The months passed quickly as they ever did in Overwatch. While Jack and Ana were occupied by their regular duties, they kept a close eye on Blackwatch's activities as well – Gabriel had doubled his efforts at tracking and clamping down the main Deadlock cell, aided by inside information given reluctantly by his captive. But even with Jesse's limited help – the boy had been in the lower rungs and was not privy to valuable intel – Blackwatch continued to suffer setbacks and casualties at a rate higher than Overwatch. So much so, that Jack made the call to bring a temporary end to the Deadlock operation, and allow Blackwatch time to breathe and regroup. Gabriel only gave a minor protest before ceding to Jack's command – most of his agents were in bad shape, and even Gabriel himself had been stretched thin for too long.
So Blackwatch was mostly recalled back to base and given R&R while Gabriel did some team shuffling and recruiting to replenish their ranks. He did this subtly, pulling choice Overwatch recruits and agents into his fold; and while this process took place over two months, Ana was still surprised that he waited so long before giving her the one request she'd expected from the very beginning.
And she was again reminded of the answer she gave – not with a small amount of discomfort – when she strode into the empty shooting range, to find one lane occupied by Jesse McCree. He wore the standard dark grey combat tee and pants, with a pair of boots which were polished as ever, Ana noted with satisfaction. Gabriel had taken Jesse under his wing, and spared no expense in training his discipline and manners – the latter of which had been sorely lacking in the boy. While Jesse was still quiet and lurked away from groups – gaining a reputation as 'that lone wolf who might be a criminal' – he showed more respect to the chain of command the longer he stayed with them, and had gotten into no trouble…so far.
Ana walked over to the lane beside Jesse's, and set her heavy rifle case on the counter with a solid thud, attracting a passing glance from him. Then Jesse did a double-take and dropped his hands immediately, flicking his pistol's safety on before he yanked off the ear muffs on his head.
"Ma'am," Jesse said, so quickly that it was almost reflex – which made Ana smirk slightly.
"I see Gabe's finally given you access to the weapons locker."
Jesse looked down at the pistol in his hand, which Ana had nodded at. "Yeah… He's restricted me to pistols for now. But I prefer a revolver."
Ana's mouth twitched. They'd had an 'interview' of sorts together, when Ana was registering Jesse's name into Gabriel's personal logs – the only place where his name was allowed to exist, until his official recruitment at the end of his probation…whenever Gabriel decided that would be. She'd given him a chance to pick his own codename, and Jesse had chosen 'Revolver' after a moment's thought. While she was typing that down, she heard him mumble something about 'Ocelot' under his breath, but he refused to acknowledge it when she asked. Ana did a simple search on the internet after, and discovered that Jesse had named himself…with a reference to a video game. Yes, he was still a boy indeed.
"Then it's up to Gabriel to decide when you can use one." Ana reached for the com interface for Jesse's lane, and reviewed his performance quickly – missed a quarter of his shots, and those that hit were random smatters over the target's body. She wondered how accurate he'd be with a revolver instead…
"Commander Reyes said you're the best shot on base," Jesse said slowly, his eyes fixed on Ana's long rifle case.
"Best shot on base, probably the best sniper in the world," Ana crowed, well aware her claim would be shot by her wife if she was present. When Jesse tilted his head curiously, she added, "Well, don't just listen to my boast. Judge for yourself."
Ana took Jesse's pistol from the counter, and glanced at the ammo counter on the lane's interface. She spun it smoothly on her finger, then gripped it and thumbed the safety off. Focusing on the target with her cybernetic eye, Ana took aim and emptied the pistol's magazine with rapid-fire shots, looking back at Jesse during the last few shots just for a little dramatic flair.
Jesse stared at her for a moment, then moved his eyes over to the target that Ana had called back to the counter – amid his own practice shots, there were now two neat clusters of bullet holes, each on the bull's eye in the target's body and head.
"Convinced?" Ana asked.
Jesse's eyes remained fixed on the target for a long while, before his lips parted in quiet huffs of laughter. He turned back to her with wide eyes almost in child-like wonder, then seemed to grow abashed as he scratched at his hair – which he now kept washed and combed meticulously.
