More flashback
( a year later)
Maybe it's the growing annoyance in his actions that keep alerting everyone, that keeps the UN apprehensive.
Angela said he's changed a bit, tried to discreetly order a psych evaluation but that infuriated him. Which caused him to later break down to me in a way I've never seen him before.
Maybe it was how he was repeatedly held to a different standard than me. I always thought he was superior to me and that's why they gave him a harder time. But when I took a step back, went over some of his solo missions with smaller teams—- you can see the cracks. He's fixed them, he's done better. But on a consistent basis—- unfortunately I'm what they want.
I've been seemingly all over the world in just a month? Months? Exhaustion is setting in profusely.
He's been more on the sidelines, usually with Ana or Reinhardt—- slowly making him work with them more than solo. We haven't had a mission together in—- months?
When I talked to Gérard he just reminded me to get him to come to the holiday party this year—- dodging every attempt at me figuring out anything deeper.
My joints groaned as I settled onto the couch in some fancy suite they tossed me into for some protection order, watch duty for crowds. But that isn't until for another forty eight hours. Wanted us here early, us as in Ana, Angela and Torbjorn, a bunch of other recruits.
" I don't know what I'm doing wrong, what am I doing wrong?!" Was what he drunkenly confessed about the entire situation.
I wanted to list everything strategically, Angela helped me go over and over what I should say, but none of it would ever come out right.
He's talented, he has drive, he's courageous, confident but also cocky and overly cynical. He also makes some very rash calls, and judgements that aren't always the most in line with Overwatch core values. We have a different standard, and he's easily one of the sharpest soldiers I've worked with and leaders but somehow that's beginning to fuck with him. Like a lapse in confidence brought on by lack of accolades from the higher authorities.
" ah—- looks like we got the suite" Angela said causing me to jump. Ana was behind her with a smirk.
" where did—" I started but Ana looked at me.
" they decided to put us all in here— there's like four rooms in here" she said wistfully.
" makes sense" I replied as Ana smacked me on the side of the head.
" you didn't get the docket did you?" She asked.
" no head injuries" Angela quipped while kicking her suitcase so it didn't roll sideways.
" Like there's anything to hurt in there" Ana said as she patted my head.
" hey!" I grunted.
" Sorry Jack, wisdom comes with age" Ana said as she began to take a look around.
" You look stressed" Angela said softly.
" understatement" I replied.
" well, this is supposed to be an easy job"
" not this" I answered quickly and she nodded.
" Angela you want this one or the one closer to Jack's—- never mind what am I asking this for?" Ana shouted.
She returned to the room and grabbed her bag before mentioning a shower.
" Not a bad idea— that flight was disgusting" Angela said.
" I know" Ana said with a sigh as she disappeared into her room, shortly after the water began running.
" what happened?" I asked, patting the seat next to me on the couch.
" nothing, just—- a long flight with a bunch of children" she replied as she sat next to me.
I pulled her legs up on my lap and she gave me a small kiss.
"What's going on in your head?" She asked.
" Well, a lot of stress but—- "
" we got fifteen and she's done" Angela said.
" That sounds like a challenge" I replied.
" I just got off a flight, I'm gross" she says with an alluring sigh.
" well—- I don't think so but if you feel too gross then—"
She got this mischievous look on her face as she straddled me and kissed down my neck. I let out a soft laugh followed by part grunt part moan.
" how much—"
" twelve" she replied as I immediately picked her up and carried her to my bedroom.
—
She ran for her shower afterwards, and I began to unpack the basics that I needed, feeling much better after all of that.
I could focus better, solidify a plan and—- take a shower before dinner.
So I went through a whole routine, all while my brain was being nagged on by Reyes. I can't seem to shake his words out of my head.
He was drunk, exhausted, and self loathing. But calling himself a failure? I sighed.
" you look miserable" Ana commented when I finally emerged from my room. Angela was picking at an orange while going over her notes.
