Chapter 9: Decision Time


Angela had been stewing in her anger all night. It wasn't like she could get any sleep after having that death scare with Lena anyway. Instead she had spent the night wide awake and constantly checking on Lena to make sure she was really still there. Her body was screaming at her to sleep but her mind kept jolting her awake each time her eyes closed, convinced that every sound was Widowmaker coming back. Back for what exactly she wasn't sure since the assassin evidently wasn't interested in killing Lena. Not yet at least.

And what am I going to do if that day comes? If I get the call that Widowmaker finally took the shot? Lena clearly has her interest. The fact that she's still alive and fast asleep is evidence of that, but for how long? Angela closed her eyes and laid back against the couch. She couldn't get comfortable anywhere else so she had finally stretched out on the couch instead.

She felt a vibration against her leg and opened her eyes. It took a moment to realized it was her phone ringing. She pulled it out and answered the call, already knowing who it was without having to look. It was rather embarrassing to think about now but she had left a very emotional and distraught message on Fareeha's phone at nearly three in the morning when the silence and stress had finally overwhelmed her.

"Angela! I'm so sorry I didn't call you sooner. I saw your message just now and..." Fareeha hurried to apologize but Angela stopped her.

"It's okay, I just..." Angela stopped and closed her eyes again. "I'm just glad you're calling now. I... I really need someone to talk to. Someone who..." she stopped again and pressed hand to her eyes as more tears sprang up. "I want someone who understands. Someone who has been personally affected by... by Widowmaker and what's she's done. I just..." Angela's voice cracked and a sob escaped her throat. "Lena is like a little sister to me Fareeha and I could have lost her last night," she choked out as tears started to pour from her eyes.

"Hey, I'm here. Just talk to me. Tell me what happened," Fareeha urged her gently. Angela took a shaky breath and started talking. She started with the scare from last night but soon the words were pouring out and she was telling Fareeha everything she knew about Lena's recent encounters with Widowmaker. When she finally finished Fareeha was silent. Angela sighed and let her think.

"You know I have... complicated feelings about Widowmaker. That's why you called me and I can understand how conflicted you must feel," Fareeha finally answered. "It's never been confirmed that Widowmaker was the one who... who killed my mother but we also don't know of any other sniper Talon has who is fast enough or good enough to land the shot. I also know that while my mother didn't like killing she also never hesitated and the only way she would do that was if something went wrong. Recognizing Amélie, who many thought was simply kidnapped at the time, would certainly fall under that category," she added slowly.

"I've also fought and pushed back Talon offensives many times. Enough to be somewhat sure of their tactics and with what I'm going to tell you now," Fareeha continued. "I don't know what's going on but what I can tell you Angela is that whatever Widowmaker is doing... it's not being done with Talon's consent," she stated firmly. "I don't know if Talon is simply turning a blind eye because Widowmaker is the best sniper they have, if they are totally unaware of what she's doing which I would find hard to believe, or if they know what's going on but Widowmaker simply doesn't care what they think. I'm not sure which one is worse and which one is better and the truth is probably a mix of all three," she admitted.

"I'm not sure if that makes me happy or more terrified for Lena then I am already," Angela confessed in a soft tone. She was so mentally and emotionally exhausted right now. " I mean I can't just ignore the people Widowmaker has hurt and the friends she's killed but..." she stopped and heard Fareeha sigh heavily.

"But it's still so hard not to think of Amélie whenever she comes up. Widowmaker is certainly no victim, anyone who has had even a passing encounter with her knows that beyond any doubt. However she was victimized by Talon and it's hardly justice if we condemn her outright for what she's done without recognizing and taking into account that she's like this at least partially because of how they reconditioned her," Fareeha paused and Angela could hear the conflict in her voice.

"It would be so easy for me to hate Widowmaker for taking my mother away from me but if I did that then I would have to ignore the reality that my own mother has killed far, far more people in the name of Overwatch then Widowmaker ever has during her time with Talon. All of us have blood on our hands whether it's because we were trying to protect people or in self defense. All of us have taken friends and family away from someone else. Is our use of force right simply because we're trying to make things better? And what about now that Overwatch has been recalled? Now that I've been called to help serve the way I always dreamed of doing? Overwatch was disbanded and legally forbidden from reforming. That could make anyone who is a part of the group now part of an illegal operation, possibly even a terrorist in the eyes of some countries the same as Talon is even if Overwatch is trying to save people, " Fareeha stopped and was quiet for a moment.

