"Yo Malik, you sure you ok? Magnus asked worriedly as he watched Malik hobble and plop into their office chair.
"I mean I did just throw up everything I ate three hours ago, so no," Malik replied casually.
"Fair enough," Magnus grimaced slightly.
"I have some bismuth sub—" Linda began.
"I will pass," Malik waved off the woman's attempt to help them and leaned back in their chair.
"If you're not feeling well Malik you should go get seen. I heard that Konrad is back if you don't want to see Doctor Ziegler," Aleks began.
"Thanks, I will keep that in mind if I feel the need," Malik replied.
"Oh c'mon what if it's contagious?" Magus commented.
"Then I consider myself Patient Zero," with a smug look Malik pulled several holographic screens from their monitors.
"Ah…the good old Patient Zero," Elias commented. "Sounds like you've been playing some video games, Malik,"
"Maybe," Malik shrugged and smirked.
They had recently returned from a scheduled Talon patrol with Gerard and the newly formed Talon strike team. A team that was deemed necessary by the United Nations and Overwatch assisted the team by gathering agents that have had encounters with the terrorist organization to strike back against them
Malik and his team members were given shore leave before they were to head out. Over the months they were working with the team, they had also spent more time with someone they avoided and found themselves in the position of second-guessing themselves, their history with them, and just unwell. Of course, they wouldn't utter a word to anyone about how they were feeling, this was the first time in several months since they were able to be as active as they were on these Talon centered missions and didn't want to have anything take them from it.
They would continue to suffer in silence as they have been.
"I wonder when the Director is coming back, I can't stand these work hours," Magnus sighed.
"Work hours? You knew this was gonna happen. We've even delegated some of the work to other units outside of the country," Aleks began.
"She could be helping instead of on the field," Magnus sighed exasperatedly and seemingly ignored what the man had said.
"Stop complaining!" Aleks threw an empty can at the man who dodged and laughed.
"She'll be back, look," Malik began and pulled up a news broadcast.
Bruised and broken, CEO of the Pharmaceutical firm is walked out of his Washington State HQ in handcuffs
"Oh, shit is that Carmelo Mendoza? He's part cyborg?" Magnus said, surprised at the sudden arrest of the man. The small intel department was aware of the investigation on the man and for the man to suddenly be arrested meant that something had happened behind the scenes.
Carmelo Mendoza of the Mendoza Pharmaceuticals has been charged with collaborating with the cyberterrorist and copycat hacktivist, the Cheshire Cat, and has been taken into custody by the FBI…
"Did she do it?" Aleks murmured as he continued to watch the breaking news in front of him.
"What do you mean?" Linda questioned
"Oh? Is that what she was going to do?" Elias asked
"Who knows…she would have to have worked with the FBI in order to do anything," Malik shrugged. "Then again, she wouldn't get that close to the FBI…neither would I,"
"Well, I don't know what she's been doing but she's supposed to check in with me today…" Aleks trailed off. "So, we'll see what's really going on,"
Malik silently watched their colleagues abuzz with excitement in their case with the man and with the Cheshire cat. Though they were stoic there was an unsettling feeling in their stomach as they listened to the news and colleagues, the feeling eluded them as they sat silently. Their golden eyes flicked towards the silent woman of the group and noticed that there was a look of disbelief on her face as she stared at her monitor.
Malik watched as a wave of frustration washed over the woman and then a sudden released it. Malik leaned back in their chair as they watched the woman.
"I see…" Malik murmured. "That's what she meant,"
"Yes. I am aware of the recent arrest. I haven't heard from her and Commander Reyes is currently on the field," Morrison said
On the large flat screen T.V in his office, the scene of Carmelo Mendoza being arrested was frozen as he spoke on the phone. He was well aware of the investigation into the man, Carmelo Mendoza looked good in public but behind the Good Samaritan image, the man was rife with shady business connections that lead to Talon, Bulgasari, and other organizations, factions that threatened the peace they worked so hard to achieve and maintain.
Blackwatch had been investigating the man as well as a few others, out of the ones that Blackwatch had deemed the weakest link, he was the weakest and would begin the individual takedown of those involved. One of Blackwatch's focus was that of the Bulgasari in South Korea, they had some insight on the man and how Blackwatch was investigating the man in hopes of bringing down the financier of the Bulgasari who was thought to be supplying other groups with funding but this was completely unexpected.