But she glanced up with those concerned blues of hers.
" cherry up!" Said Torbjorn as he tossed a cherry at my head, I managed to catch it and eat it, which only made him laugh.
" I'm fine, a lot is going on though" I said.
" here? Yeh... loads to do" he said sarcastically as Angela and Ana giggled.
" This is probably about Reyes" Ana said with an arched brow.
" when isn't it about Reyes?" Torbjorn replies.
" it can't be that regular of a thing is it?" I asked.
" usually" they replied in unison.
" he's an excellent soldier" I said.
" Nobody said he wasn't, but he's holding you back Jack, from your true potential" Ana states as she swiped Angela's last bit of orange.
" my true potential?!" I grunted.
" yeah, commander—- isn't this obvious?" Ana said.
" ugh" I buried my face in my hands.
" he can't be this dumb—- Angela is he this dumb? Don't you do IQ tests?" Torbjorn asked.
" Angela is an IQ test" Ana replies.
" why—" Angela started but stopped.
" Reyes is an excellent soldier and leader but you— you've impressed a lot of people, the media loves you, you've got a lot going for you. So don't mess it up worrying all the time. You have your own life to worry about, Reyes is doing and will continue to do—- fine!" Ana states while handing half a handful of grapes to Angela while plopping a few into her mouth.
" dinner?" I asked.
" finally" Torbjorn said.
" you didn't need to wait for—"
" oh but we did" Torbjorn says as he looks at both women who are scowling at him.
—
Years later:
Snark turned to snide. Blackwatch was under his command and overwatch was under mine.
He seemed happy to be in command of his own unit, even if it was under my command. Or Gérard's to get more specific.
" what the hell is going on down there?" Reyes asked as he entered the operating theater.
" your newest recruit. A Shimada brother, we think Genji?"
" you think?"
" can't tell—- Angela found him in a dumpster a few hours ago, rumor is that it's a Shimada"
" —- that?" He asked again.
" yeah—"
" what..." he muttered.
It was a rather unsettling sight, tubes, hoses, drains, blood bags littered the floor, she was coated in blood and kept switching aprons in the room. Her staff was on standby but it was mostly her, delicately but swiftly working.
Ethics would have a field day with this, but I approved it along with Gerard after her nearly losing her voice arguing.
I took a seat again, Reyes joined me, we could keep an eye out for anyone trying to watch who shouldn't be here.
" so this is the commotion I heard about?" He grunts.
" yeah"
" what the hell are you thinking approving this?! What the fuck!" He growled.
" she's a doctor, it's all very experimental but she's had the science down, the methods—- everything. So this is going to help with a lot of medical research. It's groundbreaking actually"
" yeah—- so she's sleeping with Gérard too?" Reyes said with a laugh.
" fuck off"
" there's no way this got approval without-"
" shut up, The science is there—- it's all there. She's been doing this on a smaller scale for years. This is why we recruited her"
" to make monsters? No— that isn't why 'we' recruited her" he sounded so pissed off.
" she's the best in her field—"
" field of bed?" He asked coyly.
" Reyes—- what the hell is with you?!"
" she gets away with anything and everything!"
" if this is about the write up—"
" of fucking course it is! I spent weeks following that scummy omnic, and you expected me to go back, when I had the target in my sight, to avoid collateral? No! I did the job; I did the best I could in the circumstances and if you would take one minute to fucking look over the documents! Then you would know I was in the right!"
" It's not my call, I went over the paper work numerous times, the final call was Gérard. You know that! I wouldn't throw you under like that! I fought like hell for it to remain off record but—-"
" you fought like hell?! Your fucking girlfriend is desecrating a corpse and that's fucking fine! But my slight mishap and you say you fought like hell?! Because from where I'm seeing it— you didn't fight at all!"
I placed my head in my hands for a minute before opening my tablet to the emails I sent.
