a seat as well. He obliges and Ana begins.

“Myself and Agent Pharah both led a failed assault on a small Talon base in northern Nigeria. We had intel that a potentially important Talon asset was stopping off there before returning to a secret facility, one we would lose them at. Having now combined intelligence with headquarters I believe some puzzle pieces have lined up.” She begins before taking a deep breath.

“A small aircraft, with fake identification tied to Talon, landed in a small private military installation in Nigeria. The craft had no cargo aside from two individuals, fake identities also leading back to Talon. The plane took off from Korea. According to Jack, this means something to you all.”

The room is alight with anticipation. Cassidy breaks the silence. “Moira.”

Ana nods. “It seems likely. We assumed it was someone important, but her… we’re not sure what she’s doing in Nigeria. This may be your last chance to capture her before she drops off the face of the earth. This is the only Overwatch team ready to deploy, if you don’t feel up to it, we can wait to get a larger strike team together, but there’s no telling how much longer Moira will be there. Especially now that the base has been attacked.”

Ana looks across New Blackwatch, all resolute in their decision without a single word shared. She smiles at the looks of determination across the team.

“Very well. The militia has agreed to send over their intel. The base is too heavily manned for a frontal assault, I trust you will come up with a plan. Good luck.”

Without another word Ana briskly exits the room to return to her own office. Jack stands to take her place in front of the room.

“Here’s all the intel we have. Blueprints, that's you, Amelie and Genji. Cargo and prisoner manifests, Ashe and Cassidy. Leaving Kiriko and Lena with personnel and armaments. Good. One more thing team, two people arrived at the base from Korea, not just Moira. Reaper will be there again, so I’m coming with.” He tosses files to the team, and leaves them with a determined nod.

The squad breaks off into their groups to pour over their assigned documents.

“Alright, first things first, Cargo manifest 1151, receipt of two VIPs, holding location is cargo bay C2.” Cassidy begins reading from a page in his folder.

“Looks like C2 is a small office above cargo bay C. As for entrances we have… the main entrance and the cargo bay doors also around the front. An auxiliary entrance, a door on a platform outside the third floor with a ladder leading up. Lastly, the service entrance, close to the prison. What do guards and defences look like?” Genji asks, pointing to various spots on the building's blueprints. “Huh, looks like the base has self-destruction measures too. Interesting, bit too flashy.”

“Main entrance has ten guards during the day, five at night, with two manned heavy machine guns. Seems like a no. Service entrance, we’re looking at two guards with automated turrets. Auxiliary entrance is just turrets, Looks like Auxiliary is our best bet inside.” Lena answers.

“Auxiliary entrance is too far away from bay C, too much exposure, through the front at night might be a better play, more guards but less time inside.” Amelie offers.

“Reaper is sure to put a loud end to any stealth mission, and he’s likely to be right there with her.” Ashe said, focusing intently on her documents. “You know back in Deadlock, one time for a big heist we staged a huge breakout in the jail nearby, diverted all the cops, got away clean. Looking at prisoner manifests, they’ve got a lot, local militia men and other dissenters mostly, a few professionals though, a doctor, a demolitions expert, and an ex-overwatch agent.”

“We could set them free, yeah, serves as a distraction and we get the prisoners out.” Kiriko says. “If we overpower the two guards stationed in the prison.”

Genji shakes his head. “Too messy no telling where Moira would slip away too in the chaos, we should look to extract Moira alone, then a proper strike team can liberate the prisoners, with help of the locals. I like Amelie’s idea of the front, but what if we enter through a cargo truck instead, do the manifests cover any upcoming deliveries?”

“No dice, we’d have to get one locally.” Cassidy responds.

“We don’t know how long that will take, we should come up with something else.” Lena responds. “What do the base's evacuation routes look like, we could start a fire to try and lure her out.”

“Huh, the cargo bays evacuate out of the garage doors, but hold C2 deviates to the executive route. Ah, no good, the whole base has a fire suppression system, no way to start a fire big enough to get through that.” Amelie explains sliding the evacuation plans back into its folder

“Shit, well wait what if we use the self-destruct sequence to evacuate the base?” Lena says, standing up out of her chair.

“No good, it says it uses a code.” Genji explains, Lena sits back down disappointed at having been shot down.

“Also we can’t just blow up the prisoners.” Kiriko adds while pouring through her documents to find any exploitable weakness.

“Wait, the prisoners, you said there was a demolition’s expert in the prison right? Maybe we could have him manually trigger the countdown, then evacuate the prisoners once Moira has been moved.” Amelie says, causing a moment of silent contemplation.

Cassidy furrowed his brow, closing his own folder. “Okay… I’m sure the local fighters wouldn’t mind if we took care of their Talon problem in the process. I’ll run this by Jack, let’s get ready to leave tonight.”

“Yes captain.” Amelie says with an affirmative nod as she stands to leave and prepare her equipment.

Amelie looks at herself in her full body suit in the mirror. She finishes affixing her grappling hook to her wrist. She strikes a few subtle poses with her rifle, still admiring herself in the mirror when she is startled by her door being flung open. She turns around quickly to face Lena. Her face lights with a smug grin as she catches Amelie checking herself out in the mirror. Lena shuts the door behind her before approaching Amelie.

“Admiring the goods, love?”

Amelie blushes before quickly fumbling with her visor and lowering it across her eyes. “No, I was just about to test to make sure my visor was working.”

Lena places her hands on Amelie’s shoulders. “Does that let you see through my clothes?” She asks in a joking voice.

“No, it's an infrared recon visor, pretty standard for Talon special operatives.” She explains matter of factly as Lena rolls her eyes.

“Right, silly me. Anyway, what shall we get up to before departing?” Lena asks.

“I was going to check on Angela before leaving, you may come if you’d like.”

Lena shrugs and turns to leave the room she had just entered. As Amelie follows, Lena grabs her hand and swings it by her side while the two walk towards Ana’s office. Lena tries to pull ahead, giving a tug to Amelie to speed her up but is met with her steel resolve to continue walking at a reasonable pace.

The two arrive at Ana’s office to find Angela sitting across from her. The women inside are sharing a laugh, but the turmoil on Angela’s face is still obvious. Angela smiles at their arrival, the expression that crosses Ana’s face is inscrutable. She gives the women a polite nod as they join Angela in sitting across her desk.

“Apologies ladies, we have just run out of tea.” She pauses, placing a hand on her chin before continuing. “Angela darling, a walk would do you good, would you be a dear and fetch us some more tea, and Lena please do go with her.”

Lena shoots a concerned glance to Amelie, aware that Ana is trying to speak to Amelie alone. Amelie returns Lena a nod of confirmation, and she leaves to escort Angela to the pantry. As they leave Amelie turns back to Ana, giving her a polite smile. One not returned.

“How’s Angela holding up?” She asks.

“Well enough, she cares deeply for Fareeha, but we’re certain she will pull through.” Ana says not tearing her eyes away from Amelie’s. “Dr. Ziegler speaks highly of you, it made me realize… you and I have not had a proper conversation.”

“I suppose we haven’t. I believe we were both making a point to avoid each other on your last visit to the rock, given… the circumstances.” Amelie responds, returning her stare with confidence.

“Yes, that is true. It’s not just her who speaks highly of you truthfully. Jack as well. Your ops with Blackwatch, your trip with him, you’ve spent your entire stay with Overwatch fighting Talon. Why?”

Amelie doesn’t skip a beat. “I won’t let Moira do what she did to me to others.” She answers with confidence, already knowing the answer to the question.

Ana gives a light chuckle. “I figured it was revenge. You truly are a brave girl Ms. Lacroix, most would take their new freedom and find a cozy hole to hide in, but you chose to fight back.”

“After all the wrong I’ve done, I’m not sure I deserve a quiet life. I’m not sure I could even live one.” Amelie says, resting her face in her hands, and finally looking away from Ana.

Ana gives Amelie a sad look. “I understand, we who lead a warrior’s life, don’t get a quiet retirement.” She holds a hand out to Amelie who cautiously accepts it. “I can’t say I am sorry for how I treated you, nor am I entirely certain I was wrong yet. But I do hope you continue proving me so, child.”

“I’m sorry about your eye.” Amelie offered, looking back up at Ana’s face..

“Don’t push your luck.”

Angela and Lena return to the room. Ana retracts her hand leaving Amelie’s laying on the desk. Lena takes the tea she acquired and begins making a new kettle. Ana stands in protest.

“Oh sweetheart that’s okay, let me do that.”

Lena smiles at her as she continues brewing the tea. “No it’s okay, I enjoy it.”

Ana slowly sits back down. “Age hasn’t caught up to me yet young lady, but if you insist.”

As Angela gets settled back in, the door to the office slides open. Jack Morrison takes a few steps into the room before clearing his throat. Lena turns to him before slowly setting her implements down. Ana stands once again and moves to Lena.

“I suppose I will be making that tea after all. Go, I’ll hold down the fort here.” She says ushering Lena towards the doorway with Amelie following.

“You and Winston are in charge while I’m gone. Don’t let the place burn down.” Jack says to Ana as he leaves with the two women, giving her a smirk at the end.

Amelie gives a cheery wave to Angela who smiles and returns it. She mouths goodbye as she is whisked away to leave for her mission.

They follow Jack through the corridors of the Watchpoint in silent anticipation. He leads them through the halls down to the landing platform. The rest of New Blackwatch stands gathered outside Ana and Pharah’s aircraft. Cassidy has fished his old Blackwatch get up out of a deep storage closet. He tips his now black hat to the group joining him around the plane.

Genji is donning a black hoodie, still adorned with his usual green accents. His typically shiny metal mask has been darkened to be less reflective. He is holding a bag underneath his arm.

Ashe has a leather jacket and pants with all her typical fancy red and gold frills replaced by a dull tactical gray. The jacket’s armor coverage has been increased, now extending across both of her arms. Her corset is replaced with a bullet proof vest. The wood of her rifle has a darker finish over it, but the gold remains.

Kiriko’s athleticwear shrine maiden’s outfit has been dyed black. Her skirt is shortened but still a dark red. It conceals a dozen belts around her legs carrying kunai. A fox mask is hanging from her waist, next to her bag of ofuda.

“Wow, love the fits gang.” Lena says nodding approvingly. “Feel a bit out of place in orange though, should have told me we were all wearing black.” She says jokingly.

Genji tosses the bag to her. “Torbjorn sends his regards.”

Lena heads on board with New Blackwatch following. Jack sits in the pilot seat while Lena makes for the bathroom to get changed. She strips out of her usual bodysuit. She opens the bag and pulls out a lightweight armored vest stopping at her midriff. She slips it on and finds it surprisingly flexible. She reattaches her chronal accelerator over it. She pulls out a dark leather jacket, straps feed into the vest to ensure it doesn’t flap. The pants are baggier than she is used to, a light orange leather harness fixes them tighter to her hips. She tucks the end of the pants into hard knee high carbon fiber boots. She puts her orange goggles back on and heads back out into the main room to show off.

“Wow, Lena, you look… great.” Amelie says, a slight blush in her cheeks.

“You don’t have anything covering your stomach, not sure if that’s wise.” Jack says, narrowing his eyes.

“Well Torbjorn insisted on the vest, but if it extended to my waist it would affect my movement, so we compromised. Besides, I just won’t get hit. Always been my plan.” Lena responds shrugging.

“That plan was quite effective, and I like the crop.” Amelie adds as Lena sits down next to her in an armchair.

“Of course you do.” Kiriko shouts from across the room, laying across the arms of the other chair in the craft.

“I miss the couch.” Ashe says longingly as she sits propped against the wall on the floor.

“I miss that old plane. Maybe Talon will have a new one to steal at this base.” Cassidy adds.

Jack stands to address the team, everybody turns to look at him as he clears his throat. “Alright everyone, we’re going to land in Lagos, then take a van up to the north. We’ll park in a village near the base, and meet up with the local militia. They’ll give us a more recent account, and we can assess if the plan is still viable. Speaking of the plan, we’re splitting up into three teams, infiltration and ambush. Shimada and Oxton are on Infiltration. Myself, Cassidy, and Ashe will set up the ambush with the locals. Lacroix will run overwatch on a nearby hill with Kamori watching her back. Infiltration will return to the village with the extracted prisoners to wait for rendezvous after they set off the self-destruct. Sounds good?”

Nods around the aircraft cause Jack to finally relax and join the team in resting on the ground. The flight to Lagos is short, little conversation permeates the air of nervousness. When the plane finally lands in a small airport on the outskirts of Lagos, the team exits into the warm, noisy evening air of urban Nigeria. Two windowless white vans pull up and New Blackwatch rides away towards their mission.

Chapter Text

Amelie sat in nervous anticipation as her rifle stood clenched between her thighs during a bumpy van ride away from the Nigerian coast deep into the plains. Two gruff looking local men sat in silence with her in the van, along with Kiriko, Lena, and Genji. She caught Lena’s gaze a few times as the woman stared off at nothing behind Amelie. She gives her a wry smile that Lena returns. Kiriko is tapping her fist against her thigh.

“So, is everything in place on your end?” Genji asked the two men against the cabin wall of the van.

“Yes, we are ready.” One of the men responded in a thick Hausa accent.

The other man speaks up. “Is the flying one okay?”

Lena smiles. “Yeah, she’s gonna pull through.”

The man nods and silence resumes. Eventually Amelie drifts off into an uneasy sleep occasionally woken up by bumps in the uneven road across the Nigerian countryside. She has strange dreams influenced by the idle chatter between Kiriko and Genji. Eventually she is suddenly shaken away. She jolts up to find the man next to her reaching over to now rouse Kiriko. They all pile out of the van to see the other half of the team doing the same from theirs.

The sky is still dark as they arrive in the village. Small brick houses sit in a straight line along a dirt road. She can hear the sounds of shops from across a wall behind the row of houses. The road they exited onto was empty. The men begin ushering the Overwatch agents into a small single room house. Ten men line the walls of the house, with one wearing a tan beret sitting in the middle. He signals for Blackwatch to sit with him.

“Thank you for the welcome.” Jack says with a nod as he sits in front of the man.

“Our reconnaissance has ensured all the intel we delivered is still current. And we don’t believe your target has left the site.” A wide smile crosses his face. “I must say, when Amari relayed your plan to me, I was inspired. It’s beautiful really.”

“Thanks, it was a team effort.” Lena responds cheerily.

“We should move now, the sun will rise in a few hours.” He says, standing. With a few hand signals the men along the wall make their way outside. They reveal jeeps and bikes from beneath tarps, and retrieve weapons from inside the houses. Soon a small fighting force of about twenty men is gathered. They return to the vans and leave for the Talon base.

Amelie and Kiriko are dropped off at the foot of a forested hill. Amelie quietly creeps up the hill as the van pulls away. Kiriko follows close behind, kunai in her hand. Suddenly she hears a crackle over her earpiece.

“Ambush team is almost in position, overwatch team, status?”

Amelie presses a finger to her ear. “Moving into position.”

She finds a suitable location to set up, a large bush with the leaves raised slightly off the ground near the top of the hill, no trees obscuring her view of the base. She lays prone underneath the bush and lowers her visor. Kiriko crouches next to a tree nearby, keeping watch behind Amelie. Amelie affixes a suppressor to the end of her rifle and lowers her eye to the scope spotting two red outlines slowly approaching the outer fence of the base. They both quickly fall prone as a truck passes by the road behind them.

“Infiltration team, I have you in my sights, clear to engage.” Amelie says into her radio.

“Roger that, lo- overwatch team.” Lena responds in a whisper.

Lena blinks to the top of the fence and quickly drops down on the other side. She watches as Genji scales and dismounts next to her. He silently signals towards a door, two men stand next to it idly chatting as two wall mounted turrets scan the area in front of them.

“Widow, can you deal with those turrets?” Lena asks over the radio.

“Firing in three, two, one.”

A pop is heard as a bullet connects with the left turret. The two men jump and look confused at the sudden sound. They’re startled again by another pop deactivating the second turret. Suddenly fists connect with each of their faces dropping them to the ground. Lena and Genji drag them into the brush away from the door. Genji draws his knife and Lena looks away.

The two emerge from the bushes and Genji pulls lockpicking tools from his pocket. Quickly clicking the lock open and twisting the knob. The two head inside and quietly close the door behind them.

“I no longer have direct visual of you, I’ll keep an eye on the door. Good luck.”

Genji leads them along the planned path towards the prison. Stopping to let patrols pass them by. When they come to the prison entrance they find two guards standing blocking the entrance, facing towards the intersecting hallway Genji and Lena are in. Genji pauses, unsure of how to proceed. Lena blinks across to the other side of the hallway and pulls a painting off its hooks. She takes a deep breath and launches it further down the hallway away from Genji before blinking back to his side. The two flatten themselves against the wall as the guards both walk out into the hallway to check the disturbance. Genji and Lena simultaneously hit each of them in the back of the head. Genji quickly grabs the keys from one of their belts and the two drag them inside the prison. They lean them up against the inside of the door and Genji once again draws his dagger.

Jack sits crouched in a bush on the side of an unpaved road. Two jeeps block the path further down, with men hiding behind them. Cassidy is kneeling next to him. Ashe is posted across the road. Jack can feel his heart racing. He presses his finger to his earpiece.

“Status report.”

Amelie responds. “All’s quiet, no trucks coming in or out, just one patrolling. No alarms, everything seems to be proceeding well.

“Infiltration, status.” He demands.

The channel sits in silence awaiting a response. After thirty seconds Lena responds.

“We’re in the prison, checking the logs for our guy, all good.”

Jack lets out a sigh.

Lena pulls out a keyboard to search the records of the prison. Two dead bodies are laying on the ground under the desk of the reception. Without a name she has to manually check every file before she finds the right one, when suddenly a name catches her eye. Jamison Fawkes. She clicks it. Demolitions Expert. She presses her radio.

“Does the name Jamison Fawkes mean anything to us?”

“You mean Junkrat? That guy we… worked with, I guess, in Junkertown.” Cassidy responds.

“Well, seems he’s our demolitions expert.” She says over the radio before turning to address Genji. “Cell 17, let's go get him.”

Lena spins the keys around her finger as she approaches the cell. Junkrat looks up at her, suddenly jumping to his feet when he realizes it isn’t one of the guards.

“You, from Junkertown, I remember you. Overwatch right? You gotta get me out of here.” He demands, wrapping his hands around the bars.

Lena turns the key in his cell lock. “Of course, but you gotta do something for me.”

“What?” He asks with a look of suspicion on his face.

“You gotta help us blow this place up.” She says with a smile.

His face spreads into a grin even wider than Lena’s. “With pleasure. Though you’ve got to help me get Roadhog out too, can’t rightly blow up my best bud.”

Lena stops at cell 13, inside a nondescript looking man in his forties sits quietly. “Hey you, you used to be Overwatch, yeah?”

The man suddenly jolts up and looks at Lena. “Yes, why?”

She unlocks his cell and tosses him the keys. “Unlock everyone, and get ready to lead them out of here, you’ll know when.” He nods, Lena gives him directions towards the exit and she departs with Genji and Junkrat.

They sneak to a small empty office. It’s clearly worked in but is vacant for the night. Wood panel walls are decorated with framed pictures of a man with his family. Lena counts out panels from the door before signaling one to Genji. He pries it off with his sword revealing wires and pieces of plastic underneath. Junkrat giggles with excitement at the reveal.

“Alright what do we have here? Fascinating, looks like it's connected to a bunch of others across the building, if one receives a detonate signal, they all do.” He explains as he excitedly examines the device in the wall before turning to Lena and Genji. “Do you have two phones?”

“Uh, no. We didn’t bring our phones.” Lena explains.

“No problem, I can make it work with two radios as well.”

“We only have two radios, and we need at least one to communicate with our team.” Genji responds.

“Shit, okay. Well I can trigger it from here. The hardware is fixed to a ten minute timer, plenty of time to get out of the building, probably. I usually prefer to get to a safe distance before pressing the big red button, but no problem I suppose.”

Lena nods and Junkrat presses a wire to the exposed a circuit board.

“Warning, self-destruct sequence activated. This is not a drill. Please evacuate the building. Countdown is ten minutes.”

Junkrat dusts off his hands. “I reckon we oughta get outta here then.”

Amelie scans the base as red outlines pour out of it and into the road. Some getting in vehicles. She desperately tries to get a visual of Moira. Suddenly she notices a fourth outline still in the building. She quickly snaps to it and studies it to determine what it is. It’s a tall outline, its heat signature is dimmer than the others but still visible. Suddenly she freezes.

“Infiltration, exit immediately. Reaper isn’t evacuating, he’s looking for you.” She shouts over the radio.

Jack slams his fist to his knee before standing up. He planned to confront Reaper at the ambush. “Fuck, infiltration run. I’m coming to deal with him myself. Infiltration and overwatch, proceed with the planned rendezvous, stick with the plan.”

He runs to grab a bike from one of the locals and speeds away towards the base. He drives aside the road to slip past any evacuating vehicles. His head is completely clear of distractions. Only one thing is on Jack Morrison’s mind.

“Commander, I have visual on Moria… do I have permission to take the shot?” Amelie hesitated, slowly tracking Moira in her sight, waiting for clearance.

Nothing on her radio.

“Commander requesting permission to take the shot.” She yelled into her earpiece.

“Shit!” She slammed her hand on the dirt underneath her. Moira was ushered inside a large truck that quickly pulled away from the base, towards the expected route. She cursed Jack and crawled out from under her bush. She looked at Kiriko and sighed. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Moira is inbound, third vehicle.”

Lena ran back the way they came, staying low and checking corners before proceeding. Junkrat and Genji followed closely behind. She stopped to let a train of guards run past them before continuing with their own escape. Over the sound of their own footsteps they were trying to make as quiet as possible, the rhythmic thumping of boots slowly walking through nearby corridors can be heard. Lena subtly checks around the next corner, Reaper. He notices a head peeking out from around the corner and lets out a maniacal laugh. The heavy sound of footsteps speed up as the three run in the opposite direction away from him. They quickly round a corner and are greeted with the masked man, shotguns in each hand waiting for them.

“Death appears.”

Chapter Text

Reaper stands at the end of the hallway, breathing heavily, waiting for Overwatch to make the first move.

Genji draws his sword. “If you wish to run Lena, I will not fault you, but one of us must stay and fight.”

“Brave of you to volunteer.” Reaper calls to him.

“I’m not running Genji, it’s you and me.” Lena assures him drawing her pistols.

“And foolish of you to refuse.” He says letting out another cackle.

Reaper draws shotguns from his cloak and begins to slowly approach. He halts when his eyes meet Junkrat, a whimpering mess cowering behind Genji.

“You are of no consequence, whelp. Run.” Reaper calls to him as he speeds up his approach.

“Sorry, pals!” Junkrat shouts as he flees down the hallway.

Genji lunges forward, slashing through Reaper as he turns into a shade. Genji slides past him before wheeling around. As he reforms he is met with a barrage of bullets from Tracer’s pistols. He lifts an arm to cover his face, shrugging off the fire until the magazines run dry. Tracer quickly holsters them again and blinks towards Reaper. She reemerges into a drop kick catching him off guard and sending him stumbling backwards into Genji’s outstretched blade. He dissipates into smoke again, flying over Genji and reforming a distance away. He fires a shotgun blast down the hallway. A few pellets pepper Genji causing him to grunt in pain. Tracer blinks past the shot, landing next to Genji. She quickly reloads her pistols. Genji charges in with his blade, deflecting another shot from Reaper. As he closes the distance Tracer blinks ahead, reappearing soaring above Reaper preparing to stick a pulse bomb to him.

Reaper quickly grabs her out of the air by her neck, and slams her to the ground. He stomps on her leg, causing a cracking sound. The pulse bomb clatters helplessly out of her hand. He plants a boot on her chest, pressing hard onto her chronal accelerator and levels a shotgun at her face. Genji shouts as he charges at Reaper, who drops his other shotgun to catch the incoming sword strike in this gauntlet. He struggles with Genji trying to wrestle the blade from his grasp. Tracer finally wraps her hand around the bomb she dropped and tosses it at Reaper’s head. The explosion staggers him, allowing Genji to finally get the upper hand. Reaper points the shotgun away from Tracer and towards Genji, forcing him to let go of his sword and drop to the ground to dodge the incoming shot. He tosses Genji’s sword away from him and levels the shotgun at Tracer’s face again.

“Goodbye Oxton.”

Machine gun fire lights up the corridor forcing Reaper to vanish once again. Tracer quickly rolls away from Reaper and towards the source of the support, Soldier 76.

“Reyes. It’s been a while.” He calls from down the corridor. “You’ve seen better days.”

Reaper reforms further down the hallway. He pulls another shotgun from inside his cloak. Lena and Genji both slowly inch away from Reaper towards Jack.

“You two, leave. This is between me and him. It always has been.” Jack shouts to them solemnly, letting his rifle fall down to his hip.

“We won’t leave you Jack!” Lena shouts now next to him, leaning on the wall for support.

“That’s an order Agent. Let me cover your retreat, make good on old promises.” He says, placing a hand on Lena’s shoulder and shoving her away from him. Genji nodded and pulled Lena away from the confrontation and towards the exit, supporting her weight as they flee.

“Jack.”

“Gabriel.”

“Your friend Amari cut our last meeting short… she isn’t here to save you anymore.” He says dropping his shotguns to the ground and tossing the last one in his cloak with them. “What do you say we pick up where we left off.”

Jack tosses his rifle to the ground and readies himself. “No disappearing because you can’t take a punch though.”

“Deal.”

Reaper breaks out into a run at Jack, leading into a strong jab to the head that Jack blocks with his arms. Jack swings his arms out, swatting Reaper’s fist away. He follows up with a hook aimed at Reaper’s chin. He leans backwards to avoid it and swings his head forward, colliding with Jack's, sending both of them reeling in pain. They both recover quickly. Jack retaliated with an attempt at grappling, grabbing both of Reaper’s shoulders. Reaper slams his forearms into Jack’s to break the hold. And pushes him away with a boot. As Jack falls backwards he grabs the leg, pulling Reaper to ground and steadying himself before he falls. He quickly jumps on Reaper. A forceful punch connects to Reaper’s face, cracking his mask. Reaper tries to hook an arm beneath Jack to roll him into a pin, but his attempt is met with Jack’s knee pressing it to the ground. Jack places his hands together into a fist and slams them down onto Reaper’s head again, cracking the concrete beneath them. Reaper raises his knees and presses hard against Jack, lifting him off of him, enough to get his feet against him. Pushing with all his strength he flings Jack away.

An explosion rocks the building.

A rocket flies for the lead car. Lighting the early morning sky in a huge explosion. Soldiers rush out of the remaining trucks to be met by the militia opening fire on them from the bushes. Cassidy quickly makes for the truck Amelie called to them. He shoots the driver as he exits and walks around back. Ashe converges on the truck with him. Before he can open the rear they slowly swing open and a hulking figure emerges from the back.

“Doomfist…” Cassidy says, his throat running dry.

“Mm, a cowboy, you must be Cassidy.” He says, anger in his voice. “Apologies, I have not heard of you.” He continues, this time to Ashe.

She begins to raise her rifle to him in response but Cassidy puts a hand on the barrel and lowers it back down.

“Ah, you are afraid. Rightfully so. You have chased my good friend around the globe, destroyed my facility in Korea, and now you come for my summer home. Walk away little agents, leave this losing fight to the locals, lest you be crushed beneath my fist alongside them.”

Cassidy slowly steps back. Ashe turns to look at him, seeing fear in his eyes. Doomfist smiles, turning to enter the truck again. Cassidy groans.

“I can’t do that.”

“Your compliance was never a factor.”

His gauntlet begins glowing blue as he turns to face Cassidy once again. Cassidy narrowly rolls out of the way of his punch, which soars into the last truck in the convoy, sending it flying ten feet back. Cassidy quickly rises to his feet and lets off a shot at Doomfist, who blocks it with his gauntlet. Ashe raises her rifle at him once again but he swats her into Cassidy sending both of them tumbling away. Before he can follow up he is surrounded by the Militia.

“Akande! Your men are defeated! Surrender!”

Jack falls back, the kick from Reaper and the force from the explosion sending him toppling over. Reaper crawls backwards back to one of his shotguns. Jack quickly climbs to his feet and reaches for his pulse rifle. He’s cut off by hellfire pellets ripping through his flesh, a familiar searing gnawing pain. He falls backwards as Reaper laughs.

“Now, that wasn’t the deal.”

“Your death is all I desire.” Reaper says as he climbs to his feet and slowly approaches Jack.

Jack lays down looking up at the crumbling ceiling as Reaper’s footsteps grow closer. He feels for his rifle next to him but it’s just out of reach. Reaper stops.

“Any last words Jack?”

Before he can answer they both hear a low rumbling above them. Reaper looks up to see a piece of rubble collapse onto him from above. Pinning him to the ground before he can react. Reaper screams out in pain, his mask making him yells demonic. Jack struggles to his feet. Every movement reignites the pain of Reaper’s shotguns. He hobbles along the wall over to Reaper. Reaper is shouting, trying to will his form away but unable to manifest into a shadow.

“I’m just going to come back, I always do.”

“Not this time pal, not this time.”

Reaper tried to will his physical form away, to become a shadow once more. He felt his hands begin to dissipate, followed by a searing pain, far greater than he had grown accustomed to, forcing him back into his physical form. Jack knelt down, ripping the skull mask from Reaper’s face. Revealing the scarred and marked face of his once friend.

“Death comes for us all, I suppose.” Reyes says, his eyes glazing over, no longer staring at Jack, no more hatred in his eyes. Simply nothing.

“That it does.” Jack responds as she leans back against the wall.

“You’re not long for this world either, old friend.” Reyes’ spits, summoning his last ounce of vitriol.

“I imagine I’m not.”

“The bell tolls-” A single shot rings out, a bloody hole where Reyes’ left eye once was. The barrel of Jack’s sidearm smoking in his hand. With a grunt Jack stands, he barely has enough fight left in him for that, let alone crawling out of the collapsing building. He feels empty as he looks over his old friend's body. He expected a sense of accomplishment, but he feels nothing but regret. His crusade is far from over, but this seems to be the end of the line.

Reyes’ body slowly evaporates into dark smoke. Instead of reforming again as it had so many times before, it disperses across the room.

He’s suddenly startled from his self pity by the sound of footsteps, and the beam of a flashlight. A voice calls out to him, Amelie.

“I’m not leaving you Commander.”

“You should have gone to the rendezvous point, Agent. No reason to die for a man long past his prime.” Jack says as Amelie moves to his side, supporting his weight and helping him move through the forming rubble.

“Neither of us is dying today sir.”

“Countrymen, I’m glad you all know who I am already. Yes, you have defeated my soldiers, and destroyed my base, very good. Considering you know who I am, I invite any one of you, please, try me.” Doomfist shouts to the crowd. Nobody rising to his challenge.

Cassidy slowly begins to rise from the ground. As he lifts his head Doomfist’s gauntlet begins to glow blue. He goes limp once again. Doomfist chuckles and opens the truck door again.

“Go ahead now, Doctor.” He says quietly as he climbs back into the truck.

When the door slams shut a thick gas begins to seep out from underneath the truck. Cassidy looks back up and groans as he climbs to his feet. He looks down at Ashe unconscious to his side. The gas is slowly creeping towards them. He quickly places a hand over her nose and mouth and starts to drag her away as the truck carrying Doomfist and Moira speeds off. She quickly jolts back awake as her ability to breathe is taken away. She struggles against Cassidy’s grip until she notices the gas as well. She quickly rolls to her feet, covering her own mouth and the two run away.

The militia men around the truck begin coughing.

