Will probably update once a week. Concerns a lot of characters from the Overwatch universe- almost all of them will make an appearance at some point. To make it clear, I do NOT ship Hana and Jack- it's more like a father-daughter relationship. All comments are appreciated.

Unaware of how intimidating he looked as he marched down the hall at six o' clock in the morning, rifle slung over his shoulder, Jack Morrison rustled one-handed through the packet of papers that contained the briefing on Overwatch's newest recruit- an agent that went by DVA. He skimmed through her profile- 'easily excited, young, and impressionable'? Is this a soldier I am being sent to train, or a puppy?- before cramming the paper into his largest pocket.

The door he had been instructed to go to- numbered 416 in silvery metal- was marked also by a large, obnoxiously pink sticker of a cartoonish rabbit. Straightaway, warning bells went off in his head- warning bells that signified that Jack had most likely been assigned some young punk who had very little combat experience.

Why had he ever agreed to this? Training a new Overwatch initiate was time-consuming work that Jack no longer wanted to take part in. In addition to that, Ana had given him very little information on the new recruit, except for the packet of papers containing the recruit's profile… which he had not bothered to read, as she probably had expected. We'll see about this, you old fox, he huffed to himself.

He was about pound on the door when he heard some high-pitched voice squeal, "That was a close one!"

The slightly muffled voice continued from behind the door: "Aaaaand that's what you get for doubting me, you losers! Told you that was going to be a record time, I swore to you, and some of you still didn't believe me! Mark it down, somebody… how many games was that?"

Who was she talking to?

Jack's first impression was that she was on the phone. Something about winning a game, too… For a moment, he stood there, uncertain. If he were interrupting something-

Wait, what was he thinking? This was an Overwatch agent. The utmost discipline was required to be on the job, and this DVA character was playing games on their first day at base? Slightly indignant, he pushed aside all of his concerns and rapped smartly on the door, bellowing, "Agent DVA! I require your presence immediately."

His gruffness must have startled her, because a loud crashing sound emanated from DVA's room, along with a smattering of cursing fit for a sailor. Jack listened to the scampering of feet, and then BAM! The door swung open, hitting Jack square in the face.

He stumbled back, eyes watering and face smarting from the blow. "SHIT!" He wiped away at his eyes hastily, realizing how undignified he must appear. Jack straightened, finding himself staring straight at a young Asian girl.

She was short- she stood almost a head below Jack. She had shoulder-length black-brown hair, which ran in waves from an oversize headset jammed atop her head. Dressed in pastel pink footie pajamas, the girl looked, for all the world, some tyke that had just returned from a slumber party.

The first foolish thought that popped into Jack's head came out of his mouth before he could stop it. "Who are you?"

Apparently annoyed by the lack of recognition, the girl frowned, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed. "I'm your 'Agent DVA'. Didn't you call for me? Interrupting my stream and everything. My fans will be so pissed," she grumbled. That high-pitched voice… so it was DVA.

Jack was in shock. Then shock turned into confusion, which switched quickly over into anger.

"But… Jesus Christ. You're a kid," he said bluntly. The last time someone around her age had joined Overwatch was back when Jesse McCree was still a blundering teen recruited into Blackwatch. And even then, Jesse hadn't been quite this young…

DVA snorted. Jack still couldn't get over her tiny frame. "Well, compared to you, maybe. You're an old man. But I'm old enough to fight, and isn't that all that matters?" She glared at him, slightly pink in the face. A direct challenge to his authority, as far as Jack was concerned.

In response, Jack heaved his gun, Peacekeeper, down into his hands. He wished he had brought his visor with him, so that he wouldn't have to directly receive DVA's accusing stare.

"Whether or not Overwatch sanctioned your recruitment or not, I don't know… but I certainly didn't." What was Ana thinking, recommending someone like this to me? 'I have a feeling you'll like this assignment,' she had said cryptically. His feelings grew more determined as he spoke. He'd seen too many young lives changed forever on the battlefield… or brought to an end altogether.

"You're not old enough to fight. You're going back to Korea, DVA," he said with gruff certainty.

"Certainly not," said Ana immediately.

Jack felt himself flush as Hana beamed at Ana. She grabbed Jack's arm, who flinched as she yelled, "See! What did I say to you?!"

Jack pulled away roughly, though an unfazed Hana continued excitedly: "Does that mean I'm not just a part of the Korean military? I'm an Overwatch agent, too!"

"Ana-" he started, but the stately voice of the veteran sniper cut him off gently.

