Pharah

'I was so scared…' Angela said the words Fareeha was contemplating in that very moment. That very second. Fareeha thought she knew what fear was; she was terribly mistaken. Waiting helplessly while Angela fought a battle Fareeha had nothing to do with? That was fear. That was the very definition of terror. Helplessness when the person you cared for more than any other lay at the brink of death. Yes. That was fear.

Fareeha held Angela, and would have done so more tightly if she was physically capable or the woman didn't feel so fragile as it was. Angela breathed out shakily in Fareeha's ear, weakly touching her back, but her hands dropped to her side, and she coughed violently, blood ejected from her mouth and her once brilliant blue eyes a troubling grey hue.

'Angela…I…' Fareeha couldn't find her words. She could only stare at the woman before her and attempt to quell her heart from bursting within. 'H-here's some water.' She finished at last, helping Angela with the drink only to have the fluid spit up in another attack of harsh exhalations.

'My apologies…' Angela wiped more blood from her mouth. 'We truly…truly need to cease such meetings, Fareeha…' She wheezed, and the concern only rose within Fareeha. She wanted to spend more time alone with Angela, to shower her with unfiltered affection, but even she could see that would be foolish and selfish only. Fareeha pressed a red button near Angela's bed, and Zenyatta re-entered with a couple of other medical specialists.

'She's…in pain.' Fareeha said dumbly, hating her inabilities at such a time.

Zenyatta floated next to the good doctor, touching her forehead gently and seeming to hesitate, his unchanging expression somehow exuding a level of dire apprehension. He glowed with an ambience of tranquility, some form of transcendence emitting from his very presence.

'Might I have a word with her alone, Fareeha Amari?' The monk asked, and Fareeha's throat tightened to the point she couldn't speak. Fortunately, Angela did so for her, although her words carried frightening weight.

'She can stay…' She uttered, staring blankly before herself. 'She deserves to know.'

'So, you are already aware.' The omnic hummed.

'Of course.' Angela smiled distantly. 'It's my body. I've…known for quite some time.'

The other physicians exchanged glances, but simply did as was requested, departing once again. The door slid closed, and Fareeha almost wanted to leave as well. Instinctively, she was more aware than she preferred to be regarding what might be coming next. She didn't want to hear it. It could be too cruel. Too devastating. Too mortifying.

A heavy, powerful pause, but Zenyatta's smooth voice stirred the souls within them all as he spoke up again.

'The injury seemed to just barely graze your brain, Angela Ziegler. A fortunate occurrence, one might say.'

Angela turned to Fareeha, grinning beautifully, yet Fareeha wanted to cry without knowing why.

'Because of you, Fareeha. Moira was prepared to, more than likely, kill me due to her curiosity. My nanomachines would not have been…' She paused, muffling a cough, the black patches under her eyes sinking further. 'My apologies. I would not…have survived. You appeared at just…the perfect time, throwing her off balance…and saving my life. My hero.' Angela smiled feebly. 'My knight in shining…armour.'

Fareeha bit at her lip, her mouth quivering.

'So…you know as well, Fareeha Amari?' Zenyatta tipped his head to the side.

'She has uncanny instincts with such things…' Angela sighed sadly. 'She only knows she is about to hear something she wishes not to.'

'Ah.' The omnic nodded wisely. 'Your souls are one, perhaps?'

Angela didn't even hesitate as she responded, which only broke Fareeha's heart further.

'She has a piece of me not another living being will ever obtain. Yes.'

'Are…you going to be okay, Angela…?' Fareeha managed, barely holding her voice level.

'In the moment, I do believe so.'

'But…?' Fareeha swallowed hard.

'Heh. But…I may have a troubling future. Moira could make an educated guess…almost immediately. And I suppose our friend Zenyatta…has gathered some form of insight upon…caring for me.'

'Indeed.' The otherworldly omnic sung.

'W-what is it?' Fareeha clenched her fists, waiting for the blow.

The following pause almost made her crumble, but once more, Zenyatta's voice was like that of the gentlest Gods in any form of lore.