Cassidy shouts back to them. “Run away, the gas it-”

A shot rings out, followed by a hailstorm of gunfire. The local fighters all turn on each other, influenced by Moira’s mind control agent. Bodies begin falling quickly as the men who crowded around Doomfist light each other up. The men who were still taking cover engage in a prolonged gun fight. Ashe and Cassidy both duck into the bushes along the road as bullets whiz overhead. Cassidy peeks over the bush and quietly calls out an unattended motorcycle to Ashe. She nods and the two creep out of the bushes slowly, staying low to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. As Cassidy reaches to turn the ignition a bullet flies past his face, narrowly missing him. He turns to see a militia member pointing a rifle at him. Ashe returns a shot, the man falls behind a jeep.

Cassidy turns on the bike, Ashe hops on behind him and the two speed away.

Amelie slowly helps Jack limp through the halls of the base. The roof and walls crumble away around them, as they pass. Blood from Jack’s stomach starts to soak into Amelie’s suit. His breathing in her ear grows ragged.

“Jack, wake up!” She shouts, desperately searching for an exit.

“I’m here… I’m here.”

She finally finds an exit sign and picks up her pace in its direction. She rounds a corner with Jack on her arm and finds a heavy metal door labelled exit. She breaks into a gallop as Jack’s feet begin to drag along the floor. Suddenly another loud explosion rocks the building. Amelie loses her footing as the floor shakes. Heavy chunks of concrete fall from the ceiling, one landing in front of the door blocking her exit. She picks herself up to check on Jack, his tattered coat is turning slick with blood, she presses an ear to his chest. Shallow infrequent breaths.

Amelie rushes to the blockage and tries to pull the pieces of concrete away, a few smaller rocks tumble to the ground breaking into dust, but the large one won’t budge. She quickly surveys the ground. Blood has begun to pool on the ground beneath Jack. She notices a piece of rebar next to him. She grabs it and attempts to use it as a lever to move the large chunk blocking her path. She feels her arms scream at her as she tries in vain to move the monolith. She closes her eyes and screams herself as she makes one final push, she feels the rock begin to move, she turns to see her progress and finds Jack pulling it away from the door with her.

He grunts with effort, as he slowly moves the stone blocking their path. As the two make progress Jack doubles over coughing, he stumbles to the wall before sinking back to the ground. Amelie rushes over to him. She hears quiet, weak groans in place of breathing. Jack struggles to fill his lungs with air as his chest cavity fills. She grunts and slams her fist to the ground. With a deep breath she prepares herself for one last attempt. As she begins to pull she hears a whirring sound outside. She peers out the third story window to see the jet hovering just outside the base, floodlights fill the room.

“Please step back.” Athena announces over a loudspeaker. Amelie complies and the plane door crashes through the wall, sending dust and small pieces of debris showering over Jack and Amelie. She drags him by his arms into the craft, now fully unconscious.

“I departed Lagos when I detected some… hiccups in your plan over the radio.” Athena announced as Amelie laid jack across the floor.

“That’s great robot, now help me save him.” Amelie shouts to the craft as it begins to take off again.

“My name is Athena, there are bandages in the first aid kit in the bathroom, along with a tube to drain his chest cavity, and a combat stimulant to stabilize him until we arrive at Numbani Medical Center. Please administer emergency aid while I pick up the rest of your team.” Athena explains calmly as Amelie frantically searches through the cabinet for the listed supplies.
The craft sets down as Amelie is applying the bandages, she doesnt turn to look at the bay doors as Lena and Genji along with a few of the rescued prisoners board the craft. An unfamiliar man rushes and crouches down next to her.

“I’m a doctor, what happened to him?” He shouts, taking over bandaging from Amelie.

“She falls backwards, panicked and attempts to wipe sweat off her brow with blood soaked hands. “He was shot, Athena says there's air in his chest, he’s lost a lot of blood.”

“You did good, I need to drain his chest now so we can get him breathing again, finish his bandages for me.” He says taking a calm and assertive tone.

The sound of an off road motorcycle engine approaches. Ashe and Cassidy quickly jump off and run onto the ship. The doors close behind them, and the ship takes off.

“Shit, he doesn’t look good…” Ashe says, covering her mouth with a hand.

“He’s going to be fine!” Amelie shouts back to her, fear in her eyes, her hands, chest and face stained crimson. Lena is frozen in shock, as everyone crowds around them.

Cassidy kneels down next to Amelie. “You’re okay now, you did everything you can.” He turns to look at the man attending to Jack. “Let him handle the rest, come with me.”

Cassidy lifts her up and ushers her to the bathroom. Shutting the door behind him. The red stains on Amelie’s face run with tears. Cassidy wets a cloth and begins wiping away at her face.

“I couldn’t… it just…”

“I’m sure you did everything you could, Amelie.” Cassidy said, trying to comfort her as he finished cleaning off her face.

Amelie ran her hands under the warm water of the sink watching the red slowly wash away down the drain. Cassidy’s voice slowly faded out and the bathroom morphed into her bedroom. She stood holding a phone, a woman’s voice kept ringing in her mind. She blinked and she was in the kitchen. The same words echoed throughout her mind. Asset. She opened the knife drawer. Iraq. She felt her hands wrap around cold wood. Institute. She blinked again and was back in her bedroom. Wake. She was back in the bathroom, a different one, washing the red away. Tomorrow. Men in black uniforms show up at her door, her white robe is stained red, wine maybe. Institute. She walks outside at their prompting, the rough concrete scrapes her bare feet. Wake.

Amelie screams as the hot water burns her hands. She pulls them away quickly, Cassidy darts to turn off the water.

“Amelie are you okay?” He asks, grabbing her hands and turning her to look at him.

“I… uh… I don’t know.”

Without another word she exits the bathroom, leaving Cassidy confused. She finds Junkrat and Roadhog sitting playing a game with their fingers. Ashe is lounging in one of the armchairs. Kiriko is scrolling on her phone in a corner. Jack is laid out on the floor, his chest steadily rising and falling. Lena is sitting in the other arm chair, a concerned look on her face. Amelie shuffles over and collapses onto Lena.

“Love, I’m so sorry I didn’t-”

“It’s okay, I love you.”

“I love you too. I’m here now.”

Chapter Text

Amelie comes to consciousness sitting in an uncomfortable leather chair. She lifts her hand to rub her eyes but finds it bound by metal restraints. She struggles against them, clenching and flexing her arms trying to force them out. She’s suddenly stopped by a sound behind her. The opening of a door. She tries to turn her head around but the back of the chair is too tall to see behind her. With the clicking of heeled shoes growing closer she feels a hand placed on the top of her head, wrinkled and leathery. She comes face to face with Moira O’Deorain.

“Good morning, did you sleep well?”

“No.”

“Sorry to hear that dear, I just need to run a few tests. Is that okay?”

“I suppose.”

“Very good. Glad to see you’re feeling cooperative today, that’ll make this easier.”

Moira places a hand on Amelie’s chin lifting her face that had sunk down to stare at her lap into making eye contact. Amelie seized the moment and lunged at Moira, trying to bite her hand. Moira quickly pulled back and wagged a finger at her.

“Not quite as cooperative as you led me to believe. I thought you were going to be a good girl today Widowmaker. Do I need to get the bite guard back?” She says with a mocking, falsely concerned tone in her voice.

“No no, please.”

“Well, since you’re feeling rebellious again I suppose we’re going to have to make you better.”

“Not again… please.” Amelie begged, tears welling in her eyes.

“Everytime you fight it, it only gets worse. Everytime you make me hurt you Widowmaker it breaks my heart.” She says with a smile on her face as she begins pressing buttons on an IV drip hooked up to Amelie’s arm.

Amelie feels pain sear through her veins, every cell in her body feels like it's going to rupture. She can feel the pain of her throat muscles screaming out in agony but she can’t hear anything. Suddenly the pain dulls just enough to make out the words of Moira.

“What is your name?”

“Widowmaker!” She screams.

“Who do you pretend to be?”

“Amelie Lacroix.” Her voice is turning hoarse.

“What are you going to do?”

“Anything I am commanded to do.” She says, hanging her head. Feeling defeated as the pain continues to wash over her body.

“What are your words?”

Amelie begins to speak. She doesn’t understand the language coming out of her own mouth, or maybe she doesn’t understand words at all anymore. She is watching and listening to Moira make the same indescribable sounds with her mouth. They both repeat until Amelie is screaming the words and the pain stops.

“What is your name?”

“Widowmaker.” She says coldly.

“Who do you pretend to be?”

“Amelie Lacroix.” Without a hint of emotion in her voice.

“What are you going to do?”

“Anything I am commanded to do.” She says with sincerity in her voice, looking up to face Moira.

Moira’s smiling evil face turns serious. She places a finger on Widowmaker’s lips. The woman in the chair doesn’t react in the slightest. Moira gently caresses her cheek. Her eyes stay firmly planted forward.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

“Good. Now if you’re ready to behave. There is something I want to discuss.”

Lena is suddenly jolted awake. She shakes the sleep from her head confused before the woman next to her suddenly seizes violently. All tiredness leaves her body as she quickly scrambles to an upright position. She places a hand on Amelie’s shoulder and shakes her. The woman is mumbling to herself in her sleep, a rough tremor in between every word. She finally stops. A few moments later her eyes shoot open. Amelie rockets up into a sitting position, visibly relaxing when her eyes meet Lena’s.

“Did you have another nightmare?” Lena asks obvious concern and fear in her voice.

“Yeah.”

“Love, you’re having them every night. You need to tell Ange.” She continues putting an arm around Amelie’s shoulder.

“I’ve had them for as long as I can remember. It’s not a big deal.” Amelie explains turning to look away from Lena.

“Yeah, but you told me you weren’t sleeping well after we first saw Moira, and you clearly didn’t want to talk about it so… I let it go, but now this, you were shaking and muttering in your sleep. Don’t try to tell me this isn’t connected. It’s only been a few days since we got back from seeing her again.” Lena retorts adamantly.

“Like I said, this is nothing new. I’ll be fine.” She says brushing the arm off her shoulder.

“But it’s every night now, love. Has it ever been this bad?” Lena asks, her voice quivering.

Amelie doesn’t respond.

“You’re telling her in the morning and she’ll help. Now go back to sleep.” Lena says softening her voice as she moves Amelie back into a sleeping position.

“I don’t want to.” Amelie nervously responds, a tear welling in her eye.

“I’ll keep you safe. Promise.”

Amelie nestles closer into Lena as arms wrap around her chest.

Lena is shaken away again. She quickly rises in a panic, relaxing back into the bed when she sees Amelie looking back down at her, having shaken her awake on purpose this time. She claps her hands onto Amelie’s cheeks and pulls her down into her and kisses her lips.

“Sleep okay?”

Amelie turns away and sits at the edge of the bed. “Not really.”

“But you did go back to sleep?” Lena asks sitting up to join her.

“Yeah.”

“Ready to go see Angela?”

Amelie nods and stands to get dressed. Lena follows and rifles through Amelie’s dresser with her. She holds up her girlfriend’s clothing deciding which one to steal. She picks up a t-shirt that would be large on Amelie, it displays the faded design of a french pop album from over two decades ago. Amelie rolls her eyes.

“Oo, this is cute.”

“That’s what I wear to do laundry…”

Lena shoves her playfully before putting on the shirt and her shorts from last night. The shirt extends past her well past her waist and down to her lower hips. Amelie wears a plain dark red dress and the two leave the room. They pass people in workout clothes and field gear, all looking busy and important. Lena suddenly feels very out of place in her outfit.

“It’s so weird being on leave but still staying on base.” Lena says quietly to Amelie.

“I suppose, I did not really think about it.” She responds.

“We should go somewhere! What’s a place you’ve always wanted to go?”

“I’m just happy to be here with you.” Amelie says with a warm smile.

“Aw adorable, but doesn’t answer my question.” Lena pauses as they arrive at the medical bay. “Alright, think about where you want to go. I’m going to go check on Jack, you are going to talk to Angela.”

Amelie nods in response and parts ways to head towards Dr. Ziegler’s office. Lena walks towards Jack’s rooms, passing doctors and nurses on her way. Without looking up from her feet she presses the open door button and enters. She enters to find a nurse adjusting the settings on an IV drip, and Jack unconscious in a hospital bed.

“Any changes?” Lena asks as she puts her hand on Jack’s thigh.

“Still unresponsive Agent Oxton, I’m sorry.”

Lena sighs deeply. Jack has been in a coma since returning from Nigeria. He received emergency medical attention in Numbani before being transferred back to Watchpoint Gibraltar to be cared for until he wakes. Lena sat down next to him to think.

Amelie quietly entered Dr. Ziegler’s office as the woman was typing on her computer. She looked up to Amelie and signalled for her to take a seat before resuming her typing. Once she finished filling out her form she cleared her throat.

“Hey Amelie, you know I moved you to twice a week. Your next appointment isn’t until tomorrow. What’s up?” She asks with a puzzled look on her face.

“Do you… remember the dreams I was telling you about?”

“I do. You also mentioned they got worse when you saw Moira in Junkertown, yes? Did they get worse again?” Angela questions further, her confusion turning to concern.

“Yeah, they have. It’s a lot more vivid now, like I’m recalling memories I repressed or… were repressed for me. Apparently I was shaking in my sleep. I also had… I think it was a flashback. Before it was just brief images or distant voices, now… I’m sorry, I don’t want to remember it.” Amelie explains her eyes fixed on her hands fidgeting in her lap.

“I see. You told me before you had a handle on this, and you didn’t want to try any medicine. Has that changed? There’s no shame in it Amelie, post traumatic stress disorder is serious, and you aren’t any weaker for needing help.”

“I know, I just… can’t do pills, please don’t make me. The machine is already bad enough I can’t-” Amelie pleads, tears welling in her eyes as she looks up to Dr. Ziegler.

“Hey, I’m not making you do anything. I won’t prescribe anything if having to take it will make things worse. If medicine won’t work, maybe therapy will help. Can we try that?” Angela asks, taking Amelie’s hand in her own.

“Okay.”

“Good, I’m proud of you.” She pauses for a long moment. “Amelie, have you told Lena about your diagnosis like we talked about?”

“No. I’m sorry, I’m not really sure why I haven’t.”

Amelie inhales deeply trying to gather her courage. She makes a pass at the door knob before swiftly retracting her hand and breathing again. She told Lena she just went out for a walk, that she hoped that the sunset over the base would help relax her enough to sleep better tonight, but the truth was she hoped council from Zenyatta would. As she worked up the courage to open the door, the omnic inside did it for her.

“Apologies Ms. Lacroix I grew mildly impatient waiting for you to enter.” He said with a joking tone in his voice. Amelie did not know he could do that. After she recollects herself from the surprise she enters his room. Little furniture decorates it, nothing but a short table with a tea set and a meticulously made bed that clearly sees little use.

‘Would you like me to make you some tea? And would you like to lay down?” Zenyatta asks as he leads Amelie into the room. “I was surprised when Dr. Ziegler asked if I wanted to help guide you through some troubles you were having. She is not often one to put stock in my wisdom over her form of medicine, but if you are open to my help, I would give it freely.”

Amelie sits down in the empty bed, a single pillow is carefully placed at the head, the sheets are completely undisturbed. She looks at Zenyatta. “I’ll have some tea.”

“Very well. Now then, Doctor Ziegler sent over a file detailing some of what has been troubling you but I would rather hear from you.” He says as he begins to prepare the drink.

“I’ve been having dreams about my treatments in Talon for… a very long time. I thought I had it under control but it has recently gotten much worse.” She begins while laying her head back onto the pillow.

“Worse how? And what do you believe caused this worsening?”

“Well, it started when I first saw Moira again, but since our last mission… I can barely sleep through the night anymore.” She says rolling onto her side to face Zenyatta and watching him.

“What happened on your last mission?” He asks as he pours a cup of tea and places it on a small tray before carrying it to Amelie.

She takes the tray and places it on the bed next to her. She lifts her head and takes a small sip. “We attempted to capture Moira again, but like usual she got away. And it seems like we won’t get another shot at her anytime soon.”

Zenyatta hums quietly as he settles back into his spot by his table. “You worry you have lost your chance at revenge, something you threw yourself into to bury your feelings.”

Amelie sighs deeply, setting the cup down and laying her head back into the pillow. “Yeah. I told myself it wasn’t about revenge, I told others it wasn’t, but all that I want is to make her hurt like I did… to kill her. I know you’re going to say revenge isn’t worth it but it was all that kept me going. Every moment I regret not taking that shot, maybe now I wouldn’t feel this way.”

“I am not going to say that. Whatever you need to keep living is worth doing, and we don’t often get to choose what that is. I will ask you though, what was your plan after you achieved your aim?” The omnic asks now lowered to the ground. With the hum of his levitation now absent, the room is in silence.

“I don’t know, I guess.”

“That is why you are now lost, and stuck with these feelings. Revenge was never going to make it go away, if you had achieved it or not. It would not change what she did to you, it would not erase those memories and the mark it left on you. Revenge is a bandage that staunches the flow of blood, but the wound underneath remains. I will not tell you not to chase revenge, but I will urge you to try and heal the wound she left. You must look forward towards a life after you do what you feel must be done.”

Amelie sits up and takes a deep sip from the cup. “Considering I won’t be chasing revenge anytime soon. I guess I can.”

“Any reason for progress is as good as another.”

Chapter Text

“We totally need to do a whole team vacation! No no no, we should invite all our friends! And we’re leaving tomorrow!” Lena suggests excitedly.

“Well hold on, all you said was we were going somewhere.” Amelie protests.

“Well yeah, but then I got myself all excited and planning stuff and we gotta! We haven’t had a proper team building yet!” She responds, bouncing on the bed rocking Amelie back and forth.

“Yes, but-”

“Sorry, is this too much? I don’t want to overwhelm you.” Lena says finally sitting still for the first time in this conversation.

“No, I’m okay… I’m just nervous. The idea of a vacation at all scared me, now this.” Amelie explains, giving Lena a weak smile.

“I get it love, we can go just you and me, it’ll be totally chill.” Lena assures her while patting the top of her head.

“No. You want a big vacation, we will have one. I’m just not used to doing… you know, normal stuff. Going somewhere to do anything other than fight… I don’t really know how to do it.”

“Hell yeah, two normal girls doing normal shit with their normal friends. How’s that sound?”

Amelie inhales deeply, holding it for a second before releasing. “Alright.”

“Let’s go to the beach!”

Amelie sat in thought for a while. She always loved the mountains and the cold, warmth made her uncomfortable. It felt unnatural on her old body, but perhaps her new one would feel differently.

“The beach scares me too… but I’m already doing this so let’s go all the way.”

“Awesome!”

“Who shall we invite first, good lady Lacroix?” Lena says in a teasingly official tone.

“Well we’re right by Cassidy’s so…” She responds while rolling her eyes.

The two arrive at Cassidy’s room, finding him tapping a pen on a piece of paper deep in thought, his fingernails scratching through his beard. He acknowledges their entry with a grunt, but doesn’t turn to face them. The women stand awkwardly behind him as he continues to ignore them. Lena loudly clears her throat causing him to sigh in frustration before spinning his chair around the face then.

“Can I help you?”

“Oh you know we’re just planning a totally awesome vacation with all our friends and I figured since I’m your best friend I’d better invite you.” Lena responds, crossing her arms and grinning cheekily.

“Hm. No, Genji's my best friend, you’re more of an… annoying little sister. I do my utmost to avoid you outside of work.” He says while mirroring Lena’s expression.

“Oh come on, that’s not true you love me! It won’t be the same without you.” She protests.

“Whatever you gotta believe, Oxton. You want me to come Amelie?” He asks, turning to her.

“It would be nice to have you, Captain.” She says with a polite smile.

“Fine, just let me know when.”

“God you are such an asshole Cole.” Lena pouts.

“Oh come one, that’s not true… you love me.”

Amelie follows as Lena treks through the base. She awkwardly shuffles behind as Lena greets and briefly converses with people Amelie barely knows. She internally sighs in relief when none of them are invited. Lena knocks loudly on Kiriko’s door before opening it after ten seconds of no response.

“Hana, I’m being dove!” She shouts into her microphone as she physically flinches from something on her computer screen. She quickly turns to her new guests before putting up a finger to signal for them to wait. After a few minutes of esoteric inscrutable sentences with frantic key presses and mouse movements Kiriko finally turns to them.

“Yeah what’s up?”

“We’re planning a beach trip, you wanna go?” Lena asks.

“Sure. Can Hana come?” Kiriko asks as she turns back to her computer.

“Hell yeah.”

“What?! Come on Hana you gotta, for me…? Yes!” She gives a thumbs up to her visitors as another game starts.

“Sorry honey, I've got plans already.” Ashe responds dismissively.

“No! You gotta come, you're a part of New Blackwatch. What could be more important?” Lena demands.

“I got plans with Jamison and Mako, we’re gonna hang out tomorrow night.” She answers casually.

“Wait, you mean Junkrat and Roadhog? Lena asks confusedly.

“Yeah they got an apartment in the city after we dropped them off. They’re actually pretty cool guys.” She further explains.

“Okay well you can go over anytime this is important!”

Genji sits down next to them carrying a plate of chicken and rice. He nods to them before clearing his throat and removing his mask. He quietly begins to eat with Lena and Ashe, pausing when he notices her interrupted a conversation.

“Oh, I’m sorry… please continue.”

“Genji, you want to come with us to the beach right?” Lena asks, giving Ashe a side eye.

“Yeah, okay.”

“Fine, I’ll go. If it means that much to you.” Ashe concedes with a sigh before getting up to put her plate away.

“Oh you all are planning a beach trip? That sounds nice.” Angela says from behind the dials on the machine. “Hm, let me check something.”

“Do you want to come with us? You could bring Fareeha.” Her question is met with a deep sigh and an eye roll. “Is everything okay between you two?”

“What? Oh yeah, it’s been nice having her stuck here, but the medical leave has made her…”

“Restless?” Amelie attempts to finish her sentence.

“Insatiable.”

“Oh.”

She walks over to Amelie and begins removing the needles and tubes from her. Amelie visibly relaxes having been freed. She stands up and stretches before reaching back for the Caduceus pack. Angela stops her.

“I actually think this would be a good chance to see how you hold up to strenuous activities without it, bring it but only put it on if you feel weak. And of course we’re coming.” Angela says, as Amelie prepares to leave.

She clutches the Caduceus pack against her waist as she saunters through the halls of the base with a feigned confidence. She checks over her shoulder before turning corners to ensure nobody she knows sees where she is going. She soon finds herself at Zenyatta's room and with another glance back heads inside quickly.

“Amelie, welcome.”

She tosses the caduceus into the bed before sitting down herself, keeping a proper posture and crossing her legs. “Lena wants to go on a beach vacation with a bunch of our friends and I don’t know how to enjoy myself.” She begins quickly and suddenly.

Zenyatta is taken aback but resumes his posture quickly before responding. “Very well we shall get started. You say you don’t know how to enjoy yourself? Do you not have hobbies?”

“Well yes, I have hobbies but those are momentary distractions, dance keeps my body busy and in shape. Reading keeps my mind busy and sharp.” She responds, keeping a blank stare on Zenyatta.

“I see. You feel a hobby is only valid if it in some way furthers your professional life. You truly don’t know how to enjoy yourself.” He says placing a mechanical hand on his chin.

“Those who lead a warrior's life, don’t get a quiet retirement. Anything more than a mere distraction between fighting is just baggage.” She says looking down, her voice growing frustrated.

“And what of Lena? Is she a distraction between fighting or is she baggage?” He asks, causing her to snap out of her intense focus on nothing in particular.

“Well no, She… I-”

“I have heard this phrase about warriors before Ms. Lacroix, Ana Amari told you this. I respect the woman greatly but she is not someone I would try to model my life after Amelie. If not a quiet life, what will you do when you win your fight?” Zenyatta continues.

“Fight something else.”

“And after that?”

“Keep doing it until I die along the way.” She says unflinchingly.

“And you want this?” He asks, his usual warm humming in his voice.

“Yes.” She is staring straight ahead again, eyes far off in the distance, her mind in the same place.

“Is this what you want? Or what Moira chose for you? Something you continue to punish yourself with long after you escaped your physical prison. You don’t see the bars still around you Amelie. You must confront your feelings, and then you must decide to let them go. If you continue to treat the life she assigned you as immutable, she will continue to own you.”

As Zenyatta gives his speech the room around Amelie slowly comes back into focus, she begins to feel small and weak. For the first time she can remember she feels cold, the window in Zenyatta’s room is open, letting in a cool early evening breeze. Her modified biology had greatly reduced her sensitivity to cold temperatures. But now as she looks down to her pale pinkish hands she finds herself shivering.

“I don’t know.”

“Go on your vacation, live a quiet life. Decide.”

“I don’t know if I can even be normal anymore. Making friends, reading a nice book, hearing a song I like, all of it pales in comparison to the feeling I got from obeying Moira. It's like everything feels dull in comparison.”

“When us omnics gained independence, it was strange, confusing, scary. A part of me wished for the simple life of servitude I led before, an unexamined life of nonsentience. But there is no going back Amelie. Things will be different, in many ways they will be worse, in most they will be better. You will make peace with who you are and what you have now, just as I did once. You will learn how to live a life of peace even with the brain of a soldier. Just as I learned to live the life of a monk with the brain of a cashier, a farmer, a butler.”

Lena casually approached Winston’s office, throwing the door open and walking in.

“Oh Winstooooooon!” She shouts, prompting the gorilla to come swinging from the loft down to the entrance.

“Lena! It’s great to see you. How has your leave been treating you?” He asks with a big smile, putting a huge hand around Lena’s shoulder.

“Great actually buddy. Planning a beach vacation tomorrow with some of our friends.” She explains, leaning into Winston.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, let me know who’s going and as long as you all don’t wander too far I can approve a few days leave for them too, and I’ll set up some hotel rooms.” He says shuffling over to his computer and beginning to type away on his oversized keyboard.

“I was actually thinking… maybe you would want to come, Winston. You’re like my best pal and it just wouldn’t feel right without you.” She suggests as she lifts herself to sit on his desk next to him.

“Oh… that’s very nice Lena, but somebody needs to stick around and keep this organization running.” He says looking away from his computer and nervously adjusting his glasses.

Ana approaches from upstairs, slowly walking down to join Lena and Winston. “Lena. I’m glad to hear you have been enjoying your break, it was well earned. Winston and I were just discussing how smoothly things were running actually. Certainly smooth enough that he could leave things in my hands for a few days.”

“Oh I was actually thinking maybe you could come as well Ana.” Lena said as she lifted her legs up onto the desk to sit crosslegged.

“It has been quite some time since my last vacation, I certainly do miss the beach.” She responds with a longing sigh.

“So you can go, and I will keep things running around here.” Winston says matter of factly.

“Winston, you’re not getting out of this. You’re coming with and Overwatch will be fine without mom and dad for a few days.”

Winston grumbled but continued to book the vacation without further protest.

Lena slides open the door to the rec room to relax after a long day of getting everything planned with Winston. It's empty save for three. Lucio, Hana, and Kiriko are all gathered around a boombox. Lucio is bouncing to the beat, Hana moving in rhythm with him, hand covering her mouth.

“Okay Hana, okay Hana, give it to us.”

“I’m about to do it.”

“Oh shit she’s about to do it.”

Hana looks up to see Lena entering and suddenly freezes like a deer in headlights as the music continues playing. Lucio and Kiriko both turn to the intruder as well. Lucio groans loudly.

“Sister, you killed sister’s vibe, she was about to drop a crazy freestyle.” He complains.

Lena giggles at Hana’s bright red face. “Sorry about that Luce.”

Lena collapses into the couch, followed quickly by Lucio sitting next to her and putting an arm around her shoulder. “So, heard there’s a beach trip coming up, when-”

“Already saved you a spot.” Lena interrupts with a smug look.

“That’s my girl.”

“Alright, this car will be… Amelie, Lena, Cassidy, Lucio, and B.O.B. Here are the keys.”

Cassidy reaches out for them but Lena grabs them at the same time.

“I”m driving.” He says, narrowing his eyes at Lena.

“You know I was the best pilot in the RAF, I assure you I’m a better driver than you.” She brags.

“Don’t care, I’m driving.”

“Ugh, men. Winston give me the keys.” She demands.

Winston acquiesces to Lena’s command and quickly hobbles away to set up the next car in the caravan, eager to leave Cassidy and Lena’s argument. He grumbles before heading around to the passenger side.

“Uh uh, Amelie’s seat. Girlfriend privileges.” Lena says with a smug smirk, not unlocking the car until he gives in. Amelie gives him a polite nod and a quiet sorry before taking her place in the passenger seat.

Lena starts the car with everyone settled in. Lucio and Cassidy take the backseat while B.O.B sits in the trunk of the large SUV. Lena pulls out as the car in front of them starts moving. Once they are on the road she moves a hand from the wheel onto Amelie’s thigh. The woman visibly jumps and looks up from her book before relaxing and giving Lena’s hand a light pat of assurance.

“Whatcha readin, love?”

“It is a very… interesting book Mei recommended. There are people but they are like wolves, I am not certain as to what is going on to be honest but I am giving it a try.” She explains, prompting Lucio to lean his head into the front seat.

“Oh shit, I think I’ve read that before, is it the one with those Swedish werewolf girls who get each other pregnant?” He asks, not a hint of shame in his voice.

“What?!” Lena and Cassidy both shout together.

“Is uh… is that what happens? Mei was not quite forthcoming with details. She just told me to give it a chance.” She responds, slowly closing the book and placing it in her lap.

“You didn’t happen to bring another one did you?” Lena asks with a giggle.

“It is in my suitcase… in the van.” Amelie answers quietly, her face turning a light shade of pink.

“Well enjoy your werewolf smut then.” Lena teases, raising her eyebrows and squeezing Amelie’s thigh.

The four ride in light conversation scored by Spanish radio as they drive towards Valencia. B.O.B sits quietly in the back, gazing out at the street occasionally turning to look at the other passengers. Amelie leans back into her seat, enjoying another relaxing ride through the Spanish countryside. Her choice of book is certainly less exquisite than last time, but she attempts to enjoy it regardless.

A while into her intellectual stimulating read Amelie has a sudden realization. “Lucio… you’ve read this book before?”

“Oh look, a shop! We should get some snacks. I'm kind of hungry.”

“What no, we’re fine. I tried so hard to pass all these cars, we can’t stop now, they’ll get ahead of us.” Lena protests.

“I could go for a stretch.” Cassidy says putting a hand around the back of the driver’s seat.

“Cassidy you spiteful bitch, you’re just mad that I’m driving!”

“Go ahead and pull over… best friend.” He responds with a chuckle.

Lena sighs deeply before slowly pulling off into the shop. She rests her forehead on the steering wheel in defeat. She shuts off the car and climbs out, followed by her passengers. Lucio grabs Amelie’s wrist and pulls her off towards the store. Lena wanders back to the edge of the highway to watch the cars pass by. Cassidy leans against the vehicle with a smug look of satisfaction on his face.

Amelie’s wrist is freed as she enters the convenience store. Rows of shelves carrying all sorts of snacks she grew up with. It’s been a very long time since she’s been in a shop like this. She begins to idly wander through the aisles before Lucio returns her to the mission.

“Alright let’s get some stuff for the others first. B.O.B doesn’t really seem like the snack type so we start with Cassidy. He wants… peanuts… cherry cola… aaaaaand this thing of gross ass cinnamon liquor.” Lucio says scratching his small beard.

“Okay, doesn’t sound exactly road trip, but it sure does sound Cassidy.” Amelie responds in agreement.

“Exactly. Now Lena wants… sour gummy candy, a red bull, and… another red bull.”

“You’re amazing. Me next?” She challenges.

“You… want this delicious looking chocolate donut, a crossword puzzle, and water… a large water because Lena is going to regret only getting redbull and will drink half of it.” He says, nodding confidently.

“Okay but why not go back and get Lena her own water?” Amelie questions.

“Because that’s not the game, now take your things.” He responds dismissively.