"Yes, I am also aware that there was an agent that assisted her, I am waiting for them to contact their commander to report…" Morrison trailed off. "Understood. I will send my report when I have concrete information,"
Morrison ended the phone call, his attention still on the frozen image. With a press of a button on his desk, the footage continued to play.
"Is this enough…will this be enough?" Morrison mumbled under his breath.
"Knock! Knock!"
Morrison turned his attention to the source of the voice as they entered his office. He was surprised to see Natalie enter his office although void of her signature mischievous smirk.
"Hey,"
"Natalie—" Morrison began.
"I won't stay long. I was just wondering if you knew when Reyes would be back," Natalie said cutting him off.
Morrison studied the woman before he spoke, the overconfident spunk that the woman had earlier when she arrived was nowhere to be seen, he knew the woman usually dragged out what she wanted before voicing it, and yet she was straight to the point. There was something troubling her, he knew that she could have spoken to Lyudmila about Reyes or anything related to Blackwatch.
"I'm not entirely sure yet, there seems to be a delay in their return," Morrison replied. "Is there something wrong?"
"I wanted to give him my resignation letter. I couldn't find Lyuda…I guess she's preparing to go on her mission," Natalie sighed. "I guess my timing is just shitty,"
"Oh…if you want I can give it to him when he returns," Morrison began.
He wasn't surprised by the woman's decision, it was bound to come sooner or later. She had found something to live for and putting her life on the line was no longer feasible, she had a family to live for. She wasn't the same woman they had recruited from the United States.
Natalie was quiet for a moment before she sighed and shook her head.
"It's ok, I'll put it on his desk," Natalie replied.
"Oh—" Morrison started
"By the way, have you been checking up on Reyes?" Natalie asked.
"I don't need to be reminded on how to check in on my agents," Morrison replied, a bit annoyed at the woman's bluntness.
"That's not what I meant…I meant have you checked on his well-being? And not just him but the others as well, Blackwatch as a whole?"
"I try my best to check in as a whole. I trust Reyes to tell me if there is something wrong," Morrison replied. "Why?"
Natalie glanced at the man before a soft sigh escaped from her lips. What she really wanted to say was on the tip of her tongue, she had spoken to a few agents including McCree about what had happened since he had been away and everything they had told her was worrying.
"You should check on them, check on everyone," Natalie said as she exited from the office.
Kallista's shot open and frantically began looking around as she tried to move, searing hot pain shot through her entire form nearly causing her to fall unconscious. "H-Hospital," Kallista gasped, her breathing labored.
"Hey, Nurse! She's awake!"
"I-Idoya?" Kallista gasped and wheezed as pain seized her form.
"Kalli! It's gonna be ok! They're gonna help you out and make you feel better," the tattooed woman began as she gave the woman's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Idoya-! W-what…" Kallista stammered as she attempted to speak. The consistent burning pain shot through her body nearly sending her unconscious once again.
"Miss Luciano are you with us?"
"H-Huh?" Kallista murmured.
"Administer more of—"
Kallista's consciousness wavered as she tried to focus on the person in white who spoke to her.
"I-Idoya—"
"Can you hear…" Idoya began when she watched the woman lose consciousness. "She's unconscious,"
"She has gone through a traumatic event, she needs as much rest as she can get," the doctor began.
"I know, I know," Idoya sighed as she watched the unconscious woman in front of her.
"I understand you're a close friend of hers, will her husband be arriving soon?" the Doctor asked as they checked Kallista's vitals.
"Husband?" Idoya began, eyes wide from the mention of the woman having a husband. "Oh, right,"
"Her emergency contact is Gabriel Reyes, Husband," The Doctor began suspiciously.
"His job makes it difficult to get in contact with him but I'll try to call the Foundation again to see if they can get in contact with him," Idoya said as she pulled out her cellphone and immediately began to call someone.
"Nurse, be sure to keep an eye on Miss Luciano in case she wakes up," The Doctor said as he nodded and left.
"Hey, Malik…do you know when Reyes is due back?" Idoya asked
{I'm sure I can find out…but how did you get this number?}
"From Kalli-Camille," Idoya replied as she remembered Kallista's alias outside of Overwatch.