'Angela Ziegler's body is decaying from within. While her age appears stagnant, her inner workings are displaying signs of fatigue and strain like none I have ever witnessed. These "nanomachines" utilize a form of energy similar to that of an omnic, and due to this, I can somewhat adequately communicate with them as though they were something of a singular entity. They are tired. They are breaking down. They cannot keep up with Angela Ziegler's demands for much longer.'

No more. Please, no more.

'Put simply, with every "revive", Angela Ziegler is willingly giving up her life to save another. Such an act can only demand a similarly devastating toll.'

This isn't real. It can't be.

'I have heard legends of a Goddess capable of resurrecting a small group of soldiers from the very edge of destruction. You have since made claim of being unable to perform such miracles any further. However, I suspect you may have determined the demands of such a feat, and have since re-evaluated what you should and should not enact accordingly. How many years does such an interruption of Fate's work cost you, Angela Ziegler?'

Years? Fate? Toll? Cost? No. No. No. No.

Fareeha didn't know she was shaking her head in denial. She stared at the fragile Angela in bed. This was different than before. She seemed so…weak. She wasn't wearing a mask of defiance. Fareeha's angel only nodded, her eyes staying closed long enough to leave an impression upon her lover.

'I do not know.' Angela answered solemnly. 'I'm too frightened to truly analyze the numbers. Yet, I am becoming more acutely aware of the nanomachine's limits with every passing day. They are not reproducing as competently as before. Moira…lay waste to so many…'

Fareeha's eyes widened. Moira. Moira O'Deorain. The devil. The monster…!

'Fareeha…' Angela's tone changed slightly, as if warning the younger woman. 'Do not jeopardize your future…out of a need for revenge. Please.'

'I…know.' Fareeha swallowed knives. 'I know.'

'I haven't seen you ever look so…bloodthirsty before. It was quite frightening and…well…Just please don't do anything rash.'

'I won't.' Fareeha told herself over and over again. 'So, what can be done?' She decided to ask.

The silence was her answer, and Fareeha's rage continued to build.

'Introducing a new swarm of nanomachines would not only cost an astronomical amount of money, but I do not favour the variables that could result. As Zenyatta has wisely stated, the nanomachines within me are very much like a living entity. They might not take kindly to another being infiltrating their home. The results…could be devastating.'

'More devastating than you dying!?' Fareeha's voice cracked. She rarely lost her composure, especially in front of others, but this was too much. She was barely standing anymore. Angela was slipping through her fingers. They had only just reached such a point in their relationship, and it was possibly ending so soon?

'Fareeha…' Angela cooed as though she were a mother calming a hysterical child. 'My knight. My beautiful, charming girlfriend.'

This cooled the Egyptian's woman's fury some. She glanced to Zenyatta, feeling her cheeks reddening at the raw, authentic appraisal.

'I still have years. Please bear that in mind. At least ten, if my rough calculations are partially correct. I'm not going anywhere yet.'

This did help. And yet…

'But if you bring agents and others back from the edge of death…those years lessen, don't they? Every time you're severely injured…more time is lost?'

'Heh.' Angela shrugged. 'I suppose that's correct.'

'Then I protect you. I won't ask you to leave Overwatch. We're needed here. You're needed here. But you will not revive again. You will not.'

'Fareeha…' Angela's eyes watered, and Fareeha's resolve quivered. 'You know I can never…never turn a blind eye to someone in need before me. You know this…'

She made her cry. Damn it. Damn it to hell. Of course, she knew, but…! But…!

'I suggest a recess.' Zenyatta calmly interfered. 'Fareeha Amari, your legs are shaking. You need to rest. Angela Ziegler, I recommend you do the same. I shall remain and ensure your stability. This conversation can be revisited when you have both found some level of tranquility. Agreed?'

'…Agreed.' Angela whimpered.

'Very well.' Fareeha grabbed at herself, but she couldn't stop. She turned from the woman she adored and stormed out like an immature brat. She had to leave though. She was fuming. She couldn't remember the last time she was so beyond frustrated. Angela was killing herself. If Fareeha lost her now…!