“I see. Now it’s my turn. You want… nacho doritos, and this raspberry lemonade. Ooh ooh, and this spicy energy bar.” She offers cautiously.

“Why?”

“I don’t know, it just felt right.”

“Ex-actly. It’s perfect. A spicy granola bar sounds so gross, I love it.”

“Ugh, I was right. This is gross.” Lucio complains with a mouth full of granola bar. He quickly washes it down with his lemonade.

“Let me try.” Cassidy says, taking the bar from Lucio before taking a small bite. “Mh, pretty good.”

Lucio leans forward and puts both his hands around Amelie’s shoulders. “You’re so good at this game.” He whispers. Amelie giggles and turns back to her crossword puzzle.

“Three letter word for the outer layer of a tent.” Amelie announces to the rest of the car, tapping her pencil to her chin.

“Really?” Cassidy asks dumbfounded. “Have you never been camping before?”

“Sorry, see in France we have these things called buildings, we don’t live in stick lean-tos like you do in America I guess.” She says, shrugging and turning to Cassidy with mock superiority.

“My apologies, we can’t all have grown up in a castle, madam.” He retorts.

“Yes, that’s how you should speak to your betters.” She responds, turning her nose up at him. “Though the proper term of address is Lady.”

“Your word is fly by the way.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“I gotta get past this white mini van again.” Lena mumbles. “So much progress lost.”

“Dear, what are you going on about?” Amelie asks, rolling her eyes at Lena.

“It’s like a game, it keeps me entertained. You have your wolf porn. I have my cars I’m passing.” She answers while staying laser focused on the road.

“I didn’t… know it was… wolf porn.” She says defensively, getting quiet at the last part.

“Yeah, and I’m sure you were out of breath for a completely unrelated reason earlier.” She retorts, not breaking eye contact with the white minivan for a second.

Lucio’s head swings between the two front seats. “Oooh, she’s calling you out!”

Amelie snaps her head towards him. “You never answered my question.” She says with gritted teeth hiding her blush behind her crossword magazine. Causing Lucio to quickly retract his head and resume his picking at his chips.

The five sat in silence for a while longer. Late afternoon had set in when they finally saw the city of Valencia. Lena pulled up to a smaller hotel a short walk away from the beach. She parked next to the car driven by Hana. She, Genji, and Kiriko all climbed out of the cabin of the van, with Winston emerging from the back. Other hotel guests turned their heads to stare at the gorilla but quickly turned away and sped off when the glasses-clad scientist returned their gaze. Kiriko puts her hands on her lower back and stretches deeply, letting out a loud sigh before her upper body goes limp.

They are joined by the rest out of another car across the parking lot. Angela waves over to them enthusiastically before hurrying over to them. Ana and Fareeha follow slowly behind her. Ashe hurries over to check on B.O.B asking him a barrage of questions that are met by subtle gestures from the quiet robot. Winston leads the assembled group towards the front desk of the hotel. The receptionist seems on edge at the sight of a gorilla but hesitantly checks them in at his behest. They go to the hallway with their rooms and Winston pulls out a piece of paper before clearing his throat.

“Some of you agreed to share a bed which allowed us to get a few less rooms, thank you. So we’ve got. Lena, Amelie, and Kiriko. Genji and Cassidy. Fareeha, Angela, and Hana. Ana, Ashe and B.O.B. And so Lucio is with me.”

Lena grabs the keycard and heads straight into the room. Collapsing into the bed closer to the door. Kiriko tosses her bag down into the corner and sits on her bed. Lena rolls over to face her.

“So how was your car ride with Hana?” She teases.

“Shut up.”

Amelie pokes her head out of the bathroom, a mascara brush in her hand. “What’s that mean?”

“It means shut up!’ Kiriko reasserts, crossing her arms and falling back into the bed.

“It means young Kiriko has a crush on Hana and spent the whole car ride trying not to let Genji notice I bet.” Lena answers as Amelie resumes fixing her makeup.

“That geezer wouldn’t notice if we had reached across him to kiss.”

Lena turns to Kiriko with a mischievous look in her eyes. “Oh my god wait, have you guys kissed?”

“What? No.”

“But you think about kissing her?” She continues to press Kiriko, getting up onto her knees in the bed.

“Shut up and watch the TV.” She responds turning bright red and fumbling for the remote.

Chapter Text

“Hurry up, love!” Lena shouted back to Amelie as she ran ahead once the beach came into sight past the rocks. Amelie followed slowly behind as the woman sporting an orange one piece sped off towards the beach. The rest of the group entered the sheltered alcove around a deserted beach after her. It was a fair distance from the city of Valencia, no other tourists knew of the beach, but one of Hana’s followers told her about it. Rocky cliffs surrounded a bed of soft warm sand that gave way to impossibly clear blue water. Halfway down the beach Lena turned back and jumped up and down waving her hands back to Amelie.

“Faster! I want to go swimming!” She shouted back to her.

Amelie sighed and maintained her pace, pulling her hat further down her face to shield her eyes. Seeing her girlfriend’s refusal to join her Lena walked back pouting. She grabbed Amelie’s hand and swung it up and down.

“Come onnnnnnnn.” She pleaded.

“Dear, I came out here to read and relax.” Amelie said as her hand was jerked around.

“You’re no fun! Come on Lucio.” She says, dropping Amelie’s hand and beginning to rush away again.

“Yes ma’am.” Lucio responds with a salute before dropping his cooler into the sand and heading towards the water.

Amelie grabs her wrist as she tries to run away once again. Lena turns around to face her before scrunching her face in annoyance.

“Sunscreen, my love.”

Lena acquiesces and sits down in front of Amelie as the woman applies sunscreen to her shoulders and arms. Cassidy sets up an umbrella around them as Amelie rubs the cream onto Lena’s face. Lena grimaces as she accidentally licks some of it.

“Why in the world did you do that?” Amelie asks with a giggle.

“It was an accident!” Lena shouts as she rubs her tongue with her hand.

“You’re so silly, chérie.”

A puzzled look crosses Lena’s face. “What’s that mean?”

“It means… darling or dear I suppose. It just kind of came out.” Amelie explains.

“You’ve never called me that before. I don’t think I’ve even heard you speak French before actually.” Lena says as the sunscreen is rubbed into her forehead.

“Well, that is because you speak English.” Amelie responds as she checks Lena to ensure full coverage.

“Yeah, but it's kind of hot.” Lena says leaning close to Amelie.

“You’re a weird woman Lena Oxton.”

“I am, but you think that’s kind of hot too.”

“Shush. And go swim!” She shouts, giving Lena a playful shove before pulling her back in as she goes to stand. “Uh uh, kiss first.”

Lena kisses Amelie deeply before standing up and running off after the others to go play in the water. Amelie watches as she rushes down to join her friends in the water about thirty feet down the beach. Winston clears his throat behind Amelie.

“Would you like a chair?” He asks politely.

“Yes, thank you Winston.” He sets up a lounging chair in the sand beneath the umbrella and Amelie opens her book, this time one she brought herself and not on Mei’s recommendation. Next to her was Ashe, sitting out in the sun with B.O.B waving a large fan at her to cool her off. She talked endlessly about her tan she was going to get on the car ride over. Ana sat in the other chair under the umbrella next to Amelie, she engaged in idle chat with Winston and watched her daughter showing off her muscles to Angela.

“Amelie watch!” Lena shouted down from the water line.

She lifted her head towards the voice to find Lena sitting on Cassidy’s shoulders and Lucio atop Fareeha’s, with Genji and Angela cheering them on from the sidelines. Amelie shook her head and the two locked hands and began to struggle to remove the other from their set of shoulders. Lena twisted Lucio’s arms before jerking him towards her in tandem with Cassidy taking a step back causing Lucio to lurch forward. Fareeha met the manoeuvre with a large step forward stabilizing Lucio and pushing Cassidy, who had yet to regain his balance from the step back, causing him to fall backwards. Lena lifted her legs to shift their center of balance giving Lucio the opportunity to grab them and flip her off of Cassidy’s shoulders into the water. A light giggle escapes Amelie as Lena emerges looking like a wet dog to cheers from the opposite team.

“You did great!” She shouts back to Lena who crosses her arms and pouts at the teasing.

“Let’s go explore the rocks!” Kiriko excitedly whispers to Hana as everyone else is distracted with the wrestling match.

Hana bobs up and down in the water with uncertainty on her face. “I don’t know Kiri, sounds kind of unsafe.”

“Don’t be a baby, come on!” Kiriko says as she swims away from Kiriko towards cliff formation.

Hana hesitantly follows her through the water. As they get close to the rocks the waves get rougher and thrash Hana around. Kiriko confidently swims ahead of her, cutting through the waves effortlessly. Hana churns her arms forward to keep up, feeling her shoulders start to burn. She lifts her head above the waves and notices Kiriko getting further and further away. She tries to call out to her but a large wave smashes into her head filling her mouth with water and submerging her. She swings her arms widely up breaching the surface of the water, before she can gasp for air another wave slams into her sending her back under. Hana sinks to the bottom until her foot is touching the sea bed, the surface is just above her head. She pushes off from the bottom and takes a deep breath when her head shoots above the surface. She manages to keep her head above the water by kicking her feet hard. She frantically scans for Kiriko but can’t find her. Suddenly arms wrap around her and drag her back in towards the shore. Kiriko pulls her up onto a sandy cave in the side of the cliff.

Hana lays flat on her back on the cool sand taking deep breaths. Kiriko looms over her, staring at her with a worried expression. “You okay? Sorry…”

“I had it under control.” Hana says out of breath making them both laugh.

Kiriko lays down next to Hana, resting her head on her hand. Hana looks up at the low rough cave ceiling. Her breathing finally grows regular as her heartbeat slows down to normal. She turns over to Kiriko who is staring directly at her, against Hana’s will her eyes wander down to Kiriko’s red bikini. When she realizes Kiriko must have noticed her eyes panning down she locks them back onto the cave ceiling. Her heart begins to race again when Kiriko giggles next to her.

“You know it's kind of cold in here.” Kiriko announces casually.

“Not really it's actually pretty-” She is cut off by Kiriko scooting closer until they are touching. Kiriko presses her face into Hana’s neck. The breath on her skin makes her shiver. “Oh.”

“You’re very oblivious.” Kiriko whispers into Hana’s ear sending another enjoyable shiver up Hana’s spine.

“That seems pretty clear now.” Hana whispers back, putting her arms around Kiriko. “We uh-”

“Be quiet bunny.”

“Okay.”

Kiriko pulls away and sits up. Hana picks herself up to join her in sitting in the sand together. Kiriko brushes the sand off of her side and flicks some at Hana. Hana dusts it off and playfully shoves Kiriko as she’s giggling. Kiriko grabs her wrists and pulls her down back into the sand with her, rolling her onto her back. Kiriko quickly scrambles onto Hana’s lap pinning her to the ground by her wrists. Hana struggles to push her away while the two of them laugh. Kiriko effortlessly holds the pin.

“I told you, you gotta work out more, this is too easy.” Kiriko teases. “Stop struggling, you're too weak to push me off.”

Hana grunts with effort as she continues to try and throw her attacker off, she squirms and struggles in Kiriko’s grasp as the woman on top of her merely sits there. She stops fighting back when she notices Kiriko has stopped laughing and is looking into Hana’s eyes seriously, her face turning red.

“And you’re too weak to stop me from doing this too…” Kiriko’s hands leave Hana’s wrists and slide up the sand next to her head. Kiriko lowers her face to Hana's, closing her eyes as their lips meet. A soft involuntary moan escapes Hana’s lips as they touch. Kiriko feels hands lightly grip her waist, and the hips beneath her slightly shift. Kiriko opens her eyes and lifts her head slightly, breaking the kiss.

“I wouldn’t try to stop you.” Hana says both their blushing faces still only inches away.

“Oh yeah? I wonder what else you’d let me get away with…”

“A lot.”

“Ugh, you already made me sit through sunscreen. Now I have to do it again? Everyone else is fine!” Lena complains as she once again sits in front of Amelie while soft hands work cream onto her skin.

“Well everyone else isn’t a pale British woman who will burn to a crisp in less than an hour. Sit still.” Amelie lectures, holding Lena’s restless shoulders in place.

“Well you’re a pale French woman, why don’t you need sunscreen?” She protests further.

“Because I’m staying under the umbrella.”

“Not anymore. If you’re making me reapply every hour, I’m making you get in the water with me!” Lena demands, turning around to face Amelie.

“I wasn’t finished with your shoulders, turn back around.”

Lena presents her back to Amelie again and the hands resume. “Come on, you can’t wear such a sexy swimsuit and not go swimming!”

Amelie smiles unbeknownst to Lena. “Well perhaps I got it to sit on the beach and look pretty for you. Also it’s just a normal swimsuit, not a sexy one.”

“Maybe, but you’re in it so… sexy.” Lena says brushing off the hands and turning back to face Amelie. “Okay, I’m done. Now it’s your turn!”

“Fine… get my back first.” Amelie relents before laying down on her stomach for Lena to apply the sunscreen to her. She rolls her eyes when Lena immediately begins on her upper thighs.

“Dear, there’s fabric covering that I don’t need sunscreen there.”

“Oh sorry.”

“Lena, your hands are still on my ass.”

“I know.”

Amelie closes her eyes as she enjoys the feelings of Lena’s hand roughly rubbing across her body. A few noises try to escape from her mouth involuntarily but she manages to stifle them. She’s appreciating Lena’s thoroughness when she’s suddenly snapped back to reality by being flipped over. Her eyes shoot open and she pouts at Lena.

“Is my massage over already?” She whines.

“Time for the front, love.”

“I can do this part myself-”

Amelie giggles as the hands rub across her stomach now. She struggles not to push the ticklish hands away as the cream is applied to her abdomen. The tip of Lena’s finger lingers on the edge of her top for a little too long. Amelie narrows her eyes at Lena who is grinning mischievously. Amelie lightly slaps her wrist when a finger breaches beneath the bottom of her bikini top. Lena quickly draws it back before casting a glance back at Ana and Winston who are both lost in conversation.

“No one is looking…”

“I don’t care you-”

The wandering hand fully slides beneath the fabric, lightly gripping Amelie’s breast beneath. She breathes a word of protest but is cut off by her own low moan as a thumb brushes her nipple. She tightly grabs Lena’s wrist and moves her hand away. Lena giggles at the look of anger on Amelie’s face.

“I can’t take you anywhere.” Amelie scolds.

“You love me.”

“Shut up and finish my sunscreen.”

“Yes my lady.” Lena teases playfully lathering sunscreen across Amelie’s chest.

Amelie follows Lena down to the beach being pulled along by her hand much faster than she prefers to walk. She braces herself as the water grows closer and flinches when it touches her toes. She relaxes as a calm warm wave washes over her feet. Lena eases up on the pulling and allows Amelie to wade further at her own pace. Lena walks further in until the water is up to her waist before turning to wait for Amelie.

“I… don’t know if I can swim.” Amelie calls to her.

“That’s okay love, I’ve got you. Come on out.” Lena calls back.

Amelie slowly walks back out the clear warm water rising to her knees then up her thighs until it's just below her waist and she’s right next to Lena. Lena takes her hand and leads her further out towards the rest of the group still splashing about. Angela waves happily at her as the water reaches the middle of her chest. Lena playfully splashes some water at her chest as she joins the group.

Amelie turns confused and looks around when she doesn’t see Cassidy out there. Suddenly she begins to rise out of the water as Cassidy lifts her up from below over his head. Amelie screams as she is held up in the air.

“Put me down!” She shouts.

“If you say so.” Cassidy responds, chuckling.

“Wait wait, no no.”

Cassidy drops her in the water in front of him submerging her, she flails under the surface for a second before a hand grabs her and pulls her head back up over. Her hair clings to her face as Cassidy lifts her back up onto her feet. She gasps at the shock before collecting herself again. Cassidy grins at her before her open palm meets his face.

“You got my hair wet!”

Everybody laughs as Cassidy dramatically leaps backwards into the water, landing and floating away from her. Lena loosely wraps her arms around Amelie’s neck from behind and pulls her closer.

“You were going to get it wet anyway love, you’re in the ocean.”

“It’s a sea actually.” Amelie responds pouting.

“Same thing, it’s all water. And I think it looks cute on you.”

Amelie sighs, black eyeliner is running down her face as she lowers herself down until the water is to her neck. Fareeha bounces around in circles around Angela as the blond woman watches her with a smile. Genji, Cassidy and Lucio both engage in an extremely dramatic slow motion underwater free-for-all fight. Lena offers a hand to Amelie, slowly pulling her deeper out when Amelie takes it.

“Wait, I won’t be able-”

“It’s okay, I’ll teach you. Just kick your legs like you’re on a bicycle when you can’t reach the bottom anymore.”

Amelie does as instructed and finds the motion second nature effortlessly keeping her head above water. She continues to tread as Lena pulls her out deeper. Lena lets go of her hand causing a brief moment of panic in Amelie before she realizes she can keep herself up on her own.

“You’re good at this! You sure you don’t know how to swim?” Lena asks, clearly impressed.

“Maybe I do. I don’t remember.”

Lena swims back closer to shore leaving Amelie treading out bobbing up and down with the calm waves. A few meters out Lena turns and holds out her arms. “Just do it like how I did. I’ll get you if you can't, don't worry.”

Amelie mimics the movements and easily swims back to Lena landing in her arms that wrap around Amelie’s waist as her feet find the ground once again. Amelie hugs Lena tightly as the woman cheers for her. Lena’s cheering is replaced by Amelie’s scream as Lena jumps up and crashes down on her back pulling Amelie back down into the water again above her. She wrestles the arms around her free and pushes Lena down to force her head back above the water. Lena swims out from under her and emerges further towards the beach.

“I hate you.”

“You love me.” Lena pauses for a moment, looking around at the distracted beach goers around them. “What do you say we practice your swimming further down the beach… without any onlookers.”

“You’re up to something.” Amelie accuses, narrowing her eyes but following Lena regardless.

“Probably.”

Amelie swims after Lena away from their friends, further down the beach towards the cliffs. When they near the rocks Lena looks back at the others in the water and on the beach before looking back to Amelie. She slips her arms out of her swimsuit and pulls it down off her legs, before tossing it back to the beach against the cliff face, it lands in a wet heap on the sand.

“Lena! Absolutely not.” Amelie protests in a frantic whisper.

“Too late.” She responds smugly.

“I’m getting your suit and you’re putting it back on.” Amelie says, wading away towards the beach.

You can do that but-” Lena stops her by grabbing the back of her Bikini top and giving it a firm tug up, yanking it over her shoulders and quickly pulling it off her arms, before she chucks it over near her swimsuit. “You’ll have to get that too.” She says smugly as she grabs Amelie's hands putting them on her chest.

“You are…” Amelie pulls her hands away from Lena and drops them further below the water line, returning with her bikini bottom, tossing that to the beach with the rest. “There. Are you happy?”

“Are you?”

“...Maybe.”

Lena swims further out and Amelie follows. They splash each other playful as they drift farther and farther out. Lena explores around the side of the cliff, occasionally pushing off it and loudly swimming on her back, clearly not caring about her body being above the water. Amelie stays with the water well above her collar just watching Lena splash around dramatically. Lena speeds away from her prompting Amelie to slowly follow her. Suddenly Lena turns back with an excited look on her face.

“There’s a cave!” She calls back to Amelie.

Amelie quickly paddles over to her to see for herself and finds the same cavern in the cliff face.

“Let’s go in!” Lena whispers tightly, grabbing Amelie’s hand and splashing.

“Okay.”

The two swim into the cave’s mouth and climb to their feet as the water grows too low to swim. Amelie stands up fully and surveys the cave. Her heart stops when her eyes meet Hana’s. The girl's bikini strap is around her elbow with Kiriko’s hand firmly gripping her chest. Hana’s eyes pan lower from Amelie’s eyes to her completely nude body. Her already red face somehow gets brighter. Lena lets out a loud belly laugh before Amelie grabs her wrist and rushes back into the water, leaving the girls to their business.

Amelie and Lena return to the beach with their clothes to find Ana standing over their wet empty swimsuits on the shore. They both freeze in the water with the expressions of misbehaving children on their faces.

“What happened here?” Ana asks, her stern look giving way to a subtle smile.

Lena stutters before finally getting out a sentence. “We uh… they kind of… could you toss those to us?”

“Sorry sweetheart, I can't hear you. You said you want me to bring them back to dry?” She calls back, gathering the wet heap into her arms.

“Ana don’t you dare!” Lena shouts back as Ana turns to leave.

The older woman laughs before tossing them back to the girls who quickly get dressed again before finally emerging from the water. She looks the two of them up and down. Amelie is too embarrassed to meet her eyes and Lena is grinning widely.

“Lena dear, you put that on backwards.” Ana says before walking away with a chuckle. Amelie peaks down the front of the swimsuit and sees a tag against Lena’s chest. She slowly wades back into the water with the defeated look of a bathed dog and fixes it.

Amelie returns to her book in her chair as Lena sits in the sand digging with her hands a few feet away. She casts a few idle glances at Lena when the woman wants to show her some strange creation of sand. She pretends to understand what it is and acts impressed before Lena inevitably has to explain it to her. Suddenly B.O.B drops his fan and crashes down next to Lena, sculpting his own masterpiece out of sand. Wordlessly he carves as Lena continues her own creating while stealing glances at B.O.B’s. After thirty minutes of peace and quiet Amelie is once again interrupted this time by Ashe.

“What’s up B.O.B honey?”

The robot gestures at his sculpture. A picture perfect sand recreation of Route 66. Ashe marvels at it, calling out all the spots. The place she shot at Cassidy, the other place she shot at Cassidy, the diner where someone else shot at Cassidy, the gas station where Cassidy got shot at. The train tracks her and B.O.B blew up together. Before finally stopping at the garage they got their bikes fixed up in. Lena pouts and turns to Amelie for praise only to be met by her impressed look towards B.O.B’s model as well.

“Mine is just as good! Look, I made the Watchpoint!” She complains pointing at her unconvincing and confusing attempt at a facsimile.

“Yours looks even better dear.” Amelie says giving Lena a pat on the head finally satisfying her.

They are snapped away from the sand sculptures as there is shouting and cheering down in the water. The people still playing in the water announce the return of Hana and Kiriko, awkwardly wading back onto the beach before nervously returning the waves and walking back to the umbrella.

“Where were you girls?” Ana asks, Amelie detects a hint of knowing in her voice.

“Swimming.” Kiriko responds coldly while glaring daggers at Amelie and Lena.

Hana cuts through the tension by grabbing her phone from the bag and speaking up. “My follower also told me about some cool fair down at the Valencia pier, but we should get there soon if we want to hit it before things start to close.”

Lena turns to Amelie with a sparkle in her eyes at the prospect of a fair. Before she can even beg to go Amelie nods. Lena jumps up and shouts to the people still down in the sea to come back up. In a few minutes the entire group is gathered back at the umbrella.

“Ooh, a fair. Perhaps I’ll win you something nice Angela.” Fareeha brags an arm firmly around the her waist.

“I’m gonna win Amelie way more prizes!” Lena retorts, crossing her arms defiantly towards the woman who towers over her by almost a foot.

Angela shoots Amelie a look as their partners argue over who will win more for their woman. “I suppose we are a game to them, Amelie.”

“It’s kind of cute.”

Angela nods before grinning widely. “I’m going to win though.”

“In your dreams.”

Lena turns to Winston as everybody dries off with towels around them. The gorilla looks around, happy his friends are happy but with a subtle sadness only she can recognize is in his eyes. She sits down next to him and he clearly appreciates her presence. “You coming big guy?”

“Crowded fair, narrow pier. Not really my scene.”

“Yeah I figured. I’ll stay if you want, buddy.”

“Nonsense, you’re excited, your honor has been challenged. I’ve made peace that some things just aren’t for me. I want you to enjoy yourself.” He responds giving Lena his usual toothy smile.

“Offer still stands pal, you’re worth it.”

Ana speaks up from behind her glass of lemon water. “Go Oxton, I’ll keep old Winston company down here. Fairs are a young woman’s game anyway. We’ll meet you back at the hotel.”

“Shimada if you have a mostly cybernetic body… Why are you wearing swim trunks?” Ashe questions as she walks with Genji and Cassidy through a house of mirrors.

Genji stops to admire his neon green swimming attire. “They are green.”

“Doesn’t exactly answer my question, hon.”

“I like green.”

Cassidy reaches to pat Genji on the shoulder but hits a mirror instead. “You sure do.”

Lena bumps into the sixth mirror in the tent, prompting Amelie to firmly grab her shoulders and guide her through. “My dearest love, this isn’t that hard, just don’t walk into yourself. I’m not sure how you’re struggling.”

“Cause it’s fun to bump into me.” Lena responds with a giggle.

Amelie lets go of her shoulders in shock. “You are… doing this on purpose?”

Hana stops to take a picture of herself in a wobbly mirror, before stopping to post it on her social media. Kiriko leads her along the path through the mirrors as Hana’s eyes and thumbs stay glued to her phone.

Angela leans down to make a funny face in a mirror. She sticks out her tongue and pulls an eye down. She turns back to face Fareeha as she leans back up, coming face to face with a set of perfectly toned olive-skinned abs being flexed in a mirror with perfect clarity.

“Fareeha, you’re supposed to see what you look like in silly mirrors, we have normal mirrors back at base and you spend plenty of time staring at yourself in them already.” She scolds.

“You don’t mind the show.”

“No I do not.”

Lucio tries out a new dance in the mirror as his friends continue through the tent, leaving him by himself as he is fully absorbed in the music in his head. B.O.B brushes past him completely uninterested in the mirrors. Lucio is knocked off balance but plays it off with a spin before checking to make sure nobody saw.

Lena emerges from the tent of mirrors wobbling and dramatically attempting to fall over only to be thwarted by Amelie. “Lena, you are not dizzy, it was just mirrors.”

“Let me play.” Lena complains, pretending to faint in her arms.

“Come on Oxton, time to put your money where your mouth is.” Fareeha challenges her as she approaches the ring toss game. “Angela, do you want the tiger or the elephant?”

Angela looks thoughtfully through her options. “Elephant for sure.”

“Ooh the top prize. Anything for you my lady.” Fareeha says in a low voice, loosening her grip around Angela waist and grabbing a set of rings.

“Kick her smug ass Lena.”

Lena pays for her own set of rings and the timer starts. Both women start hitting every toss, landing perfectly around the bottles. Fareeha elbows Lena to try and throw her off but she fails to break the woman’s flawless concentration. Amelie has never seen Lena focus on anything this hard before, even the focus on trying not to get her head taken off by Widowmaker paled in comparison. As the time ticks down and both have a perfect score Lena devises a plan. She intercepts Fareeha’s ring mid air with her own, sending it clattering between the rims of four bottles, while Lena’s lands perfectly on the bottle as the bell dings.

“That’s totally cheating?”

“I saw those elbows, lady!” The attendant shouts. “And the perfect score gets the elephant!”

Hana looks disappointed at her one point in the ring toss. The attendant hands her a rubber bracelet that she gives to Kiriko with a defeated expression. Kiriko excitedly accepts it and gives Hana a tight hug.

Angela glares with a hatred never before seen from the small Swiss woman at Amelie from behind a stuffed orange tiger as they walk to the next game. As the loser of the previous one Fareeha claims that she gets to choose the next game and Lena agrees. She stops at the basketball hoops and confidently spins one on her finger.

“You’re going down.”

“I’m pretty hot on the court actually.”

“Nothing like me.”

The timer starts and Fareeha begins effortlessly sinking basket after basket, her point total steadily rising. Lena is accurate but slow, falling behind gradually as the timer ticks down. What started 2-2 is 8-14 as the game is half over. Lena starts to frantically speed up causing her to miss most of her shots as Fareeha begins to score balls at twice the speed one in each hand. The timer dings and the attendant checks the points.

“Tie between the girl in red and the tall one.”

Both Lena and Fareeha look at Kiriko and Hana jumping up and down celebrating Kiriko’s high score. Fareeha exhales loudly in frustration but restores her usual smug attitude as she turns back to Lena.

“She doesn’t matter, I beat you.”

“Yeah yeah whatever.”

Hana rushes over to the prize counter and excitedly picks out a red fox stuffed animal running back over to Kiriko to show it off. Angela selects a beaver to keep her tiger company. Amelie gets a small green alien creature.

“My turn to pick then.” Lena says as she narrows her eyes surveying the fair. “Duck shooting.” She calls out.

Fareeha cracks her knuckles and slams down her money before taking her spot at a dart rifle. As Lena approaches the counter to purchase her spot Amelie’s hand puts a Euro down as well. Lena turns to her confusedly.

“I’m kicking both of your smug asses.” Amelie confidently says as she assumes her usual stance at the base of the children sized dart gun.

Five ducks swing up as the round starts, Fareeha and Lena both train their sights on one but they all fall before they fall before they can even pull the trigger. As they adjust to another, those are shot down as well. 0-0-5. Amelie grins at both of them. Five ducks appear, this time slowly moving horizontally across the track. Lena fires a dart that hits the wall behind. Fareeha manages to nail one, earning herself a point. As she moves to reacquire another target the buzzer signals the round ending. 0-1-9. Lena grits her teeth as the last round starts. Seven ducks moving in circular patterns, She fires off two shots as fast as she can react barely taking time to aim. Two hits. Fareeha carefully fires at another. The round ends. 2-2-13. The attendant looks shocked.

“That’s the high score! You earned the grand prize!” He pulls a huge bear, half the size of Lena off a hook in the roof and dumps it into Amelie’s hands who passes it to Lena. Angela gives her a high five before handing back her gifts from Lena. Fareeha is fuming and stomps over to Angela. Angela gently pats her cheek, calming her down. Lena marvels at the ridiculous bear she’s now the proud owner of.

“Guess it was a tie then.” She concedes to Fareeha.

“I’m pretty sure actually I won.” Amelie says a sly grin on her face.

“What no!” They both shout.

“We both won two games, you only won one!” Lena continues.

“And you weren’t even competing!” Fareeha adds.

“With how badly I beat you girls, it’s kind of embarrassing you’re pretending it was a competition at all. And my prize is bigger than both of yours combined so…”

The two competitors both grumble and pout as they find their way to a picnic table to set down their bounty and get dinner. Fareeha wanders off to a food stall, a fried pastry stand. She leans across the counter to the woman working there, making sure to flex her muscles as she points to items on the menu. Amelie notices a calm quiet sense of anger slowly building in Angela’s face. When the worker hands Fareeha a small piece of paper Angela slowly pushes her stuffed animals across the table and stands. Without a word she briskly walks away while Lena and Amelie share a glance, neither saying a word to stop her. As Fareeha returns to the table with four trays she gives the two a puzzled look as she watches Angela walk away.

“Where is she going?”

“Fareeha… are you fucking stupid?” Lena calmly asks, taking a tray of fried food.

“Excuse me Oxton?”

“So yeah then. What uh… what were you and that worker talking about?” She continues.

“What? Oh yeah, she was totally into me. Gave me her number.” Fareeha bragged. She was confused when Lena groaned in response.

“And you think that’s an okay thing to do in front of Angela?” Lena shouts back, Amelie surprised at the genuine anger in Lena’s voice.

“Who do you think you are Oxton? You don’t know anything about our relationship, back off.” Fareeha says indignantly standing to go after Angela.

“Don’t Fareeha.” Amelie says quietly, halting the woman in her tracks. She cuts off another shouting match before Fareeha can start it. “Walk back with us, she wants to be alone right now, otherwise she wouldn’t have left.”

As the three quietly make their way to the exit, Amelie standing between Lena and Fareeha, they run into the others and inform them that they are walking back to the hotel. They all clearly sense the tension in the air and give brief goodbyes. The rest of the walk back is in complete silence. Amelie and Lena enter their room as Fareeha enters hers. They sit on their bed pressed up against the shared wall and sit together in uncomfortable silence. Kiriko returns to the room about thirty minutes later, followed about thirty seconds later by Hana. She sits down at the edge of Kiriko’s bed and sighs deeply. Amelie gives her a knowing glance.

