I didn't expect to see him here.
I didn't expect to see him again.
The letters were one thing, letters can remain in the imagination. They're just words, they're not reality.
But he's here, and from now on it's real.
When I had first gotten the call for Overwatch to be re-assembled, I was excited, brimming with the joy that a unified force of good would be present in the world once more. And then I remembered: the trials, the fighting, the endless cycle of fruitless micromanaging, and the corruption… and my stomach turned.
I spent many sleepless nights staring at my tent's ceiling mulling over what to do but it was Winston who convinced me to come back. Convinced me that those who were part of the problem would not be welcomed back into the fold so easily, if at all.
"We'll do it right this time," Winston said, "We will do this right."
I had forgotten how beautiful the cliffs of Gibraltar were, the sun warm and shimmering off of the ocean, the water just as blue as the sky.
Someone stands beside me, and I turn to see a ghost. A man I last saw with blonde hair fighting for his life, and for the good of humanity. A man I thought dead stood beside me, hair snow white from the years, and face concealed by a red-eyed ventilation mask.
"Jack?" I say, but he doesn't look at me.
"Angela." His voice comes out gruff, harder and altered from the mask.
"I guess I should have known when they didn't find the body." I say, a smile comes to my face and I can feel my eyes water.
"Mm." He grunts, and places a hand on my back, "It's good to see you too."
We stand like that for a while, watching the waves twinkle in the sunlight, barely speaking before we head inside to reunite with the others. To reunite Overwatch.
We walk through the base towards the lobby outside of the briefing room, and find a gathering of familiar faces laughing and smiling.
Winston laughs the loudest, he always has, but Reinhardt and Torbjörn are right alongside him reeling at the tale the ever animated Tracer tells. A stoic figure, clad in armor draws their attention with a cough, turning towards Jack and I with a smile and pointing at us.
"Oh my god!" Tracer shouts, and in a blink pulls me and Jack into a tight hug. "It's so wonderful to see you!" Tracer pulls away and wipes tears from her cheeks, "This really is like a family reunion."
"It's good to see you too, kid." Jack says,
"Looking worse for the wear Morrison," Reinhardt says, "And you're as beautiful as ever Doctor."
"Thank you Reinhardt, you don't look too bad yourself." I say, "Same goes to you Torb."
"Thank you madam," Torb smiles.
"It's great to see you two." Winston says, "Let me introduce you our newest recruit. You may recognize her-"
"Fareeha," Jack says, and my mind is washed in memories of a young dark haired girl training fiercely alongside her mother. Ana's daughter… who would have thought.
"My call sign is Pharah now." She says, "And I'm honored to be fighting alongside you, Uncle Jack."
"Solider 76. That's my call sign," Jack stiffens and demands, "Pharah." The room goes cold for a moment, the red expressionless glass of Jack's mask seem burrow into Pharah.
"Now, now it's not the time to talk about fighting. We have plenty of time to talk about fighting once the meeting starts." Torb interjects. "Is everyone here yet Winston?"
"We're waiting on one more that I know of." Winston says.
"Well, I reckon ya'll're madder than a wet hen if ya'll're standin' 'round waitn' for me." His voice sends a chill down my spine and my shoulder's tense.
"McCree!" Winston walks over to the cowboy and shakes his hand. "Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for the invitation," McCree tips his hat and Winston turns back to address the rest of us.
"Shall we begin?" He asks, and leads us into the briefing room.
"I've called to reform Overwatch because the world is in turmoil. Local governments are having trouble keeping up with the onslaught of tragedies and criminal activities that plagued the planet since our disbandment. And with the rise of Talon…"
"Talon is back?" I say, my stomach drops.
"And bigger than ever," Jack grunts.
"You've missed quite a lot while in Afghanistan little lady," McCree smiles at me. I scowl and turn towards Winston.
"Gabriel has joined them." Winston says.
"Reaper." Jack corrects. "He's not Gabriel anymore."
"You got that right," McCree adds and my blood boils.
"So we're here to reform and renew, defeat Talon and help the people right?" I say.
"That is the goal," Reinhardt says.
"Then why is he here?" I gesture to McCree. "He has ties to Reaper- and Blackwatch-"
"And that's why you need me." McCree stares me down.
"Need a criminal?" I say.
"Angela," Winston says.
"It's Mercy." I snap. Winston recoils and takes a breath.
"Mercy," He says, "McCree has repented for his past and has dedicated his life to upholding justice. He has proven himself."
"Talon's done some really shady shit, and I want to watch them burn." McCree smirks, "If you knew what I know, you'd want the same thing too."
"Fine." I say and I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I don't trust him. I don't think I will ever trust him. But as long as I can keep an eye on him, I can work with him. Winston is right. He could be an asset.
"Alright then, let's move on," Winston says, "I've reset the crime scanners to-"
There is a loud bang outside of the room, our heads snap to face the door. The sound of metallic steps grow louder as they inch closer, my blaster is drawn. Everyone else has their weapon aimed at door.
My heart races as the briefing room door slides open.
"Oh. My apologies for not calling ahead."
My heart stops.
"Genji?" Tracer says, "Is it really you?"