Zenyatta's advice was sound. Fareeha knew when she was behind herself. Her training in the army taught her how to recognize the signs and adjust her actions accordingly. She hated herself for leaving Angela so, but she was on the verge of exploding, and she was scared she would say something especially hurtful. Thus, she left. She left the woman she loved…both of their eyes watering for more reasons than either could explain easily.

Sleep hit Fareeha harder than she could have ever expected. She stripped to nothing but her black boxer briefs, lay her head back, closed her eyes and, what felt like a second later, awoke only to discover she was out for almost three hours. Her mind calmed, panic overriding any anger she held against Angela, and she stumbled her way to the intercom, her muscles screaming in denial, but her mind having the last word as Athena was paged.

'Athena?'

"Fareeha Amari. Master class. Good night. How may I be of service?"

Master class? Was she promoted since her return? It didn't matter. Overwatch was her dream and, to an extent, it still was, but her long-term plans had changed dramatically, and only one individual's status meant anything to her now.

'Can I ask what Angela Ziegler's condition is?'

"Please wait. Authenticating. Fareeha Amari logged as Angela Ziegler's significant other per Grandmaster class Angela Ziegler's request. Confirmed."

Her…significant other? Fareeha bit down on her lip, crunching against the urge to tear up. She loved her so much. It hurt she loved her so. Perhaps that's why she got so upset. The mere flicker of imagination that depicted a world without Angela simply tore out Fareeha's heart. They've known yet haven't known one another a long time. It was uncanny the intensity their relationship had reached so hastily.

"Status is stable. Angela Ziegler is asleep. Last state of consciousness was recorded as partially distraught, but physically improving. Agent Zenyatta overseeing Angela Ziegler's wellbeing at present moment."

Partially distraught. Because of Fareeha. Because she left her in a huff. She felt physically ill, her head unbalanced and her emotions at the border of insanity. She had to do something. Angela would rest while she did so. Fareeha stretched a plain black tank top over her muscular body and fitted her favourite pair of jeans upon her form. It was late, but she needed to get out and driving, at the very least. So much had happened over the past twenty-four hours. Fareeha still needed some air. The shopping district nearby was something of a tourist attraction, meaning many of the shops would still be open. Fareeha wasn't one to waste her time perusing merchandise, but she had a notion, and she wanted to follow through with it.

Fareeha went about the processes required to take out a vehicle, gaining access even more easily because of her updated rank. A Master class. Now that she had calmed slightly, the concept brought a smile to her face, and Fareeha received the keys to the same car she had taken Angela out on for their first "date". She was descending into the garage when a familiar voice called out to her, and she turned abruptly, seeing Brigitte waving enthusiastically.

'Hey, hey!' She beamed, although she moved with a small limp.

'Brigitte! Good evening. I'm…just going for a drive.' It was a bit much to go into all the details.

'That's what it looks like, yeah. Need some company? I could use some breathing space, too. Rein is being such a busybody trying to keep me down. Even Papa is more lenient than him sometimes. Crazy, right?'

Fareeha was going to reject the offer, feeling as though she needed solitude more than anything, and if any other agent had made the request she would have denied them without a second thought. But Brigitte was different. They were similar in many ways, and connected quite quickly. Fareeha eventually nodded to the auburn-haired girl.

'Okay. Let's go.'

'Heheh! Thanks!'

Driving with Brigitte was as pleasant as Fareeha assumed it would be. In fact, the girl proved to be quite fun, blaring the music to some of her favourite rock bands and singing along…if a little off key. She attempted to goad Fareeha into joining her, but the older woman refused, very self-conscious of her inability to carry a tune whatsoever. Once the impromptu karaoke ended, Brigitte hit the radio off completely and leaned back in her chair, sighing contently.

'I really needed this. Been pretty down since the attack, you know?'

'Hmm?'

'Oh! Oh, right! You haven't had the chance to read the reports or anything, huh? While you and Angela were gone, Talon infiltrated our base. It was really intense. My first real fight. Me and Rein were doing pretty good, too, but Reaper is no joke. Got me hurt and everything. In front of Rein of all people. Ugh…'

Why hadn't Fareeha been told about this? No. She was aware of the answer to that question. Angela's mission couldn't be compromised with such knowledge. Fareeha knew the good doctor would become distracted knowing her friends were in danger. It was for the best. But still…

'Reinhardt is your trainer, correct? You both have similar fighting styles?'

