"I'm going to remove your cast now. I will have to touch you."

"Yeah, no worries," Junkrat said, nodding his consent. Mercy always tended to warn him first, a gentle habit she took care to undertake, and which he appreciated though the gesture still largely baffled him. It wasn't so much that he hated the sensation of touch, rather that a sudden or unexpected grasp often sparked a reaction from the skittish side of his brain he'd never quite cured.

What was far more alarming to him were the tools she produced for the job, but she assured him they were harmless, and after some consideration even went as far as to set them to her own skin to prove her point. That settled his agitation a little.

He sat back, humming to himself distractedly as she worked.

The last several days had been trying, but he was feeling better for it. Truth be told his wounds had been healing far, far quicker than he thought they had any right to, which was probably Mercy's doing, and made him wonder in an absentminded sort of way precisely how far gone he must have been before he woke up. Heck of a lot worse, probably.

At this point at least he was able to sit up without any trouble, though his chest still felt a tad tender, and she'd permitted him his prosthetic arm back provided he took it off to sleep. The leg she was less lenient with. She'd allowed him one shaky attempt to cross the room with it the previous morning, but otherwise it remained off limits.

His movement was largely restricted to whoever he could pester into wheeling him about. Even then, she was careful with his comings and goings, only letting him out at specific times of her choosing. He would have ignored her orders in that regard except that everyone else seemed strangely happy to listen to her and go out of their way to thwart his own plans.

Naturally he'd been suspicious of that. Seemed an awful lot like they wanted to keep him here to Junkrat, and he didn't much like the idea... but, he'd wrestled the thought aside.

It was hard, at times, to work out if any of his paranoia had merit or if it was unfounded, but he felt confident that whatever the case they had no ill intentions. If he told himself that enough it didn't bother him quite so bad.

Frankly Junkrat was just itching to be moving. He was certain that it couldn't be long until he was released - had to, by this point. Even the thought of it had him fidgeting with impatience.

Mercy sighed, not bothering to scold him since she seemed to be nearly done. As soon as she cracked the cast open he wiggled his arm free, stretching muscles he hadn't been able to use properly for over a week with a groan.

"Careful," she chided, "try to take it slow, it might still be sore."

"Feels a bit funny but looks alright to me." He clenched and unclenched his grip, turning the arm this way and that as if examining her handiwork. "Not bad. What'dya think Roadie? It's not on backwards or nothin'?"

Roadhog snorted.

"Gonna go out on a limb here an' say that means not," Junkrat said with a high pitched giggle. He reached out to scratch at his forearm with his metal digits, but paused when Mercy shot him a stern look. "What?"

"Be gentle, the skin will still be sensitive, same with your other wounds."

"Yeah, got it," he muttered, pulling a face. Reminding himself to follow her instructions was a constant struggle but as far as he could tell she meant well. Her treatment of him over the week had eased most of his lingering suspicions, even if he couldn't completely erase his own wariness. "So, what's the story now doc? Am I all good to go?"

"In a hurry are we?" she asked, in a tone that sounded vaguely amused.

"Yeah well... got things to do, don't I?"

"I'm sure you do, but there's no need to rush, you'll likely end up causing more harm than good. Another few days rest won't hurt you."

"Might do," Junkrat muttered, displeased with the prospect. He turned to appeal to Roadhog. "Come on mate, tell her I'm fine, plenty rested, tip top condition. A shinin' beacon of health."

Roadhog just snorted again.

"Oi, ya callin' me a liar?"

The impassive lenses of Roadhog's mask stared back.

Junkrat pouted. "Well, what would you know anyways?"

"Perhaps this will be incentive not to be so reckless in future," Mercy told him as she tidied away her tools with practiced efficiency. "I can only do so much."

"Don't need to tell me twice, doc," he said, though his expression was still sulky. Despite everyone's best attempts his patience with his predicament was wearing thin, knowing that it couldn't be much longer only spurred his restlessness. And the better he felt, the more energy he had to juggle.

He gave a theatrical sigh, flopping back down on the bed and regretting it immediately as he winced with pain. Had to remember to be a little careful still.