“Yeah the vibe in there is… not great.”

Another moment of awkward silence follows before it's broken by yelling from the other side of the wall.

“So what’s the problem this time?” Fareeha begins confrontationally.

“I don’t want to fight with you again Fareeha.” Angela says, sighing deeply and still pretending to browse something on her phone.

“You clearly fucking do Ange, you do this every time so just, go ahead and get your screaming at me out of the way.” Fareeha responds, shrugging her shoulders.

“Have you ever considered that me screaming at you is because you’ve done something to deserve it, and not just me being an unreasonable bitch you have to placate so you can climb on top of me again.” Angela responds, putting her phone down and getting fully into the argument.

“I don’t see what the problem is Angela? All I see is you being unreasonable. It’s just kind of a thing you do, I’ve gotten used to it.” Fareeha retorts, sighing as she sits back down into the bed.

“You don’t see what the problem is Fareeha? I know you’re being intentionally obtuse to distract from the pretty obvious problem you caused today. So please, stop acting like you don’t know why I’m mad.”

“I’m sorry Angela, I didn't think it was a big deal. I thought you didn’t care if I was with other women, I thought we both agreed to that.” Fareeha says, reaching a hand over to Angela’s shoulder.

She pulls away and walks over to the other bed to sit away from Fareeha.

“I pretend not to care when I can’t see it, when you’re gone, but that gets pretty hard when you do it right in fucking front of me!” Angela yells, causing Fareeha to flinch.

“I thought we both agreed to see other people…”

“I don’t have other people Fareeha, I don’t get to travel the world chasing Talon and fucking easy women, all I have is Overwatch, all I have is you.” She continues, cutting off Fareeha.

“Angela I-”

“You want a mommy you can fuck and leave behind when you want someone young and naive who’s too stupid to realize you’re going to leave her heartbroken too. Oh Angela can you do my laundry, Angela can you help me fill out this form, Angela can I fuck you? And I tell myself this is the last time but I know I’m going to say yes to you always. Not anymore, I’m done, you’re done. Find somebody else to use from now on.”

Fareeha slowly backs away from Angela as she screams out in anger, her voice growing hoarse. She struggles to find the words to respond. Angela springs out of bed and walks towards Fareeha who puts her arms up as a reflex.

“Go ahead! Run away now that things are getting hard. Just like you did before. You want an easy woman? Go fuck some random carnie in my hotel room why don’t you? How’s that sound? Is that what I agreed to?” She pounds a fist onto Fareeha’s arm before screaming loudly and storming out of the room leaving Fareeha stunned and speechless.

Angela pushes through the hotel door, almost sending Kiriko barreling over. Lena, Amelie, and Hana all scramble to make it seem like they weren’t listening. Angela collapses into the desk chair and sighs, the tears already forming in her eyes begin to stream down uncontrollably. She holds out a hand to stop Amelie from approaching her. The room is silent save from Angela’s crying.

“Why… can’t I be enough for her.” Angela asks nobody in particular.

“Please.”

The five women sit in a tense standstill as Angela continues to cry into an evergrowing pile of tissues. Lena and Amelie both get a barrage of texts from Fareeha, most questioning what just happened, the rest asking if Angela is okay. Neither of them respond. After a few minutes of loud pacing from the next room there is a quiet knock on the door. Amelie looks to Lena before standing to crack it open. Fareeha is waiting by the door.

“Angela do you–”

“Whatever… I don’t care.”

Amelie opens the door wider to allow Fareeha to enter. The four bystanders don’t even wait for Fareeha to finish her sentence before they follow her request to leave the room. Fareeha sits down on the desk next to Angela who turns to look at her with red eyes.

“So is this goodbye again?” She asks, stifling another sob.

Fareeha sets her phone down on the desk in front of Angela, it sits open on her contacts page.

“I don’t get it… it’s just our coworkers from Overwatch.” Angela says, giving Fareeha a puzzled expression.

“It is, I deleted everyone else.” She explains before fishing out a piece of paper from her pocket. “And you can throw this away too.”

Angela takes the piece of paper and tosses it into the pile of tissues. “Fareeha this doesn’t-”

“I know. I’ve made a lot of promises before, I just hoped if I finally backed it up with some action you’d believe I was serious this time.”

“Oh Fareeha you’re an idiot.” She buries her face into the Egyptian woman’s lap, getting tears and snot on her jeans.

“I am. But I mean it.”

“You promise you won’t give up, even if you have to choose things you don’t want because I asked you to?” Angela asks, looking up at Fareeha with fear in her eyes.

“It was much easier to choose this, than to ever choose losing you. I promise my Angel.” Fareeha assures her as she holds the blond woman’s face in both her hands.

“You haven’t called me that in a long time… my Soldier.” Angela whispers quietly, a smile spreading across her face.

“You never stopped being it.”

Fareeha emerges carrying Angela bridal style out of the hotel room. “Hana be a dear and stay in another room tonight please.” She asks, reentering their room and slamming the door shut without waiting for a response. She gently places Angela onto the bed before getting in herself.

Angela rests her head on Fareeha’s chest, still teary eyes. “I don’t want to have sex tonight.”

“Then we won’t”

“I just want you to stay with me.”

“Then I will.”

Angela grabs the two carnival game prizes Fareeha won for her earlier and holds them close to her chest.

“I love you, my Soldier.”

“I love you, my Angel.”

Chapter Text

Amelie laid completely still on a row of crates. Her rifle trained on the opposite building scanning the windows for any sign of her quarry. She checked the same unnotable faces of office workers for any changes, any sign of a development from her hours at this. She spots a face she hasn’t seen yet. A blond man with a large beard. She raises her eye from the scope and checks her data pad. It’s not him. She cracks her neck and returns to her survey.

She finally spots him. Doctor Mallard. He has a scared expression on his face as he is escorted into a conference room by two omnics. She feels a twitch in her finger before brushing past the thought. She lifts her eye from the scope and presses on her ear piece.

“I’ve spotted the Doctor, you were right about him making new friends. Very popular man it seems. Third floor, conference room… C.” She calls into her radio.

“Finally, I was about to go mental if I had to wait any longer.” Lena sighed exasperated sitting up from leaning against Amelie’s makeshift sniper stand.

Amelie swung her legs down and stood up, stretching her stiff body. She’d felt worse. “Don’t be a baby, you volunteered. Kiriko or Ashe would have been happy to be my security again.” Amelie responds, slinging her rifle over her shoulder and preparing to exfiltrate the parking garage.

“Well I thought we could like talk, hang out. Not just sit around doing nothing for four hours.” She complains.

“I take my job seriously Lena.”

“I know…”

The two women casually make their way to the ramp of the abandoned structure when they hear a clatter a floor down. Amelie puts a hand to Lena’s chest to stop her from continuing. She draws her pistols and carefully peeks around the corner down the ramp, finding nothing out of the ordinary. Amelie readies her rifle and they silently creep down. As the second floor comes into sight they notice a Null Sector war bot searching through the abandoned construction of the parking garage.

“He’s right by the ramp. I don’t think we can sneak past him…” Lena whispers.

“We will grapple down, you can hold on to me.” Amelie responds in an equally hushed tone.

She creeps over to the edge of the garage and peers over the side. Four more war bots are patrolling the perimeter of the garage. Amelie quietly sighs before retreating back to cover to consider their options. She presses on her ear piece again.

“Winston, our position is compromised. Multiple Null Sector units are searching for us. I don’t think we can get away on our own.”

“Copy Agent Lacroix. Agent Zaryanova, can you reach them?” Winston responds.

“On it Commander.”

Lena shakes her out of her whispered conversation back to awareness of the situation around them. The war bot is approaching their position on the ramp and another has entered the floor standing near the other ramp to the ground floor. Lena looks to Amelie then back to the omnic before pulling out a pulse bomb. Amelie nods and trains her rifle on the bot blocking their exit. Lena quickly blinks over to her target before sticking a bomb to it and recalling back to the ramp. Simultaneously Amelie takes the shot at hers. As the two bots are dispatched, alarm sounds are heard throughout the area. The remaining Null Sector forces around the garage spring to action to dispatch the Overwatch agents. Amelie sets her rifle to automatic fire mode and the two rush down to the ground floor.

A scene of robotic carnage plays about before them. Well over a dozen war bots swarm the ground floor, all too preoccupied with Zarya’s particle cannon to give the two new guests any attention. More prepared to join the fight from around the structure, vaulting over the railings into the building, a few spot Lena and Amelie.

“Agents! I need to fall back, retreat to high ground! I’ll call for air evac!” Zarya shouts as she routes into the parking lot in front of the garage. Lena prepares to flee back up the ramp but Amelie stops her pointing to a door labelled in Serbian.

“That leads to the basement. It connects to the subway system. Let's go!” Amelie grabs her hand and pulls her quickly away, swinging the door open and slamming it closed behind them, shutting out the sounds of warfare outside.

Amelie tosses a metal shelf over in front of the door to block it before leading Lena down the stairs rifle first. As the two quickly make their way deeper underground they hear a rustling. They both stop. Amelie peaks around a corner to see a Null Sector unit rummaging through the basement store room. A metal stair squeaks under Lena’s foot causing the bot to snap its face to the two of them. Amelie quickly raises her rifle, charges a shot, and fires. It collapses to the ground.

“Sorry.”

“It would benefit you to be more careful going forward, darling.” Amelie says with a sigh as she walks forward carefully.

As they cross the store room a low whirring emanates from the destroyed omnic. Amelie wheels around quickly and raises her rifle again. A red glow shines from its undestroyed eye, and the metal around its thorax begins to heat to the point of melting, the whir gives way to a high pitched whine.

“Get down!” Lena shouts as she shoves Amelie towards the far wall of the store room away from the bot.

A fiery explosion rocks the small basement, Lena feels an unyielding heat on her face as the force of the explosion reaches her body. She watches in what feels like slow motion as her chronal accelerator cracks, shatters and melts. Suddenly everything stops. An orange cloud of fire fills the room, stopping just shy of her face. She looks down to her chest to see her chronal accelerator giving off a weak blue glow against the bright explosion. A huge crack runs across the device, the glass casing in the center is shattered. She slowly backs away from the explosion, nothing around her is moving.

She looks at Amelie frozen in time. Her eyes are closed with her hands up blocking her face. An expression of terror is across her face. Lena crouches before her and waves a hand in front of her face, drawing no reaction from her eyes. She stands to survey the room and notices a small window at the top of a wall leading out onto the street. With a plan formed she readies her pistols at the window, she pulls the triggers but rather than gunfire she feels a crunch. The triggers break off as she pulls them, the little metal pieces float suspended in time. She reholsters them and walks over to the window pressing her hand hard to the glass. It shatters at her touch, leaving shards of glass floating in the air just like her pistol triggers. With her bracers she hurriedly brushes them to the side, they move at her touch but don’t fall to the ground.

She climbs out through the window once the glass is properly cleared before leaning back in and grabbing Amelie’s body by the arms. She silently apologizes and begs for this not to hurt. As light as she can while still maintaining enough grip to lift her she hoists her girlfriend up through the window. She drags her out onto the grassy side of the road, the few cars on it were frantically attempting to flee from the sounds of fighting in the abandoned garage. She drags Amelie a safe distance away with her face and hands still frozen in her desperate attempt to guard from the blast.

Lena looks down to her chest and prepares herself. She presses the small button on the outside of the case, holding it down for a few seconds. The faint blue glow from the busted device slowly fades. The whir of the machine struggling to perform its function dies. She kicks off one of her shoes and leaves it on the ground next to Amelie.

“Alright Winston, bring me back.” She says to herself.

Her hands in front of her grow unsteady. She is physically still but her position in space isn’t. A huge explosion rocks the parking garage sending it crashing down as Lena feels herself begin to rip apart and fade away. She stares down at Amelie’s unconscious body as she blinks away.

A rhythmic beeping fills Amelie’s mind as bright lights pierce her eyelids. She slowly blinks them open to be greeted by the happy yet clearly worried face of Dr. Ziegler. As she collects her bearings she looks to Dr. Ziegler she realizes worry isn’t what’s on her face. Amelie can’t quite make out the emotion.

“Welcome back to the world of the living.” She says nervously fidgeting with her hands.

Amelie lifts her arms to her face, finding pristine pale white skin covering where she expected horrible burns and scarring. “I’m… okay?”

“Not quite… but on the outside, yes.” Angela explains, only causing more confusion in Amelie.

“But the explosion-”

“You weren’t caught in it. Lena… froze time and pulled you out somehow. However, being dragged about fifteen meters in a fraction of a fraction of a second, the sudden acceleration and stopping was… hard on your body. You would have died unless…”

Amelie grew puzzled at Angela’s pause. The doctor wouldn’t meet her eyes as Amelie struggled to sit up, finding herself too weak to do so. “Unless what.”

“I’m so sorry Amelie I didn’t think anything of it at the time but I learned more about you and what you went through and it felt like a disgusting violation of your autonomy and I’m no better than Moira I’m so fucking sorry.” Angela blurts out without pause, tears welling in her eyes.

“Slow down Angela, what are you talking about?”

She shifts nervously. “It was a standard upgrade I’d make to any Overwatch agent when doing nanobiological modification. I didn’t think about how it might make you feel when you find out, I was just doing my usual job. But you’re anything but a usual patient. I modified your biology to be more resilient than a normal human’s.”

An awkward pause breaks out in the room as Amelie looks away from the doctor and her eyes glaze over. “I understand.”

“You’re upset…” Angela says, reaching an arm out to Amelie before retracting and dropping it into her lap.

“I’m fine. Is Lena okay?”

Dr. Ziegler turns and composes herself facing away from Amelie to wipe her tears. “It’s better if I just show you. I’ll get a wheelchair. Stay here.”

Amelie waits in the hospital bed unable to move much more than her eyes. Dr. Ziegler returns and helps her climb into the wheelchair before taking her across the base. Amelie avoids eye contact with all her coworkers expressing their happiness at her return, giving them few words in response. Angela finally takes her to Winston’s lab where the gorilla greets Amelie cheerfully.

“Glad to see you back awake even if you aren’t quite on your feet yet.” He says with a chuckle before signalling the two to follow him. Winston leads her to a small upright steel chamber about one meter across and three meters tall. Inside is Lena looking bored out of her mind.

“Oh my god finally I was so worried about you, love!” She shouts when Amelie comes into view of the glass.

“Hello dear.” Amelie responds weakly.

“Sorry about the whole sloshing your organs around by dragging you unbelievably fast.” She says with a chuckle while scratching the back of her neck.

“A fair gamble considering the alternative, and it paid off nonetheless. What happened to you?”

“Explosion sorta blew up my chronal accelerator before it blew up the rest of me and froze time or something. I dunno explaining these shenanigans is usually Winston’s job.” She responds with a shrug prompting Winston to explain further.

“The blast did fatal damage to her chronal accelerator causing her place in time to become fixed. She shut the device off to break the lock in time so I could come rescue her. Very smart idea to leave your shoe on the ground Lena.” Winston clarified.

“Thanks for the science lesson pal, and uh… thanks again for saving me… again.”

Amelie smiles. “Did you go anywhere cool this time?”

“Don’t you mean any-when cool? And yeah, I was a medieval knight this time! I prefer being back here with you though. And I can always be your knight.” Lena answers, giving a flirty wink at the end.

“How chivalrous of you Sir Oxton.” Amelie says with a giggle.

Their reunion is cut short by an announcement over the speaker system by Ana. “All active combat personnel and senior officials please report to the main conference room, and standby for further information. Winston, meet me in my office.”

The four look at each other confused. Lena gives a frustrated grunt. “I wanna go too.” She whines.

Winston grabs a camera and a tablet. He slides the tablet through the mail slot on the time stabilization chamber and gives Amelie the small camera. “Your accelerator isn’t fixed yet, but you can go remotely with Amelie.”

She nods and slides to the ground holding the tablet. Amelie turns the camera on and holds it to her face. Angela wheels her away towards the conference room. She hears happy cheering from across the room inside the chamber as they depart. The ride over is full of more uncomfortable silence between doctor and patient.

Amelie impatiently holds the camera as most of Overwatch is gathered into the large but cramped conference room. People filling every chair and lining every wall. After thirty minutes of waiting Ana, Winston, and a man in a suit nobody in the room recognizes enter. Everybody is waiting with bated breath for what comes next when Ana finally speaks up.

“This is Herman Chen. He’s a United Nations representative here to discuss our operation today.” She announces to the room.

“Thank you Acting Commander Amari. We at the United Nations have long been aware of your organization's recall and return to performing military operations in recent years. Despite its violation of the Petras Act, which forbids all Overwatch activity, we decided privately without a formal vote that the good outweighed the bad, and chose to take a stance of pretending you didn’t exist. This was fine when you were merely responding to the destruction of Null Sector. But now you have taken active measures against Null Sector, striking before they moved on the city of Belgrade. While we are appreciative of you preventing a potential invasion, that is not how it appeared to the general public. News coverage of this event looks a lot like how people felt about Overwatch before the Petras Act. A building in the middle of a city exploded, you raided an office complex with a small paramilitary team. The optics are not on your side here Overwatch.”

Herman catches his breath and adjusts his glasses before pulling a document out of his briefcase. “We can no longer allow you all to act outside of the law. We will be holding a convention readdressing the Petras Act and the United Nation’s stance on Overwatch. Before the motion is voted on we will allow you to continue operations, so long as you hold yourself to some rules your joint Acting Commanders have already agreed to.”

He tosses a copy of the document onto the conference table which is immediately snapped up by Cassidy sitting at the head of the table before Herman continues.

“Ana Amari and Winston will step down from their posts to be restored to their previous ranks, considering their mission has caused all this trouble. An officer from within your ranks will be appointed as the new Acting Commander for a period of six months. If John Morrison has recovered from his coma we will allow him to resume his role as Commander. Otherwise after that six month period their appointment will become permanent.”

“So, who’s getting the promotion then?” Cassidy asks.

“We considered many options with the counsel of Captain Amari and Winston, and decided on Captain Vivian Chase.” He announces.

The room has mixed reactions. Most don’t know Chase, she’s Overwatch old guard and much like Ana prefers to stay in the field rather than hang around the Watchpoint standing ready for something to happen. Those who knew her find her appointment reasonable. She was once Acting Commander before the dissolution, and is the most sensible choice.

“Agreement seems fair enough.” Cassidy remarks tossing the document further down the table to be read by others.

“In addition to what is outlined in that document. I want you all to treat the word of Acting Commander Chase as an extension of the United Nations. She represents us and you will treat her as such. Thank you all.”

His last remark leaves a feeling of unease in Amelie. She knows little of Chase and what her command will entail. Under Jack things were orderly but unstructured. Under Ana and Winston Overwatch felt more like a club than a paramilitary organization. She can only imagine UN scrutiny will greatly change the atmosphere and she’s uncertain if it will be for the better.

Everybody slowly trickles out of the conference room and Amelie gives a wave to the camera before shutting it off. She places it in the basket attached to her wheelchair. Angela begins to wheel her out of the conference room. “Let’s get you back to the hospital.”

“No. Take me back to my room.”

“But you- Okay Amelie.” Angela responds with her voice wavering. She silently returns Amelie to her room and wheels her to her bed. “Can you at least wear the Caduceus pack while you sleep, I worry that your vitals might-”

“Fine.” Amelie responds, cutting her off and pointing to where the device is. Angela brings it to her as well as her phone.

“Call someone if you need anything… I’m sorry Amelie.”

When the woman doesn’t respond or even return eye contact Angela leaves her alone in the room and makes her way back to her office. With her patient gone she can no longer keep her bedside manner intact and begins sobbing uncontrollably, slumping over onto a wall on her way back to the medical bay.

Amelie is laying on her bed texting with Lena when a visitor arrives. A warm glow fills her room as Zenyatta enters before sitting down in Amelie’s desk chair. He thumbs through her record collection without saying a word. Amelie can tell he is clearly waiting for her to speak. She places her phone onto her nightstand and clears her throat.

“Angela sent you.”

“It was on her prompting I was made aware you may want my counsel. But I came here for you Amelie, not for Doctor Ziegler.” He responds while rolling the chair over to her bookshelf to admire the other collection she keeps.

“It is strange to see you sitting there rather than floating like usual.” She remarks with a smile.

“I have always found rolling chairs amusing.” He says with humor in his voice. “Tell me what happened Amelie.”

“You already know what happened.” She answers while struggling to roll onto her side to face Zenyatta.

“Then tell me how you feel instead.”

“I feel like an experiment. A case file. She didn’t even think about making modifications to me, it was second nature. I thought she was different from other doctors. I thought she was my friend. I was stupid to trust her.” Amelie says, trying to make her voice angry but only mustering sadness.

“It was wrong of her.” Zenyatta agrees.

“But?”

“No but. You get to decide how you feel about what she did, and you get to decide how you will react. I told you Amelie, I’m here for you, not to take Doctor Ziegler’s side.” He clarifies.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“I understand. I’m sure somebody can help you find another doctor here at the Watchpoint.” He responds as he pulls a book off the shelf and opens it.

“I don’t want anything to do with doctors.”

“I find that ill-advised given your current injuries. I will look into someone qualified to help you, Amelie.”

“Okay Zenyatta. Just… don’t let Doctor Ziegler pick them for me.”

Chapter Text

“Hm, feels different than before.” Lena says feeling puzzled, fidgeting with the straps of her new chronal accelerator.

“Does it not fit right?” Winston asks while circling her to examine it.

Lena scratches her chin to try and force an explanation of her feelings to the surface. She grumbles when no words to describe her emotion arrive, or perhaps even exist. “No, fits great, thanks. I just feel weird, like… time wise.”

“I’m sure you’re just imagining things Lena.” Winston assures her dismissively.

“I don’t know Winston, one thing they teach you in medicine is that if a patient feels wrong, something usually is.” Angela interjects leaning forward off a table in Winston’s lab. She moves closer to inspect Lena herself.

“Alright then, I believe you Lena. Let’s get you back in the chamber so I can make some adjustments.” He says moving to open the large device that had been Lena’s home last night.

“God no! I barely slept a wink last night. How about I just… let it ride. See if it's anything after all. Just no more box please Winston.” Lena pleads, shivering at the idea of another stay in the old chronal chamber Winston kept around in case of an emergency.

“Okay Lena… but come back to see me later today so I know you didn’t blink away to the classical age. Or else you might end up in the chamber regardless when I zap you back.” Winston threatens wagging a large finger at her.

Lena promises and rushes off from the lab to go make up for her lost time. She sprints past people through the halls brushing past her friends and coworkers as they greet her. She stops with a loud skid outside a bedroom door and without so much as a knock of warning she throws the door open. Amelie’s eyes light up at the sight of her girlfriend. Lena runs and leaps into the bed eliciting a groan from the woman.

“Ugh. Was almost turning me inside out not enough? You gotta come finish the job too.” She groans with a chuckle.

Lena laughs with her as her cheeks begin to sting from the unbreakable smile she’s had on her face since finally gaining her freedom. She reluctantly settles down and rolls off Amelie, wedging herself between the girl and the wall. She peppers her face with light kisses to continue to vent her entire days worth of pent up energy. She places a hand on Amelie’s cheek and begins to slyly lower it down onto her chest.

Amelie catches the hand and lifts it off her body. “Not right now my love. Even moving makes me feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“Sorry, just a little worked up from it all. I can wait though. You’re worth it.” She assures Amelie placing the arm loving around the woman’s waist. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Well if you are willing to be patient and keep your wandering hands contained. I have been really badly wanting a bath…”

“I’ll keep it purely professional, I assure you Lady Lacroix.” Lena says very fancily with a bow as she climbs over Amelie out of bed.

“Well maybe a little of that royalty roleplay you like to do wouldn’t go amiss.” Amelie responds while looking down, her face turning a light shade of pink.

Lena carefully assists her into her wheelchair and pushes her into the bathroom. She turns the water on to a slightly warm temperature as she takes a seat on the edge of the bathtub before turning back to Amelie. She reaches over to pull Amelie’s shirt off eliciting a return of the redness on her face.

“Love… we’ve had sex many many times before. This is hardly that embarrassing.” Lena says as she tugs the sweatpants off of Amelie’s legs.

“It’s different. And certainly embarrassing.” Amelie complains as her bra is unlatched.

“Well your bath is nearly ready Lady Lacroix… shall I assist you in getting in.” Lena teases as she removes the last garment.

“Very well Sir Oxton. You may lift me.” She responds with a haughty tone in her voice that sends a shiver down Lena’s spine.

“I’ve been upgraded from your servant to a knight. I’m honored.” Lena says as she helps Amelie to climb into the full tub. Lena shuts off the water and grabs a cloth to wash her lady’s body.

“Please be gentle. It kind of hurts to be touched right now.” Amelie groans as the warm water washes away the numb pain she has felt since waking up. Lena nods and very carefully rubs the cloth up and down her body scrubbing the rose scented soap that drives Lena wild onto her skin. Amelie lets out a half sigh half moan as she feels a wave of relief cross her body. Lena moves from her arms to her chest eliciting another noise from Amelie’s throat.

“I trust you don’t plan to linger unduly.” Amelie inquires.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, my lady.” Lena assures as she dutifully works the cloth across Amelie’s chest, before rinsing the suds off with the bathwater. Amelie sinks even deeper into the warm water letting it envelop her up to her shoulders. She closes her eyes as another long relaxed sigh escapes her lips.

“My good knight would you fetch a candle from that drawer and dim the lights please.” Amelie asks weakly to Lena.

“Of course my lady. Have you grown tired of seeing my ruggedly handsome face already?” The teases as she complies with the command. She picks out a lavender candle and lights it before setting it on the edge of the bathtub. She lowers the lights so the two are only illuminated by the flame. She pulls Amelie’s leg out of the water and carefully scrubs at it as the woman’s breathing grows slow and steady.

When she finishes washing Amelie’s body she ever so lightly shakes her back to awareness. “Would you like me to wash your hair, love?” She whispers quietly into her ear.

“Please.”

Lena grabs the vanilla scented shampoo and turns Amelie so her head is back against Lena. She wets the woman’s purple hair before carefully massaging the shampoo into it. Amelie has to hold a mouth to her hand to stifle the involuntary noises the touch pulls out of her. Lena gently grabs her wrist and pulls the hand away.

“No need to be embarrassed, silly.”

Lena continues to rub the shampoo into her hair as Amelie revels in the ecstasy of the feeling. Nobody had touched her like this in a decade, and her body hasn’t been this sensitive to touch in just as long. The world fades away until all that exists is the gentle scratching on her scalp. After what seems like an eternity of the feeling the world snaps back into focus as Lena stops. A small whimper of protest leaves her lips.

“Sorry love, all done.”

Amelie pants slightly, now aware of how loud she was likely being. “Maybe… you won’t have to be as patient as I thought.”

“Oh yeah?” She whispers breathily. “Let’s get you out of this bath then.”

Lena puts a towel down onto the wheelchair and helps Amelie back up into it. Drying her off with another towel before wheeling her back to bed. Amelie flops helplessly back into the bed, exhaustion creeping into her muscles, only overshadowed by her desire for the woman that slowly crawled over top ofher.

“I don’t really have the energy to move you’re going to-”

“Have to treat you like the noble lady you are?” Lena responds, always knowing exactly what to say to set Amelie off.

“Oh fuck, Lena I- wait what time is it?” Lena grabs Amelie’s phone and shows her the display. “Fuck! You might have to wait after all. I have a doctor’s appointment in like five minutes.” She complains with a groan, this time of frustration.

“Need me to take you?”

“No, it's a house call.” Amelie says with a sigh.

“I’ll make myself scarce then.”

Amelie sat propped up in her bed where Lena left her. Holding eye contact with my omnic once again in her bedroom. As he did before he sat in silence until Amelie directed him as to what they would discuss that day.

“You know Zenyatta. You interrupted something very pleasant.” She complains.

“My apologies Amelie.”

“Yeah… Lena was-”

“I do not wish for details.” Zenyatta interjects with a wave of his hand. “Speaking of Lena though, have you spoken to her about it?”

“About what?” Amelie asked, looking down at her legs, still feeling Zenyatta’s gaze upon her.

“Do not play dumb Amelie. Your PTSD, your therapy, your problems. I fail to see why you can’t be honest with her, you know she will understand.” Zenyatta responds.

Amelie fidgets with her hands, tapping each finger to her thumbs rhythmically as she feels the pit in her stomach grow. “It’s not about Lena. It’s about… her.”

“I see.”

“I was never able to be honest with her. Weakness, emotion, personality. If I admitted anything to her, she corrected it. Telling the truth… admitting things that matter. It makes my skin crawl. No matter how unimportant, no matter how understandable. And no matter who I’m telling. As soon as I have a secret everyone looks like Moira.”

Zenyatta floats closer to Amelie before landing in her bed next to her. She quickly snatches the metallic hand he offers her and squeezes it tightly. “She is not Moira. You are not at Talon. She won’t correct your weakness. She will understand it.”

“I don’t know if I can.” Amelie admits looking up to Zenyatta with teary eyes.

“I know you can.”

Zenyatta pulls away from Amelie leaving her in her bed. He floated back across the room to survey the walls. She watched as he thoughtfully moved through the bedroom. Before he returned her gaze. “You know what you must do.”

Amelie pulls out her phone to text Lena and ask her to come back. Zenyatta hums in satisfaction before slowly leaving. He turns back to give the woman a nod of approval before disappearing. Amelie sat with bated breath waiting for her girlfriend to arrive. It didn’t take her long, Amelie imagined she likely ran across the base as soon as the text was sent. Possibly before.
Lena casually strode back into Amelie’s room shooting her finger guns as she entered. Amelie gave her a weak smile and a giggle as Lena crashed down into the bed. “You called?”

“I did… I um… wanted to talk to you about something Lena.” Amelie stutters out nervously.

“What’s up, love?” Lena asks, her voice growing concerned.

“Well you remember the dreams you were worried about. That I told you weren’t a problem.” She begins with a nervous swallow.

“Of course I do.”

“I wasn’t entirely honest with you. I have been getting worse. Angela says I have post traumatic stress disorder. And I’ve been seeing a therapist for it.” Amelie admits, forcefully avoiding eye contact, the mere thought of meeting Lena’s eyes feels impossible.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me, Amelie?” Lena asks. The hurt in her voice is carefully concealed but Amelie can read it plainly.

“It's hard for me to admit things like this… Moira-”

“I’m not Moira, Amelie. You can trust me. You can tell me things like this.” She argues, cutting Amelie off.

Amelie feels her mouth turn dry, the heat in her face makes her feel light as she tries to mount a defence. “It’s not about you Lena…”

“It feels like it’s about me though.” She responds, careful not to raise her voice but clearly frustrated.

“Are you mad at me?”

Lena stands and roughly rubs her hands down her face with a deep sigh. “No love, I’m not mad. I’m just a little hurt that you didn’t trust me with this. I need to go think. I’m sorry Amelie.” She briskly exits the room leaving Amelie alone.

Amelie stays in her bed as her girlfriend walks away. The heat in her face slowly dissipates but the lightheadedness remains. She leans back and stares blankly at the wall before her. Focusing on it until her eyes glaze over. She lets apathy wash over her as time starts to slowly tick away.

Amelie is startled awake by a sharp knock at her door followed by it sliding open. Cassidy crosses the threshold and tips his hat to her. She blinks the sleep out of her eyes, not remembering falling into it. He grabs her wheelchair and wordlessly assists her into it.

“Where are we going, did Lena send you?” She asks as he takes her from the room.

“Nope. Commander Chase did. She wants a meeting with New Blackwatch. Probably just assessing the different teams at her disposal.” He explains as he pushes her.

