A few months later...

"Hey dumbasses, get up."

I snapped up, my eyes meeting Reyes own cold eyes. Jesse, on the other end of the barracks, snapped up as well, placing his hat on his head, our eyes met for a moment, before we both focused on Gabriel. "What's up boss?" I yawned. "Ah, its early." I said, as he motioned for us to follow. "That's the point. Nighttime operation. We're heading out with Captain Amari, omnic uprising in a nuclear plant, may lead to nuclear warfare if the missles in there are fired. Means we can't fuck this one up."

"When do we ever?" I joked, as he snickered. "Do I need to count?" He asked, as we headed down the hangars, loading the weapons we needed on board.

I frowned as we took off sooner than I imagined, as I stepped up to Captain Amari. "How come we're going in alone? No back up in case of failure?" I asked, as she turned to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "If we fail here, there will be no chance for back up. In case of detonation, everyone here will die."

"Gee, no pressure huh?" I smiled, as she nodded, taking a seat in the plane as a pilot flew us to our destination. "None at all if we stick to the plan. And if you get into trouble, I'll bail you out." She assured us, as Jesse sat down beside, leaving me and Gabriel standing. I turned to Gabe, smiling, but he only huffed, folding his arms and walking away.

Something was always up with him, it never ended. Something always put him in a bad mood, and once he was in it, it was hard to get him back out. Recently he hasn't talked as much, and it worried me, and his nightly argument with Morrison bothered me even more. It was always up to Amari or Angela to calm one of them down. I just hope we can snap them both out of it before we all go down with the ship, and I don't plan on doing so.

I sighed, rubbing my eyes as I sat down, looking out the window at the scenery passing by at high speeds. I fiddled with the side of my hat, adjusting it to a comfortable position before closing my eyes, hoping to catch a little shut eye before we land. Jesse was already ahead of me, as I decided to catch up.

I awoke at the rattle of the plane as we touched down, seeing Amari load her sniper rifle. She flashed a light smile my way, making me send one back in response, before I noticed Jesse still sleeping. He always was a heavy sleeper. I swear a man could be shot dead right beside him and he'd still be out like he was in a coma.

I smirked, grabbing my bottle of water, and unscrewing the lid. I splashed a little on his face, as he awoke with a start. "I'm up! I'm up!" He quickly called out, wiping his face, drying it with his gloved hands. He looked down in disgust. "Ew, now my hoodie's all wet." He said, making me look at his now much darker tan jacket under his vest due to the water. "Quit whining, let's get a move on."

We soon neared the facility, no omnics in sight, though the bastards were surprisingly sneaky. Sometimes I feel like everyone regrets making these omnics so good at everything. We huddled around Captain Amari as she told us the plan. "Alright. You three, you're infiltrating the facility. I wouldn't recommend the front door, but I'll be watching your asses either way. The point of entry is up to you. You guys stick together and keep each other safe, now be careful, we've lost enough Overwatch agents, including Blackwatch." She explained, as Gabriel sighed. "Tell that to the Strike Commander." He muttered, as Ana frowned. "Shut up and focus. Now get to it."

Us three slowly approached it, watching our backs as we did so. "Stick to the plan and we'll be just fine. Good luck." Captain Amari called out, as I thanked her, before turning off my comms link for the moment. We all snuck around, finding ventilation shafts leading to the inside, or we assumed the inside. "Ladies first." I chuckled, opening it and holding it for Reyes. He glared at me, crawling in. I looked at Mcree as he laughed at me. "Go on ahead." He said, as I chuckled, crawling in behind Reyes.

It was hot as all hell in here, and it being cramped was not helping. "Well, hopefully the omnics weren't programmed to check the vents." Jesse said, as I agreed, looking back at him. "If not, we're royally fucked."

"God please don't fart." Jesse joked, as I snickered at the joke uncontrollably. He had the humor of a 7 year old. "God damnit Jesse shut up..." I said in between fits of laughter. Hey man, it was funny, or at least in such a serious situation. Well, this is what made McCree... McCree. "Hey, cut the chatter, I see the end." Reyes said, as I sighed in relief. "Good, being stuck in a tight space like this with Jesse is a death sentence." I replied, hearing Jesse chuckle at the joke.

We exited the the vent, landing on an elevated part of the plant, overlooking the rest of the room as it circled the entire place. I decided to keep my hands to myself around this place, dangerous chemicals surrounding us. It was a wonder the place hadn't been blown up by now. I loaded my revolvers, as Mcree loaded his Peacekeeper, Reyes pulling out his two favorite shotguns.