"Roadie, Roadie, ya know this is practically torture for me right? Would it kill ya to help me out once in awhile? What kinda bodyguard are ya, eh?"

"Quit being dramatic."

"I'm being realistic is what I am, mate. It's boring in here."

"So?"

Junkrat sat up again with a scowl. He pointed a finger in Roadhog's direction. "You're a heartless bastard, ya know that?"

His partner chuckled, clearly unfazed by the accusation.

"It's hardly cruel of him not to want you trying to run around and injuring yourself again before you get the chance to heal properly," Mercy chimed in. "If that were to happen, you'd have to spend even longer here."

Junkrat shuddered at the thought. "Don't even joke about that. I mean, I appreciate the attention an' all but I ain't meant to stay put too long, never turns out well."

"Then you had better rest and hope that speeds your recovery," Mercy said sweetly, and Junkrat had the distinct impression she was teasing him. He huffed, grumbling under his breath, though there was no real malice to it.

He was quickly distracted by Roadhog's figure turning away. "Oi, where you off to then?"

"Gotta eat," Roadhog informed him plainly. "I'll be back."

"Sure, sure... hey, score me some boba while you're at it, right? Now that's the good stuff... real thirsty work this recovery business."

He grunted, which Junkrat took to mean he was willing to humor him, and offered a silent wave before he departed. The space left behind in his absence felt almost palpable. Junkrat's lips tweaked downward, eyes darting off to look for something to distract himself.

There was a pile of puzzles and other bits and bobs the various Overwatch agents had left him, along with his own notebook and a few blunt pencils, but nothing that immediately jumped out. He wanted... heck, he just wanted to be moving again. Up and about on his own, free to wander as he chose. There were things to do, and here he was, still stuck waiting.

He gave another theatrical sigh, casting a sidelong glance at Mercy. She lifted her eyebrows at him.

"Something troubling you?"

"Nothin' more than usual."

"Well, if there's nothing more pressing on your mind, I was actually hoping to speak to you today..."

He shrugged. "Ya speak to me every day, doc. Ain't exactly a special occasion."

He was well acquainted with her daily inquires, asking him about his pain, ease of movement, focus, mood, appetite, bla bla this and that. He guessed he understood the necessity of it, but he still did not particularly like to admit most of his weakness. Habit, really. The best he got out of it was the opportunity to make a few bad puns.

"Jamison, this is important," she said.

"Yeah yeah..." Junkrat muttered, but he was already trying to piece together his latest wordplay, and he was only half listening. Something about going out on a limb? No, wait, he'd already used that one, hadn't he? Had he? He tried to scour his fleeting memory.

"Jamison," she said, and there seemed to be something more serious in her tone, enough to drag his attention back to her. "I know about Hector."

Junkrat stiffened. That was the first time he'd heard that name spoken since the mission.

His words were guarded. "Dunno what you're talkin' about."

"I think you do, your reaction is clear enough. Were you planning on keeping it a secret?"

That he'd shot him? No, no he hadn't been, but with the chaos of the battlefield it had seemed like a problem to ignore, and after waking up there had been other things, and well, it had just never seemed like the right time to bring it up... staring at her though he felt like this would not be a satisfactory answer. Hector is a friend, Mercy had told him...

"I'm not threatening you," she said, with mild exasperation, but Junkrat did not relax. He remained frozen in place, eyes flickering over her and the spot where his peg leg still sat. He didn't know what her angle was. Didn't understand what she hoped to gain, but he knew this had to be something. She wanted to handle this now before he was back to his full strength, had to, had to be something she was after, some recompense maybe, why hadn't she brought it up before? No one else had mentioned it, he'd figured it was water under the bridge... Why wait until Roadhog was gone? Why corner him now? Why the fuck had he trusted her in the first place?

"If I wanted to hurt you I could have done it anytime over the past week, please, there's no need to look so alarmed," she said softly. "I took a hippocratic oath when I became a doctor, I would never harm a patient, physically or otherwise."