“Oh okay.”

“Were you expecting her to?” He asks as they approach the stairs leading up to the New Blackwatch office. He lifts her from the chair into his arms effortlessly and carries the device up the stairs with her.

“I don’t know.” Amelie answers as she wraps her arms around his neck to stabilize herself.

“You doing okay doll? I mean aside from the obvious.”

“Not really.”

He sighs as he sets her back into the wheelchair at the top of the stairs. “Sorry to hear that.”

He pushes her into the conference room where the rest of New Blackwatch is gathered. A woman with tied back gray dreadlocks stood at the front of the room. She greeted Amelie with a polite nod as she took her place next to the collection of metal chairs.

“So… this is New Blackwatch. I was surprised when Morrison agreed to revive the program. Even with new management. I hear you've been busy though. Chasing Dr. O’Deorain, foiling a terrorist attack in Japan. Good stuff.” She begins addressing the small crowd.

Amelie sees a few of her coworkers smile at the praise before the new commander cuts any premature celebration off. “Good stuff a normal strike team could be doing. I don’t really see the benefit of reviving the secret organization that got Overwatch disbanded in the first place, let alone staffing it with two wanted criminals and a child.”

Cassidy speaks up in their defence. “Well, we specialize in precise covert missions, the kinds of things a strike team would be too loud for. As for our staff… that is up to the discretion of the Co-Captains. And I’d say our recruits have more than proven themselves.”

“Covert… like causing a massacre in a populated city center, blowing up a mountain in Korea and a private military installation in Nigeria, a shoot out with the U.S military in Reno, and assaulting a foreign leader? Does that sound right?”

Cassidy stammers in response before weakly offering another retort. “We were only tenuously involved with that business in Reno.”

“Also the Junker Queen assaulted us first.” Ashe adds adamantly.

“I don’t really think I’m taking comments from aforementioned wanted criminals” Chase snaps at Ashe prompting the loud mouthed woman to shut up.

“I’m disbanding New Blackwatch. It was a mistake in the first place. The captains will be demoted back to agents. I will allow the other members of New Blackwatch to become agents of Overwatch proper but consider yourself under heavy scrutiny. No buts. You’re all dismissed.”

Wordlessly everybody begins to leave all silently planning a lengthy discussion further down the hallway. Lena offers Amelie a weak smile before taking the handles of her chair. “Hey, I-”

“Not you two, Oxton and Lacroix. I want a chat.” Commander Chase calls back to them.

Cassidy gives them a shrug as he exits the room, and Lena wheels Amelie to face Chase, who has situated herself on top of a desk in the back corner. She motions for Lena to bring one of the folding chairs over. Lena complies, bringing Amelie and a metal chair across the room to their Commander and sitting in front of her.

“In my briefing on the active duty personnel here, it was mentioned there may be… a romantic connection between you two.” Chase begins reluctantly.

Lena nods in the affirmative. Amelie appreciates the confirmation that it still exists even if the idea of Lena breaking up with her over their argument was unrealistic.

“Don’t you think that it’s a little… unprofessional?” She asks while clearly already having an answer in her mind.

“I can see how it could be. But we make sure it doesn’t interfere with our work.” Lena argues back.

“I find that hard to believe. I know you aren’t technically her direct superior anymore but be realistic Lena. You have sway here in this organization. A real officer position is practically guaranteed. You were pretty high on the list for Acting Commander actually. There is still a power imbalance that could cause issues, and Overwatch is in a precarious place right now. We really can’t have any issues.” She says, feigning friendliness but exuding authority.

“What are you saying?” Lena asks with eyes narrowed.

“Either you need to break up or one of you needs to leave the organization.” She pauses for a moment with a deep sigh and a slap to her knees. “I’m going to go for a walk for a minute. Let me know when I get back.”

She departs the room and Amelie looks to Lena who has her eyes fixed on the desk in front of her. A completely unreadable expression on her face. “I’m sorry, Amelie.”

She feels the heat rising in her face again as she struggles to collect her thoughts. “Wait, I’ll quit. You can stay. I'll get an apartment in town and you can come sleep off base.”
Lena finally turns to Amelie to meet her tear filled eyes, still no discernable emotion on the British woman’s face. “Amelie, you’re a wanted criminal and at the top of Talon’s hit list I can’t let you risk being alone off base all day.”

“Lena…”

“I’m sorry Amelie. You know what I have to choose.”

“I do.”

“I’m sorry Amelie.”

“I’m sorry too.”

Chase returns to the room and calls back to them from the doorway. “Have you decided?”

Lena turns back to her. “Yeah.”

Chapter Text

Amelie lightly stirred awake before yawning loudly and stretching. A few shafts of sunlight shone through her bedroom window past her thick curtains. She swings her feet onto the floor, flinching as her toes touch the cold stone floor. As she sleepily crosses her room she bumps her foot into her favorite doll sitting on the floor. She reaches down to grab it and smiles at the red haired doll before placing it gingerly back in her bed. Turning back to her door her stomach loudly rumbles. She exits her room to be greeted by her butler.

“Ah good morning young Lady. I was just heading up to wake you. Breakfast is ready.” He says with a bow as he greets the only daughter of the Guillard family.

“Has father come home?” She asks the tall tuxedoed man as he leads her through the old chateau.

“I’m sorry Ms. Amelie, not today. Your mother will be back in soon however." He assures her as he pulls out a chair for her at the dining room table. He sets a plate of croissant in front of her and serves her two fried eggs with runny yolks.

The thought of her mother fills the young girl with dread for a reason she can’t place. She pokes at the yolk of an egg with her fork swirling it around as the pit in her stomach grows. Her butler interrupts her by placing a croissant on her plate. He takes a bite of his own breakfast and slowly chews and swallows it before addressing her.

“Quit playing with your food young lady. Your mother will be displeased if you don’t eat.”

She wants to protest that she isn’t hungry but the threat fills her with fear. She forces egg whites into her mouth, avoiding the liquid yolk on purpose. She takes a small bite of the croissant before turning to face the man.

“Eat your whole breakfast, Amelie.”

With a few grumbles of protest she continues. Halfway through her meal she hears the large front door swing open loudly. She picks up her pace eager to ensure her mother doesn’t discover her refusal to eat. The butler stands to greet the Lady of the house with a deep bow. She gracefully strolls behind Amelie, placing her hands on the girl's shoulders.

“Oh Mr. Moreau, are you joining us for breakfast this morning? How wonderful.” She comments with a calculated warmness in her voice.

“Yes, young Lady Amelie has been reluctant to eat lately and I wanted to ensure she had a full meal this morning.” He responds while preparing a plate of food for Amelie’s mother.

The woman grips Amelie’s hair hard. She fights back a squeal at the sudden sharp pain, knowing that showing emotion will only make it worse. Her head is yanked back to stare at her mother’s face. Her short red hair is tightly and properly combed back. Her mismatched eyes filled with concern and frustration. Amelie breaths in sharply pulling air much colder than she expected into her lungs. She blinks and Doctor O’Deorain is pulling back her hair in Widowmaker’s bedroom. The dusty castle has vanished to be replaced with the sterile room assigned to her in the Talon base she calls home. The same concerned look is still painted across Moira’s face.

“Widowmaker, I was speaking to you.”

Widowmaker catches her breath and relaxes into Moira’s grasp causing the woman to let her go, allowing her to slump back into the chair. “Apologies Mother, I was lost in thought.”

“That’s okay darling. You were telling me about your issues with your appetite, yes?”

“Right. I just haven’t felt much like eating recently.” Widowmaker admits looking away from the doctor who has now circled around to the front of the chair.

“I figured this may happen. I switched your mood suppressants a few days ago, you were concerned that you had built up a tolerance.” Moira explains, carefully studying Widowmaker’s blank face. “Issues with your appetite were an expected side effect.”

Confusion fills Widowmaker’s mind making her head feel light before a wave of apathy fills her brain that brings her a calm sense of relaxation. “I have no recollection of this.”

“Yes… memory issues… are… common in the first week of this new drug. Remember that you wanted this sweetheart.” Moira assures her as Amelie continues to blankly point her eyes at the ground.

“Right, of course.”

Moira makes a note on her clipboard. “I’ll get you started on a meal plan. Even if your body doesn’t want it you need to eat. I’m worried about you dear.”

“Yes Mother. I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“I forgive you.”

“I love you, Mother.”

“Of course, Widowmaker. I’ll be back for another checkup tomorrow.”

Amelie shoots out of bed into a standing position before she can even fully come to her senses. She doubles over onto her knees on the cold hard ground of the Watchpoint as a sharp pain stabs in her gut. Physically she is back to safety but it brings her very little comfort. As she stands she pulls up the sweatpants she slept in, tightening the string around her waist before making her way to the bathroom, leaning against the wall for support. On the way she checks her phone for the time and any messages. 5 am. Nothing. She flicks on the light, the harsh whiteness stuns her. A flash of the operating table. She quickly shakes the thought out of her mind and grabs her toothbrush. She splashes the warm tap water onto her face before carefully brushing her teeth. Systematically scrubbing each tooth far longer than necessary. As she nears completion she hears a soft knock on her door.

“Cohing moher!” She shouts with the plastic rod still in her mouth. She quickly rinses her mouth out before rushing to the door and sliding it open as fast as she could. Cassidy stands expectantly outside quickly turning red and covering his eyes as Amelie exposes her bare chest to him. She blurts an apology before slamming the door shut. She puts on a loose shirt and opens the door again. The cowboy greets her once more. She beckons him inside, still blushing deeply.

“Sorry I… don’t really know what I was thinking.” She says to him as he sits heavily in her desk chair.

“Don’t worry about it, I didn’t see much.” He assures her.

“I know that’s not true, but I appreciate the lie.” She responds with a chuckle. “Anyway what’s up?”

“Honestly. I’m feeling a little restless. Our first day under the new commander. Couldn’t stand just waiting around for the morning assembly.” He admits as he takes a paper weight off the desk and tosses it between his hands.

“It’s honestly a little comforting to have a set schedule again. As fun as the freedom of making my own was, it stressed me out a little.” Amelie responds as she opens her phone again to scroll on the social media account Lena convinced her to make, under a fake name of course. She had one new message, she made a mental note to check it later but simply scrolled through the app for the time being.

“That’s a nice perspective I suppose. One that probably isn’t shared by many of our peers.” He comments while swirling the glass object in his left hand.

“I suppose not. How about you though? How does the life of a soldier sound to you, Cowboy?” She asks, eyes still buried in her social media feed.

“Don’t imagine I’ll be living it too long.” He responds as he rolls the paper weight back onto the desk and leans back with a smug look.

“Oh? And why’s that?”

“I heard there are two new Captain positions opening up. One to replace Chase and one for a new strike team. I figure Oxton and I are shoo-ins.” He brags, standing up and approaching Amelie’s door. “She wants us in our field gear for the first assembly until we can get official uniforms out to the newer recruits. Get dressed.”

She strips and carefully climbs into the suit Torbjorn designed for her as the man stands facing the door with his hands on his belt. As the two depart to head for the meeting she leans on Cassidy for support, wrapping her arms around his. She wonders what an Overwatch uniform looks like. She thinks hard back to her time before Talon, trying to conjure what Gerard wore during the parades and events he dragged her too.

A bullet cracks into her visor sending the device flying off her face and leaving her ears ringing. She quickly collects herself and levels her scope back at her opponent. Ana Amari has a shocked expression on her face as she realizes the visage of her old friend Amelie Lacroix has been appropriated by her greatest enemy, Widowmaker. The woman is wearing a blue beret and a coat with the same color. She shakes away the artificial feeling of glee the end of the memory leaves her with. Amelie likes blue.

A sea of colors gathers in the basketball court as the crowd of Amelie’s peers wait to be addressed by her new Commander. She stands between Cassidy and Ashe as they both impatiently wait for whatever Chase plans to announce this morning. The woman in question finally enters the room and gives a polite salute to the crowd. When nobody moves she clears her throat prompting the crowd to slowly and sloppily mimic her gesture. She nods in approval before beginning.

“Good morning Overwatch. Thank you all for gathering at my request this morning. I’m sure you have some concerns about the new schedules I sent out last night. I assure you they have only the organization's best interests in mind. I noticed our training to be both lacking and inconsistent throughout the base. I understand that all of you have unique skills and abilities but I still feel a basic level of fitness should be standard for our agents. I will be leaving your training up to your discretion as long as you can pass a monthly physical exam. Regular meal times are also important for maintaining nutrition and health for everyone. I get that you all have gotten used to a certain level of freedom under the previous lax leadership around here, but if you’re going to fight to try and save the world under my direction, I want to ensure you’re capable of pulling your own weight. Thank you for coming, everyone. That was all.”

Murmurs of discussion break out amongst the crowd as they are dismissed from the gym for breakfast.

“It’s honestly remarkable you can stand at all after only one and half days of recovery.” The doctor remarks as he rubs a wand over her bare stomach inspecting her internal organs. “Still some obvious signs of internal trauma but definitely looking better. It said in your file that Doctor Ziegler designed some reinforcing modifications for your organs. I can definitely see the effects of those. She’s truly a genius in her field.”

“Yeah.” She says quietly gazing upon the imaging of her insides. It feels strange to have the monitor pointed towards her instead of away.

“Well if you’re confident you don’t need the wheelchair any more at least let me get you a cane.” he insists pulling her shirt back down to cover her, the image on the monitor vanishing as he removes the device.

“That would be great, Doctor, thank you.”

Amelie leans on her cane as she approaches Dr. Ziegler’s office. She takes a deep breath before pushing her way inside. A shocked expression crosses Angela’s face at the arrival of her guest. Amelie interrupts her before she can speak.

“I want to see my file. You owe it to-”

“Okay Amelie.” She responds quickly.

“Wait… just like that?” Amelie asks, puzzled as she takes a seat across from Angela.

“Of course. It’s your file. You have a right to see it.” She assures Amelie. Her face turns visibly whiter as she pulls up the document on her computer. “Um… there is some information from a long time ago… it might be kind of upsetting to read.”

“I want to see everything.” Amelie responds confidently as Angela spins the monitor and passes her the mouse.

The patient has been rescued from imprisonment in a Talon base. No obvious signs of psychological or physical trauma. Post traumatic stress from her imprisonment is likely but assessments haven’t indicated anything tangible. Vitals have remained stable during her stay. Husband has requested she be returned to their home where he will take care of her. Given her state I have approved his request.
-Dr. Angela Ziegler, Head of Medicine.

“Oh… I didn’t know about this.” Amelie said, turning to look at Angela’s nervous face. “Was this before I..?”

“It was. I’m sorry I didn’t see it Amelie.” Angela responds with her voice wavering.

Amelie takes a deep breath and continues reading.

The patient has been captured by Overwatch. She has sustained injuries not relating to combat. She was heavily modified in the “Widowmaker” program by Talon. Her body was modified in a number of ways that require more research. Current injuries are caused by a “kill switch” implanted by Talon doctors likely intended to eliminate the patient should she become compromised. She is stable but unable to operate without life support.
-Dr. Angela Ziegler, Head of Medicine.

The patient has begun expressing feelings that I believe indicate a break from her programming as a part of the “Widowmaker” program. I am unsure of the origin of this, as is the patient. I will continue to monitor her mood and condition during her stay here. The modifications to her cells were made with my own research, though clearly not to my intended result. I believe I can replace her cells that contain the “kill switch” using the same process in which they were likely modified by Talon.
-Dr. Angela Ziegler, Head of Medicine.

The patient has agreed to the procedure and has requested a complete reversal of the modifications performed by Talon. I believe this is a further indication of a possible shift in personality from the patient. I believe that her desire to distance herself from the “Widowmaker” project is a genuine one and not merely a ruse to gain my trust. I have finished my designs for her new biology. See attached diagrams.
-Dr. Angela Ziegler, Head of Medicine.

Below the entry is a collection of all the various kinds of cells she modified. In addition to a reversal of Moira’s changes she increased the durability of her internal organs as well as upgraded her heart and kidney function. She felt sick as she saw all of the things Angela did without her knowledge.

“Thank you for showing me.” She quietly says as she turns the monitor back to Angela, uninterested in reading the rest.

“Of course. I want to be honest with you. Even if I failed to be in the past.” She responds trying to catch Amelie’s eyes but not having her gaze returned.

Amelie quietly stands and leaves without another word.

Amelie returns to her room. She is grateful to have a medical exemption from exercising, but still eager to find a distraction. She grabs her phone off her nightstand as she rolls into bed, leaving her cane to clatter onto the floor. She once again opens her social media to idly scroll when she remembers her message from before. It’s from an account with no profile picture and a name she doesn’t recognize. She opens it casually before feeling the world disappear out from under her.

“Hello Widowmaker.”

“Who is this? What are you talking about?”

“I see you finally made an account here. A little hurt you didn’t make one when I begged you back then but I suppose your new friend is more persuasive.”

Amelie’s throat runs dry as she realizes who is messaging her.

“Sombra.”

Her message is quickly deleted without her input followed by their entire message history vanishing.

“My name is Isabella Alvarez.”

“Why are you contacting me?”

“Curiosity mostly. You’ve surprised me a lot in recent months."

"I wanted to let you know, I’m happy for you.”

“Don’t contact me any further. I want nothing to do with you.”

“Oh come on don’t do me like that chica. I’m not contacting you for our mutual acquaintance."

"It’s just little old me, trying to be friendly.”

“You don’t do friendly. You do transactions. What do you want?”

“Is it really that hard to believe I want nothing at all but to talk?”

“Yes.”

“Ouch. Point taken."

"Look, I got some work that just came across my desk."

"You ever want to chat, hit me up.”

Chapter Text

Amelie awoke to an alert on her phone informing her that Overwatch uniforms had arrived. She groggily rolls out of bed and marches over to her door. Sliding it open to grab the package on her doorstep, only to find it empty. She peeks out towards the other doors on her floor seeing that all of them have packages. Confusion and concern flash in her mind. She returns to her phone and texts Kiriko to ask if she received one. She wonders if it’s because she was a New Blackwatch recruit. No. Kiriko confirms that she received one.

Further panic sets in Amelie’s head as the potential reasons behind her not receiving a uniform swirl through her head. She scrolls through her contacts before settling on calling Winston. The phone rings shortly until he picks up.

“Good morning Amelie. May I help you?”

She stammers for a second before explaining. “I uh… didn’t get a uniform. Everyone else did. I’m a little worried about what that means.”

He hums thoughtfully. “You’re asking the wrong person sorry. I’m just as in the dark as you are. I imagine Commander Chase would have an idea.” He suggests.

“Thanks.” She says before hanging up and setting her phone down. With a sigh she gets back up and removes her pajamas to take a shower. She quickly washes herself unable to contain her anxiety towards the situation. She breezes through her morning routine much faster than she prefers in nervous anticipation of her meeting with the Commander. She dresses in a casual black tank top and makes her way to Vivian Chase’s office.

She arrives to find the woman carefully sipping hot coffee from a mug. An expression crosses her face as Amelie enters, not one of surprise. Amelie sits across from her and clears her throat.

“I-”

“Would you like some coffee?” Chase asks politely.

“No thank you I-”

“Oh, do your people prefer tea? I’m sure Amari has made some already.” She interjects once more, causing a rising frustration in Amelie.

“No. Generally the French prefer coffee, I’m just not in the mood. I have something I wish-”

“I know why you’re here Amelie.”

Amelie quietly sighs to contain her anger. “Why didn’t I receive a uniform?” She quickly asks before she can be cut off again.

“Because… I wanted to offer you a choice.” Chase begins, leaving a long pause after her half sentence.

Amelie is reluctant to fill the gap for fear she will once again be interrupted, but when she has decided Chase is finally waiting for a response she begins to ask. “What choice? If it’s whether I’m staying-”

“I know you want to stay.” She interrupts much to Amelie’s chagrin. “That’s not the choice. It’s what uniform you get.”

“Come again.”

She leans forward closer to Amelie sitting across the desk.“Agent Lacroix, speak plainly with me. Can I trust you?”

“Well Commander, I’ve had multiple engagements with previous Talon superiors in which they had the clear advantage over my squad and I did not defect. My record is flawless since joining Overwatch. You have my word, you can trust me.” Amelie explains straightening her posture as she realizes this is an examination.

“Yes, your file did state as much. Just one question though. In the mission debriefing on your Nigeria operation, Captain Amari stated that you said you had a clear shot on Moira but did not take it. Why?”

Amelie keeps her nerves perfectly calm under the grilling. If there was one thing Talon trained her for it was scrutiny. “Our mission was to capture her, I asked Commander Morrison for clearance to change directives and take the shot, but he did not respond. As much as I wished to take the shot, the mission is more important than my revenge.”

“That’s admirable Lacroix, very admirable. You’re a good soldier, a lot more reliable than most people I have around this base. The old guard are good fighters, they have their quirks but they are reliable and do as asked. The newer recruits however have been proving… resistant to change. I’ve been looking for somebody to help whip them into shape. Considering they don’t really seem that keen on accepting my leadership, I figured one of their own, a new recruit they have grown to appreciate as a friend, would perform that role well.”

“Commander are you-”

“So… what uniform? Are you a Cadet, Lacroix? Or are you a Captain?” Chase asks, her interruptions no longer frustrating Amelie.

“I would be honored to be a Captain.” She responds as the surprise sends her reeling.

“Its not a glamorous job, or an easy one. I’m giving you some of my worst troublemakers and underperformers. However, if you manage to get them into fighting form, I can see a real future for you as an Overwatch officer Amelie.” Vivian details as she pulls a stack of files out of her desk.

“Who am I getting?”

“Lucio, Kiriko, Ashe, D.Va, and Brigitte. Lucio is much more interested in music and activism than actually fighting in a war. I expect him to wash out and won’t hold it against you. Kiriko is a street kid who really wants to make a difference. She can be a great addition with the right guidance. Ashe is… a common criminal. She has a strong dislike for authority. I don’t really see her staying in the organization either. Another one I won’t dock you points for. D.Va is a great soldier; she just needs to apply herself more. The same is true for Brigitte, she was trained by one of our most effective yet unconventional agents, Reinhardt. She has picked up some of his personality quirks but she will take to the structure well I think. You up to the task?”

“Yes Commander.”

Vivian exhales loudly and clicks her tongue a few times. “A few more things. I trust that you will be capable of maintaining a professional relationship with Lena now that you are her superior.”

It’s finally Amelie’s turn to interrupt. “Wait superior? I was under the impression you planned to promote her, you practically said as much.”

Commander Chase sighs deeply. “I did. But she’s been having some trouble adjusting to the new chain of command. She’s started a few arguments. Well… screaming matches. I decided that perhaps she wasn’t quite mature enough for a command position just yet. And you were recommended highly for this position.” She explains.

“By who?”

“Ana Amari, for one. Angela Ziegler, for another.”

As Amelie is considering what she just learned Vivian continues. “Last thing, are there any curveballs that might come my way, things that aren’t in your file?”

“As for curveballs, Dr. Ziegler has diagnosed me with PTSD. It hasn’t affected my performance on the battlefield, but it does affect my daily life on the base. I don’t see it becoming an issue though.”

“Then congratulations on the promotion, Captain Lacroix.”

Amelie nods respectfully before accepting her Captain’s uniform. She takes the box and leaves the office. As she exits into the corridor she gazes sadly at Morrison’s room that still sits empty.

Amelie surveys her new team. While Cassidy was given the old office of New Blackwatch, Amelie was banished to the cooped up room underneath the stairs up to the executive wing. As her first decision as Captain Lacroix she chose to hold their meeting in the gymnasium. Lucio. Kiriko. Brigitte. Two were missing. She sighs deeply.

“Does anybody know where they are?”

Shrugs all around. She decides to just run the orientation anyway.

“Welcome to my new strike team. I look forward to working with you all.” She pauses unsure of what she’s meant to say in a moment like this. She led teams back in Talon but this was different. These people were her friends, she had to earn their respect not hold it through fear.

Brigitte spoke up to rescue Amelie. “So shall we start working out together? Since we’re a team now. Captain.” She asks.

“Ooh, and we can sit together at meal times. Considering my old meal group got… awkward.” He says spinning to face Brigitte before casting a glance to Amelie with his last comment.

“All excellent ideas, cadets. For today, why don’t we do some introductions? I’m sure we all know each other but it couldn’t hurt to get closer.” She offers.

“Shouldn’t we like, get the others?” Kiriko asks, fidgeting with her fingers.

“Right. I’ll go do that. Wait here, but don’t introduce yourselves until I get back!” She calls to them as she rushes off to find her missing cadets.

She first makes her way to Hana’s room. Her knock is answered with a distant groan. Amelie opens the door to find the room in disarray. Empty cans of Nano-Cola energy line every surface. Quiet sad music is coming from a speaker in an unknown location. Hana is laying face first in her bed wearing her MEKA body suit.

“Hana. You were supposed to report to the gym twenty minutes ago.” Amelie scolded lightly sitting in the bed next to her.

“I can’t face her.” She whinged, rolling over to look at Amelie.

“What?”

“Kiriko. We uh… she… doesn’t want to… anymore.” Hana answers, fighting back tears and sniffling.

“Hana. Use your words.” Amelie demands, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Kiriko and I started like… you know… what you caught us doing at the beach. It was awesome. But we decided to stop because of the Commander’s new rule.” She explains finally giving in to the tears.

“Oh Hana. I’m sorry.” Amelie sighs deeply while rubbing her shoulder as Hana gets tears all over her brand new coat. “You know, you don’t have to stop necessarily.”

Hana looked up and stopped crying to Amelie’s relief. “But didn’t Commander Chase tell you and Lena you had to break up. I thought she-”

“She did. But you two are different, and even if she would take an issue… just don’t tell anyone.”

“Wait, you would lie to her for us?” Hana asks, her eyes growing wide.

“I am your Captain, Hana. We work together. If you give me your best effort, I’ll do this for you.” Amelie assures her, prompting Hana to launch into a tight hug. Amelie awkwardly pats the girls back before ordering her to the gym where her squad was meeting. She straightens, salutes, and follows the command.

Amelie sighs as she watches Hana leave before making her way to Ashe’s room. The woman rolls her eyes as her new captain enters her room. Ashe is lazing about on her coach as B.O.B is standing idly in the corner.

“No thanks.”

“This meeting isn’t optional, cadet.” Amelie responds, careful to remove any emotion from her voice.

“I ain’t your cadet. And I’m certainly not interested in joining the loser squad. I read who all Chase selected, and it’s pretty obvious to me why she did.” Ashe sneered back.

“Because she believes you to be a troublemaker. And here you are, proving her right.” Amelie responds, slowly losing her cool.

“Always did let my parents down. What’s one more?”

Amelie sighs and drops her calm demeanor for a more familiar one. “You aren’t letting Chase down. She wants you to fail, she even told me I won’t get any marks off my assessment if you do. You’re letting me down Ashe. I’m your friend, and I need this to go smoothly.” She begs.

“If it doesn’t matter if I fail, why do you care?” Ashe asks, raising her voice at Amelie.

“It does matter… to me.” She responds quietly. “I need this to work out, Elizabeth.”

Ashe sighs and finally sits up to properly face Amelie. She stares into her captain’s expectant eyes and grumbles a few inaudible words of displeasure before sighing even louder. “Fine, I’ll make it work for you.”

“You swear?”

“Yeah… I swear. So long as B.O.B is a part of the squad too.”

“Obviously.”

The three of them return to the gymnasium where the squad waits. Hana has taken a spot suspiciously close to Kiriko but Amelie pretends not to notice. Brigitte gives an enthusiastic wave as the three of them join the little circle that has formed on the ground. Amelie clears her throat before finally properly addressing her squad.

“We were about to introduce each other. Why don’t you start us off Ashe.” Amelie begins turning to the woman.

“Ugh fine. I’m Elizabeth Ashe. You can call me Ashe, it’s just how we call each other where I’m from. Only my close friends call me Elizabeth and I barely know y’all. I used to be the leader of the Deadlock gang until they all got killed or captured by the Army. Now I’m here. This is B.O.B. He’s my best friend. He doesn’t talk.” She says holding a monotone voice and talking quickly to get it over with.

“Nice to meet you Ashe. I’m Brigitte Lindholm. I’m Torbjorn’s daughter. And Sir Reinhardt’s squire. He sent me to the Watchpoint so I could get a more rounded education before continuing my training with him. I like working out and eating. Yeah…” She says starting off enthusiastic but losing steam at the end.

“I’m Lucio Correia dos Santos. Lucio works. I make music, I ride on walls, I like to party.” He says starting strong and ending fast.

“My name is Hana Song, or D.Va if you follow me on social media. I’m a part of Korea’s MEKA force. They sent me to Overwatch to make a bigger difference than just in Korea. I fly a mech called Tokki, and if you stick close to me I’ll keep you safe.” Hana adds to the group before turning to Kiriko.

“I’m Kiriko Kamori. I was a shrine keeper by day and vigilante protecting Kanezaka by night but now I’m here at Overwatch. I can call upon the fox spirit to aid me in battle. And I can heal you with my ofuda. I typically prefer to do damage of my own with my Kunai though.” Kiriko brags confidently.

“And I am your captain. Amelie Lacroix. I’m sure you all have heard rumors of my past, but I’m not interested in dwelling there. Only looking towards the future as the Captain you all deserve.”

Her inbox on the app sat empty, but curiosity ate away at Amelie regardless. She opened her messages with Isabella and the history was blank. Sombra went back and erased all evidence of their correspondence.

“Hey.”

“What’s good?”

“You really just want to be friendly?”

“We were friends before, weren’t we?”

“Hardly. I gave you information you wanted, you gave me information I wanted.”

“And never once did I try to betray you that badly.”
“So yeah we were friends.”

“Sure, but you did try to steal my nudes that didn’t exist.”

“Exactly, I don’t just do that with every woman.”
“And I gotta say she’s a lucky girl.”

“You pervert!”
“You stole our nudes.”

“No no.”
“Only yours.”
“She isn’t my friend”
“So I only looked at yours :3”
“Some of the best I’ve seen.”

“Some of?”

“Okay fine you got me. The best.”

“Damn right."

“How are things with her?”
“Never been her biggest fan but hey if you like her.”

“Not great to be honest. New boss made us end things.”

“Shit I’m sorry.”
“That’s rough.”

“I’ll live.”

“I know.”
“You’re a strong girl.”

Chapter Text

“Why in the world are you asking me Amelie? We aren’t exactly close. I wouldn’t want to make you think you’ve actually gotten through to me.” Ashe says adamantly before turning up the volume on her television to tune out Amelie.

Amelie squeezes into a spot on the couch Ashe is lounging across and looks at her with wide eyes. “Everybody else said no. I don’t know what else to do with myself during time off. I didn’t get much at Talon. And… since Lena…” Her voice wavers and her lip starts to shake at her mention.

“Amelie… please don’t start-” Amelie breaks out into a sob and buries her face in Ashe’s shoulder. “Crying.”

She roughly pats Amelie’s back in an attempt to get her to stop crying. When the woman soaking her t-shirt only sobs louder she sighs deeply. “You’re not stopping until I say yes are you?”

“No.” Amelie sobs into her shoulder wrapping her arms around Ashe’s chest forcing a hug out of the woman. “Please.”

“Okay okay fine.”

Amelie springs her head up, tears still wet on her cheeks but now with a smile. “Thanks Ashe.” To Ashe’s relief she finally pulls her arms away allowing Ashe to extract herself. The white haired woman quickly stands up from the couch to avoid another attack.

“I’m going over to the boys’ apartment for movie night. You can come I guess.” She offers as she grabs her coat and throws it over her shoulders. She turns to B.O.B and gives him a firm pat on the shoulder and informs him that he’s in charge for the night. Amelie follows her out as she departs wordlessly.

“Wait, are we staying the night? I set a meeting for tomorrow morning.” Amelie asks confusedly.