" look! Besides fighting it in person, here's some notation as well!" I said as I held out the tablet for him to see but he angrily got up and knocked it out of my hands in the process. The clear surface of it sliding across the floor towards the door that he stormed towards.
" better not write me up for that shit too" he growled before opening and slamming the doors shut behind him.
The glass shook, I picked up the damaged tablet and let out an exasperated groan. I transferred everything to a new one I had in my office, grabbing a coffee before returning to my window view of the absolute nightmare Angela was working on below.
I don't know how to handle Reyes at this point, I keep getting awards and more and more media attention while he's fading into obscurity. I don't want that for him, I know it's hurting his ego.
—-
I nearly ran straight into McCree, he was still adjusting to the area, and knows better than to be in Overwatch sanctioned areas. Reyes is the back and forth, but there's no reason for him to be up here and he knows it.
"Heyaaaaa" he said, attempting to be casual.
" what do you need?" I asked, taking a moment to make sure nobody else was around.
" can I talk to you about something?" He said with a sincere tone.
" in my office" I said as we walked, thankfully nobody was around to witness this, honestly he's a spectacle in himself. If he didn't dress as a cowboy daily, then I could pass him off as a recruit. But nope, he's just making himself known.
He settled into the chair, rather slumped as I closed the door and blinds.
" what is this about?" I asked as I moved some paperwork out of his eyesight. I trust him, but not that much.
" I wanna know why we have to be so secretive? What's the deal?"
" we've been over this, Blackwatch is covert. It's —-"
" save the speech, I want to know what it would take to get myself into Overwatch"
My face must have said it all, why in the world would he think he's qualified...
" I know—- I got some — dings on my record"
" dings?! Jesse! There were numerous bounties on your head! What—"
" I heard about a Shimada being added to overwatch"
I shook my head in disbelief.
" so it's true..."
" no, it's not true— there is a Shimada here but he's not overwatch" I said.
He nodded and leaned back, almost lit a cigar but stopped himself.
" how did you know about that?" I asked.
" I have my—"
" Jesse, how did YOU hear about this? Honesty is rewarded here" I said changing my tone midway.
" well Reyes was saying—-"
" did you overheard him?" I asked pointedly.
" no, he told us"
I nearly smacked my hands on my desk but instead clenched my fists. None of that was supposed to get out. He's secret for now, or was supposed to be. If any of this gets out...
" I'll reckon that was the wrong answer?" He says.
" I'll hope he added that this is under the strictest confidentiality ?" I said.
" well, he told us not to go to the news about it if that's what you mean"
I moved a few more stacks of paper around, trying to seem as unbothered as I could. I'm absolutely furious.
" none of this, leaves Blackwatch. Overwatch isn't going to know about this. " I said looking at him. His eyes softened as he nodded in agreement, his hand held out for a shake, which I returned.
" Thank you for this information, and I will consider what you've asked, no promises though... but if you keep noticing things like this—- it might be best to give me a call or message, that would be greatly appreciated" I said.
" like a snitch?"
" absolutely not. I need someone I can trust, not someone who is looking to hurt" I said. He looked confused but agreed, his spurs nearly kicked the back of the chair as he got up to leave.
How do I approach him about this?! Why would he do that? The plan is for him to stay in the Blackwatch area until he's fit. But—- right now that isn't really on the table.
There's still a long way to go, if he survives. But the fact that we have a ' dangerous' Shimada here could provoke retaliation. There's so much red tape, protocol and consent to treat and employ during all of this. There's just—- so much.
Exhausting, but it's something that needs to be dealt with eventually. I can try to talk to him before the briefing today, but he already refused earlier. I don't know why I keep trying lately.
—-
After much mental deliberation and no Angela to bounce my ideas off with, I decided against my better judgement, and will say nothing. Well, not nothing, I will say that he needs to be more discreet about this.
I walked towards the meeting room and saw Angela already inside.
" hey, shouldn't you be sleeping?" I asked.
" das meeting" ( the meeting) she mumbled.
