Mercy

Several days passed before Angela felt comfortable moving around Overwatch Gibraltar again. She didn't want to admit it to anyone save for Fareeha, but what she went through with Moira O'Deorain weighed heavily on her psychological state of mind. She had difficulty sleeping without nightmares. She flinched at sounds reminiscent of the mad woman's weapon which had so easily punctured Angela's body. She didn't favour tiny spaces. At one point, Fareeha gripped her wrist in a moment of affection, and Angela had flinched back aggressively, the notion of being bound tightly to a table flickering through her memories.

Angela suspected it was merely a passing notion of post-traumatic stress, but the more time went by, the worst it seemed to manifest.

Jack's actions upon returning from Oasis were at once moving and frightening. He took one look at Angela while she was still mostly bedridden and must've known something had snapped in her brain. He said very little during their exchange, simply sitting next to her and showing an uncharacteristic amount of emotion, his eyes reddening and his hold on her hand tight.

Still, Angela claimed she was fine once she discharged herself. Fareeha was as close by as she could be, but given her new class, her responsibilities had grown, and the rapidly increasing cases of omnics influenced by the God Program kept much of Overwatch busy. The good news was that Angela's stunt, and the footage captured by Fareeha, had given Overwatch some U.N. support. Although they were still officially illegally operating, some private backers ensured Overwatch could at least function somewhat competently without the risk of being arrested. Winston relayed there was still a vast amount of yellow tape, and the more war-savvy individuals at the top of command, such as Ana and Jack, easily deduced that there were likely U.N. members won over by Talon or worse that were actively rejecting the re-establishment of Overwatch.

Angela found herself looking over her own physical numbers and charts one afternoon shortly after returning to her duties when a soft chime to her office sounded, indicating a potential patient. The majority of her inner workings desired her guest to be Fareeha, for she missed the girl vastly recently, especially with her mortal reality no longer being a secret, its spoken of circumstances making the facts more tangible and terrifying.

'Yes?' Angela spoke through her intercom, and the peppy response wasn't exactly ideal, but not terrible either.

"Heya, Ange! Sorry to bother you, but I was wonderin' if you had a sec for Amelie here and me now?"

Lena. Lena and Amelie. They had become very close, it would seem. Not romantically involved quite yet, from what Angela could see, but obviously getting to that point. Widowmaker was becoming a more common sight throughout Overwatch Gibraltar over the past week, but it wasn't as though her presence was welcomed by all. Some agents had even gone so far as to leave the group entirely, feeling as though their lives were in danger, but most with issue submitted the appropriate complaints, urging Jack and Winston to reconsider her involvement in the fight.

Lena and Amelie had just returned from a miniature mission to relieve Jack of the pressure from other agents for a time, a small outbreak of influenced omnics subdued in a tiny city not even a couple hours away via air. Obviously, Widowmaker and Tracer made quick work of the mission, done within a day having time to spare. They were a powerful combination, possibly one of the deadliest pairs Overwatch had to offer. The only variable remained in Widow's brain, and that's evidently what Lena was here to discuss at last.

'Please. Come in.' Angela urged, unlocking her door and listening to the "swoosh" of the mechanism granting access.

Lena looked a little nervous, but confident and excited at the same time. Widow, on the other hand, carried herself with an overabundance of pride and balance. Her posture was somehow intimidating now that she wasn't cowering in fear of herself and the past that ripped her heart apart. She would only become more valuable as time went on, her skills unparalleled, and her abilities difficult to match. Lena had taken a huge gamble, but if Angela successfully removed the demons that urged Widow to kill any and all who threatened Talon, Overwatch would gain a Grandmaster class agent with risks no longer attached to her name.

'Thanks, Luv. Sorry again for busting in, but Amelie's been saying the medicine isn't working as well as it used to. Keeps thinkin' about shooting me in the back and all, you know?'

Only Lena could relay such unsettling information with this level of nonchalance. Angela gave Widow a glance, a pinch in her chest reminding her the sniper was involved in Fareeha's pain in relation to her mother. Other than her blue skin, however, Widow appeared normal enough, wearing some rather casual clothes that did little to hide her perfect figure despite most of her skin being covered. She was a victim. Angela reminded herself of this.

'So, might I assume you wish to go forward with the procedure, Widow?' Angela leaned back in her chair, watching the woman blink slowly and nod.

'Please. I would prefer not to hurt anyone here; not when you have all catered to my unconventional circumstances. I want to help. I want to bring down Talon no matter what.'

'An admirable notion.' Angela considered the request being made of her, her anxiety only increasing with the thought of performing such a complex and sensitive operation.

'Can you do it, Ange?'

