Faoladh

Author's Note: Well, I decided to write a Moicy fic since I've been leaning toward Overwatch a good bit lately. It'll probably be a very odd AU to a lot of you guys, but I really couldn't sit still until I wrote this. LOL.

Granted, I'm not wholly familiar with Overwatch, so a lot of what I write is limited to what research into the lore I have. It'll still be an AU and I kinda wrote this as a test. I have another Moicy fic idea planned but I'm gonna do this one first.

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world."

- Oscar Wilde

"I am neither man nor beast, sir. You'll find women are far more difficult to frighten."

― Emma Hamm, Heart of the Fae

By: VampireQueenAkasha

~O~

The Howling

An eye, wide, bright blue and distinctly inhuman, stared raptly between wooden slats, part of a large crate; it darted from side-to-side, alert to the surrounding group of men clothed in protective body armor. It was quiet for a moment, all but the dull sounds of chatter around the crate from the surrounding people as they were busy at work that evening.

The crate was pushed forward toward a stone-fenced structure, towering over an enclosed section of the facility. There was a guard tower at one end of the fence and a guard stationed with a shock rifle. He immediately set the weapon to the highest charge, tensing where he stood.

"What is that?" he whispered, to another guard approaching him.

"Hell if I fucking know," the other guard answered, shaking his head, "Actually, I don't want to fucking know. Just get it inside the lab, alright? She had to have it moved from the other facility and I don't want to hear her bitching at me about it if something goes wrong."

"Oh yeah. That smug little voice of hers. How's it go again?"

The guard put on the most convincing feminine drawl he could muster complete with an imitation of an Irish accent. "'Your incompetence bores me'."

The two shared a laugh.

"Alright now, pushers move in. Loading team move it!" someone shouted below.

The movement eventually agitated whatever was inside the crate, and soft snarls echoed from inside. The guards kept their distance from it, all the while still ready with their shock rifles should it be necessary to use them. The change in behavior was sudden and everyone was on guard.

"I still don't get why they hired her..."

"Me neither. But she's doing Gods work, or some shit like that. Ain't my business."

A green light on the side of the doors connecting the crate to the fence lit up, showing the necessary contact had been made. They heard the sound of a thinly veiled accented voice below, chattering to someone regarding the safety of her dearest pet project.

Of course. Dr. O'Deorain.

There was sudden loud, angry snarl from the inside the crate and she gave the crate a light pat with one hand. "Stop it," she chided, annoyed by the noise, "That isn't helping anyone."

She spoke to whatever was inside as if it were a petulant child instead of a potentially dangerous test subject, took down several notes before disappearing back into the facility with her test subject.

Well, her work continued on.

O

The hyper-train screamed down the tracks at top speeds.

Jesse had found his way inside, grinning at two Talon troopers with their rifles pointed at his head. He raised two hands in false surrender for a moment; then, he pointed at one of them.

"Hey, you look familiar." he said, "Ain't I killed you before?"

The two troopers glanced at each other only for a moment, perplexed by the overconfident man standing there, clearly outnumbered. Jesse just grinned, pulled out his weapon in lightning speed and took two shots at their heads, dropping them to the floor.

"Jesse..." came the mildly annoyed voice of Angela Ziegler from his comm unit, "What are you doing out there? You were supposed to be here for Lena's birthday! It's today, remember?"

Jesse grunted as another Talon trooper rushed at him with an infuriated shout. He grabbed the man's arm, twisted and forced it behind his back with a loud cracking sound; it drew a shout of pain from the Talon trooper, "I'm on my way at the store now!"

Angela couldn't help but laugh a little, despite the annoyance still lingering in her voice. "You know I can hear gunfire, yes?"

Jesse grinned, beckoning to another trooper stepping through the door. "I'm AT the checkout line as we speak."

"Auch der lieber...You are the worst possible liar," Angela said, unable to stop laughing when she heard the sounds of struggle. "Well, please return in one piece before we start the cake. Emily will be here from London at five. I don't have much time to have the infirmary prepped should you break a few bones."