" yeah—- but you just got out of surgery"
" Gérard" she whispered barely lifting her head up from her hands.
The room was slowly filling up and she looked absolutely ready to collapse.
" You really should get out of here" I insisted.
" immer ein gentleman" (always a gentleman) she grumbled.
Gérard arrived and immediately noticed and briskly walked over.
" I know I requested you come, but I didn't realize how exhausted you are—- uhm. You can go and I'll get Jack to give you the notes later" he said kindly.
"Dankeschön" she whispered to him.
" you want to make sure she makes it to her room alright? I can stall for a few" he said with a wink.
" Schlaf gut" ( sleep well) he said to her.
" Come on" I said as I helped her up.
We passed Reyes who scowled, Angela didn't say a single word when we arrived at her door, I wanted to take her back to the flat but there just wasn't time for that, I just helped her open the door and stood in the doorway for a moment to make sure she didn't fall to the floor.
Once she was safely inside I walked back to the meeting and actually arrived on time.
Reyes still has his cocky yet bitter scowl on.
Gérard went through a complete list of things to cover, while I jotted down some notes of things and tried to figure out the best strategy.
It feels like some wall of resentment is forming between Reyes and I—- I don't know how to cope.
But I threw myself into my work, I tried to interact with him, but nothing was happening there. Angela was constantly in surgery or sleeping. Until someone knocked on my office to inform me to remind Angela to eat because her staff was worried. But almost none of them know about Genji yet, the ones who do are the most reliable and small circle.
At the same time I got a message from Reyes asking me to meet him downstairs. I politely dismiss myself from her worried colleague after reassuring them that she was being taken care of. They tried to politely ask if she was on a bender and I had to laugh politely and dismiss that as quickly as I could. Stating that she was currently monitoring an important situation that requires all her attention and focus.
This is getting far messier than I wanted it to ever be, but hopefully Genji will stop needing such long surgical hours—- I haven't actually checked in—- after Reyes.
I could hear him from down the hallway, yelling at McCree, about something or another, I leaned against the wall waiting for him to finish.
" who the fuck decided the cowboy would be a good fit?" Reyes said once he dismissed him. Still clearly within earshot of Jesse. But it's not on me to patrol him.
" guilty" I replied.
" yeah yeah, I know. What the fuck were you thinking?"
" he could be rehabilitated? He's not bad with his gun—"
" yeah, but it's not good enough"
" so what's the issue?" I asked as we went into his gloomy office, almost devoid of light besides the desk lamp, but this is his own choice, he has windows and overhead lights... I guess he likes it this way.
" Angela, I need her on more missions, my guys are put in far more dangerous situations than your highly publicized peace missions. I need someone for when things go wrong and as much as it pains me to say that I need Angela on my team more, I do" he said.
My eyebrows must have shot up as I looked at him.
" Yeah I know, shocking" he said again.
" kinda caught me off guard with this. I can see if we can spare—"
" no, either you spare her or we don't go in at all" he said.
" alright, just highlight when you need her, and if it doesn't work with her schedule then—"
" this isn't scheduling. You are worried" Reyes states.
" I worry about all the soldiers"
" yeah, but you aren't fucking everyone last I checked, we need a better medic than what we've got" he said.
" that's debatable—"
" is it? Because Angela who is virtually nice to everyone can't stand him"
It's true—- they have had their issues, Arthur was a bit more—- loose with his interpretation of medical sciences. He wasn't anywhere on Angela's level, and tried repeatedly to suck up to her but it never worked. He freaked her out, made her skin crawl—- he's not a good person, but a decent medic.
" he's a fuck up! McCree's arm?"
" don't remind me"
" I am reminding you! It's what we are working with! So on some missions, we NEED her" Reyes said.
" alright, again... as long as it's working with every other task she has then yes" I regretted the words as they left my mouth. He leaned back in his chair and smiled.
" that it?" I asked.
" yeah, that's it for now" he said.