'Other than Dr. O'Deorain, I suspect I'm the only one capable, yes. However, I wouldn't be performing my role adequately if I failed to, once again, mention the risks. The brain is extremely difficult to fix once damage has been done. I make no promises. The worst-case scenario is that you lose your sense of self entirely and forever, essentially dying. The probability for success, under ideal circumstances, is hardly over fifty percent. With all this knowledge, I must ask: are you still willing to trust your life to me, Amelie Lacroix?'

Angela watched Lena and the assassin exchange a quick glance. Ultimately, it appeared Widow was making the call. She nodded once again, although her stance faltered just slightly.

'Please.' She repeated, and Angela closed her eyes long and hard, turning in her chair and looking to her computer, hastily making requests for the best assistants Overwatch had to offer when it came to operations on site. She booked the room, rented out the equipment necessary, and finalized all other necessary procedures within minutes, sighing as she returned to the two women.

'It will be an all-day operation, I imagine. Two nights. The morning after the second, we will begin at exactly ten. Winston and Jack have already been notified. I do not require their permission. My rank rests rather high even among the Grandmasters, I'll have you know. I recommend you make good use of these next few days, Amelie Lacroix. I don't mean to be morbid, but I will not soften the truth: they could be your last.'

'…Thank-you.' Widow bowed, and Angela was taken aback.

'Y-you're welcome.'

'Thanks, Luv. Really. I owe you one. If you need advice with the whole love thing, let me know. It's pretty obvious you and Fareeha are an item. Couldn't be happier for you. Heheh!'

Angela rolled her eyes, smirking at the thought of her knight.

'I…shall keep that in mind, Lena. My thanks.'

'I seriously have a bunch of really neat toys for the ladies. It's absolutely daft what they've come up with these days! Don't even need a guy anymore! Hahah!' Lena went on, clearly excited about the affirmation. And although her words were a little crude, what she suggested did spark some curiosity in Angela. She could never say anything in public, or now, but she considered private messaging Lena if her courage allowed it.

'If that's all…' Angela concluded, and she was left alone once more, only to hear a ding from her computer indicating an e-mail. 'My goodness.' She chuckled wryly. 'Rather popular today.'

Again, she wanted the digital letter to be from Fareeha, but it was Genji's address as the sender. He must've recently arrived back from his mission in Japan. There were no notifications to introduce a new Overwatch member, so, did that mean he failed to recruit his brother? A pity, if not entirely unexpected.

"Angela. If you have time, might I have a word?"

Direct and to the point. She was beginning to feel like herself again. Pulled from every direction. How had it never bothered her to this extent? Perhaps because of the ticking clock on her life? Maybe due to her own selfishness? Angela thought of her sister, and the growing impatience was sedated. She owed this to the world. She owed it to Gloria. Genji needed her. Angela wouldn't keep him waiting. Fareeha was clearly preoccupied at the moment doing heaven knew what. Angela could text her with her loaner phone, she supposed. Why didn't she?

"When and where would you like to meet, Genji?"

The younger of the Shimada brothers chose a somewhat high, secluded spot in Overwatch Gibraltar. It was near a set of stairs leading to the communication tower, and by the time Angela made her way there, Gibraltar's nearly famous sunset was bleeding across the sky, making for a beautiful view, as always. She found the cybernetically enhanced man sitting near the edge quite boldly, his legs hanging over the building as if taunting death once again.

'Good evening, Angela.' Genji spoke more happily than not.

'Hello there. Quite the view, isn't it? You don't mind if I don't join you directly at that point, do you?'

'Of course not.' Genji chuckled, and Angela seated herself nearby on the stairs, not feeling the most comfort from the constructs, but knowing a conversation with Genji was usually brief enough.

'So, you have returned.'

'I have. And you were, so I'm told, in critical health once again.'

'Heh. So it goes…'

'Not it I were there to protect you.'

'Fareeha accompanied me and, believe it not, saved my life, ultimately.'

'You wouldn't have been abducted to begin with under my watch.'

'Then Moira wouldn't be in our maximum security holding cell and the U.N. would still completely despise us. It was worth the risk, looking back. Jack had a vision, and I believed in it. Everything worked out.' Angela lied, and Genji shook his head.

'I do not agree with the methods. Your life is too valuable to everyone here, to the world, and…to me.'

'I understand that, Genji, and I will not be accepting such a task for quite some time.' Angela's body tightened. She always suspected Genji of feeling something for her, but he was cautious when it came to the Angela Ziegler, and she had hoped he would stay that way until her and Fareeha's relationship went public. His words were boldening, however, and Angela didn't want to hurt him here and now.