'Yep! I'm his squire.' She said this with such pride. Reinhardt had introduced her to Fareeha with the same enthusiasm. They were obviously very close.

'The Talon attack concerns me, however. Why now? How many did we lose?'

'Not too many. Some major injuries, but Rein and I kept our side of the base pretty contained. The front had to fight a black omnic or something? Reinhardt apparently took it down, but really tore himself up doing it. The thing was massive, apparently. And why now? I guess it's because of Widowmaker? Seems a little excessive for one agent, don't you think?'

Fareeha shook her head, gripping at the wheel of the car and speeding up without realizing it.

'On the board of war, certain individuals have a value that cannot be measured sometimes.' She thought of Angela, and how far Talon was willing to go to take the Queen of Overwatch's pieces.

'Huh. Makes sense. Wish I could've seen the rest of the fight, let me tell you. Reinhardt taking on such a monstrosity? How amazing, right?'

Fareeha blinked, wondering if it was just admiration that made Brigitte speak of the legendary man in such a fond way. It wasn't her place to pry, and her ability to evaluate such scenarios wasn't precisely her strong point. Brigitte, on the other hand, seemed to have little issue doing that very thing.

'But not as amazing as Angela sometimes, right, Fareeha?'

Fareeha turned a corner a little more sharply than she meant to, pulling into a parking lot and backing into a space with extreme precision; the kind Angela would have complimented enthusiastically, making Fareeha swell with pride.

'Um…I suppose?' Fareeha answered once she shifted the car into "park", turning it off with the press of a button.

'What was that text all about, huh? I've known Angela for a while. Been a friend of Papa's going way back. You crushing on the "insurmountable challenge", as Papa calls it? Heheh.'

Fareeha shrugged, making a face of passive confidence.

'All I'll say,' She grinned painfully. 'Is that it is "insurmountable" no more. The…challenge that is.'

Brigitte blinked, leaning in over the car seat.

'Are you kidding?'

'I'm not.'

'You…and her?'

'Affirmative.'

The stare of utter disbelief was both satisfying and uncomfortable. When Fareeha shifted a bit, Brigitte seemed to find herself.

'I-I'm sorry, but Papa and I both thought she was married to her work forevermore. Wow. He's gonna lose it when he finds out. You two, um, keeping it a secret or something?'

'Why would we?' Fareeha raised a brow, curious to hear Brigitte's response.

'Oh, I don't care at all, but even Tracer – the Tracer – gets kind of picked on here and there. Not cool.'

'Agreed…' Fareeha answered darkly.

'But you have my full support. In fact, I think it's pretty wonderful! I haven't talked to Angela much since I got to base, but something was a bit different about her. Maybe it was the aura of love? Heheh!'

'You must be joking.'

'Listen, I don't have a lot of experience with this stuff, okay? I mostly just like tinkering with metal. Boys…or girls, or whatever? No time for them here.'

'Not even Reinhardt?'

The way Brigitte recoiled was priceless. Ah. So, this is why Angela loved to tease Fareeha. It was hilariously amusing to fluster someone so easily.

'W-what are you going on about? He's, like, twice my age. Triple even, I think.'

'And Angela is a woman. Love has no boundaries, as far as I'm concerned.'

A small pause, with Brigitte clicking her tongue and getting out of the car. Fareeha wasn't as persistent as some, and thus, relieved the young girl of any further questioning. They stepped into the outdoor shopping centre, various stores and pubs brimming with life. Fareeha instinctively made her way to the first place she had taken Angela for their "date". She indicated the spot, smiling without meaning to quite so brightly.

'El Cortijo. I brought Angela here during our first outing. She's a lightweight.'

'Hahah!' Brigitte held her stomach, fixing her hair once she was done laughing cutely. 'Girl's got no muscle; of course, she is.'

'True.'

'Was that the plan? Take advantage of the poor maiden?'

'Not at all!' Fareeha burned.

'I know. I know. You're too honest and straight-laced for that kinda foul play. It's why I like you, you know? That, and having a fellow female workout buddy is always nice. I feel just lame lifting weights next to Reinhardt. He's ridiculous.'

