Widowmaker

'Thank-you, Widowmaker.' A pause, with Jack shaking his head and letting a wry grin slip through. 'I never thought I'd be saying that anytime soon. But you saved one of our own, and Reinhardt would never talk you up unless it was true. You also helped us collect some valuable data. Winston has already locked himself in his lab trying to figure out just what we're up against here.'

'I completed the mission. Nothing less, nothing more.' Widow insisted, and Reinhardt wasn't around to contest her claim, for he was with Brigitte (once again), in the medical ward. The two of them truly made for one another. How sweet. They both would be fine with a day or so of rest.

'She won't take a compliment, Boss. Just leave it.' Lena encouraged.

'Affirmative.' Jack went to the computers nearby in the meeting room, projecting multiple screens into the space between himself, Lena, and Widow. He didn't waste time with formalities anymore. He was done pretending in that regard. Widow didn't mind. She appreciated such curtness.

'We're being stretched thin as of late. The U.N. doesn't want to go back on the Petras Act, but they can't deal with the spreading God Program issue either. Talon is only perpetuating the situation, and it's obvious they have their hands somewhere in the United Nations as well. The black omnics are our biggest problem, I would say. God Programs can be managed relatively well at this point, but pair them with a black omnic and there's trouble even we have difficulty handling.'

Various screens showcased parts of the world and threat levels associated with them. It was becoming like before, but at least humanity wasn't completely caught off guard this time. Countries had prepared decently enough, with Overwatch being used as a sort of emergency unit for God Programs getting out of control completely. Jack brought up a particularly devastated zone, somewhere in Australia, it seemed.

'This is just outside of Junkertown, and as you can see, the damage spread over a large radius. A black omnic. A single one. It took a couple of outlaws to bring it down, and apparently the amount of explosives required created this.'

Jack zoomed in on an enormous crater, tapping at the image until it was clear. Impressive.

'Bloody hell…' Lena blinked.

'Talon is obviously planning something, because this was another sort of test ground for them. Pair the black omnics with the type you brought back and that's a recipe for disaster.'

Jack hesitated, eyeing Widow cautiously and then sighing a moment later. Go ahead. Say it. Whatever "it" is, she welcomed a jab or whatever he wished to provide. Boringly enough, he stuck with the briefing.

'Angela is going to have my head, but I used whatever means available to me to get some answers from Moira. I'm through playing around, and what good is she if she doesn't talk?'

Widow's eyes widened. This man was a piece of work.

'You didn't!' Lena shouted. Of course, she did. 'That's against the law, Jack!'

'Our very existence is against the law, Lena. Mind explaining the difference?'

'Do I really have to? Jesus, Jack! Did Winston or Ana "okay" it?'

'Ana did. Winston is playing ignorant. He knows what happened. We got information. That's all I care about. If we didn't, it might have become a war we aren't equipped to handle. You can thank me later.'

'What did you learn?' Widow intervened, not interested in the moral discussion.

'Want to see what you can do against an army of black omnics? Because that's the end goal for Talon. The black substance is alien matter, and it is something like a living parasite that instigates and amplifies the God Program. We already got the U.N. to crack down on Oasis' stash of the stuff, but who knows what good that'll do with Talon likely in the damn inner workings of things. The good news is that the goop is finite in quantity. The bad news is Talon's in the midst of cloning it. Moira doesn't know where those experiments are being conducted. She purposely kept herself ignorant, aware that this exact scenario was a possibility, the madwoman. We're running out of time. We need to find this laboratory and destroy it completely. We need to wipe all data on the black ferrofluid or the world could be in for a conflict it won't recover from this time.'

'These missions are being formulated, I imagine?' Widow decided to ask out of pure curiosity.

A long, sorrowful pause.

'That's where we are at. A standstill. Winston and any of our hackers' abilities are nowhere near what we need. We're being very careful with what we tell the U.N. as well.'

'I see.'

'Seriously, Jack? Is that really it?'

