A/N: continuing the memory from the last chapter, but from Angela's perspective. Honestly this is a rewrite. This chapter has been haunting me for a long time now. It was written when I wasn't confident enough to feel like I could convey their emotions properly and I feel this chapter was one of my weakest. Anyways. Here it is.
A smile was etched on my face, what will I wear? Is this a date ? Or was he just being nice to me... sure he's always nice to me but...
"oh what is your hurry? we saw Jack bouncing through here a minute ago too, he looked worse for wear" said Ana with a knowing look, interrupting my thoughts.
It was nice to see Fareeha around, I knew Ana looked forward to the moments she got to spend with her. But it went exactly easy seeing her here, being raised with militant parents and being on base as a child a lot.
" oh it's nothing I'm just, well. I have to be somewhere soon and uh. I need to run. We will catch up later, yes?" I said with a smile. Trying desperately to get away.
" of course! Have fun! " replied Ana with a coy wink.
Fareeha waved goodbye as I raced towards my room, and flung open the door once the keycard allowed it.
Everything was scattered around, couldn't work on just one project at a time. First thing must be a shower, once that was done I dried my hair and pulled it back into a simple braided updo. Sliding on some nighttime makeup, pausing as the peach colored lipstick went on, where are we going ? Should I add more or. Oh mein gotte what if. Glancing at the clock, I'm late. What should I wear?! Digging through the closet and eyeing each option. Finally settling on a black dress and some little heeled boots. I had been waiting so long for this moment, I've never really felt an attraction towards anyone like this before, ever. I try not to daydream but his compliments towards my work. His ability to listen to me after a long mission. His willingness to help me with whatever I need. Ugh! Pull yourself together Angela!
Double checking my makeup and eyeing the bottle in the corner. Scheisse! No. You are going for drinks, you don't need liquid courage and you don't want to appear weak, my hand began to shake. Shush Angela, this is probably just a completely normal thing, no need to stress. As I exited my room I heard clunky limping steps come up behind her.
"sorry, took a bit longer than it should have, had to get Gabe off my back" he said with a laugh.
"of course" I replied, I cannot look at him without blushing right now. Scheisse scheisse.
"However, I managed to get away, you ready?" he asked opening the doors. The cold air whipped against against us. I leaned towards him to use as a barrier against the wind. He hesitated at the doors when our short but quiet walk ended at the local bar. A typical overwatch hangout spot to burn steam. We frequented this place after long missions. I would usually try to conceal how much I consumed and thankfully no one noticed. Being here is a sure sign that it's just a thank you kind of thing. Just alone this time, I looked down at my feet for a moment trying to hide my disappointment.
"maybe we should go somewhere else?, i hear the one a block down is more quiet" he said softly.
" ja-yes. Yes, that would... work" my enthusiastic response seemed a bit much. He stifled a laugh and we walked on. My footing hit a crack in the sidewalk turning my ankle and causing my balance to be thrown off, nothing embarrassing because his arm flew out to steady me. His hand lingering on my spine for a moment.
" thank you " I said softly.
" my pleasure " he said as his arm linked into mine.
" just in case" he added, I glanced up at him for a moment, in the moonlight you could see a slight tint to his cheeks and a twitching smile. Is he just as nervous as I am? Feeling his muscles tense against my arm.
" you'd think for a Swiss woman who is so stubborn about wearing heels in the field could manage a sidewalk" he teased.
" these are different" I argued.
" I've seen you climb rocks like a little mountain goat, but sidewalks. The enemy of Angela"
"I didn't even fall! I steadied myself!" I argued back. He had a mischievous glimmer in his eyes and that smile, oh goodness that smile.
We stood outside a darkly lit bar, the candles glimmered from the windows. My heart began racing, this doesn't seem like a place you just take a coworker too. His arm slid out of mine as he opened the door, I stepped in and waited for him, then someone led us to a table near the back, a more secluded area as we slid into the plush seating. He moved closer to me and his shoulder gently brushed mine.
" can I get you anything?" Asked the server.
" vesper" I carefully asked, I know it's strong and I don't want to be judged.
" old fashioned" said Jack. The server nodded and left and returned within a moment, the joys of omnic servers.
" shall we toast with that very James Bond drink of yours ?" Asked Jack with a smirk.
" it is very James Bond, but I blame the base in Germany for it" I said.