Angela could feel the heaviness of those words pressing down on her. She hadn't thought to look at the situation that way but Fareeha was right.

"At the same time Widowmaker has to be held accountable for her actions at some point. I may be sympathetic to the fact that she's been reconditioned but that doesn't excuse what she's been doing. It can't, even if there is a double standard and a lot of thorny questions that should be looked at on both sides, the fact remains that she has still murdered innocent people. Something has to be done to bring her to justice for those crimes. If Lena believes that she can help her, appeal to her somehow then I will support her and help her in that if she'll accept my aid, but that doesn't erase my feeling that Widowmaker still needs to be held responsible for her actions somehow," Fareeha explained to her.

"I can't forget the person I used to know and be friends with. I can't forget the woman who taught me to make fancy French desserts or who loved ballet, but I also have to accept that Widowmaker is dangerous, deadly and may simply be incapable of feeling anything for anyone anymore. She can, will and has killed without hesitation before. It may not be fair to unilaterally condemn her but we also can't just let things continue on as they are now," Fareeha said after a long moment of silence.

"So we're stuck," Angela said throwing and arm over her eyes to block out the increasing sunlight drifting in through a crack in the curtains.

"Not stuck just... in a very difficult position. There isn't enough information to go on, you can't do anything without being put in more danger and we can't leave things as they are," Fareeha responded.

"So what are we supposed to do? Because no decision is looking very appealing at the moment. Lena is an adult but right now I really just want to tell her to stop. I'm scared and I'm not thinking straight and I just want her to be safe," Angela asked feeling hopeless. "But if there's a chance... if there really is a chance that..." she stopped and shook her head. "She'll never be Amélie again, not after the mental trauma she's been through. She'll never be that cheerful, outgoing woman again and I don't know if it's possible for Widowmaker to change from the heartless assassin she is now even if she wanted to. But if there is a chance that... that maybe we could still help her then..." she sighed and let her words trail off. "It's not in my nature to give up but I can't bear to watch another person close to me die. Not again Fareeha., Not either one of them. I lost Amélie once already, I don't know if my heart can take losing her a second time as well because I was holding onto false hope that Lena could help change her when we really should have devoted more time to taking her down years ago," she whispered into the phone.

For a few minutes there was silence and Angela welcomed the chance it offered her to think.

"Angela?"

"I'm here. Exhausted but here."

"Even with everything I've said I think... I think Lena might be on to something."

Angela's eyes popped open and she lifted her arm from across her face as Fareeha continued.

"Even with as little as you know it's still easy to see that something is up with Widowmaker. She's never hesitated before, never failed to take a shot the first time, much less several times afterwards. She had the perfect opportunity to take advantage of Lena last night and she didn't. She didn't even hurt her. Both of us know what Talon has done before and we know that they wouldn't hesitate to at least try and capture Lena if only for the information she might be able to provide," Fareeha reasoned with her.

"Widowmaker doesn't seem to care about any of that which means that whatever else is going on behind the scenes, she isn't playing by Talon's rules anymore. Not completely at least. Not when it comes to Lena. Maybe Widowmaker is just having her own twisted version of fun. Maybe there is something about Lena that really has caught her interest. Whatever it is... I think this might be the only chance we'll ever have to find out if Widowmaker can really be turned back from Talon and if not... then we'll know without a doubt that our former friend needs to be taken down for good," she concluded.

Anglea grimaced at those words.

"But if we're wrong..." she began.

"Then Lena is going to die. As much as you may hate it, it's her decision to make as to whether that kind of risk is worth it. She's the one who currently has Widowmaker's interest and she's the one being toyed with for whatever reason. I do want to believe that Widowmaker can, maybe not be changed, but appealed to in some way at least. If not and if she really is as heartless and cold as I'm worried she is then I won't hesitate to make sure Widowmaker is taken out. It's Lena's call but if she does keep going forward with this then she's going to need all the support and understanding from her friends that she can get. Just... don't talk to Lena while you're still angry. That's not going to help anyone, " Fareeha finished for her.