'Yeah. I have some sources I'm reaching out to, but…'

Another beat.

'I…might have an idea, then.' Lena started, and Widow already knew where she was going with this "idea", because Widow herself thought of the same thing. It was ridiculously unlikely, but it was better than nothing.

'I'm listening.'

'Sombra. Talon's hacker. She wants to have a chat with Amelie and I anyway. If I can offer her enough money, we might be able to – '

'We can't give her more than Talon. I thought of that. She won't take a pay cut to help the enemy.'

'That's the thing, innit? I don't think she sees us as an enemy, right, Luv?' Lena turned to Widow, and she rolled her eyes, hating it when the younger girl made that desperate plea with her face.

'…Sombra is an enigma. I've never attempted to understand her motives.' Widow thought about the few interactions she had endured regarding the erratic individual. 'However, I don't believe it is…impossible. The fact she wishes to meet with us indicates a form of desperation. She might not have a choice but to seek help in her own twisted way. Once bitten twice shy, so it goes.'

'What does that mean?' Jack sounded a little more hopeful.

'If I recall correctly, she's gotten herself into respectable trouble before due to her "hacking". History could be repeating itself.'

Widow's words hung in the air heavily, Jack tapping on a desk with deep contemplation.

'…If she's willing to meet with you both then do whatever you can to get her on our side. Her co-operation could literally mean the difference between winning and losing this fight. Understanding the flow of information and being capable of manipulating it at a whim is a power we currently lack with our present individuals. I'm trusting you both with this mission. She knows you, Widow, and you've had a strange but consistent flow of conversation with her, correct, Lena?'

'Yeah. Weirdly enough she's always kinda kept me in the loop in a not so helpful way.'

Jack finally stopped tapping his fingers and huffed in aggravation.

'Do it. As soon as possible. Where is the meeting site?'

'Not sure, really.' Lena shrugged, but Widow had other ideas.

'King's Row.' She said with conviction, her brain throbbing at the recollection of where all this started for her. Lena, naturally, was flustered at the thought.

'What do you mean, Luv? She get in touch with you or something?'

'We were going there anyway. We'll tell her where to get in touch with us. We have the power in this interaction; not her. She wants us as much as we need her. Sombra doesn't do anything unnecessarily. I promise you she's been backed into a corner. She's irritating beyond belief, but she's hardly a fool.'

'I…uh…King's Row, huh?'

'To have a discussion with this Emily woman as well, of course.' Widow grinned slyly, and Lena's expression was utterly priceless. Widow herself was due for another dose of her pills, for she could feel her nerves prickling with a dark intent, but she had to admit there was a place for Lena's goofy antics in her rehabilitation as well.

'Emily? You're still in touch with her?' Jack raised a brow, his wrinkles deepening.

'We got some stuff to talk about, yeah.' Lena admitted.

'Well, if that works out then good. Just keep us informed. The sooner you leave the better. I wish I could give you time to rest. Hell, I would prefer Angela have another go at you, Widowmaker, but I don't like what we learned. I'd rather we get this plan in action immediately. Take an aircraft that can work efficiently in autopilot. I'll get in touch with some agents in the area and send you the final details regarding the mission. Rest while you travel. Otherwise, can I ask you to be ready within two hours?'

'Two hours!?' Lena snapped her head back in shock.

'So be it.' Widow agreed. This irritation was annoying. The sooner she dealt with it the better.

'Aw, rubbish…'

'I'm sorry.' Jack apologized, to Widow's surprise. 'My instincts are telling me this is a pivotal moment. I'm trusting you, Lena.' He paused, meeting Widow's intense gaze. 'And…you, Amelie.'

She didn't suspect such a form of recognition from this man would mean anything to her, yet her stomach turned painfully, and images of Gerard punctured her mind like white-hot needles.

'Hmph.' Widow turned, walking away with disinterest, but running with all her might inwardly.

'Tell me your conversation; word for word.' Widow heard the shower start, Lena's uniform draped across the couch and her chronal accelerator glowing on a chair near the washroom.