I left Blackwatch's quarters feeling like I got run over. Soon finding myself aimlessly wandering overwatch while debating everything that was unfolding. On top of one crisis after the other, now Reyes getting more vocally argumentative, Angela hiding out wherever...
I paused, I heard her soft laughter as she left Genji's room.
" so he's awake?"
" as of twenty minutes ago—- yes" she said.
" so I'm cleared to talk to him about this?"
Her face clouded as she looked at me.
" Angela, we made the deal—"
" he's a person; not a bargaining chip"
" we don't need to get into this now—"
" I think we do, because this is my stance on this matter and you cannot change it"
" you agreed"
" I agree to a lot of things Jack. It's not like I intend to follow through with the majority of them"
I shut my eyes in frustration for a moment and sighed.
This is the last conversation I needed to have today and it's going to be hell.
But saved by Gérard.
" I heard he's awake?" He said smoothly.
" yes but—"
" good! Good work, come on Jack" he said as he walked towards the room.
Angela looked furious and my hands were completely tied.
" I assume you will want to overview this- for patient reasons?" Gérard asked her.
" yes" she replied with a forced smile and big eyes.
Ah great. Something for us to fight over later.
We entered the room and Genji looked over at us, the mess of tubes and monitors as Angela stepped over near him.
" what's this?" He asked.
" I'm Gérard Lecruix and this is Jack Morrison, and we are here to talk to you about Blackwatch"
" the hell is Blackwatch?" He grunted. It's hard to get a read on his face, it's immensely scarred and bandaged but his eyes looked furious.
" it's the covert overwatch"
" why" he asked.
" You are an impressive warrior, they could use you" Gérard said.
" maybe you forgot, I was a Shimada" Genji uttered.
" he's just barely awake, how about you leave your offer with him, and come back in a few days... please" Angela said as her eyes followed the monitors and Genji's eyes.
" reasonable, but we will give you immunity for your—- very sordid criminal record, working with us, and she did just save your life—- through our medical wing" Gérard said pointedly.
" I don't know who you think—" Genji started but the monitor was going off loudly as Angela moved to adjust something he hissed in pain.
" We have some modifications to put through as well, but we can discuss those later" Gérard said.
Angela froze for a moment and looked at me, I tried to make my head shake in " no" as subtle as possible. I could practically feel the stress level she was under rising.
Another monitor beeped and Angela politely pushed us out.
" I don't know if that was the best time to talk about weaponizing him. " I said.
Gérard looked puzzled and walked with me towards my office but instead directed me to his.
" you don't understand the amount of funding we've secreted into him, according to notes Angela made, on various portions of his body needing replacing. With some work in prosthetics we managed to combine—"
" we?"
" Torbjorn, I brought in Arthur for a bit—- you must understand. I trust Angela. But she's still a pacifist at her core. But when pressed, she will make the right decision" Gérard says knowingly.
" when pressed she usually fights back, verbally—-" I said as I shifted my weight, all this walking, talking. Everything is overwhelming.
" verbally isn't an issue. If she has no other option we can easily take this away from her and have someone else do this—- would she really risk losing him at this point? "
He's damn cynical about this.
" you really think that will work with her?"
" you got her to join overwatch, so you tell me"
That almost hurt more than I expected. I stood there in almost shock as the words echoed. It's one thing when she jokes about things like that, but hearing him talk about it like this? Am I this horribly manipulative person?
" Anyways, I'm sure you will figure out how to tell her, if you need any help let me know" Gérard said.
" I'd prefer not too, if I'm being honest. I already have to tell her about more Blackwatch missions she needs to go on—"
" that's ridiculous"
" what?"
" why would you assign her to that? They have a medic" he says with a sigh.
" Reyes requested and I —"
" you caved? You gave into someone who has less power because? And taking our best? She's not someone who should be going into the field on these missions. Her stealth suit hardly disguised who she is—"
" but the rest of the crew doesn't stand out?"