"Could you…show me how to do that?"
"Finish your probation under Gabriel first, boy." Ana returned the pistol to him. "Then we'll see if you're worth my time."
Jack and Ana stood behind the tinted full-length windows of the observation deck, watching their top agents clean up a test simulation effortlessly, before regrouping at the end and snapping off salutes in their direction. Ana nodded to herself as she glanced down at her datapad, currently being updated with the statistics of the simulation.
"Quite impressive. They cleared this simulation quicker than expected…nearly broke the Strike Team's record," Ana mused to herself, getting a lighthearted glance from Jack.
"Worried we'll get upstaged?"
Ana snorted. "Please. Even if the team gets upstaged, I know my sniper's reputation is still intact."
"How quickly the team spirit evaporates," Jack said drily, though with a smile. He paused to answer the incoming call on comms, clearing their agents for a break before their next trial. "What if someone does steal your sniper's title? You're gonna have to give up your 'World's Best Sniper' mug."
"Only if they survive long enough to get it." Ana chuckled along with him, as they went through the agents' roster together. "Decided which ones you want for your team yet? I know Mirembe and Tien are fighting over at least two agents."
"Then we'll give them one each," Jack said simply. "Now, I've had my eye on–" He was distracted when the doors slid open, and they both glanced up to find Torbjörn walking through, with a young blonde girl following behind him.
"Ah, Torbjörn. You're back from vacation early…and that's not Brigitte," Ana stated the obvious as she gazed curiously at the blonde – who was definitely not Torbjörn's red-headed baby daughter. This one was about…15 years of age? A good few years older than Fareeha, at least.
"Ah, no. My wife decided to bring Brigitte along to visit her family. This is Angela Ziegler."
"It is nice to meet you," Angela said – her accent was notably different from Torbjörn's. Local, actually.
"Oh yes. The girl who's practically your adopted niece, am I right?" Jack moved forward, offering his hand to Angela. "Good to meet you, Angela. Torbjörn talks about you almost as much as his kids. He said you were applying to university already?"
"Yes. I'm hoping it goes well." Angela smiled as she shook Jack's hand, then Ana's.
"I'm sure it will," Ana drawled. "Word is, you are quite the budding genius."
"Ah, I wouldn't say that…"
"Nonsense. She already puts all her peers to shame." Torbjörn beamed up at her, in the same manner as when he spoke about his own children. "In fact, I brought her here to take a look at our R&D labs. Angela wanted to have a look at what we'll do when the branch is up."
"Really? Then let's have a look together before our next session." Ana glanced at Jack, who shrugged in half-hearted assent. Ana patted him on the back, and Jack moved first to lead the group towards the labs, while his three companions trailed behind him.
"So, Angela," Ana said, and the girl looked to her attentively. "Are you planning to join Overwatch?"
"I–, I'm not sure actually." Angela bowed her head in thought, looking at Torbjörn as she did so. "It might be an option. Just something to think about, for what I want to do after my studies."
"Of course. Focus on your education first," Ana agreed. Then she looked to Angela for a few moments, examining the face that had set off a certain…familiarity? "Say, Torbjörn. Have you ever shown us a photo of Angela before?"
"She was in some of my family photos, yes."
"That must be why," Ana said, smiling back at Angela's look of interest. "It feels like I've seen you before."
Fareeha's term break had started, and this meant flying over to Zurich for their yearly visit to Ana at the Overwatch HQ, as was becoming their family's tradition. Ana hadn't been home at all this year, and though Kamilah was a little disgruntled by that fact, she was still glad to lay eyes on her wife, instead of settling for calls through their screens. Fareeha was rather disappointed by Ana's absence too, but that only made her more eager for their flight to Zurich, and she clung onto Ana's hand the moment she saw her ami, gladly engaging in the chit-chat that Ana started.
'How is school? How is home? Have you been good for mama? Do you have any new hobbies?'