The man went quiet, shifting his positioning and sighing audibly prior to pushing forward with the conversation.

'I…failed to convince my brother to join our fight. We crossed blades. It was a difficult battle. I did everything I could. He shows signs of hesitation, but his pride undoes him, as always, and I fear Talon may use such foolishness against him.'

'You believe he would lower himself in such a way?'

'He is troubled beyond reason. He knows I live, yet even that does not sway him as powerfully as I suspected it may. If he had joined us…well, I would have been grateful. He may reach out to our cause still, but I do not believe we shall be so fortunate.'

'What makes you say that?'

'His eyes. The windows to his soul. They were filled with malice, fear, and shame. Such negative emotions will consume a man. They nearly destroyed me. We are alike yet not at once. I am discouraged by this failure, for it is a personal one alongside a professional sorrow.'

'Do not blame yourself, Genji. I know you did your best.'

'Perhaps…' The man turned to Angela, his cyborg enhancements humming softly alongside his action. 'However, it is not all for naught. Seeing my brother and his life of solitude, paired with yet another brush with death on your part has given me all the encouragement I need. Angela…it would honour me if – '

'Angela?' Fareeha's own voice entered the mix, and Angela nearly choked with relief from the near-perfect timing of it all. 'And Genji. Good evening.'

'Hello…' The man muttered.

'I'm sorry for interrupting anything, but I was looking for Angela, and a fellow agent said they saw you come up here. How are you feeling?'

'Not terribly today.' Angela shrugged.

'But not great either. Are you pushing yourself again?'

'No more than you are, I'm sure.'

'Then we should both take a moment. Have you eaten?'

'Not yet…'

'I'll take you out for dinner. My treat.'

'How generous!'

'I'll meet you at your room in about an hour?'

'I'm looking forward to it.'

'Wonderful.' Fareeha nodded, saluting Genji. 'I apologize, once again. Welcome back, Genji.'

Silence until Fareeha was gone, the image of her visage illuminated by the sun burned into Angela's imagination. She was still in her armour. She had wasted no time finding Angela the moment she returned from her mission. She was concerned about Angela's complete wellbeing. She was…so incredibly perfect.

'Dr. Ziegler…Am I missing something?' Genji shook his head, as if in a daze.

'I've recently updated my personal profile to include Fareeha Amari as my significant other. It's generally reserved for marriage, I'm sure, but I thought it a subtle way of progressively letting others know about our relationship.'

He was, understandably, utterly baffled. It wasn't the ideal way for the sweet man to find out, but it was sufficient enough.

'Oh. I see. Forgive my…ignorance.'

'No, Genji. I believe you are deserving of an apology as well. I thought you might have developed some feelings for me, and I chose to ignore the signs. I did not wish to hurt you. I do care about you, of course.'

'As a patient.'

'As a friend.'

'Ah.'

'But that is where such care concludes. Surely you know how long I have been evasive of the very idea of love. I thought myself a spinster for the rest of my life, and it was satisfactory.'

He responded slowly, consuming the new knowledge before him.

'So, what changed? How did Fareeha, a woman, shift your entire mindset?'

'The same way Zenyatta, an omnic, completely transformed yours.' Angela smiled, touching Genji's cold shoulder with a swelling of pity and parental affection. 'The perfect time, place, and person. The stars aligned, and I fell in love more profoundly than I ever thought possible.'

Was it true Fareeha didn't realize how good she looked in the simplest of outfits? The two women drove into town and returned to El Cortijo, the pub bustling as always and the greeters showing Angela and Fareeha to their seats. She was wearing a striped tank-top and jeans. Nothing extravagant save for some pretty bracelets on one wrist and her dog tag dangling lovingly within a touch of her subtle, tanned cleavage. Fareeha ordered drinks casually, knowing what Angela preferred, and rested her arms on the back of the booth's seating, looking ever so suave and gallant. Angela placed her hands between her legs, wondering if her black sweater and white leggings worked at all.

Angela couldn't stop looking at the other woman, glancing away when their eyes met shyly.

'What's this?' Fareeha chuckled, her fusion of masculine and feminine beauty overly prevalent in the moment for some reason.

'Nothing at all…I'm just quite pleased to be with you. I missed you profusely.'

'The feeling is mutual, Angela.' Fareeha sighed. 'They are making use of my suit and abilities, let me tell you.'

'That's good though, I suppose. This was your dream.'

'Part of it, yes. A little more than a quarter of what I want from life right now.'

'Oh?' Angela smirked, feeling haughty. 'Do tell what the other parts of the equation are.'

'A life with you, mostly.' Fareeha shrugged, easily dealing with Angela's teasing now and causing the doctor to blush subtly.