'I can't promise it'll be word for word, Luv.' Lena chuckled.

'Fine. As best as you can manage.'

'Right. I said we'd talk, huh? Guess it's only fair.'

Widow waited, having changed into a tiny pair of black shorts and a matching t-shirt. It was nice to let her body breathe before the next mission. The mission that would commence sooner rather than later. The mission she had helped initiate for some insane reason.

'The long and short of it is she wants to get back together. We went our own ways when I got the call from Winston. Well…I went my own way. She let me do it because she's a good gal. Me? Not so much. Kinda selfish, really, and she called me out on it, sayin' I have trouble being alone.'

Widow listened carefully. It was extremely rare for Lena to be so personal. Yes, she talked a lot; perhaps too much. But Widow could count how many times she got into her core concerns and view of the world. She was much more guarded than she let on. It was somewhat fascinating.

'Is she correct?'

Only the shower could be heard, and that was fine for the time needed.

'…She isn't wrong, I think. Didn't know it myself, really. Not a very good girlfriend, am I? Couldn't stand the thought of not being loved? Figured I could woo someone into being with me while I worked? Jesus. Look too deep and it's…ugly. Real ugly. Bloody mess. Oh, Emily…what did you even see in me?'

Widow chewed on her lip, anger boiling inside her instinctually.

'I'm here because of you…Lena.'

'Heh…' Lena laughed, something of a small sob slipping through. 'Guess that's something…'

'It's a great deal, as far as I'm concerned.' Widow went on, her throat tightening. 'You're a…a hero. Truly. I've seen it.'

'Thanks, Luv…'

'But you're also human, are you not?' Widow persisted. 'And humans all struggle with vices, as far as I recall. Gerard…was not so unlike you.' A stabbing to her heart. A fragmented memory. Something locked away yet was beginning to resurface. The fight that nearly led to a divorce. The reconciliation afterward. The child that would save their marriage. He or she would unite them forever.

Yet, his eyes continued to wander…

'It is a difficult thing…lust'

The shower stopped, but Lena wasn't moving. Widow pictured her bent over, gripping at the tap and letting the water fall over her slender form. The poor girl.

'Oi. You gotta say that nasty word?'

'It is appropriate, is it not?'

'…Sure.'

'Lena.' Widow proceeded. 'You have been a perfect gentlewoman. You do not allow your vice to completely control you. You have respected me admirably.'

'Heh. I tried…'

'But I do not believe you can ever love me; nor I you.' Widow let the statement fall over the apartment, the syllables blanketing the dimly-lit area as they sunk into everything. Lena stepped out of the washroom then, a towel around her body, a small, pretty little crevice formed in the middle of her chest where the material squeezed her together.

'That a fact?' She said with restrained frustration.

'You "lust" me, Lena.'

'I care about you.'

'You desire me.'

'I like being with you.'

'You want to make love to me right this moment. You want to hide from the truth. Your vice is your comfort. Your love is unnatural. It shall always be. Your emotions…make you ever so vulnerable.'

'You kissed me.'

'Indeed.'

'You let me kiss you. Everywhere.'

'I…am also human, I suppose. I…am also lonely. It was beneficial to us both. But only to that extent. Can you truly – honestly – imagine us "dating"? Getting married?'

'Maybe!'

'No.' Widow smiled distantly. 'You cannot. Now, could you imagine the same things with Emily?'

'Obviously. We did date. And it's not as "unnatural" as you think. Just two people loving one another. What's the big deal? Why are you so hung up on what's "proper", huh? You ever orgasm like that with Gerard? You ever feel like that with him?'

More weight, and Widow breathed out slowly, closing her thoughts off. Knowing it was the safest course of action. It was the only way. It was the best way.

'…Do not say another word about him, Lena Oxton. You are crossing a line, and if I truly wanted to, the monkey's toy wouldn't stop me in time. Widowmaker would break you. She would. I don't want to test her, but you're treading a fine line.'

