Mercy

Angela started the water and allowed the simply obtained warmth to cascade about her skin. The heat rose quickly, and she was forced to adjust the temperature by turning the "cold" side of the tap on just slightly. The washroom was abuzz with noise. Hand dryers, toilets flushing, and general gab from the various occupants were all a strange form of comfort.

Life.

It had felt like so long since she was surrounded by frivolity such as this. Angela added soap, lathering her fingers throughout themselves, still smelling a hint of blood no matter how much she washed them. Her practise had stained her skin, but her involvement with Overwatch had tainted it.

'Out, spot. Out, I say…' Angela murmured.

She exited the public space and found Fareeha leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, a few shopping bags at her feet, and her demeanor as a whole rather intimidating considering what Angela knew of the young woman by this point. Angela grinned to herself, sighing inwardly in an attempt to maintain the image she wanted all to see. The fact she had revealed even a hint of her true thoughts to Fareeha was surprising to the doctor, and she steeled her resolve to maintain the appropriate distance from the other girl.

'I'm back. Thank-you for waiting.' Angela said cheerfully.

'It was not a problem. But I do think we should get to our plane once we pick up the rest of our stuff from the inn.'

'Of course. I suppose I should have waited until we returned, since we're only a block or two away, but when you become an old spinster like me, nature has more influence than one may prefer.'

'You must be joking. You're a far way from such status.'

'…That's a good answer, Fareeha.' Angela giggled, but she could see that look in this woman's eyes again. Fareeha was trying to understand below the surface on display, and truthfully, it scared the doctor. She didn't want to let anyone in. Other than that one mistake she had made, she hadn't failed since. She was a guarded soul, and life was much simpler that way. What Mercy wanted to do with her time had no space for intimate friends or romantic relationships. Once she was working with Overwatch again, she would do everything in her power to distance herself from anyone and everything. Saving as many people as possible; that was her goal. She didn't want or need help beyond the practical. Her emotions were her own. They always would be.

Fareeha's phone beeped as the two women checked out of their hotel, Fareeha's suitcase in tow and temporarily swung to the side of the road so that she could check her messages.

'What does it say?'

'Hm? Oh. Just relaying the coordinates of our rendezvous point.'

'Ah. Then our tiny vacation is over?'

'It would seem that way.'

'How unfortunate. I was enjoying myself.'

'Were you?' Fareeha poked at her device, possibly deleting the information for security's sake. Angela rose her right brow, shaking her head a little.

'What girl doesn't enjoy purchasing some tastefully expensive pieces of fabric for none to see but herself?'

'By choice.' Fareeha reminded Angela, and the older girl laughed.

'We can certainly go with that.'

'I doubt almost any man could resist you, Angela. You must know this by now.'

'And you also know that my expectations as well as standards are rather colossal. Thus, I'm looking forward to my spinning days once I am unable to move about the world as I am now.' Angela paused, touching her lips playfully with her index finger. 'Unless you're willing to humour me with your company should I get lonely at night from here on out.'

She didn't know why she constantly felt the need to tease Fareeha. Perhaps because it was so easy. Perhaps to create more distance between the two of them. Perhaps to become more alien to the curious and wondering woman. Whatever the answer, Fareeha's flushed face was an expected reaction. She was so straight-laced it was hilarious.

'I-I could never…'

'Surely.' Angela shrugged. 'It was a joke in poor humour at your expense once again. I'm so wicked at times, aren't I?'

'At times, yes.' Fareeha gathered herself back up, and Angela giggled a little more once the girls were on their way through Ilios anew. However, they had barely left their temporary neighbourhood before Fareeha's phone began ringing. Being the courteous individual that she was, Fareeha pulled over to the side a second time, tapping her device and bringing it to her ear.

'Hello? Winston? Yes. We're fine.'

Winston was such a worrywart. With him in charge, Angela might have to take on a more authoritative role. Unless Jack or the late Ana returned, it would likely fall on Angela to be the realist, shaping Overwatch's personnel into efficient and dedicated members. Winston was just too soft sometimes, and that was coming from someone who had dedicated her life to saving others.

'We're almost at the rendezvous point now.' A pause. 'What? What do you mean?'

Angela watched Fareeha's face, noticing her strong, impressive features shifting into confusion.

'I see. Yes. I understand. We'll be careful. I'll notify you should anything change dramatically. Thank-you.'

'Trouble, it would seem?' Angela asked, stepping in close and leaning in to look at Fareeha's phone.

'Our time of departure concerns Winston. There shouldn't have been any complications. On his end, everything went through fine. He's looking into it, but he suspects some information was leaked and Talon is on to us.'

