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Watchpoint: Gibraltar

Two-and-a-half hours passed since she and the others departed from Camp Delta in Egypt back to Overwatch's base in Gibraltar. The Talon aircraft felt familiar, as she had been in one numerous times. At least this time, she was using it for something good. Something besides transport to and from an assassination target.

The base came into view from the skies. Amélie had sat on her chair the whole time, silently thinking to herself. The fact that she truly had been doing good things for once, it was almost unbelievable. The others were socializing together, happier than they had been in a long time.

It made her smile, in a good way. It's because of me this is happening, that their lives are being saved…

"We're here." Athena said.

"Oh, thank you so much!" Isobel said.

Isobel hugged Amélie while tears of joy ran down her face. Amélie felt so warm and fuzzy on the inside, something unusual. She always thought she felt alive when she killed because it filled an empty void in her heart after Talon took over her life. In reality, it's things like this that truly make life worth living.

The ship parked at the landing pad a few minutes later. After the descension, everyone was happy to leave. The hatch opened, and the occupants practically ran outside to be greeted by Overwatch. Winston stood in the center, Tracer on his left, and Genji on his right.

Isobel and Jaime ran up to them, happier than they had been in a long time.

"Overwatch, you were the ones who saved us?" Isobel said. "I knew you were heroes, I never believed what was said about Overwatch being better disbanded. I don't know how to express gratitude enough."

"It's nothing, besides it was Amélie who did all the hard work." Winston said.

"Those people… Talon was their name, right?" Jaime said. "What they did… I can't put it into words. And they've been allowed to be free? I don't think there's any more proof we need. The world needs Overwatch."

Amélie observed from a distance. What they were saying was right, the world needs Overwatch. If there's any light that could be found in all of this, it's that she can be a hero herself. It may have been Gérard's job to put an end to Talon, but Amélie was damn well going to finish it.

"I understand you want to go home, but we need to make some arrangements first." Winston said. "We need to make sure Talon won't kidnap any of you again."

"I understand."

"What did Talon want with you, anyways?" Tracer asked.

"Jaime and I are the children of Spanish prime minister Victor Cavallero, an Overwatch advocate. I'm not sure what they wanted out of us, but that had to have something to do with it."

A chill ran down Amélie's spine.

Of course, they weren't chosen by random. They wanted more sleeper agents, just like me.

"I mean, Amélie here saved us from them. She mentioned something about being turned into a mindless doll, because she was one who did many horrible things. Honestly, given how selfless she is, it's hard to imagine her has anything but someone who belongs in Overwatch."

What Isobel said froze Amélie. She couldn't muster up the words to describe how she felt. It's true, she crossed so many lines in her actions during her life as Widowmaker that many would have no hope for her, but here she is risking everything so no one else could suffer that fate. It felt weird, putting it mildly.

"And I told her this back when she rescued me. If I ever have a daughter, I'll name her Amélie to honor her. I don't know how else to repay her."

Amélie stepped forward. As good as it would feel to be honored, she didn't feel like she deserved it.

"Isobel, you don't have to do that. You shouldn't honor the name of a mass murderer like me."

Isobel turned her attention to Amélie, confused.

"Mass murderer?" Isobel said. "Amélie, you have to remember, it wasn't you who did that. It was Talon using your body as a weapon, you can't beat yourself up for it."

"Yeah." Jaime said. "Would a mass murderer really have done something like that?"

Amélie had a smile. It was faint, but it was there. After being feared and isolated as Widowmaker, to see people who look up to her as a hero… she couldn't even put it in words. As much as she had been crying lately, she held it back. Amélie didn't want this to turn into an emotional scene.

"Well… thank you for believing in me. I appreciate it."

Isobel nodded. She then turned to Winston again, speaking once more.

"After all you've done for us, we can't just up and leave. In fact, it'd be unwise, for Talon could get us again. Is it possible for us to stay here for a while? I promise, we'll earn our stay."

Jaime and the others nodded in agreement.

"Of course." Winston said with a smile. "I'm not just going to let you go back to Camp Delta again."

"Thank you, again." Isobel said. "I promise, we won't be freeloaders. Anything you want, I'll get it done. Fortunately, my papa always taught me discipline."

"Don't worry about impressing us." Winston said. "What matters is our ability to keep others safe. That's what Overwatch exists for, and we won't let what some government chair says keep us from doing that."

"You bet." Jaime said.

"Now if you'll excuse us, I need something to eat. My stomach is about to eat itself." Isobel said.

Everyone agreed.

"The lunchroom is in the south end." Winston said.

They dismissed, waving goodbye to everyone as they went to get some food. Amélie approached Winston, but before she could speak she was tightly hugged by Tracer.

"Amélie, that was… if you ever thought there was no hope for you, I hope you're happy to be wrong, love."

"Thank you."

Hugged by the same person she hurt so much. Amélie still wondered if she deserved Tracer's forgiveness.