{Who?}
"Camille…did you forget that Reyes was married?" Idoya said as she tried to play it off as the Nurse continued to monitor Kallista's vitals and the safe administration of medication. Idoya pulled the phone away from her ear as laughter came from the device.
"Ha, ha, ha, real funny Malik," Idoya scoffed. "I'm serious though,"
{Fine. Fine. Give me a minute he should be back in a day or so…granted that there is nothing to mess up their departure date…but I am not sure though…it is not looking good}
"Can you try to get in contact with him? It's…important," Idoya said as she looked at Kallista.
{I can try…but do not expect miracles though}
"Fair enough, thank you Malik," Idoya sighed and ended the phone call. "I guess I'm going to be here a bit longer…"
Idoya leaned back in her chair and focused on the news
Several arrests have been made at the Mendoza Pharmaceuticals on the suspicions of collusion with the cyber hacktivist and terrorist Cheshire cat…
Our reporters have reached out to Carmelo Mendoza's partner, Sterling Black of the Sterling Manufacturing for an interview on his recent arrest…
"Wow…they sure do move fast…" Idoya commented quietly.
"I appreciate you completing the report for her. She's in a stable condition, correct?" Morrison asked as he pulled up Kallista's medical charts he received from the hospital she was checked into.
[ Yes Sir]
Morrison skimmed through the charts then to the reports and then to the blonde-haired woman on the large screen in front of him.
[I did the best that I could to fill the report before she collapsed but I was honestly more worried about her well-being than anything]
"Which is understandable. You have always done a stunning job when it comes to completing your mission and the safety of your comrades, Maxime," Morrison nodded.
[Thank you sir]
"There's no way I can convince you to become a squad leader once again?" Morrison asked. The blonde-haired woman nervously laughed.
[I am sorry sir, I will have to decline the offer. I feel much better solo]
"Fair enough, my offer will still remain regardless. In any case, be prepared to travel to Zurich, this was an important mission for both Blackwatch and Overwatch you will be called in,"
[Yes sir]
"Is there anything else to report?" Morrison asked as he closed out the holographic screens around him.
[Yes actually. There has been a rise in unmarked drones in the area and were seen the night of the taken down]
"Alright," Morrison began as he leaned forward in his chair, curious about what the woman would say next. There were other agents that had reported the same occurrence and wondered if indeed they were connected.
[Unfortunately, they were not normal drones, their maneuvering ability is uncanny. I managed to down one of them but it immediately self-destructed upon opening it.]
"And you said they were present the night of the takedown?" Morrison asked.
[Yes sir. When we arrived it seemed as if an EMP had been activated around the area and the drones were downed but as soon as the FBI arrived they seemed to disappear without a trace]
Dread immediately settled in his gut as he listened to the woman's recount of the appearance of the sudden drones. There was no sign of who they were connected to, what were they surveilling, and why. It was something else that he added to his list of troubles.
"I am aware of these drones…" Morrison trailed off.
[While I'm on patrol-]
Morrison's attention was pulled towards his door opening and a young woman entering his office.
"Agent, I apologize for the abrupt end to this meeting but I have another meeting to attend," Morrison interrupted.
[Of course, sir]
Morrison ended the call and focused on the young woman in front of him. The woman had situated herself calmly in one of the seats in front of his desk and patiently waited for him to finish his call.
Fair skin, freckles could be seen across her nose and cheeks, golden brown eyes, chocolate brown hair cascaded over her shoulder. She wore a simple creme blouse, navy blue blazer and matching trousers.
"Verona...I didn't expect to see you here...so suddenly," Morrison began.
"I tried calling before I barged in here but the secretary was having trouble reaching you," Verona smiled and nodded to his desk.
"Oh-" Morrison said as he saw the notification of an incoming message from his secretary that he had missed.
"I was speaking to the agent that assisted the...Director," Morrison replied.
"Ah, wonderful that's actually the reason why I'm here," Verona smiled slightly as she looked at the man across from her.
"I've already spoken to Anais about it. I'm just glad it's over," Morrison sighed and leaned back in his chair.