" Jack, you and I both know she stands out among Blackwatch. Most of them are huge men, she's a petite little— no matter. You are a leader, she's a leader but this isn't your job. That isn't her job. The fact that you considered putting her out there like that makes me question the next career step"
Another kick to my ego today. I can maybe take it, but now having to tell Angela everything? She's already dealing with too much to begin with. Hell, we both are.
"A now that he's nearly stabilized I think I can move forward with the dinner. I think that will help smooth some misconceptions over" Gérard states.
Yeah because dinner cures everything.
I nodded and eventually we wrapped up this miserable conversation.
I need to get out of here, I can't stand another minute in this building.
After gathering my gear, my work and my coat , I headed over to our little flat. You could already tell nobody had been here in days. Once I tidied up, showered and made a small dinner, leaving some leftovers packaged for Angela in case she ever shows up. I did send a message that usually informs her of where I am, covertly of course.
I dread telling her all of this, first it was the entire Reyes situation, but now that isn't on the table, but that will infuriate Reyes. My only solution is for her to work better with their medical. But seeing how they don't see eye to eye remotely, she struggles. Then I have to deal with telling her about Genji. I know she wasn't naive enough to believe that the entire 'make him Blackwatch' would just go away because she wanted it too.
But talking to Reyes, that will prove to be challenging...
The invite to Gérard's house popped onto my phone, the invite list was small, just me, Angela, Reyes, Reinhardt and Ana.
I don't know what he's planning, part of me feels like it could be more business, less pleasure. Whoever decided discussing horrible topics over dinner is someone I don't really respect. Mealtime is for eating and polite conversation.
—
His office was shut, and when I knocked he sounded less than impressed to let me in.
" what is it?" He grunts before returning to his chair.
" Gérard has denied your request, he said on key missions it would need to be approved but Angela is overwatch"
" you sound like an errand boy, you didn't even try" he growled.
" I did try! He wouldn't listen, even when I brought up all the points you did" I replied.
" You were supposed to find your own reasoning" Reyes said.
" I did! I made sure to include your points, I'm not fighting with you! I was trying to help you" I insisted. He looks completely displeased, frustrated and worn out. A sentiment we are all displaying today.
" So is the dinner some consolation prize? Sorry! Don't care enough about you or your team, but here's some steak and wine!" Reyes half jokes half growled.
" who knows" I responded with a head shake.
" I'm getting real sick of this, I'm not even the leader down here, you aren't up there. What the hell are we doing wasting time on an organization that couldn't give one less shit about us if they tried" he sounded defeated.
" We believe in something, and fight for that" I replied.
" really? We ' believe ' in something? This isn't Peter Pan, this is our lives we've given so much to overwatch and what has it done? Made you into some Boy Scout captain and me into the drink boy"
" maybe you need some time to remember what you are fighting for"
" I have something to fight for, I just keep getting kicked down"
I nodded and couldn't find the words to verbalize what I was thinking. I feel bad, but he hates pity, abhorred it.
" nothing? No inspiring ' you can do it Reyes! Speeches?"
" I want to encourage you, but I know it won't help right now, nothing will. Besides taking some time for yourself-"
" are you going to report this conversation?!" He nearly shouted.
" no! Why the hell would I? I'm just suggesting you take your vacation time, we both rarely take it. But it is up to you!" I said.
" Maybe I will"
I felt guilty leaving him like that, but I had about ten more things to cross off my list for the day, and had to proceed. Meeting after meeting until I could see Angela again, unfortunately with Gérard and Genji but oh well.
—-
The following day was spent ironing out more speeches, and then getting presentable for the dinner. Angela and Ana were getting ready together, which works better on base.
I didn't see her or Genji all day because of the workload. I know I needed to do a check in with him at some point, but I didn't. Until I saw Angela in the hallway and she paused when she saw me in my suit, she had her hair done up in some sort of side swept curls. But still not in her dress.