Something sparkled in Lena's eyes then, strangely enough.

'Her? She? You're…really separating yourself from the old you, huh?'

Widow crossed her arms, hiding as much of herself as she could.

'I want to move on.' She admitted out loud. 'I…want to understand myself again.'

'Fair enough.'

'Thus, I want to meet with this Emily woman. I want to finish this war and discover what kind of life I can lead now. Only when Talon is gone can I imagine a new path.'

'Right…' Lena pushed her hand through her damp hair, the way it messily hung about her endearing. The freckles around her nose always drew Widow's eye, and she turned away consciously, listening to Lena speak again. 'And I'm sorry…for talking about Gerard like that. Way outta line.'

'It was.' Widow pushed the smile down into her chest. 'Yet, you are quick to apologize…sincerely. Thanks.'

A pause, and Widow wondered if Lena perceptively caught her implication. It hurt that she may have.

'No problem, Luv.'

There was a moment that didn't elude Widow. A look that was exchanged after such raw honesty was passed between two souls. Widow stood up, tread through the water of her world, and thought Lena was going to grab her wrist, stopping her from proceeding into the shower herself.

Lena didn't do a thing. She let her go. And it was perplexing how juxtaposed a singular woman could be.

Both Lena and Widow took the time they needed while flying to King's Row to rest as necessary. Emily and Sombra had been contacted appropriately, and although Lena hadn't elaborated on Emily's reaction to meeting Widow, her face spoke volumes, indicating her ex thought the idea was likely a little crazy, but tolerated it because of the desire to at least see Lena. Sombra, on the other hand, feigned resistance, yet eventually succumbed to Lena's proposal, solidifying Widow's evaluation of her mannerisms as of late.

Not many words were exchanged on the trip. Both women were rightfully exhausted, and sleep was a precious commodity. It made for a quick transition from Overwatch Gibraltar to King's Row, and once the aircraft landed and the doors were being knocked upon by the agents Jack Morrison had personally contacted, Widow snapped awake, startled by how deeply she had been asleep. Lena was already changing into a different outfit, a white tank-top beneath her chronal accelerator as she equipped a brown bomber jacket. She allowed entrance to the fellow agents, masterfully connecting with them and humouring their excitement at her return to grace.

Widow threw on a classy, dark purple trench-coat over her plainer, black ensemble, and soon stepped out of the transporter, feeling the eyes of the men that were receiving herself and Lena. It was late evening by this point, and the turquoise-hued lighting of King's Row welcomed Widow, poking at her memories and the ecstasy she had experienced not so far from this very location, where a statue had been erected in recognition of the world's loss by her crazed hand.

'Thanks, Luvs! We'll be on our way, then!' Lena waved, Widow staying close to her as they moved through the back alleys of King's Row. Widow hadn't noticed before, but this old part of the city was littered with graffiti and remnants of hate toward the omnics. For some reason, it unsettled her, and she didn't revel in being forced into hiding considering her current reputation in such an area.

'Sorry, Luv. Gotta be a bit sneaky. Don't want any nasty attention, right? I've taken these routes to Emily's before. No worries. It looks worse than it is. Besides,' Lena winked, as if reading Widow's thoughts. 'It'd take quite the thug to give us trouble, don't you think?'

That was true. Somehow, her own capabilities had ceased to exist. Was it because of the coat she had bought herself that brought her back to being simply Amelie? Was it because of the comfort she felt beside Lena; a comfort she undeniably experienced next to Gerard anytime they moved about Paris on their own? No matter. A strange absence of the mind. Nothing more.

Lena took Widow's hand regardless, and she flinched, both of them stopping.

'I'm still your friend, Amelie. You seem a little off. This place is kinda important to us, innit? Might stir up some ideas? Just want you to remember who we are as a team and all that. No moves. Just innocent affection. Sound good?'

'Holding me as we go to visit the woman you truly love? Rather twisted…'

'It isn't like that and you know it.'