“I am, and if you’re going to hang with me on my off day. You don’t get to be my captain tonight. You gotta be chill, Lacroix.” She responds, brushing the concern off effortlessly.

“Oh come on, I’m so chill.” Amelie protests adamantly.

“You were just crying on my shoulder because your girlfriend broke up with you.” She says before turning to face Amelie stopping in her tracks. “Oxton wasn’t anything that special, trust me. We’re going to have so much fun tonight you won’t even think about her.”

“Yeah… okay.”

The two women sign out of the base and make their way back out into the streets of Gibraltar. The busy Friday afternoon streets bustle with traffic as Ashe leads her through the labyrinth of roads and alleyways. She walks briskly to not lose sight of the woman who has no interest in ensuring Amelie is still behind her. Ashe finally stops outside of a cheap apartment, made from yellow stucco. The red tile roof is chipped and cracked. Most windows have bars in them, including the apartment Ashe stops at. Without a knock she pushes her way inside.

Amelie is greeted with smells she doesn’t fully recognize but immediately knows she does not enjoy. A strange blend of chemicals, body odor, and food. Junkrat and Roadhog sit shirtless on a stained gross couch. Amelie does not know what color it started out as but she doubts it was yellow. Roadhog shoots her a quick upwards nod before turning back to the television. For the first time she sees him without his mask on, but she doesn’t linger long at the sight. Junkrat stands up quickly at the unexpected guest as Ashe crashes down into the third spot on the couch.

“Oh. Didn’t realize Elizabeth was bringing a friend. Uh, I’ll get you a chair.” He begins quickly, spitting words as fast as his mouth allowed him. He rushed into another room and returned with a dark red arm chair. Only one arm remained, the other merely scars left in the wood frame.

Amelie gingerly sits in the chair, worried that it might snap under her weight. Luckily it remained stable. She looked out across the room expectantly at her hosts. Roadhog continued his silent disinterested demeanour. Junkrat nervously watched her in turn. His eyes snapped to the messy state of the apartment, inspiring him to grab a trash bag and begin collecting scraps of old food and wrappers.

“Sorry, ma’am. We aren’t used to having ladies around the flat.” He offers as a weak apology while scrambling to make things slightly presentable.

“I’m here every other night Jamison. You don’t bother cleaning up for me.” Ashe says as she lights a loose cigarette she found on the coffee table.

“Well yeah, but you’re-”

Ashe digs her heel into his back as he shovels things off the coffee table. “Choose your next words very carefully rat.”

Amelie chuckles and interjects. “I believe he was going to say you’re a rube who is used to sleeping in the dirt.” She says, eliciting a gasp out of Jamison.

Ashe nods and removes her heel. “Fair point.”

Everyone in the room laughs and the tension of introductions finally eases. Jamison tosses the half full bag into the corner and sits back down in the middle of the couch. He snaps at Mako who passes him the TV remote. The Junker idly scrolls through the channels of the old school television.

“So what are we watching?” Amelie asks as she crosses her legs like a proper lady.

“Doesn’t matter. We’re not here to watch a movie. We’re here for this.” Ashe responds as Mako pulls a ceramic tray out from underneath the couch, filled with various contraptions and a pile of green leaves. Ashe takes a very small amount of it onto her finger and presses it on her tongue. She quickly spits it out with a laugh.

“I thought that was going to look cool. Like a Columbian kingpin or something.” She admits as Jamison takes the tray and begins to grind at the leaves.

“Is that-”

“Sure is. Locally sourced too.” Jamison responds as he works the grinder in his hands. “Not quite as good as what we had back at Junkertown. Still pretty good though.”

Amelie hesitates as he moves to rolling it into a paper. “I don’t know Ashe, we have work in the morning.”

“I thought it was chill Amelie tonight. Not Captain Lacroix.” Ashe negs as she is passed a joint by Jamison. She lights it with her cigarette and tosses the stub into the ash tray. Before she can take a puff Jamison picks up a can with some coins and bills in it. Ashe rolls her eyes as he rattles it, before stuffing a few bills from her pocket into it.

“You’re one greedy fucker Jamison.” She complains before taking a large drag. Amelie watches in shock as she exhales a huge cloud of smoke before breaking out into a coughing fit. “Woah, that’s good.”

She passes it to Jamison who giggles as he blows his own cloud of smoke towards the ceiling before tossing a few bills of his own into the can and leaning back into the couch. Mako snatches it out of his hand and pays his own dues. He makes the other pulls look tiny in comparison and passes it back unflinching. Jamison reaches over to pass it to Amelie who nervously takes the burning paper in her hand.

“Why doesn’t she have to pay?”

“She’s a guest. You’re practically a third roommate. Get over it.”

She stares down at it and gingerly attempts to put it in her mouth a few times before retreating her lips. She looks to Jamison and Ashe who both give her encouraging looks. She puts the stick in her mouth and sucks on it. When she exhales a small amount of smoke the horrible taste of ash fills her mouth.

Ashe sighs deeply before getting up and squeezing into the chair with her, sitting partially on her lap. She holds the joint to her lips and instructs her. “Just act like you’re sucking in air, straight to your lungs, don't hold it in your mouth. Then exhale hard to get it out.”

Amelie nods and does as directed. Her throat burns as the smoke passes through it and her lungs feel heavy. Ashe continues to hold the joint to her lips and she keeps sucking in, as she feels a sharp pain fill her lungs.

“Shit, I thought you were gonna stop on your own.” Ashe says as she rips the weed out of Amelie’s mouth. Amelie begins to exhale and starts roughly coughing as the smoke gets caught in her throat. She doubles over onto the ground, dripping saliva onto the carpet as Ashe comfortingly rubs her back. When she has coughed her throat numb she looks up to Ashe with tears in her eyes.

“How’d ya feel?” Ashe asks with excitement in her voice.

“Head… feels light… from the coughing.” Amelie responds rolling over to lay flat on her back. She lets out a few more weak shallow coughs.

Ashe moves to massaging the top of Amelie’s chest. “I don’t think it’s from the coughing, hon.”

“Oh. My face feels numb too.”

“I bet it does.”

“Alright then ladies. Movie time. What’re we thinkin?” Jamison asks as he flips through a selection of movie covers on the screen. He turns to Mako for an opinion and is given only a simple grumble in response.

“Well Amelie, what do you like?” Ashe asks as Amelie’s coughing finally settles down.

“I like dramas. Historical dramas. Period pieces.” She says while staring up at the ceiling.

“Boring!” Jamison shouts. “Let’s watch a horror movie.”

“I don’t know if Amelie would… have the best time with that.” She turns to watch the woman continue to stare unblinkingly at the ceiling. She turns to Ashe with a goofy smile and reaches a hand towards her face. Ashe intercepts it and holds the hand in her lap. “Honey, have you ever done this before?”

“Nope.” She says with a giggle before attempting to roll away from Ashe but failing to escape the weak grip the woman is keeping on her hand.

“Ah. That makes sense.” She says after she takes another hit. She carefully passes it to Amelie. “Small one.”

Amelie takes the joint in her lips and carefully starts to inhale. She feels her mind wander as she watches the television flick between different titles. Suddenly Ashe snatches it out of her mouth and moves Amelie’s face to look at her.

“Amelie! I said small!” She scolds before sighing as Amelie coughs a large cloud of smoke into her face.

“Sorry… I didn’t…” Amelie begins before trailing off. She crawls over towards Ashe before putting her head in her lap. Ashe flinches at the touch but decides to allow the invasion of her personal space. “Can you rub my shoulders.”

“I- fine.” Ashe begins to gingerly massage Amelie’s shoulders causing the woman to sigh and relax before nuzzling deeper into her lap. “Just put on a comedy Jamison.”

Amelie lays with her head on Ashe as a movie plays in front of her. She feels herself slowly start to drift away as the movie becomes impossible to focus on. Occasionally the room will laugh and she will turn to look up at Ashe’s face. Ashe looks down to her before reaching a hand down to close Amelie’s wide open mouth. Amelie slowly blinks up at her before letting her head go limp to continue surveying the room around her. She is suddenly startled from the stupor and feels a bit of the heaviness leave her body.

“Want another?” Ashe asks, holding out a fresh joint. Amelie reaches to take it but Ashe pulls it away. “Uh uh. I hold it this time.”

Amelie sucks in trying to hold it in her mouth as Ashe pulls it away from her before she’s done. Her third hit feels much more smooth and she settles back onto the warm legs without any coughing. “Thanks Lena.” she mumbles before closing her eyes.

Ashe awkwardly pats her shoulder before turning to focus on the movie.

Amelie suddenly jolts awake and almost slams her head into Ashe’s chin. “How long was I asleep?” She asks, feeling disoriented.

“Like three minutes sweetheart. Lay back down.”

Amelie slowly settles back down before hearing a strangle gurgling noise. She turns over to see Mako smoking out of a glass vase. Ashe notices her interest and signals for the man to pass it over. “Wanna try?”

Amelie presses her lips to the entrance as Ashe holds up the device for her. She sparks the lighter and Amelie breathes in deeply. She feels smooth smoke enter her lungs. She continues inhaling until Ashe pulls it away. She exhales a huge cloud of smoke but feels no burning in her throat.

“Good huh?”

The lightness in Amelie’s head grows worse. She wobbles back and forth struggling to stay upright. Watching as Ashe takes a hit from the bong as well before handing it to Jamison. The room swirls around Amelie as her thoughts become unintelligible. She lets out a weak whimper prompting Ashe to guide the woman back down into a laying position.

“How ya feelin darling?” Ashe asks while gently rubbing a hand across Amelie’s hair.

“Funny.”

“I bet.”

The credits roll on the movie filling the room with darkness. Amelie blinks slowly, breaking the daze she had found herself in. In spite of watching the whole thing she had no idea what the movie was about. She lifts herself back up to sitting and turns to look at Ashe patting at a pool of drool on her pants.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t worry bout it, hon. Why don’t we get you to bed?” She says before standing up and offering a hand down to Amelie. She takes it and feels her head spin as she gets to her feet for the first time in hours. Ashe leads her away towards a door down the hallway out of the living room.

“She’s taking your bed tonight Jamison.” Ashe calls back before opening the door without waiting for a response.

“Wha- I- damn it.”

Amelie felt her legs give way as soon as the bed came into sight. Ashe lifts the half of her body that didn’t make it onto the mattress and sits next to her giving Amelie a friendly pat on the thigh. “You have fun?”

“I feel like I’m floating on this mattress. Do you feel like this?” Amelie asks with wonder in her voice.

“Not quite. Think you might be a bit more sensitive than me.”

Amelie scooches her head onto the pillow and yawns loudly. She presses her leg into Ashe hard as she stretches out in every direction. Ashe laughs as she fights back against being pushed off the bed. Amelie joins in the giggling as she finishes her stretch, sparing Ashe.

“You gonna join me?” Amelie asks idly as she rolls over to face the other wall.

“What in bed? I assumed I was just going to sleep on the floor.”

Amelie shrugs. “There’s room.”

Ashe lays down next to her, both women facing each other. Amelie has a look of wonder on her face as she stares into Elizabeth’s eyes. The white haired woman nervously breaks eye contact and feels her face start to get flushed. She’s startled back into looking at Amelie when a hand touches her cheek.

“Your face is red. Are you okay?” Amelie asks her with genuine concern in her voice.

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine.” Ashe responds, unable to break away from Amelie’s eyes once again.

“Good. How have you been liking things in the new squad?”

“Better than I expected I ‘spose. It’s weird to work with so many young people. But you’re a good captain.” Ashe responds, trying to keep her breathing regular against the hand still pinning her face to the pillow.

“I’m glad you think so. I try really hard.” Amelie mumbles as she inches closer to Ashe. She slides her other hand under Ashe’s face and holds her other cheek.

Ashe swallows heavily as her face turns redder, but Amelie seems not to think anything of it. “We can tell. It sounds stressful but I’m glad I could help you relax for a night at least.”

“I wish I could relax. I just can’t stop thinking.” Amelie says as she scrunches her face in frustration before retracting her hands to cover it. “So stupid.”

“Woah, hey. What’s wrong?”

“I can’t stop thinking about that stupid girl and how much I wish she was here right now.” Amelie says as she shoots up into a sitting position and slaps herself in the face.

“I’m here Amelie… it’s okay.” Ashe responds in an attempt to comfort her.

Amelie relaxes a little and turns to Ashe. “You’re right. She isn’t here. You are.”

Amelie’s gaze on Ashe has turned from an intoxicated wonder to something else. Something flutters in Ashe’s stomach as she meets it. She doesn’t notice Amelie creeping closer while she is entranced under the woman’s gaze. Suddenly she feels a hand touch her bare skin. A hand slowly creeping up Ashe’s shirt. Ashe is about to breathe a word of protest but she’s cut off by Amelie sloppily slamming her lips into Ashe’s mouth. As she opens her mouth in shock a tongue slides in. Ashe revels in the taste on Amelie’s tongue as she presses back against it exploring her mouth. Finally losing the fight she relaxes her tongue as Amelie continues probing. Ashe lets out an involuntary moan as she feels a hand grip around her bra, before attempting to slide under. Amelie pulls her lips away to catch her breath and Ashe does the same. Before the woman can ravenously continue, Ashe presses a hand to Amelie’s mouth and stops her.

“Wait.”

Amelie draws her hand back and sits up with clear frustration in her slightly dazed eyes. She wobbles slightly as she sits up before stabilizing herself on her hand. “I want you.”

“And that’s really hot, but I don’t think you do. You’re high Lacroix, you’re not thinking straight.” Ashe stammers out as she scoots into a sitting position to avoid another attempt.

Amelie leans in closer to her. “Nothing straight about what I want to do to you Elizabeth.” She says in a breathy tone, causing that same feeling of fluttering in Ashe’s stomach.

“Oh my god Amelie, don’t make this any harder for me. I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret in the morning.”

Amelie leans back and the frustration and arousal in her face turns to sadness. Tears stream down her cheeks and she collapses back down into the bed. Ashe comfortingly pats her head as she fails to control the sobbing.

“I want Lena.”

“I know sweetheart.”

Amelie pulls Ashe back down into the bed and holds her tightly while burying her face in the woman’s neck. Ashe allows her to cry freely into her shoulder still calmly petting Amelie’s head. “She always makes me feel better.” Amelie says with a sob.

“I’m sorry… I just wanted you to have a fun night.”

Amelie looks up to her with wet cheeks. “It’s not your fault I’m just not a very fun person.”

“Oh honey. That’s not true.” Ashe assures her with a gentle hand through Amelie’s hair. “We just don’t have much in common. My kind of fun clearly isn’t yours.”

“Me and Lena don’t have much in common. But she’s such a nice girl, so enthusiastic and gentle about getting me out of my comfort zone. And she’s always willing to let me have a turn and decide what to do.”

Ashe smiles and gives Amelie a few pats on the head. “She sounds like a good woman.”

“I need her back.” Amelie begs tears forming in her eyes again.

“We’ll uh… we’ll get her back, alright. Just no more crying.” Ashe responds while wiping tears off Amelie's face.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Now get some rest.”

Chapter Text

Amelie crashes back into her bed feeling sweaty after a long day of training exercises with her team. She carefully peels her bodysuit off her skin with a ripping sound before tossing it to the ground. She grabs her phone to unwind and is greeted by a barrage of notifications as the screen lights up. None from Lena. She opens a text from Lucio. He’s sent about twenty messages in a long rant complaining about the new curfew around base, and how he feels targeted by the new rule against loud music. She promises to talk to the commander on his behalf and after another ten message rant he agrees to calm down. She opens her messages with Zenyatta. Another in a series of unanswered texts. He wonders why Amelie hasn’t made any appointments with him since the night with Lena. He apologizes if she feels it was his fault. She can’t bring herself to give him a response.

She opens her texts with Sombra.

“Hey. I gotta tell you something.”
“Kind of heavy.”
“Just remember I’m on your side.”

“Whats going on?”

“She asked me to get in contact with you.”
“She said she’s worried cuz you stopped looking for her.”
“I told her I would try.”
“But if you don’t want to talk to her I won’t make you.”

“Oh.”
“You mean her.”

“I added the number she asked me to give you to her phone.”
“You don’t need to call her.”
“I just promised I would give it to you.”

“I get it.”
“She’s very persuasive.”

“Right?”
“That woman does not let up.”
“You gonna call her?”

“No.”

“Respect.”

“I’m going to go take a shower.”
“I already felt gross from working out.”
“This only made it worse.”

“Good Idea.”
“Pics?”

“Shut up.”

Amelie settles into bed early. The sun is still peeking out above the horizon over the sea. She’s so exhausted from her day she can’t fight to stay awake any longer. She calmly drifts away into a peaceful rest. Suddenly flashes of Gerard enter her mind and she jolts back awake. She lets out a loud scream and scrambles for her phone. She instead finds a plastic remote with a call button. She mashes the button in fear and finally a concerned looking woman enters her room.

“Who are you?” She shouts to the red haired woman.

“Amelie… it’s me.” She says softly as she sits at the foot of Amelie’s bed. “Don’t you remember?”

“Where am I?”

The woman approaches Amelie who nervously backs up away from her. She freezes when she notices Amelie’s fear. “It's me. Your mother. Remember.”

Amelie relaxes a little. Her mother. She allows the woman to approach and wrap her arms around Amelie. The strange withered black arm feels uncomfortable and off putting but she doesn’t care. Her mother is comforting her.

“Where is Gerard?” She asks as she looks up into Moira’s eyes.

“Oh honey. I’m so sorry. He died a year ago. You came back to live with me. Remember.”

Amelie feels her eyes grow wet with tears. She notices a hint of disapproval in her mother’s eyes at her beginning to cry. She wipes her eyes and forces a blank expression back on her face and in her mind. She smiles at that.

“Right. Sorry.”

Moira retracts her arms from around Amelie. She tries to linger in her mother’s warmth but can’t stop it from being ripped away from her. She is reminded of how cold her body has become. It all comes flooding back to her. She had a psychotic break and killed her husband. Her mother saved her before she could be arrested by the police.

“Amelie, have you been taking your medicine? You know that you become… unstable again if you don’t.” Her mother scolds holding Amelie’s face a little too tightly forcing her to make eye contact.

“Of course I have.”

Moira narrows her eyes and sighs deeply. “Do I need to count your pills, Amelie?”

Panic enters her heart. She lied to her mother, she doesn’t want to be punished again. She feverishly shakes her head in Moira’s grasp. “No! Wait! I… I lied. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to be in trouble.”

Moira clicks her tongue at Amelie and squeezes her tighter. It hurts her cheeks but Amelie enjoys the touch regardless. “Now why would you stop taking your medicine, sweetheart?”

“I thought I didn’t need it… I thought… I don’t know.”

Moira makes a pouty face and runs a long delicate finger down Amelie’s face as she loosens her grip. “Oh honey, you know what happens when you think for yourself. I’ll tell you when you don’t need to take it anymore alright. Now take your dosage for tonight and I’m going to watch you from now on.”

“Yes mother. I’m sorry. I love you.”

Sombra stares at Widowmaker, something clearly on her mind. Widowmaker sighs in anticipation of whatever idiotic question she was going to ask this time. Sombra seemed to have taken that as an invitation.

“Is Moira actually your mother? I hear you call her that sometimes.” She asks, carefully studying Widowmaker’s response.

“She is, yes. I don’t make a habit of telling people. So don’t go running your mouth.”

Sombra scratches her chin before continuing. “That’s weird cause, you don’t look like her, you don’t have the same last name, and you’re French.”

Widowmaker’s head started to sting at the implication. She explored the meaning of Sombra’s comment but only found relief from the pain when the answer she knew to be true was conjured in her mind. “My father is French. They never married. I look like him.”

The searing pain in her mind finally dissipates but leaves a lingering sense of unease in her mind. She thinks to herself that she should tell mother about it.

“Right… makes sense.”

“Mother, what do my pills do?” Widowmaker asks curiously as the woman is counting out her daily dosage.

“They are mood stabilizers. You struggle with strong uncontrollable emotions, so you asked me for help.” She explains as she places Widowmaker’s nightly pills before her.

Widowmaker takes them with a glass of water. “I don’t remember that.”

Moira sighs and turns to her. “You don’t remember a lot of things. It’s a part of your condition.” She says with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“Right. Of course.” Widowmaker concedes, eager to fix the anger in her mother’s voice.

“Would you stay with me a little longer?” She asks nervously. A feeling of anxious anticipation fills her stomach as she waits for what feels like forever for her request to be answered.

She detects a slight sneer and another pang of frustration in Moira’s face at the question. “I have important things to attend to. And you have a mission in the morning, I want to do a check up before you leave. Go to sleep, Widowmaker.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Widowmaker sits in her usual check up chair. Moira had been allowing her to go without the arm restraints for a while, but it seems she deemed them necessary this time. Widowmaker doesn’t struggle against them as she had in the past. Mother was already mad at her from last night, she didn’t want to make it worse.

She overheard Moira’s conversation with a man she didn’t recognize. “She seems to be building a tolerance to these emotion suppressants as well. Though her memory hasn’t been an issue recently. I want to put her in her mission state if you must have her for this job. I’m concerned her programming could be tested in her current state.” Moira turned to look at Widowmaker and met her eyes through the glass, she moved to shut the door that sat propped open.

Widowmaker tries not to focus on how what she wasn’t meant to hear made her feel. Fear and confusion. What was she talking about, what does it mean for her. She forces the thoughts out of her mind as Moira enters the room. Widowmaker forces herself to look how Moira expects.

“Honey. I have a job for you. Doctor Mallard has been creating issues for our cause. He needs to be dealt with.” Moira explains callously as she examines the restraints around Widowmaker’s wrists.

“Yes ma’am.”

“I’m going to read off some words to you Widowmaker, and I need you to try and stay calm alright.” She says as she draws a small notebook from her pocket and flips it open.

“Why would I have to-”

“Be quiet.” Widowmaker nods and Moira begins.

“Asset.” Widowmaker feels a rising sense of unease in her mind.

“Iraq.” She suddenly writhes against the restraints, she can’t form a single thought in her mind.

“Institute.” She feels as if something is trying to escape her body.

“Wake.” She starts to slowly calm back down.

“Tomorrow.” She feels a wave of cool apathy enter her mind.

“Institute.” She forgets where she is, what she was doing.

“Wake.” She awakens.

Amelie jolts awake. Once again back in her room at the Watchpoint. Her nightmare left her with a splitting headache. She tries to sit up before doubling over onto the floor in pain. She can barely think through the pain. She struggles to grab her phone off the nightstand. Through tear soaked eyes from the pain she opens her contact for Angela and presses the call button. It rings before going to a voicemail box. She drops her phone and clutches her forehead. The call button for Zenyatta swims around her vision as she struggles to focus on the phone. When she closes the page things begin to come back into focus. She stares at a contact that wasn’t there before. Moira.

Her racing heart slowly calms. Her head is still searing but everything feels clear now. She presses the call button. It barely rings once before the call is answered.

“Hi.” Her voice sounds small and weak.

“Hello, Amelie.” The voice that has haunted her memories responds through the phone.

“No Widowmaker anymore?” She responds with vitriol.

“You don’t wish to be called that anymore. I respect it.” She says back. Her voice doesn’t sound like the avatar of evil she had become in Amelie’s mind. She sounds old. Tired. It’s midnight after all.

“You don’t respect anything about me, Moira. You drugged me, you lied to me, you hurt me. For years.” She spits back contemplating hanging up then and there.

“I only did what I thought was best for you.” The desperation in Moira’s voice stops her thumb in the process.

“And that was pretending to be my mother and tricking me into loving you?”

Moira sighs deeply. Amelie can hear her set down a book on a desk next to her. “That’s not what happened dear. But I can understand how you think it was. I wasn’t honest with you.”

Amelie pauses. Moira sounds genuine. Her headache starts to clear up and she sighs deeply. “I had a nightmare again tonight.”

“Talk to me about it.”

Amelie’s voice wavers as she begins. “It was about you. Back when I was still at Talon. Just a few memories I had… repressed I guess."

“Oh. I was probably very cruel to you. I’m sorry.” Moira responds, her voice growing softer.

“I don’t think you’ve ever apologized to me until now... I just wanted you to love me back.” Amelie begs with her voice breaking.

“I should have said it more, Amelie. I always did. I love you.” Moira assures her with a soft coo in her voice.

Amelie sets the phone down in front of her as she finally cracks. She hears Moira calling her name from the phone through her sobs. After a minute of crying into her hands she picks the phone back up. Moira has fallen silent on the other side.

“Hello?”

“Hello dear. Are you okay?”

Amelie stifles another sob and wipes her eyes. “No.”

“I’m here for you.”

Amelie fails to stifle her tears. “I need you.”

Moira makes a comforting sound to Amelie from the phone, finally causing the tears to subside. “Your mother is always here for you Amelie.”

Amelie feels another flare of anger in her chest. “You’re not my mother.” She weakly protests, unsure of the words even as they come out of her own mouth.

“I know I lied to you, and I know I treated you poorly. But I really did think of you as my daughter Amelie. Come back home to me.” Moira responds quickly, assuaging the feelings of anger and betrayal in Amelie’s heart. Replacing them with a deep guilt.

“I’m sorry for running away.”

“I don’t blame you. I should have been more careful not to let them take you. I shouldn’t have sent you on a mission while your medicine wasn’t working properly.” Moira assures her.

“So you were drugging me. You were changing my personality.” Amelie accuses, unable to conjure any anger for the admission of what she had suspected for all these years.

“I thought it was the only way to make you feel better. You aren’t stable without them. You have to feel it.” Moira responds. Her words cut deeply into Amelie.

“I can’t go back. People love me here, they count on me.”

“Who loves you Amelie? Your commander in a coma? Your squad that disbanded? Your girlfriend who left you? Or do you mean your doctor that betrayed your trust?” Moira asks, deepening the pit of despair in Amelie.

“How do you… Lena loves me. I know it.” Amelie says finally finding her confidence.

“And I’m so happy for you. But your new commander will never let you be with her. I will Amelie. I’ll let you have Lena.” Her words ring through Amelie’s ears nipping her self confidence in the bud.

“I can… I can bring her?”

“Not yet my love. Come back to me so I can make you feel better. Then we shall get your Lena together. If you tell her where you’re going she won’t understand, she will try to stop you. You need to show her this is the only way you can be happy.” Moira says. Amelie can detect the desperation in her voice but she pushes the thought to the side.

“I love you, mother.”

“I love you too, Amelie… are you coming?”

“Okay. I’ll come back.”

She feels her thoughts swimming and her vision give as Moira details where she’ll be picked up. She packs her favorite clothes in a stupor. She adds the stuffed animals Amelie won her into the backpack. She grabs two books and stuffs them in. The backpack barely closes but she forces everything down. With a deep breath she exits her bedroom out into the dark empty hallway. She doesn’t have to worry about being stopped because of the new curfew. With well honed grace she silently slinks through the base. Careful not to alert anybody in their rooms to her presence. She checks her phone to find four messages from Sombra before sliding it back into her pocket, ignoring them. Her heart stops as she arrives at the gate. A bored looking guard sits in the booth lifting his head at her arrival.

“Captain Lacroix? Going somewhere?” He asks without much curiosity in his voice, merely a rehearsed feigning of interest.

Amelie feels her head grow light trying desperately to think of an excuse for why she is leaving. “I… need to go pick up some supplies… for a training exercise tomorrow.”

“Alright. You know the drill. Sign here.”

Her hand shakes as she signs a name that barely feels like hers anymore onto the page. With the stroke of her pen the guard opens the gate and she exits into the cool midnight air. She briskly walks towards the street, picking up her pace into a run as she gets closer.

Lena wakes slowly, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. She shoots up when she realizes she was awoken by a call. She stares at the phone screen in disbelief. A call from Emily. With a deep breath she answers and is greeted by a familiar voice.

“Lena?”

“Emily? What’s up?”

Emily pauses and mumbles something unintelligible to the phone. “I need your help.”

“Anything.” Lena assures her sitting up, now fully awake.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the news. There was a riot in London last night. The omnics… the usual. It was right outside of my apartment Lena. The building next door burned down.” Emily explains.

“Oh my god are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m okay on the outside, but I’m scared Lena. I’ve been planning on moving anyway and I guess this is my sign. But nobody is willing to come around my apartment and I’m scared to be outside alone. I thought maybe you…”

“Of course. I’ll help you move Emily. No need to worry, I’ll keep you safe.” Lena promises, as she stands to get dressed for the day. “I have work today but I’ll see if I can’t get a day or two off starting tomorrow okay?”

“Thanks Lena. Can you bring one of your Overwatch friends. I have a lot of stuff and I can only get the truck for a day.” She asks, Lena can tell she’s embarrassed at needing help.

“Course, love. The-”

“Don’t say it.”

“The cavalry… will be there tomorrow or maybe the next day.”

“I hate you.”

Lena hangs up and finishes pulling up her leggings. She gives her teeth a few swipes with her brush and splashes her face with water. With a white shirt covered by her chronal accelerator she exits her room in record time. She walks confidently through the halls to head to her morning meeting. She greets everybody she sees in the base, giving Mei finger guns making the woman giggle. As she spins back around to look where she is going once more she almost crashes into Amelie. The two stare at each other for a moment before looking down to the ground and quickly walking past each other. She continues to her destination without another word.

She heads into Cassidy’s office where the rest of their squad has gathered. They all look up from tinkering with their equipment to silently greet Lena. She takes a seat near Cassidy and leans across his desk.

“Whatever you are going to say to me Oxton… The answer is no.” He says without looking up from his computer.

“Oh come on Cassidy, I need you. Emily needs help moving and I was wondering-”

“Lena.” He begins, looking into her eyes. “I will fight by your side, and if it ever comes down to it, I will die for you. But I wouldn’t help you move, let alone your friend. I’ll give you the time off though”

Lena leans back in the chair with a groan before turning to Fareeha. “Hey girlfriend, you-”

“Oxton I took this position to stay close to Angela. Not to help your friend move. Ask somebody else.” She responds dismissively, not looking up from the terminal connected to her armor.

“Genji…”

“No.”

“Baptiste! Buddy… can you…” She says with a growing desperation in her voice as she arrives at the last person in her squad.

He sighs deeply. “Is she single?”

“Well… she’s my lesbian ex-girlfriend.”

“Then no.”

Lena grunts loudly in frustration as all of her squadmates turn her down. She lets her head drop onto Cassidy’s desk as he attempts to ignore her dramatic wails before finally addressing her again.

“I know you have other friends, Lena. Quit whining and ask one of them.” He says with a dismissive tone.

“Yeah I do, but uh… Brigitte, Hana, Kiriko, and Lucio. They all…”

He sighs loudly with a groan. “And you’re still being a bitch about avoiding Amelie. Right.”

Lena stammers indignantly at the accusation before conceding. “Yeah.”

“God I can’t believe I care about this. Fine, I will help you. As long as you make up with Lacroix. If only so we stop having to watch you mope about.” Her eyes fill with fear at his offer, but she resigns to his demands as the only chance of getting help. When she continues sitting there in despair he shoos her away.

Lena peeks into the weight room that Amelie’s squad has reserved. She secretly stares as Amelie’s lean arms strain against a heavy weight bar while Brigitte watches and gives words of encouragement. She lingers around the corner in her distraction a little too long and is nearly spotted by Amelie turning her head to try and summon one last burst of strength to lift the bar. Lena carefully looks back around the corner after a pause and comes face to face with Lucio. She stifles a yelp as she jumps back and Lucio follows her back around the corner.

“Hey cap! I’mma go for a jog.” He shouts back into the room as he watches Lena’s guilty face.

“Enjoy.” Amelie responds as she swaps places with Brigitte.

Lucio walks away clearly expecting Lena to follow. She trails after him as she’s led a short distance away around a corner before Lucio stops and looks at her expectantly. She gives him a weak smile and a playful push on the shoulder to be met by an unamused stare.