" I had to check on Genji, I think something needs increasing. You look, nice" she said with an eyebrow raise indicating her really liking it.
" and you look—" I started but paused when a soldier walked by.
" beautiful" I whispered once everyone was out of earshot.
" Thank you" she replied.
We parted ways for a bit, I met up with Ana, Reyes and Reinhardt. It was more approved of if we all arrived together.
Angela's office door finally opened, she quickly turned to lock it behind her, the swoosh off her dress almost getting locked in before she lightly swayed it out of the way.
" You look lovely" said Reinhardt.
" So do all of you , sorry about that I had to make some notes about Genji while getting ready. " she said as she joined us.
" where is that Shimada shit anyways?" Reyes asked.
" here—- why?" Angela asked.
" obviously, I haven't met him yet. Is he awake?"
" he should be asleep by now, that medication is pretty heavy"
" do you know how much shit is probably already in his system?" Reyes asked.
" Yes, I had to run a bunch of tests, ironically when you're losing a massive amount of blood like he did, amazing how much leaves it" Angela said.
Reyes let out a laugh and I felt uneasy.
" come on, can't I get an introduction before we go talk about him over wine and cheese?"
" I don't think now is the time, we are already cutting it close" I said.
" fine" Reyes sighed.
We all ventured to the vehicle, making small talk, I just enjoyed watching Angela walk, so Reyes and I lagged behind.
There was an uneasiness about our interactions this evening and I want things to be okay. But I know that's just overly hopeful.
Gerards mansion was shining in the distance as we pulled up to the front.
The doors opened to reveal him standing there with Amélie.
It started out friendly enough, casual conversation... followed by a meal and dessert.
After dinner drinks and talking the energy changed, and I hate that.
The entire shift of the evening about Genji and his medical transformation. Reyes was getting edgy about everything.
" I saw the designs, he will be very useful to you" Gérard said calmly.
" he's just another person to look out for—"
" by the way he's going to be transformed, I think he will be looking out for all of you. Isn't that right Angela?" Gérard said.
She looked up from her wine and forced a polite smile.
" he's a person, not a weapon" she said softly before taking a drink.
" of course, but a valuable asset-"
" person" Angela mumbled under her breath.
" yes. Sorry. He is a person, with a lot of capabilities" Gérard said.
" I feel like the resources for him could have instead went with a better healer for our unit" Reyes said.
" maybe Angela or Ana could train him in healing?" Reinhardt said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
" I had a feeling this would be brought up, for the time being, Angela is still overwatch and if she keeps going on blackwatch missions, it will ruin the image of Blackwatch" Gérard says.
" what IS the image of Blackwatch?" Reyes questioned.
Gérard laughed and turned back to his wine, Amélie went around the room topping off anyone that needed more before sliding onto the arm of Gerard's chair.
" and now we are boring my wife, sorry dearest" he said as she smiled brightly at him.
" none of you could bore me" she reassures while playfully tapping his arm.
" ah love" Reinhardt says.
" Look, not to cut the evening short, but I have to finish some things" Reyes said suddenly.
Angela's pager went off a moment later.
" never a night off for you is there?" Gérard said to Angela directly. Not bothering to acknowledge the work Reyes has been putting in as well.
" not for any of us, you of all people I thought would understand" she replied as he smiled and nodded at her.
" Well you two can go on, it was wonderful to have you here" he said.
" Oh we all drove together" Ana said.
" so we can call them a car—" Gérard started. But then waved his hands in realization.
We all politely said our goodnight. I could see Reyes felt snubbed by that situation and Angela did try to say something nice to him, but he probably didn't register that. Instead just seeing one person praised over him, over and over.
The ride back was nearly silent, Angela got out first.
" something wrong?" I asked as we walked inside.
" I just need to check on him, then I'll be—"
" got it" I replied.
She flashed me a smile, but Reyes caught up with us.
" so, can I meet him? Since he's already up? I need to start planning shit around his recovery" he said.