'Heh. Always mentioning Reinhardt.'

'W-whatever! He's my master, and we're always together, so that's just how it is.'

'Uh-huh.' Fareeha dodged a playful punch from Brigitte, and both girls laughed together prior to Brigitte finally asking a somewhat obvious question.

'So, what's the plan anyway? We getting a drink? Thought you wouldn't move from Angela's side since she's kinda in rough shape and everything.'

Fareeha grimaced, glancing around the area until she spotted a shop that looked as though it would work for her needs.

'We…had a disagreement. I want to get her something as an apology. I was thinking flowers?' She thought of the pretty floral headpiece Angela had been wearing during the convention. It looked perfect on her, like almost anything would. Still, Angela seemed to at least somewhat enjoy a botanical touch.

'Oh…!' Brigitte affirmed. 'Gotcha. A lover's quarrel!'

'If you must call it that.'

'Meh. It just means you're close. Reinhardt and I fight all the – ' The squire cut herself short, blushing terribly and scowling at Fareeha before she even said anything. 'Don't!' She snapped.

'I won't.' Fareeha grinned knowingly, nudging Brigitte and thankful she had brought the younger girl with her.

Fareeha gently placed the almost comically large bouquet of white lilies smoothly upon a table near Angela's bed where she slept within her private room in the medical ward. The tiny clink of the jar signified its successful relocation, and Fareeha sat beside Angela's breathing form on the floor, marveling at the woman's gorgeous face and the transformation it had undergone in the short time they had been apart from one another. She looked almost perfectly healthy…which Fareeha now knew to be a devastating lie.

The room was vacant save for the couple, Zenyatta departing once Fareeha arrived, quietly telling her Angela would be quite fine now that the worst of it was over. Her nanomachines had found their stride and worked in overtime to secure their host's safety. Knowing what Fareeha knew, she couldn't view the otherworldly technology as anything but a parasite that was killing the woman she loved. Yet, those same machines kept her safe as well, didn't they? A paradoxical frustration, indeed.

Still, at least Fareeha could appreciate the aesthetic appeal of her Sleeping Beauty. She would surely never tire of the chills simply looking at Angela gave her. The fierce desire to protect her. To make her happy. To ensure she was comfortable and content in every way. If only they had met sooner. Fareeha knew Angela had snubbed this idea, but it felt like a waste to have such a relationship so late in their lives. Their years felt even more finite now, and it sucked Fareeha's heart into a black hole of potential depression the more she thought about the cruel reality.

The young Egyptian took out the loaner phone she had acquired since returning to Overwatch Gibraltar, her original crushed thanks to Tobias, and sent a quick e-mail to Brigitte, since the network within base was smart enough to recognize a user's authenticity and autofill the address once Fareeha began typing.

"Thanks for coming with me, Brigitte. Another workout together soon? You're a good friend."

The reply came quite quickly, to Fareeha's surprise, and she smiled at the peppy girl's answer.

"Sounds good! Take care of Angela, and give her a kiss for me! Heheh!"

"Only if you tell Reinhardt how you feel. He's not getting younger."

"Screw off!"

A pause, and then another ping to Fareeha's phone.

"I'll think about it…"

Fareeha smiled, turning back to Angela and finding her expression widening in joy. She moved a loose strand of golden hair from the woman's eye, and breathed out slowly.

'I love you…' She whispered, the claim still giving her a jolt of anticipation. 'And I'm sorry…'

Angela giggled suddenly, blinking awake and turning her face slowly to Fareeha's.

'Curses. I wanted to hear what else you had to say, Ms. Amari.'

'Y-you were up!? For how long?'

Angela stretched, sitting up but pausing sharply, sucking in some air and rubbing her temple where the injury had been.

'I heard your phone beeping, I suppose. So, just long enough to hear you professing your love to me and grovelling at my feet.'

'I-I wasn't "grovelling".'

'True. But…Oh, my goodness! What are those?' Angela pointed at the flowers, and although Fareeha didn't understand the German completely, she could ascertain the general meaning.