" ah yes, well. Here's to you Angela" he said clinking his glass against mine and taking a swig of his drink. I happily took one of mine, letting it warm my throat and hopefully my thoughts. Our silence making me want to just down the drink in one gulp, but I bit my lip instead trying to think of something anything to say.
" how was your day?" Asked Jack his voice showing a slight waver to it.
" it was interesting" I said pausing to take another sip.
" how so?"
" well this blonde fellow came bleeding into my office..." I teased, scheisse too much!
" oh really? He was probably just trying to show off his battle scars"
I laughed and the grin of his face got larger which he quickly disguised with his drink.
" probably..."
" so this dashingly rugged and handsome man, that was the interesting point of your day"
Taking another swig to empty my drink i arched a brow.
" when did I say he was dashingly rugged? "
He let out a wonderful laugh and shook his head and placed a hand on his chest.
" you might as well have left him to bleed with words like that"
" oh pssht, maybe he was dashing"
" just dashing ?"
I started laughing again, this was a step up from our usual causal flirting. Was this flirting?
" would you like another? " asked the server.
" please" I responded rather quickly.
" and for you sir?"
" yes" replied Jack.
Soon enough we had another round sitting in front of us.
" how are you doing ?" I asked after taking a sip.
" well, I'm out having a drink with a charming woman..." started Jack then he took a swig, charming...
" I meant how are your injuries doing?"
His eyes squinted as he smiled and looked down twirling his drink for a moment.
" oh uh. They are doing fine" he responded, his tone slightly disappointed.
" I... i am sorry I "
" for what? Being you?"
I pushed a strand of hair out of my face but it just proceeded to fall back down. Jack's hand grazed my face as he tucked it behind my ear. I could feel my blood pounding through my veins.
" I was just... well you know how I am" I slurred for a moment.
" of course I do, Always on the job"
I took another drink and nodded.
He cleared his throat after taking another gulp.
" I'm the same way though, so I can relate"
" oh I know"
" of course you know..." he said while letting out a sigh.
" is that a bad thing? That our work is so important "
" well, I don't think so, but I thought we were..." and he paused, running his hand through his hair.
I had been wanting to know what this was about, what is going on with us for what feels like an eternity. Maybe it's just how alike we are or...
" are you lost in your thoughts again?" He said softly.
I twitched, please concentrate.
" I'm fine, you were saying?" I said arching my brow at him and smiling.
He looked down and finished his drink, motioning to the server for more.
I downed mine and glanced over at him, he looked anxious, before a mission anxious. The drinks sliding onto the table brought a moment of distraction. Jack's eyes looked nervously around for a brief second.
"Is something wrong? Did I say something or?" I asked as I reached for my drink his hand brushed mine. I could feel the heat on my cheeks as I pulled my drink back to me. Should I have responded? Probably... scheisse.
I downed half of it right then and there. We could small talk all night but nothing would get resolved. Maybe he actually does have feelings for me.
" oh! My latest project has funding, just got approved today" I said trying to break the silence. Ugh work again.
" that's excellent news! " replied Jack as a look of relief washed over his face.
" but was there really a doubt ?" He added after taking a swig.
" there always is a doubt, but nothing like before overwatch, now it's only the cause of minor distress while waiting which I have you to thank for that, and all the lives to be potentially saved " I said
" angel..ah. Angela. You never have to thank me" he said carefully.
" but I do, you know how things were for me funding wise"
"I do, but someone would have scooped you up, I'm just lucky I.. we did first" he then downed his drink.
" I am too" I responded, his eyes locked with mine. I'm not used to this side of him, he's normally so confident. I mean I've seen this side of him around me occasionally, but he seems vulnerable.
I polished off my drink and could feel the alcohol finally doing its work.
" we keep speaking about work, and at work we speak of other things" I said.
" maybe it's just this place, do you want to go somewhere else?" He asked.
" it's up to you! You lead " I replied trying to sound sure of myself.
Jack paid for us, I tried to argue but he just shook his head and we walked to the door and left. The cold air from earlier had warmed up a bit. But the warmth from our bodies being an inch apart at the shoulders was helping.
" I'm going to take you somewhere. Somewhere that I like to think no one else knows about" he said.
" but do you think you can hike a little?"
I stopped and put my hands on my hips. He stopped and turned to look at me.
" you trained me! What do you think?"
He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.
" I think you will need some help" he replied with a smirk.