"Yes," Genji said. "I'll admit, I think we all had our doubts, some more than others, but this was undeniably a step forward."

Tracer let go, and Winston smiled as he faced Amélie. She felt happy, knowing that she was doing good, just as she set out to do. Maybe I'm not a monster after all.

"Well, I'd say that was a mission completed. An absolute success." Winston said.

"Just doing my job."

"Don't be so modest. This is only your second mission for Overwatch and you've proven to us that you've changed for the better. I'll bet your happier now than you've been for a long time."

"You are not wrong about that."

"Talon must be feeling their losses right now, but let's go. It's time to relax and enjoy your accomplishments. You can't let the guilt tear at you all the time, it's not healthy you know."

Amélie stopped for a second. She had to get something out of the way regarding this.

"The guilt will never go away, and I'm not going to let it. I'm just trying to feel like I'm actually more than just a weapon meant to take the lives of the innocent."

"Like that, exactly what I'm saying." Winston said. "If there's anything you ever want to talk to me about, just ask. You can't bottle it up inside you forever."

"Well, there is one thing I want to ask for now."

"What is that?"

"I was knocked out while I was there, and during my sleep I spoke to Gérard. It was in a beautiful field, and I looked normal. No blue skin, no tattoos, just as how I used to be. He assured me that I was forgiven, and he told me to forgive myself. I can't explain it. I know it was a dream, but I felt like he was really speaking to me. Like I was talking to his ghost. I remember having these with my father years ago, and I didn't know what was the cause. Has this happened to you, and is there an explanation?"

"Well, to be honest, science can't explain everything." Winston said. "My father has spoken to me in the past, too. Maybe they're reaching out from the heavens to comfort us? I never considered myself too religious, but I know there must be something out there we can't understand."

"You might be right." Amélie said. "If Gérard is watching me, smiling down upon me, then I have to do him proud."

"Aye," Tracer said. "I think you're already doing it."

"Then that's what I will continue to do."

Amélie nodded, dismissing herself from the others. She retreated to her quarters, where she sat on her bed. It was November and Christmas was nearing, and she thought of how sad it was that she would go another year without her family. On the bright side, she won't be alone this time. Amélie wondered if she could ever regain her mother's approval. Being disowned like she was tore her on the inside, but she couldn't blame her. It was also painful that she'll never get to see her colleagues at the Paris ballet, or the children she helped teach. Sabine, Chantal, Lucie, just to name a few. She had grown so attached to them before everything changed. Now, there is no way she can ever return to her old life. In fact, trying to contact her friends and students would be the worst possible thing she could do.

Putting it one way, life has its ups and downs. She may never get her old life back, but at least it's not the one she had lived for nearly a decade. If only there were some way I could see them again.

Having been an accomplished dancer her whole life, taking after her mother, and being part of the Paris Opera Ballet, she traveled the world alongside talented dancers like herself. It was at one such show where she met Gérard, by chance. His sister Sophie had brought him there, and when they met it was love at first sight.

Those days. I wish I could return to them.

But she was told to always look at the positives. The major one right now is that she is no longer a brainwashed assassin, and saved over a dozen people from becoming one themselves. Before, as Widowmaker, she never got thanked by Talon. She only reported that her job was completed, and felt satisfied in it of itself. Here, Overwatch has made her feel at home.

Amélie sighed. There was a lot of pressure to live up to. She had to live up Gérard's name, be worthy of the respect of the agents that have forgiven her, and prove herself to everyone else.

She has laid in her bed, just thinking of all the possibilities the future held. If Overwatch can become legal again one day, it's not doubt that Winston will use his connections to clear her name. That will likely come after they defeat Talon, and she wants to be sure she's there when it happens.

If justice is demanded from what she's done, Amélie won't fight the idea of going to prison. Many would've gotten the death sentence if they had killed as many has she has.

A knock on her door.

"It's me!" Isobel said.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Isobel entered with a serious look on her face.

"I just wanted to tell you that everything you're going through, I can't imagine it. I would feel guilty too, if I were in your position. But you saved me from ever being in the position. You know what happens when they break you, and they nearly broke me."

"Well, thanks for the kind words."

"I mean it. What they have done is absolutely unforgivable, and I'm sure they'll face justice in due time. We have another word for forcing people into doing your bidding against their will: slavery. There's a special place in Hell where they're going."

"Maybe I'll join them…" Amélie said.

"No, don't think like that. No one who does what you just did deserves that fate. In fact, I'd say you went through Hell already."

"True."

"Just keep this mind: Don't let the guilt consume you. It's not the right way to live. You were given this second chance for a reason."

"Alright, I won't waste it. I promise."

Isobel smiled at her before leaving the room. Amélie looked up to the ceiling, thinking about everything that has happened. She hasn't fully forgiven herself yet, but it's a start. Maybe one day, after doing more good things, she can forgive herself.

I've proven my ability to take from the world, now it's time for me to give.