'An awkward woman's attempt to offer an apology for…for being so immature when you needed me. I am sorry, Angela. I didn't mean to hurt you. I…I was being selfish, and unreasonable, and…foolish. But I…' Fareeha's voice cracked, the despair washing over her in a wave the more she gave her mind leave to consider the possibilities Angela's news had presented.

'I can't imagine life without you anymore…You were the missing piece. I was fine, but you changed everything, and now I can't go back.'

Why was she the one crying? Selfish until the end, it seemed. But Angela's hand found Fareeha's face, the touch electrifying and fitted to her damp cheek perfectly.

'Do not think for a moment it isn't the same for me, Fareeha.'

Ah. Angela was sobbing as well. That helped…Such a fine mess they were.

'Since taking my studies seriously, I have not once faltered. Not once. I was called many terrible things, you should know, for I was consumed by the desire to change humanity's fate as a biological organism. Anything but work was a nuisance, really. If I wasn't saving a life, I wasn't fulfilling the debt I owed.'

Fareeha blinked, wiping at her own tears and stabilizing some as Angela spoke, the older woman hesitating but going on.

'You…are the first I've told of this. I ask you keep it between us, if you would be so kind.'

Fareeha nodded, wondering what else Angela could tell her beyond her shortening lifespan that could be so secret. As Angela prepared to go on, the tears were already pouring from her ocean-blue eyes, and the pain they personified clawed into Fareeha's chest. Angela was breaking before she even began, and Fareeha wasn't sure she was permitted to touch her hand or anything she seemed so dishevelled.

'H-hah…I'm sorry.' Angela breathed in and out shakily, trying to gain control. 'I…I had a sister growing up. Her name…w-was Gloria. She was…everything to me in a tumultuous upbringing that attempted to govern my every waking hour…'

A sister!? Angela was a public figure by this point. How was this information so well hidden? Even the Overwatch archives spoke nothing of it. What was going on?

'I lost her. I-if I had taken my lessons in earnest up until that point…I could have… I could have saved her, I'm sure. I could save her now. But I lost her, and…it's the grandest failure and regret…of my life. Thus, and it hurts me to say this, Fareeha, because you're the only person in the world who has come even close to changing my mind, I will never – never – turn a blind eye from someone in need. I owe it to the world. I owe it…to my sweet…loving Gloria…'

Fareeha was shell-shocked, sitting back blankly and taking all the information in. She was honoured to be bestowed such a knowledge, but it also made her feel even more guilty for her misplaced rage.

'I…didn't know.'

Angela wiped her face, sniffling herself back into control as she forced herself to giggle.

'Of course, you didn't. I've wiped such information from existence. Very few key persons in my life are aware of my past. I wish to keep it that way. If Moira knew…if any of our enemies knew just how weak I become in the face of such truths…I fear how it would be used against me.'

'Yet…you tell me.' Fareeha still couldn't believe it.

'Fareeha.' Angela said in a scolding tone. 'Since our first interactions I felt something akin to that emotion I held for only my late sister. That feeling has since grown and evolved into something only the restrictive word "love" can hope to contain even partially. Gloria…will always have a place in my heart, and none have ever threatened that space…until you. If I were to lose you, I doubt I would recover again.'

Fareeha swallowed, taking Angela's hand at last and staring at her with unfiltered resolve, pushing past the urge to shed more tears in light of the backstory provided.

'Then understand that I feel the same for you, Angela. Please, please do not put yourself at risk anymore. I…I won't stop you from reviving others at the expense of your own life. How could I now? But I already submitted a request to speak with Jack personally. You can't be expected to perform such a risk ever again.'

Angela gripped Fareeha's hand, understanding coming over her as she leaned in, resting her forehead against the other woman's softly.

'Understood, Fareeha. You're…quite right. I would be a hypocrite to deny you this request. I would never forgive myself if I put you through a semblance of what I endured due to the loss of Gloria. Y-yes. Understood, Fareeha. My best friend. My perfect lover. My knight…in shining, Raptora armour.'

And the melody of their contrasting laughter resonated in the air, a moment of calm and everlasting affection duly delivered and earned for but the moment in Overwatch's hidden history.