'My! Is that a proposal?'

'Hm. Not yet. It's still a little early for that, isn't it?'

Angela bit at her lip, nodding but imagining blips of what could be. She used to playfully joke about marrying her sister until she understood how utterly insane that would be. Although their relationship was very young yet, Angela didn't hate the playful suggestion she had made regarding Fareeha and she.

'It is. Very much so.'

Drinks were placed before the women, and they both made their orders, Angela preferring something light, like the soup of the day and a salad, while Fareeha asked for the full course roast beef dinner.

'So, is this our place now, Fareeha?' Angela rested her face in her hands, gazing upon the other girl with more confidence and admiration.

'I think so. One of them, anyway. It's very special to me. The night when I was given the opportunity to take Angela Ziegler on a date is not one I will soon forget.'

'Nor will I.' Angela agreed.

'I want to make many more memories with you, Angela. I want to do everything possible with you.'

'I'll drink to that.' Angela raised her glass, clinking it with Fareeha's. They both took deep gulps of their beverages, exhaling in satisfaction.

'You're tired. It was a busy day?' Fareeha stated, easily understanding Angela's states of being.

'Always. Widowmaker and Lena approached me about performing brain surgery on Widow. They seem quite willing to go forward with the process.'

Fareeha leaned back. A flicker of thoughts and emotions passed over her mostly stoic features, but Angela was certain the woman had rightfully conflicted feelings.

'I see. How taxing will that be on you?' Yet she expounded upon worry for Angela, at the end of it all. Of course.

'Extremely. It will be an all-day affair, I'm sure, and I will get few breaks considering the organ I'll be working on. I scheduled the surgery in a couple of days, to give Widow and Lena opportunity to make the final decision, just in case. It's been quite some time since someone's life was so delicately placed in my hands. One wrong move and I could kill her, Fareeha. It…is rather stressful, I'll admit.'

Fareeha reached across the table, taking Angela's hands and squeezing them tightly in her own.

'A-and,' Angela continued, attempting not to tear up. 'She hurt you. Inadvertently, of course, and I can understand that logically, but I care about you so much, and knowing she caused you pain…It is the downside of being human and emotional, isn't it? Reason and this "love" I feel cannot come to an agreement on the matter.'

'Thank-you.' Fareeha spoke softly. 'But I am fine. Widowmaker is a victim. Help her, if you can.'

'…Very well.' Angela gave Fareeha's hands one final grip before trying to pull them away, the waitresses and other guests easily seeing the public display of affection, its intimacy hard not to notice.

'Not yet.' Fareeha grinned handsomely. 'I could hold these all night.'

'T-then you should.' Angela said it before thinking too hard about the connotations.

'Pardon?'

Angela took another drink.

'Sleep with me tonight, Fareeha. I've missed you. I don't want to be apart from you.'

'Is that…allowed?'

'As a Grandmaster I don't truly care what the protocol is. I ask for little. If you would be willing, then I would love to have you.'

'It would be an honour.' Fareeha tipped her drink into her mouth, her strong neck convulsing as the liquid went down her throat.

Angela snapped her gaze away. She and Fareeha hadn't made love since Oasis. It felt like so long ago, and now that Angela was feeling better, she was thinking back fondly on that night, her body aching with longing and the images of Fareeha touching her all over stimulating on their own.

It wasn't long before both meals were brought over, the scrumptious aroma of well-made food enough to make Angela's stomach growl in anticipation. She and Fareeha both dug in happily, their elevated yet personal conversation continuing with clear mutual understanding and affection.

'You have made me very proud, Fareeha. Have I told you that recently?'

The other woman struggled to swallow, ever difficult at complimenting.

'You may have…'

'I don't think so. I suspect you don't wish to make a spectacle of your achievements, but they are to be commended. To rise to the Master class so hastily upon recently joining Overwatch? Why, few can claim such success. Save another doctor or two, or perhaps pull a team of agents through a second, seemingly impossible challenge and you may stand with the rest of the leaders as a Grandmaster sooner rather than later. Although, they only allow ten Grandmasters at a time, for the pay increase is quite impressive.'

'Yes. It is a great accomplishment. You are the one at this table who should be admired first and foremost.'

'I was gifted from a young age, Fareeha. There's a difference. I harnessed my natural abilities, and the results were to be expected with any amount of effort on my part. True, I dedicated my life to my research, and thus, I was rewarded, but the foundation was there from birth. I was lucky.'

'My mother is a legendary sniper. Her battle instincts rest within me. I can feel them. We're not so different.'