All questions that Ana should know the answer to – she did know them, but it was a way to help her reconnect with her child, and keep up with Fareeha's goings-on since their last vidcall together. Kamilah couldn't help but sigh to herself at the thought, though Ana noticed her subdued mood and promptly planted a kiss on her cheek – which helped alleviate her sullenness a bit, and more easily than Kamilah would like to admit.
Back in base, the Amari family were already known to most of the personnel, and so they had the freedom to roam about wherever they desired, excepting a few restricted areas. And when Ana was forcibly torn away from her family again to tend to Overwatch matters, Kamilah took Fareeha about the base which the girl loved so much; watching the recruits and agents train in the fields, returning greetings from personnel who'd recognised them – and the blue beret that Ana had put on Fareeha's head, telling little 'Captain Amari' to go inspect the base in her stead.
They came across members of the Strike Team as well – Reinhardt and Mirembe were the ones who accompanied them for most of the day, showing them about the new facilities, and sharing stories of their latest missions. When night had fallen and Ana had only sent a text that she'd be delayed, they took it upon themselves to escort the family back to their quarters, where they exchanged salutes with Fareeha before bidding them good night.
Fareeha went to bed willingly, as she'd been tuckered out by the flight and the day's exploration. Kamilah tucked her in, making sure the girl was fast asleep before she…decided not to climb into bed just yet. She went to sit at Ana's study desk, eyeing the numerous files and documents stacked upon it – not as high as it was in Kamilah's office, but she'd bet that Ana's main office was the bigger disaster. Kamilah sat there, waiting blankly for Ana to return, but decided to go off on her own instead of staying in the room.
She kissed Fareeha on the head – the girl didn't stir, and Kamilah made her way out quietly. She wandered the hallways – emptier now that it was late at night – until she reached the private lounge reserved for the Strike Team, and decided have a cup of water before heading back to bed.
She'd sat at the table beside the windows, staring out into the night, when the door was opened. Kamilah turned her head to look at the blonde girl walking in, and was immediately puzzled – she was much too young to be an agent…the child of one, perhaps? But while she was mystified by the stranger's identity, the girl seemed to recognise Kamilah, and shot her a friendly smile.
"Hello! I was wondering when you'd arrived," the girl said, going over to the fridge to pour a glass of juice.
Kamilah cocked her head. "You know me?"
"Oh, yes. You're the Captain's wife, aren't you?"
She blinked, then huffed in amusement. "Is that what I've been reduced to? 'The Captain's wife'?"
The girl paused by the counter, looking at Kamilah in concern. "I'm…sorry? I didn't mean to offend–"
"Relax. I was just joking." Kamilah softened her tone, reminding herself that this one was still young. When the girl stood uncertainly by the counter, sipping her apple juice, Kamilah decided to lure her over with conversation. "Who are you? How do you know me?"
"I'm Angela. Torbjörn brought me here to look at the new labs," she said, shuffling over to take the chair by Kamilah.
"And Torbjörn is your…?" Kamilah asked, noting the girl's Swiss accent.
"I like to say he's my uncle, but he's actually a family friend. A very close one." Angela gave her a smile, but it was quick to fade. "He let me stay with him after my parents died, before I went to live with my grandparents."
"Ah. I'm sorry for your loss."
"It's alright." Angela's smile returned. "It happened during the Omnic Crisis. Torbjörn happened to be there when I lost them, and he sheltered me in his home, before going off to join Overwatch."
Kamilah nodded slowly, taking a sip of water. "And…you're here to look around? Are you planning to join up?"
"That's what Captain Amari asked too," Angela giggled. "Actually, I'm waiting for my application to university to be approved. In the meantime, Torbjörn's bringing me around the base, to look around and see if I'd like to work here in the future. A possibility, you know."
"And what are you studying?"
"Medicine."
"So…you'll be wanting to join Overwatch as a doctor? Medic?" Kamilah asked, and Angela just shrugged. She drummed her fingers as a sudden silence fell over them, then went on, "I was a combat medic once, in the army. I don't know if Overwatch's doctors will see any different, but you'll see a lot of…hardship on the frontlines." She picked her words carefully, acutely aware she was speaking to a girl who hadn't come of age. But Angela just listened quietly, a certain severity falling over her youthful features.