Widow did. So, why insist on pushing? She didn't grip Lena back, but she didn't force herself away either.

They eventually entered a slightly nicer part of the city, just on the cusp of the old, tourist sector, and Lena let herself and Widow into an apartment, calling up to Emily and waiting for a response. Widow released her hand from Lena, then, her breaths issuing a little shorter despite her insistence on maintaining an intimidating amount of confidence, and her palms hot.

"Lena?"

'How the heck do you do that, Luv?' Lena giggled. Her tone. Her eyes. Her posture. Everything changed. Did she even realize it herself? Likely not. Widow watched the young woman transform, and she remembered to breathe.

"Well, I knew you were coming, and the timing's right, innit?" A beat. "Amelie? Are you there, too?"

Lena motioned for Widow to step in next to her. Thus, she did so, the sounds muffling around her as her chest pounded.

'Yes.' She managed.

"Hey. Nice to…um…hear you? I'll unlock the doors so we can meet, okay?"

'Thanks, Luv!'

'Thank-you…'

If she was to be honest with herself, Emily seemed sweet. Very sweet. Comforting even.

'I forgot to mention something, Amelie.' Lena spoke lowly as they took an elevator up fairly high. 'And it's kinda important, I guess. It shows a bit about Emily's character.'

'You're telling me this now?' Widow rolled her eyes, shifting her weight back and forth.

'It's just…I wasn't sure whether I should say it, but I'm deciding right now I better.' The doors slid open. They were in a hallway now. It smelled odd. Leave it to apartments, where all kinds of folk could reside that would never step near one another otherwise.

'Get on with it.'

'I would never do it, but Emily basically said I could fool around as much as I want so long as I don't fall in love and come back to her after everything's over. Bloody daft, innit?'

Widow's eye twitched. Lena was right. This revealed a great deal about Emily. The question was: how did Amelie feel about it? She only had a basic reply for Lena in the moment.

'…She understands you astronomically well. Understands and is beyond in love with you.'

'Yeah…' Lena appeared in pain, but Widow wouldn't observe her further. It was dangerous.

Emily's door was knocked upon, three quick taps, and she was there in another second, perhaps standing by the obstruct and waiting for the girl she loved. So clearly loved. Did Widow even know what that word meant? She thought she did. She had been married, correct? She had told Gerard she loved him many times. They were to have a child together. They spent years in the same bed, making "love". Surely it wasn't such a foreign concept.

Yet, when Emily was revealed, and when her eyes landed on Lena, all understanding of what Widow knew to be "love" was called into question. The girl's pretty, chocolate-coloured eyes became brighter than any star Widow had bothered to notice. She likely wanted to restrain the smile that encapsulated her entire visage, but that was a complete failure. She flinched, surely wishing to hold and kiss Lena, but preventing herself for many a complicated reason. If they were just friends, a hug would be fine, but between ex-lovers, the act carried so much more weight. Widow observed this brief exchange with extreme interest, something in her heart twitching with jealousy, but not the kind that indicated possessiveness of Lena Oxton.

'Heya, Lena!' She waved daintily, her red hair gorgeous; truly aflame with beauty and maintained pleasingly. She had more freckles decorating her face than Lena, and the red sweater that hung over her equally peppered shoulder leant itself to both a sensual yet classy method of seduction.

'Hey, Luv!'

'And…Amelie? Our names are a bit similar, aren't they?' She addressed Widow, extending a hand, somehow calmly accepting the woman who could potentially ruin her life as far as she was concerned.

Widow took the greeting, gripping Emily tightly, not with ill-intent but desperation. With intrigue. With envy.

'Somewhat, although it is pronounced Amelie in French, which makes for a more notable difference.'

'Oh! Your skin is cold! Lena mentioned you had some…procedures done by Talon? Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything? I can only imagine what you've been through. I'm so sorry.'