"I know your feelings on this, Jack," she said. "But if she's old enough to enlist in Korea's MEKA program, then she's old enough to be here. What is that thing you always say…?" Amusement crept into the woman's voice. "'We're all soldiers now'. Besides, you weren't that upset when McCree joined up, back in the day."

Having his own 'catchphrase' used against him stung more than he'd like to admit. "She doesn't belong here," he insisted adamantly- he pretended not to notice as Hana drooped a little, perhaps disappointed in how little faith he had in her.

"Besides, this isn'tthe same situation. Jesse had nowhere to go. And-" Jack was grasping at strings here, and he knew it, but he was so close… so close to getting Ana to give in, he could feel it!- "You didn't want Fareeha to join, did you? You-"

Ana's expression changed slightly, and Jack saw the hurt that was there in her remaining eye. That was a mistake, he realized too late, and backtracked. "All I'm saying is… we have more options now," he fumbled.

Fuck. This hadn't been the first time he'd been too harsh with his words at a crucial moment. He had never liked giving those speeches to the UN, or being at all those press conferences- Jack was a man of action, not a man of words. Unfortunately, to be the commander of Overwatch, he had to have been a man of both.

If I had been better at speaking, would Gabriel have stayed-?

"Work with her before you complain," said Ana stiffly, and colder than ever. She stood from where she had been seated at the balcony, turning to face Jack head on. "Besides, a bit of young blood can do you a world of good… you just don't know it yet. It was nice speaking to you." And with that, she was gone.

Jack scratched at his head with a heavy sigh. Ana had always had a soft spot regarding children... and yet even he hadn't expected her to be so severe in her defense of DVA.

He noticed DVA staring at her, her round eyes boring into him. He noticed that they were so dark they were almost black. "What is it?" he asked, gritting his teeth. "Don't think I've accepted you as a soldier just yet." His voice turned into a growl.

To his surprise, instead of shrinking away, she shot back, "You will. I'll make you." Something fiery seeped into her tone as she reaffirmed, "You have to indoctrinate me, right? And then you'll have to admit, Morrison-nim, that I'm worthy enough to stand here. With you."

As she stepped defiantly away, Jack stared at her retreating figure. And he remembered something that hadn't been on his mind for years.

Jesse's face was hidden under the brim of an old-fashioned ten-gallon hat, one that Commander Morrison had long ago learned not to laugh at. The usually lighthearted teen was wearing a white hospital gown that matched the sterile walls of the hospital visiting room he sat in. Commander Morrison almost wanted to chuckle at how out-of-place the boy looked, who was usually covered in dust and soot. No doubt the kid was raring to get out of the hospital and back on the field…

The smile died on Morrison's lips as he saw the unusual stillness in Jesse's body. He strode over to him and was about to seize the boy by the shoulders when he saw…

Jesus Christ. The kid was missing an arm.

For a moment, Commander Morrison was at a loss for words. "Jesse, what…"

Jesse McCree looked up at Jack from his position on the bed. The old fire was still there in his eyes, sure, but it wasn't the same as it had been… more like a glimmer than anything else.

"Lost me arm," the cowboy drawled, his Southern accent seemingly more intense than ever. "Hurts like hell, as you can imagine." He grimaced as he gestured with his remaining arm. "But enough about me. How's Gabe… er, Commander Reyes?"

Morrison thought he would handle something like this better. After all, he'd seen his fair share of gruesome injuries before. But seeing Jesse lying so still, expression so somber, was a sight that ingrained itself into Morrison's mind. "He… Gabriel didn't tell me that this… any of this…" What could he say to the boy? How could he possibly…

"He's blaming himself," huffed McCree. He shifted slightly in his seat. "Tell him- tell him that it was my fault. I shouldn't have run in like a fool. Was being a beans-for-brains-"

"Sure, I'll tell him, kid," cut in Morrison. There was no need to work up Jesse. He almost patted the boy's shoulder, before remembering the damage that had been done to him. Shakily, he rested his hand on Jesse's head.

This never should have happened. Not to him. He was too young.

"Alright, then, kid. I… I'll go find him."

Jack was brought back to the present with a start. He was leaning against the wall, hands numb, shivering. He realized with a shaky breath that his face was covered with a thin veneer of cold sweat.

A flashback? Was that what it was? Jack put his hand to his head, which throbbed like hell. He wiped his face with his hands, which were still shaking.

"Goddammit," he said out loud, just to make sure his voice was still working. "Goddammit." He sat down, back against the wall, hands on the ground to stabilize himself.

"Jesse McCree is gone," he breathed. The entire boy's future had been destroyed by battle- first by his involvement in the Deadlock gang, then by Blackwatch. Just like that.

That little girl, DVA, join Overwatch?

Not if I have anything to say about it.