'But your success is due to your selflessness, bravery, and strength; all of which you have consciously and committedly developed. That is why I am proud. That is why I look upon you and am filled with unparalleled joy for having such a woman as my partner.'

'…I am glad only because it means we are not so far apart.'

Angela shook her head with a sigh, smiling.

'I love you very much, Fareeha. Shall we simply leave it at that?'

'I would appreciate it.' The girl's cheeks were cooling at last.

'And…?' Angela poked playfully.

'I love you, too…'

The two women laughed, and as they neared the end of their meals, Fareeha dug around the pockets of her pants, extracting the loaner phone she had and tapping through a couple of things. Another aspect of the girl Angela adored. The world was completely connected, capable of moving about socially on readily available devices ever on hand. The internet was everywhere and freely available. Many chose to live through such tiny screens, missing the very present around them, and that was their choice. Angela had learned through Fareeha, who only used such technology when necessary, that what was in front of her mattered most; especially when the view was so gorgeous.

'I spoke with Jack.' She mentioned, lowering the device for a moment.

'Were you frightened? He can be rather fierce, but it's mostly a façade.'

'A little, but my anger managed to override anything else. I was quite curt.'

'Ah. As you can be.'

'And I thought there was a chance of losing my rank…'

'Oh!'

'But he…was very humble. I calmed quickly enough. Even I could see he hated what he did to you.'

'Yes.' Angela said distantly. Jack hadn't changed. No. That wasn't true. He had. He cared that much more, even if he pretended he couldn't anymore.

'So, he and Winston have provided us with these.' Fareeha turned her phone, an e-mail opened indicating a trip to South Korea's primary tourist attraction: Busan's Haeundae Beach. It had been completely overhauled since the Omnic Crisis, and in an effort to help stabilize Korea's economical and political state, was made to be incredibly appealing to travellers; even more so than before, which was saying something.

'A…vacation?'

'So it seems. It's only for a few days, but Jack said he owed you that much, at the very least. I'm coming with you, of course.'

Angela couldn't recall the last time she took time off. The closest form of vacation she had was something like this very night. A few hours where she might not be called upon for yet another emergency. To take so much for herself…it didn't seem right.

'I think you should accept.' Fareeha encouraged, as if reading Angela's mind. 'Your body needs the rest. You've put it through hell. Perhaps take some time to leisurely review the options available to you so that your future isn't so calculated. I'll…try and help.'

Angela nodded slowly, imagining what it would be like to walk along Haeundae's enormous beachfront with Fareeha next to her, hands interlocked and sand between their feet. Fareeha in a bathing suit. Making love in a glamorous hotel room. She fancied it all, but the pit in her stomach tugged at her soul, already tallying how many lives may be lost without her around.

'What of the omnic that has been known to appear in the ocean nearby? It hasn't been dealt with proper, has it?'

'Apparently there are defensive measures that have held it a relatively safe distance away from land for quite some time. Something about mechs? I only scanned the files briefly.'

'Ever one for the basic facts before moving forward.'

'Honestly…' Fareeha stammered. 'I was distracted by the thought of you in swimwear. It was…difficult to focus at the time.'

Angela howled at this, covering her mouth and continuing to giggle, flattered and a little embarrassed at once.

'I'll need to purchase one, to be quite truthful.'

'O-oh!'

'But perhaps I'll do so alone. Keep it a surprise?'

Fareeha swallowed, finishing her drink and ordering another. It was adorable.

'Does that mean you'll accept the gift?'

'…I shall.' Angela committed to Fareeha, knowing doing so would increase her chances of following through and not submitting to her old way of life, where she lived for everyone but herself. Gloria wanted her to be happy. Angela wanted to honour her sister's memory by saving as many as she could. This was a compromise of sorts. She couldn't help anyone if she didn't help herself here and there first, correct?

Fatigue proved a cruel master. Angela nodded off and on the entire ride home. She claimed flickers of moments, holding Fareeha tightly as she was escorted to her room. The woman helped undress her, kissing her all over as she did so. Angela remembered sighing loudly, gripping her girlfriend's strong arms and being eased onto her back. She held Fareeha's head, her black, silky hair feeding through her fingers and the woman kissing between her legs with paramount affection, caressing her gently and working magic with extreme precision.

In another moment, Angela felt the woman's arms around her, the light turned off and soft lips massaging her neck in between utterances of pure affection. Angela hummed in delight, merging her hands within Fareeha's and squeezing with all her might.

'Stay…' Angela whispered, confusing herself even.

'I am not going anywhere.' The voice of her love responded tenderly.

'Stay with me, Fareeha…' She needed to repeat.

'I intend to.'

That night, Angela recalled what a true night's rest could be.