" ja? Will I!"
He turned and kept walking and I had to rush a bit to keep up with his longer strides.
" just testing you, you will be fine, but I can help if need be"
Such a typical Jack statement, he would say that a lot to me, always offering to help, not that he didn't think I could do something, I just rarely ask for assistance.
The treeline looming in the distance, as Jack kept walking towards it.
" are you taking me into the woods?" I asked.
" yep" he responded.
" but.."
" I promise it's worth it" he said.
" worth being eaten by a bear ?"
" I wouldn't let a bear eat you!" His voice was cracking with laughter.
" Swiss doctor gets eaten by bear , wouldn't be a good headline about overwatch" he added.
We stood at the edge of the forest and I paused. Are there bears here? Jack stopped and turned glancing at me
" Angela, I promise, no bears will eat you... besides it would look terrible on my record " he joked. I hesitated before stepping forward.
" here" he said as he held out his arm, I linked mine through his and we walked, the leaves crunching beneath our feet as we walked in the soft glow of the moonlight. This felt right, comfortable.
" oh wait stop..." he said quietly. My hair stood on end.
" don't move" he whispered into my ear, tickling my neck with his breath. What, what is happening, my eyes darting around.
" look up " he said softly.
" the stars ?!"
" yes?"
" I was panicking and it's the Stars?"
" well you should be panicking because right up there, is the great bear"
" what?!"
He laughed for a moment and stood behind me and pointed up at the sky.
" see... it's the Ursa Major which means..."
" the great bear" I sighed and shook my head.
" can you see it?"
" no, can you show me" I asked my heart was racing and he put his arms around me moving me into the proper position, just like he would in the range for practice. But this , this was different, he was gentle and his hands lingered on my hips and then on my shoulders before he tilted my head and pointed at some stars.
" I'm sorry, I just cannot seem to see it properly" I said.
A soft glow from his phone as he pulled it up to show me the specifics. I looked back up and gasped.
" I can see it!"
" does that help you forget I made bear jokes just to show you the stars?"
" well now that you reminded me... I feel you owe me"
" owe you what?"
" show me more"
His hands dropped from me as he sat down on a large boulder and motioned for me to join.
I sat next to him, our legs touching and his arm was behind me, just barely touching my back but it just being there was enough to fuel me.
" how do you know all of these?" My voice sounded thankfully calm.
" you really can see the stars on a farm, no city lights to destroy the view, just laying on the roof of the house all summer and sleeping under the stars" his eyes looked sad as he spoke.
" do you miss it?" I felt guilty the moment I said it. Of course he did, I never had something like that.
" I do.."
" I'm sorry that was out of line, I shouldn't have..."
" it's fine really. Besides if I was there I wouldn't get to be here with you angel"
Angel. I'm thankful for the cover of moonlight hiding my probably burning red cheeks.
" I apologize that was "
I turned towards him, his jaw was clenched and his eyes looked so sad. I offered a smile, an anxious smile.
" you don't need to apologize for that" I whispered. His eyes flickered from my eyes to my lips and he glanced away and began looking back at the stars. I leaned closer into him and pointed at another one near the great bear.
" that one is draco" he said softly.
I moved even closer, please don't mess this up, and I gently kissed his cheek. Instant regret washed over me until his hand stroked my cheek for a moment as he looked into my eyes I felt tense. All these months of pent up emotions. I think he feels the same... and his lips met mine, his hands on my neck while his thumbs stroked my cheek. My eyelashes brushed his face. I could hear our hearts pounding and a smile forming on his lips as he pulled away.
His nervous laughter filling the silence. I've never know him to be the nervous type like this. It was just a kiss, it could mean nothing to him. But at least we did it, finally all of those feelings on the surface, shouldn't that be enough? It appears it will have to be.
That's not enough! Rang through my head as I looked at him, just do it ange. I kissed him, this time it wasn't shy it was passionate, it was weeks of buildup coming out, his hands ran down my back pulling me closer. For the first time in a very very long time I felt alive. A kiss that felt like it was burning, a fire that just kept growing, he pulled me onto his lap and the passion and intensity grew. My hands locked behind his neck as I pulled him closer. My lungs felt like they were going to burst and we pulled away for a moment. Our foreheads pressed together while we panted for a moment before bursting into laughter together.
" thank you " he said after a moment.