Angela bit at her thumbnail, glancing about the area. They were leaving the main residential and commercial sector of Ilios. The landscape was becoming more secluded, with less pearl-white buildings to speak of. She could sense the change in the air. Her survival instincts were abuzz, and she wondered if Fareeha felt something similar.

Suddenly, Angela noted a hand on her shoulder, and she was brought in closer to the taller woman. She could feel Fareeha's warmth, and blinked rapidly, her face burning slightly.

'Stay close to me, Angela.'

'Y-yes…' Angela stammered, thrown by the sudden chivalry Fareeha was capable of.

'I'm sorry if it's a little too personal, but I don't want a repeat of last time. I will protect you.'

'Don't you recall?' Angela forced herself to speak calmly. 'It takes quite a bit to truly harm me.'

'Despite your ability to heal, you feel the pain, don't you?'

'Well, yes.'

'Then that is enough. I won't allow it.'

Again. Angela didn't think she was weak to such heroics anymore, but something about Fareeha's shift in demeanor had quite the effect on the older woman. It was actually somewhat humorous. Only Jack and Lena had ever given Angela a similar sensation, since their courage, strength, and selflessness in battle was unparalleled. If Fareeha were a man, it was quite possible Angela might even feel something for her. In fact, even now…

'…I thank-you.' Angela mumbled, shuffling alongside Fareeha until they neared the meeting space.

Indeed, their ride was waiting in a small opening nestled away outside of the city. It was a more advanced transporter from the helicopter that had been used before. This aerial unit utilized more contemporary means of flight travel, implementing gravity engines to initiate a more seamless method of air transportation that was similar to present-day advanced city's modern methods of commuting.

Fareeha paused along the perimeter of the area, scanning her surroundings and waiting.

'Hello?' She called out, staying ahead of Angela and covering her, it seemed.

There was no response, but Angela could feel eyes on her. Winston's concerns weren't misplaced this time. The delay in departure gave Talon the opportunity to gather their forces. If another squad ambushed them now, Fareeha and Angela would be in trouble. Should they simply retreat, or…?

Something clicked, and then the aircraft's side door began to slide open. Fareeha reached back and touched Angela's arm, but didn't turn her head. She was ensuring Angela was still behind her; protected from whatever came next. This woman was ever vigilant.

'Be cautious, Fareeha.' Angela demanded, but everything that took place next gave neither Overwatch agent enough time to react in an appropriate manner. A missile exploded mere feet away from both Fareeha and Angela, the Egyptian grabbing hold of Angela and pulling her to the ground, rolling about until they could find some cover.

Angela exhaled sharply, but before she could gather herself, another explosion erupted, this time much closer. Fareeha held Angela close despite a small shriek escaping her throat. The larger woman thrust forward, jerking Mercy alongside her.

'My rockets…' Fareeha grunted, placing Angela behind a piece of landscape.

'We should retreat.'

'There isn't time. Stay here.'

All hesitation in Fareeha's voice was gone. She was a warrior now. Angela felt foolish for teasing such a capable individual. Fareeha's eyes sharpened within her heavy mascara, the tattoo lining one side of her face glimmering. She stood and dashed out, her back singed by the heat of the rocket's eruption.

Angela peeked around her protection, and watched in horror as Fareeha used her natural physical prowess to charge forth. It was foolhardy at best, but she was right; with a weapon and bird like that, there was no escaping. Talon punished those who failed, more than likely, and this man wasn't about to let himself be disgraced.

More miniature rockets were launched, but Fareeha was managing to evade direct hits, only flinching and circumnavigating her movements as needed. The heat from the explosions must've been intense, but the projectiles were somewhat slow, and Fareeha's agility was quite impressive. She had truly trained herself with dedication, displaying abilities beyond a normal human being's. She closed the gap between herself and her attacker, but with her progress came greater risk. The rockets were exploding closer and closer, until one seemed to land directly at the woman's feet, causing Fareeha to be launched backward a couple of metres.

'No…!' Angela screamed, but Fareeha was up again in another second, and it was then that Angela understood what the woman had done. Not another rocket was launched, and the figure hanging out the side of the plane threw the piece of equipment down, hastily drawing a gun and firing. Fareeha flinched as the shot bit through her shoulder, it seemed, but by then, she was on her assailant, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him out of the aircraft. The two struggled, but Fareeha was like an animal, her movements sharp and powerful, her elbow cracking the side of the man's head with a brutal connection. He didn't move again after that.

'Ugh…!' Fareeha finally groaned, holding the blood that oozed from her fresh wound.