"As have I, we still need to do a lot of footwork and play catch up," Verona replied. "Although she was able to stop the terrorist...or hacktivist...or what have you opened a door to another issue,"
Morrison narrowed his eyes as the woman spoke, the unsettling feeling in his gut returned, he watched as Verona placed a newspaper on his desk. Without even questioning how she managed to get her hands on a newspaper he picked up the paper and read the headline.
"This happened nearly twenty years ago," Morrison began. "Why are you bringing this to my attention now?"
"Well…" Verona began and placed a datapad on to his desk, he quickly picked up the device and read the headline and skimmed through the article.
"Too Good to be true. What the Overwatch Foundation is really hiding behind those pristine walls and smiles…"
Nearly twenty years ago members of the current Overwatch Foundation were at the center of an masacre of a town they were fighting to liberate from the Omnium. Morrison sighed heavily as he placed the datapad onto his desk. Silence spread through the office and the realization of what was happening had made itself apparent.
"The look on your face tells me you've already figured out what's happening," Verona broke the silence that settled between the two.
"Unfortunately," Morrison replied.
"The only positive aspect about this is the fact that were were able to look into the reporter who wrote the article-"
"Please tell me something good," Morrison cut in.
"They are known for cutting the edges when it comes to their articles. We believe the reporter is using this to try to garner more recognition by using the founding creator's history," Verona sighed. "Despite the headline being this scathing and risque their resources are not solid and it's a lot of hear say,"
Morrison nodded and ran a hand through his blonde hair, he knew that this was too well placed. One success seemed to lead to taking two steps back, the incident happened nearly twenty years ago during the omnic war and a town was massacred by the enemy omnics. Morrison and Gabriel's teams were affected by the unforeseen mental attack on the human brain, the truth in the matter, there were members on the teams that actually partook in the killing of innocent civilians and comrades with no hesitation.
They kept that information heavily guarded but it seemed as if things were starting to unravel.
"First of all who gave them access to this story and the timing, " Morrison began.
"Exactly my question. I was also hoping that I could tap the Director's way of thinking to discover how this may have come about," Verona nodded and also sighed. "In any case. I will do my best to keep an eyes on anything else that is related to Overwatch but it would be wise to alert your PR team just in case,"
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention,"Morrison said as he watched Verona stand and push her chair in. "I just didn't expect you to come all the way to the Foundation to tell me this,"
"I wanted to get out of my office, I miss seeing you all...in person," Verona smiled. "I also wanted to see if the Director was back from the United States, I don't think we've ever met in person,"
"Ah. She's still in the United States, recovering," Morrison replied.
"Recovering?" Verona repeated surprised.
"Her methods were...unconventional but she was injured in the process," Morrison replied.
"Ah...I wasn't aware she was injured but I hope for a speedy recovery for her," Verona said. "I'll be sure to get in contact with her myself later on,"
Morrison nodded.
"How is everything with you and Sanjay? The baby?" Morrison asked, hoping to change the subject to something more soft.
"Besides being exhausted, pretty well. We're adjusting to the video calls about the little one seem unbothered," Verona smiled.
"That's good," Morrison smiled and thought back to Natalie and her children. "I'm glad to hear it,"
Verona smiled gently.
"Alright, I have to get going. It was nice seeing you in person...I should escape my office more frequently," Verona smirked to herself.
"Don't get in trouble for the sake of escaping," Morrison smirked.
"We'll see...I'll put some of my training to good use," Verona smiled and exited his office.
Several days later
"Malik? It's rare for you to come to me willingly," Angela smiled as she watched Malik hesitantly approach her.
"Yeah...about that," Malik began.
Angela gave Malik a quick once over, noting their nervousness. She knew that the Med Bay wasn't a place they enjoyed visiting frequently due to their recklessness but the fact they came willingly meant that something was terribly wrong.
"What can I do for you, Malik?" Angela asked cautiously. Malik glanced around the office, their charcoal golden speckled eyes quickly roamed the office and focused on Seraphina who was completely engrossed in her work and charts to notice Malik had entered the office.
"Malik-" Angela began.
"C-Can you...run some tests on me?" Malik asked softly. Angela looked at them stunned and confused at the sudden request.
"What do you mean Malik?" Angela replied cautiously. Malik sighed in frustration.
"Can I just piss in a cup and you tell me what is wrong with me?" Malik sighed.
