In Which Ana Amari Hates Clowns…

It was hand-to-hand combat training for Lieutenant Ana Amari. Her training today mostly consisted of her sparring with Jack Morrison, while Reinhardt acted as referee, and while Gabriel Reyes kept score (she won all rounds with multiple submissions, according to him). The rest of their Overwatch comrades laughed and teased Jack relentlessly when it was all over. While everyone was making fun of Morrison, Ana quietly dipped out the door, and headed to the women's locker room of Overwatch's training facility in Gibraltar.

What else did I have to do today? She wondered as she got out of her sweaty gym clothes and walked to the showers. She was relieved that there was no one there, which meant she could spend more time relaxing and being able to think. Standing under the cool spray, Ana went over her schedule for today in her head.

Breakfast, finish paperwork, spar with Morrison, Med-bay? She was scheduled for a check-up, but it seemed to be the last thing on her to-do list for today. Ana smirked as she washed the rest of her body with the bar of soap that would automatically be replaced after she was done with it. Cancel appointment with Med-bay. Yes! Her day was clear and she was free to do whatever she wanted!

Another thought soon came to mind: Play with Fareeha. Ana sighed. She forgot how much work went into taking care of children, especially her daughter! Fareeha was adventurous, friendly, and very curious. She was practically making a name for herself at Overwatch and she was only seven! She would follow Morrison around, ride on Reinhardt's back, and run and hide from Gabriel whenever he was around (I really have to figure out why she's so afraid of him).

Ana was happy to have her daughter with her at Overwatch Gibraltar mainly because she missed her and really wanted to prove she was a good mother. There were also benefits for Fareeha being here. Ana got a bigger barrack with a kitchen and living room, and extra money added onto her paycheck for food and other necessities for families with little girls.

I wonder what she's up to, Ana thought, turning off the water and stepping out of the shower. She grabbed a hot towel from the heating bin and dried herself. She wrapped it around her body and walked to her locker. The beach is pretty nice today, maybe Fareeha—

"—RAWR!"

Just as Ana opened her locker a small clown jumped out. Her heart was pounding as she looked at the clown that had blood dripping down it's mouth. It's hands were up as if it was going to lunge at her. She hated clowns and firmly believed in the idea of kill them with fire.

However... This clown was short and thin, and it fit in her locker. Regaining her composure, she reached for the clown's head and realized it was rubber.

Oh. It's a mask. She mentally slapped herself for being afraid and pulled off the mask to reveal her daughter.

"Momma, did I scare you?" Fareeha asked.

Ana smiled and bent down to kiss her forehead. "I'm not scared of clowns." Fuck those fuckin' clowns!

"Aww..." Fareeha crossed her arms and pouted as her mother pulled her out to get to her clothes. "What are you scared of?"

"I'm not telling you!" Ana said as she got dressed. Fuck clowns, fuck Pennywise. Nuke them from fuckin' orbit, for the love of all things holy!

"Is Jack or Gabriel scared of clowns?"

Ana smiled. "I really don't know." Seriously, who's idea was to go to a circus for happy hour last month?!

"Are you busy today?" Fareeha knew the answer to that already. Her mother was always too busy to play. She was lonely and she often wanted to cry whenever her mother wasn't home to play or watch movies.

"No, I'm not," Ana replied while brushing her wet hair. "In fact, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach. It's a really nice day today."

Fareeha's eyes widen. "Really?!"

Ana smiled and threw her comb back into her locker. "Yeah."

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Let's go!"

Ana laughed and picked her up. "Let's get your bathing suit, then." She felt Fareeha wrap her arms around her neck and kiss her cheek.

A part of Ana wished her daughter could stay this young forever, mainly because she didn't ever want to let her go. Ana knew that day would come, though, and even when Fareeha grows up to be big and strong, she would always be her little girl.