“Hey Lena, it’s been a while.”

She exhales sharply. “Sorry.”

Lucio sighs and crouches down until he’s sitting against the wall. “I’m not mad at you sis.”

Lena slumps down to join him. “Thanks. I just can’t stop thinking how this is exactly what I was worried would happen.”

“It really isn’t fair.” Lucio says wistfully as they both look out at a commemorative plaque across the hallway.

“I had to choose Overwatch over Emily, and now I have to choose it over Amelie too. I just can’t have love and my dream job. So if that’s the case, it’s only going to hurt to be around her.” Lena says with a stern expression on her face, prompting a sympathetic look from Lucio.

“I know that doesn’t make you happy though.”

“That’s not the point.”

Lucio puts an arm around her shoulder and pulls her into a side hug. “Just cause you can’t be her girlfriend, doesn’t mean you can’t still love her. Hell you love me, I’m not exactly your type.”

Lena smiles at the remark before her frown resumes. “But won’t being around her just make me feel sad that we can’t be more?”

“You seem plenty sad now.” He responds, rendering Lena unable to respond. “You know what you want to do, Lena.”

Lena pivots past Zarya and passes the ball to Fareeha. With a twist she completely slips past the defences of the large Russian woman. She sprints down the court towards the basket as Genji moves into position to guard Fareeha. The Egyptian woman tries to find a break in Genji’s flawless guard, but he somehow manages to always have his hands where Fareeha wants to shoot. She fakes a shot at the basket before quickly switching to bouncing the ball towards Lena. Genji rushes to attempt to guard Lena while Zarya stills lags behind. Before she can be stopped Lena makes a quick shot at the basket, barely missing and bouncing it off the backboard. Before It can fall right into Baptiste’s hands Fareeha jumps and grabs it, dunking it into the basket.

Groans are heard all around from the enemy team as Lena and Fareeha score their tenth basket in a row. They begin milling around as Lena tries to get them hyped for another round, unmotivated to keep the game going in the face of the unbeatable duo of Lena and Fareeha. Cassidy claps and grins widely.

“Come on now. Don’t be sore losers.” He teases as he goes to grab his water bottle.

“Remind me what exactly you did that last play.” Baptiste says as he towels off his forehead.

“Moral support.”

Lena jumps up to reach the high five Fareeha offers before collapsing down onto the ground in a sweaty mess. She takes the water offered to her and the hand to help her up into sitting. Cassidy stands above her as she gulps down the remaining half of his water.

“You talk to her?”

“Not yet.”

“Tonight Lena.” He says as he walks away.

Lena tosses his bottle back to him as he leaves the gym. The rest of her squad slowly trickles out with brief goodbyes. She stands up and trudges back to her room with shoulders slumped. She sits down heavily in her chair with a thump before hastily removing her only partially dry tank top. She thumbs through her records before selecting one that strikes her fancy and places it on the player. As the quiet music fills the room she spins in her chair. Her whimsy is interrupted by a phone call from Emily. She quickly scrambles back up into a normal sitting position and turns the music down even further.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Just lookin’ for a status report.” Emily says casually with the sound of chopping in the background.

“Oo, what’s cookin’ good lookin’?” Lena asks as she lightly pushes off the desk with her feet.

“A pie.”

“Mmmmm, what’s in it?”

Emily giggles as she continues to chop vegetables. “Oh you know just… steak, carrots, onion, gravy.”

“You monster! You know that’s my favorite!” Lena shouts while smiling widely.

“Well maybe if somebody helps me get moved into my new kitchen, she could help me break it in.” Emily teases as she puts the pie into the oven.

“Don’t tell me… you’re making chunky chips too…”

Emily places the phone near a pot of bubbling oil eliciting another giggling scream out of Lena.

“Nooooo! Well now I gotta come.” She says as they two finally break from their laughing fit.

“When will you be by?” Emily asks now that the two are settled down.

“Tomorrow I think. Cassidy’ll be coming too.”

“Oh, it’ll be nice to see him again. It’s been a while. And tell Winston I miss him alright!” Emily calls into the phone as she stirs the potatoes around in the oil.

“Will do Emily. I better hang up to go take a shower.” Lena says with a sigh.

With goodbyes exchanges Lena tosses her phone and makes towards the bathroom. She sets the water as hot as her skin can handle before stripping off her remaining clothes. By the time she gets in the shower the room is already filled with steam. She hears her phone buzz on the counter but willfully ignores it as she lathers her body with sandalwood scented soap. After an hour of enjoying the scalding water she finally exits when it starts to lose its intensity. She towels off before grabbing her phone and preparing to lay in bed, naked and procrastinating. She brushes off her collection of texts from Lucio and begins idly scrolling on social media.

She blinks awake and immediately fills with panic, she scrambles to find her phone tangled up in her sheets and checks the time. Ten past Midnight. She shoots out of bed and grabs the first pieces of clothing her hands find. She has ten new texts from Lucio. Now properly dressed in a random t-shirt and black leggings she hurries out of her room. She creeps through the base as quietly as she can muster until she arrives at Amelie’s door. She gives a gentle knock. After waiting long enough after another volley of soft knocking she carefully slides the door open.

She walks in whispering Amelie’s name expecting to find her sleeping in bed. Instead she is greeted by the lights on and drawers haphazardly left open. Her sheets are a mess with one corner pulled up and the blanket on the floor. Her confusion quickly turns to mild panic as she surveys the very un-Amelie scene before her.

Amelie feels her heart drop as she stops in the parking lot. Her whole body starts to shake and go numb as she slowly turns around to face the voice calling out to her. She flinches as a hand grabs her wrists and holds them together. She doesn’t try to struggle against it.

“What in the world are you doing, Lacroix?” Cassidy asks with a look of anger and confusion on his face.

Amelie silently looks into his eyes before her gaze falls to the asphalt. She simply puts her feet in front of the other as Cassidy drags her back into the base. The walls of the walkway back to her quarters turn to a blur. Rounding the corner towards her room she sees Lena looking nervous outside her bedroom. The sense of dread in her chest only grows. She is shocked out of her stupor when Cassidy turns early and opens the door to Angela’s room. Lena calls out to them as Cassidy shoves her onto the ground of Angela’s room. Angela groggily climbs out of bed at the intrusion and stares in shock at Cassidy and Amelie. Fareeha sits up and rubs the sleep from her eyes. Lena barges into the room and the door automatically shuts behind her.

“What the fuck is going on?” Lena shouts.

“Why don’t you let us know what the fuck is going on Amelie.” Cassidy says in a harsh tone, kneeling down to meet Amelie at eye level.

Angela steps in between Cassidy and Amelie prompting the cowboy to rise to his feet. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing Cole, but calm the hell down.”

“You’re right. You don’t know what I’m doing. Amelie, give me your backpack.” He continues brushing Angela’s thin frame to the side prompting Fareeha to stand up out of bed and catch her.

Amelie slips the backpack off her shoulders and sets it in front of her. She brings her knees up to her face and wraps her arms around them. She continues to stare at nothing in silence as Cassidy digs through her backpack.

“Few days of clothes, couple books, oh some stuffed animals. You planning on going somewhere Amelie? Wanna explain what you were doing out in the parking lot.” He says in an accusatory tone as Amelie feels the world end around her.

“Amelie?” Lena calls out to her with confusion and hurt in her voice.

“Why did you call me twenty minutes ago, Amelie?” Angela asks, continuing the barrage of questions overwhelming her.

“I’m sorry… I don’t know.” Amelie responds weakly, unable to summon anymore words.

“These are the prizes I won you at the fair… where were you going?”

Amelie lets out a whimper and buries herself deeper into her legs, using them as a shield from the rest of the world. Angela crouches down and wraps her in a hug. Her touch feels like fire on Amelie’s skin but she can’t find the energy to struggle against it.

“Calm down everybody. It’s okay Amelie. Whatever happened… we’re here.” She assures her in a calm tone that doesn’t bring Amelie any comfort.

“Give me your phone Lacroix. Let’s see who you were going to.” Cassidy says while reaching out a hand to her.

Angela moves to block the intrusion but stops when Amelie lets out another weak whimper. “Sweetheart? Can you give him the phone?” She says softly.

She reaches into her pocket and unlocks the phone before placing it in Cassidy’s hand. He browses through it briefly before his eyes go wide. He passes the phone to Angela where it’s then snatched up by Lena.

“Amelie… what does this mean?” Angela asks as they all stare in shock at her call history.

“Feels pretty plain to me.” Cassidy says with a scowl.

“I just… I didn’t know what to do… everything kept getting worse, it hurt so bad… And everyone I needed was gone.” Amelie whispers in response.

“Oh god… this is all my fault Amelie. You needed my help and I wasn’t there. You trusted me and I broke it and I pushed you away. I’m so sorry.” Angela says with tears forming in her eyes.

Lena covers her mouth with a hand. “I should have been there for you.”

Cassidy scoffs before turning towards the door. “Somebody needs to tell Chase about this.”

“Cole stop!” Angela shouts back only to be ignored.

Cassidy is finally stopped in his tracks as Fareeha moves between him and the door. He continues to scowl now directed at her as she stares back at him unflinchingly. When his attempt to intimidate fails, he puts his hands up in surrender and turns back to Angela.

“Cole, she's hurting, and she didn’t feel like she could talk to any of the people she is supposed to trust. She needs help, not punishment.” Angela pleads with him, taking his hand and staring deeply into his eyes.

“She contacted the enemy. Her former boss. What’s there not to get?”

“She contacted the woman who manipulated and controlled her in a moment of weakness. Because Overwatch has done nothing but push her away, her squad getting disbanded, her girlfriend breaking up with her, her doctor…” She answers, pressing her head into his shoulder.

“What if I wasn’t there to stop her though?”

Angela looks back to Amelie still huddled on the floor. “Then she would have gone down a dark path I could have prevented. I’m sorry Amelie.”

Cassidy sighs deeply before patting Angela on the head. “Alright doc. I won’t report this. I guess you know what you’re doing.”

“I wish I was so sure of that.” She whispers as Cassidy silently leaves the room.

Lena sits down in front of Amelie finally prompting the woman to leave her defensive shell. “What happened, love?”

“I had another nightmare… a bad one. I shouldn’t have…” She starts before burying her face again.

Lena scoots closer and pulls her into a warm hug. Amelie lets her tight grip on her knees drop to return the embrace. The two hold each other for a while as Angela sits on the floor next to them. Lena pulls away to look Amelie in the eyes.

“I’m here for you. I should have been before.”

Amelie smiles back at her and presses her face back into Lena’s chest. “It’s not your fault Lena.”

“We should probably get you back to bed, Amelie.” Angela says softly. “But I don’t think she should be alone right now.”

Lena raises her head to Angela. “I’ll watch her don’t worry.”

Fareeha interrupts her as she walks over and kneels down to join the conversation. “I don’t think that’s the best idea. You’re too soft on the girl, Oxton. She needs someone who will actually stop her if she gets any more bright ideas.”

“How dare you-” Lena begins to protest before she’s quieted by a look from Angela. She continues to grumble in disagreement before Amelie puts a hand on her shoulder. “Okay. I hope you sleep better than before, love.” Lena concedes before standing to leave herself.

Fareeha leads Amelie away back towards her room next door. She makes the bed back up as Amelie stands in the corner of the room still in shock. Amelie is guided into the bed and watches as Fareeha unpacks all her bag. Returning her clothes to the drawers and closing them. She places the books back on the shelves. She finally hands Amelie the fair prizes from Lena and lifts the blanket over her shoulders.

“Get some rest Lacroix. I’ll be here.”

Chapter Text

Amelie sat with her legs crossed nervously waiting in Commander Chase’s office. Lena gives her a pat of assurance on the leg as they sit before the empty desk. Lena lets out a loud sigh of boredom before grabbing a snow globe and shaking it violently. The glittery power inside falls upon a peaceful scene of Toronto covering the city in a layer of snow. She returns the globe to its spot before scanning the desk for something else to fidget with. She suddenly straightens up and looks to Amelie as the door opens.

“Ladies.” Chase says with surprise as she sets a stack of papers down on her desk before taking a seat. “I wasn’t expecting the two of you.”

“I need to request medical leave.” Amelie explains quietly.

“Oh?” Vivian exclaims before taking the document Lena passed to her. She flips through the pages carefully scanning the contents. The aperture of her bright blue cybernetic eyes adjusting as she pours over the papers. She tosses it down on her desk causing to slide back into Lena’s lap. “If Angela says so, I trust her.”

“Thank you Commander.”

“I understand how you feel, Amelie. Honestly, I think a part of me never really walked away from that day in Toronto. But I’ve had a long time to put between me and my past. Take all the time you need, Captain.” Vivian assures her as she logs into her computer, beginning her day of work.

“There is the matter of who will cover your duties while you’re gone. How about you, Oxton? You up to the task?” She asks while focusing intently on an email on her computer.

“Oh. Really? I would love to… but I promised I would spend the day helping my friend move. After that I’d be totally in the clear though.” Lena says with an obvious note of surprise in her voice at the offer.

“Then I imagine you two ought to find a substitute until then. Now, if you would please leave me to my work…”

Amelie nods and stands with Lena as the two of them quietly exit her office. Amelie begins thinking of candidates when Lena stops her by grabbing her shoulders. Her confusion is answered as she’s physically turned to face the lettering next door. Ana Amari. With a shrug the two of them enter to a signal for silence. Ana continues her phone call as the two women sit down. They can hear a booming voice shouting to Ana from the phone.

“That all sounds very wonderful, Reinhardt. You must return to the Watchpoint soon, see how your squire is getting along.” She says into the phone while smiling brightly at her new guests.

They overhear Reinhardt loudly responding. “Oh is that why I must come back Ana? Not for-”

“Reinhardt! I have guests. Lena and Amelie are here to speak with me. I must go.” She says loudly speaking over the man before hastily hanging up and giving a nervous chuckle to the two women. She sets her phone down and takes a long sip from her cup of tea. Lena smiles back with four hard candies stuffed in her mouth.

“What can I do for you two?”

“We ashually ha a fare cho as.” Lena mumbles out as her mouth fills with saliva around the candies.

“What?”

“I have a favor to ask of you Ana.” Amelie begins with a roll of her eyes at Lena. “Angela has placed me back on medical leave, and I was wondering if you would be able to handle my duties for a day or two until Lena gets back from her trip.”

“Of course darling. You need your rest after all.” Ana says as she stands and moves to usher the two girls to leave. As they near the door she hurries back to her desk and picks her phone back up. When she notices them still watching her from the doorway she makes a big motion of shooing them away. Before dialing a number again.

“Weh thash tay-”

“Spit them out or swallow them Lena. I can't understand you.” Amelie scolds as they walk down the stairs.

Lena grunts and makes a look of frustration before continuing to suck on her candies. She grabs Amelie’s hand and drags her along back to her room. Amelie trails behind dragging her feet as Lena yanks hard on her arm to pull her through the base. With a final tug Lena breaks through the digging of her heels and pulls her along in a brisk skip. Amelie walks quickly behind watching as Lena’s hips sway through the halls. She quickly shoots her eyes up when she’s suddenly looking at Lena’s front. Lena makes loud crunching sounds followed by multiple large swallows. She gives Amelie a pained look before taking a large gasp. She slides the door open and beckons Amelie inside her own bedroom.

Amelie walks into her room and sits on her bed. She looks awkwardly up at Lena as she rocks on her heels staring back at Amelie. Amelie clicks her tongue slowly and Lena clears her throat. They both exhale audibly as they continue to stare at each other. Lena begins to speak but drops it as she loses her train of thought. Amelie nods slowly a few times.

“Well I said I’d keep an eye on you while Angela was in a meeting so… what’d you wanna do?” Lena asks while looking up at the ceiling.

“I don’t really know.”

“Mhmm.” Lena says as the room fills with awkwardness once again. “Mind if I sit?”

Amelie shrugs and Lena sits down gingerly next to her. She pulls out her phone and begins idly browsing through various applications. Amelie subtly watches over her shoulder as she responds to dozens of messages. Lena looks over as Amelie quietly breathes over her shoulder, their face meeting a few inches away from each other. She smiles and readjusts her shoulder so Amelie has a better view. Lena shivers as Amelie’s warm breath grazes her ear and struggles to keep the phone steady. Amelie watches the video playing on the screen unaware and shifts her weight onto her arm causing her chest to press into Lena’s back. Lena quickly shakes the feeling away and focuses on the phone.

Angela quietly enters the room and gives a polite nod to Lena as she stops before Amelie. She sits back up, pulling herself away from Lena who puts her phone away to intently watch the exchange. Angela joins them in sitting in the bed and puts a gentle hand on Amelie’s thigh. Amelie puts her hand on top of hers.

“How are you feeling, honey?”

“Better.” Amelie says with a weak smile. “Chase approved your request.”

“Perfect, I’d like to keep a close eye on you for a while. You’re not in trouble though.” She says squeezing her thigh gently before retracting the hand and reaching into a pocket. “If it’s okay with you, I think it’s a good idea for me to hold onto this for a while longer.”

She pulls out Amelie's phone causing the woman to hang her head in shame. Amelie gives her a nod. Angela smiles and gives her a pat on the cheek before standing back up. “I understand if you need me to respect your privacy Amelie, but I’d like you to give me your password.”

Amelie nods again and takes the phone back into her hands. Thoughts flash into her mind as she slowly types her password ensuring Angela is watching before returning the unlocked device to the doctor. Angela thanks her as she moves to the other side of the room and slips the device back into her pocket. Angela begins to speak again but is interrupted by a knock. She opens the door and invites Cassidy in.

“Thought I might find you here Oxton. I got some bad news.” He says with a sigh. “Talked to Chase, and she won’t approve any personal time for me while another Captain is gone.”

“Oh.”

Amelie looks on with guilt. “I’m sorry. Did I mess everything up?”

Lena rubs her hand on Amelie’s shoulder comfortingly. “No love, it’s not your fault.” She assures. “I just… need to find somebody else to help me in the next hour.”

Amelie swallows and exhales heavily. “I’ll do it.”

A tortured expression crosses Lena’s face and she considers the offer. “I appreciate it but it might be a little awkward… the friend I’m helping is Emily.”

“It’s my fault Cassidy can’t go. I’ll do it.” She responds with conviction, before looking to Angela for approval. She thinks for a moment before giving Amelie a confident nod.

“Alright, you have Angela’s ID?” Lena whispers as they exit the car and approach the airport.

Amelie nods as she looks down at Angela Ziegler's identification card. They didn’t look much alike but it was close enough. Amelie could convincingly pass for French Swiss. As long as nobody looked too closely she should get through security without any trouble. She practiced her usual techniques for appearing calm in this exact situation. This was far from the first time she got through an airport using a false identity. She effortlessly manoeuvres through security with a few polite nods and a hand wave from the ID inspector.

As they enter the terminal Lena takes her hand and shakes it around wildly. “Can I have the window seat?!”

“Sure.”

Amelie squeezes into the narrow airplane seat and cracks open a book as Lena fidgets next to her. She ignores the flashes of movement and humming next to her as the plane begins moving. Lena peaks over at the book, observing the pages for a moment before flinging her body sideways to rest her head on the aircraft wall with a groan. Amelie lets out a loud sigh and stifles a smile. She closes her book knowing Lena won’t let her have a peaceful flight. Lena grins widely as Amelie turns to her with an exasperated look on her face.

“Didn’t you bring anything to entertain yourself?”

“I was going to just annoy Cassidy the whole time. You replacing him just made the plan even better.” She says with a shrug.

“Glad to see I’m still your favorite person to annoy then.” Amelie says as her smile breaks through to the surface.

“Sooo, how have things been? You’re a captain now, huh.” Lena asks as she contemplates pressing the buttons of the console on the ceiling.

“It’s a… rewarding job.”

“What’s that mean?” Lena asks as Amelie grabs her hand before it can press the call attendant button.

“I love my squad but it's something different with everybody. Brigitte whines when we do cardio, Kiriko whines when we do weights, Lucio needs to play music the whole time no matter what, which pisses off Ashe, and Hana complains about everything but meal time.” She rants as a patch of turbulence rocks the plane.

“Oh boy, I know what you mean. My new team is wonderful but hanging out with them every off day has been taxing.” Lena responds.

“How so?”

“Well for one the only thing they ever want to do for fun is drink. Which I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t for my squadmates. Zarya drinks an ungodly amount every single time and tries to arm wrestle everyone in the bar even though she’s beaten every drunk in the city. Genji and Baptiste get way too drunk way too fast on wine, play sad ballads on the jukebox, and sing extremely loudly the whole night in each other’s arms. Fareeha and Cassidy find a new creative way to turn relaxing into a competition with stupid made up rules and constantly call on me to arbitrate who the winner is.” Lena says in an exasperated tone.

Amelie smiles at her while she raves about her team during their time apart. As Lena winds down she mirrors the expression. “I’m glad we’re friends again.” Lena says quietly.

“Me too. Are you going to let me read my book now?” Amelie asks hopefully though she already knows the answer.

“Not a chance.”

“Hold still Lena. Watch a movie or something.” Amelie says not looking up from her book as Lena attempts to break her focus. The woman pouts and begins browsing titles on the in-seat display.

After a few minutes free of interruption Lena groans once again pulling Amelie’s attention. “There’s nothing good!” She whines while rocking Amelie side to side.

“I’m sure that’s not true. Watch something.” Amelie responds dismissively.

“Nope. Nothing good. Read to me.” Lena demands with a smug grin.

“What? On a plane? No.” Amelie says, her face breaking out into a blush.

Lena grins even wider at her response. “What? You embarrassed?”

“Well- no- It just… you know feels a little intimate.” She stammers out in a whisper.

Lena lifts the arm rest between them and leans over onto Amelie's shoulder looking at the page expectantly. Amelie flips back to the first page of the book and starts nervously reading it out loud. She details the plot of a young woman falling into a pond and emerging in a fantasy world. She meets an elderly witch at the end of her life and is given all of the witch’s powers but she must slay the evil dragon and save the kingdom. As Amelie’s confidence grows in her reading she feels the breathing against her arm grow slower and steady. She looks over to see Lena with her eyes closed, fast asleep. Amelie smiles and flips back to her page at the middle of the book. When she stops Lena stirs slightly.

“I was listening to that.” She calls out sleepily.

Amelie rolls her eyes and resumes Lena’s narration.

Lena is shaken awake as the plane lands in England. She groggily stands up once Amelie has retrieved her suitcase. The two exit out into the damp English air, waking Lena up. Amelie approaches the street and calls over a cab for the two of them. Lena insists on loading Amelie’s suitcase into the trunk herself before they enter the taxi. The omnic driver asks where they’re going in an exaggerated Londoner accent and Lena gives him the address.

As they approach the apartment Amelie feels a nervous energy build in her chest. She tries to take a moment to calm herself as they near the door but Lena just opens it and walks straight in. Amelie anxiously follows as the apartment comes into view. Amelie is greeted by a beautiful woman with long red hair. Her warm smile is replaced by a look of confusion as she notices Amelie.

“I thought Cassidy was coming?” She asks as she stuffs kitchen implements into a box.

“Oh yeah… probably should have told you. Cassidy couldn’t get the time off. This is Amelie.” Lena explains as she lifts herself up onto the counter.

“Huh, you must be newer. I don't believe we’ve met. Welcome then. You can start packing things up in the guest bedroom.” Emily says with a point to a door across the flat. “And you Lena, can get to work in the living room.”

“Aye aye Captain!” Lena responds enthusiastically before marching off towards the living room to begin packing.

Amelie nods politely and departs to begin herself.

Lena feels a pang of sadness in her chest as she looks over the familiar apartment. Once decorated in photos of herself and Emily it’s now mostly barren. The only evidence she once lived here is a group photo of Overwatch with Emily back in the early days of the recall. Genji, Reinhardt, Winston, Sojourn, and Tracer all gathered at the Watchpoint with Emily. Lena was doing bunny ears over Emily’s head. It must have been around the first Christmas since the recall. The first time Emily came to visit Gibraltar. With a sad pang in her chest she carefully wraps the photo in plastic and puts it in a box.

“Felt wrong to take that one down.” Emily explains as she joins Lena in the living room. “Even if we weren’t together anymore, I haven’t forgotten my memories with Overwatch.”

Lena continues to place things into the box as Emily assists her. “I’m glad. They all liked you.” She responds, trying to stifle her melancholy thoughts.

Emily places her hands on her hips and surveys the television. “I was hoping Cassidy could help us with this part…”

Lena approaches with the plastic and wraps it around the TV to pad it. After finishing she flexes her arms at Emily. “What? You don’t think I’m strong enough?” She says, sticking her tongue out.

“I guess you’ll just have to prove me wrong, Agent Oxton. Grab the other side.”

The two of them carefully hoist the device and with great effort carry it out the door and down the stairs. With a grunt Lena lifts it into the back of the truck parked on the side of the street. She dusts off her hands and gives Emily a confident look. “See! I’m an Overwatch agent, carrying a television is nothing!”

Emily giggles and pats Lena’s shoulder. “Get back to work Cadet.”

“I’m a full agent now… an acting captain actually!” She says indignantly before resigning to follow Emily back upstairs.

Lena reenters the apartment to find Emily moving some boxes to the door. “Carry these out to the truck please.” She asks Lena not waiting for a response before getting back to work. Lena complies and treks back down the stairs once more.

Amelie removes the sheets from the bed and folds them carefully. Next the pillows are flattened and put in the box with them. She opens the closet to find miscellaneous objects haphazardly strew about. With a huff she digs through them and puts them in boxes. She pauses when she finds a photograph of Lena and Emily, their cheeks pressed together and their hands forming a heart together. She forces her feelings down and places it in the box. She’s pulled out of her focus by the door opening. Emily walks over and sits next to her on the carpeted floor.

“Just wanted to see if you needed some help.” She says nonchalantly as she picks up a random keepsake and puts it in Amelie’s box.

“Thank you. I’m getting along fine.” Amelie responds politely not looking up from her task.

“So… you like Overwatch?” Emily asks, still pretending to be in there to help Amelie.

“It is much better than my last job, though not too different I suppose.”

Emily nods thoughtfully. “What was your last job?”

Amelie stammers in response, unsure how to answer the question.

“Don’t worry I know all about the crazy super hero stuff. You can tell me.” Emily assures her.

“Very well. I used to be a Talon agent.” She admits as she uncovers an old box full of records.

“Oh. Those are the bad guys right?” Emily asks without a hint of judgment in her voice. “Glad you’re on the right side now.”

“Me too.”

“Oh! I didn’t know that was still here.” She remarks as Amelie pulls out the box of records. “That’s Lena’s.”

Amelie opens it and rifles through the box full of classic punk and alternative rock albums. It was definitely Lena’s.

“Speaking of Lena. What’s… the deal with you and her?” Emily asks cautiously. “Not that it’s any of my business because Lena and I aren’t… anymore.” She continues hastily with her face turning red.

“It’s quite alright. We’re friends. She brought me into Overwatch, though at the time it was against my will. And when I had a change of heart she fought hard for my chance at redemption.” Amelie explains as she digs deeper into the closet

“Yeah that sounds like Lena Oxton.” She responds with clear relief Amelie can read plainly on her face.

She brushes the thought away as Lena reenters the room sweating and panting. “Boxes in the truck. Hope you ladies aren’t working too hard in here.”

Emily flips her hair over her shoulder and smirks to Amelie. “We’ve got more boxes for you.”

“What? Why can’t you two carry them?” She asks in disbelief.

“Because we have you.”

Emily pulls the bay door to the moving truck closed with a satisfied sigh. “That’s some good work we’ve done girls.” She pulls the keys out of her pocket and tosses them to Lena. “You’re driving.”

“Right… we. I have to carry all the heavy stuff and drive the truck.” She says with a resigned shake of her head.

“I thought the big tough Acting Captain of Overwatch could handle anything?” Emily teases as the three of them pile into the truck, Amelie sits in the passenger seat and Emily settles in between her and Lena.

“Amelie is an actual Captain. The one I’m acting for in fact!” Lena protests as she turns the key in the truck and slowly pulls out into the narrow street.

“Exactly. And you're just a lowly grunt. Isn’t that right Captain Amelie?” She says back with a high five to Amelie.

“I should have known you two would conspire against me…” Lena complains as she turns onto a busier road.

“Perhaps we have a lot in common.” Emily responds as she leans back into the truck seat.

Amelie sits in silence as the two of them banter and catch up over their time apart. She spends the ride watching the London streets transform from afternoon to evening and wondering what’s inside all the unfamiliar shops. She hears a sentence that sounds like a question and when nobody responds she realizes it likely was directed at her. She turns back to Emily and stares blankly at her.

“Welcome back. Lena just told me that you used to be Widowmaker. I heard a lot about you back in the day… and I’m even more glad you’re on our side now. And that you’re not as good a shot as they claim.” She says growing a mischievous tone at the end.

“I assure you. Even now, I’m better than anything you’ve heard.” Amelie responds back with a hint of wounded pride in her voice.

“I don’t know… Lena had plenty to say about you, but she came back home after every mission. Plus you got captured sooooo…”

“The problem with Tracer wasn’t my aim. It’s that she was in a different place between the sound of my gun firing and the bullet hitting her. It is literally impossible to shoot that woman with a slow firing rifle. She can teleport! Hardly a fair fight.” Amelie explains with rising indignation.

“Excuses.” Emily responds with a wide grin on her face eliciting a pout from Amelie.

“You want a demonstration of my skills? Ask Ana Amari what happened to her eye.” Amelie brags as she crosses her arms.

“You sound like you’re almost proud of yourself.” Emily responds, still smiling wildly.

“Perhaps I am.”

“Alright ladies, quit fighting. We’re here.” Lena announces as she kills the truck and hops out. Amelie exits through her door and helps Emily down after her. Lena opens the back of the truck and groans loudly as she stares out over the collection of boxes. Emily turns to her with the same devilish look as before prompting Lena to scowl back.

“Oh no. You’re pulling your weight this time lady. Grab a box.”

Emily grabs Lena by the arm and presses her chest into her squeezing her breasts into Lena. Lena grumbles in protest but is cut off by the sight of Emily’s chest squishing into her bicep. She stutters for a moment before letting out another resigned sigh.

“Fine. Go upstairs. Looks like it’s you and me, Amelie.” She says in a defeated tone.

“Very well.”

The three of them spend an hour unloading all of her belongings, Lena and Amelie carrying everything, and Emily directing them under her watchful eye. After dozens of exhausting journeys up and down the flight of stairs the two collapse onto the floor amidst the sea of boxes and dismantled furniture. Emily sympathetically strokes both of their hair gently as they desperately gasp for air.

“There there, girls. You did good work.” She says to them in a calming voice.

“You know, Lena gave me the impression that we were helping you move. Seems like we just did all the moving for you.” Amelie complains through her panting.

“Yeah, you’re helping me… by moving for me.” She responds, giving Amelie a quick pat on the forehead and standing back up. “Well, I suppose I can at least make you both dinner like I promised.”

“Yes please. I’ve been dreaming of that pie all day!” Lena calls back as Emily disappears into the kitchen.

“Okay so, we’ve got power and I’ve got my cooking gear. But we’re going to need to go down to the shop.” Emily says while leaning on the doorway.

“Oh no, this part is your job, I'm not moving an inch.” Lena announces stubbornly, unswayed by Emily’s pouting.

“Fine, Amelie will come with me then.”

With a groan of effort Amelie climbs off the floor as Emily grabs the keys and leads her out of the apartment. She locks the door and skips cheerily down the stairs as Amelie trudges after her slowly. The two walk in silence down the quiet street to a grocery store. An uninterested clerk sits browsing on their phone as Emily leads them through the aisles. Amelie stares out across the rows of packaged food and produce feeling slightly overwhelmed.