She was like Lena. Sincere. Not an ounce of manipulation behind her words. Obvious worry over what would happen this evening, naturally. Rightly so. Her future depended on what transpired within the next couple of hours. Widow knew what that could be like. It was terrifying. Yet, she concerned herself over Widow. The other woman, she supposed. The character usually hated and chastised in Widow's programs. However, this wasn't a fictional tale. No. This was playing out much more differently than any episode Widow had enjoyed.

Widow let go of Emily, blinking as their eyes met in a strange, silent conversation neither could comprehend.

This was much more complicated. Much more difficult. Much more…unconventional.

'Please, come in.' Emily displayed her apartment, the space neat, organized, and telling of the woman who lived there. The first thing Widow noticed were the shelves of books lining an entire wall. The second were abstract pictures framed with an artistic eye. They seemed to be chaotic blotches of paint, but upon further inspection, they held some sort of uncanny relevance to emotions Widow didn't fully understand quite yet. The third most notable detail was a green scarf that was wrapped about a small vase that had a dried white rose in it on the dining room table, glasses and a laptop nearby.

'Emily's a freelance editor, agent, and writer. That's why she's got the totally daft collection of books.' Lena took off her shoes, sounding proud as she spoke.

'When I can get work, yeah. Between the three I manage to get by.' The girl shrugged, and Widow wished to browse her collection further, or stare at the paintings, or even look at the obviously valuable scarf oddly displayed on the table. But she was a guest, and not necessarily a welcomed one…or so she thought? This scenario was much different than she had anticipated. These feelings were far more puzzling.

'Anyway, have a seat. Relax. You're both just off from a mission, right? Got another lined up after this at some point?'

'Yeah, but no rush. That job doesn't start for a while since the person we're meeting up with has a little further to travel to get here. No worries, Luv.'

Widow and Lena went to the living room's couch, an enormous window nearby with the curtains drawn open a little oddly despite it being dark out.

'Oh. Sorry. You can close those if you want. I just…um…like looking out at the city lights at night, I guess. It's pretty, innit?'

'We better, just in case.' Lena did so, likely concerned about Talon spies or any such nonsense.

Widow noticed a small bowel of cookies and other baked treats on the coffee table before them, and watched as Lena ate one whole.

'Did you make these?' Widow asked.

'Me? Hahah! No, no. I'm an awful cook. I can barely do a decent grilled cheese sandwich. Even Lena's better than me.'

'Hey!' Lena yelled.

'Coffee or tea, Amelie?'

'Tea…'

'Coming right up. Already have the water boiled.'

What on earth was happening? Widow expected antagonism. Yelling. Accusations. Hate. She would finally have her answer and be released from such frustrating thoughts, yet this wasn't how she envisioned anything. Now, she was only more confused. More anxious. More unsure of what she wanted. There was such warmth in this apartment. Such comfort. Such acceptance. Who was this woman?

'You alright?' Lena mumbled.

'No.' Widow answered honestly.

'So…um…this is kinda weird, innit?' Emily stepped away from the kitchen, drinks on a tray. She had slender features overall, but her chest was noticeably somewhat bountiful even hidden in her loose sweater. Her hips were wide, but her legs thin, the black, tight pants almost drawing attention to how tiny her frame was.

'Heh. A little.' Lena agreed.

'But I'm glad you both came. It's more than I was expecting.' She paused, blowing on her drink, the mug decorated with a cute little saying and cartoony yet not overly childish glasses. "Reading is Sexy". Lena must've purchased the cup for her. 'And you're bloody gorgeous. Do you know that?'

Widow flinched back, genuinely thrown by the sudden compliment. Her cheeks flushed.

'I-I've been told…'

'By this one, more than likely.' Emily nodded to Lena, who grinned shamefully.

'Well, she is!'

'Obviously.' Emily sighed, but had a dimple in her cheek still. 'So, I guess there's no reason to delay things, is there? How do you feel about this troublemaker?'

Widow found herself surprised again. This woman didn't beat about the bush. It was refreshing. It was appreciated. Despite the welcomed hospitality, she wouldn't waste time. Good for her. She deserved an answer sooner rather than later.