Angela grimaced and sighed softly as she opened one of her desk drawers and held out a small container for them to take. Malik quickly took the container and hobbled away. The Doctor watched as they hobbled to one of the toilets and leaned back in her chair.
"It sounds like they know what the issue is but refuse to say it," Seraphina commented casually as she worked.
"That sounds about right. They are... particular when it comes to being in the med bay. They've suffered enough trauma to not want to be here,"
"Fair enough," Seraphina replied.
"We'll see what the issue is and go from there,"
- Downtown Zurich-
Gabriel stood in the lobby of a luxurious hotel centered in downtown Zurich, he was dressed in a simple black tee, jeans, boots sans his beanie, he received the message from Malik about Kallista being in the hospital in the United States three days ago and just today arrived back from his mission. Despite being exhausted, frustrated he rushed to the hotel to meet up with the women traveling back with her. She was due to return to Zurich today with Idoya and Maxime and had gotten clearance to stay off the Foundation ground until she was fully recovered.
His brows furrowed as he thought back to his mission and the shit show it became causing the delay in his return. He heard briefly of the arrest of Carmelo Mendoza but was more focused on the well-being of Kallista.
"Reyes!"
"Commander Reyes!"
Gabriel turned his attention to three women approaching him. Immediately his eyes fell to the woman slowly walking.
"Kallista, Idoya, Max," Gabriel began.
"I have securely delivered your wife," Idoya smirked, Maxime giggled softly. Gabriel gave the two women a look.
"Listen, you were listed as her emergency contact as her spouse," the tattooed woman shrugged.
"Married? I missed the wedding?" Maxime added with a smirk of her own.
"Whatever," Gabriel sighed and focused on the silent woman.
"I'm ok...just you know...pain," Kallista smiled painfully.
Gabriel's eyes quickly roamed over her, she wore all black, sneakers, black baseball hat, black sunglasses, and wore a small painful smile. The sight of her in such a state made him want to pull her into his embrace, soothe her pain but knew that she was in serious pain. Pain that she shouldn't have to be in, she wasn't a trained soldier like him or Maxime, she was civilian and had her limits.
"Here's her documents about getting clearance to stay off the Foundation grounds until she has been cleared to return," Maxime said as she gave the man a datapad.
"Thanks, what are you doing here?" Gabriel said as he took the datapad, he reached out and took the handle of Kallista's suitcase from Idoya as well.
"Strike Commander Morrison recommended that I come to Zurich in the event that Kallista's report needs to have an investigation...which it will, I'm sure," Maxime replied.
"Fair enough...and you? What were you doing in the United States?" Gabriel turned to Idoya.
"I got clearance from Lyuda ok? I was...checking on things and finishing my gauntlets," Idoya replied.
"Sure," Gabriel scoffed.
"Anyway! Here is the dose of her medication, you have to contact Dr. Ziegler to administer any additional doses she may need, you know...the stuff she has is strong," Idoya replied, Gabriel, nodded.
"...Thanks you two," Gabriel looked at the two women.
"No problem," Maxime smiled.
"You two are like my parents, there's no way I could abandon either of you," Idoya grinned.
"Parents…" Kallista scoffed and winced.
"You were there for me and I'll be there for you," Iodya smirked. "You take care of her Reyes,"
Gabriel frowned at the woman and crossed his arms.
"It was good to see you again Commander Reyes," Maxime said as she began to pull Idoya away from the two.
"See you back at the base," Idoya smiled. "I'll come back and visit later,"
Gabriel watched as the two women headed towards the exit before he turned his attention to Kallista.
"You hiding out?" Gabriel commented.
"I might need to for a little bit," Kallista replied.
"Come on...do you need help?" Gabriel asked.
"It hurts and I feel every step I take in my ribs but I'll manage," Kallista replied.
Gabriel nodded and began to slowly escort her to the elevators and to her room, though silent Gabriel watched her move as they made their way to the hotel room it wasn't until they were in the hotel room.
"It hurts to laugh...but…" Kallista trailed off. "It's funny that we're back in this same hotel...and in a room that looks vaguely familiar,"
"I didn't even think about that...that was three years ago?" Gabriel chuckled as he thought back to the snowstorm that had them stuck at this very hotel.