"I know what I will see. I have…experienced it before, but just as a civilian." Angela smiled at her again – tighter this time. "I have considered being a combat medic, to help others as my parents did. But I'm not sure about…" Her voice trailed off, then returned with more strength. "I will have to work up the courage to face it on my own."
Kamilah regarded the girl in silence, wondering just how much more she'd seen than a child of her years should have. "You still have your whole life ahead of you. You'll have time to figure it out, I'm sure."
"I know. I just hope I make the right choice."
Well. Kamilah was trying to wind down for the night, getting herself ready for bed…but she'd just woken up more than she'd like. Still, she stayed at the table with Angela, tapping at her glass of water idly as she searched for a lighter topic of conversation. "So, it sounds like you've met Ana already."
"Yes! I met her this morning, and she brought me around the labs with Commander Morrison. It was an honour to meet her–" Angela stopped in concern when Kamilah nearly choked on the water she'd been sipping, but continued when Kamilah waved a hand at her. "And it's nice to finally meet you too. She talked a bit about you…and your daughter?"
"Yes, Fareeha. She's in base too."
"I haven't seen her around yet."
"I'm sure you will soon. She's that young girl running around with Captain Amari's beret, trying to climb anything that has a bit of height," Kamilah said drily, but she did smile when Angela muffled a giggle with her hand.
The girl took another draught of juice, and tapped her feet on the floor. "Did you meet Captain Amari in the army?"
Kamilah raised a brow. "Yes, I–"
The door swung open again, and this time, Captain Amari herself walked into the lounge, still dressed in uniform. "Ah, I knew I'd find you here, Milah. And Angela? Isn't it a little late to be up?"
"I could say the same to you," Kamilah snipped at her, glancing at the clock to find that it's just past midnight.
"Duty calls, and sleep suffers. Ah, I'm living the dream." Ana took a packet of lemon tea from the fridge and joined them at the table, pressing a kiss on top of Kamilah's head as she passed by. She sat heavily in her chair with a huge sigh, then said, "So! What've you two been chatting about?"
"Angela just asked if we met in the army," Kamilah replied, glancing over to find that Angela had sat up straighter in her seat. Was Ana aware of the effect she now had on people? Surely she did.
"Oh yes, it was a meeting right out of a romance novel. Picture it – me, Ana Amari, a dashing and heroic sniper in the Egyptian army. And Kamilah Shadid, Egypt's most beautiful medic, and my darling little damsel in distr–"
"If you dare call me that, Amari," Kamilah warned her, raising a finger in threat. "You are sleeping in the corridor tonight."
Ana grinned, then took her hand and kissed her knuckles. She leaned back in her seat, tilting her head nonchalantly. "Well, Angela. We did meet in the army. And let me tell you – if you think Milah's fierce now, ha! You should've seen her back then. She could've stopped an army of omnics with a single glare. I know for sure she stopped my heart a few times before…"
"Dear, oh dear," Kamilah sighed, shaking her head at the holographic projection that Ana had brought up. It was Ana's schedule for the next three months, and Kamilah tapped at the two weeks in January that had been blocked off in red, due to Overwatch business. "You're not going to be home for our anniversary…again."
Ana smiled sheepishly, feeling a slight twinge of guilt. "Sorry, Milah."
Her wife heaved another sigh, dragging her finger thoughtlessly over the blank dates on the calendar, before dropping her hand from the projection. "I already made a reservation at the restaurant – remember the one we went to for our first date?"
"Of course. Wait–, not the fast food one, right?"
Kamilah breathed a laugh, reaching over to slap Ana on the shoulder as she walked closer. "No. I was planning to do the same things we did back then. Have a nice dinner, then cruise around on my bike… I don't know." She shrugged, as if in defeat, and crossed her arms. "I've been thinking a lot about us lately. Thinking of how we were back then."
"Why, do you miss it?"