'She…saved my life.' Widow answered slowly, and Emily nodded.

'She has a bad habit of doing that.' She joked.

'I was living in darkness.' Widow would be just as honest. No holding back. 'Talon made me a weapon. Made me kill my husband. Made me watch my unborn child be ripped from my stomach and mutilated in a steel bucket. Treated me like an object of destruction. Made me think that's all I could ever be. Numbed me into oblivion. Made me hate everyone. Hate everything. Hate myself.'

Why was she saying all this? It wasn't the script she had prepared. Why was the apartment blurring? Why was Emily making that face? Why were her hands touching Widow's? Why was she crouched in front of her? What was any of this?

'I…I-I hated her. I hated her but was drawn to her. I pushed her away but she wouldn't let me go.'

'Lena heard your cry for help, didn't she?' Emily's eyes were watering as well. 'Another bad habit. A hero to her very core, this one.'

'She…has become…' Widow swallowed, shivering in disbelief of how rapidly this interaction had developed and fallen out of her control. 'Very special…to me.'

'Of course.' Emily answered calmly, and this only made Widow more upset. 'I doubt too many other people could have possibly pulled you out from where Talon put you.'

'Y-yes…' Widow acknowledged.

'You fell in love again.' Emily nearly suggested, but mostly stated.

'No.' Widow denied immediately.

'…Okay. You didn't fall in love. But you care about her.'

'Perhaps.' She couldn't deny that much.

'Enough to give in to her obvious but restrained desires.'

'Once.' Widow grimaced, guilt causing her veins to pulsate coldly. To her surprise, she followed up the declaration with a cracked voice. 'I'm sorry…'

'Why are you sorry?' Emily raised a brow, her face distractingly attractive in a conventional way.

'Because…I now know how much you love her.'

This gave Emily pause. She glanced to Lena, who was respectfully staying quiet and likely nervous about this entire exchange, and then smiled distantly, meeting Widow's eyes again.

'We aren't dating anymore. You did nothing wrong. No need to apologize.'

'But…' Widow shook her head.

'You're a human again, Amelie. You have needs like the rest of us. After what you've been through you deserve to feel again. Lena was a safe outlet. She still is. She'll take care of you in that regard; believe me, I bloody hell know it. She's an amazing lover.'

Widow bit at her lip, doing everything in her power to control her emotions.

'How?' She started, her tone higher than normal. 'How can you possibly be so calm and…and rational? How, when you love her so much it's forcing my perception of the word into question? You should spite me. You should hate me.'

'Because I understand the human mind and heart a little better than most. Maybe it's because of all the reading I do, or editing, or writing, but I can see things from a whole bunch of angles at once. I can put myself in another person's shoes pretty easily and get what's going on. I can sympathize way better than I probably should most of the time.'

'I swear she should've gone into psychology. Girl can get a hold of things, like, way too fast.' Lena piped in at last. 'Can be a bit troublesome.'

'No lying around me.' Emily stared at Widow, almost as though she were accusing her of doing so. 'And I know none of this is a line. I could tell the situation was tough. I'm glad we're able to talk like this. It's better than letting my imagination fill in the blanks.'

'Right!?' Lena chuckled a bit.

'It's not like I'm not a little upset, don't get me wrong. Lena brings in a bloody model and I'm supposed to try and compete with that? Grand. If I was to be completely selfish I would fight for her like a fool, but that would only push Lena away. I know that. So, I'm playing the nice girl part and trying to understand you before getting all crazy. You know, the way us redheads can be?'

'Your hair is magnificent.' Widow heard herself saying.

'Oh.' Emily blushed, tucking some of it behind her left ear. 'Thanks. Wasn't…um…expecting that. Are we supposed to get along though?'

'I am not vying for Lena's affection.' Widow found her pace again, leveling her feelings as she liked them to be. 'Certainly not after what I've seen here tonight. This visit has served its purpose. If you let her go I will be extremely disappointed, Lena Oxton.'