Angela rubbed her eyes and was quiet as she thought that over. Fareeha seemed content to give her time to think it over.

"Thank you Fareeha. You're right. You are absolutely right. I... I have a lot to talk about but it is Lena's decision and whatever she decides I need to be there to support her. Thank you for listening. I know it's not easy talking about Widowmaker like this but there are just so few people I feel comfortable talking to. I can count on one hand the number of people who even know who Widowmaker used to be," Angela said gratefully.

"It's even harder for you after the scare you had last night. Do you want me to come up there to London for a while? You've been staying there to help Lena right?" Fareeha offered and Angela bit her lip as her pride warred strongly with her desire to say yes.

"I'm... I'll be fine," Angela said but it sounded weak even to her ears.

"Angela..." Fareeha pressed harder, "Do you need me?"

She closed her eyes and felt the last of her willpower crumble away.

"Yes," Angela finally admitted after a long minute of silence, "Yes, please come. We're somewhere else right now but we'll be back in England in a couple days."

"I'll be up there soon, okay?"

"Thank you."


Angela had been preparing herself for hours, waiting for Lena to wake up since she tended to sleep in for a while the next morning after a night where she had a drink or two. Now that she was finally awake however, Angela wasn't really sure what to say.

"Do you want something to eat? I can order room service for you," Angela finally asked her. Lena just shook her head silently, her eyes still rooted to her hands. She hadn't spoken, hadn't looked up at her, hadn't reacted at all except to slump farther into her chair. Fareeha had told her not to talk to Lena while she was still upset but that certainly wasn't a problem anymore. Seeing the look on Lena's face had immediately doused her anger. She practically had the word SHAME stamped across her forehead and Lena hadn't looked up at her since she had woken up. For the past half hour they had been sitting across from each other at the table waiting for the other to say something.

"You know you need to eat," Angela told her gently.

"I don't have much of an appetite," Lena replied softly. She hesitated and nervously played with one of the straps on her harness. "I remember everything and I'm so sorry. I never wanted to make you worry like that. I can't even begin to imagine what you thought hearing Widowmaker say that over the phone and then not being able to contact me. I can't believe how close I came to her and how easily she could have killed me last night. Even if things turned out well I was still irresponsible and I shouldn't have had that much to drink when I know how fast it affects me. Not without you there with me at the very least. Not when I promised you I wouldn't wander off," Lena said her voice so quiet and her expression so upset that it physically hurt to look at her.

"What happened with Widowmaker? You owe me that at least," Angela asked, hating the way Lena flinched at her question. She hesitated and took a deep breath before explaining what happened last night. It was surreal to hear, frightening to think about how different things could have ended up and amazing to think about how Widowmaker had been so close and simply done nothing.

When Lena finished it was easy to see some of the light back in her eyes. Dim but still there. She may be upset but last night's encounter had also clearly strengthened her determination.

"I just..." Lena stopped and chewed on a fingernail still clearly stressed despite the renewed hope in her eyes. "I just don't get it. I don't get why she keeps letting me go. I do think part of it is simply for her own enjoyment or as much of it as she's able to feel, but... I can't help but feel like there's something else going on. She clearly doesn't have much of a conscience if she's willing to pop off targets left and right, but then she lets me live and decides not to kill someone when I know she has them in her sights? Maybe those two things are totally unrelated for all I know. I just can't wrap my head around her thinking," Lena looked down again this time with frustration burning in her eyes.

"That would be the Omnic you told me about right?" Angela asked and Lena nodded in confirmation. "The problem is that we just don't know enough and trying to learn more means putting you in more danger," she finally admitted. She folded her hands on the table and took a deep breath.

"Lena..." she began carefully. "Do you honestly believe there's something there? Something you can... use to help her, appeal to her, anything that might change her mind at all? Do you really believe in your heart that keeping her attention like this might work out?" she pressed. Lena chewed on her bottom lip and turned to stare out of the window.