Jesse looked up, moments as several other Talon operatives started to pour into the cabin after him. Oh, well it would definitely be a fun afternoon; more fun for him, anyway. "Five. No problem." he said, with a cocky smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Angela had set up a few decorations inside the conference room for the birthday party in question. She was aided by Winston, who was more than happy to help reach the higher corners to attach the streamers.

"...I sent out invitations to everyone." Angela finished saying to him. "When Lena arrives, I would have hoped none of them would be late. A birthday is important."

Winston gave a low laugh. "Ah well. Better late than never. It'll be good to have everyone here again together. Maybe O'Deorian will crawl out from her basement to socialize with us surface dwellers."

Angela's thoughts went to the other woman once Winston had brought up her name. Her smile disappeared slightly in deep thought. It wasn't as if she hadn't wondered about her. After all, Moira was a peculiarity among them and rarely making any appearance from her basement laboratory. She preferred to keep herself isolated and buried in her work constantly. In passing, she would acknowledge them rarely with a report, but disappeared once again when she was done. It had often gone by unnoticed by the others, who just accepted that was how she was. Many of them found her presence to come with a bit of unpleasantness.

Genji had arrived a few hours later, carrying a box beneath his arm. He brightened when he saw Angela and approached her, giving a little bow. Angela smiled up at him and studied his armored form.

"Ah! You seem well, Genji." she said.

"I am a better man, certainly. I have some chocolates for you." he told her. He added rather sheepishly. "...Not Swiss."

Angela took the box and shook her head with a small sigh, but her voice was lit with amusement. "I suppose it will have to do. Thank you, Genji."

The two could hear familiar chatter coming from down the corridors now. It sounded like Torbjörn and Angela stuck her head out of the conference room and sure enough, the man was walking toward her, arms full of wrapped presents. He smiled broadly and squeezed his way passed her.

"Ah! A birthday! What a treat! To think I almost missed it!" he said.

"Well, we're glad to have you here. How is Ingrid?"

"Still good! The rest of the family asks about you. You should stop by and visit!"

Angela smiled. "Very well. I do miss them."

When everyone had finally arrived and waited for Lena in the conference room, it didn't take long before they could hear Lena and Emily's conversation from the corridors. Lena's voice had grown louder as she arrived at the doors. She was talking with Lúcio.

"Hey, you and Emily wanna hit the slopes some time?" he asked.

Lena laughed. "Absolutely! If you think you can keep up with us!"

The moment she opened the door, she was welcomed with a collective of "SURPRISE" from everyone there, startling her. She laughed, delighted and was embraced by Emily, who kissed her cheek.

"Happy birthday, love." she said, in her ear.

Lena grinned at her. "You knew?"

Emily chuckled. "Of course I knew."

Lena looked toward the table and brightened at the sight of a rather impressive cake sitting there; decorated with red and green icing. "Ooh! Is that cake? Did you buy it or did Ingrid make it?"

"Ingrid made it! She worked all morning!"

While the party was underway, Angela couldn't help but notice Moira walking the corridors, carrying a handful of folders in her arms. She furrowed her brow, remembering that she had invited her to come to the party, but no response had been given. The others had told her "Good luck with that, Angela. Moira O'Deorain wouldn't waste her precious time". Still, it didn't hurt to try anyway. She had wanted to finally have a chance to talk with her after spending so much time together in the same facility.

Moira hadn't looked back at the conference room and what was going on. She was preoccupied with her papers, her brow knotted with focus. She seemed displeased about something, but it didn't last as she turned to go, but stopped and her eyes met Angela's.

She tilted her head, flicking her gaze away to focus on the festivities inside the conference room. It seemed to perplex her for the moment; maybe she had forgotten that it had even been happening. Angela looked at her, eyes holding a question and she gestured in front of her.

Come. Join us?

Moira almost - ALMOST - seemed to consider it given the way she looked at Angela with a peculiar wonder. Then, she thinned her lips and flinched at the chaotic sound of yelling from Lena and Lúcio - taunting one another about their sheer speed - before shaking her head and walking back the way she had come. Angela leaned back in her chair, watching her depart before she sighed, disappointed.

Well, that was a shame.