"Then what do ya want?" he demanded. This was wrong, it sent warning signals shrieking through his head, but... she hadn't hurt him, had she? Hadn't lied about that at least... hadn't even tried to pry any information out of him before now... maybe that's what she was after? Thought Hector meant anything, that she could lord his death over him like it was leverage, make him look proper guilty if he didn't tell her what she wanted, strip this place away from him when he'd done nothing wrong... but... but that wasn't right either, was it? It was all just his head playing tricks... shit, he didn't even know anymore... he wanted it to be a trick... he was just running through old habits, wasn't he? Right?

Perhaps she noticed the conflict warring its path across his face, or the way his gaze darted about the room while he catalogued his options on instinct alone. Whatever it was she took a slow step backward, creating a little more distance between them, and then drew up a chair. She sat down, hands folded in her lap, perfectly unassuming.

"I can wait until Mako returns but I'd rather discuss this in private. What would make you feel better?"

She seemed to be studying him, measuring his behavior carefully and Junkrat squirmed under her gaze.

"Just... say whatever the fuck you're plannin' to and get it over with."

"Perhaps you'd feel better if I explained everything, so you understand my position from a personal standpoint? Nonprofessional, off record, so there are no misunderstandings between us?"

When he made no response she sighed, but nodded, as if that was an answer in itself. It still took her a moment to choose where to begin. "Hector was... a friend. Not a close one, but a friend nonetheless. I don't think I can entirely forgive you for what you did, but I hope... no, I'm sure you wouldn't have done it without good reason."

"Bloke was askin' for it," Junkrat said, startled by his own voice. There was no need for him to be so defensive. He'd done a heck of a lot worse than shooting someone before and it didn't usually bother him. "Didn't give him anythin' he didn't deserve. Gave him fair warnin' and everything, proper chance, even after the first time... was selfdefense, right, nothing wrong with that?"

"I'm not arguing with you. I'm afraid I must take a part of the blame... I knew how he would react, it was my orders you were following that led the two of you to clash, and I was aware of how that might play out... it was simply unavoidable."

Junkrat scowled. "Ya knew he'd try to shoot me?"

A flash of guilt spread across her features. "I don't... I've never wanted to hurt anyone. All my life, I've tried my best to help people, to do what's right, but... you can't save everyone. That's where this all started, really - I made that mistake. I lost an old friend, and did not want to accept it... I tried to save him when there was nothing left to save, and what I did to him still haunts me." She took a steadying breath. "Mein Gott, I wish that I could take it back... no man deserves to suffer like that. I did a terrible, terrible thing."

Junkrat's scowl deepened, but this time it was pensive. She was telling him more than she had to, he suspected, but why he wasn't certain... there didn't seem to be much to gain from it, and she had yet to ask for anything in return. He shifted slightly, readjusting his position on the bed so that he wasn't braced quite as tense. After a moment's consideration he settled his mechanical arm in his lap and allowed his human fingers to tug idly at the metal digits of his hand, working out a stiffness that hadn't been quite right ever since its supposed repair.

"Rest of 'em know about this?"

She nodded, reaching up and brushing her fringe aside absently with the motion. "I have explained my... mistake to some of the senior members of Overwatch, yes... it's a personal matter for them too. What worries me more is that some may see what I did as tool rather than the curse it is... if Talon were to find my methods I don't like to think what they may do..."

He felt that the pieces were beginning to slot together. "So Hector knew then? Had that in his fancy database."

"It was a possibility... he would have had the opportunity to pick it up, and I've never known him to shy away from information, regardless of anyone's complaints... when I realized, I simply couldn't risk it. Putting either of you in danger was never my preference but I could not allow this to escape, you understand? How many more would have had to suffer because of my own selfishness? Because I would not simply let a dead man rest? I cannot save everyone."

There seemed to be a genuine pain in her eyes, so far from the carefully practiced smile he was used to seeing on her face. He wasn't sure why that unsettled him, but Junkrat didn't like it. He toyed with the idea of a joke for a moment, but decided that probably wasn't the smartest thing. He coughed instead.

"People die, ya know," Junkrat said eventually, "seen enough of it meself. Just what happens. No point gettin' hung up on it, figured you'd 'a worked that out by now."