We slowly descended down on opposite ends, planing on flanking then from all sides, using grappling hooks to lower ourselves inside, quietly landing. The omnics were creating more bombs it seemed, probably for some more riots or revolts against their creators. Stealth wasn't very much of an option, because if one died, they'd all be alerted of our presence. Reyes nodded at me from cover, signaling me to take down the one in front of me. I quickly pulled the trigger of my gun I had aimed at its head, as it collapsed to the ground.

The others snapped in my direction, before being shot from the other flanks. I smiled, shooting at the others from cover. I shot once, slightly missing the omnic as it moved unpredictably. The bullet flew by and hit the core of the plant, a massive tank of chemicals being pumped into different parts all around the place. The machinery sparked, leaking a bit of the chemicals inside the tank onto the floor. "Watch your aim. One missed shot and this place goes up in flames, and us with it." I warned them, as I heard them mumble in agreement over the comms.

I rolled out of cover, fanning my revolver at them, firing all shots in quick succession. They all pierced multiple targets, before one shot me in the arm, as I groaned in pain. I turned to the area of where the shot originated, seeing an omnic prepare to fire once more, before a bullet pierced its head, making it plummet to the floor. "You're welcome." I heard Amari say over the comms, as I thanked her silently.

We slowly finished the rest of them off, taking them all down. We stopped for a moment, gathering our strength back up for a moment. "Good work boys, let's get back home." Reyes said, sounding a little happy for once. "You sound happy Commander." I replied, as he looked at me. "I'm happy when I'm with you two idiots." He responded, smiling. "Aww, we love you too." Jesse mocked him, as he glared. "Don't get me wrong, you're both dumbasses. But you're my dumbasses." He said, and it was oddly heartwarming.

Movement caught my eye, as I saw an omnic pick up its gun. It aimed for Jesse, as I yelled at him. "Watch out!" I yelled, tackling them both, as the bullet missed, hitting the tank behind us. It hissed, hinting at an explosion. "Shit. Get out of there! Now!" Amari yelled, as we quickly sprinted out the doors, all of us sticking together. No good moment can ever last can it?

We kept running, now out of the doors, before the explosives went off, engulfing the area around it as the flames spread, the plant collapsing. The last thing I saw was the explosion nearing us, the rubble and debris flying at us.

Later...

"Uggh, my head..." I muttered, a horrible pain shooting through my entire body. I analyzed my surroundings, finding only rubble and smoke. I looked around, feeling my hat on the ground, as I placed it on my head. I groaned as I forced myself to sit up, no serious injuries spotted on me. I stood, looking around frantically. "Jesse... Reyes! Assholes... get up!" I yelled, worry in my voice.

I spotted Reyes, his shotguns near his hands. I ran to him as quickly as my weak legs could. "Commander!" I knelt by his side, shaking him. "Gabriel! Come on man, get up! That's an order!" I yelled, as he opened his eyes, relief running through my body. "Ugh, I'm up mijo." He groaned, as I helped him stand. "Come on, we gotta find..." I trailed off, spotting the same man I was beginning to speak of.

I sprinted to him, taking a knee by him. "Shit... Jesse..." Reyes muttered, as I shook him, trying to wake him. "Hey! Wake up asshole!" I yelled, as he coughed. "Hey jefe, get off..." he muttered, as I slowly inhaled, taking off my hoodie, and taking off my undershirt, handing it to Reyes. "I can't... feel my arm..." He muttered, lifting his left arm. He stared at it, slowly realizing he was completely missing it. "Just keep talking." I tried to distract him, Reyes preparing to wrap his wound quickly. "Well shit... would ya look at that..." he chuckled, before I held him down, holding him still as he resisted, pain shooting through him as Reyes bandaged his wound with my shirt, as he screamed in agony.

We lifted him up, carrying him on our shoulders, Reyes preparing to pop a flare beside us. "Captain Amari! Do you read? We need immediate evac. Follow the flare." I said, as she picked up. "Oh thank heavens you boys are alright. We're coming to get you, just hang on." She replied, as I turned off the comms. I looked at Jesse as he mumbled, slowly falling unconscious. "We need, to get my hat... we gotta find it." He muttered, clearly dazed, as I sighed. "I'll find your hat Jesse, I'll find it." I assured him, starting to look for it.

Later...

I stared at Jesse's hat in my hands, looking at all it's scratches and scars ingrained into the leather. Gabriel had Jesse in his lap, holding him in his lap, keeping the nub of his missing left arm carefully elevated to make sure he didn't bleed out. He focused on the window, trying not to think of the situation. Jesse needed our help, but we weren't quick enough. This shouldn't of happened. I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

Jesse kept mumbling in his sleep like state, before groaning and shifting painfully. Captain Amari had done all she could, but she wasn't as good as a doctor. We sure could've used Angela right about now.