"Not really, no. Things were simpler…but I was a mess. And you were just another hotshot wannabe." Kamilah gestured at her, casually appraising. "Now you are a hotshot, and suddenly it's like we barely have any time together." She stopped abruptly in a moment of though, then let out a slow breath. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to…"
"No, Milah. Don't keep anything from me." Ana ran a hand down Kamilah's hair, and cupped her cheek. "I know how you feel, but I don't want you to hide it from me, alright?"
"I know. I just don't want to make you feel bad for–" Kamilah raised her eyes towards the ceiling, exasperated when the comm channel on Ana's desk chirped.
"What is it," Ana answered the call curtly, listening to Jack speak on the other end. "No. Tell him I'm occupied, and our meeting will proceed later, just like we planned. I'm not to be disturbed until then."
"Ana, if it's important…" Kamilah said, as Ana cut off the line after Jack's agreement.
"No. You flew all the way here to spend time with me, and that's what you'll get." Ana wrapped her arms around Kamilah, and gave her a quick kiss. "Nothing will come between our family time for now, I promise."
Kamilah's soft smile did much to lift the weight on her chest, and Ana shut down her workstation before taking Kamilah by the hand, leading her out of the office. "Let's get Fareeha, then we'll go into town for lunch?"
"Sounds good," Kamilah replied, slipping her fingers between Ana's, and she pressed closer to her wife as they walked down the corridor together.
But before they turned into the lift lobby, they paused upon hearing an office door sliding open, followed by quiet giggles and the soft thud of feet on the floor. They turned around, and Ana was taken by surprise to see Fareeha with a wide grin on her face…and Jesse by her side. Though Fareeha hadn't lost her excitement at the sight of her mothers, Jesse's back snapped straight when he noticed Ana.
Now this…was unexpected. Jesse had made little effort at communication since Kamilah and Fareeha's arrival on base, and was content just lurking in the corners as he'd always done. But she'd caught Jesse playing with Fareeha in the break room once – the girl had swapped Ana's beret for Jesse's cowboy hat, which he was fiercely protective of. Jesse had smiled while Fareeha donned his hat, and was teaching her how to do finger guns when Ana walked in, sending him to his feet at attention. They exchanged a greeting, before Jesse reclaimed his hat and left the break room quickly, as if he'd been embarrassed.
Ana thought Jesse had been scared off from interacting with Fareeha, but apparently, it was not the case.
"Ma'am," Jesse said, squaring his shoulders as his poker face fell back in place. Ana noted with wry pleasure that his eyes darted briefly over to Kamilah as well; the boy had been quite careful around Kamilah, a little intimidated by the woman even though she hadn't said much to him, save for the initial greeting.
"Jesse. Fareeha. What are you doing?" Ana asked, gaze falling on the black marker clutched in Fareeha's hand.
"Uh–, we were…actually–," Jesse stammered, unable to look her in the eyes. But he was saved the trouble of explaining when the door behind them slid open again, and Gabriel stepped out into the corridor indignantly. And when he turned to look at them, Ana had to muffle a snort with her palm – even at this distance, they could clearly see the big moustache and monocle drawn on his face…in black marker.
"Let's go, let's go!" Fareeha squealed, reaching out to clamp onto Jesse's hand, and tugged him forward.
They took off together with Gabriel hot on their heels, and Jesse yelled over his shoulder, "Sorry, Reyes! All in good fun!"
"You fucking bastard!" Gabriel shouted back, though they could hear the laughter in his voice, and there was a crooked grin on his face to match.
"Language, boys," Ana drawled as Gabriel ran past her and Kamilah. She watched them turn into a corner and disappear from sight, though their laughter could still be heard faintly from down the corridor.
She looked back to Kamilah and sighed airily, "Shall we chase after them?"
"Slowly. It looks like they're having fun," Kamilah chuckled, pulling Ana close as they started walking down the hallway again.
"Not because you want more time alone with me?"
Kamilah huffed, but wore a smile as she leaned in to kiss Ana on the cheek. "My dear Captain, I'll take my time with you whenever I can get it."