" what? I've been wanting to-" I started and paused out of embarrassment. This is ridiculous you have feelings for him.
I felt his rough hand touch mine as he held it.
" is the doctor flustered?" He teased.
" shush, it's natural when adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin combine"
A smirk showed up on his face, " that is very scientific of you"
" scheisse I didn't mean, I meant that well yes there's a attraction ... reaction and it makes"
" Angela "
" and it's very natural whenever they combine and release endorphins which are also-"
" Angela"
" yes?"
" you don't have to scientifically explain why we kissed, but if you need too then that is fine, and rather adorable " his hand cupped my chin as he smiled at me, and I couldn't resist.
The inevitable crashing of our lips again, with one hand on my jaw and the other on my hip, I want to wrap myself around him, instead I just rested my hands on his chest and kissed deeper. A startled moan of pleasure escaped his lips as his hand pulled my hips closer. He pulled away for a moment, before kissing my neck, tingling in each area he kissed. The rush of my heartbeat pounding against his lips as I stifled a gasp of pleasure. I shouldn't hold back though. A kiss behind my ear did it, a moan shook my body and I could feel a pleased smirk against my neck, before he surprised me with another kiss, before switching back to my neck.
" I wondered if you felt the same way" I said taking a sharp inhale in when he kissed behind my ear again. Jack pulled away and looked at me.
" I thought it was obvious " he said with a face full of disbelief.
" well, not exactly "
" well I didn't know if you felt the same, or how you would react at all, you are nice to everyone all the time, getting a read on you is impossible" he retorted.
" oh..." I responded.
" that's what I admire about you, your ability to remain calm and kind no matter the situation is beyond admirable" he said a he stroked my hand.
I laughed and then stared at him for a moment.
" oh! You meant that "
" what? Do you not realize how much strength you have?"
" Pshht. You saw my meltdown at the range"
" that was hardly a meltdown, meltdown, that was you showing how involved you are to your own personal path" he flashed me a million dollar smile and I kissed him again, his very words inciting passion deep within. His understanding, he's always been so understanding with me. Realizing all the little signs that had been there. My blood pounding through me, I could feel the heat rising off our bodies in the cold night. This felt right, for once, since losing my parents I feel alive again. My body started shaking from adrenaline.
" hey are you okay?" He whispered, I nodded and kissed him.
" are you sure you are okay?"
" I'm fine, I'm just... I'm happy " I could feel tears prick the corners of my eyes as a smile was etched on my face.
He kissed my forehead so softly and so full of compassion.
" I'm happy too" he murmured. A buzzing noise broke the moment. My phone, ugh.
Pulling it out and looking at the alert.
" ech. Of course "
" what?"
" it appears Torbjorn has finally gotten around to repairing the caduceus, but he needs me to double check the functioning of the nanites" I sighed.
He looked at his own phone.
" a bit late for him to be working on that..."
" yes but he has been busy lately and this will get me back out in the field again " I said.
Jack sighed and brushed a stray hair away from my face.
" we should probably be heading back anyway" he grumbled as he stood up. As I stood I felt myself leaning towards him, wrapping my arms around him and resting my head against his chest.
" another minute" I replied.
I felt an arm rest on my shoulder and one on my waist.
We stood in silence for a moment.
" this changes a lot of things you know" he simply stated. I nodded in response, I don't know how he wants to handle this. He basically recruited me, but I'm the head of the lab and he's probably going to be promoted higher any day now.
" but we can talk more about that another night" he said as he released his grip, his hand reaching for mine as we paced our fingers together and headed towards the forests edge.
We stopped for a moment and we kissed freely under the cover of darkness.
" sorry I just had to do that before well... you know"
" of course" I smiled as we linked arms and walked back to the base. Careful to avoid anyone we knew.
" you head in first, okay?" He asked.
" okay, but Jack?"
" yeah?"
My eyes glanced around for anyone looking, we were out of the cameras view and I kissed his cheek before saying goodnight and taking off. My boots clicked on the sidewalk as I slid my access card into the panel. Tonight changes everything, a smile that couldn't be erased as I walked into the building.
A/N: there it is. I completely rewrote it, I'm not sure if I will re-write other parts. This changes nothing to the original story, except I removed a reference to Lena, she wasn't around during this time and I messed it up in here before. I truly am thankful, whether you are reading this for the first time ( HELLO!) or for the second time ( thank you thank you!)