Mercy raised her eyebrows, perhaps surprised that he'd offered anything at all. "Thank you... I know, but at times it's hard to accept that there is nothing you can do. It's not in my nature to give up on people. I would prefer not to dredge this all up frankly, but I think it's good that you understand. I still feel somewhat to blame myself... not just for that, but for Hector, and you too... I've done what I can to delay the inevitable."

"Inevitable, huh?" he asked, a hint of caution creeping back into his voice.

"Your condition has improved and Jack... Commander Morrison," she corrected herself, "will want a full report on the events that occurred during the mission. I told him to hold off until you had recovered enough to be ready, mentally as much as physically, but I think I will be discharging you tomorrow. You still need rest, and medication, and I will be making checkups... but there's no need to keep you cooped up in here when you could be in your own room, and I can't pretend otherwise. I thought it fair to warn you."

Junkrat squinted at her. Was that honestly all she wanted? The situation left him out of sorts, and uncertain as to his position. Mercy always had a way of stirring things up. He thought he liked her well enough most of the time, but even if she wanted to help she meddled, and Junkrat wasn't sure what to make of it. His fingers twisted a little faster. "Ya reckon... ya reckon they ain't gonna take the truth well?"

She managed her usual bright smile. "If you give a full account and it's truly deemed to be selfdefense then I don't think they'll take further action. I just... want you to be prepared. I'll take responsibility for my own actions as well."

"Right..." His scowl returned, but he was thinking.

One way or another this was going to have to be sorted out tomorrow. Only question was how he wanted to handle it. From his perspective he had done nothing wrong, but he was beginning to remember that the rest of Overwatch had a... slightly different grasp of morals. That they might, say, frown upon murdering a supposed ally rather than simply incapacitating him. Would it bother them that much? Surely they'd understand...

He glanced over at Mercy again, chewing at his lip. "Look, do ya think-"

His question was cut short however as the medical bay doors swished open, causing his head to snap round to face the intruder.

For a second they were unfamiliar, but then his memory slotted back into place.

"Angela? Do you have a moment? My master was wondering-"

"Not right now, Genji," Mercy said apologetically. She stood up from her chair, taking a few steps forward to stand between Junkrat and the cyborg. She gestured behind her as if trying to impress a point upon him. "I'm dealing with a patient right now."

Genji cocked his head to the side, though his expression was unreadable behind the face plate he wore. "Ah, that's right. I heard about your adventure, Fawkes, it's good to see you are recovering well. I'm sure our good doctor's been taking care of you."

"Knows her stuff," Junkrat permitted, though his eyes were narrowed. He'd never much liked the cyborg, reminded him far too much of omnics for that. Try as he might, there was something awful about that voice, about the green glow of his visor, the way he puffed steam from his body if he strained himself. Made his skin crawl. Thankfully the man had been away on a mission of some kind for a while in Nepal, and Junkrat had rather enjoyed not having to see him around the base. Worse than the archer, that one.

Whether she sense the animosity or not, Mercy stepped forward to place a gentle hand on Genji's shoulder. "I'm very sorry, I'm sure we'll have a chance to speak later. I'll let Athena know when I'm done here."

Genji nodded. "Of course. Sorry to interrupt."

"It's quite alright."

With a courteous sort of bow the cyborg backed away, the doors closing behind him. Junkrat watched, eyes still narrowed.

Mercy let out a tired sigh. She turned around and her heels clicked on the floor as she made her way back to him. "Sorry about that, he must have forgotten you were here."

"Or didn't care," Junkrat suggested.

"I doubt that. He's not as different from you as you think, you know..." she said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Ha! Don't fool yourself, doc," he said with a laugh that quickly tapered off. The earlier conversation was still lurking him his mind, and his face went grim. He had things he needed to sort out, couldn't get sidetracked...

Mercy took no notice of his distraction, smiling her pleasant smile. "In any case, for now I'd recommend you rest while you still have the chance, and think over what I've told you. Tomorrow will be tiring."

"Yeah," Junkrat echoed distantly, gaze unfocused. "Ya might be right."


((Sorry it's been so long since the last chapter, I've been dealing with a lot of real life stuff. Still am really, so no promises on when the next chapter will be. All I can say is that I'm sorry, and thank you to everyone who still reads this and for all the lovely comments you've left, I really appreciate it.))