Ana wasn't quite sure what to expect when she and Jack broke into Talon headquarters. Fighting and chaos, that was for sure, but who would be there? What weapons would they have? Would Reaper even be there? He was the whole reason they were doing this.
She had prepared herself as best she could, running through every scenario she could think of.
Still, it was a shock to her when she made her way in. She had counted on these people being manic, evil, perhaps cackling villainously while planning how to kill some big leader. Instead, everyone here seemed… normal.
Ana was perched on a ledge, looking through an open window. Watching as these people lounged around, wearing nothing but sweats and pajamas, laughing and joking with one another. There was a large T.V. and- was that Mario Kart?! A laugh almost slipped out of her lips, though she wasn't sure why.
There were soda cans and chip bags strewn throughout the room, in a way that reminded her of the room of a child. Perhaps the most laughable thing was the actual chore wheel pinned on the wall.
These people were terrorists. Ruthless killers. Murderers and arsonists and thieves and kidnappers and- WERE THEY PLAYING MONOPOLY?!
Something squeezed at Ana's heart. If she didn't know better, she would assume these were just a bunch of college roommates having fun. They almost, almost reminded her of Overwatch, of late evenings watching the new recruits play Jenga and World of Warcraft. That was a scary thought. Talon headquarters should not remind her of Overwatch.
There was one girl that stood out, bright purple hair, augmentations of the same color, old, ratty pajamas, Mario Kart controller in hand. She was screaming at the T.V., seemingly angry at her lack of winning. Sitting next to her on a worn couch… was Gabe.
He had a mask, though it wasn't his normal owl skull. It was more like a medical mask, covering him from prying eyes, but making him look… not evil. The pajamas didn't exactly help. Plus, the Mario Kart controller in his hand took away any residual creepiness he might have been carrying around. And then there was the fact that the Pink Girl was leaning against him, so casually. Her head was against his shoulder, her legs strewn on his lap. They were almost cuddling. They looked… like a family. Fondness coloured their faces when they looked at one another.
It clicked in her what their relation was; Gabriel had adopted another stray, like Jesse or Genji. Probably took her under his cloak and decided to keep her, just like he always did. Pink said something Ana couldn't hear, and Reaper laughed, entire body shaking as he tried to catch his breath. Pink took advantage of the opportunity, pulling ahead of him in Mario Kart. She jumped up, hands in the air in a gesture of celebration. In retaliation, he threw an empty soda can at her.
Looking at this man, supposed terrorist and murderer, she only saw Gabi, her best friend. The man who had supported her and had been there for her no matter what she was going through. Her heart ached at this realisation.
It was easier to think of Gabe and Reaper as two separate entities. One of them a good man who fought for what he believed in, who died with honor and courage. The other a monster who had no feelings, no integrity, one who killed with joy.
Why could things never be that simple?
Oh, Gabi… What happened to you? Was it us who did this?
Unknown to Ana, amidst the coil squeezing her heart painfully, there lay a different emotion. Hope. Hope that maybe one day, she could have Gabriel Reyes back.
It was that hope that made her hop down from her perch, that made her lie to Jack, telling him to retreat, that Talon knew they were here.
It was hope that convinced her to give Gabe a chance.
It was hope that made her sleep just a little bit better that night.
And it was hope that made her start planning a new plan; one to save her friend.