Angela pushed out from her cover and ran to her comrade, kneeling at Fareeha's side and taking her hand away from the bullet's entrance.

'It…didn't go through. Damn it…' Fareeha muttered amidst clenched teeth. Her hair was dishevelled, and her face was moist with sweat. Fareeha's shins were also exposed, minor burns ravaging her beautiful, bronze skin.

'You were incredible.' Angela praised earnestly.

'I know my miniature rocket launcher better than any. It was a fight…hah…I knew I could win…'

'Shhh. Take a moment. If we can make our way into our ride I suspect I can make use of the first aid kit within. Can you walk with my assistance?'

'I can do it without.' Fareeha managed to get up, but it was clear as day to Angela that she was in extreme pain and discomfort. Angela grinned wryly. She was like an entirely different person when it came to fighting.

'I'm sure you can, but you shouldn't.' Angela forced herself under Fareeha's arms, wrapping one hand around the other woman's firm, but shapely waist. It was muscular, but still rather feminine, like most of Fareeha's physical and nonphysical characteristics.

'…Fine.'

Angela eased Fareeha into one of the plane's seats, finding the first aid kit within a minute. She opened the case and frowned, not terribly impressed by the selection, but seeing all the necessary tools for dealing with a bullet wound. A less skilled doctor would be underwhelmed to the point of being forced to return back into the city, but time was a luxury both women lacked, presumably.

'He was the other pilot. Talon intercepted our way back.' Fareeha huffed.

'So I observed. The original pilot is likely dead, no?' Angela withdrew the necessary utensils and shuffled in close to Fareeha, taking one last look at her wounds.

'I would think so…'

'Unfortunate.' Angela practically whimpered. She realigned her focus. 'Please remove your shirt for me, Fareeha.'

The other girl visibly hesitated, but did what she was told without another word. She was wearing a black sports bra, unsurprisingly, and it held her bountiful chest in place rather well. Fareeha's abdominals truly surprised Angela, for they were perfectly shaped, with enough definition to show the woman's fitness, but also enough subtlety to prevent them from being too much. Her body was…strangely attractive to Angela, which did more than add a little discomfort to the older woman's focus.

'You're rather well built, Fareeha.' Angela decided to say, attempting to dislodge the bizarre thoughts from her brain.

'O-oh…Um…Thank-you…'

'This might sting a little, but please bear with me.'

And Angela went to work. She stayed close to Fareeha, smelling a faint trace of the woman's shampoo and sweat, feeling her quick exhales of restrained pain as Angela expertly dislodged the bullet and cleaned the wound, sealing it together. Angela could feel Fareeha's skin prickling under her touch, and while this wasn't completely uncommon for some individuals, Angela did notice how flushed Fareeha's cheeks had become, her eyes staring away actively.

After Angela had technically completed her work, she dawdled, finding the sensation of Fareeha's smooth, dark skin oddly relaxing and comforting somehow. Even the scent of the woman was like a mental salve, and an unspoken of closeness threatened to solidify itself, to Angela's dismay. The doctor ripped herself away from the looming connection, and began managing Fareeha's shins, relieved to discover that no major burning had taken place.

'What you did was excessively reckless, Ms. Amari.' Angela heard herself say, emotion filling her voice in an unfamiliar way.

'I realize this, but I didn't see many other options.'

'Regardless, you best be more cautious in the future. You are soon to be a valued member of Overwatch. Your abilities in relation to your Raptora Mark VI will truly be valued, and…I would prefer not to see you in such a state again.'

'…Understood.'

Angela looked up, and when her eyes met Fareeha's, the girl flinched away, her gaze evasive as ever.

It took a few more minutes, but Angela was soon finished, her work expertly enacted.

'Incredible. I feel…quite good.' Fareeha smiled tentatively.

'Excellent. Now, are you capable of flying this particular aircraft to our destination should we obtain some direction from Winston? We best depart sooner than later considering our friend could wake up at any moment.'

'Agreed.' Fareeha rotated her arm, grimacing as she did so.

'Careful.' Angela took hold of the woman, cradling her shoulder gently. It wasn't a necessary moment of contact, but the doctor found herself doing so anyway. 'You must allow it to heal; surely you know this. I can't imagine it's your first time being injured thus.'

'Of course not.'

'Then take care of yourself; doctor's orders.'

Fareeha pursed her lips just a little, and Angela almost grinned at the somewhat adorable sight.

'Fine…'

'Good girl.'

'I'm not a child.' Fareeha mumbled, and Angela giggled.

'Oh, I am quite aware of that.' Angela teased, and the reaction was worth it. 'Now, shall we contact Winston and be on our way?'