“Okay Lena hates the store bought pastry so I need to make that. Grabbing stuff for that is your job. I’ll get the fillings.” She says with a finger to her chin and a determined nod before she begins to wander off.

“Wait. I don’t know what I need to get.” Amelie calls back to her fearfully as Emily quickly starts to disappear?

“Really? Never made pastry before?”

Amelie nervously fidgets with her hands. “Well you can imagine my… previous job didn’t give me much time for cooking, and enough money I didn’t have to.”

“Better stick together then. You know making a pie is an art form really. You gotta knead the dough just right and use the perfect amount of butter or it won’t take shape. Lena always loved my pies. I learned from my mother. I hope they’re feeding her right at the Watchpoint.” She rambles on as she places ingredients in the shop’s handbasket.

“If by feeding her right you mean a balanced diet from diverse cultural backgrounds, yes. If you mean fried foods with too much gravy, sadly no.” Amelie responds stifling a giggle.

“Not a big fan of British food, eh? Your loss.” She says back with a shrug.

Emily loads her handbasket with produce she meticulously inspected, a collection of baking ingredients, and a larger container of oil than Amelie has ever seen. She watches as the red haired woman scans each item while humming happily. The satisfied smile on her face fills Amelie with a pang of sadness she can’t place. Emily gives the clerk an enthusiastic goodbye that goes unnoticed and they exit into the street once more.

“So what was it like? Being Widowmaker.” She asks idly.

“Oh… well a lot of fancy dinners, nice hotels, cocktail parties with inconvenient public officials.” Amelie explains with a smirk.

“I thought you were a sniper. That’s all Lena ever told me about. You make yourself sound like James Bond.” She responds with wide eyes.

“Makes sense the only thing she remembers are the times I shot at her. Overwatch never knew about most of my missions. And I suppose I kind of was like him in a way.”

“And just like James Bond I bet you shagged a lot! That’s all spies ever seem to do.” She cracks back with a jab at Amelie’s arm.

“I don’t... I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Amelie responds, her mood suddenly plummeting at the insinuation.

“Oh shit, sorry.”

“It’s fine. I just… my time as Widowmaker wasn’t particularly enjoyable.” She says in a cool even tone.

“Yeah? Sorry I got all excited, I guess being a Talon agent probably wasn’t all roses.” Emily responds seriously.

“I was more of an asset than an agent to my handler.” She remarks as Emily turns the key back in the lock and lets her back inside.

Lena jumps up excitedly at their return and pads over happily to the door to inspect the groceries. Amelie’s spirits lift at the sight of her celebrating the arrival of her dinner. She bounces up and down on her toes as Emily begins preparing the meal with an amused look. Amelie takes a seat at one of the stools she laboriously carried up two sets of stairs a bit earlier. At Emily’s command Lena finally settles into a chair next to her.

“Tell me about one of your missions together.” She asks idly while dumping chopped potatoes into hot oil.

“Hmmmm… Ooh, Amelie and I are with the rest of our squad in Japan. We’re after Moira-” She begins before she is cut off.

“Who’s Moira?” Emily interjects.

“Amelie’s old boss, no more interruptions. So we arrive at her office to foil whatever dastardly plan she’s concocted this time. Only to find that her latest test subject… is me! She infects me with her mind control gas whatever thing and I go crazy. The only one who can stop me is Amelie!” She continues with dramatic hand gestures.

“Please, anybody in our squad could have taken you. You’re not exactly threatening.” Amelie corrects with a smug grin.

“Remind me who it is that captured you, Ms. Badass Assassin?” Lena mocks, sticking her tongue out.

“Cassidy. If I recall I had you pinned to the floor by your wrists when he showed up to save you.” She retorts, sticking hers out in retaliation.

“Oh yeah, what about when I had yours pinned to the bed, where was Widowmaker then huh?”

“Hardly relevant.”

Emily interrupts their spat with a confused remark. “Wait? You guys…?”

“What? Oh. Yeah. We used to…” Lena says, sensing the awkward moment she created.

“I see. Amelie had told me you were just friends.” Emily responds, turning back to attend to her potatoes.

“We are.” Lena affirms quietly sitting back into the chair.

The only sound that fills the kitchen now is that of hot oil. As the pies cook in the oven she pulls the potatoes out of the oil and dries them off on a plate before placing them before the women. Lena’s eyes light up at the display.

“Your appetizer is served. Does this meet your standards, Madam Bond?”

“Hardly proper to serve fries to a Madam but they do look delicious.” She responds as she stuffs a hot fried potato into her mouth. The texture is perfectly crispy with a fluffy interior.

“They’re called chips.” Lena corrects past a mouthful of her own.

“They’re called frites, fries. Because they’re fried.” She says adamantly.

“They’re called chips because they’re chipped off the potato!” Lena shouts back even more stubbornly.

“That’s stupid.”

“You’re stupid!”

“Girls, calm down. They’re called whatever you want, just eat up.” Emily says calmly as she wipes her hands of oil on her apron. She peeks into the oven to inspect her pies before deciding they need more time. She unpacks a few more plates and utensils from a box and sets them out on the table for the three of them. As she finishes and takes a seat across from the two of them the oven dings and she springs back up. Lena bangs excitedly on the table and begins to chant pie over and over again, prompting Emily to excitedly join her, Amelie rolls her eyes and gives a few unenthusiastic chants that are met with cheers. Emily sets out the meal and retrieves a fancy looking bottle of wine.

“As good a time as any to finally crack this open I reckon.” She says with a grunt as she attempts to pry the cork off a bottle of champagne with her thumbs. Amelie quickly shoots up and snatches the bottle out of her hands with a horrified look.

“You’re going to break the bottle like that and it will explode everywhere. Do you people have no culture?” She shouts in disgust her accent more powerful than ever. “Of course you don’t have a corkscrew… Give me your keys.”

Emily sits down across from Lena and shoots her an amused look as Amelie removes the cork from the bottle with a pop. She pours three glasses of the wine and sets the bottle on the table carefully before resuming her seat as well. She swirls it gracefully just below her nose before taking a long sip.

“This is a good vintage. Must be from around when Reinhardt was born.” Amelie jokes as she sets her glass back down.

“You can tell that just from the taste?” Emily asks in amazement with wide eyes.

“Of course I-”

“She can probably tell from the year on the bottle.” Lena interrupts.

Amelie giggles and takes another sip from her glass before refilling it. “I don’t imagine you have a wine stopper… of course not. I guess we must finish it tonight then.”

“Won’t hear me complaining.” Lena responds, washing down a mouthful of pie with the glass of wine in a single gulp.

Amelie shakes her head at the display.

“Speaking of Reinhardt, how is everyone back at Overwatch?” Emily asks, waiting to swallow before speaking.

Lena begins talking with food in her mouth but is prompted to swallow by Amelie’s elbow. “Reinhardt is up to his usual business of cracking bad guy skulls, but his squire is staying at the Watchpoint for a while, don’t know if you’ve met her, she’s a treat. Angela has been great, she says she misses you bunches. Winston is the same old gorilla he’s always been. Though a lot has changed around the base. Sometimes I’m not always sure it’s for the best.” She rambles on, her voice dropping low at the end.

“What’s that mean?”

“Well for a while Jack came back but he got injured on an op about a month ago and hasn’t recovered. The UN stepped in and appointed Vivian as the new commander. She’s a great person but her lead has been… grating. Lots of new rules and schedules and just… she’s a little overbearing is all.” She explains while picking at the pie with her fork.

“I do remember Vivian being very straight laced.” Emily responds with a nod.

“I think her influence has been mostly positive but it appears I am in the minority in that regard.” Amelie adds.

“I think she’s an ass who is trying to turn this organization into what failed all those years ago. We’re not an army anymore. And nobody wants us to be an army anymore. She’s a great soldier and I know why the UN chose her but they made a mistake.” Lena complains, the fire in her voice dying down as she takes another bite.

“Who do you think they should have picked?” Emily asks curiously.

“I don’t know. Ana, Winston, Angela, Cassidy even. Someone who understands our culture better. Jack had his moments but at the end of the day he realized that Overwatch couldn’t be what it used to.”

As the three finish their meal Amelie stands to excuse herself to the restroom. Emily clears her throat before standing herself and wandering over to the balcony door. She turns back to Lena with a melancholy look on her face.

“Join me outside?” She asks nervously.

Lena gets up to follow her out and exits into the cool evening air. Emily reaches into her pocket and pulls out a packet of cigarettes, she sticks on in her mouth before lighting the tip. She takes a long shaky drag and exhales smoke over the edge of the balcony. She stares into Lena’s eyes with clear anxiety in her own. She offers one of the cigarettes to Lena.

“When’d you start smoking?” Lena asks curiously as she takes it from her and leans back on the balcony.

“Not long ago.” She admits as she holds out the flame for Lena.

The two sit quietly on the balcony exhaling smoke over the empty London street outside the apartment. After a few minutes Emily lets out an uneven exhale, the cigarette failing to do its job of calming her nerves. She inches closer to Lena until their shoulders touch as they lean over their railing. Lena feels butterflies in her stomach at Emily’s touch. Emily turns to face her seeing the goofy smile on Lena’s face.

“I’m glad you came.”

“Me too.”

“I missed you.” Emily admits as she rubs out the cigarette on the wood railing.

“Yeah. Me too.” Lena says as she follows suit and rolls over to rest her back on the railing.

Emily steps out in front of Lena and rests her hands on Lena’s shoulders so she can lean in closer. Lena’s hands cautiously wrap around her waist as she leans her face in closer. Lena meets her lips and brushes past the taste of tobacco on Emily’s breath as she lets out an unsteady exhale into Lena’s mouth. Emily’s hands grab Lena’s wrists and coax her into exploring underneath her shirt, she shivers under the touch of bare hands around her waist. Lena’s heart flutters as she feels Emily’s body heat press closer into her, but she feels a nagging sense of unease in her brain. She stops kissing back prompting Emily to press her lips even further before pulling away when Lena continues to not reciprocate.

“Is something wrong?” Emily asks with an obvious feeling of hurt in her voice.

“I’m sorry.”

Emily sighs and pulls another cigarette out of the package. “You’re in love with her aren’t you?”

Lena takes the lit cigarette from Emily’s mouth and takes a deep inhale before passing it back to her. “Hopelessly, yeah.”

“Shit. I figured. Can’t blame a girl for hoping though.” She says with a light chuckle that fails to mask her pain. “What’s the deal with just friends then?”

“We were more for a while. Then Chase felt our relationship was inappropriate. It was end things or quit Overwatch and… I’m sure you of all people can imagine what I chose." Lena says through another drag of their shared cigarette.

“But you still love her, and I’m pretty certain she still loves you. Why not go for it anyway?” She asks as she stubs out her new cigarette.

“Maybe I just can’t stand losing Overwatch if it all goes wrong.” Lena admits, taking a deep breath and steadying herself.

“And you can risk losing Amelie by being too scared?”

“I don’t know.”

“If you can’t stand losing either of them. You gotta risk it all. And the Tracer I knew never backed down because something was risky.” Emily says, giving Lena a playful shove on the shoulder.

“I’m a loose cannon, Commander” She says back in a gruff voice.

“But god damn it Agent Oxton you always get the job done.” She shouts back before shoving Lena again back towards the balcony door. “So get back in there and get the job done.”

Lena walks back into the apartment to find it empty. She looks around for a moment before opening the door to the second bedroom. She finds Amelie huddled in the corner crying. She lifts her head from her chest at Lena’s intrusion and gives a weak smile before rubbing her eyes of tears. Lena sits down next to her and puts her hand on Amelie’s back.

“I saw you two out there. I know you and I are just friends and it’s okay but I-” She’s cut off by Lena roughly grabbing the back of her head and pulling her into a deep kiss. Amelie lets herself go limp in Lena’s grasp, the only thing supporting the weight of her head is Lena’s hand beneath her chin. Lena rolls the two of them onto the ground and breaks away from the kiss leaving Amelie speechless.

“But I saw- What…”

“Shush, love. I want you. I need you. I still love you.” Lena says as they stare deeply into each other's eyes with the love that never left.

“But what about Chase? What about-”

“Shut up Amelie, I don’t care. We’ll make it work somehow, I don’t want to lose you. I was never okay with losing you.” She says before dragging Amelie down into another kiss before allowing the woman to roll onto the floor next to her.

“Are you sure?”

“You gonna try to talk me out of it?”

Amelie smiles and places her head on Lena’s chest. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Lena wraps her arms around her girlfriend. “Let’s get our flight out tomorrow.”

Angela sits at her desk late at night, with Amelie’s phone open on Moira's contact page. She shakes off the thought and scrolls through the other notifications. Over the day she’s accumulated multiple messages from the same person. Isabella Alvarez. She doesn’t recognize the name but she assumes it’s somebody from the city. She opens it to confirm her suspicions.

“Hey”
“How you holdin up?”
“Ngl real concerning time for you to go MIA”
“Amelie?”
“I talked to her”
“What did you do?”
“Are you sure about this?”

Angela’s eyes grow wide at the messages. This person knows something happened last night. She wonders if her means Moira. She sends a message to find out.

“Hello”

“Oh my god Amelie what the fuck happened she said you never showed up”

“This is Angela Ziegler. Amelie is fine and safe with me.”
“Who are you?”
“You’re a friend of Amelie’s?”

The person on the other side of the screen goes dark. Angela sits and waits nervously for a response before sending another message.

“Hello?”

“Mercy”

“You know of me”
“Who are you?”

“Someone who also has Amelie’s best interest at heart”

“I find that hard to believe from one of Moira’s associates.”
“You’re Talon?”

“You’d be surprised”
“The doctor keeps interesting company”
“And perhaps Amelie and I worked together in the past”
“What happened to her”

“She contacted Moira.”
“She got inside Amelie’s head and convinced her she had to return to Talon.”
“But we stopped her.”
“What did you have to do with this?”

“Fuck”
“This is my fault a little”
“I just agreed to give the number to her, she said she wasn’t going to call”

"Just who are you?”

“Sombra”

“I didn’t realize you two were friends.”

“We had a little rivalry back in the day”
“I missed her”

“So you tricked her into coming back to Talon.”

“Fuck not like that. We just texted about like her dumb crush on Tracer”
“I swear”

“And you gave her a way to contact Moira.”
“A woman who has a decade of experience manipulating her.”
“Some friend.”

“Fuck Ziegler I’m so sorry”
“I didn’t think this would happen”
“I really am”

“I don’t think you should contact Amelie anymore.”

“I understand”
“I won’t”

The message history suddenly vanishes and Isabella’s account deactivates before disappearing as well.

Lena is pulled out of her slumber by a sudden intrusion into the barren guest bedroom. Amelie stirs from her resting place at Lena’s side and raises her head as well. Emily is poking out through the doorway and calling something Lena is too half asleep to understand.
“What?”

“I said… Hey Amelie, you mind if I borrow your woman for a while? I want to show her something.” Emily asks, feigning annoyance.

Amelie looks back to Lena with a concerned look before nodding and laying back into the carpet. Lena slowly rises to her feet leaving Amelie to fall back asleep. She follows Emily out of the apartment and into the street. As Lena looks around confused Emily watches her expectantly.

“Look familiar?”

Lena looks around with more focus before it finally dawns on her. “Oh my god this is right by our first apartment.”

“And our old coffee shop. Wanna go?” Emily asks, beckoning Lena down the street.

Lena hesitates. “Emily this isn’t-”

“Oh come on Lena, have some faith in me. I’m not trying to win you back or steal you away. I just wanna hang out one last time before you run off to save the world again. You at least owe me that.” She says beckoning harder and finally getting Lena to budge.

The two walk down the street to a small coffee shop and order their usual orders. Emily gets a peppermint mocha. Lena orders a simple coffee with cream and sugar. They take a seat and Emily makes a contented noise as the hot drink hits her lips, reminding her of last night. Lena cautiously sips her own, watching the woman across to gauge her intent.

“Wow it’s been years since we’ve been here. Felt like we were keeping it afloat all by ourselves. Glad to see they stuck around.” Emily exclaims with a chuckle.

“Why are we here Emily?” Lena asks without taking a drink from her beverage.

“I’ve missed you Lena. I know I lost my chance to have you… like that, years ago. But I miss you in my life. I would like to be friends again.” Emily says staring out in the street to watch the people pass by.

“It’s been nice talking again. There’s nobody at the Watchpoint quite like you.” Lena responds before finally relaxing into a deep gulp of hot coffee that burns her tongue.

“There’s nobody in the world quite like me.” Emily responds confidently. “Just wish the women of London felt the same.”

“Been rough out there?” Lena asks.

“You know it girl. Ghosted, lead on, lead on and then ghosted. Where’d all the good women go?” She says with an overly wistful sigh.

“There’s a couple of nice girls hanging around Overwatch.” Lena suggests with an eyebrow raise.

“Is that so? Maybe you’ll have to set me up with a few of them then.”

Lena leans back with an evil smirk. “Come around the base sometime, I’ll be your wingman.”

“Ooh, yes please. You gotta hook me up with Angela first. Always liked older women.” Emily begins thoughtfully. “Especially her.”

“No dice. Her and Fareeha finally got together.”

“Shit. Guess she’s off the market too. I did kind of have a thing for her back then.” She responds with a light fist on the coffeeshop table.

“Emily!”

“The tall dark and handsome, confident cocky soldier act worked wonders on me. What can I say?” She says putting her hands up in defence.

“You were dating me back then!”

“She could have taken both of us and you know that.” Emily cracks back causing Lena to furrow her brow.

“You know what… you’re right.”

“Alright then, daughters out. Why go for the acorn when you have the oak tree? How about Ana?” She asks, hiding her face behind the coffee cup.

“I did not think that was what you meant when you said you liked older women.”

“She’s bad and you know it.”

Lena looks upward in thought and squints her eyes. “I can’t even say you’re wrong, she can get it. But she’s kind of got this thing with Reinhardt going on.”

“What sort of thing?” Emily asks, looking down at the table with visible disappointment.

“Like a… retirement home situationship.” Lena answers slowly.

“Wouldn’t want to get in between that. And obviously I could, I mean look at me. Well we know Amelie’s out, she was my first choice.” Emily says, eliciting an eye roll. “You mentioned a squire and I believe they were a her. What’s she like?”

Lena’s eyes light up at the suggestion. “Oh Brigitte! You’d love her, funny, tall, and very strong. You could do pull ups on her biceps. Apparently a real hit with the ladies too. I’ll give her your number.”

“Sister I can’t do a pull up on a bar. Wait, seriously?!”

“Yeah seriously, I’m a good wingman.”

They toss their empty coffee cups and return to the apartment in good spirits to find Amelie waiting patiently by the door. Emily imparts them with warm hugs before bidding the pair goodbye. Lena takes Amelie’s hand as the two make their way back to the airport. The taxi ride back is much more pleasant than the first. No anxiety is building in Amelie’s chest and she focuses on Lena much more than the cityscape that fades into the background as she enjoys the ride with her girlfriend. With a satisfied yet somber sigh Lena departs her home to return to the base.

Chapter Text

Lena rocks back and forth in her chair awkwardly as the five people assembled before her look to her expectantly. She shuffles through the stack of papers Amelie left for her as the party of six crowd the small office beneath the stairs. She clears her throat before tossing the papers back down having read none of it. With a deep breath she finally addresses her squad.

“What does Captain Lacroix usually have you doing?”

“Weights, sport, some training courses. Bit of everything.” Brigitte explains.

Lena scratches her chin thoughtfully before standing quickly. “Some courses sound like fun, let’s go!”

Lena inputs parameters into the simulation settings with Lucio looking over her shoulder nodding and offering his own input. She selects a simple point capture scenario on medium difficulty. After finalizing her choices the walls of the room vanish and give way to the empty streets of a middle eastern city. Surveying the mission and her team she sets to deciding strategy.

“So how do you normally run stuff like this?” She asks while considering the skills of each of her agents.

“Usually we split into two teams, Me, Kiri, and Lucio in the front. Ashe, Brig, and the Captain in the back. Though I guess we gotta come up with something else this time around.” Hana explains, nervously laughing at the end.

“Right. How about this time D.Va and Brig you hold the front with me supporting you. Ashe will cover us from afar with Kiriko protecting her and Lucio helping her reposition. Sound good?” Lena orders, feeling satisfied at her plan.

She dismisses the reluctance of her squad and gets everybody in position. She carefully creeps across the rooftops of the desert city as D.Va and Brigitte clear the streets. Ashe confirms no activity as they approach the hospital hosting a squadron of Null Sector bots. Suddenly a group of combatants burst into the street. Tracer blinks over to fire on them from the high ground as D.Va flies into the fray to scatter them. Brigitte cleans up the stragglers along with some supporting fire from Ashe. With the first line of defence cleared they continue along towards the hospital at the city center. Their objective is in the courtyard guarded by a few more bots. D.Va and Tracer quickly blitz in and take the courtyard by storm while Ashe dispatches any Null Sector unit that tries to take cover from the two. Brigitte lags behind trying to keep up in her heavy armor, not joining the fray until the fighting is almost over.

“Good teamwork everybody! Now we just gotta hold onto it for two minutes and mission cleared.” Tracer says with a cheeky smile.

She sets up defensively in front of the employee entrance with Brigitte while D.Va holds her ground before the main entrance. After a few seconds more Null Sector forces attempt to retake the courtyard. Tracer fires on the attackers from behind Brigitte’s shield while her defender bashes anybody who tries to get too close. D.Va effortlessly controls the flow of bots from the main entrance with her mech. Brigitte starts to slowly back up with Tracer as the onslaught continues to overwhelm them. Tracer blinks to the left of the door to draw focus and allow Brigitte to recollect herself but she’s quickly forced back behind the crumbling energy shield. As the barrier finally gives way the two dive behind a crate for cover. Brigitte catches her breath as the attackers approach their safety. As Null Sector reaches the corner Brigitte lunges out with a powerful swing of her mace catching the bot off guard while Tracer blinks out wide to light them up from behind different cover. As Brigitte forces her way out her armor is riddled with machine gun fire until she hears the whir of her shield restoring itself. She reactivates the barrier and bashes the bots back towards the door. Tracer blinks forward to cut off their retreat and finish the wave of enemies.

D.Va spins Tokki around to face them as she stands over a pile of destroyed bots that quickly dematerialize. “Don’t worry, the carry’s here.” She says smugly before turning back to prepare for the next wave.

The next wave hits hard catching Tracer unprepared out in the open. She quickly recalls and brings herself back behind Brigitte. She fires her pulse pistols at the fresh attackers as she runs back behind the shield. Null Sector hits harder this time forcing Brigitte back even quicker, far outpacing Tracer’s well placed bursts of shots and Ashe’s supportive fire. They retreat back to the crates but are quickly overwhelmed behind cover as well.

“D.Va, we need help!” Tracer shouts over the sounds of fighting.

“On it!” D.Va responds before diving into the mass of swarming Null Sector bots around the two women, sending them scattering. The moment of celebration is cut off by the force pouring out of the main entrance closing on Tracer and Brigitte.

Lucio curses to himself before kicking off the roof a few blocks away from the action. Ashe calls after him as he skates across the rooftops leaving her behind. She turns to Kiriko and sighs at her apologetic face before the girl vanishes from in front of the sniper. Ashe readies her rifle to continue supporting from her position now without bodyguards.

Kirko appears before Tracer and Brigitte throwing a small bundle to the ground turning them all intangible for a second. Long enough for Lucio to arrive and force the bots back with his sonic amplifier. D.Va’s defence matrix provides cover to quickly dispatch the rest. The five briefly celebrate before preparing for the final wave. Tracer and Lucio break off to catch any bots that separate, the sounds of his music through the sonic amplifier making Tracer feel even faster. The final wave falls with ease and they watch as the progress on the point ticks up towards 100 percent when suddenly a large defeat screen flashes and the simulation drops. Confused looks around soon find Ashe apart from the crowd looking angry.

“Great job running off leaving me to get flanked, team.” She spits towards them as she makes her way out of the room.

Lena nervously chuckles as she rubs the back of her neck. “You were supposed to stay with her, Lucio.”

“And what? Just leave you and Brig to get overrun? I made the best choice I could.” He says with a big shrug, leaving the room with the rest of the squad leaving only Lena and Brigitte.

“I could have told you that Lucio wouldn’t be able to resist running off into the action.” Brigitte adds as Lena deflates.

Amelie digs through her top dresser, anxiety palpable on her breath. Her hands finally find what she’s searching for, a hoodie. Lena ordered it for herself a while ago but it was too large for her. It didn’t match Amelie’s usual style but it would suit her current task. She throws the hood over her head and checks the coast before ducking outside of her room. She ignores anybody greeting her through the halls as she briskly walks towards her destination. As she nears the front gate she ducks around a corner when Cassidy comes into vision. She peeks from around the corner as he discusses something with Fareeha. When he seems distracted she pulls the hood further down and tries to sneak past him. She quickly signs herself out and sighs in relief when the gate shuts behind her. The warm air of the Gibraltar streets greet her when she hurriedly skips away from the base.

She brushes past street vendors towards her goal. Arriving at the waterfront she closes her eyes to reconstruct the directions in her mind. Now with a clear path in mind Amelie walks calmly and inconspicuously forward, avoiding eye contact with any civilians. Her walking soon brings her to an alley way. She can’t quite place the feeling in her stomach when she finds it empty, a mix of relief and regret. She enters cautiously and surveys the vacant space, finding nothing of interest. With a sigh she turns to leave before spotting a clean white piece of paper tucked behind the dumpster. She plucks it out and feels her heart drop as she takes in the words.

“I’m sorry you couldn’t make it Amelie. I hope everything is okay. If you manage to find this note I assume you have convinced them to trust you again. Please contact me at the same phone number. I still want to bring you back Amelie. If you’ve forgotten the number I have written it here for you. Please come back Amelie.”

Amelie stares at the numbers on the foot of the note before crumpling it up into the hoodie pocket. She briskly exits the alleyway and returns to the warm waterfront of Gibraltar. She sits on a support beam of the nearby pier as the sun blazes down from overhead. Pushing down the weight on her chest she pulls the hood off her head to feel the light of the sun on her skin, her warm skin. She is startled from her contemplation by a strange man sitting on the beam across from her. He nods to her and retrieves a can of preserved meat from his bag, wordlessly beginning to eat and regarding Amelie with curiosity.

“Can I help you?” She asks politely, unable to return to her solemn deliberation with his intrusion.

“Don’t imagine so.” He responds with a chuckle before continuing to dig into his potted meat. “You come out here to think?”

“In a way.”

He exhales at the cryptic response and sets the can down next to himself. “No better place in the city for it. What about?”

Amelie gazes out to sea watching the boats pass by for a while. She narrows her eyes to focus on a small sailboat. A man and a woman sit on deck happily lazing about in lounge chairs while the craft drifts aimlessly. She pulls the note out of her pocket and carefully reads the words one more time before turning back to the man.

“I feel like I have to make my final choice between choosing what makes me happy and what feels normal.” She explains while still cradling the paper tightly.

“One of life's greatest choices. One you never stop making.” He exclaims with a dramatic gesture to everything around them. “What are you leaning towards?”

Amelie sighs and furrows her brow. “Well, maybe anything can be normal after long enough, but I don’t think I’ll be happy anymore if I go backwards.”

“That’s awfully wise of you young lady. Sounds to me like you’ve done all your thinking already.” He says with a laugh before grabbing another fingerful of pink meat.

“I guess I have.” She feels the weight in her chest grow tighter as she loosens her grip on the note, allowing it to float slowly down into the ocean water. Her and the stranger both watch it slowly take on water and sink below the surface. She doesn’t feel any more certain as she watches Moira’s offer disappear into the depths but she knows her choice is made. Without another word between them the man watches as she vanishes back into the streets of the city.

The gate guard greets her warmly as she tries to appear casual while signing back into the base. When she finds Cassidy has left the entrance area she briskly makes the walk back to her room. Mei offers her a warm greeting as they pass by each other in the hall and Amelie waves back to her. Once safely back in her room she quickly pulls the hoodie off and tosses it into a corner before collapsing into bed.

Angela waves off the overly insistent intern and pretends to resume her work. Once she’s left alone in her office she places Amelie’s cellphone back on her desk from its drawer. She stares at the contact page she’s spent the entire day staring at. Moira. Angela hovers over the delete button but feels another calling towards her. She heavily sighs as the feeling continues to eat away at her.

She sends her office chair rolling into the wall as she suddenly stands up. With a click of the lock she returns to her desk and breathes deeply. She presses the call button. It rings for a few seconds with no answer. As the call drops relief floods into Angela, she quickly deletes the contact and moves to restore the phone’s place in her drawer. A sudden vibration from the phone startles her into almost dropping it. She carefully presses the accept call button and lifts it to her ear.

“Amelie?”

“It’s me.”

She hears a sigh of resignation from the other side of the line. “Ziegler. What have you done with Amelie?”

“She’s safe and happy with me.” Angela says back, hiding her disdain behind gritted teeth.

“And holding her against her will, what happened to do no harm, Doctor Ziegler?” Moira retorts feigning concern in a mocking tone.

“You can’t manipulate me like you do her Moira. I won’t let you hurt her.”

Angela feels her rage burn hotter as Moira laughs haughtily. “Oh can’t I Angela?”

“I know what you’re doing Moira.” Angela responds while holding the phone away from her ear as if to keep Moira herself away.

“Of course you do, that’s what always made us so fun.” Moira says with a grin Angela can hear through the phone.

“Just stay away from Amelie.” Angela says cutting off any more attempts at laying on charm.

“I won’t make promises I can’t keep dear Doctor. I always did enjoy our chats Angela, but I imagine you’re going to hang up in a huff now.”

“I am.”

Angela ends the call before tossing the phone down with a clatter. Her glasses soon join it on the desk with a loud sigh. She shakes her mouse to rouse the monitor on her desk to ensure all of her tasks for the day are completed. As she scrolls her applications she notices an alert from her Overwatch admin panel. She hastily checks it, Amelie signed out of the base at noon. Her heart rate jumps before quickly settling when she sees a sign in thirty minutes later. With a mix of confusion, betrayal, and fear she quickly stands up and exits her office.

With a light knock Lena slides open the door without awaiting a response. Amelie is laying in her bed reading a book like always. She tosses it aside and makes room on the mattress at Lena’s arrival. Lena collapses into a heap atop Amelie, taking all the space set aside for her and much more. Amelie wraps her arms around her new bed mate and pulls her into a more comfortable position.

“How was your first day?” Amelie asks as Lena buries her head deeper.

“Awful, nobody did what they were supposed to do and we failed a medium simulation.” She groans, muffled by Amelie’s chest. “Lucio and Kiriko just abandoned Ashe in the middle of a fight and left her alone.”

“That’s your problem, Lucio and Kiriko are desperate for action, I have them supporting D.Va while Brig protects the back, she’s much more level headed and less prone to getting antsy. You gotta play to more than your team's abilities, their personalities are important too.” Amelie explains.

“Oh… I see. Maybe Chase was right to make you Captain, over me.” Lena responds dejectedly.

“I am good at it, but messing up your first day isn’t a reason to give up.” Amelie says holding Lena’s eye contact by grabbing her chin.

“I don’t know, I guess I was a Captain of New Blackwatch but Genji and I always just let Cassidy be in charge, he’s good at that stuff. He helped rebuild Overwatch from nothing, I just show up and beat the bad guys.” Lena says, breaking out of Amelie’s hold and laying her head back down.

“You have always been very good at that, dear.”

“Yeah, I have. I’m gonna finish this cause I said I would. But after you come back, maybe I’m happy with just being Agent Tracer, and I leave Captain Oxton in the past.” Lena adds with a smile.

“Curfew is soon, last chance to get back to your room before you’re stuck with me.” Amelie says with a mischievous grin.

“I’ve been wanting you right here for weeks, love. I’m not going anywhere.”