"Commander...?" Jesse muttered, shifting slightly in his arms. I walked over to him, kneeling beside him. "Commander I need..." He trailed off once more, closing his eyes. "You need to shut up kid." Gabriel responded, before Jesse snapped back to consciousness, gripping his arm tight. "Gabe... Nathan... I don't wanna die..." he continued. "I'm scared."

Both Gabriel's and my eyes locked for a moment as we thought for a moment. "Don't worry Jesse... I've got you." Reyes said, pulling him closer, shedding a tear. I smiled slightly, hoping we can make it in time.

6 hours later, Watchpoint Gibraltar, an hour after his surgery...

I rubbed my tired eyes as I struggled to stay awake, but my worry for Jesse too much for me to sleep. I kept his hat on the chair beside me, though it made the situation feel more ominous than I intended.

Morrison burst into the room, panic in his eyes as he moved swiftly to Gabriel an I. I glanced at him, before looking back down. "What the hell happened?" He asked, as I sighed, not in the mood to talk about it. "You tell me. It's your fault that you only ordered us four to go in. What were you thinking? Were you trying to get us all killed, is that it?! Because it sure seems like it with how careless you are!" Reyes yelled, anger rising as he clenched his fists. "I... I-" Jack struggled, before Gabriel continued.

"I don't want to hear your bullshit excuse! I appreciate the help with sending Amari, but you screwed everything else up! We may not be good enough people for Overwatch, but that sure as hell doesn't give you an excuse! Would you send only Winston, Lena, and Angela only to stop nuclear missiles?!"

"No. I wouldn't." He admitted, but still looking him in the eye, maintaining his respective position. "That's what I thought! These are my men and women, not yours! You've been sending them to do your dirty work this entire time, and then taking all the credit! And when they die, you simply shrug it off! I'm sick of this!"

"Watch your tone soldier! You may be in charge of Blackwatch but I'm still Strike Commander! You don't like the way I run things, pack your shit and leave, otherwise shut your mouth!" Morrison countered, growing angry. Gabriel grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, inches from his face. "Maybe I should. You're a sad excuse for a Strike Commander. I should be in your position, not you."

"Come again?"

"You heard me." Gabe responded, as Jack growled slightly, preparing for a fight.

"Stop it!" I yelled, having heard enough of these two men fight over everything. Jesse almost died, and they were so far up each other's asses they didn't even care.

"Now! Both of you! Do I need to fetch Captain Amari and have her come smack you like the children you are? Because I'll gladly do it!" I continued my rant, throwing a chair in the process, as they both stared at me, in shock at my sudden outburst.

"Nathan... I-" Gabe tried to speak, reaching out to me.

"No!" I pulled my hand away. "I don't know who you two are anymore! You used to be so respectable! But now... look at yourselves! You're both having a pissing contest over how this place should be run instead of worrying about the man who almost died! I'm sick of hearing you two argue over everything! Enough is enough! Now I've had enough of this Blackwatch and Overwatch are completely different bullshit! We're supposed to work together to save the world, not fight amongst ourselves! We're all screw ups here! Now if you're tired of being a screw up, maybe we can work on being good people together..."

We all sat in silence, as I calmed down, looking at them as they sat in silence. "Nathan. I'm sorry." Jack muttered, as I sighed deeply. "It's fine... I just-"

I was interrupted by the door opening that led to the operating room. Angela stepped out, here gloves still on, blood on them. "Commanders." She nodded at them, before addressing me in a more casual tone. "Nathan. I've done all I can. He has his metal arm attached, though it will take time for him to get used to it. He should wake up soon, but I encourage you all to go easy on him, he's had it rough." Angela finished, slipping her gloves off, placing them in the trash.

I walked toward her, looking into her eyes for a moment, before smiling warmly, taking her hand in my own. "Thank you, Angela. I can't tell you how grateful I really am. You've saved my best friend. I won't forget that." I whispered to her, as she smiled back, before walking past. I turned to Jack and Gabriel, both of them nodding at me as I opened the door.

I could hear the faint beeps of medical equipment as I entered, slowly stepping towards Jesse, who lay on the bed, his new prosthetic fully attached, looking like a normal arm besides the color and material, looking chrome. I took a seat beside him, carefully placing his hat on his lap, smiling at him as he slept peacefully.

"Hey kid... get better soon. I need you back soldier. You've done good, no matter what anybody thinks, and I can certainly use you. On your feet, that's an order." Gabriel smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder, before leaving. Jack simply placed a hand on Mcree, kneeling, resting in silence for a moment, before standing back up and exiting as well.

And that left only me, as I stopped for a moment to process my emotions. "Jesse... you're gonna be fine. Trust me. Now, you be good for doc, she's been kind. You'll be in here about a week, but I'll come and visit. I promise, we won't be separated for long." I muttered, smiling to myself, before planting a loving, brotherly kiss on his forehead, then leaving, hoping he could've heard me, somehow.