Genji and Winston were sharing a conversation together over cake. "I always liked working with you, Winston. No awkward small talk."

Winston smiled forcefully. "Always liked working with you, too." he told him. "You have a..." He lingered on the words he wanted to say before adding lamely. "...great sense of humor!"

Angela snickered and shook her head. Well, either way, at least the party was a success and most of them had come to spend the time together. God only knew how long it had been. She had missed everyone dearly and wanted to catch up.

"Hey! Did you guys hear howling last night?"

"Yeah. Probably a dog, or something."

"Sounded close."

The chatter between her friends went by ignored as Jesse walked his way into the conference room, burned on several parts of his body. He looked absolutely proud of himself and he hummed a song, carrying a package under his arm.

Angela rose, studying his condition with a rueful smile. "Jesse. It's passed five. And... Oh! You're burned up!"

"Yep. But I got a present!" Jesse said, holding up the box with a broad smile on his face.

"Honestly. My work is never done..." Angela muttered.

"I'm all good, doc. No need to worry."

He promptly set it down in Lena's lap and she eagerly tore it open.

Angela couldn't stop thinking about why Moira wouldn't join them, but perhaps she could have been a little put off by the noise and chatter from everyone else. She knew that the older woman wasn't the most social of them and she had her focus on her work; but still. Sometimes duties could be put on hold for friends. After all, that's what they were, yes?

Behind her, Lena was delighted with the gift that Jesse had brought back for her; two brand new plasma pistols. She twirled them in her fingers a few times.

"Thanks, Jesse! They're brilliant!" she said.

One of the pistols discharged, sending a blast of plasma through the glass of the window in a deafening shatter. Everyone scattered from the shot and Angela had ducked beneath the table, narrowly missing it.

"Oops." Lena murmured, with a little laugh.

Angela shook her head, then turned her focus to Jesse. "You. Infirmary. Now."

O

There was that howl that evening.

Angela was walking passed the mess hall when she heard it. What a strange, somber noise coming from an animal. For some reason, it gave her a bit of pause. Then, she tilted her head up with a thoughtful murmur and then glanced over toward the archives door she saw Moira asleep at one of the tables, a bottle of whiskey nearby and an empty glass in her hand.

She frowned, walked into the archives and approached her, immediately welcomed by the powerful scent of the whiskey. The soft snore from the woman sleeping made her chuckle and she reached up with one hand, gently rubbing Moira's back.

"Dr. O'Deorain?" she said.

Moira grumbled softly and Angela shook her again.

"Dr. O'Deorain." she repeated, a little firmly now.

Moira snapped awake abruptly, jolting up with a startled gasp. Her movement startled Angela as well and she leaned back a little to give Moira a moment to become aware of her surroundings. She blinked several times, looked around the archives and took a moment to focus on everything around her. Angela gave her some space and waited before Moira rubbed her face with one hand.

"Hmm, what time is it?" Moira asked, glancing up at her briefly.

"It's midnight," Angela told her. "Are you all right? How much have you had to drink?"

Moira furrowed her brow at the question. She snorted with amusement and glanced at the bottle. "Well, I needed a little quiet after today." she replied, with a dry chuckle. "So...enough for that, at least."

"The caves weren't silent enough for you?"

Angela couldn't help but joke, but Moira didn't appear to appreciate the jibe, or at the very least, didn't understand it. Her brow knotted and she glanced at her. Angela noticed her frown and explained.

"It's a shameless joke among the others," Angela explained.

"I see." Moira rolled her eyes. If she was insulted, she didn't show it much. "Well, I suppose I'll return to the cave, then."

She started to rise from her chair, but swayed a little on her feet and nearly lost her balance, if not for Angela attempting to steady her with two hands against her back. The last thing she needed was for the older woman to fall and split her head on the table corner.

"Are you sure you should walk?" Angela asked. "I can help you."

"Yes, I'm more than capable." Moira replied, with a small edge now.

Angela heeded her words and backed away from her, still staying within a suitable distance in case Moira did fall and hurt herself. The older woman was making her way to the door when Angela warned her.