"I saw her last week. Just before we left England to come here. Widowmaker was back at the scene of Mondatta's assassination, where the statue is being put up. I asked her if she would accept my help if I offered it to her. She wanted to know if I would follow through if she accepted. If there was someone she wanted killed or something she wanted stolen or a Talon secret that needed to be kept. Then she told me that I wasn't the only one with nightmares," Lena said slowly. "I've been thinking about those words every day since then. I don't think she was just being vague for the sake of throwing me off. Not that time. I think she had something specific in mind when she said that but I don't know enough to be able to figure out what it means," she said with a light sigh.

"I want to know more. I want to know what her current relationship to Talon is and go from there. Either way something has to be done but if she isn't loyal to them... if there's friction, a gap, some distance between them then I have to try and use that. I have to Angela," Lena said more urgently this time. "Something deeper is going on with her and I want to find out what it is even... even if it ends up getting me killed. I have to know that I tried to do something. That... that I didn't just abandon her when I could have helped. I don't know if she'll let me or shoot me between the eyes but I can't live with myself if I do nothing," she said firmly.

Angela was silent for a moment before she reached over across the table and took Lena's hands in hers. She explained the phone call she had earlier with Fareeha, explained everything they had gone over and her offer of support.

"I'm scared for you Lena. You're like a little sister to me and I'm terrified of losing you but if you do honestly believe that you might be able to do something then I will support you. I will be there for you and so will Fareeha if you'll accept her help as well. Whatever the case Widowmaker needs to be stopped and needs to answer for what she's done. If there's a way to help her somehow... some proof that she can change then we'll see what we can do about that. But if there isn't... if Widowmaker really has nothing left to her but a heartless shell who only gets her enjoyment from killing people then... then she needs to be stopped, without mercy and without hesitation and you might be the only one who can get close enough to do that. You need to be aware of that now," Angela told her, watching carefully to make sure Lena was listening and really getting this.

"If Widowmaker can be saved then that doesn't excuse her crimes but we will do whatever we can to help her. If not... if she's really lost to us forever... then I need to know that you will help us stop her before she can continue killing even more people," Angela finished. Lena was still staring out of the window and for a moment she doubted if she would get an answer at all. Finally Lena closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath.

"I'm not giving up. I don't believe she's just an empty shell and I don't believe she's heartless. Cold, calculating and generally uncaring maybe but there's still something in there even if it's just anger and hate and I won't stop until I find out what it is," Lena vowed, "I guess that also means being honest with you about what happens between us when we meet. I wasn't going to tell you at first but you deserve to know. I want you to know," she corrected herself.

"Last night just before she knocked me out, Widowmaker said that I owed her for letting me live. She said that she would come back to collect on my debt. That I belonged to her like her... special prey or something. I don't know what it means but I do know that she's going to be back for me whether we run into each other or she seeks me out. This isn't over, not by a long shot. I don't know what that is going to involve but I need to know that you'll still believe in me no matter what you might hear in the future. I need to know what you and Fareeha and Winston and the others will still believe in the fact that I'm a good person and I'm just trying to help," Lena said her voice cracking.

"I can't let her die, Angela. Not again. I can't give up on her," Lena looked down as tears started to slip down her cheeks. Angela got up from her seat and went to her side, wrapping her arms around her. This was a lot of pressure on her. Far more pressure then it was fair for any person to carry but she was doing it and was willing to keep on doing it if it meant there was any chance whatsoever that maybe, just maybe Widowmaker could be turned from Talon.

"I will never, ever stop believing in you, Lena. You hear me? Whatever happens from here on out I will not give up on you and I won't give up on her either," Angela vowed holding Lena tightly.

"Promise?"

"Promise. If you're going to do this then we'll be here to back you up every step of the way."


AN: Emotions are running high and decisions have to be made! Can Widowmaker be convinced to turn away from Talon? Or is she really lost to them for good? And what exactly is she going to ask of Lena when she comes back to collect? We'll just have to wait and see won't we? Until next time everyone!