" It's a bit of an emergency" she said.
" which is why you slowed to talk to Boy Scout here? Come on. " Reyes said.
" You can come in, I can't promise what his mental state will be" she replied quickly.
She didn't bother changing, just unlocked the door quickly. Her doctor mode kicked in immediately as she began adjusting various tubes.
" Angela" Genji said suddenly.
" yes? Any pain? Your monitor is indicating—"
" you are beautiful" he said and I nearly snorted.
" Yeah yeah, the basic blonde is stunning Yada yada... I'm Gabriel Reyes, I'll be your captain of Blackwatch" Reyes said.
" I haven't agreed" Genji said.
" but you will, you don't really have a choice, despite what everyone else says. It's sit in a cell for the rest of your days or join" Reyes said.
I glanced over at Angela who was scowling at her screen, I have a feeling it's not about Genji's medical.
" We should probably give Angela some space, I think she has to do—- whatever it is she does" I said.
Reyes and Angela both looked confused, eventually he shrugged and followed me out of the room, nearly slamming the door behind us.
" what was that about?" He grumbled.
" We are all tired, and Angela was getting a tube ready, not really our place to be in there during that" I said.
"Can you stop for a moment and talk to me like a friend, and not another one of your soldiers?" Reyes asked.
I dug my hands into my pockets and nodded. Trying to gather the right words, and I shouldn't have to do that.
" you are right, I apologize. Angela is under a lot of stress with Genji, figuring him out and making him stable medically. She's done some incredible work, but the weaponry we are adding to him is creating—"
" your relationship rocky?" Reyes asked.
" heh, it's definitely adding some tension we've never had before" I admitted.
" fuck it, it's your job to make the calls in this matter. Without the plan in motion this never would have happened. You are doing things by the rules—- well rule adjacent" he says as we enter my office, I pull out the glasses and some whiskey.
As I did a generous pour for us both he sighed and leaned back in the chair.
" You are correct, it doesn't make it easier" I said, sliding the glass to him. We each took a drink and I could see the frustration bottled up.
" honestly, I didn't think your thing with her would last quite this long. You are both so different, but it's clearing fucking with your ability to lead. If she was just another recruit you wouldn't allow this much light stepping about the issue. She has to realize that he's a weapon now" he said.
" we actually work together, I understand her fears about Genji. It's a weird medical procedure to begin with, nothing about it feels ethical, but he's awake, flirting and joking. So he seems fine with it, but he's still a person we signed up for a war without his full consent first. That's a problem" I said before taking another swig.
" you become too attached. They are soldiers, not your friends. Well—- not all are your friends and even then, on the field no one is special, we are all the same—- same rank, same person" he said it with such vigor.
" This is why you are great at speeches" I said.
" yeah, so good they had to send me to run the covert team?"
" they trusted you enough for it, they believe in your work"
" whatever you say" he grunted as the glass hit the desk. I refilled his and we sat in silence for a little while.
" I can't help but think how differently things could have went"
" it's hard not to"
" you don't get it, people respect and know you"
" they do the same for you" I replied.
" no, they don't. But I'm just repeating the same shit" he grumbled.
" if you need to talk about it—-"
" I don't, clearing my head for a few days. I'll come back—-"
" right as Reyes" I quipped.
" why am I friends with you?"
" a question I ask myself daily" I replied.
—
A/N: end of flashback. Maybe it was too long, maybe too fluffy. I can continue it if wanted. But I really wanted to solidify some earlier emotions all around the room, I feel like I didn't establish that well enough) Sorry that this took over two chapters, if i kept them combined it would have been a super long chapter and i am terrible at self editing.
Thank you again for reading this, I know a lot of it is rambling, fluff, randomness, I just wanted more added. Thank you to : Kirabeta, jfm76, TheMdogs,ayumiiishinozakiii, robot584, dragontear365, Trokxy, CyborgNinja777, Chaosdynasty,and L0rdOfThEMemes