"Dr. O'Deorain, I think you should - "

"I'm fine."

But Moira had looked back at her and the moment she faced forward, she had a face-first collision with the door.

O

Moira was sitting in the infirmary, annoyed with the fact that her head was leaned back by the doctor and her nose covered with a cloth. Perhaps it was also embarrassing to have run into the door and make such a spill in front of her colleague. Angela watched her, shaking her head slowly and Moira rolled her eyes. Angela wouldn't have such a look from her.

"Oh, don't look at me that way," Angela chided, "I tried to warn you about the doorway."

Moira started to sit up, but Angela scolded her again with a finger pointed at her. "Ah! No, keep your head back. Like that." She guided Moira's hand with the cloth right back against her nose.

When she was sure that Moira was going to comply this time, she moved to the nearby sink to wash her hands, murmuring in snippets of German before she returned to Moira. She gently peeled the cloth from her hand and leaned in close to study Moira with a thoughtful sound. Moira blinked at her a few times, her free hand kneading absently at the arm rest of the chair.

The room felt warm. How strange. It was usually so cold.

Distracted. Of course. Angela assumed she would be. It was obviously quite embarrassing to her at how she had collided into the door that way. The mismatched gaze staring at her seemed to be searching for something, but Angela missed it as she gently gave Moira's nose a little squeeze against the bridge with two fingers.

It made the older woman hiss sharply with a curse.

"Hmm, well, it isn't broken." Angela replied, pleased. "And you seem sober enough to return to your quarters to rest."

"I still have work to finish."

"No. It's midnight and I'll not have you harm yourself worse than this."

There was that howling again. Angela paused, glanced up and grunted thoughtfully. Moira noticed it took as she looked focused more on the noise instead of the conversation. She looked to her left, frowned a little and Angela watched her, curious by the sudden change.

"I appreciate your time, Dr. Ziegler. Excuse me." she said.

Angela started to protest, but Moira was already standing and leaving the infirmary. She raised her hands with a grunt of disbelief before sighing and turning her focus to the chair Moira used to occupy.

Well, so much for that.

"Well, don't listen to me, then." Angela muttered, to herself, "After all..." She took a long inhale. "I am only the doctor."

It had been the first time she'd really had such a long conversation with Dr. O'Deorain, though not in the best circumstances. She had wished that she could have spoken to her more often.

Before she could leave the infirmary herself, she heard the howl pierce the air again.

The following morning, the mess hall was bustling with chatter from Overwatch operatives.

Angela was making her way to the microwave in the corner of the mess hall and she huffed impatiently, opening the door and noticing the microwave was littered with remnants of what looked like cheese.

"Ah, who didn't clean this?" she snapped. She sighed, reaching for paper towels sitting on the nearby counter. She muttered in irritated streams of German as she tore a bit of paper towels from the roll and began to clean the inside. "Wasteful. Absolutely barbaric..."

She glanced up briefly, noticing Moira and Ana Amari walking into the mess hall, talking with one another.

"...I heard that at the airport and he isn't not even here?" Ana said, disappointed.

Moira sighed, shaking her head. "He sends his apologies."

"I would have appreciated a phone call, at least."

"He had to leave early to be with his daughter. She's sick, as I understand. They don't know how long she has left." Moira stopped at a vending machine and reached into her pocket for a few coins.

"Hm. I'm sorry to hear that." Ana replied, evenly now. She looked remorseful. "All the technology at our disposal and we still haven't found the means to cure cancer."

"Yes." Moira sounded thoughtful. "One day, perhaps. Science is always changing."

She looked up, spotting Angela having been watching them for a long time during the entire discussion. She gave a thin, half smile in response before leaving the mess hall with Ana.

Moira returned to her laboratory; a collective mess of various books, tools and cages filled with mice all over tables and shelves. Several rabbits were also housed along the walls in glass cases. The only sound in the lab were the little chewing noises from the animals.

She immediately buried her attention into a microscope, studying the cells moving in the little glass slide; black splotches of infection engulfing the bright red blood cells.

Moira murmured thoughtfully, impressed by the sight. "Hm. Curious..."

What wonders her little project would yield.