"Yeah," Kallista replied and winced as she sat down. "It's been six years, nearly seven now…"
Gabriel was silent for a moment as he thought back to when they first captured her and now, again she was in a position where she wasn't supposed to be injured.
And yet, she was sitting in front of him in an unimaginable amount of pain, grinning and bearing it.
"It's been that long already," Gabriel murmured as he looked at the datapad that Maxime had given him earlier, she would be due for another shot to null the pain. "Have you eaten yet?"
"You look terrible," Kallista commented. "Are you ok?"
Gabriel froze for a moment before he spoke "That medication has you really ballsy, Kalli," Gabriel chuckled.
"Are you taking care of yourself?" Kallista asked.
"As best as I can and this isn't about me this is about you," Gabriel replied as he pulled up a chair across from her and sat down.
"Are you sure?" Kallista asked, though in pain worry was still laced into her features as she looked at the man.
"I'm fine. I promise," Gabriel smiled as he reached out and took her hand into his. He gently squeezed her hand as she squeezed his.
"I came back...like you asked," Kallista murmured.
"You did…" Gabriel also murmured. "That's my girl…"
Kallista closed her eyes and smiled, he watched as she bit down on her bottom lip to stave off the pain.
"I'm sure you want to know what happened…" Kallista trailed off.
"I do but I can also wait...it's almost time for another dose of your medication…" Gabriel trailed off.
"It's fine…where should I begin…" Kallista trailed off as she winced. "It'll take my mind of the pain for a little bit,"
"Dr. Hasibuan, can you send over this medication to the Baur au Lac hotel," Angela began. "Room number….307"
"Hotel? Room 307?" Seraphina repeated as she looked at the medication container the woman sat on her desk.
"Yes please, that's where Director Kaines and Commander are staying temporarily," Angela said as she looked over the datapad in her hand and then to the pastel pink-haired woman.
"Oh?" Seraphina snickered.
"Be careful she could be listening," Angela teased as she exited the office and saw Malik nervously sitting at one of the med bay's advising nooks.
"Malik," Angela said as she sat down. Malik clenched their hands together and slowly looked up at the woman across from them.
"Well?"
"You knew, didn't you? You just wanted me to confirm, didn't you?" Angela asked. Malik sighed and leaned back in their chair, their knee bouncing nervously.
"Did you want to tell him or would you like me to do it?" Angela asked.
"W-Who?" Malik asked.
"We will have to talk to Commander Reyes, Captain Lacroix...and Jin," Angela replied. "It is up to you,"
"I…" Malik began and choked on their words.
"Take your time...it is a miracle but I'm sure you already knew that," Angela said quietly and sat silently for a moment. "And I will do whatever you want me to do to help you through this
"Commander Reyes, did you receive the medication?" Seraphina asked as she spoke into the device.
[Yeah, thanks]
"No problem...the dosage and instructions on how to administer were included, but I think you can handle it," Seraphina began. "I don't know the details but-"
[It's better that you don't ask-]
Seraphina listened as the man began coughing to where she could hear the man put down the phone and attempt to stifle his coughs.
[...sorry...there's more than one dosage. I'm assuming more will be sent?]
Seraphina was silent a moment before she spoke, just from the sound of the man's cough was enough to cause concern.
"Yes. Since the dosage is well above the standard dosage it will need to be approved by Dr. Ziegler, Doctor Han, and Strike Commander Morrison," Seraphina replied, she bit her tongue in an attempt to prevent her from pressing the issue of the man's health. She knew that his health records were hidden behind secrecy and Dr. Ziegler was the only one who had access to it.
[I see...what time can I expect it to arrive tomorrow?]
"That I don't know, I'm doing Dr. Ziegler a favor at the moment,"
[Oh...how is Genji?]
"He is doing well, he was complaining about his ligaments, pressure on his spinal cord and joints. I've already made adjustments to them and changed his therapy session," Seraphina replied.
[That's good to hear...is he opening up more?]
"From what I can tell...yes," Seraphina replied.
[That's good to hear. Thanks for the medication...]
"You're...welcome..."
The call ended more awkwardly than she wanted it to be, Seraphina sighed heavily and pulled up Genji's medical records to distract herself from the man and would grill Kallista when she returned to the Foundation.