'Amelie…'

'I believe we are finished here. I am, in any case. If you both need some privacy, then let me excuse myself. I can wait in the hall.'

'That's kinda dangerous, Luv. You sorta stick out…in a lot of ways.'

'You don't have to go. This isn't a decision I want to be made right now. Lena needs to think about it. I sorta sprung it on her, after all. Not the fairest approach, but…it was getting hard.' This Emily girl showed a hint of vulnerability in that comment, and Widow couldn't stop observing her. She was a riveting human being. Speaking of which…

'May I ask you something?'

'Um…sure?'

A quick intake of air.

'Lena mentioned, on the way here, that so long as you have her heart, she may do as she pleases. Is that true?'

Emily became uncomfortable through her fidgeting at the question. She reached behind her head and scratched, fixing her sweater and glancing around before finally answering. She was flushed. Embarrassed. It was somewhat cute.

'Oi. That was sort of a private thing to say, Lena.' She glared.

'Sorry, Luv. I thought it would help her understand you better.'

'Understand how pathetic I am, maybe.'

'It's not pathetic.' Widow cut in hastily. 'Not in the slightest. Not based on what I've learned about Lena as of late. You…are a very complex woman, Emily.' Widow took in the apartment again, the intellect and maturity of its owner obvious. 'My late husband…was much like Lena in a way, I suppose.'

'Can you believe it?' Lena giggled in the way she did.

'Oh?'

'Yes. His eyes wandered constantly. It angered me. He…was with another woman, perhaps more than once, during our marriage.' It hurt to think about for so many nagging reasons. 'It nearly led to the end of our relationship. He claimed it meant nothing. I couldn't believe it. Yet…you propose this very thing? You would be fine with Lena making love to me should we both desire it?'

Emily sucked in her mouth, looking up to the ceiling as her eyes watered. She was strong emotionally, but this was a difficult conversation, and she was doing admirably, regardless.

'Lena's work…is hard. She really, really likes being…involved with someone. It's her outlet. It's just…part of who she is. She's gotten so, so much better, but I know it's trying, and taking that away from her while she's fighting her heart out…just isn't fair. We're both making compromises. Lena's better qualities far outweigh this little glitch in her motivations. I'm sure you've seen just what kind of woman she is. She's a hero in every sense of the word. She swept me off my feet. I had never thought of being with another woman, yet here this girl was, making me feel more valuable and cared for than even my own family could manage.'

'Jeez, Emily…' Lena uttered.

'But the short answer is "no". I wouldn't be fine with it. I would tolerate it knowing I'm the one she'll come back to eventually. Like you said, her heart is mine. That's all I want. It lasts much longer than any physical relationship, no matter how much I enjoy making love to her.'

'A fair answer…' Widow's shoulders slouched. She couldn't compare. The path wasn't what she anticipated, but the end result was what she wished in any case.

'And now there's you.' Emily's voice trembled. 'I can't imagine you trusting just anyone so easily anymore, especially after what you just told us.'

'I don't need or want anything like – '

'You're lying.' Emily's shimmering eyes narrowed. 'You value what you have with Lena, and she's the only person in your life you've felt comfortable giving yourself over to completely. Tell me that's not true.'

Widow's mouth twitched. This woman…was troublesome. Fierce. Smart. Too observant.

'…Fine.' Widow could only answer.

'But you would never date her.' Emily persisted.

'No.'

'Huh?' Lena was trying to keep up, and for once, she might not have been able to.

'And now you respect me enough that taking me up on my offer wouldn't sit well with you at all.'

'Perhaps.' Widow shrugged, but it was too accurate.

'Jesus, Em…'

'So, the answer is simple.' Emily smiled a smile so mischievously playful Widow felt her chest flutter.

'And that would be?' What could she possibly say, and how could it ever be simple considering the circumstances?

'All three of us just need to get along some. Make sense?'